Chapter 95: Buy One, Get One Free – Azure Shadow Eagle and Fire Feather Serpent
In just about an hour, Han Li opened his eyes from meditation he had fully recovered.
Glancing at the three chatting nearby, he got up and walked over.
"Recovered?"
Guang Ling looked him up and down, assessing his disciple's refreshed state.
"Yeah, I'm good."
"The Azure Shadow Eagle's nest isn't far from here, just on a mountain to the east. While you were meditating, I went to check it has three of them, two adults and one young. One of the adults left the nest earlier."
"That leaves an 18,000 year old one, just right for you. So? Want to do it yourself, or should I handle it?" Guang Ling teased.
"You do it. The Azure Shadow Eagle is way too fast its attacks aren't a problem, but if it escapes before I get close, who knows how long we'll have to wait. We've already tested my combat strength, and Yan still needs to get her spirit beast, which is on the other side of the forest. We should hurry I don't want to stay in the forest any longer than necessary. The Sunset Forest already gave me nightmares."
Han Li decisively shook his head, rejecting his master's offer.
"Tch, you sure know how to slack off. So far, not a single one of your spirit rings has come from a beast you hunted yourself." Guang Ling chuckled.
"Can't help it. My master is just too strong."
Han Li shrugged and instantly flattered him.
"Learn from this, Yan yan. See that? Today, your grandpa is teaching you a life lesson through Han Li shamelessness and flattery are essential for becoming a true powerhouse."
Dugu Bo chimed in with a smirk.
Dugu Yan covered her mouth, giggling she could tell her grandfather was joking.
"You old poison sack, slandering me now? Alright, little girl, let me teach you a counter lesson even a powerhouse's gaze carries strength. Watch closely."
Guang Ling suddenly released a wave of spirit power, pressing down on Dugu Bo before instantly bolting away.
"I'm off to hunt the Azure Shadow Eagle. You stay here and protect them."
Only when Guang Ling's figure had disappeared did Dugu Bo finally move again. He stretched his stiffened limbs and muttered,
"Damn you, Guang Ling, using spirit power to suppress me so I couldn't talk? You just wait."
Han Li and Dugu Yan exchanged glances, suppressing their laughter. They had already grown accustomed to these "friendly interactions" between the two elders.
In less than the time it took for an incense stick to burn, just as the three were casually chatting, Guang Ling descended from the sky.
Judging by his good mood, it seemed the hunt had gone smoothly. The three followed his gaze and saw that both of his hands were full in one, he held a massive azure colored eagle, while in the other, he clutched a fiery red "spicy strip".
"Not bad, we got a bonus. Looks like the girl won't have to go all the way to the other side of the forest for her spirit ring."
Guang Ling grinned and tossed the two creatures onto the ground in front of them.
"A Fire Feather Serpent?"
Dugu Bo inspected the barely breathing snake like spirit beast, his voice filled with surprise.
"Yeah. Remember I mentioned that one of the adults had left the nest earlier? When I got there, it had just returned with this in its mouth. Since it was still alive, I brought it along."
"No idea where it found this thing. Fire Feather Serpents are much rarer than Fire Scale Serpents, and with their ability to fly and extreme survivability, I'm surprised it got caught."
Guang Ling sighed in amazement.
"6,500 years old. A little older than the 6,000 year target we planned."
Han Li estimated the Fire Feather Serpent's age and looked at Dugu Yan.
"Don't worry, it's fine. Grandpa already tested my endurance last night. Did you forget I also absorbed this?"
Dugu Yan flashed a mischievous smile and spread her newly gained wings.
Oh, right. Han Li smacked his forehead he had slept through her spirit bone absorption and subconsciously overlooked the physical enhancements it provided.
"Yeah, this one's better for you than the Fire Scale Serpent anyway. Whether it's for flight speed and flame amplification or its wide area attack capability, it's a good fit."
Han Li instinctively analyzed the spirit ring's benefits.
"Doesn't matter much I'd be fine with just one of those."
Dugu Yan blinked and then looked at Han Li thoughtfully.
"Something wrong, Yan ?"
Han Li felt a little uneasy under her gaze.
"Hmm, I was just thinking up until now, spirit rings were always a gamble. Even when people hunted specific beasts, the skills they got weren't always ideal. But Guang Ling said you always get exactly what you want from your spirit rings…"
"So why don't you try blessing me?"
Dugu Yan's expression turned completely serious.
"Bless you? How?"
Han Li was baffled.
"Like this."
Dugu Yan stepped closer, took Han Li's hand, and placed it on her head.
She then closed her eyes, murmuring to herself, silently wishing for the skill she wanted.
Han Li almost laughed.
"Superstitions like this are nonsense… but whatever, I'll humor her."
So, he left his hand there who knows? Maybe it would work.
After a minute, Dugu Yan opened her eyes, bowed twice toward Han Li, then proceeded with absorbing the Fire Feather Serpent's spirit ring under Dugu Bo's supervision.
"Alright, Han Li, your turn."
Guang Ling watched in amusement, waiting until Dugu Yan had left before motioning toward the Azure Shadow Eagle lying on the ground.
"Yeah."
Han Li didn't hesitate.
Summoning his Martial Soul, he fired a single arrow, swiftly ending the beast's life.
As the dark spirit ring emerged, he sat down immediately to absorb it.
The process was effortless so much so that Han Li felt no strain at all.
After completely refining the spirit ring's energy, he stood up and waited for the wings to appear.
Yeah, he was that confident.
Okay, fine he admitted he was showing off a little.
Sure enough, the instant he got up, his back muscles tensed, his clothes tore open, and a pair of massive azure wings burst forth from his shoulder blades.
A strong gust swept through the area, kicking up a cloud of dust which promptly choked him.
"Pfft hahahaha!"
Guang Ling couldn't hold back his laughter he enjoyed seeing his disciple make a fool of himself.
"Master…"
Han Li gave him a resentful glare, only to suddenly realize his upper body felt a bit chilly.
His wings had not only shredded his back, but the force of their emergence had also tugged at the front of his shirt.
Now, his entire upper half was exposed, his torn clothes barely clinging to his waist.
"Looks like from now on, I'll need custom made clothes."
Han Li sighed.
"Alright, quit showing off. The girl's almost done, too. Go change wear that backless shirt you hate so much. Just throw on a cloak over it… You'll probably have to reveal the wings again anyway."
Guang Ling smirked.
(End of Chapter)
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