40 Ch.39: Leave

Now, only Chen and Jingling's spirit rings remain," Luo Tian exclaimed, brimming with satisfaction over the children's newfound spirit skills. Their progress had been impressive. Meng Shu, who had consumed the Immortal Herb at level 40, had witnessed an exponential increase in his soul power, soaring to level 47, just a few steps away from Spirit King.

'With their current skills, as long as they aren't too overconfident and don't encounter opponents too powerful for them, I'm confident they will survive the impending war,' Luo Tian pondered to himself.

As the group continued their search for suitable spirit beasts, Dugu Xin's keen eyes finally fell upon a creature that caught his attention—a crocodile-shaped spirit beast. It wasn't particularly massive, measuring around three meters in length, but what set it apart were its distinctive features. With a head adorned with four eyes and four limbs as robust as buckets, the creature's entire body was sheathed in black plate armor. Each armor plate was palm-sized, exuding an air of formidable durability.

"Jingling, I've found a potential spirit beast for you—an Unicorn Armored Beast, approximately 3000 years old. What do you think?" Dugu Xin inquired.

Jingling responded promptly, "Um, it's perfect."

"Alright, I'll immobilize it. Get ready to kill it," Dugu Xin said. He activated his Real Guard, his body enveloped in the armor. In a blur of speed, he appeared beside the unsuspecting spirit beast, delivering a powerful punch to its head. The impact sent the beast crashing to the ground, causing the surface to crack slightly.

"Alright, Jingling. You can come and kill it."

Jingling leaped down from the tree branch where she had been perched, approaching the subdued beast with curiosity. She drew her knife and skillfully ended its life. As a purple spirit ring materialized above her, she settled down to absorb it, while the rest of the group stood guard, ensuring her safety during the process. As they waited for Jingling to complete her spirit ring absorption, Dugu Xin turned to You Chen. "Chen, have you decided on a specific spirit beast for your 4th spirit ring?"

Chen nodded, determination in his eyes. "Yeah, I was thinking about a 2-Headed Wind Spirit Wolf."

"Very well. I know of a pack of wind spirit wolves not too far from here. As long as they haven't ventured beyond their territory, they should still be there."

Once Jingling had successfully absorbed her third spirit ring and her soul power had risen to level 36, slightly lower than expected, Luo Tian mused aloud, "It could be that most of the energy from the Immortal Herbs was channeled into evolving her war flag."

Ever inquisitive, Ma Jun was the first to inquire about Jingling's third spirit ring. Jingling replied calmly, "It's called Attribute Amplification: Strength, speed, and defense amplification by 30%. Increases by 5% for each additional Spirit Ring."

Luo Tian interrupted the conversation, a sense of urgency in his voice. "Alright, now let's get Chen's spirit ring and leave." He had mixed feelings about the children's departure, but he had an inkling they might face challenges ahead. The group readied themselves and set off toward the territory of the wind wolves. Upon reaching their destination, they quickly spotted the elusive 2-Headed Wind Spirit Wolf, a creature with a body measuring two meters in length and one meter in height. Its green fur swayed gently in the wind, and it possessed a pair of pale-brown eyes. Unlike its counterparts, this wolf had two heads.

Dugu Xin, to preempt any unwelcome surprises, released a cloud of poison into the surrounding area. The 2-Headed Wind Spirit Wolf began to sense that something was amiss as the five wind spirit wolves accompanying it fell to the ground, emitting white bubbles from their mouths. Before it could react, weakness overcame its limbs, and it collapsed due to the poison's effects. Yao Chen wasted no time and swiftly approached to deliver the finishing blow. As a purple spirit ring manifested above the wolf's head, he took a final look at the fallen wolves around him and sighed, "Sigh, boss Dugu's poison is as terrifying as ever."

In no time, Yao Chen had absorbed his spirit ring, and the newly acquired spirit skill enabled him to conjure half-moon-shaped, dark-green, giant sickle slashes and hurl them with precision.

"All right, kids, it's time to return to Hollow Beast Academy," Luo Tian announced. After another arduous journey, the seven of them finally reached the gates of Hollow Beast Academy. Since their initial meeting, the day of parting had inevitably arrived. It was difficult to suppress the wave of reluctance that swept over them. Yet, each one of them understood that if they continued to stay together, their individual growth would be stunted. Dugu Xin fell silent for a moment and then slowly spoke, "I didn't expect the day we would part ways to come so quickly."

Yao Chen interjected, "Boss Dugu, we've graduated. We should be happy. Let's all celebrate!"

Seeing that they were ready to bid their farewells, Luo Tian graciously stepped back and retreated into the academy. The atmosphere lightened, and they all headed to one of the restaurants owned by the Seven Tiled Glazed Pagoda, located near the Hollow Beast Academy, to celebrate and say their temporary goodbyes. Dugu Xin used his personal card to secure a private room on the fifth floor, and merriment filled the air. As the night wore on and the spirits flowed, Dugu Xin swayed slightly and declared with determination, "Everyone, once I become the leader of the Dugu Family, as I mentioned when we first met in our first year, I will officially establish a sect. I ask you once again, are you willing to follow me as your sect leader?"

Ma Jun and Yao Chen, who had long held faith in Dugu Xin's leadership, enthusiastically slammed the table and rose to their feet, shouting, "We're with you, Boss Dugu, just like we promised in our first year!"

Meng Shu, with a smile, added, "The moment I lost to you, I decided to follow you."

Chao Tianxiang, her cheeks flushed with alcohol, chimed in, "Where Old Meng goes, I'll go too."

Finally, Li Jingling, who was surprisingly tipsy due to her low tolerance for alcohol, stood up resolutely and declared, "I will follow you, Boss Dugu."

Laughter filled the room as they continued to revel into the night. The next morning, Dugu Xin and the others gazed one last time at the entrance of Hollow Beast Academy before reluctantly turning away. Dugu Xin was the first to break the silence, "So, what are your plans?"

Ma Jun replied first, "Chen and I will return to our clans for the time being. We received letters this morning instructing us to come home now that we've graduated."

Meng Shu chimed in, "I promised Tianxiang I'd take her to see the sea, so that's our plan."

Chao Tianxiang, blushing, admitted, "I'll go wherever Old Meng goes."

Jingling, still uncertain about her future, said, "I'm not sure. I'll visit my family first, but beyond that, I haven't decided."

Dugu Xin nodded, "Alright."

Before parting ways, the six of them made a pact to reunite at Hollow Beast Academy in five years. With their goodbyes exchanged, Dugu Xin glanced once more at the academy's gate, realizing that Teacher Luo Tian was nowhere to be seen. He smiled helplessly, then turned away, bidding a fond farewell to the place that had been his home for nearly four years. In a hidden corner of the Hollow Beast Academy, Luo Tian observed Dugu Xin's departure with a hint of nostalgia. Lin Mo spoke with a touch of sympathy, "Teacher Luo Tian, if it's too hard for you, you can always go with him."

Teacher Luo Tian scolded lightly, "You know me too well, Lin Mo."

Lin Mo chuckled, "Well, I guess I never said anything."

With a final longing look, Teacher Luo Tian let out a soft farewell before leaving. Dugu Xin embarked on his journey home, and after five days and nights of travel, he found himself nearing Novus City, his hometown. The coachman complained about the increasingly challenging life in Novus City, with rising taxes and grain collections. Dugu Xin couldn't help but share in the coachman's concerns. Just then, a figure in black appeared at the roadside. Dugu Xin, using his ability to discern martial souls, identified the newcomer, 'Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, level 94.'

"Dad, what are you doing? People will think you're trying to rob them," Dugu Xin quipped.

Dugu Bo sighed, a playful glint in his eye, "I was hoping to catch you by surprise, but I forgot you can see someone's martial soul. You've become cheekier, just like that old man. His personality must have rubbed off on you." He patted Dugu Xin's shoulder with a proud smile.

Dugu Bo, his father, approached and patted Dugu Xin's shoulder with a satisfied smile. "Not bad, you've grown into a fine young man. You've made remarkable progress over the years. It was indeed the right decision to send you to Hollow Beast Academy," he praised warmly.

As the father and son exchanged words, the coachman hastened their journey toward Novus City. Dugu Bo led Dugu Xin into the city, making their way to the old mansion where they had once resided Dugu Xin was puzzled and asked, "Why did we have to sneak into Novus City, Father?"

Dugu Bo explained, "Now that the war between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire has started, the cost of medicine has skyrocketed. Our Dugu family has been away for about a year and a half, and other influential families are ready to swallow us up. I want you to absorb the other families to strengthen our power and lay the foundation for the sect you wish to establish. If you encounter an opponent you can't handle, Old Mo and Old Jie, along with me, will step in to assist. Once we've settled matters here, the Sunset Forest will be ours."

Dugu Xin had known from a young age that the world operated on a principle of might makes right. The desire to absorb the Dugu family was a natural one, and their countermove was equally legitimate. He assured his father, "Don't worry, Father, I'll take care of it."

But, when Dugu Bo mentioned their plan for the Sunset Forest, Dugu Xin was taken aback, "What do you mean by 'making the Sunset Forest ours'? And what about the war?"

Dugu Bo chuckled, "A few days ago, I encountered three Spirit Douluo from the Star Luo Empire who were attempting to assassinate Prince Xue Ye. I managed to thwart their plans and escorted the prince to the capital, where the emperor rewarded me handsomely. So, I chose the Sunset Forest as our reward. It took some convincing, but even the old monster eventually agreed. As for the war, the Heaven Dou Empire has not yet declared war on Star Luo because they are still mobilizing their forces and gathering their strength."

Dugu Xin now understood, 'I see... This makes things much easier. But I had hoped for more time before the war began.'

"By the way, Father, do you know about the War Horse Family and the Ghost Leopard Family?"

Dugu Bo replied, "Yes, they are relatively small families—not overly strong but not entirely weak either. Why do you ask?"

Dugu Xin shared, "My friends from the academy, Ma Jun and Yao Chen, belong to those families. With their talents, I'm confident they will become the future patriarchs. More importantly, they've agreed to join my sect."

Dugu Bo smiled and patted Dugu Xin's shoulder with pride, "That's excellent. But it will take some time for them to ascend to leadership positions in their families."

Dugu Xin then took a mid-sized box from his storage ring and handed it to his father. Dugu Bo opened it and discovered a manual labeled 'Aura Flame Method' and four pills: one jade-colored, one dirty green, one red, and one water blue.

Dugu Xin explained enthusiastically, "The Aura Flame Method is a spiritual technique I developed to aid in the refinement of elixirs and pills. As for the pills, I created them myself. They're called the Spirit Gathering Pill, the Body Mending Pill, the Bone Strengthening Pill, and the Water Cleansing Pill."

Impressed by his son's ingenuity, Dugu Bo chuckled, "Hahaha, with these, our family's reputation and position will skyrocket, laying the groundwork for the sect you wish to establish."

Dugu Xin downplayed his achievement, "It wasn't all that impressive, Father. Except for the Water Cleansing Pill and the Aura Flame Method, there was a lot of trial and error. Without Elder Guan from the Spirit Hall, I'm not sure I could have created some of these pills."

Dugu Bo's expression turned serious at the mention of the Spirit Hall. He asked, "What kind of assistance did they provide?"

Dugu Xin shared, "It was more of a mutual arrangement. Elder Guan provided me with a copy of his book on spirit and immortal herbs, and in return, once the pills hit the market, they can purchase them at 60% of the retail price."

"I see. It's a smaller profit, but we won't incur any losses, even if the price drops slightly. If your decision allows the Dugu Family to produce more of these pills and even create new ones, then it was the right call," Dugu Bo confirmed.

He then retrieved a token from his storage belt. Painted on the token was a Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, and he handed it to Dugu Xin, instructing, "Xin'er, this token can mobilize the power of the Dugu family and the medicine shop under our name. I trust you to handle everything swiftly and efficiently."

Dugu Xin nodded resolutely, "Yes, Father."