Chapter 330: Phantom Spirit

In the world of Illusion Spirits, Spirit Tamers are ranked by levels. The higher their rank, the more Illusion Spirits they can control and the stronger their abilities become. High-level Spirit Tamers can even overturn the sky and earth, move mountains and fill seas, possessing incredible powers. They are revered by nations, attain high political positions, amass great wealth, and such achievements are considered normal.

However, Dongfang Shuoming has only just awakened his talent and is merely an apprentice Spirit Tamer. He has only formed a contract with one Illusion Spirit so far.

For such a novice Spirit Tamer, the choice of the first Illusion Spirit is naturally very important.

But a gray wolf?

Dongfang Shuoming looked at the gray wolf beside him, which was wagging its tail in a fawning manner, and his expression grew even more bitter.

“Spirit Tamers have ranks, and Illusion Spirits also have classes… Gray wolves are common Illusion Spirits found everywhere in the mountains. They are the most ordinary type, capable only of physical combat, without any racial bonuses or advantages in attributes or battle techniques…”

After nearly ten thousand years of development, the study of Illusion Spirits on the continent has become extremely thorough. There is even a specialized book called “The Compendium of Illusion Spirits,” which classifies and ranks commonly seen Illusion Spirits.

“The greatest classification of Illusion Spirits was proposed three thousand years ago by the great scholar Jia Kongming in his ‘Three Realms Theory,’ dividing all Illusion Spirits into three categories: the Living Realm, the Elemental Realm, and the Divine Realm.”

“The Living Realm consists of the most commonly seen Illusion Spirits in nature, including beasts and plants. They are the most widely used. The Elemental Realm consists of elemental spirits, whose abilities not only generally surpass those of beast-type spirits but can also provide certain enhancements to Spirit Tamers. The Divine Realm, however, is a collection of incomprehensible Illusion Spirits, whose abilities are mostly unknown…”

“My gray wolf is undoubtedly a member of the Living Realm and has no talent for learning battle techniques. Although tigers, wolves, eagles, and apes are considered the four top-tier beast-type summoning spirits, why did I end up with an ordinary species? Didn’t even my second cousin receive a ghost-type Netherwolf from the family? I wasn’t expecting an elite Netherwolf, but there are plenty of iron-clawed wolves in stock. Why give me this gray wolf instead? Is it because of my status?”

Dongfang Shuoming clenched his fists, recalling the numerous difficulties he had faced during his upbringing and the mockery and disdain from his peers, his face turning even redder.

“Phew…”

After a long while, he exhaled deeply: “At least the family raised me and never deprived me of the basic necessities of life, although I heard it was funded by the estate that originally belonged to me. But for a child, keeping that estate might have been a curse anyway… Now that I have become a Spirit Tamer, though still weak, I am independent now…”

“What does it matter if it’s a gray wolf? In terms of an Illusion Spirit’s strength, rank is the most important. After that come racial bonuses, attribute advantages, battle techniques, and so on… As long as I can cultivate this gray wolf into a battle-grade spirit early, I will definitely dominate the family competition, earn honor for my family, gain rewards, and grow quickly… Then, I can go on journeys outside!”

Dongfang Shuoming’s eyes suddenly gleamed with extraordinary brilliance.

The Flame Continent is merely one of the four continents. Just how vast is the entire world of Illusion Spirits? How many mysterious ruins and unknown Illusion Spirits await my exploration and discovery?

Compared to that, the petty squabbles within a small family are nothing.

Naturally, the Illusion Spirits initially contracted by new Spirit Tamers are all the most basic younglings. To grow into a certain level of strength and reach the battle-grade rank, they must undergo cultivation and combat!

“This is only the outer area of the Starfire Mountains, where harmless Illusion Spirits like the Starfire Fireflies are commonly found. Occasionally, there are creatures like the Kickleg Rabbit, Fang Rat, or Blackback Beetle, all ordinary Illusion Spirits with not very high strength. This area is perfect for the gray wolf to level up!”

Although the gray wolf is quite weak, once a summoning contract is signed, it is extremely difficult to change. Dongfang Shuoming never even considered doing so.

“Come here! Big Gray, sit!”

Dongfang Shuoming waved his hand, and the summoned gray wolf squatted down, sticking out its tongue in a rather comical manner.

“Its spirit is still decent…”

Dongfang Shuoming stroked the fluffy back of the gray wolf, showing surprise on his face: “They say wolves have copper heads and iron bones, a broom-like tail, and a tofu waist… The waist is a vital spot. I must specially strengthen that area in the future!”

He was precocious, loved reading, and never missed any of the Illusion Spirit courses offered by the family. Compared to his peers, he was much more experienced.

Suddenly, Big Gray sniffed the air, stood up on all fours, licked its fangs, and a flash of bloodlust passed through its emerald eyes.

“Hmm?”

Dongfang Shuoming looked up and just saw a large gray rabbit leap from the bushes. Its powerful hind legs propelled it forward several meters in one bound. He exclaimed in delight: “A Kickleg Rabbit? Big Gray, attack!”

“Awooooo!”

The gray wolf transformed into a phantom and lunged forward, blocking the Kickleg Rabbit’s escape route.

“Attack!”

Dongfang Shuoming fixed his gaze on the Kickleg Rabbit, his heart pounding with excitement as he shouted.

The basic method for a Spirit Tamer to control their summoned beasts is through verbal commands and hand gestures. More advanced techniques involve eye contact, and ultimately, it comes down to controlling the beast through sheer willpower, achieving a perfect synchronization where the summoned beast becomes an extension of the tamer’s own body.

Dongfang Shuoming and Big Gray were both novices. Being able to coordinate with verbal commands, allowing the summoned beast to understand and act accordingly, was already quite good.

“Awooooo!”

The gray wolf howled, crouched slightly, and suddenly lunged forward, its sharp claws extending, gleaming with a cold light.

Bang!

The Kickleg Rabbit leapt, its muscular hind legs powerful and well-developed, kicking mid-air.

“Duck down quickly!”

Dongfang Shuoming hurriedly gave the command. He watched as the gray wolf ducked low, avoiding the vital area, but still took a hit on the head, staggering slightly. He let out a sigh of relief.

“What a pity… My gray wolf is only an ordinary species of Illusion Spirit. At this stage, it only has the ability to engage in physical combat, and its talent is only average, without having learned any battle techniques…”

Dongfang Shuoming thought to himself, his eyes never leaving the battlefield.

“Avoid the kick! Use your claws to limit its speed and bite its front limbs!”

Ultimately, the Kickleg Rabbit was also just an ordinary Illusion Spirit. It had disadvantages in both size and race. Coupled with Dongfang Shuoming’s guidance, it was eventually defeated.

“Good job! Big Gray!”

Seeing the gray wolf bring the prey to him, Dongfang Shuoming was even more pleased as he stroked the wolf’s head.

This intelligence and closeness surprised and delighted him.

Moreover, after such battles, comforting and encouraging the summoned beast is also essential.

If one does not pay attention to building a relationship through daily interactions, how can one ever reach a state of perfect synchronization in the future?

“Big Gray… Even though you’re just an ordinary gray wolf, I’m confident that I can find those rare treasures to help you evolve into the ultimate demon wolf!”

Dongfang Shuoming stood tall, his eyes shining with hope.

It was as if the entire world would soon be under this young man’s feet!

If this were a myth or a novel, a legend was about to begin, and the wheels of history would slowly start turning.

“Roar! Roar!”

Suddenly, a shocking roar echoed, stirring up fierce winds and toppling trees.

The gray wolf immediately bristled its fur, looking uneasily toward the forest.

“This is bad! How could there be such a fierce beast in the outer area of the Starfire Mountains now?”

Dongfang Shuoming’s face turned pale as he watched a leopard leap down from a tree, its fur radiant like a layer of snow. It moved as fast as lightning, and Dongfang’s expression turned to despair: “It’s a Snow Cloud Leopard! Its fur is so vibrant, could it be in the most aggressive breeding period? That’s right! Could food shortages have caused it to expand its hunting range?”

“I can’t die here!”

He gritted his teeth: “It’s not a battle-grade spirit. Although it has an attribute advantage, its strength must have declined after giving birth. There’s still a chance!”

“Big Gray, attack!”

Dongfang Shuoming’s eyes turned bloodshot, making the decision to fight for his life!

“Awooooo!”

“Roar! Roar!”

A life-or-death battle erupted immediately!

Driven by the desire to survive, Dongfang Shuoming performed beyond his level. The gray wolf grew braver with each passing moment, employing clever tactics, and finally gained the upper hand, turning the tables to hunt the Snow Cloud Leopard!

“Don’t let it escape!”

Bleeding from numerous wounds inflicted by the Snow Cloud Leopard, Dongfang Shuoming was nevertheless exhilarated: “As long as we defeat this Snow Cloud Leopard and kill it, Big Gray will definitely gain enough confidence and energy to advance to the next level!”

“Roar! Roar!”

At that moment, the Snow Cloud Leopard suddenly raised its head proudly, and a layer of blood-red light erupted from its body.

Under the crimson glow, the wounds beneath its fur quickly scabbed over, and its previously trembling limbs steadied again, as if new strength had surged within.

“It’s a minor innate sorcery! Severe wound frenzied transformation? Can such a battle technique actually be learned?”

Dongfang Shuoming gave a bitter smile: “Such a powerful Illusion Spirit should have been my summoned beast, but instead, it’s my enemy… It seems my luck is as bad as ever!”

“Roar!”

But in the next moment, he had no time to think further.

Because the Snow Cloud Leopard lunged forward, sending the gray wolf flying with a crash. With a pained howl, it transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the strange bracelet on Dongfang Shuoming’s hand. The leopard’s sharp claws were already in front of him.

The claws, gleaming with a cold light, snapped forward with astonishing explosive power.

Dongfang Shuoming knew clearly that if he could not resist, in the next instant, those claws would rip open his abdomen, spilling his entrails, and his internal organs would become food for the beast!

“I don’t want to die!”

“I don’t want to die!”

At that moment, time seemed to freeze. In terror, Dongfang Shuoming screamed in his heart: “I don’t want to die! I haven’t fulfilled my wishes yet! I haven’t traveled across the four continents, seen the ruins left by the Creator, or tamed the Four Divine Beasts yet. How can I die here?”

At the last moment of his life, he seemed to see a streak of cyan meteor breaking through the sky, rapidly descending.

Boom!

In an instant, the cyan meteor vanished into his forehead, transforming into a warm current that quickly spread throughout his body.

In his consciousness, the voice of Wu Ming echoed:

“Since you’re about to die, let me borrow this body then!”

A remnant of power swiftly repaired his injuries, and with a single punch, struck the Snow Cloud Leopard right in the forehead.

The beast was stunned. Then a clear sound of bone cracking came from its head, and it collapsed limply onto the ground, unmistakably dead.