"Alright then, I’ll be going to meditate for now. Just call me if you need anything," Ling Yuan said calmly as she floated gracefully toward the guest house.
Dave turned to the rest of the group with a satisfied nod. "Now that she’s gone, let’s go back to checking the second forms of our Martial Spirits," he said, and the others nodded.
They had gathered here at the edge of the training grounds specifically to test their second forms when Ling Yuan had previously appeared.
"Okay, I’ll go first," Tony said as he summoned his Martial Spirit. It appeared as a magical scepter with a crystal fox head carved on top of it, the long base made of smooth white silver, adorned with violet-pink fox carvings all along its length.
"Attention everyone, let’s see my second form," he said with excitement.
As he channeled his spirit power, the scepter glowed brightly and then transformed—shifting into a large violet-pink fox with a single illusionary tail. The creature was both regal and beautiful, pulsing with graceful, ethereal energy.
"It’s called the Lightning Empress Fox," Tony said proudly, his eyes gleaming.
"It’s quite beautiful... and cool," Natasha remarked as she stepped forward. "Now, my turn."
She summoned her Martial Spirit—a golden rapier carved with gemstones and radiating a refined, noble light. As she channeled her power, the rapier shimmered, twisting into golden threads that coalesced into a magnificent beast.
A dazzling golden winged serpent emerged, elegant and radiant, its scales shining like polished crystal, wings folded regally on its back.
"Golden Seraph Viper," Natasha said softly. "Fast and precise... just like I need it."
Bruce stepped up next. His ember-forged greatsword floated in front of him, glowing with intense fire aura. As he activated the transformation, the blade erupted into molten flames, reforming into a massive beast.
A towering fire bear roared into existence—its body forged of living magma, glowing veins pulsing across its obsidian hide.
"Volcanic Flame Ursan," Bruce muttered. "Good. Strong. Durable."
Hawkeye gave a casual nod and summoned his lightning crossbow. The weapon sparked with arcs of energy before bursting outward in a swirl of stormlight.
It reformed into a sleek, four-legged beast—a storm falcon with glowing eyes, wings of crackling thunder, and a sharpened beak humming with spirit energy.
"Stormpiercer Falcon," he said with a grin. "Looks like it’ll strike faster than my arrows ever could."
Shuri stepped up with calm precision, holding her fan-blade of ethereal blue light. As she activated her second form, the fan scattered into glimmering fragments before merging into a lithe feline shape.
A sapphire panther took form, shimmering with faint illusions and wind trails that flickered like light over water.
"Mirage Azure Panther," Shuri said simply. "Stealth and speed—just what I wanted."
Steve stepped forward next. His silver, rune-carved dual-edged sword appeared in his hand, humming with quiet power. As he activated it, the blade dissolved into motes of light that gathered into a mighty form.
A silver-armored lion stood tall, its mane etched with runic patterns, eyes glowing with noble might.
"Silver Rune Lion," Steve said firmly. "Feels right."
Bucky followed. His curved wind katana floated before him, surrounded by swirling leaves. As he focused, the blade shifted and morphed.
A swift, white wolf emerged, its fur laced with gusts of wind and small red flame sparks dancing along its limbs.
"Crimson Wind Wolf," Bucky said quietly, his red eyes watching the beast with a rare smile.
And finally, Dave stood last.
His radiant, water-imbued katana floated serenely. With a flick of his hand, water surged and spiraled around it. The blade dissolved, merging with the flow and reshaping.
A grand azure dragon coiled mid-air—a smaller variant, but regal. Its scales shimmered like deep ocean gems, eyes calm but immeasurably deep.
"Oceanheart Azure Dragon," Dave whispered. "Perfect."
The group stood in silence, surrounded by their second-form spirit beasts—each powerful, elegant, and unique.
"Damn," Tony muttered. "Now I’m seriously rethinking whether to keep using our Martial Spirits in weapon form or switch to beast form instead."
The others nodded in agreement, clearly considering the same.
"You can use both," came a calm voice.
They all turned—Ling Yuan had appeared once again, standing nearby with her arms crossed and a faint smile on her lips.
"Since when were you here?" Steve asked, surprised.
Dave rolled his eyes. ’If she didn’t notice all of that, she’d be blind,’ he thought. He didn’t even try to hide it—after all, in Spirit Hall, there was already someone like the Snake Spear Douluo, whose Martial Spirit could shift between beast and equipment forms.
"It’s not rare," Ling Yuan added. "If you’re thinking of using dual forms, that’s fine. There’s a senior in Spirit Hall whose Martial Spirit is the Snake Spear—it can shift between a serpent beast and a weapon form, just like yours."
The group exchanged looks, then Natasha shrugged. "Alright then, I guess we’ll just use whatever form fits the situation best."
Everyone else nodded.
"And also, don’t forget," Ling Yuan said with a knowing smile, "no one will dare harm you now. Spirit Hall is officially backing your group."
The week passed quickly after that, filled with training, cultivation, and preparations. Mo Chen also returned after completing the errand, setting down a wooden box containing ten purple-colored orbs on the table.
"This is what you asked for, right?" he said, looking at Dave with a slightly puzzled expression.
Dave nodded, then turned to Ling Yuan, who was sitting nearby, watching quietly.
’I wonder what she thinks of all this,’ Dave thought, amused by her calm demeanor.
"Alright, now that we have one ingredient ready," Dave said aloud, "Sister Yuan, can I trouble you to bring back a small supply of 1000-year Ice Crystal Marrow from the far north?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Why do you need that?"
Dave smiled faintly. "You see, this whale gum—especially at the 1000-year grade—can strengthen our physique allowing us to absorb a higher age spirit ring, even a 1000 year as our first spirit ring. But there’s a flaw."
Ling Yuan narrowed her eyes slightly. "And that is?"
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