Chapter 27: What? You intend to absorb this spirit ring?

The forest was incredibly tranquil. Aside from the flames left behind by the recent battle and the occasional call of a bird, there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary.

However, the perception of a Spirit Saint is extraordinary. Furthermore, according to what Qin Ming had previously stated, they were not far from the academy's supply point. If they had seen the signal flares, a Spirit Saint, at full speed, would not only have arrived long ago but should have even been able to snatch the kill of the Ten-Thousand-Year Yang Snake.

Qin Ming frowned, pondering in place for a long while. He looked at the two severely injured spirit beasts and let out a soft sigh.

"Teacher, if you cannot make up your mind, then I shall make the first move."

Tang Xi had long since made her decision. She transformed silver into a blade in her hand, about to plunge it into the "seven-inch" vital spot of the Thousand-Year Yin Snake.

"Wait!"

Qin Ming’s eyes flickered, and with swift reflexes, he caught Tang Xi’s hand. He pried open the scales at the snake’s vital spot, looked into Tang Xi’s eyes, and suddenly understood. He asked, "When you agreed to help me encircle and kill the Twin Fire Snakes earlier, was it because you had your eye on this Thousand-Year Yin Snake?"

Tang Xi nodded, neither confirming nor denying.

Seeing Tang Xi’s nonchalant demeanor, Qin Ming assumed she came from a humble background and was ignorant of the knowledge regarding spirit ring absorption limits. He patiently reminded her: "Tang Xi, look at its neck. Snake-type spirit beasts shed their skin every thousand years, and each time, it leaves a mark at the seven-inch point. This snake currently has three such marks, meaning it just shed its skin recently. It is a three-thousand-year cultivation spirit beast, while the absorption limit for a third spirit ring is only one thousand six hundred years!"

Yet, upon hearing this, the expression on Tang Xi’s face grew more excited, and her eyes lit up instantly: "That’s perfect!"

As she raised her hand, Qin Ming blocked her movement again, urging her: "Wait a moment, student Tang Xi. When choosing a spirit ring, a higher age is not necessarily better. When absorbing a spirit ring that exceeds your capacity, you will experience extreme pain, and it could even be life-threatening!"

"It’s fine, Teacher. I know my limits!"

Qin Ming shook his head: "Student Tang Xi, this is a matter of life and death; it is not to be taken lightly!"

Tang Xi remained earnest: "It’s fine, Teacher. I know what I’m doing!"

"No, Teacher does not know what you are doing."

Qin Ming looked at her with complete seriousness, his eyes, gentle as jade, filled with sincerity: "Tang Xi, let me be honest with you. Back home, I have two parrots, four long-lived turtles, and eight stray cats to feed. I also have to send money back every holiday to support the stingy Dean who once took me in. I really need this salary. If I bring you out and you perish due to such a low-level error, I will have to go and live on the streets with those eight cats."

Tang Xi: "..."

After pouring out his heart, Qin Ming added, with great humanitarian spirit: "Of course, your life is also very important."

"...Teacher, you are certainly a kind person."

Tang Xi’s movements slowed slightly. Just as Qin Ming thought she was about to give up, her wrist suddenly exerted force, plunging the blade deep into the Thousand-Year Yin Snake’s vital spot.

A thousand-year purple spirit ring slowly drifted up from the head of the Yin Snake. Tang Xi’s fair face was splattered with scarlet blood; against the backdrop of the purple ring's glow, her ordinary features gained a touch of allure.

She looked quietly at the astonished Qin Ming and said: "I apologize, Teacher. Not only do I have the confidence to absorb a ring beyond my level, but I also have a reason that makes it necessary. If you are still worried, I am willing to sign any waiver of liability you require."

Tang Xi’s goal had always been clear.

She needed powerful strength—strength sufficient to allow her to confront that Xue Qinghe in the palace head-on without any hesitation!

Qin Ming opened his mouth, only to find that, faced with such a gaze from Tang Xi, he could not find a reason to continue stopping her.

What a troublesome, stubborn little girl.

Qin Ming turned back and said: "The Ten-Thousand-Year Yang Snake can still be held for a while, but the Thousand-Year Yin Snake cannot last much longer. You proceed; I will guard you."

"Thank you, Teacher Qin."

A faint glimmer flashed in Tang Xi’s eyes. She immediately sat cross-legged and guided the spirit ring to fuse into her body.

The thousand-year spirit ring radiated a deep, profound light. The spirit beast’s soul contained within was unwilling to be devoured and assimilated, struggling madly. This powerful and hostile soul energy, like an enraged beast, charged recklessly toward Tang Xi’s own soul.

In an instant, Tang Xi felt as if a thunderbolt had exploded in her mind, and intense pain submerged her like a surging tide.

At the same time, the impact of this foreign soul unexpectedly triggered the wisdom-sapping toxins that had long been dormant in her body. Those toxins, like awakened vipers, slithered wantonly through her meridians, eroding her body. Her frame began to tremble uncontrollably; she clenched her fists tightly, her fingernails digging deep into her palms as fresh blood slowly seeped from between her fingers.

In just a moment, the full price of absorbing a spirit ring beyond one's limit became apparent. Qin Ming’s brow furrowed deeply.

Tang Xi had prepared herself to endure the pain, but this time, as soon as she entered meditation, she felt her consciousness dragged into a brand-new space. The soul of the Thousand-Year Yin Snake and the wisdom-sapping toxins manifested before her, striking repeatedly at the defenseless her.

Not enough, it’s not enough! This level of sensation was nowhere near the pain she felt after drinking that cup of milk back then!

The spirit bone in Tang Xi’s head slowly emitted an aura. The pressure of a forty-thousand-year spirit beast descended, finally allowing her to contend with the two forces within her body, but because of this, the pain she suffered increased several-fold!

Amidst the chaos, a familiar voice appeared again: "Yuan'er, hold on."

Tang Xi was jolted. Before her, the face of Xue Qinghe truly appeared, only this time, a pair of angel-like wings emerged from behind him.

Seeing the hatred that erupted in Tang Xi’s eyes, that "Xue Qinghe" immediately stepped forward, hugged her tightly, and comforted her: "Don't panic, I am truly your brother."

Tang Xi instantly backed away, the hatred in her gaze turning into vigilance as she demanded: "This is my mental sea. How did you get in here!"

A look of guilt flashed across the face of that "Xue Qinghe." He reached out as if to embrace her, but as Tang Xi retreated again, he could only explain: "After I died, my soul wandered aimlessly by your side. Every time you were on the verge of death and your Soul-Wounding Bird spirit reappeared, I would recover some energy and appear briefly."

Wearing the face she hated the most, acting with a look of sorrow and self-reproach, Tang Xi felt an inexplicable sense of revulsion and let out a cold snort.

Tang Xi’s demeanor clearly wounded the "Xue Qinghe." He lowered his head, looking somewhat dejected: "I am sorry. Had I not been poisoned by that person years ago and had my identity stolen, you, Yuan'er, would surely be the most dazzling little princess on the entire continent."