Chapter 40 The Second Millennium Spirit Ring

"Not bad, not bad. I didn't expect that guy to actually take on a disciple, though it makes sense given that you possess the Seven-Killing Sword Martial Soul." Dugu Bo stretched lazily and sat down beside Ning Xi and Jun Han.

"Little Xi'er, after just taking the medicinal pill you gave me, I feel much better. It seems I won't have to endure the torment of that poison acting up next time."

Dugu Yan wrapped her arms around Ning Xi's arm, affectionately stroking her tender, smooth cheek.

Ning Xi's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. This was the first time anyone had ever stroked her face like that.

Seeing her reaction, Dugu Yan became even more delighted and poked her skin again. "Little Xi'er, your skin is so nice!"

Ning Xi smiled somewhat unnaturally and said, "No, not really... Sister Yanyan's skin is lovely too."

Jun Han's eyes turned dark and unfathomable as he watched their intimate interaction. A sudden wave of chilliness made Dugu Yan shudder involuntarily.

*Hiss, why is it suddenly a bit cold?*

Noticing this, Dugu Bo gave a light cough. "Alright, Yan'er, get up quickly. We still have things to do."

"Oh! Right, almost forgot!" Dugu Yan slapped her forehead and released Ning Xi.

"I see you both have reached the twentieth rank already. Seeing how diligent you've been, I've decided to take you to get your spirit rings. How about that?" Dugu Bo crossed his arms, looking lazily at the two children.

Ning Xi was surprised for a moment before nodding immediately. She had just been planning to leave this place and hunt spirit beasts together with Jun Han.

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

"Mm, let's go."

Dugu Bo led the three children out of the Sunset Forest's Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and headed in another direction.

"Keep up. What do you think of that nine-hundred-year-old Netherworld Tiger over there?" Dugu Bo pointed at a purple-furred tiger sleeping near the entrance of a cave.

Ning Xi shook her head. "My second spirit ring needs to be at least five thousand years old."

Dugu Bo froze in shock. "What did you say?? Five thousand years??"

He was completely dumbfounded. This child wanted to absorb a five-thousand-year-old spirit ring for her second one?!

Had he seen Ning Xi's first spirit ring, he wouldn't have been so surprised, but he hadn't.

In the end, Dugu Yan covered her mouth with a giggle and said, "Grandpa, you don't know this, but Little Xi'er's first spirit ring was already a thousand-year-old one. It's completely normal for her second one to be in the thousands as well."

Dugu Bo was even more shocked. What did she mean by a second thousand-year-old ring being "normal"?

Had his granddaughter lost her mind?!

"Grandpa, what kind of look is that? Little Xi'er's first spirit ring was actually two thousand years old. Although I was quite shocked myself, I trust Little Xi. She knows what limit of spirit ring age she can bear."

"Besides, even young Jun Han's spirit ring is from a thousand-year beast, so it's entirely reasonable for the two of them to aim for five thousand years," Dugu Yan explained helplessly.

It had taken her quite a while to digest that information back then as well.

"Hmph, you little monsters. Don't blame your old master for not warning you—if anything goes wrong, I take no responsibility!" Dugu Bo snorted unhappily and turned his back to them.

Ning Xi and Jun Han exchanged a smile, looking gratefully at Dugu Bo as they thanked him, "Thank you, Grandpa Dugu!"

Dugu Bo let out a cold hum and turned his face away with a haughty expression.

*Hmph.*

*What grandpa?*

*Who's your Grandpa Dugu!*

Despite those thoughts, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve upward.

Overwhelmed by a mix of helplessness and shock, he still led them to search for suitable spirit beasts according to Ning Xi's request.

Before long, they spotted two fierce-looking beast entities locked in combat, both around four thousand years of age.

One was a four-thousand-year-old Sword-Spined Armored Dragon, and the other was a three-thousand-year-old giant tiger.

The Sword-Spined Armored Dragon was massive, its entire body covered in tough iron-like scales, with sharp, sword-like bone spikes protruding along its spine, giving it an imposing and majestic appearance.

The giant tiger was solidly built, its muscles rippling beneath its hide, and its thunderous roars shook the surrounding forest, proving it was equally formidable.

They were fighting over the carcass of a giant Spirit Rhinoceros.

The Spirit Rhinoceros was an extremely rare spirit beast whose flesh was not only tender and delicious but also packed with rich spirit power. Neither the Sword-Spined Armored Dragon nor the giant tiger was willing to give up such a delectable feast.

Watching the two snarling beasts, Dugu Bo lowered his voice and said, "Neither of those beasts is weak, and they're locked in a fierce battle. Let's wait a bit longer. Once they both suffer heavy injuries, we can strike and achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Ning Xi nodded, thinking it was a great idea.

So, she took out a portable grill, marinated meat, and fruits from her storage ring, officially assuming her specialized role as the "Master Grill Chef."

She skillfully set up the barbecue grill, lit the campfire, and placed the skewered marinated meats over the fire to turn them.

Within moments, a mouth-watering aroma drifted into Dugu Bo's nostrils, almost making him drool.

"Grandpa, bear with it for a moment, it'll be ready soon." Dugu Yan covered her mouth and smiled as she watched her grandfather's greedy expression.

Dugu Bo could only swallow hard, saying helplessly, "Those two fellows are fighting so intensely, who knows when they'll decide a winner."

Ning Xi unhurriedly continued roasting the meat, chatting with Dugu Yan while waiting for the moment the two spirit beasts would wear each other out.

After glancing at the snarling beasts again, Ning Xi agreed that waiting a little longer to kill them was the best course of action.

As soon as the meat was cooked, Dugu Bo impatiently snatched a skewer.

"I never knew you had such a skill!" He savored every bite of the meat skewer, admiration sparkling in his eyes.

"Hehe, Little Ning Xi's culinary skills are second to none. It's simply more delicious than any grilled meat I've ever eaten," Dugu Yan said, devouring a skewer a bite at a time with great relish, occasionally letting out cries of satisfied praise.

Her eating manners were graceful yet uninhibited, showing no trace of a formidable spirit master.

"Mmm! Not bad! Truly delicious!" Dugu Bo praised.

Jun Han remained silent as usual, sitting quietly beside Ning Xi and eating his food without a word.

The group gathered around the campfire, enjoying the skewers roasted by Ning Xi's own hands in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

*Roar—!*

A deep, resonant roar filled with wildness and raw power echoed through the forest, causing all the other weaker spirit beasts to flee in panic.

The sound snapped the four people, who had been immersed in their feast, back to attention.

Following the direction of the sound, they spotted a Flame Demon Bear.

Dugu Bo's gaze narrowed as he looked closer, realizing that a seven-thousand-year-old Flame Demon Bear had appeared before them.

This giant beast was covered from head to toe in crimson-red manes, each hair glowing like burning flames and radiating a scorching heat.

Its massive body and thick limbs made the earth tremble with every step, producing a deafening, thunderous rumble.

The Flame Demon Bear sniffed the air as if sensing something.

With heavy, ground-shaking strides, it leapt forward, arriving right beside the Sword-Spined Armored Dragon and the giant tiger.

Its sudden appearance instantly alerted the two giant beasts, causing them to back away in unison.

Showing no mercy, the Flame Demon Bear swung a heavy paw at the Sword-Spined Armored Dragon, which immediately turned and fled without daring to linger for a second.

The giant tiger also sensed the oppressive aura of the Flame Demon Bear, whipped around, and bolted away in terror, unwilling to stay a moment longer.