An hour later, Wang Zhong let out a long breath and awoke from his meditation. The purple spirit ring, transformed from the mimic amoeba, had vanished without a trace beside him.
He spread his right palm open, and the emerald green tree spirit martial soul materialized from his palm. Two spirit rings also rose from his feet, spinning gracefully.
Yellow and brilliant, purple and dazzling, the two spirit rings resonated with each other, possessing an inexplicable beauty.
Spirit power surged, and the second spirit ring suddenly began to spin faster, accompanied by Wang Zhong's low growl.
"Second Spirit Ability, Mimicry, Spear!"
Right at Wang Zhong's feet, the ground suddenly rolled. Thick, vine-like roots burst forth from the earth and, within a single breath, intertwined to form a towering, robust cylindrical column.
As Wang Zhong placed his hand on the cylinder, the root-formed column began to crumble as if weathered. Wood chips fell like snowflakes, vanishing the moment they touched the ground.
When all the wood chips had fallen, a magnificent Overlord Spear, exquisite and bearing woody textures, appeared in Wang Zhong's hand.
The slender shaft, even with its tip condensed from wood, shimmered with sharpness and coldness. Judging solely by the spearhead, its hardness and sharpness surpassed Wang Zhong's first spirit ability, Pierce, by far.
Gripping the long spear and feeling its sturdiness, Wang Zhong aimed at a tree several people could embrace not far ahead. He abruptly retreated, stomped on the ground, tensing all his muscles. His body pulled back like a drawn bowstring, stretched to its limit.
"Hah, Haa!"
With a loud shout, the spear left his hand, like lightning, instantly piercing the trunk of the large tree effortlessly.
After passing through the tree trunk, the spear's momentum did not diminish. It whistled towards the second tree, piercing through several large trees before plunging fiercely into the earth, embedding itself halfway into the ground, vibrating to a halt.
Its continuously trembling tip spoke volumes about the terrifying power of Wang Zhong's attack.
"Indeed, it lives up to being a thousand-year spirit ring. The second spirit ability it provides is monstrously powerful!"
"The spear condensed from the tree spirit martial soul is virtually indistinguishable from a weapon spirit, in terms of hardness and sharpness. It's even harder and sharper."
"Moreover, due to the resilience of the thousand-year amoeba, my tree spirit branches have been further strengthened after absorbing its spirit ring. They are now much harder than refined iron."
Wang Zhong's tone was filled with extreme excitement. He was utterly satisfied with the spirit ring absorption this time. He had won this gamble.
"Second Spirit Ability, Mimicry, Constriction!"
Roots, flexible as snakes, burst from the ground and coiled around the large tree that had been pierced in the distance. The thick roots tightened abruptly, emitting a grating sound of compression. Within three breaths, the tree, which required several people to embrace, crumbled inch by inch under Wang Zhong's gaze, eventually turning into wood chips that rained down.
"As expected, anything I've seen, conceived, and understood can be simulated by the second spirit ability within the limits of my spirit power."
"Although I don't know the exact percentage of its power, it's definitely not bad!"
Wang Zhong grinned from ear to ear. This single second spirit ability was equivalent to dozens or even hundreds of spirit abilities!
Even a Titled Douluo only had nine spirit abilities. Counting spirit bones, at most fifteen. But Wang Zhong had an almost infinite number. In terms of sheer quantity, he completely crushed all spirit masters.
"Yoohoo!"
A cheer of extreme excitement erupted from Wang Zhong's lips. He was overjoyed, like a monkey dancing with glee, and he hopped out of the forest.
He skipped along the path, passing through the guarded knights who looked at him like a circus monkey, and bounded towards the apartment.
Returning here after half a year, Wang Zhong inexplicably missed everything about it. Pushing open the door, everything he saw was so familiar.
Since they were attending classes, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan were not home. Wang Zhong entered and went to the bathroom to take a thorough bath. Although he had jumped into the river daily in the mimic environment to clean himself, he still wanted to give himself a proper and thorough cleaning upon his return.
This was home, after all!
Changing into a loose bathrobe, Wang Zhong flopped onto the bed. Feeling the warmth emanating from his bed, an extreme sense of comfort and fatigue washed over him.
The exhaustion of the past half-year could no longer be suppressed.
"So tired, I really want to sleep for a bit."
"Sniff, sniff. Hmm, strange, why does my bed smell so nice?"
Letting out a heavy yawn, Wang Zhong's eyelids gently drooped, and his breathing became steady.
Dusk was approaching night when Hu Liena arrived at the apartment, jogging. She gently pushed open the door and then quietly headed towards Wang Zhong's room.
As always, she cautiously pushed open the door, her face filled with expectation and hope. She had done this for a full half-year.
Every day after class, she was the first to return, even leaving her brother Xie Yue and friend Yan behind, all to be the first to see the master of this room reappear before her eyes.
However, for the entire half-year, she had only experienced disappointment. Lacking sufficient strength, she couldn't enter the mimic training environment and could only wait patiently.
But now, the moment she gently pushed the door open, Hu Liena's delicate pink lips pursed slightly, her small face radiating deep joy and longing.
The person she had dreamt of for the entire half-year had finally returned.
She tiptoed to the bedside and looked at Wang Zhong's sleeping face, a hint of determination etched on it. Her heart was filled with a warm emotion.
Her slender, white hand reached out and clasped Wang Zhong's hand, which lay outside the blanket. Hu Liena gently nuzzled his hand with her fair cheek, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
In his dream, Wang Zhong felt warmth emanating from his palm. Sleepily, he struggled to open his eyes a sliver and looked at the person before him.
"Nana?"
"Mm, Zhong, it's me."
"I'm a bit tired, let me sleep for a while."
"Mm."
Wang Zhong murmured in his haze. Hu Liena responded softly.
"I won't fall too far behind you. I will chase your progress step by step, always by your side. This is something we promised each other."
In this small room, warmth and gentleness permeated every corner.
At the doorway, Xie Yue sighed helplessly, looking at Yan, whose expression was a complex mix of sadness and joy. He truly didn't know what to say.
Their companion's return brought joy to both of them. But Hu Liena's dependence and tenderness towards Wang Zhong, honestly, even as her brother, Xie Yue felt a pang of jealousy.
As her biological brother, he felt this way, let alone Xie Yue, who harbored admiration for Hu Liena.
Xie Yue sighed and gently closed the door, then pulled Yan away from the doorway.