Chapter 8: The First Spirit Ring – Rotating Tail Sharp Dart - Douluo's spirit bead sword

## Chapter 8: The First Spirit Ring – Rotating Tail Sharp Dart As they entered the Soul Hunting Forest, Chen Xin asked, "Xiao Tian, you mentioned that your martial spirit needs to absorb attribute-based spirit rings to grow. Have you decided on the first attribute?" "Yes, teacher. After considering it all day yesterday, I have completely determined my growth direction. For the first attribute, I choose water!" Tian Lin replied, having made a careful decision about the skill he needed. If everything went according to his plan, he would undoubtedly become a top-tier attack-type battle soul master in the future, with built-in support capabilities. After all, some supportive skills in the magic sword techniques were astonishingly powerful, and Tian Lin had no intention of giving them up. Hearing this, Chen Xin paused and asked, puzzled, "Why? Among the attributes you listed earlier, water has the weakest attack power." The explosive and scorching power of fire, the piercing and paralyzing qualities of lightning, the speed and cutting edge of wind, the heaviness and strength of earth—all were more suitable than water. Perhaps the massive tidal waves of water could rival the others in power, but the spirit beast they were looking for today was only at the century level, nowhere near that magnitude. In Chen Xin's plan, acquiring the water attribute was best left for later when they could absorb a millennia-beast with water attributes. "Teacher, I understand your point, but in my development plan, the water attribute is extremely important. I must acquire it as soon as possible," Tian Lin stated firmly. "Alright, if that's the case, let’s head to the lake. I know of a spirit beast that might be perfect for you!" Chen Xin said as he led Tian Lin toward the water's edge. Compared to other attributes, water was relatively easy to find, with many aquatic spirit beasts around. Though not as abundant as sea spirit beasts, they were sufficient for the needs of most spirit masters. As they journeyed, they encountered several spirit beasts, including some millennia-level ones, but none dared approach due to the intimidating sword aura emanating from the Sword Douluo. Driven by instinct to avoid danger, the beasts kept their distance. Walking alongside a Title Douluo transformed the Soul Hunting Forest, a perilous place for ordinary people, into something akin to a botanical garden. Such was the advantage of having a powerful protector. Soon, they arrived at a massive lake, where numerous water-type spirit beasts could be seen swimming around. "Teacher, what about that jellyfish? I feel a strong water energy emanating from it," Tian Lin pointed to a blue jellyfish. "A toxic jellyfish, perhaps 200 years old based on its size. Insufficient." Chen Xin immediately dismissed Tian Lin’s suggestion. “The beast I chose for you is much better.” They continued their search until they came across a fish resembling a clever blade. "A blade fish. It’s not bad, but unfortunately, it hasn't reached its full potential, just over three hundred years old," Chen Xin critiqued again. At that moment, something appeared next to the blade fish. A flash of blue light pierced through the fish, revealing astonishing attack power and speed—so fast, Tian Lin couldn't even catch a glimpse. "Teacher, what was that just now? It pierced the blade fish in an instant." "That attack and speed—that's exactly what we're looking for. Xiao Tian, we've found your spirit ring," Chen Xin declared as he unleashed a sword aura into the lake. Instantly, a peculiar fish was forced out of the water, its nose and mouth forming a needle-like structure, with a tail consisting of four spiral fins. It seemed that this fish had used its tail for accelerating and its nose to pierce the blade fish. "Indeed, it's the Rotating Tail Sharp Dart!" Chen Xin exclaimed as he used his formidable spirit power to pull the fish in. "Xiao Tian, this is the target—a Rotating Tail Sharp Dart. Its age is indicated by its size and the number of tail fins. It’s of moderate size now, with four fins, which places its cultivation at about four hundred years. Perfect for you. I've already secured it—take it down now!" "Understood, Mirage Swords, go!" Tian Lin responded promptly, understanding Chen Xin’s thoughtful plan. He intended to offset the potential weakness of a pure water attribute's attack power by selecting a water attribute spirit beast known for high attack power. Using his magic sword, Tian Lin unleashed four Mirage Swords, swiftly slaying the Rotating Tail Sharp Dart. Following Chen Xin’s guidance from the day before, Tian Lin sat cross-legged as a deep yellow spirit ring emerged from the Rotating Tail Sharp Dart, encircling him. "Wait, this spirit ring's coloration depth isn’t typical of a four-hundred-year beast," Chen Xin quickly examined the Rotating Tail Sharp Dart's corpse and discovered that it actually had six fins, with two having been severed. Those fins were likely lost during the earlier confrontation with the blade fish. "This isn't good, Xiao Tian! This sharp dart is a six-hundred-year spirit beast. Hold on!" The spirit ring absorption process had started and couldn’t be halted. They could only hope Tian Lin could endure. "Damn, it hurts so much!" The sharp dart's resentment was as piercing as its body, causing Tian Lin immense pain throughout. For an ordinary child, enduring such torment would have been unthinkable. Thankfully, within Tian Lin was the soul of an adult, enabling him to grit his teeth and persevere. "How much longer?" Unaware that half an hour had slipped by, Tian Lin was nearing his limit. After all, his body was still that of a six-year-old child. Though he possessed the Shu Mountain Sect’s body-enhancing technique, it was a skill he acquired upon awakening his martial spirit, and he hadn’t yet practiced it. At that moment, a glow emanated from Tian Lin's left hand—his Sacred Spirit Pearl had autonomously appeared, casting a Sacred Breath Barrier. "This is... martial spirit protection? To think that this divine-level martial spirit is so sentient as to automatically shield its master at a critical moment," Chen Xin observed, initially worried but now marveling at the divine-level martial spirit's wonders. With the support of the Sacred Breath Barrier, Tian Lin’s spirit power, mental strength, and injuries all began to recover gradually. Half an hour later, he no longer felt any pain, only an unending source of power flowing into him. "Wonderful, the most dangerous phase is over, and he is assimilating the spirit ring's energy!" Chen Xin finally exhaled in relief, realizing his oversight had nearly cost their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect its exceptional talent. "I did it!" Tian Lin finally opened his eyes, feeling his power had increased several times, particularly in terms of spirit power, now undoubtedly surpassing rank eleven. "At last, it's done. I'm sorry, Tian Lin. My negligence almost resulted in your calamity," Chen Xin apologized sincerely. Tian Lin shook his head with a smile, "No worries, teacher. Who could’ve expected that dart to be so old? It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, allowing me to obtain such an exceptional spirit ring."