The days were passing, and Tang San had come to understand one irrefutable truth: power wasn't granted. It was earned, and with every step forward, the weight of that power grew heavier. He'd been practicing relentlessly, slowly but surely accumulating strength. His spirit power was steadily increasing, his mastery over the Blue Silver Grass growing more profound with each passing day.
Yet, the pressure never stopped.
Grandmaster had made it clear. Until Tang San could match the ferocity of spirit beasts in combat, he would not be granted permission to absorb his second spirit ring. The challenge was evident. But it wasn't just the external pressure; there was something deeper, something inside Tang San. He knew that to face the true challenges of his future, he had to be prepared, and he had to be patient. The path to becoming a Spirit Master wasn't one of instant gratification—it was one of slow, grinding perseverance.
Tang San had reached the point where the power of his spirit rings felt close at hand, but they were still distant. The last few months had been a test of his limits. Not just of his body or spirit, but of his character. He had seen countless beasts, each one presenting a different challenge, and each one forcing him to stretch the limits of his abilities just a little more.
In the Forest
This morning was no different. Tang San was alone in the deep, dark forest, training as usual. The air was thick with the sounds of wildlife—chirps, rustles, and the occasional roar. But there was no hesitation in his step. No fear.
His body had been pushed to its limits, and his will was no less determined.
As he crouched low, moving between the towering trees, his mind sharpened. There, in the clearing ahead, stood a large beast—its yellow eyes glowing in the half-light. A Spirit Beast, roughly the size of a small horse. Its body was covered in thick fur, and its claws gleamed sharp, each one capable of rending a man's flesh with ease.
It was a Yellow-Eyed Tiger—ranked at around 800 years old. Tang San could feel the power radiating from it.
This was the moment of truth.
He needed a beast like this—strong, fast, and ferocious—to test his true combat prowess. He wasn't just training his mind; he was training his instincts. His body and spirit had to be in perfect harmony. And that harmony was tested today.
Tang San quietly took in a deep breath, calming his racing heartbeat. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing inward. The Mysterious Heaven Technique whispered in his thoughts. His spirit power rippled out, feeding his body as he carefully prepared himself. The black stone in his possession, resting in the hidden folds of his robes, pulsed faintly. It was like a silent observer, its weight never leaving his thoughts.
When his eyes snapped open again, they gleamed with unwavering determination. He wasn't going to make the same mistakes of his past life. He would face this challenge with both wisdom and raw power.
The Battle
Tang San didn't hesitate any longer. He moved.
The Yellow-Eyed Tiger roared, its muscles coiling in preparation for the attack. Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, the first movement of his Tang Sect footwork, to vanish into the trees. He moved with unparalleled precision, the distance between him and the tiger shrinking in an instant.
The tiger lashed out, its claws slicing through the air. Tang San dodged by the skin of his teeth, landing behind the beast with no more than a faint rustle in the leaves. The tiger turned its head just in time to see a dart launch from Tang San's hand, a hidden weapon meant to throw off its sense of direction.
It worked.
For a moment, the tiger's reaction slowed, and Tang San took advantage of the opening. His Blue Silver Grass lashed out, wrapping around the beast's limbs, binding it in place. But this beast was no amateur. It roared, pulling against the vines with all its might.
Tang San immediately poured more energy into the control of the Blue Silver Grass, his spirit power surging. The vines constricted tighter, and slowly, the tiger's movements became sluggish. The spirit beast was in his control—but just for a moment.
Then, it broke free with a single violent jerk, sending Tang San sprawling backward. His heart pounded in his chest. He had underestimated the tiger's strength and determination.
But he had also learned something valuable—his control over the Blue Silver Grass wasn't perfect yet. He needed to improve his focus during battle, to fine-tune his movements and anticipate the power of his opponents. This wasn't just about brute force. It was about outsmarting the beast, using his intellect and his spirit ring's abilities together.
A New Strategy
Tang San quickly scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. This tiger wasn't going to be taken down by sheer force. His Blue Silver Grass was useful, but only if he could trap the beast without overexerting himself. And if the tiger was stronger, he would need to rely on other methods to exhaust it first.
He drew a deep breath, channeling his spirit power inward, focusing on the Mysterious Heaven Technique. His energy began to flow faster, more efficiently. His sense of timing sharpened, and he felt his body grow more responsive to the demands of the battle. The stone pulsed faintly again, its influence silent yet ever-present.
The tiger pounced.
This time, Tang San sidestepped it with ease, his footwork flawless. He darted to the side, staying out of reach of the tiger's claws. The beast was faster than he had anticipated, but it wasn't perfect. He had already noticed a pattern in its movements.
The second pounce came, and this time, Tang San used his Blue Silver Grass not to bind, but to trip. The vines snaked around the tiger's legs, pulling the ground from beneath it. With a tremendous crash, the tiger hit the ground.
Tang San moved swiftly. The tiger struggled to regain its footing, but before it could, the Blue Silver Grass tightened around its throat, choking it into submission. The battle had ended.
Aftermath
Tang San stood over the fallen beast, his chest heaving with exertion. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his muscles screamed in protest. He'd won—but only just.
His first spirit ring would come from this beast. Tang San knew it would give him the power to face the next challenges that lay ahead. He knelt, placing his hand on the spirit beast's body, the connection forming.
And then, a sudden realization struck him.
He wasn't the same person he had been when he started. His body, his mind, and his spirit had grown. His understanding of the Blue Silver Grass had reached new depths. He was no longer just a cultivator—he was a force, slowly but surely taking control of his destiny.
End of Chapter 19