Douluo: The Blind Ascendant

As the blue light flowed across his body, Lin Yongming felt the pain gradually lessen. The sensation of his body being overwhelmed by the spirit power also began to fade.

"This is the power of the Wave Secret Art and the Unyielding Will ability," Lin Yongming realized.

In his consciousness, the Wave Secret Art materialized, emitting a faint blue glow. Lin Yongming immediately understood the source of this power. Not only was it helping him absorb the spirit ring, but it was also using this opportunity to strengthen his body.

Lin Yongming wasn't sure how this power had manifested. He had studied the Wave Secret Art before, but aside from the text, he had found nothing useful. Now, it had suddenly appeared to aid him, perhaps because it sensed the danger he was in.

With the help of this power, Lin Yongming's absorption of the 600-year spirit ring became smoother, and his previously unstable body gradually calmed down.

Lin Chong, watching anxiously, felt as though time had slowed to a crawl. The words of the hunting team captain had left him deeply worried. However, there was nothing he could do. He didn't even dare to touch Lin Yongming for fear of disrupting the process.

The eight hunters also stayed, seemingly curious to see what would happen to a spirit master who attempted to absorb a spirit ring beyond their limits.

For Lin Chong, the village chief, and the others, the half-hour felt like an eternity as they kept their eyes fixed on Lin Yongming.

"Just a little more spirit power left…"

During this half-hour, Lin Yongming had endured immense suffering. Fortunately, with the silent assistance of the Wave Secret Art, he finally gained control over the 650-year Swift Thunder Leopard spirit ring.

Yes, after fully absorbing the spirit ring, Lin Yongming learned its true age—650 years. It was this spirit ring that had nearly cost him his life.

Once he fully mastered the spirit ring, a new skill appeared in his consciousness. Lin Yongming understood its origin.

"Thunderlight Slash!" This was the spirit skill granted by the Swift Thunder Leopard spirit ring.

By condensing spirit power into his Thunder Blade, Lin Yongming could unleash two lightning-element blades forward. Thanks to the Swift Thunder Leopard's lightning attributes, the attack was incredibly fast, covering a range of over ten meters in an instant.

Moreover, the Thunderlight Slash had a penetrating effect.

Originally, the Asura class skill was called Evil Light Slash, but since it was now a lightning-based skill, Lin Yongming accepted the name Thunderlight Slash.

Of course, the name wasn't important. What mattered was that he now had his own spirit ring. After breaking through and absorbing a spirit ring beyond his limits, his spirit power had surged to level 14, allowing him to continue his cultivation.

But the rewards of this crisis weren't limited to the spirit ring and his increased cultivation level. His physical body had also been significantly strengthened, and the absorption of the spirit ring had brought about a comprehensive boost to his attributes.

As Lin Chong sat beside Lin Yongming, his head bowed in despair, he suddenly felt a breeze pass over him.

Looking up, he saw Lin Yongming slowly standing up, a bright yellow spirit ring pulsating at his feet.

Thanks to the successful absorption of the spirit ring, the exhaustion that had plagued Lin Yongming's body and mind had vanished. He felt better than ever, as if he had returned to the day of his martial soul awakening.

"Ming'er!"

"Ming'er, you're awake! Thank goodness!" Lin Chong rushed forward and hugged Lin Yongming tightly, his voice filled with joy.

Only a loved one could bring a grown man to tears.

"Dad, I'm fine. Thank you for protecting me," Lin Yongming said, leaning against his father's chest.

"This… this is impossible! How could someone break the rules and absorb a spirit ring beyond their limits?" The hunting team captain stared at Lin Yongming's spirit ring, his eyes wide with shock.

Especially since his own first spirit ring had been a mere ten-year white ring, this was hard for him to accept.

"Captain, who was the first to say there's a limit to spirit rings? Could they have been lying to us?" one of the team members asked incredulously.

"Shut up!" the captain snapped, glaring at him. How could he explain that this was information released by the Spirit Hall long ago?

"Haha! It's been who knows how many years, but our village finally has a proper spirit master! Ming'er, Grandpa is so proud of you!" The village chief stepped forward, laughing heartily and interrupting the tender moment between father and son.

"Yes, Ming'er has really surprised us all!"

"Congratulations, Brother Chong! Congratulations, Ming'er!"

The other villagers also stepped forward to offer their congratulations. After all, everyone knew how revered spirit masters were in the Douluo Continent.

"Thank you, everyone! Thank you for your blessings!" Lin Chong released Lin Yongming and responded to the villagers with a smile.

Lin Yongming smiled faintly. Though he couldn't see, he could sense Lin Chong's overwhelming joy.

"Brothers, let's go," the hunting team captain said, giving Lin Yongming a deep look before addressing his team.

"Captain, are we just leaving like this? That was our spirit beast! This kid absorbed the spirit ring. Shouldn't we at least get some compensation?" one of the team members protested.

"Let it go. The Swift Thunder Leopard escaped in the kingdom's territory because we didn't keep a close enough eye on it. You should be grateful. If the spirit beast had killed these people, the Spirit Hall and the military would have made our lives miserable."

"Although I'm not happy about it either, these are just simple villagers. How much money could we really get from them? Instead of wasting time here, let's go to a nearby town, rest up, and then head back to the Star Dou Forest to capture another spirit beast."

"Most importantly, you've all seen this child's talent. His first spirit ring is a 600-year one. He's destined for greatness. Why make an enemy of him?" The captain spoke earnestly before turning and walking out of the village.

"Forget it, Third Brother. The captain's right. Let's just take this loss," the vice-captain said, following the captain.

The others, seeing this, decided not to argue further.

Meanwhile, the village chief, looking at the three-meter-long Swift Thunder Leopard, asked Lin Yongming, "Ming'er, I've heard that spirit beast meat is highly nutritious. Wealthy families raise their children on it. Since you killed this spirit beast, how do you plan to handle it? Could you spare some for Ming'er?"

"Chief, you're too kind. I'm well aware of everyone's kindness," Lin Yongming replied, thinking of how the villagers had pooled their money for him the day before. Although they hadn't succeeded in buying a spirit beast, Lin Yongming was deeply grateful for their efforts.

"Let's divide the leopard meat among the children in the village. We're at an age where we need strength. I think eating this meat will help us grow stronger," Lin Yongming said generously.

"Dad, is that okay?"

"Good child, it's your decision. Besides, your uncles and aunties have all been very kind to us," Lin Chong said, pleased with Lin Yongming's suggestion.

"Good, good! Ming'er is truly thoughtful. Let's do as he says. Every household with children aged five to ten can have a share," the village chief said happily, stroking his beard.

As for children under five, the chief was concerned they might not be able to handle the energy in the spirit beast meat, which could do more harm than good.

Once the decision was made, the village butcher stepped forward to begin dissecting the spirit beast.