Chapter 34: Power of first spirit Ring
In the serene forest clearing, Feng Xuan stood with an air of quiet determination. The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. His martial soul golden bow, Vijaya, was poised in his hand, ready for action. Around him, the dark yellow glow of his first spirit ring with slight hint of purple, acquired from the Phantom Hawk, pulsed with vibrant energy.
Feng Xuan's eyes, sharp and focused, scanned the surroundings. He could sense the latent power of the Phantom Hawk's essence within him, waiting to be unleashed. Taking a deep breath, he drew an arrow from his quiver, its feathers whispering against his fingers. The essence of the spirit ring flowed through him, enhancing his senses and synchronizing his movements.
He notched the arrow and drew back the bowstring, feeling the familiar surge of energy as his first spirit ring activated. His vision sharpened, and time seemed to slow. The arrow, now infused with the Phantom Hawk's power, glowed faintly with a golden light.
With a smooth, controlled release, Feng Xuan let the arrow fly. It cut through the air with incredible speed and precision, a testament to the enhanced accuracy granted by his spirit ring. The arrow found its mark effortlessly, striking the target—a small, distant tree—dead center. The impact was accompanied by a faint, golden ripple, indicating the profound power of the spirit ring.
Feng Xuan lowered his bow, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. The demonstration was not just about hitting the target; it was about showcasing the harmony between his spirit and his skills.
Shivarjuna, observing from the spiritual space within Feng Xuan, conveyed his thoughts through their mental connection. "Excellent, Feng Xuan. The Phantom Hawk's essence has truly enhanced your archery. Your precision and speed have reached new heights. This spirit skill will serve you well in your future battles."
Feng Xuan nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze steady and confident. "Thank you, Master. The spirit ring's power feels incredible. It's like a part of me now, guiding my arrows with an innate precision."
Just then, Feng Xuan felt a sudden surge of energy within his spirit ring. His vision blurred momentarily, and a shimmering illusion of multiple arrows appeared around the original. He blinked in surprise as the phantom arrows dissipated.
Shivarjuna's voice resonated in his mind. "Feng Xuan, it seems there is more to your first spirit ring than we initially realized. The Phantom Hawk was known for its illusionary abilities. This spirit skill can create illusions to confuse your enemies, making it difficult for them to discern the real attack from the false ones."
Feng Xuan's eyes widened with realization. "So, my first spirit skill has an illusion component? This could be a game-changer in battle."
Shivarjuna affirmed, "Indeed. Use this ability wisely, Feng Xuan. It can turn the tide of battle in your favour, giving you an edge over even the most formidable opponents. You can also use this ability to hide your spirit ring's age."
As Feng Xuan absorbed this new information, he felt a renewed sense of excitement and determination. The demonstration had revealed not just his enhanced accuracy and speed, but also the hidden depths of his spirit ring's power. He was eager to explore and master this newfound ability, knowing it would play a crucial role in his journey as a spirit master.
After demonstrating his newly discovered illusion ability, Feng Xuan felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was ready to return to Nuoding Academy.
The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows through the forest as he made his way back along the familiar path. This time for training purpose Shivarjuna didn't use his energy to hide Feng Xuan's presence. He wanted Feng Xuan to grow so that Feng Xuan can have some life death situation to stimulate his power otherwise he will became flower in green house even with world shaking power of Astra.
"I now wanted to start teaching Astra to Feng Xuan. But Power needed proper guidance to use. I cannot teach him until he felt sense of urgency to become stronger. He needed driving force for that. Also needed to guide him to not to use power for destruction. It can only use for protection." Shivarjuna said to himself with thoughtful expression on his face.
However, as Feng Xuan walked through the dense underbrush, he suddenly felt an ominous presence. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and a chill ran down his spine. He stopped in his tracks, his senses on high alert. From the shadows emerged a massive, grotesque creature—a 25,000-year-old Man-Eating Spider. Its numerous eyes glinted malevolently, and its fangs dripped with venom.
Feng Xuan's heart pounded in his chest. He had heard stories about such creatures but had never encountered one. Drawing his bow, he notched an arrow, knowing he had to be prepared for the worst. He activated his spirit ring, the golden glow intensifying as he summoned his newfound illusion ability.
The spider lunged at him, its movements swift and deadly. Feng Xuan released his arrow, creating a mirage of multiple projectiles. The spider hesitated momentarily, confused by the illusions, but quickly regained its focus. It swiped away the phantom arrows with ease and continued its charge.
Realizing he was no match for the beast, Feng Xuan felt a wave of fear and desperation. His attacks seemed futile against such an overwhelming opponent. Just as the spider closed in, ready to strike, Feng Xuan heard the calming voice of Shivarjuna resonate in his mind.
"Do not despair, Feng Xuan. I will assist you."
In an instant, the spiritual presence of Shivarjuna manifested within Feng Xuan's martial soul space. A radiant light enveloped Feng Xuan, and the silhouette of Shivarjuna, with his majestic aura, appeared before him. With a swift and decisive motion, Shivarjuna extended his hand, releasing a powerful wave of energy that struck the spider, forcing it back.
The Man-Eating Spider screeched in pain and fury, its massive body writhing as it tried to counter the attack. Shivarjuna's energy, infused with ancient yogic power, overwhelmed the creature, forcing it to retreat. The spider, realizing it was outmatched, scrambled back into the depths of the forest, disappearing into the shadows.
Feng Xuan, breathing heavily, felt a profound sense of relief wash over him. He fell to his knees, the adrenaline from the encounter still coursing through his veins. Shivarjuna's presence remained, a comforting and reassuring force.
"Master Shivarjuna," Feng Xuan said, his voice filled with gratitude and respect. "Thank you for saving me. I realize now how much stronger I need to become."
Shivarjuna's voice was calm and steady. "Feng Xuan, you have great potential, but you must continue to train and push your limits. The path of a spirit master is fraught with challenges, and you must be prepared to face them."
Feng Xuan nodded, determination etched in his features. "I understand, Master. I will not let fear hold me back. I will train harder and become stronger, so I can protect myself and those I care about. But master your energy?"
He thought about Shivarjuna's only making three moves made him depress. I needed to become stronger.
"Due to overconfidence, I have lost one chance given by my master to me." Thinking about it Feng Xuan clench his fist with anger.
Shivarjuna felt anger of Feng Xuan and said "Xuan, You needed to be clam in any situation. Never lose yourself in anger."
Feng Xuan after claiming himself said "Master but I had waste your power, I can't forgive myself if you leave me earlier because of this encounter."
Shivarjuna said "Xuan, now is not time for anger or sadness. Remember this accident, this will happen everywhere in this douluo continent. In this world weak has no right to speak so became strong and wield bow Vijaya with confidence."
Feng Xuan "Master, I will became stronger and make this world peaceful for normal people."
With renewed resolve, Feng Xuan stood up and continued his journey back to Nuoding Academy. The encounter with the Man-Eating Spider had been a harsh reminder of the dangers that lurked in the world, but it had also ignited a fierce determination within him. He was more committed than ever to mastering his abilities and fulfilling his destiny as a powerful spirit master.