37 Chapter 35

Cai Wen carefully began the process of integrating the spirit bone. He examined it attentively, noting its resemblance to a crown. The bone was a striking shade of blue and radiated a chilly aura, a sensation he could feel just by touching it.

He then held it close to his head, initiating the absorption process. His knowledge led him to believe that the process of absorbing the spirit bone was akin to absorbing a spirit ring, with the notable difference being that the spirit bone would merge directly with his body rather than his martial spirit.

The absorption process proceeded without a hitch, and after several dozen minutes, Cai Wen successfully completed the task. An uncontainable grin spread across his face, so wide and gleeful that onlookers might have feared his face would split with joy.

"What's with your face?" Qian Renxue inquired, instinctively taking a step back from him. "Did the spirit bone mess with your brain?"

"It's not that," he responded, brushing off her concern. "I just didn't anticipate gaining such a remarkable ability from it."

"The head spirit bone of the Frostbound Wyrm not only enhanced my brain and mental prowess, but it also granted me a special ability - the power to emit an ice laser from my eyes, like this," Cai Wen demonstrated, his eyes glowing a bright blue before releasing a beam that struck a nearby tree. The tree's temperature plummeted, a layer of frost quickly forming on its bark.

"That's an impressive power, but it doesn't quite explain the look on your face," Qian Renxue retorted, her gaze focused on the frost-laden tree. Qian Daoliu and Chrysanthemums Douluo also looked on with curiosity, wondering what could have incited such a reaction from Cai Wen.

"Well, although I expected the spirit bone and spirit ring to grant me a useful ability due to their shared origin, I didn't anticipate it being this extraordinary," he confessed. "It's a bit complex to explain, so I'll just let you experience it. Don't resist; it won't hurt."

With that, he activated his new spirit ring, conjuring a single chain of ice out of thin air. The ice chain wound around her hands slowly, so as not to startle her.

"So, aside from feeling cool and refreshing, what does it do?" Qian Renxue asked, intrigued by the pleasant sensation of ice encircling her hands.

"Try to manipulate your spirit power in your hands," Cai Wen instructed.

Qian Renxue looked dubious, but she obliged. To her surprise, she found it much more difficult to control her power than usual, as if an unseen force was inhibiting her.

"What...!?," Qian Renxue gasped, turning to look at him.

"Indeed, my ice-based attacks are capable of influencing spirit power," Cai Wen explained with enthusiasm. "Given sufficient strength, I could theoretically freeze an opponent's spirit power, rendering them incapable of using it. I could halt an attack in its tracks. Against opponents of a similar level, my ability might merely hinder their use of powers. However, it would still be significant. If they could typically activate their first spirit ability in one second, under the influence of my power, it might now take two seconds, or even longer. In a battle where every second can mean the difference between life and death, this ability is formidable."

The three individuals listening to him, each a genius, seasoned veteran and a pinnacle Spirit Master in their own right, understood the implications of his newfound ability. It was indeed a terrifying prospect.

"Your adversaries are to be pitied, Xiao Wen," Chrysanthemums Douluo remarked.

"Indeed, you'll pose a nightmare for all non-fire related spirit masters. Even they cannot guarantee their safety against you," Qian Daoliu added.

After further discussions, they decided to leave the current location and find a place to rest. Along the journey, Qian Renxue also tended to Cai Wen's burns, which had yet to fully heal.

As they made their way towards a suitable rest spot, they continued their conversation. Qian Daoliu, with his sage-like wisdom, regaled them with tales of his past battles against spirit beasts, each one captivating and educational.

Qian Renxue, still marvelling at Cai Wen's new power, teased him about being overly confident. Cai Wen shrugged off her playful jabs, aware that he still had much to learn and improve.

Upon reaching their destination, they set up a simple encampment. Qian Renxue then focused on healing Cai Wen's burns. Despite the chilling effect of his new spirit bone, his burns continued to pulsate with a dull pain. However, under Qian Renxue's remarkable healing power, the pain gradually subsided.

After some time, Qian Daoliu finally declared, "We should return now. We've achieved what we came for."

Cai Wen nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The journey into the Star Dou Forest had been highly beneficial.

As they prepared for their journey back to the Spirit City, Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue summoned their six wings, their golden feathers shimmering under the afternoon sun. Chrysanthemums Douluo conjured wings from his chrysanthemums, their vibrant colors enhancing the scenic beauty.

Cai Wen activated his first spirit ring, and flames erupted from his gloves. The flames were more potent and intense, reflecting the strength he had acquired from his second spirit ring.

As they ascended and headed towards the Spirit City, Cai Wen marvelled at his transformation. His new spirit bone and ring had not only bestowed upon him an additional power but had also provided him with a deeper understanding of his capabilities.

Looking down at the receding forest, Cai Wen felt a profound sense of satisfaction.