Chapter 77: Blue Silver Sword Emperor, Part 1
Ye Wen chuckled confidently. "Come on, with me as one of the top martial soul masters in the continent, how could I overlook that problem?"
Ye Wen stood with a self assured air. "Ordinarily, it's true that you wouldn't be able to handle an 80,000 year old spirit ring. But, through my research, I discovered that spirit beasts, once they reach a certain age in the ten thousand year realm, can access a special ability called sacrifice. This ability not only allows spirit masters to absorb spirit rings beyond their typical limits but also guarantees a spirit bone drop."
Ah Yin's eyes widened in shock; she had never told Ye Wen about the sacrificial ability. As a 100,000 year spirit beast, she had inherited this knowledge. It was an ancient and rare ability passed down among spirit beasts, though rarely seen due to the enmity between beasts and humans. Thus, in the world of Douluo, sacrificial abilities had long since become the stuff of legend.
(Author's Note: Sacrifice doesn't necessarily require a 100,000 year cultivation level. In Douluo II, Wang Qiu'er, who had only around 20,000–30,000 years of cultivation, was still able to sacrifice herself for Yuhao. It likely hinges on spiritual intelligence; earlier, Ye Wen's third spirit ring came from a 5,000 year old Ice Silkworm's sacrifice. This is a fan theory adjustment, so please don't criticize!)
Ye Wen continued, "Wouldn't it be worth asking the Ten Thousand Sword Willow King to sacrifice itself for you? Considering its condition, it might not willingly make such a sacrifice. But remember who you are, Ah Yin. As the Blue Silver Emperor with 100,000 year status, you carry far more spiritual weight than it does. The Ten Thousand Sword Willow King, despite its years, has likely been isolated here without the spiritual gifts of the Blue Silver lineage. If you offered it a chance to glimpse the world through your success, to participate in something greater even the hope of divinity it might just agree."
He added slyly, "And if it doesn't? Well, I have several other candidates lined up. One will be willing to take the offer."
Ah Yin nodded thoughtfully. It was true that life as a plant type spirit beast was a harsh one. Unlike their beast type counterparts, they couldn't simply move or devour other treasures to grow stronger. For them, development meant years of solitary existence. With humans constantly harvesting plants for elixirs and medicinal cultivation, most plant type beasts could never live to maturity.
Ah Yin took a step toward the Ten Thousand Sword Willow King. Since the land around it was devoid of other plants, she couldn't rely on lesser blue silver grasses to help her establish a mental connection. She instead expanded her Blue Silver Domain as much as she could, gently reaching toward the Ten Thousand Sword Willow King's mind.
Sensing the unfamiliar mental presence, the Ten Thousand Sword Willow King immediately responded with hostility, launching tens of thousands of razor sharp leaves in their direction.
"Fourth Spirit Ability: Inner Realm," Ye Wen intoned as a thin layer of Naboo enveloped them, phasing them partially out of reality.
For Ye Wen, mere physical attacks were nothing more than a nuisance. His fourth spirit ability, the Inner Realm, had grown in power as he had advanced to the Spirit Saint level, now lasting a full seven seconds a time span that could be monumental in the right hands. Indeed, the ability to phase out of the physical realm made this an ideal counter to brute force physical attacks.
While they were safe, the surrounding forest was not so lucky; the dense leaves shredded the trees and underbrush around them to splinters. At an 80,000 year cultivation level, the Ten Thousand Sword Willow King possessed raw power that even surpassed that of Alán, the ancient Blue Silver King. Unlike the Blue Silver Grass, a species known for entrapment and control, the Sword Willows specialized in lethal, far reaching attacks.
"Please cease your attacks, oh King of the Sword Willows," Ah Yin communicated gently.
Eventually, after a full five seconds of intense barrages, Ah Yin's voice reached the Willow King. She maintained a calm and respectful tone, which managed to stop the creature's attacks. The Willow King paused, perhaps sensing a spirit like itself, devoid of malice or aggression. Her mental presence was unfamiliar yet carried an almost sympathetic connection.
Plant type spirit beasts generally possessed higher spiritual awareness than their beast type counterparts, with long lifespans allowing them to develop potent minds over time. Despite the Ten Thousand Sword Willow King's genderless nature, it conveyed a certain respect and wisdom in its voice, a slow and measured tone typical of plants.
"Who are you? Why have you come?"
Ah Yin closed her eyes, maintaining their spiritual connection, while Ye Wen watched in silence, sensing the exchange between them. Only Ah Yin, a fellow plant type, could manage such a conversation.
After what seemed like a long while, Ah Yin finally opened her eyes and looked intently at the Ten Thousand Sword Willow King. Ye Wen couldn't immediately tell if the negotiation had been successful.
The Willow King remained silent and still, appearing much like any ordinary, ancient willow tree. Then, as if having reached a decision, it began to shed its thick branches, each branch falling to the ground one by one. The once vibrant willow transformed into a dried and withered relic of itself.
Ye Wen felt puzzled. This didn't seem like the traditional signs of sacrifice.
Ah Yin's eyes lit up, and she gestured to Ye Wen to help gather the branches.
Each branch was over eight meters long, sturdy, and as thick as an adult's forearm. Ye Wen suddenly realized what was happening. Though he wasn't a botanist, he had enough familiarity to understand the nature of willows.
"Sometimes, what's planted in sorrow grows into the greatest fortune."
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