The Grandmaster, known for his invincible theories, was revered by all.
As the disciple of such a figure, if Tang San couldn't figure out the situation with this so-called "mage" in front of him, he would be unworthy of being the Grandmaster's disciple!
You're clearly a combat-type soul beast, yet you're spewing elemental attacks like crazy. No wonder your kind probably kicked you out for being such an oddball!
The giant fireball this time was obviously not as easy to dodge as before. Wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, Tang San's first spirit ring lit up, and a blood-red shield of light formed around him.
"First Spirit Ability: Hammer of Protection!"
Tang San didn't actually know the name of his Clear Sky Hammer, or else he might have named this ability Clear Sky Protection instead.
While Dai Mubai had made defeating the Earth Dragon look easy—crippling it with just a single Finger Gun—that soul beast's defense was exceptional among ordinary spirit beasts. After all, it was still part dragon.
A spirit ability is born from the fusion of a spirit beast's innate talents and the martial spirit itself, undergoing mutation in the process.
If the beast's innate talent is defense-oriented, it won't yield an offensive ability.Similarly, if it excels in offense, it won't produce a defensive ability.If a spirit beast possesses multiple talents and attributes, the martial spirit will prioritize the most compatible talent, but this choice is entirely uncontrollable.
Unless, of course, you cheat...
Tang San's thousand-year spirit ability, Hammer of Protection, created a blood-red shield around him, bearing a resemblance to Dai Mubai's Sacred King Barrier.
However, the defensive capability of Hammer of Protection was naturally inferior to that of the Sacred King Barrier. Despite having a higher spirit ring age, the compatibility of this ability with the Clear Sky Hammer and the martial spirit's focus were not optimal.
For the Clear Sky Hammer to produce a powerful defensive spirit ability under such conditions? That would be cheating!
The strength of a spirit ability depends heavily on the spirit ring's age, the martial spirit's quality, and the compatibility between them.
Back to the fight.
Boom!
The Explosive Ape's fireball clashed directly with Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer. Thanks to the Hammer of Protection, the damage from the fireball was significantly mitigated.
Following the explosion, Tang San surged forward toward the Explosive Ape.
Facing this "mage" type Explosive Ape, Tang San knew the perfect strategy was to prevent it from continuing its spellcasting and engage it in close combat.
The Explosive Ape panicked, its face showing a mix of shock and fear. It had never encountered a "monkey" capable of withstanding its fireball!
This monkey... was pretty tough!
Just as the Explosive Ape prepared for another attack, Tang San closed the distance with his Clear Sky Hammer in hand. Instead of immediately striking, he pivoted on his right foot, generating force from his lower leg, spun in place, and then smashed down on the Explosive Ape.
Boom!
The Explosive Ape, unskilled in close combat, was sent flying several meters upon contact with the Clear Sky Hammer. It coughed up blood and lay critically injured.
Tang San wasted no time. Like a blacksmith hammering iron, he repeatedly struck the Explosive Ape until the beast ceased to breathe.
"Phew... Phew..."
After exhaling deeply, Tang San turned to glance at Dai Mubai, a hint of pride gleaming in his eyes as if to say, See? I can also take down a thousand-year spirit beast in seconds!
Dai Mubai's mouth twitched. If this Explosive Ape hadn't been caught off guard, there's no way you'd have finished it so quickly. You'd need at least a bit more effort.
At this point, Tang San was already a Spirit Ancestor, wielding the powerful Clear Sky Hammer, even if it only had one ring. There was no way an ordinary Explosive Ape could have posed a serious threat to him.
Only an Explosive Ape over six thousand years old might stand a chance against Tang San under normal circumstances.
Dai Mubai asked thoughtfully, "Tang San, something seems off about this Explosive Ape. Its attributes lean heavily toward fire. Are you still planning to absorb its spirit ring?"
Frowning, Dai Mubai walked over to the corpse of the Explosive Ape.
"Wait a second... Did this Explosive Ape just drop a spirit bone? And it's a head spirit bone???"
The Earth Dragon dropping a spirit bone was surprising enough, but how did this Explosive Ape manage it?
Wait a moment. Earlier, this Explosive Ape had launched several elemental fireballs in quick succession without even catching its breath.
Casting elemental attacks not only consumes spirit power but also requires mental strength.
This Explosive Ape's mental power was clearly far superior to that of its kin, which allowed it to act as a "mage." Its dropping a head spirit bone suddenly made sense.
Dai Mubai glanced at Tang San, scratching his head. Wasn't the probability of a thousand-year spirit beast dropping a spirit bone supposed to be very low?
Tang San was equally stunned. Another spirit bone? And a head spirit bone at that? Its rarity was second only to a torso spirit bone.
Tang San hesitated. This spirit bone was undoubtedly one that enhanced mental strength or fire attributes, making it a perfect fit for Ma Hongjun.
However, their relationship wasn't close enough for Tang San to just gift it to him. Giving it to Ma Hongjun would be far less beneficial than keeping it for himself.
As for the spirit ring, Tang San initially had no intention of absorbing it. It was obvious that this Explosive Ape's primary attribute was fire, not strength.
But what if he included the spirit bone in the equation?
Absorbing both the spirit ring and the spirit bone from the same spirit beast would maximize their effects. This was something Yu Xiaogang had specifically taught him.
"Boss Dai, I'd like to give it a try. While this Explosive Ape's primary attribute is fire, its secondary attribute is still strength, which should suit my forging hammer."
Tang San said this with a bit of a guilty conscience. The Explosive Ape's secondary attribute was clearly mental power.
If he didn't twist the facts a little, this spirit bone might slip through his fingers. After all, Dai Mubai had handed him the Earth Dragon's torso spirit bone earlier. By the principle of reciprocity, if Tang San didn't absorb this spirit ring, he ought to hand over the spirit bone to Dai Mubai.
However, if he absorbed the spirit ring, the spirit bone would naturally be a better match for him, leaving Dai Mubai with no reason to claim it.
Dai Mubai scratched his head, surprised at Tang San's reasoning.
After a moment of thought, Dai Mubai understood Tang San's intention. Oh, so you want to absorb it? Perfect. I was worried you wouldn't want to!
With a deliberately "reluctant" expression, Dai Mubai averted his gaze from the head spirit bone and sighed before saying to Tang San, "Since that's the case, Tang San, go ahead and absorb the spirit bone as well."
He then "gloomily" stepped aside to guard Tang San during the process.
Tang San felt a brief pang of guilt, but it quickly passed.
"Boss Dai, when I've grown stronger, I promise to gift you a flawless spirit bone..."
(Chapter End)