Chapter 434: Spirit Skill - Armor Break

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Although it took more than three years for Zeng Yi to break through from Rank 50 to Rank 53 in spirit power, it appeared as though his cultivation speed was extraordinarily slow.

However, it was important to note that he was starting from scratch, so this progress could actually be considered significantly fast.

This new method of cultivation not only changed the way he trained, allowing his spirit power level to surpass the limitations of spirit rings, but it also made his spirit power purer and denser than before.

This was why Zeng Yi was able to upgrade his four spirit rings to Rank 53.

After all, since his spirit rings were self-condensed, he could condense the rings whenever he wanted.

Of course, he still had to condense a spirit ring every ten levels; otherwise, his Martial Spirit seemed unable to handle it.

Overall, Zeng Yi was extremely satisfied with his training in these past few years.

Now that he had not only regained his strength but also become even more powerful than before, Zeng Yi felt there was no longer a need to stay in the Star Dou Forest. It was time for him to venture out and continue exploring the outside world.

The next morning, the valley was shrouded in mist under the early morning sun. The melodious chirping of insects and birds made the valley feel incredibly ethereal, like a fairyland.

Zeng Yi smiled as he looked at the imposing figure in front of him.

"Da Hei, lower your head!"

Da Hei was the Thorny Armored Beast with over 50,000 years of cultivation. Since it had been living in this valley for quite some time, Zeng Yi couldn't keep calling it by its species name, so he gave it a nickname instead.

Da Hei gladly accepted this simple nickname, and its child naturally came to be known as Xiao Hei.

Upon hearing Zeng Yi's words, a hint of human-like confusion flashed in Da Hei's large eyes. However, without giving it much thought, it obediently lowered its body, its truck-sized head placed before Zeng Yi.

Zeng Yi couldn't help but extend his hand and gently pat Da Hei's broad forehead. Recalling that he had almost taken its life in the past, Zeng Yi found it unexpected that they had become friends. Truly, life was unpredictable.

As he looked at it, Zeng Yi couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Indeed, he had much to thank Da Hei for.

It was because he had encountered Da Hei that Zeng Yi had become uncertain, leading him onto a completely new path of cultivation.

Da Hei had played a part in Zeng Yi's success.

"Thank you for taking care of me these past two years, Da Hei. But every good thing must come to an end, and I have to leave now," Zeng Yi said sentimentally.

Upon hearing these words, Da Hei let out a low growl, seeming somewhat reluctant.

Seeing its expression, Zeng Yi smiled and said, "By the way, before I go, there's something I need to get rid of."

Embarrassed, Zeng Yi then removed [Ronin Sword] from his body.

When Da Hei saw Zeng Yi unsheathe his weapon and looked at the sword shimmering with a cold light, an uneasy feeling rose inside it.

Could Zeng Yi want to fight?

Since recovering his power, Zeng Yi had become much stronger. Even Da Hei in its prime would not be a match for him.

Recently, Zeng Yi had used it as a sparring partner numerous times in order to test his own strength and deliver a thorough beating.

Now that it saw this sword, it couldn't help but feel anxious.

As Da Hei's eyes flickered with a hint of panic, Zeng Yi burst into laughter. He reached out and stroked the beast's forehead, reassuring it, "What are you panicking for? Do you think I can kill you? I just want to borrow something from you."

With that, Zeng Yi grinned mischievously and pressed the hilt of [Ronin Sword] against Da Hei's broad forehead.

Da Hei was puzzled by Zeng Yi's actions, blinking its large eyes and looking at him with confusion.

Feeling a slight chill on its forehead at first, Da Hei didn't pay much attention to it. But the next moment, it sensed something was amiss.

[Ronin Sword] in Zeng Yi's hand emitted a radiant glow, flickering like a breath as if it had come alive. The hilt remained pressed against Da Hei's forehead, seemingly absorbing something.

This sudden change startled Da Hei, but it quickly calmed down.

Sensing no danger and instead feeling a warm and peaceful power coursing through its body, Da Hei relaxed.

The part of [Ronin Sword]'s hilt that made contact with Da Hei started to emit a green light, much like an electric current that quickly spread across Da Hei's entire body.

This phenomenon lasted for a full ten minutes before the green light on Da Hei's body gradually subsided.

At this point, Zeng Yi released his grip on [Ronin Sword] from Da Hei's forehead and sat cross-legged on the ground, closing his eyes to begin his cultivation.

Meanwhile, [Ronin Sword] hovered in front of Zeng Yi, the sword shimmering with a faint light.

Although Da Hei still couldn't comprehend what was happening, it noticed Zeng Yi beginning his cultivation and distanced itself, keeping watch as its guardian by the side.

A powerful surge of spirit power emanated from Zeng Yi's body, invisible gusts of wind swirling around him, accelerating their circulation.

Spirit rings appeared one after another beneath Zeng Yi, revolving around his body and shining with a silvery radiance.

However, at this moment, the surrounding spiritual energy began to gather on [Ronin Sword]'s floating sword in front of Zeng Yi. His spirit power also started to flow into [Ronin Sword]'s sword.

[Ronin Sword] became a boundless abyss, madly devouring the spiritual energy and spirit power in its surroundings.

Feeling the surge of spirit power within his body, Zeng Yi immediately released the stored spirit bone skill, infusing the remaining spirit power from his left arm's bone into [Ronin Sword]'s sword.

After absorbing Zeng Yi's two portions of spirit power, [Ronin Sword] finally felt satisfied, ceased its absorption, and radiated with brilliant light as though it had just finished a hearty meal.

But it wasn't over yet.

Among the four silver spirit rings revolving around Zeng Yi's body, the uppermost one began to condense spirit power, subtly forming a circular shape.

Finally, a completely new silver spirit ring condensed, making a total of five silver spirit rings shimmering around Zeng Yi's body.

The process of condensing spirit rings was complete!

Zeng Yi opened his eyes, his face revealing a satisfied smile as he looked at the five silver spirit rings floating above him.

"My self-condensed spirit rings are quite pleasing to the eye."

Although Zeng Yi's current level wasn't restricted by his spirit rings, it seemed that the significance of spirit rings to him couldn't be ignored.

Spirit rings granted a special spirit skill to spirit masters, and the effectiveness of the spirit skill largely depended on the abilities of the spirit beast from which the spirit ring was obtained.

The effects of spirit skills greatly enhanced a spirit master's combat power.

In other words, spirit masters relied on spirit skills for battle or assistance. Without spirit skills, a spirit master's combat power couldn't be fully utilized.

Therefore, the importance of spirit skills to a spirit master couldn't be underestimated.

Zeng Yi had obtained his current strength partly due to the enhancement of his spirit skill which shouldn't be disregarded. Even though Zeng Yi possessed unparalleled swordsmanship, he couldn't neglect the boost provided by his spirit skill.

Having multiple skills would not weigh him down.

However, Zeng Yi found a solution to obtain one despite his self-condensed spirit rings.

He had discovered a miraculous ability of his seemingly ordinary Martial Spirit, [Ronin Sword].

That ability was the power to replicate a spirit beast's skill, combining it with a spirit ring.

Hence, before condensing spirit rings, Zeng Yi had [Ronin Sword] replicate one of Da Hei's abilities to be fused with his new spirit ring.

This was commonly known as borrowing strength!

And the fifth spirit skill Zeng Yi condensed, giving himself the spirit skill ["Armor Break"], had the effect of Da Hei's innate ability, Armor Piercing.

[Armor Break!]

The fifth spirit skill, [Armor Break!] Increases attack by twenty percent!

This ability could further enhance his combat power.

For a spirit master with weak defenses, it meant instant annihilation, and for a defense-oriented spirit master, it meant taking two additional hits.

The synergy of [Armor Break!] skill with an ultimate attacking swordsman like himself was simply perfect!

Moreover, the self-condensed spirit rings were formed by absorbing his own two portions of spirit power. If compared to spirit rings obtained from spirit beasts, they should have a strength around 50,000 years old spirit ring.

Upon obtaining this new spirit skill, Zeng Yi couldn't help but feel an itch to test it out. If only there was someone who could spar with him.

As this thought crossed his mind, Zeng Yi raised his head and looked towards Da Hei's direction.

Meeting Zeng Yi's gaze, Da Hei seemed to read his intentions and immediately felt a chill down its spine, quickly fleeing the scene.

Watching Da Hei's hasty departure, Zeng Yi shook his head, finding it amusing.

"Never mind."

Rather than pursuing it, Zeng Yi took a final walk around the valley where he had spent the past two years. Once he completely restored his depleted spirit power, he bid farewell to the valley in silence, without seeking out Da Hei and Xiao Hei to bid them goodbye.