"Um, Xuan Lao... how about I take Junior Disciple Bai to get his spirit ring? Dean Xian's research might really be at a critical juncture, and she can't spare any time in the short term..."
At this moment, Zhang Lexuan, who had been silent on the side, suddenly spoke.
Although she didn't know much about Xian Liner, based on what she knew about Xian Liner's protection and doting on Bai Zhou at the Sea God Pavilion meeting, she would definitely not do anything unfavorable to Bai Zhou.
Perhaps, as Bai Zhou said, Xian Liner couldn't spare any time in the short term.
And Xuan Lao was responsible for training and protecting the Shrek Seven Devils, and for organizing some extremely dangerous missions.
And she just happened to be free recently, taking Bai Zhou to the Star Dou Great Forest wouldn't take too long either.
"Alright, it's fine for you, girl Xuan, to take this kid."
When Xuan Lao heard Zhang Lexuan say this, although he was angry, he didn't retort.
However, the look in his eyes as he gazed at Bai Zhou was still somewhat unfriendly.
"Okay, in that case, I'll trouble Senior Disciple..."
Bai Zhou squeezed out a forced smile, lamenting inwardly, it's a pity, he couldn't go "battle" in the wild with Ma Xiaotao...
However, this thought only flashed through his mind.
After all, there were plenty of opportunities to meet privately with Ma Xiaotao.
But there weren't many opportunities to increase Zhang Lexuan's favorability.
Moreover, he had already refused Xuan Lao once; if he refused Zhang Lexuan again, he would definitely be seen as ungrateful.
Although it wasn't a big deal, it was easy to give people the impression of being arrogant, domineering, and looking down on others, which didn't quite fit his persona.
"Rumble——"
Just then, a terrifying explosion suddenly erupted in the distance.
A pillar of fire shot up into the sky, and five pitch-black figures were instantly sent flying backward, falling onto the ground in a very sorry state.
Except for Dai Yueheng, who had minor injuries, the others were all seriously injured, lying on the ground unable to even crawl up.
"Captain, why did you suddenly explode..."
"Exactly, what about the promised sparring? My injuries will keep me in bed for at least a few days..."
"Captain, you cheated, I'm not playing with you anymore!"
"..."
Ma Xiaotao's opponents all complained incessantly, their eyes full of resentment as they looked at Ma Xiaotao.
Ling Luochen also glanced at Ma Xiaotao with extreme surprise, not knowing why she suddenly struck so hard.
However.
But Ma Xiaotao didn't even spare a glance for her unlucky teammates.
Instead, she spread her flame wings and vanished from the spot with a whoosh.
The next second, she appeared next to Bai Zhou.
"Xiao Bai, why are you here!!?"
Ma Xiaotao was somewhat surprised and subconsciously wanted to hug Bai Zhou tightly in her arms and dote on him.
However, she instantly reacted, realizing there were so many people watching, so she changed from hugging to touching...
She gently stroked Bai Zhou's head.
"Little Tao, my Teacher is a bit busy, and I just reached level 40, so I wanted to ask you to help me get my spirit ring~"
Bai Zhou smiled slightly, then explained, "But Senior Disciple said you were quite busy, so she plans to go with me."
"No way!"
Ma Xiaotao refused immediately upon hearing this.
Bai Zhou was her person; she had never gone out alone with Bai Zhou before, so naturally, she couldn't give this opportunity to anyone else!
"Hmm?"
Zhang Lexuan and Xuan Lao were stunned to see Ma Xiaotao's strong reaction, and they simultaneously focused their gazes on her.
"Cough cough, what I mean is, Bai Zhou is the sworn younger brother I recognized; this is my own matter, so I won't trouble Senior Disciple~"
Ma Xiaotao's face flushed slightly as she quickly explained.
"Oh, I see, no wonder Junior Disciple Xiao Bai came to find you~" Zhang Lexuan suddenly understood upon hearing this.
She had been wondering before why a student from the Outer Courtyard insisted on finding Ma Xiaotao.
After all, Bai Zhou was just Xian Liner's student; if he had a good relationship with Yan Shaozhe, it would be understandable, but having such a good relationship with Ma Xiaotao wasn't quite normal.
Now that she heard Ma Xiaotao's explanation, it made sense.
Moreover, their relationship looked even closer than that of biological siblings; perhaps they had known each other for a long time...
"However..."
Zhang Lexuan changed the subject, looked at Bai Zhou, and asked with a frown, "Xiao Tao is just a Spirit Emperor, while I am a Spirit Douluo. Are you sure you want Xiao Tao to take you?"
"Yes, thank you for Senior Disciple's kindness, I believe Little Tao can protect me well." Bai Zhou nodded very seriously.
"Alright, but the Star Dou Great Forest is still very dangerous; you mustn't go too deep."
Zhang Lexuan nodded and said no more. After all, Bai Zhou was just getting his fourth spirit ring; having a Spirit Emperor escort him was indeed more than enough.
Of course, what Zhang Lexuan didn't know was that the information submitted by Xian Liner had hidden the age of Bai Zhou's spirit rings.
If Zhang Lexuan and Xuan Lao knew that Bai Zhou's third spirit ring was 40,000 years old, they would probably insist on getting a 100,000-year spirit ring for Bai Zhou this time...
...
A 100,000-year spirit ring is still a bit too large for Bai Zhou at the moment.
It might not fit... it might break him...
Bai Zhou had a plan for himself; the spirit ring didn't need to be too large, but it had to be the most suitable.
After all, his Wishing System could also increase the age of spirit rings.
It's just that Bai Zhou's spirit power level was too low; rashly increasing the age of his spirit rings would cause the spirit power consumed by using Spirit abilities to multiply, reducing his endurance.
Therefore, Bai Zhou didn't waste his wishing chances on this.
Moreover, Bai Zhou specialized in cultivating his Physical Body; the cost-effectiveness of increasing the age of spirit rings was far less than that of increasing his physical strength.
With his current comprehensive combat power comparable to a Spirit Emperor plus Ma Xiaotao, obtaining a thirty to forty thousand-year spirit ring was more than enough.
Of course, for the sake of caution, Bai Zhou also prepared a "fire spirit pearl" for Ma Xiaotao, roughly the same level as the pearl he gave Tang Ya.
Slowly swallowing and refining it would bring huge benefits to fire-attribute Spirit Masters; although it wouldn't necessarily evolve Ma Xiaotao's Spirit into Extreme Fire, it could definitely cause Ma Xiaotao's spirit power level to increase significantly.
And if consumed directly, it could cause a fire-attribute Spirit Master to erupt, increasing their combat power dozens of times in a short period, which is more than enough.
At most, they would be weak for a period; not only were there no side effects, but it could still significantly increase their spirit power level.
The value of the "fire spirit pearl" was in no way inferior to Tang Ya's "Lan Yin Huang's Heart".
It's just that the focus is different.
The Lan Yin Huang's Heart focuses on increasing potential, making Tang Ya's Spirit a Super Spirit, with the potential to step into the Domain of a Titled Douluo in the future.
And the Fire Dragon Pearl focuses on increasing cultivation; consuming one Fire Dragon Pearl is enough to equal several years of Ma Xiaotao's arduous training.
The value of the two is actually similar.
After all, potential is ultimately just potential, and it requires time to accumulate.
Even if Tang Ya's Spirit evolves into the Blue Silver Emperor, it would be impossible for her to defeat Ma Xiaotao in this lifetime.
...
Early the next morning.
Ma Xiaotao and Bai Zhou set off together for the Star Dou Great Forest.
Because of Bai Zhou, Xuan Lao gave Ma Xiaotao a few days off so she could properly help Bai Zhou choose the most suitable spirit ring.
This made Ma Xiaotao very happy, so she wasn't in a hurry to travel and instead took Bai Zhou to other large cities for shopping.
Although the Star Dou Great Forest was directly opposite Shrek City, entering from this direction made them easy targets.
It was quite dangerous with only Ma Xiaotao, a Spirit Emperor.
So Ma Xiaotao took Bai Zhou on a detour, entering from another safe exit where they would encounter fewer powerful Spirit Beasts, only then did she feel confident in ensuring Bai Zhou's safety.
Bai Zhou was also helpless about this and could only follow, and while he was at it...
Meanwhile, in a corner unseen by the two, a peerlessly beautiful figure silently watched their intimate actions, clenching her fists...