Spirit Tool, Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges (5)

Tang San called to mind an important question,

"Grandmaster, how to distinguish the actual strength of a spirit beast? Or the number of years?"

Grandmaster said:

"Distinguishing a spirit beast's actual strength certainly is not difficult. You look, that solitary bamboo ahead. That also is a type of spirit beast - a plant system spirit beast. It's useful to you, solitary bamboo is tough, and although its attack nature is not powerful, its defense is not bad. This is a ten year solitary bamboo. Because its height does not exceed ten metres. Over ten metre, should be considered over a hundred years. Consequently, generally speaking, spirit beasts are distinguished mainly by observing bulk and the color of the spirit power used when they attack. Spirit power color is identical to actual strength. Precisely speaking, ten year spirit beasts use white spirit power, hundred year use yellow, and so on. Although, when confronting an unknown spirit beast, you best not go look at its spirit power, in a short time you will be unable to endure, and then will be up against devastating danger."

"Grandmaster, will we be hunting that solitary bamboo?"

The solitary bamboo certainly did not seem to attract attention, only because all around it were large trees and not more bamboo, it easily could be conspicuous. Its body softly swaying, the top of the bamboo moving rhythmically with the wind.

Grandmaster said:

"For the moment we will not. If we are without a more suitable choice, and only last if forced to. Choosing spirit ring must be done carefully: each spirit ring cannot be replaced. Spirit scholars promoting to spirit master, can absorb hundred year spirit beast spirit rings. To be even more precise, they can use a less than four hundred twenty three year spirit beast spirit ring. I've carefully studied very many spirit masters undergoing growth and failure. Four hundred twenty three years should be the limit of what one can endure for the first spirit ring. Therefore, I hope that your first spirit ring will be as close to that limit as possible."

Grandmaster regarding spirit research was always that precise. Tang San felt, having this teacher exist, absolutely was a kind of happiness.

"Similarly for hundred year spirit rings, although the color of the spirit rings emerging from a hundred year spirit beast and nine hundred year spirit beast are the same, the gap between the amplification of the added attribute is enormous. Seeking a spirit ring as high as possible under the prerequisite safety limit, is required for every outstanding spirit master."

Continuing moving forward, Grandmaster was giving Tang San a lively field class, relying on spirit Luo San Pao's acute sense of smell, to one by one draw out spirit beasts concealed in dark places. Perhaps because for the most part these spirit beasts were ten year grade, their attack desire was not strong. Grandmaster gave Tang San introductions to these spirit beasts' names, specific properties and method of distinguishing cultivation age.

Looking up at the color of the sky, Grandmaster said:

"It looks like today we must spend the night in Spirit Hunting Forest. We will first look for a place to camp."

Having searched for half the day, although no few spirit beasts conforming to the requirements had appeared, Grandmaster had not been anxious to get involved, and very patiently continued looking.

The place Grandmaster chose to camp at was a depression, surrounded by complex terrain and encircled by numerous towering trees.

Grandmaster took out a big glass bottle from a loop shaped spirit tool on his wrist and passed it to Tang San,

"Sprinkle it around, remember, you must sprinkle it evenly."

"Ok."

Tang San took the bottle. The bottle held some powdered type of drug, stinging the nose somewhat, and Tang San's nose wrinkled, already making it out, this was similar to his old world's realgar type drug. Tang sect was famous for hidden weapons and poison, and although he was an outer sect disciple, regarding distinguishing poisonous substances he had considerable skill. Earlier in the middle of the process of looking for spirit beasts, within Spirit Hunting Forest he had found no few poisonous plants he could distinguish, putting them within Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges. Grandmaster's knowledge could not be doubted on the spirit side, but regarding distinguishing these spirit power-less poisonous plants, he by far could not compare to Tang San with two lifetimes of experience. Particularly among these poisonous plants were very many that required each other to be able to issue poisonousness.

Having scattered the powder, Tang San handed back the bottle to Grandmaster.

"Do you know why I let you sprinkle these around the periphery?"

Grandmaster's facial expression was very serious, right now he was a teacher testing his student.

Since he could distinguish what the powder was, how could Tang San not be expected to know Grandmaster's purpose, and without hesitation he said:

"It should have two effects, one is to conceal our scent, and the other is to repel snakes, insects, rats, ants and such types of creatures."

Grandmaster nodded contentedly,

"Correct, precisely like that. This is called snake repelling powder, essential to adventures. Remember, in forests, especially within forests with spirit beasts, you must as much as possible not use fire. Even though the vast majority of wild animals and spirit beasts all will fear firelight, there are also several especially formidable spirit beasts that like fire. In case that you meet them, unless your own cultivation has become sufficiently formidable, you will undoubtedly die."

The color of the sky gradually dimmed, within the forest certainly was not peaceful and quiet, insects and birds called, roars of wild animals rose and fell one after another.

Without lighting a fire, around them was completely pitch dark, Tang San and Grandmaster ate a simple evening meal, both master and apprentice rested leaning against a big tree.

Grandmaster was definitely a qualified teacher, and he paid a lot of attention to Tang San. Even though right now they already should rest, Grandmaster was still again quizzing Tang San's understanding of spirit beasts from the daytime, in order to give him a deeper impression.

Tang San's memory was considered not bad, in addition this was the first time he had come into contact with creatures like spirit beasts, the novel feeling deepened his memory, and when his answers occasionally had faults they were one by one corrected by Grandmaster.

"Little San, do you know why I say that for spirit masters youth is the most important time?"

Grandmaster's deep and hoarse voice brought a somewhat sentimental feeling.

Tang San shook his head, waiting for Grandmaster's explanation.