Chapter 324: Ah Yin: Even I Have My Limits

Ye Lingling watched Dugu Yan leave, feeling genuinely moved by her words. It wasn't just the potential of their martial spirit fusion skill or resolving her spirit's limitations; Dugu Yan's power had truly advanced fast! After obtaining her fourth spirit ring, she'd already reached level 49. Ye Lingling knew that Dugu Yan's success was closely tied to Su Ming.

It seemed it was finally time for her to approach Su Ming. She had to be proactive now. She wondered what their martial spirit fusion skill would be like.

At midnight, Su Ming opened his eyes right on time, curious about what reward the system would grant this time.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing today's diary entry. You have received the reward of a 10,000-year increase to the age of all your spirit rings!]

Whoa!

All his spirit rings increased by 10,000 years. The system was being generous this time.

Now, all his spirit rings were at least 20,000 years old. Although the year count increased, the spirit skills themselves hadn't changed. He guessed that he'd need to reach 50,000 years, as with his fourth spirit skill, to experience a true transformation.

Afterward, Su Ming entered his spiritual sea, smiling at the increasingly solid Ah Yin before him. "Ah Yin, how's it going? Did you feel a power boost?"

Ah Yin nodded. "Yes, my cultivation increased by 10,000 years. I don't know how you managed it, but thank you."

Su Ming said, "Think of it as a reward for helping me out back in the Star Dou Forest. Without your help, Zhuqing wouldn't have been able to bear the pressure of a ten-thousand-year spirit ring."

System: ...

Ah Yin: ...

Although she knew the power increase wasn't directly from Su Ming, it technically came through him via the system, so indirectly, it kind of made sense.

"My role wasn't that significant," Ah Yin replied. "You did most of the work yourself. You're already stronger than I was, even though you're only at the Soul Elder stage. Plus, if it weren't for your strong spirit power, that girl wouldn't have withstood the spirit ring's resentment."

After a pause, Su Ming asked, "By the way, can you sense what's going on in Holy Spirit Village?"

Ah Yin sighed, knowing exactly what he meant. "I sensed it. After you removed Xiao San's spirit bone and relocated the villagers, I kept a watch on the village. A few days ago, Xiao San and Tang Hao returned. Tang Hao introduced Xiao San to the Blue Silver Grass he thinks is me, then handed him the disguised hundred-year Blue Silver Grass right leg bone, which Xiao San promptly absorbed."

"After absorbing it, he noticed… nothing changed. Both of them were utterly shocked, as the spirit bone clearly emitted my aura."

Su Ming could imagine the shock on their faces. Tang San and Tang Hao must've been baffled, expecting a powerful ten-thousand-year spirit bone to be much stronger.

"Ah Yin, do you know what spirit skill Tang San gained from absorbing that bone?"

Ah Yin nodded, though she found it hard to put into words. That spirit skill was disappointing, to say the least.

"The skill lets Xiao San grow Blue Silver Grass around himself in a one-meter radius… and then those plants convey any sensed information back to him."

"Pfft! Hahahaha!"

Su Ming couldn't contain his laughter. He couldn't help it; the skill was just too ridiculous.

Ah Yin watched him with an annoyed look, remaining silent as Su Ming finally stifled his laughter.

"Ahem, Ah Yin, if you found out about this days ago, why didn't you tell me?" Su Ming asked.

Turning away slightly, Ah Yin replied, "You never asked me. And besides, even I have my limits. You didn't consult me before taking Xiao San's spirit bone, did you?"

Su Ming: ...

He explained, "Ah Yin, you've been with me long enough to know that there's a good chance Tang San isn't actually your son. Otherwise, where did he get his knowledge of hidden weapons and special techniques?"

"He's constantly talking about establishing a Tang Sect. Doesn't that sound strange to you?"

Ah Yin knew that too. After so much time with Su Ming, Tang San's behavior indeed didn't match that of her son. And considering that battle all those years ago, could her real son have survived its devastating aftershocks?

Though she'd often tried to convince herself otherwise, Ah Yin still found it difficult to let go of the hope that Tang San might truly be her son.

Seeing her struggle, Su Ming's heart softened, and he decided not to press her. She had her reasons, and he understood them.

After all, they hadn't yet resolved this mystery or found concrete evidence. Despite her suspicions, Ah Yin hoped Tang San was her child. Not consulting her before removing the spirit bone was, in hindsight, insensitive.

"Listen, Ah Yin, I just hope you'll stay rational about this. Even though I don't have proof yet, all signs point to the fact that Tang San isn't your son."

"Let's wait a while longer. Once your cultivation reaches ten thousand years and you can reconstruct your body, I'll take you to meet Tang San and Tang Hao. You can confront them face-to-face."

"But remember, they may not be truthful. Ultimately, you'll have to rely on your own judgment."

Su Ming gently wiped away her tears before withdrawing from his spiritual space.

Ah Yin's sorrowful expression tugged at his heart, making him want to protect and comfort her. But he knew that now wasn't the time—she had to regain her strength first.

That day would come soon. With her cultivation already at over 60,000 years, Su Ming estimated that without additional system rewards, she could still reach around 70,000 years before the Soul Master Tournament began.

Meanwhile, on the other side, several of the female protagonists were perplexed. It was well past midnight—why hadn't they received their system rewards yet? Was there a delay?

The most anxious of all was Qian Renxue, confident that the reward this time would be hers.