Is this what I think it is?

Deep within the Great Star Dou Forest, Zang Wei, Jin Louyu, and Bibi Dong stood beside the withered and battered remains of the 10,000-year-old Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. Its once-proud white lily form had wilted, and its vibrant petals had crumbled away, leaving behind only a gnarled and withered spherical structure.

Zang Wei took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the spirit ring hovering above the plant spirit beast's remains. This would be his second attempt at absorbing a spirit ring, and he was more than ready for the challenge.

The previous battle with the Three-headed Black Hydra had given him valuable experience and had tempered his battle senses. With a resolute nod to Bibi Dong and Jin Louyu, Zang Wei stepped forward, his Life Wine Gourd in hand.

He knew that maintaining the balance between his martial spirits was essential for his growth and this spirit ring would help stabilize his overly death-attribute-oriented physique, mindscape and soulscape.

As he reached out to touch the spirit ring, a surge of spiritual energy coursed through him, and he was transported into his mindscape, a place where the battle of wills and power would unfold.

Inside his mindscape, the remnant soul of the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew manifested, taking the form of the once-beautiful white lily. Its spiritual essence was still potent, and its connection to the spirit ring was undeniable.

But Zang Wei was prepared. His Death Aura Axe materialized in his hands, its blade gleaming with a deathly aura that seemed to wither the very essence of the lily.

He knew his martial spirit was a bane against plant spirit beasts, and he intended to use it to his advantage. With a battle cry, Zang Wei swung his Death Aura Axe, unleashing waves of death energy toward the ethereal white lily.

The lily retaliated with bursts of spiritual energy, attempting to ensnare him with its vines and tendrils while trying to beguile his mind as the lily was known for its efficacy in enhancing spiritual energy if consumed.

So, the lily was expected to have strong spiritual prowess! But Zang Wei's agility and control over his body allowed him to deftly evade the plant's attacks.

The battle within his mindscape raged on. Zang Wei was determine to absorb the spirit ring and regain balance in his body drove him forward. The Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, though a formidable opponent, was no match for his Death Aura Axe as it was not as powerful when it was alive.

Plus, in his mindscape due to both techniques that he had created, Soul Resonance and Yin Yang Complement technique, he was strong enough to battle with the lily.

Zang Wei held his Death Aura Axe firmly, his grip unwavering as he assessed his adversary. The Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew was known for its deceptive beauty and potent spiritual energy.

He couldn't afford to underestimate it.

With a swift motion, the plant spirit beast unleashed a barrage of sharp petals, each imbued with its potent spiritual energy. They sailed through the air toward Zang Wei, their aim deadly accurate.

However, Zang Wei's agility and control over his martial spirit allowed him to evade the deadly petals gracefully.

He moved with the grace of a dancer, dodging and weaving through the projectiles as he closed the gap between himself and the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. The spirit beast responded by extending its gnarled vines, attempting to ensnare him and drain his spiritual energy.

Zang Wei's Death Aura Axe came to life, its blade gleaming with a deathly aura that seemed to wither the very essence of the plant. As the vines approached, he swung his axe with precision, severing them with ease.

The severed vines recoiled, the white lily released pained hisses as they withdrew.

The Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew wasn't one to back down. It shifted its tactics, sending roots burrowing into the earth to form a protective barrier to accumulate its energy and performed its final attack.

Zang Wei recognized the threat and knew he had to strike quickly.

With a burst of speed, he closed the remaining distance, his Death Aura Axe poised to strike. The plant spirit beast's skeletal form shuddered as he unleashed a powerful blow.

Death energy surged through the axe, and as it made contact with the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew's barrier, the very ground seemed to tremble.

The barrier of vines and tendrils was cut, chopped and then it was finally destroyed by Zang Wei's relentless attack. The plant spirit beast recoiled in agony.

But Zang Wei didn't relent, pressing his advantage. He struck again and again, each blow with deadly precision.

The Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew's natural defenses crumbled, and its once-proud thick bark structure began to disintegrate. Hours passed within the mindscape, and the white lily's resistance had weaken. Its once-vibrant petals withered, and its movements grew sluggish.

Zang Wei's relentless onslaught with his Death Aura Axe had taken its toll. With one final, powerful swing of his axe, Zang Wei struck down the last remnants of the white lily's consciousness.

In that moment, the remnant soul dissipated, leaving behind only the spirit energy that would once again nourished his mindscape while balancing his whole being that had death oriented attribute due to earlier absorption of the Three-headed Black Hydra.

His spirit energy, previously a potent force, underwent a remarkable metamorphosis. Like a river reaching its ultimate purity, his spirit energy condensed to a point where it resembled a shimmering liquid, flowing seamlessly and powerfully within him.

As he marveled at this newfound pinnacle of his spiritual strength, he couldn't help but grin in sheer exhilaration.

'Hehehe, now I think I can confidently say I'm the greatest prodigy there will ever be!' he mused with an air of playful arrogance.

Yet, beneath the youthful bravado, he recognized the importance of humility and the necessity of approaching his newfound power with care.

'But always remember, Zang Wei... step by step.'

His thoughts turned to the family he had left behind, a constant source of motivation and love. In the heat of moments of happiness, their faces and voices lingered in his memories, driving him to reach greater heights.

"There's a whole family that I need to support," he murmured to himself, his tone now tinged with a profound sense of responsibility.

His gaze softened as he contemplated reuniting with them.

'I think I will ask Master's permission to meet them,' he pondered silently, his inner voice tinged with longing.

The separation from his loved ones had been a sacrifice he willingly made in pursuit of his goals, but it had not lessened the depth of his affection, 'Damn, I-I miss them so much.'

A wistful smile played on his lips as he imagined their well-being. 'From the letters that I received, they're doing just fine, maybe even too fine,' he chuckled softly.

His heart swelled with warmth at the thought of their happiness in his absence. 'Hahaha, I hope the brats won't have rotten teeth from all the chocolates I sent them.'

As he returned to the physical world, Zang Wei's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He had successfully absorbed the spirit ring from the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew!

-----

The balance of Life and Death within Zang Wei's body finally shifted and stabilized. It was as though the turmoil of death, once perceived as an insurmountable obstacle, had been harnessed and tamed just with the ancient wisdom of balance.

He could sense the profound significance of the balance between Life and Death coursing through his very veins. Within the intricate meridians and channels of his body, the energies of Life and Death intertwined like the most intricate of dances.

The esoteric principles he had gleaned from ancient scrolls and tomes now materialized within him, manifesting as a dynamic interplay of energies. 

As this balance gradually shifted and then harmonized, Zang Wei's senses became attuned to the subtlest nuances of his inner world. He could feel the ebb and flow of energy within him, a reflection of the eternal cycle of life and death.

The potential of his Life Wine Gourd, a treasured artifact imbued with the essence of vitality, surged to new heights. Its dormant power awakened, radiating a vibrant aura. He sensed that now his wine not only can heal the body but also the mind.

This meant his cultivation speed in physical and spiritual energy will only sped up!

With a satisfied smile, he turned to Jin Louyu and Bibi Dong, his gratitude evident. "Thank you, Grandpa Louyu, for protecting me."

Jin Louyu nodded in approval, his eyes reflecting wisdom. "You're welcome. So, it's true that you still need to procure a second spirit ring to make your breakthrough, hm."

He then turned to Bibi Dong, inquiring, "Little Dong, do you wish to hunt for your second spirit ring now, or do you prefer to wait for a while?"

Bibi Dong contemplated for a moment, her gaze focused on her own goals, "I think I will wait for a while. My plan is to cultivate until my body is saturated with spirit energy."

"This will allow me to secure the highest age possible for my subsequent spirit rings!"

Zang Wei nodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Dong Dong! I didn't realize you were so smart. Sigh, all this time, I thought my presence was just making you dumber, hehe."

Bibi Dong was fuming, her competitive spirit aroused. She raised her fist and playfully chased after Zang Wei. "SMELLY WEI! WHAT DO YOU MEAN, I AM DUMB?"

She quickly retorted with pride, "Don't act like you don't remember that I have higher scores than you in our studies, humph!"

Zang Wei didn't want to admit defeat and provided his own justification. "That's only because I don't excel in Mathematics, Business, Law, and other boring subjects!"

"Why should the mandatory curriculum include these things, argh!" (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Bibi Dong smiled, laughing heartily at her friend's antics. "Hahahaha! See? You're just that Dum Dum, Smelly Wei!"

Jin Louyu chuckled at the two child prodigies, enjoying their banter. He then decided to change their plans, taking into consideration their newfound powers.

"Now, now, that's enough," he interjected. "I think I'll revise our plans. Both of you have experienced a significant spike in power with your new spirit skills."

"Instead of fighting a weaker spirit beast, how about you face a formidable one that you can't defeat alone? So you'll have to work together..."

As he spoke, Jin Louyu observed their facial expressions, looking for any signs of fear or hesitance. Spirit Hall didn't just aim to cultivate powerful Spirit Masters; they sought to develop individuals who were not only strong but also brave, cunning, and adaptable—complete and versatile warriors.

Zang Wei grinned, his competitive spirit ignited, "Grandpa Louyu, you've got yourself a deal! We're not afraid of any spirit beast, no matter how strong."

"Besides, working together will make it even more exciting!"

Bibi Dong nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with anticipation, "That's right! We'll face this challenge head-on and prove our strength as a team."

"Lead the way, Grandpa Louyu."

Jin Louyu's smile widened as he observed their unwavering resolve. These two young Spirit Masters were shaping up to be exceptional talents, not just in terms of raw power but in their courage and willingness to face adversity.

"Very well," Jin Louyu said, "I'll take you to a location where a powerful spirit beast resides. It won't be an easy battle, but I believe in both of you. Together, we'll show Spirit Hall what you're capable of."

With their spirits high and their determination steeled, the trio set off deeper into the Great Star Dou Forest, ready to confront the formidable spirit beast that awaited them.