Lin Guanmeng had come to Nuoding City due to a simple report — the same one filed by the old man who had tested Max and the others' Martial Spirits. That report had reached Spirit Hall, and Lin Guanmeng, recently promoted and eager to prove himself, volunteered to handle the matter personally.
There were two main reasons behind his decision:
First, he wanted to snatch a disciple or two — he wanted to snatch them before anyone else could claim it.
Second, and more troubling to him personally, was that he could not erase the name Arlecchino from his mind.
Ever since he had seen her, her image, her presence, and the terrifying aura she carried had burned themselves into his thoughts. Even when he tried to push them away, she remained — like a beautiful stain on his mind, haunting and unforgettable.
So, the moment he saw the report, he rushed to Soto City. There, he had even helped them secure a house. But upon arrival, he learned from the other children that Arlecchino had already left, taking Mo Tian, the eldest among them, to obtain his first Spirit Ring.
Now, Lin Guanmeng could only sigh and sit down, lounging lazily on the sofa as he waited for her return. Peter and the others occasionally glanced at him, noting how oddly restless and distracted the Titled Douluo appeared — nothing like the majestic, composed figure he ought to be.
***
Far away from Soto City, In the Sea, Max pointed to many directions on the Sea and found many islands.
Guided by Max's uncanny ability to locate high-tier spirit beasts, they moved swiftly across the Sea. Their targets were not ordinary — each spirit beast they hunted was over 100,000 years old, ancient monsters that ruled their own territories and were feared by others. After Hunting the Blade Tailed Boa, they hunted Eight more 100,000 year + beasts.
One by One, the Hunts Unfolded:
The Ember-Clad Titan Ape — a 243,000-year-old brute dwelling in the volcanic Island. Its explosive power was no match for Arlecchino's martial spirit, and after a fierce battle that cracked the lava plains, it fell.
The Void Sting Mantis — a 252,000-year-old insectoid predator with speed that tore space. Arlecchino used her spirit technique "Blood Lock Severance" to immobilize and decapitate it.
The Frost Howl Kirin — a 261,000-year-old Holy beast. It could summon blizzards with its roar. Arlecchino activated her eighth spirit skill to negate its magic and pierce its core.
The Mirror-eyed Dream Python — 275,000 years old. It fed on illusions and dreams. Max disrupted its mental attacks with his powerful Soul Conqueror's Haki, allowing Arlecchino to land a fatal blow.
The Crimson Iron Hydra — 287,000 years of rage and fire. Its nine heads fell one by one as Arcchino fought it and defeat it after an half day battle.
The Ebon Seraphim Wolf — 294,000 years old, with six wings and shadow abilities. It was a predator, but no match for Arlecchino's True Body Form.
The Lunar Sky Roc — 319,000 years of flight and arrogance. In the skies, Arlecchino fought it blade for beak in a high-speed duel across the clouds.
The Abyss-Tide Leviathan — an ancient sea king with 476,900 years of age. A truly catastrophic battle, shaking the sea and sky. Arlecchino was pushed to the brink, but Max provided her the opportunity to land the final strike with her ninth spirit skill, "Crimson Annihilation Dance."
Now, after the hunt, Arlecchino was absorbing her final Ninth Spirit Ring for her second Martial Spirit — Crimson Blood Scythe.
After a moment, she opened her eyes, releasing a powerful pressure that shook the area.
"I am now a Level 99 Peerless Douluo," she said calmly.
Max nodded as he stored the massive body of the Abyss-Tide Leviathan into his inventory, already planning to consume it later.
"Now we have eight powerful Spirit Bones," he noted.
Arlecchino nodded in agreement. Max had claimed all the Spirit Bones from the beasts she hunted. While she absorbed the Spirit Rings, Max had taken the Spirit Bones to enhance the physical capabilities of himself and his allies. This would allow them to absorb even higher-aged Spirit Rings from the start.
"Let's return. We got what we came for," Max said.
She looked at him and added in a slightly cryptic tone, "You should use this spirit bone and get youself a Spirit ring while we are here."
Max paused at her words, then smirked. "Hm… You're right."
He took out the torso bone of the Abyss-Tide Leviathan and began absorbing it. It wasn't easy — the bone wasn't just powerful, it was monstrous. The process took over five days, but he endured it, his body adapting slowly to its strength.
Then he asked, "System, how much can my body now endure in terms of Spirit Ring age?"
[Host's body can now endure Spirit Rings up to 8,000 years in age.]
Max chuckled. "Perfect. As expected of the 400,000-year Spirit Bone. Arlecchino, let's get going. It's time to find the best Spirit Rings for me now."
He extended his hand, and the two of them soared into the sky. Arlecchino looked at him curiously, holding onto his arm.
"What skills did you get from that bone?" she asked.
"I got two," Max replied, eyes gleaming. "First is Abyss Bomb. I condense and release a devastating orb of compressed death and tide energy. It explodes in a 20-meter radius — nothing survives the center."
He paused, then continued, "Second is a passive ability — Abyss Vortex. It passively enhances my vitality and energy regeneration by 100%. It's not only that, with each rise in level, it also increases by 1%, so if I am now at level 20, and its 100%, you cna imagine what it will be at level 99."
Arlecchino nodded approvingly. "You'll become a nightmare to many."
Max smiled at her words as he led her toward a distant island. There, they had located the habitat of the Void Mantis — a rare and dangerous Spirit Beast.
Given that Max's Martial Spirit was aligned with Death, Time, Space, and infused with a Dragon-type core, he aimed to target Spirit Beasts that matched these affinities. To gain the greatest benefit, he specifically sought beasts with either elemental compatibility or dragon lineage.
The island where the Void Mantis dwelled was surrounded by space type energy, and it wasn't alone. The region was rich with other space-related Spirit Beasts, making it the ideal place for Max to find a high-quality Spirit Ring — preferably from a beast around 7,000 years old.
***
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