Chapter 21: Could You Be a Master?

Plant-type martial spirits are exceedingly rare. Aside from the Blue Silver Grass, any cultivatable plant-type spirit possesses some unique abilities.

In recent years, Yu Xiaogang has been researching this category of martial spirits, largely due to Tang San’s influence. At this moment, upon hearing that among the group there was a plant-type spirit master, his heart stirred.

“Yes, Uncle. Junior fellow apprentice Li Xun’s martial spirit is called the Thousand-Handed Great Buddha. It is a wooden carving and has the ability to control trees. He wishes to hunt the Solitary Bamboo to obtain his second spirit ring,” came the reply.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang about to linger, Yu Tianheng’s eyes brightened as he quickly stepped closer.

“Oh? A wooden carving that controls trees!” Yu Xiaogang was momentarily taken aback; this was somewhat unexpected.

He had originally assumed it would be a martial spirit formed from some rare plant, yet it turned out to be a wooden carving.

“By rights, a wooden carving should be an artifact-type martial spirit. How could it exhibit plant-type attributes?” Yu Xiaogang pondered for a while, then a look of sudden realization crossed his face. “It must have undergone a mutation, and a positive one at that.”

He himself bore a mutated martial spirit, but it was a negative, malignant mutation.

Now, seeing a positively mutated martial spirit stirred complex emotions within him.

Yu Tianheng, noticing Yu Xiaogang pause in thought, eagerly whispered near him, “Yes, and Li Xun’s first spirit skill involves quite a number of plants.”

“Mutated martial spirit, controlling trees…” Yu Xiaogang repeated these words as his thoughts raced.

Their exchange was not deliberately hushed; Li Xun and the others heard every word clearly.

Noticing Yu Tianheng had divulged Li Xun’s information just to spend more time with his uncle, Junyi frowned.

Information about spirit masters was extremely important, sometimes determining life or death. However, since the intelligence was not detailed, the group could not say much.

Li Xun himself considered it trivial—he had long suspected Yu Tianheng harbored some small schemes and this was merely the moment Yu Tianheng chose to act.

He was not one to hold grudges.

Once he obtained his second spirit ring, he planned to have Yu Tianheng test its value.

“Could you show me your martial spirit?” Yu Xiaogang turned, following Yu Tianheng’s indication to approach Li Xun and asked quietly.

If it were an ordinary martial spirit, Yu Xiaogang might have ignored it.

But mutated martial spirits were incredibly rare, and coincidentally Li Xun could manipulate plants, immediately reminding him of himself and Tang San.

Due to his martial spirit, his soul power had been stuck at level twenty-nine without progress, and Tang San now needed a plant-type spirit master as a reference.

Yu Xiaogang’s stiff tone and the solemn expression as he looked down made Li Xun frown slightly.

This was a lofty kind of inquiry, one that implied placing oneself in a superior position and maintaining that attitude even in casual interactions.

“Sorry, senior, when I left, my elders taught me never to reveal my martial spirit lightly,” Li Xun smiled up at Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang frowned at this. “Your martial spirit may have already mutated. Such mutations are not necessarily positive and might turn negative over time.”

He folded one hand behind his back, the other resting on his abdomen, his gaze distant.

“One of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Spirits I formulated deals precisely with martial spirit mutations.”

“Through the martial spirit, I can determine whether what’s happening to you is beneficial or harmful.”

As if expecting to be easily persuaded like Tang San.

Li Xun, watching Yu Xiaogang’s posture, could not help rolling his eyes. “No need, senior. I am well aware of my martial spirit. Besides, I’ve been out for a long time this trip and need to obtain a spirit ring, so I won’t trouble you further.”

With that, Li Xun gestured to Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan and led them deeper into the forest.

As for the master and Tang San, Li Xun only wished to see the spirit’s form, not to become entangled.

Engaging in friendly chatter while stealing their opportunities would make him feel disgusted with himself.

Yu Xiaogang was momentarily stunned by Li Xun’s reaction.

“Li Xun, do you know who my uncle is?” Yu Tianheng, seeing Li Xun ignoring his uncle, could not help but shout angrily.

“The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Spirits? Are you the Master?” Qin Ming’s thoughts stirred.

Few in the spirit master world knew Yu Xiaogang, but the Master was a renowned figure.

Of course, some called him a notorious clown.

Though controversial, his theory of the Ten Core Competencies was widely known and had been incorporated into teaching materials for children.

Yu Xiaogang did not answer Qin Ming’s question, instead standing with his hands behind him, watching Li Xun’s retreating figure.

“My teacher is precisely the Master,” Tang San hurriedly introduced Yu Xiaogang’s identity.

“Greetings, Master,” Qin Ming bowed slightly. “Li Xun and the others are young and unaware of your name. Please forgive them.”

“Why don’t you join me to see which second spirit ring Li Xun chooses? I could offer the boy some advice,” Qin Ming proposed.

After Qin Ming spoke, he conveyed Li Xun’s martial spirit and first spirit skill to Yu Xiaogang.

A peculiar glint flashed in Yu Xiaogang’s eyes. “Hmph, according to my theory, artifact-type martial spirits mostly serve auxiliary roles, yet this boy chooses a control-type path. Moreover, his first spirit skill has obvious shortcomings. Using the second spirit ring to enhance the plant’s resilience is a waste of talent.”

Qin Ming agreed deeply.

Li Xun’s first spirit skill produced plants no taller than half a meter, easily circumvented by any spirit master with combat experience.

Moreover, plants were vulnerable to fire and ice. In battle against elemental spirit masters, Li Xun effectively lost two spirit rings. This was disadvantageous for the spirit master competition in a few years.

Qin Ming offered further counsel, and Yu Xiaogang took the opportunity to step back.

He indeed needed to see Li Xun’s wooden carving martial spirit firsthand to understand why it bore two types of characteristics—contradicting his theory.

“How many years old of Solitary Bamboo do you intend to choose? Wouldn’t the seven-hundred-year-old one just now suffice?” Ning Rongrong asked curiously.

They had been deep in the forest for some time, yet Li Xun showed no sign of stopping, continuing to lead them forward.

“Beyond this area lies the thousand-year-old master bamboo,” Dugu Yan said, glancing at Li Xun.

Li Xun gave a faint smile. “That is precisely the one I seek—the thousand-year-old master bamboo.”

The master bamboo was the oldest bamboo in a grove. Almost all other bamboo grew from it.

Though the Solitary Bamboo stood alone, its roots connected to the master bamboo; by following the perimeter inward, one could find it.

“What? You intend to choose a thousand-year-old spirit beast as your second spirit ring!” Dugu Yan’s wide eyes showed shock.

Ning Rongrong was also surprised. “Brother, isn’t that leap too large?”

Both had taken whale glue and knew its effects. Still, they were astonished Li Xun would select a thousand-year-old spirit beast for his second spirit ring.

“It’s fine. Not just me—your second spirit ring will probably be around six to seven hundred years old,” Li Xun said, ruffling Ning Rongrong’s hair with a smile. “Don’t worry, I’m confident.”

As the three conversed, a solitary bamboo over twenty meters tall stood before them. Its originally green surface now bore traces of purple.