Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin exchanged glances. They acknowledged Dugu Bo's formidable strength, but Dugu Bo was a reclusive poison master, a loner who had never been heard of being skilled in cultivating Spirit Masters.
However, Wang Li, twelve years old, fortieth rank, was a glaring fact before them, making it impossible for them not to believe.
Zhi Lin possessed the Green Vine Spirit, and had a better understanding of plant Spirits and plant Spirit Beasts. The terrifying strength displayed by Wang Li's Blue Silver Grass just now left him utterly bewildered.
At this moment, he spoke:
"Wang Li, though it might be a bit presumptuous, may I inquire about the type of Spirit Beast from which your third spirit ring was absorbed?"
Wang Li smiled slightly. There was nothing that couldn't be said about this, and it served as the best excuse for his strength:
"It was a Great Vajra Vine over two thousand years old!"
At these words, Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, Zhi Lin, and even Qin Ming, who was standing nearby, all showed expressions of shock.
Meng Shenji even said eagerly:
"Generally, a Spirit Master's third spirit ring is best around fifteen hundred years. How could you absorb one over two thousand years? A two-thousand-year spirit ring from a power-type plant king like the Great Vajra Vine is no worse than those six or seven-thousand-year spirit rings. You, you, you... how dare you!"
The limit for a third spirit ring's age was one thousand seven hundred and sixty years, but not every Spirit Master was qualified to approach or even exceed the limit for absorbing spirit rings. Therefore, Meng Shenji said that the third spirit ring was around fifteen hundred years, which was the cultivation philosophy of orthodox academies: stable, without danger, and no accidents.
Wang Li stood tall and proud, a slight smile on his face, and said:
"But I endured it. I specifically tempered my body under Senior Dugu's guidance, enduring countless pains to achieve this. Others should not attempt it lightly."
"I came from a small city in the westernmost, most remote Fasinuo Province of the Heaven Dou Empire, step by step, to get here. It was incredibly difficult. The three Teachers, Senior Dugu, gave me this opportunity, so how could I not seize it?"
"Even if I endure pain, even if I face danger, it's only because I have nothing but this Spirit that mutated from Blue Silver Grass. I want to become stronger, I crave to become stronger, I must become stronger!"
Each word was impactful, and Wang Li's firm belief directly resonated with Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin.
They looked at Wang Li, their faces showing emotion. Meng Shenji let out a long breath, then solemnly said:
"I understand now. No wonder you could become so strong. Even if others had the guidance of a Titled Douluo, I'm afraid they wouldn't dare to be as reckless as you!"
Wang Li didn't care how the three Teachers rationalized it; his goal was to tell others that his strength was a result of his own reckless actions. He wasn't afraid of thieves stealing, only of them coveting. Even with Dugu Bo's protection, Wang Li still needed to be cautious.
Just like Yu Tianheng, after his injuries were healed by Ye Lingling, he had actually woken up. He was originally very unwilling, but after hearing Wang Li's words, he felt that his loss was not unjust.
His third spirit ring came from a medium-quality Spirit Beast of fifteen hundred years. Disciples from large Sects had their absorbed spirit rings, and even the age of the spirit rings, already predetermined.
Powerful Spirit Beasts meant rarity, and rarity meant they couldn't be universally provided to every Sect disciple. After countless years of exploration, the Sects had already developed the most suitable Spirit Beast hunting plans. The selected Spirit Beast quality was not extremely high, but their population was large, and they could stably provide the most compatible Spirit Abilities.
Yu Tianheng gritted his teeth, his face bitter. Damn it, he was defeated by a Blue Silver Spirit Master, and he even felt that his loss was not unjust.
At this moment, the other members of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, who had originally envied Wang Li's strength, no longer did. Their backgrounds were not low; they could become strong regardless. In any case, they would absolutely not court death easily. If they really died, it would be a huge loss.
Perhaps only Dugu Yan felt incredibly heartbroken at this moment. If it weren't for the fact that the three Teachers and Qin Ming were all present, she would have rushed out long ago to comfort Wang Li with a soft embrace.
Among the three Teachers, Zhi Lin admired Wang Li even more, and at the same time, felt some regret. He hadn't taken Wang Li as a disciple back then, and now that Wang Li had been cultivated by Dugu Bo, he felt awkward about taking him as a disciple again.
However, he was not averse to showing his greatest goodwill now. With a smile, he gently said:
"Wang Li, we generally understand your situation. You've broken through to the fortieth rank of spirit power, but you haven't found the Spirit Beast you desire most."
"Tell us which Spirit Beast you want. Although we are not as powerful as Your Grace, Bi Lin, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy has an extremely wide network. If we mobilize it, we can help you find that Spirit Beast. At that time, I will personally take action to hunt that Spirit Beast for you!"
Meng Shenji and Bai Baoshan also nodded. They did not think Zhi Lin was abusing his authority. With Wang Li's current spirit power level, absorbing a spirit ring would make him rank forty-one. After two more years of diligent cultivation, he would either be a high-rank Spirit Ancestor or a mid-rank Spirit Ancestor. In the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Competition two years later, he would undoubtedly be a top-tier combatant.
Wang Li rejoiced in his heart. If the three of them helped, the possibility of finding the Greedy Root Demon would greatly increase. So he said:
"What I want is the Greedy Root Demon. In future battles, if I can grab an enemy and absorb their spirit power to weaken them, it will greatly enhance my control ability and also reduce my spirit power consumption. Although my Blue Silver Grass has powerful spirit rings attached, its own consumption is also very high."
"Senior Dugu recommended the Spiked Thorns to me. Although the armor-piercing ability of the Spiked Thorns could also improve my strength, I still think the Greedy Root Demon is better!"
"If the three Teachers are willing to help with this, that would be truly wonderful."
After listening, the three Teachers all frowned. It was indeed a rare Spirit Beast that even Dugu Bo couldn't find. Greedy Root Demons were already scarce, and they were also a type of plant Spirit Beast that could move on their own, making them even harder to find.
At this moment, Qin Ming suddenly spoke:
"Three Teachers, why don't I, along with the Heaven Dou Royal Team, take Wang Li to the Star Dou Great Forest to search? With Wang Li's strength, he will undoubtedly become a core member of the team, but he has had very little contact with the other members of the team. This is not conducive to participating in the Grand Soul Master Tournament!"
"Going to the Star Dou Great Forest, while looking for his fourth spirit ring, will also allow him to have more contact with the other members, making it easier for them to get acquainted!"
Qin Ming had originally planned to take the Heaven Dou Royal Team to Spirit Dueling. Now, it seemed better to first bring Wang Li into the team so they could develop cooperation and tacit understanding.
Meng Shenji thought for a moment, then said:
"That's a good idea. Let everyone get acquainted. In the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Competition, you will all be close comrades in arms."
"Whether we find the Greedy Root Demon in the Star Dou Great Forest or not isn't important. The main thing is to foster teamwork. The three of us also have some old friends; we'll contact them then. We're bound to find something."