"So, what skill did you get this time?" Arlecchino asked, her gaze fixed on Max.
Max didn't reply immediately. Instead, he stepped back slightly and extended his right hand. A sleek, dark spear formed in his grip — black all over, except for the glowing golden tip. Without a word, he thrust it forward. The spear flew into a nearby tree… but just before impact, it burst apart mid-air, sending dozens of smaller spear shards in every direction. The tree and everything behind it were shredded.
"This one's called Spear Shot," Max explained. "I launch a condensed spear forward, and once it nears a target or hits resistance, it explodes into multiple tracking spear shards that detonate across a wide radius. Precision and destruction — all in one."
Arlecchino's eyes gleamed. "That's a deadly ranged technique," she commented. "You're stacking power fast."
Max nodded with a grin, then raised his left hand.
With a flicker of light, five crystal-like blades extended from his fingers, gleaming with faint spatial and golden energy.
"Another external Spirit Bone," Max revealed. "This one came from the Crystal-Back Bear. I'm calling it Void Crystal Claws."
He flexed his fingers, the claws glinting dangerously.
"Now I have two external Spirit Bones," he continued. "On my right arm, I've got the Boa Blade from the Blade tailed Boa — that gives me piercing and slashing power focused on explosive strikes. And now on my left hand, the Void Crystal Claws give me two new skills."
Arlecchino raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"The first skill is Space Tearing Slash — I launch five simultaneous claw slashes that have high shredding and cutting power, capable of ripping through elemental barriers."
He stepped forward and made a slicing gesture — thin cuts formed in the air from the pressure alone.
"The second skill is called Beast King Vortex. I can summon a barrage of slashing vortexes in a wide arc around me — think of it as a close-range shredding maelstrom."
Arlecchino crossed her arms, visibly impressed. "This skill could even double as a defensive technique."
Max nodded. "Yes. That's the idea."
"Anyway," he added, "we got what we came for."
Both of them rose into the sky, flying steadily. Now that Max had reached Level 26 after absorbing two Spirit Rings, he had unlocked a crucial part of his Dragon-type Martial Spirit's first awakening phase. This allowed him to partially summon his Dragon Body Transformation — currently limited to certain body parts like arms or legs. But now, he had manifested wings — sleek, powerful appendages streaked with dark crimson veins of energy.
With those wings, he no longer needed any external support to fly — no tools, no props. He could now soar freely under his own power.
Of course, he was still not as fast as Arlecchino, nor did he have her vast reserves of Spirit Power. So midway through the flight, she simply hugged him tightly and carried him herself, flying back toward Soto City at high speed.
It had taken almost a full month to finish everything since they had left Soto City.
"Well, I already predicted it would take time," Max thought, as he felt the wind brush against his face.
During the journey, he had used the system's feature to check in. According to it, Peter and the others were now under the care of Lin Guanmeng. In fact, both Peter and Lumia had even accepted him as their Master. the reason was simple, they want to travel alone away from Max and his girls.
However, under Max's strict orders, they had refused to accept any Spirit Rings, no matter how much Lin Guanmeng insisted. The Titled Douluo didn't understand why they were resisting, but he was told that their "Elder Brother" (Max) had given clear instructions and that they were currently waiting fro him to come back.
Hearing this, Lin Guanmeng could only sigh. He was a Titled Douluo, after all. While these kids clearly needed guidance, and he could tell that the eldest among them was only six years old like the rest, he couldn't force them. Not now. Not yet.
So, he simply waited with them.
And finally, after a full month, Max and Arlecchino returned.
"You're back!" Peter, Lumia, Gwen, Rize, and Malaika all rushed toward him excitedly.
"You feel different... did you finally get your Spirit Ring?" Malaika asked, looking Max up and down.
Max nodded with a calm smile.
"You're back," Lin Guanmeng also said, stepping forward. Max gave him a respectful nod but asked directly, "Why are you here?"
Lin Guanmeng sighed lightly. "Two of your younger siblings are now my students, I wanted others but they refused."
Max nodded again, unsurprised.
Meanwhile, Arlecchino completely ignored the gathering. Without saying a word, she walked past everyone and went straight to the couch. She sat down with a relaxed sigh, finally letting her shoulders drop.
She had been working non-stop for the past month, and now that the job was done, she allowed herself a rare moment of rest — silent, sharp-eyed, and dangerous as always.
"You guys haven't gotten your Spirit Rings yet?" Max asked, noticing the lingering aura around them and also confirming it through the system. They all nodded in response.
"God… then come with me. I've got something to give you," he said, turning and walking toward the inner part of the residence. The others quickly followed, leaving Lin Guanmeng standing in the hall with Arlecchino.
Max didn't bother saying anything to Lin — he wasn't part of what came next.
Arlecchino, meanwhile, simply leaned back on the couch and rested. She didn't bother following Max.
She already knew what he was up to — probably handing out Soul Bones or planning how to raise the others' physical strength. But to her, that held no interest. If she already understood it, why waste energy getting involved?
Max didn't say anything to her either. He knew her well enough by now.
As for that guy, Lin Guanmeng — it was obvious he had some kind of admiration, or maybe even attraction, toward Arlecchino. He hovered nearby, probably trying to strike up some conversation, or at least get her attention.
***
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