Snow Lotus

九

Tang San's grip tightened on his staff, knuckles white, as the tremors from the Datura snake's thrashing shook the very ground beneath them. His heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs, a stark contrast to the stillness that had gripped Xue Li. A single tear escaped her clenched eyelids, tracing a path down her cheek as she watched the devastation unfold.

The air grew thick with the scent of overturned earth and mangled vegetation. With each desperate lunge, the Datura snake ripped through the undergrowth, its body a monstrous blur of thrashing green. The short sword Grandmaster had gifted Xue Li, barely a foot long, protruding from the snake's head, a stark reminder of their near-death encounter.

Relief washed over Grandmaster's face as the snake's struggles subsided. A manic glint replaced the terror in his eyes. "Splendid! This is perfect, Tang San. You're about to claim your spirit ring!"

Tang San gaped at his teacher, disbelief warring with a flicker of dread. "What are you talking about? Surely not from this snake, right?"

Xue Li averted her gaze, a storm of emotions brewing within her.

Grandmaster, his expression resolute, met Tang San's gaze. "Indeed. This Datura snake is nearly four hundred years old, possessing a perfect first spirit ring for a Spirit Scholar transitioning to a Spirit Master. With your full spirit power, absorbing its essence shouldn't be a problem."

"But Teacher," Xue Li's voice wavered, betraying her worry, "Tang San's spirit is a plant. This snake is an animal. Wouldn't there be a conflict?"

A spark ignited in Grandmaster's eyes, a blend of confidence and...fanaticism? "One of my core research concepts challenges conventional wisdom. Plant spirits can absorb animal spirit rings, and vice versa, under specific conditions. This weak ring's properties can be passively assimilated. Remember the ideal spirit ring we discussed?"

Recognition dawned on Tang San's face. "Toughness and poison affinity – just like the Datura snake!"

Grandmaster nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Common spirit masters scoff at my theories. No one has dared to attempt cross-absorption. Little San, are you willing to be the pioneer? My research can only be validated through practice."

Tang San looked at the Datura snake, a faint yellow light coalescing on its body. Unlike the spirit rings he'd seen before, this one pulsed with a potent, almost oppressive aura. He could feel the raw energy even from a distance.

"Teacher, let me be your guinea pig," Tang San declared, his voice firm despite the tremor in his hand. "I believe in your research."

Grandmaster's eyes welled with gratitude. "Little San, begin."

Tang San felt a searing heat erupt in his right hand. A violent energy, like molten magma, surged through his body, setting his organs on fire. His body convulsed uncontrollably.

"Hold on, Tang San! Maintain consciousness no matter how intense the energy gets. It's crucial for future control of the spirit ring's power!" Grandmaster's voice cut through the agony, but those were the last words Tang San heard before his mind drowned in that boiling ocean.

Xue Li watched with a mixture of concern and fascination. The Mysterious Heaven Technique surged like a hot current through Tang San's body, potent energy indeed. The rampaging spirit ring power tested him severely, yet it didn't destroy his Blue Silver Grass spirit – a surprising turn of events.

A sudden, explosive surge erupted from Tang San. Xue Li watched as a wave of scorching energy pulsed outward before vanishing into his body. A moment later, a clear, melodious crack resonated, followed by a frenzy of dispersing heat that reintegrated into Tang San, forming a milky white stream. The once-meager streamlet swelled into a flowing brook, circulating within his body. The blazing agony subsided, replaced by a comforting warmth.