Chapter 16: The Perverse External Spirit Bone and the Mutated Spirit Skill

Chapter 16: The Perverse External Spirit Bone and the Mutated Spirit Skill

Just as Qing Luan finished speaking, Han Li opened his eyes. Without even bothering to dust off his clothes, he stood up excitedly.

The first thing he did was wave at Xiu'er in the distance to reassure her that he was fine. Only then did he turn toward the two Titled Douluo standing before him.

"Thank you, Teacher. Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate you both for watching over me."

He wasn't surprised to see them so close. After all, he had made noise while absorbing the external spirit bone, and there was no way something as obvious as this would go unnoticed.

"Oh? If it isn't Young Master Han! You do remember I'm your teacher, huh?"

Guang Ling's voice carried an exaggerated, sarcastic tone.

"You were so decisive when you chopped that Elemental Butterfly in half. And now you have your first spirit ring and an external spirit bone? At this rate, I might as well retire my disciple doesn't need me anymore!"

…Huh?

Hearing his teacher's oddly passive aggressive words, Han Li was momentarily stunned.

But he was quick on the uptake.

He immediately realized that Guang Ling had been triggered.

Without hesitation, Han Li dashed forward, grabbed Guang Ling's arm, and shook it while tilting his head, giving him an innocent look.

"Scram, scram, scram!"

Guang Ling glanced down at him, saw that Han Li had no intention of letting go, and sighed in defeat. He flicked his arm, sending Han Li stumbling back to where he stood before.

Watching this master disciple interaction, Qing Luan couldn't help but chuckle.

Guang Ling had met his match.

It was good, though. The long quiet Worship Hall would have more liveliness from now on. At the very least, Guang Ling wouldn't get so bored that he ran off looking for people to fight.

Seeing Han Li preparing to pounce on him again, Guang Ling swiftly channeled his spirit power, locking the boy in place. Then, putting on a stern face, he said:

"Alright, kid, enough nonsense. Now, tell us exactly what those things on your head do."

Han Li was only messing around, so he obediently stood still.

Having these antennae sprout from his head felt a bit odd, so he fiddled with them briefly before organizing his thoughts.

"For now, the effects are somewhat scattered, and the abilities aren't fully developed yet. Fortunately, I can still use them even when they're retracted just at a slightly weaker level.

First: Perception. I can sense things like climate, temperature, and even scents.

Second: Communication. I can send messages to others one way without being noticed.

Third: Amplification. They slightly increase my overall spiritual power, and when I extend my spiritual sense, I get about a 1.5x boost.

Most importantly, Fourth: Elemental Affinity. They enhance my connection with the elements and allow me to feel them more clearly.

And because the spirit bone and my first spirit ring came from the same creature, my spirit skill is passively enhanced over time. However… probably because of my martial soul, they strongly repel any elements other than water and fire."

At this point, Han Li frowned slightly.

This power up was great for now, but in the long run, it could limit his growth. He might end up missing out on opportunities because of this elemental exclusivity.

Seeing his troubled expression, both Guang Ling and Qing Luan had the sudden urge to slap him.

Did this kid not realize how lucky he was?!

They were jealous.

This brat had gotten an external spirit bone from his first spirit ring, and he had the audacity to complain?!

Glancing at each other, Qing Luan gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

Guang Ling's lips curled into a devious grin.

Before Han Li could react, Guang Ling grabbed him, flipped him over his knee, and

SMACK!

"Keep showing off, will you?"

SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!

"Want to act smug, huh?!"

SMACK!

"Today, I'll teach you how sinister adults can be!"

Han Li hadn't even processed what was happening before he found himself back on his feet, rubbing his now aching backside.

He was bewildered.

It took him a moment to fully grasp that he had just been spanked by his teacher.

For a moment, he didn't know whether to be angry or embarrassed.

Then he caught Guang Ling's smug expression.

Han Li sighed internally and decided it wasn't worth resisting.

Instead, he quietly took note of this moment.

My dear teacher… one day, I will return this favor tenfold.

(Note: This is just a joke. No actual revenge plots here.)

Seeing Han Li hang his head in silence, Guang Ling panicked a little.

Oh no, did I go too far?

Is he mad at me?

This was his first time taking a disciple he didn't want to mess this up!

Desperately, he looked at Qing Luan for help.

Qing Luan merely smiled and said nothing.

To him, this scene was all too familiar.

That was exactly how Guang Ling used to act when he got scolded.

No, there was no problem here.

Guang Ling had simply met a disciple who was too much like himself.

Realizing that Qing Luan wasn't going to help him, Guang Ling hesitated before awkwardly squatting down and patting Han Li's head.

"Ahem. Han Li, my dear disciple… I may have been a bit harsh just now. I promise I won't do that again. And to make it up to you, I'll grant you one request. How about that?"

Han Li was delighted.

He had expected to just let it slide, but now he was getting compensation?!

Without hesitation, he straightened up and respectfully said:

"Everything is up to Teacher. I don't know why you hit me just now, but surely, it must have been my fault. I will reflect on this deeply."

If every spanking came with a free request, he wouldn't mind a few more.

Getting hit on the backside a couple of times? So what?

He was only six years old!

Plenty of kids got scolded by their elders!

Guang Ling, hearing Han Li's words, was immediately overwhelmed with guilt.

What a good child…

How could I let my emotions get the better of me like that?

He's still so young…

Qing Luan, watching from the side, was speechless.

…Guang Ling had been completely played.

Han Li had manipulated him from start to finish.

But Qing Luan had no intention of stepping in.

Let Guang Ling suffer a little.

It was his disciple, after all.

Han Li seized the moment to change the subject.

"Teacher, Uncle, after absorbing this external spirit bone, my spirit power has reached Level 12. I should reach Level 13 within two weeks at most. Also "

Seeing their satisfied nods, Han Li summoned his martial soul.

The Ice Fire Bow materialized in his hands.

However, unlike a normal spirit master's spirit rings, his first ring was not floating at his feet.

Instead, it appeared in the center of the bow, aligning perfectly with the aiming trajectory.

If someone wasn't paying close attention, they might not even notice the ring at all.

"Huh. Well, it's small, but it looks cute," Guang Ling commented.

Han Li's face darkened.

What kind of description was that?!

"Teacher, focus! That's not the point. My first spirit skill has also changed.

Aside from water and fire affinity, my base attacks have been enhanced."

Han Li pulled back the bowstring.

As he did, the spirit ring glowed, and an arrow materialized.

Then

BOOM!

The arrow struck the ground in the distance, creating a small crater.

Flames flickered around the impact site.

Guang Ling and Qing Luan's eyes lit up.

Han Li didn't keep them waiting.

"For now, the enhancement is only around 30%, but it will continue to grow alongside my external spirit bone.

Oh, and the cost is low.

I can also choose to disable it whenever I want."

With a flick of his wrist, the spirit ring shifted from the bow to his head then rotated behind him, lining up along his back.

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