66: Chapter 66: Find an opportunity to go to the far north

Deep in the Sunset Forest, towering ancient trees blotted out the sky. Dappled sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dancing spots of light on the leaf-strewn ground.

The air was filled with the damp scent of vegetation, occasionally interspersed with the low roars of Spirit Beasts, adding to the mystery and danger of this ancient forest.

Lu Jing, Qian Renxue, and Wang Donger walked side by side on a forest path, their steps steady, their eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

Porcupinefish Douluo followed at a short distance behind them with Xiao Wu. This Titled Douluo powerhouse had restrained most of his aura, acting like a silent guardian—both protecting them and observing these three exceptionally talented young people.

"There seems to be movement ahead."

Qian Renxue suddenly stopped, her purple eyes narrowing slightly as she looked toward a dense thicket of bushes on the left.

Her Seraphim Spirit was naturally sensitive to light-attributed energy. At this moment, she could clearly feel a pure and powerful force of light radiating from not far ahead.

Wang Donger also stopped. The phantom of the Radiant Goddess Butterfly appeared faintly behind her, its wings fluttering gently. The colorful light spots it emitted probed the surroundings like radar: "It's a very powerful Spirit Beast aura, at least fifty thousand years of cultivation."

Lu Jing followed their gaze, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth: "It seems we have a harvest."

The three exchanged a look and tacitly quickened their pace, approaching the source of the aura.

Passing through layers of bushes, a suddenly clear forest clearing appeared before them—

In the center of the clearing, a snow-white unicorn was lowering its head to drink water.

Its figure was elegant, its limbs slender, and the spiral horn on its head emitted a brilliant golden light, as if condensed from pure light itself.

Sunlight shone upon it, as if it were draped in a holy halo. Every breath it took caused the surrounding light elements to fluctuate. It was exactly the fifty-thousand-year Radiant Unicorn that Qian Renxue had sensed.

"What powerful light energy."

A flash of pleasant surprise appeared in Qian Renxue's eyes as she said: "This unicorn's aura is a perfect match for my Seraphim Spirit; it is an excellent choice for my sixth spirit ring."

Although her Seraphim had not fully awakened, it possessed a natural suppression over light-attributed Spirit Beasts. Absorbing this unicorn's spirit ring would undoubtedly allow her strength to reach a new level.

"Then let's take it!"

After speaking, the group rushed forward. Porcupinefish Douluo stood at a safe distance with Xiao Wu, watching the battle while ready to provide rescue if necessary.

Not long after, the Radiant Unicorn was slain.

It was three days later by the time Qian Renxue finished absorbing the spirit ring. She could now be considered to have officially entered the Spirit Emperor level.

With that, the group continued their search.

Half an hour later, Wang Donger's spirit ring was also found.

It was a nimble Spirit deer. Its body was covered in scales as brilliant as diamonds, reflecting colorful light as it ran, resonating faintly with her Radiant Goddess Butterfly aura.

This brilliant Spirit deer also had fifty thousand years of cultivation. The life energy and light energy contained within its body were intertwined, making it the most suitable spirit ring for her.

"That Spirit deer is mine." Wang Donger said softly, her eyes flashing with determination.

Three days later, she also finished obtaining her spirit ring.

Next, it was Lu Jing's turn.

After some searching, the group arrived at a gloomy cave.

There was no obvious sign of a Spirit Beast there, yet it emitted a heart-palpitating aura of destruction, as if even the air were being eroded by that power, becoming viscous and heavy.

The World-Destroying Black Lotus trembled violently within him, conveying a strong sense of craving.

"A seventy-thousand-year Destruction Breaking Ape, just right for my fifth spirit ring."

"Seventy thousand years?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Qian Renxue and Wang Donger turned to look at him, their faces full of shock.

Qian Renxue frowned: "Lu Jing, are you crazy? A seventy-thousand-year Spirit Beast's spirit ring—even a Spirit Douluo might not be able to withstand it. You are only a Spirit King now, how could you possibly absorb it!"

She knew very well the dangers of absorbing spirit rings. Every spirit ring had a strict limit to its age. Exceeding that limit too much would, at best, shatter one's Spirit, and at worst, cause one to explode and die.

Wang Donger also looked at him worriedly: "That's right, Lu Jing, we can keep looking. A Spirit Beast around fifty thousand years is enough; there's no need to take such a big risk."

Even the usually silent Porcupinefish Douluo walked over and said in a deep voice: "For a Spirit Master's cultivation, taking it one step at a time is the right path. A seventy-thousand-year spirit ring far exceeds your limit. I advise you to think twice."

He had seen too many geniuses fall due to greed and impatience; he really did not want to see Lu Jing repeat their mistakes.

Lu Jing waved his hand, a confident smile on his face: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

The World-Destroying Black Lotus within him rotated slowly, emitting a dark light, and he reminded them: "Don't forget, I have the World-Destroying Black Lotus. This black lotus itself contains the power of devouring and transformation, enough to withstand the energy impact of a seventy-thousand-year spirit ring. Moreover, the three Immortal Plants I absorbed earlier have long since tempered my physique to far exceed that of Spirit Masters at the same level. Coupled with the preliminary inheritance of the God of Destruction, my soul power and the purity of my Soul Power are sufficient to support this absorption."

He paused, his tone filled with unquestionable firmness: "The destructive power of the Destruction Breaking Ape fits my Spirit's attributes perfectly. If I miss this one, I'm afraid I won't find a more suitable one."

Qian Renxue and Wang Donger exchanged a look, both seeing hesitation in each other's eyes.

They had witnessed Lu Jing's strength and trump cards, but the risk of a seventy-thousand-year spirit ring was simply too great for them not to worry.

"Let him try."

Porcupinefish Douluo suddenly spoke. He scrutinized Lu Jing for a moment and said slowly: "The energy within him is very strange—both violent and condensed. Perhaps he can really create a miracle. Besides, the path of a Spirit Master is inherently accompanied by risks; the greater the risk, the greater the opportunity."

Seeing that Porcupinefish Douluo had said so, Qian Renxue and Wang Donger no longer tried to dissuade him, though the worry in their eyes deepened a little.

"Come out. Hiding is pointless." Lu Jing said loudly, circulating his Soul Power, and the aura of the World-Destroying Black Lotus was released without reservation.

"Roar—!"

A deafening roar came from behind the rocks, and immediately after, a massive black shadow lunged out.

It was a giant ape nearly five meters tall, its body covered in pitch-black fur. Dark red patterns faintly flowed between the fur, emitting an aura of destruction.

Its eyes were pure scarlet, and it held a huge black rock in its hand—it was indeed the seventy-thousand-year Destruction Breaking Ape!

The Destruction Breaking Ape was clearly angered by the aura of the World-Destroying Black Lotus on Lu Jing. It roared and charged at Lu Jing, the rock in its hand smashing down with the force to split mountains and shatter rocks.

"Well come!" A flash of fighting Spirit appeared in Lu Jing's eyes. He did not retreat but advanced, the World-Destroying Black Lotus blooming in his palm, turning into a shield and colliding with the black rock.

"Bang!"

With a loud noise, a shockwave spread outward with the two as the center, causing the surrounding trees to shake violently.

Lu Jing felt his arm go numb, and his body involuntarily retreated three steps, while the Destruction Breaking Ape was also shocked into retreating repeatedly. A flash of surprise appeared in its scarlet eyes; clearly, it had not expected this human Spirit Saint to be able to take its full-force blow.

"Let's attack together!"

Wang Donger and Qian Renxue did not remain idle and joined the battle.

Seeing that more people had arrived, the Destruction Breaking Ape became even more violent. It roared at the sky, and the dark red patterns all over its body lit up. A destructive aura several times stronger than before erupted.

Its size was actually growing slowly. Its original height of nearly five meters grew to seven meters in the blink of an eye, like a true giant of destruction.

"Not good, it's going to burn its life force!"

Porcupinefish Douluo's expression changed, and he quickly warned: "Be careful!"

After saying that, he quickly joined the battle, fearing that the three of them might get hurt.

With the addition of Porcupinefish Douluo, the group dealt with it much more easily.

"Fourth Spirit Ability, World-Destroying Nine Heavens!"

A huge phantom of the World-Destroying Black Lotus appeared behind him. The black lotus rotated slowly, emitting a terrifying devouring force, and began to absorb the surrounding destructive energy. Even a portion of the aura erupted by the Destruction Breaking Ape was sucked away.

"Elder Porcupinefish, move aside!"

The huge black lotus phantom pushed forward violently, with the momentum to destroy everything, and smashed fiercely toward the Destruction Breaking Ape.

Porcupinefish Douluo's pupils shrank, and he immediately dodged to the side.

The Destruction Breaking Ape did not show weakness, clenching its fists together to condense a pitch-black energy ball, which collided with the black lotus phantom.

"Boom—!"

An earth-shattering explosion sounded. A huge crater was blasted into the entire clearing, and smoke and dust filled the air, blotting out the sky.

When the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, everyone saw the Destruction Breaking Ape lying in the center of the crater, covered in blood, with no signs of life.

Lu Jing's face was pale, clearly having expended a great deal of energy.

Above the corpse of the Destruction Breaking Ape, a pitch-black spirit ring slowly rose, emitting a heart-palpitating aura—it was the seventy-thousand-year spirit ring of the Destruction Breaking Ape!

"Success..." Wang Donger breathed a sigh of relief and quickly ran over to support Lu Jing.

Qian Renxue also walked over, looking at the pitch-black spirit ring, a flash of wonder in her eyes: "The aura of this spirit ring... is even stronger than a normal seventy-thousand-year spirit ring."

Lu Jing smiled, patted Wang Donger's hand gently, and said: "Time to absorb it."

He walked to the edge of the crater and sat down cross-legged. The pitch-black spirit ring seemed to be drawn by a force, slowly flying toward him and finally merging into his body.

The moment the spirit ring entered his body, a violent force of destruction instantly swept through Lu Jing's limbs and bones, as if it wanted to tear all his meridians apart. Lu Jing gritted his teeth and circulated the World-Destroying Black Lotus to devour and transform that violent power bit by bit.

Porcupinefish Douluo stood by his side, releasing his Soul Power to form a protective shield, isolating external interference.

Qian Renxue and Wang Donger stood guard outside the protective shield, watching Lu Jing nervously, fearing that something might happen to him.

Time passed bit by bit. The aura on Lu Jing's body was sometimes strong and sometimes weak, and his face was sometimes painful and sometimes calm.

The light of the World-Destroying Black Lotus flickered constantly on his skin, intertwining with the pitch-black spirit ring to form a strange and harmonious balance.

Five days later, when the first ray of sunlight shone on Lu Jing's face, he opened his eyes abruptly, a flash of pitch-black light passing through his eyes before receding as usual.

He stood up slowly, and his fifth spirit ring had finally stabilized. The spirit rings behind it were as black as ink, emitting an aura far exceeding that of his peers.

"How do you feel?" Wang Donger asked quickly.

Lu Jing clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within his body, and smiled: "Very good, even stronger than I expected."

Porcupinefish Douluo looked at him, a trace of admiration appearing in his eyes: "I really didn't misjudge you. To be able to absorb a seventy-thousand-year spirit ring at such a young age, your future is limitless."

Qian Renxue also nodded: "Since everyone has finished absorbing their spirit rings, let's leave the Sunset Forest as soon as possible. It's not safe here, after all."

No one had any objections. They packed their things and walked toward the outskirts of the forest.

After leaving the Sunset Forest, they returned to the spacious carriage parked outside and headed back in the direction they came from.

Porcupinefish Douluo was responsible for driving the carriage, while Lu Jing, Qian Renxue, Wang Donger, and Xiao Wu rested inside.

The carriage was covered with soft carpets, and the lighting was dim, making it very suitable for resting.

Qian Renxue leaned against the window, watching the scenery flying by outside, wondering what she was thinking about.

Wang Donger was a bit tired and leaned on Lu Jing's shoulder, closing her eyes to rest.

Lu Jing was also resting with his eyes closed, sorting out the Soul Power that had just stabilized in his body.

The World-Destroying Black Lotus rotated slowly within him, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth around him and nourishing his meridians.

Just then, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in his mind: "Kid, wake up."

Lu Jing's heart moved; he knew it was Tian Meng Ice Silkworm.

He didn't open his eyes but asked in his mind: "What is it?"

Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's voice carried a hint of mystery: "Find a time to visit the Far North."

"The Far North?"

Lu Jing asked: "What are we going there for?"

Of course, he knew what Tian Meng Ice Silkworm was thinking—this million-year Spirit Beast had always wanted to help him get an ice-attributed second Spirit and a Fierce Beast spirit ring. After all, although his current strength was powerful, having only one Spirit was always a shortcoming.

However, for such things, he had to let Tian Meng Ice Silkworm say it himself.

Tian Meng Ice Silkworm took the bait, as expected, and quickly said: "To get you an ice-attributed second Spirit and a Fierce Beast spirit ring. In short, it's a tremendous opportunity. You'll know when you go."

Lu Jing feigned surprise: "A Fierce Beast spirit ring? Is it Ice Empress or Snow Empress?"

Tian Meng Ice Silkworm was clearly stunned for a moment, its voice carrying a hint of disbelief: "How did you know?"

Ice Empress and Snow Empress were the two great overlords of the Far North. Apart from itself, very few Spirit Beasts knew of their existence, let alone humans.

Lu Jing rolled his eyes in his mind and said speechlessly: "Did you forget where we came from? Ten thousand years later, is the existence of Ice Empress and Snow Empress some big secret?"

The three of them came from the Douluo Continent ten thousand years in the future. They were already very familiar with the three great Fierce Beasts of the Far North. The existence of Ice Empress and Snow Empress was not a secret in the future.

Tian Meng Ice Silkworm finally reacted and said sheepishly: "Seems... that's true."

It had almost forgotten that they were all from ten thousand years in the future; it was not strange for them to know these things.

"In any case, just go."

Tian Meng Ice Silkworm stopped hiding it and said: "The Far North holds your opportunity; it would be a pity to miss it."

Lu Jing thought for a moment and asked: "When should I go?"

"It's up to you. Anyway, I have only one request, and that is for you to go alone."

Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's tone became serious: "Don't bring anyone else, including Wang Donger. The fewer people who know about this, the better."

Lu Jing did not hesitate or ask too many questions. He nodded: "I understand. After we get back, I will find an opportunity to go to the Far North."

"Hmm, as soon as possible." After Tian Meng Ice Silkworm finished speaking, it fell silent, clearly not wanting to be questioned further for details.

Lu Jing opened his eyes and glanced at Wang Donger, who was sleeping soundly on his shoulder, a flash of complexity in his eyes.

The Far North was fraught with danger, and Ice Empress and Snow Empress were Fierce Beasts of hundreds of thousands of years. This trip would inevitably be extremely dangerous.

It seemed he would have to find an excuse to go alone.