Chapter 5: The Wicked Moon — The Supreme Spirit Weapon, Moonblade!

Chapter 5: Xie Yue, the Top-Tier Tool Spirit, Moon Blade!

Xu Yan had integrated the Tenseigan. Although he could activate it at will, he could not use its various abilities arbitrarily. This was perhaps the limitation he faced for now. The only way forward was to raise his Spirit Power. Only when his Spirit Power rank increased and his internal reserves were sufficient could he truly do as he pleased.

Just as Xu Yan was contemplating these matters, Hu Liena walked out slowly.

"Xu Yan, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Xu Yan looking so serious, as if lost in thought, Hu Liena couldn't help but ask.

Xu Yan quickly bowed his head and saluted, saying, "Your Highness, the subordinate was not thinking of anything."

Hearing this, a bewitching smile appeared on Hu Liena’s beautiful face. She said softly, "Are you thinking about your reward?"

"I wouldn't dare." Xu Yan kept his head lowered.

Hu Liena took a pouch from her robes and said, "These are some Gold Spirit Coins; consider them your reward."

Xu Yan did not reach out to take it. Hu Liena firmly pressed it into his hand and said gently, "I am going into seclusion to cultivate for a while. Stay in the Spirit Hall and behave yourself until I emerge."

Xu Yan said nothing, bowing slightly to show his respect. Once she had finished, Hu Liena waved her hand with a smile, signaling that he was free to go.

Watching Hu Liena depart with such grace, Xu Yan weighed the pouch of Gold Spirit Coins in his hand; the weight was substantial. Hu Liena was quite generous, though as a Holy Maiden, her monthly stipend must be considerable. After all, as part of the "Golden Generation," she not only had access to superior resources but also enjoyed much better treatment and benefits than someone like him. For a minor figure like Xu Yan, having a bag of Gold Spirit Coins meant he had made a small fortune.

Following his memories, he returned to his living quarters. His residence was located in a very remote corner of the Spirit Hall. Because he belonged to Hu Liena, he was granted the privilege of living alone. However, he rarely stayed here, as he was required to remain near Hu Liena at all times to protect her. He had been bought as a slave—a bodyguard or a henchman, to put it nicely. In reality, his status in the Spirit Hall was quite lowly; any aristocratic descendant who entered the Spirit Hall could bully him at will.

Back in the room, which smelled of mold, Xu Yan tidied up a bit. Having been uninhabited for so long, the room lacked any sense of vitality, and even the air felt musty.

He opened the window to let in some air and looked out at the night. The silver moon hung high, casting its light into the room, creating a sense of desolate loneliness. Once he had cleaned up, he sat cross-legged and entered a state of cultivation. Being born with full Spirit Power, he could cultivate his rank independently. He didn't need to absorb spirit rings to increase his Spirit Power, allowing him to elevate his strength and rank purely through his own efforts.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside. Xu Yan heard them and slowly opened his eyes. He did not activate the Tenseigan. When the door was pushed open, two figures entered.

Xu Yan recognized the person in front immediately. It was Xie Yue, Hu Liena’s brother and the captain of the trio consisting of himself, Hu Liena, and Yan. He was handsome, his shadow stretched long under the moonlight. His eyes were cold as he stared at Xu Yan.

Yan followed behind and said, "Captain, this is the Xu Yan who beat me up like this. Furthermore, he was being disrespectful to Na Na; he has no sense of decorum." Yan glared at Xu Yan, his eyes full of spite and hatred, grinding his teeth as he spoke. Clearly, he had received treatment, but even though the swelling and bruising had faded, they were still visible.

Xie Yue looked at Xu Yan and asked, "Xu Yan, is what he says true?"

"Do you believe it?" Xu Yan slowly stood up and cupped his hands in a salute.

Xie Yue smiled mildly and said, "I find it hard to believe. You are only a level 25 Spirit Master; the gap between you and Yan is too large."

Upon hearing this, Yan hurriedly interjected, "Captain, you must believe me! I am telling the truth!"

"Yan is simply slandering me," Xu Yan said quickly.

"However, he claims you are hiding your strength, so I would like to test you." Xie Yue’s gaze sharpened, and a hint of killing intent seemed to permeate the air.

"You are just bullying me," Xu Yan said with indifference.

"I don't care how much you've improved, nor do I care about the purpose behind your hidden strength. I only hope you pose no threat to Na Na," Xie Yue said, turning to leave. "This is not the place for a fight. Follow me."

With that, Xie Yue walked out. Xu Yan clenched his fists inside his sleeves. Xie Yue’s strength was already at level 56, even more formidable than Hu Liena’s. Their combined spirit skill would be even more dangerous. Fortunately, Hu Liena was not here; otherwise, dealing with both of them would be quite a chore. Although he grew stronger in the face of stronger opponents—capable of fighting any Spirit Master below the level of a Spirit Saint—that was merely a range provided by the system. He hadn't tested it himself, so there was no telling what the outcome would be.

Even if he couldn't win, he would have to give it his all!

As Xie Yue left, Yan snorted coldly.

At the training square of the Spirit Hall, Zhang Ping, Sun Chuantao, Li Kai, and Xu Yu—the other partners of Xie Yue’s team—were all gathered. Yan stood among them. When Yan had returned saying he had been beaten by Xu Yan, they had mocked him. They were also familiar with Hu Liena, the vice-captain, and knew Xu Yan was her bodyguard. Whenever Hu Liena wasn't looking, they could order him around at will. Now, hearing that this lowly servant had developed such a rebellious streak, they felt that, while mocking him, they should also teach him a lesson.

Initially, Zhang Ping and Sun Chuantao were the ones who wanted to step forward, but when Yan mentioned Xu Yan’s spirit rings, they were all shocked. Even Xie Yue began to take it seriously.

Arriving at the square, Xie Yue released his spirit immediately. Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—five spirit rings lit up, and a powerful wave of Spirit Power surged outward.

Zhang Ping, as a woman, observed Xu Yan carefully. As a level 47 Agility-Attack System Battle Spirit Master, she sensed that Xu Yan was only level 26 and felt that Yan might be lying.

"Release your spirit," Xie Yue said, looking at Xu Yan. He had already summoned his Moon Blade—a top-tier tool spirit. A strange red glow emanated from it, and a powerful blast of air rushed toward Xu Yan.

Xu Yan did not stand on ceremony. He instantly summoned six spirit rings: two black, two purple, and two gold.

"How is this possible?" Zhang Ping covered her mouth in shock.

Yan was stunned, wearing an expression of utter bewilderment; why did the colors of his spirit rings change every time? When he had fought him earlier, there were seven golden spirit rings!

Xu Yan gripped his hand, and the Golden-Hooped Rod appeared in his grasp.

"That staff is his spirit! It's also a tool spirit, just like Demon-Subduing Douluo’s Dragon-Coiling Staff!" Yan shouted a warning.

Xu Yan sneered. How could that Dragon-Coiling Staff compare to the Ocean-Stabilizing Needle, the Golden-Hooped Rod? They weren't even in the same league.

"First Spirit Skill: Slash!"

While Xie Yue was pondering, he launched his attack. Xu Yan swung the golden rod in his hand, let out a shout, and charged forward.