Consuming a couple of those Silver Scaled River Fruits for each of us definetly helped greatly in our refinement as the waterfall series of training with Zhao Wuji pushed the rest of the girls over the edge in reaching level thirty and becoming Spirit Elders.
As it was with this harsh training that made them devour the leftover blood energy from the herbals baths they had taken. Plus those Silver Scaled River Fruits themselves had a good deal of spirit energy within themselves as well.
"Why... Why does it feel like cultivation has entered easy mode since Tian Long has entered? Flender why didn't you drag him over here sooner?" Oscar asked helplessly as he stretched out with a groan of comfort, as he sat with his back to a fire to warm up.
Flender's face pinched and he said sharply. "Easy mode!? Do you have any idea how hard it's been on me to go gather all these ingredients to make these concoctions for Tian Long's hands? Does it look like I have hundreds of Soul Kings working under me to do these chores!?"
Oscar could only sheepishly laugh before everyone went silent as Ning Rongrong spoke out 'sweetly'. "Actually, speaking of having helpers... Tian Long, what do you plan to do after you graduate from Shrek? After all graduation is when you reach level forty here in Shrek, and with your talents you will likely reach level forty within the next couple years!"
"Have you considered what force you will join afterwards? As with your alchemy talents, only one of the Upper Three Sect's could support you. And allow your alchemy talent to flourish... And more importantly, protect you."
There was a pause as everyone digested that and while Tang Wutong looked pissed for a brief moment. Our expression became awkward as Dai Mubai spoke out.
"A single Sect is great and all. But what about an Empire? I am one of the Princes of the Star Luo Empire, and his alchemy talent would flourish best with him being able to be ennobled and able to raise his own forces!"
And my face twitched as Ning Rongrong made a tsking noise as she looked Dai Mubai up and down before she said. "Your name is Dai Mubai... I am not sure how many princes are active this generation, but I know you are not THE crown prince Dai Weisi after all."
With her adding on. "And we all... Well, most of us here know what kind of 'family' the Dai royal family is when it comes to choosing the next emperor for each generation."
Dai Mubai's fist clenched as he looked ready to punch Ning Rongrong out but I just shrugged and said evenly. "I would rather treat it as a matter of fate. I am still weak, and who knows what will happen in the next couple of years."
Then Xiao Wu, the wonderful rogue rabbit she was, happily ruined the tense situation between the heirs between two powerful forces as she said.
"So! When are we going to head over to the Star Dou Forest? We all need to get our third Spirit Rings at this point?"
This question was obviously pointed at Flender and Zhao Wuji who shared a look before Flender said thoughtfully. "Hmm, we should take a week for you all to absorb any left over medicinal energy as you all plan to go beyond the accepted limits of Spirit Rings for your levels."
I then added. "Also I need to make a couple elixiers for myself to be able to have a Ten Thousand Year spirit ring for my third spirit ring."
Then everyone paused as Tang Wutong spoke up in a cool voice. "About that Tian Long. I have been taking your elixirs for years as well, could I also have one?"
I sighed and said helplessly. "I honestly don't know. I am taking a chance myself even with these elixirs to protect my meridians and my spirit. It is a dangerous gamble as I don't have a beast type Martial Spirit that innately enhances my body."
I took a breath before I added. "But it also depends on the spirit beast I find. If it's a predator type spirit beast it will have a stronger impact on my mind, but it's mostly the sheer energy injection I am worried about."
A loud cough rang out as Ma Xiaotao spoke out with a grin as she threw back her still damp crimson hair with her damp dress clinging to her voluptous frame.
"Tian Long, what about me and Mubai for our fourth spirit rings? Will we be able to get a ten thousand year one as well?"
To which I nodded and said firmly. "Yes with the body enhancements you two have gotten, especially over the next few months to which you two reach that level. If you take a spirit protection pill. I am sure you two will be fine."
A tsking noise rang out with Tang Wutong saying with some disappointment. "A nine-thousand-year spirit ring for a third isn't something to look down upon either. I suppose."
Though in reality... I wasn't too worried about the age of my spirit rings. I already had some idea's how to artifically age them via eating innately soul enhancing pills.
But that was for later.
"In anycase this training sessions was very productive, so for the next week you all will be expected to run five laps around the Academy to keep your blood running hot and in shape. Besides that, treat this week as a period to enhance your mental state for the spirit rings that most of you will be getting." Flender said firmly before he clapped his hands and said with a small smile.
"Now let's all get to Soto City, you all need to get back home and changed after swimming in that river's water."
And to that Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Tang Wutong hurriedly nodded as their noses pinched at the smell of the river water upon themselves.
-
When we passed by Soto City, Ning Rongrong was kind enough to take the rest of the girls to a nice bath house to get cleaned as well as getting some new clothes while me and the boys just went home alone.
And after I got home, I asked Zhao Wuji. "Teacher, can you please stand guard at my door and guard my room from being disturbed. I am going to make the spirit and meridian elixers. And I cannot be disturbed while doing so."
Zhao Wuji gave a groan at such a chore before I said teasingly. "Calm down you old bear. I do have a little gift for you anyway. Here, try this Spirit Ascension Pill I made from the left over River Fruits."
The pill wasn't useful right now with how we all were ranked thirty and needing another spirit ring. Beside Mubai and Xiaotao.
But with a door guardian to make sure that a certain rogue rabbit, and spoiled heiress didn't kick my door down and ruin my alchemy. I got to work!
The Meridian Protection Pill was the first thing to make as it wasn't as difficult as the Spirit Veiling Pill that would enhance my soul and mind to allow me to deal with the backlash of a ten thousand year spirit ring.
A loud thrum rang out as my martial soul filled with flames as I took out several herbs, and materials to make the pill. "Alright. Using of a ten thousand year Diamond Bone Boar's intestines, blood core of a five thousand year serpent spirit beast. And a whole mix of herbs." I mused to myself as a thick meaty aroma filled the air.
As the core idea of the Meridian Protection Elixer was that of... A literal sausage casing. The elixer once consumed would form a spirtual energy film over my merdians allowing them to stretch with the excess energy coming from the high ranked spirit ring. And even if my meridians got hurt casing would heal them very quickly.
'For my next spirit ring. I don't think I should go for another form of elemental infusion with my Dragon Cauldron. I already have a fire method to make more potent pills but not many of them. And likewise with my water method, I can make more pills then with my fire method even if the pills aren't as strong.' I mused to myself.
In terms of my alchemy and my special Flame Emperor's Body. I didn't 'need' something like a simple self-enhancement skill... What I was thinking was getting a spirit ring with devouring attributes so I could violently absorb other people's elemental attacks and probably allow me to do simpler mass alchemy.
Or, I could get a spirit ring that would enhance my mental/soul strength. As having stronger mental strength as a mage type who fought from a distance was always something good!
'Actually... If I go for a bit of a spiritual/mental build could I get that oversized worm's attention from the Life Lake at the center of the Star Dou Forest?' I wondered.
As one could never say no to an extra Martial Soul. If I got three martial souls? I could flip this entire world on it's head once I got to level fifty and was able to start making Spirit Ring age enhancement pills.
I held up a hand to my roiling cauldron with a small grunt of effort leaving me as I spun the medicinal energy within and with a soft thump! A cloud of red-tinted green energy shot out of the vent in the side.
And then from the otherside of the cauldron I held out a hand with a finger tipped sized pill that was a gentle glowing green that was covered in thin webbing falling within it.
"One pill down... Just one more to go. But I need a break as these higher quality pills take alot of spirit energy." I muttered a bit tiredly.
But as I moved into a chair across the room I called out. "Wuji I am done! You are free to go!"
And I heard the short king of a bear giving a heavy grunt of agreement before his voice rang out. "Alright Tian Long, I am going to go drink. Don't look for me unless the school is on fire."