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--- Chapter 511 ---
After confirming that nothing was wrong with his daughter's condition, Mu Chen heaved a deep, long sigh of relief. Beside the relieved Saint Craftsman, Han Tianyi and Xing Lan finally stepped forward, their expressions showing equal amounts of awe as they analyzed Mu Xi's shocking transformation.
"A Spirit Ancestor-level physique, Mental Force at the peak of the Spiritual Connection Realm, and a completely brand-new elemental attribute that likely reaches an Ultimate Attribute..." Xing Lan shook her head in utter disbelief. "You're truly not leaving a single path for others to catch up if you possess such an ability, Xiao Yuan..."
Han Tianyi observed Mu Xi's spiritual rhythm and added, "Xiao Xi's mind is exceptionally stable. The Baptism of Stars is nothing short of miraculous." "An immense increase of this level is something I've only ever seen when young Spirit Masters absorb a ten-thousand-year Head Spirit Bone or high-tier Mental-type Spirit Souls, yet she clearly absorbed neither."
"What do you know? This is the gift of the stars," Xing Lan snorted softly. "Her mental force naturally expanded because spiritual wavelength is the fundamental bridge required to communicate with the stars in the first place."
"The Star attribute is far more than a pure elemental force."
"It holds myriad possibilities."
Turning her gaze toward Mu Xi, Xing Lan's expression grew solemn. "Girl, would you be willing to take me as your teacher?"
"Although my attainments in the Path of Stars aren't the highest, and my Nebula Ring took an elusive Auxiliary path that might not perfectly match your future offensive style, I am very confident I can guide you into a formidable Spirit Master."
"This... Aren't you going to ask Xiao Yuan to be your disciple first?" Mu Xi tilted her head in genuine confusion. "...After all, his talent is far beyond mine."
"Ah..." Xing Lan let out a long, bitter, self-deprecating laugh, a touch of helplessness crossing her aging face. "About that..."
"I'm nowhere near worthy enough to be his teacher. However, the Illusory Brain Douluo has already entrusted me to serve as his protector. So while I cannot be his master, I can still be considered his... aunt, watching over him while giving you proper guidance."
"Sister Mu Xi, just agree," Han Yuan smiled faintly and nudged the girl with his shoulder. "Auntie Lan is a very special Super Douluo. Even if her path differs slightly, her insights will be invaluable."
Mu Xi listened intently to Han Yuan's advice. Without another moment's hesitation, she looked up at the middle-aged woman and performed a quick, polite disciple's bow. "Mu Xi greets Teacher!"
"Hehe, he convinced you far faster than I ever could. Tsk tsk... Girl, you are truly smitten to the bone," Xing Lan giggled, openly teasing the now crimson-faced girl. "Such a hopeless little girl."
Mu Xi immediately tightened her hug around Han Yuan's arm, burying her red face slightly. "I... I am not! I just... I just felt like Xiao Yuan's words made complete sense!"
Mu Chen stared blankly at the scene, feeling a sharp pang in his chest as if his precious daughter were being stolen right out from under his nose by a silver-haired brat.
The worst part? He couldn't even bring himself to be angry!
If there was any emotion Mu Chen felt toward Han Yuan aside from mild fatherly frustration, it was pure gratitude. Without the boy's guidance, Mu Xi could never have achieved such a miraculous leap in potential.
Nearby, the other elders laughed heartily, thoroughly amused by Mu Xi's reactions. Han Tianyi, in particular, looked more than pleased with his prospective granddaughter-in-law.
After chatting a bit, Han Yuan and the others eventually returned to the Blacksmith Association headquarters. Unfortunately, Xing Lan couldn't join them immediately.
As the Dean of Tianxing Academy, Xing Lan had countless administrative tasks to settle before stepping into her roles as Han Yuan's protector and Mu Xi's teacher.
Mu Chen immediately called his wife to share the earth-shattering news of their daughter's spirit evolution and her potential path toward becoming a Limit Douluo.
Meanwhile, Han Tianyi and Mu Ye huddled together, intensely debating whether the Baptism of Stars could be adapted to evolve other Martial Souls, particularly Body Spirits.
Then there was Zhen Hua. Having just returned from an exhausting high-level meeting, the Divine Craftsman stood completely rooted to the spot, utterly speechless.
Had the Divine Craftsman known something this shocking would happen at the observation platform, he wouldn't have gone to that annoying ass meeting at all.
"Damn it..."The Divine Craftsman muttered under his breath, massaging his temples in regret.
As midnight arrived, Mu Xi tossed and turned in her soft bed, unable to sleep. Eventually, she gave up, bundled her pillow and blanket into her arms, and quietly tiptoed into Han Yuan's bedroom.
"Xiao Yuan... are you awake?" Mu Xi peeked over the edge of the large bed, and Han Yuan was closing his eyes peacefully. Watching his calm, sleeping face, a soft pang of guilt swirled.
'He must be completely exhausted from helping me evolve my Martial Soul...'
'Hehe... Then this Big Sister will help you relax!'
Slipping off her home slippers, Mu Xi crawled onto the bed and pulled the sleeping boy into a snug, comfortable hug, pressing her warm body against his.
"Ah... so cozy..."
"Mhm, this is how it should be!" Mu Xi giggled in deep satisfaction, happily inhaling his clean scent before drifting into a peaceful sleep.
Moments later, Han Yuan's eyes slowly opened. He let out a soft, amused sigh, reflecting on how remarkably precocious the children of the Douluo Continent could be.
Still, knowing the intense, dramatic nature of emotional bonds in this Love Continent, Mu Xi's action felt rather innocent and endearing.
Reaching up, he gently patted her red hair for a few seconds, whispering under his breath, "Gnosia... Link Start."
Han Yuan's physical body remained sound asleep, but his consciousness shifted instantly. His vision instantly blurred as a luminous, multicolored portal appeared, dissolving into a pure white world.
Then, a sleek virtual interface floated before Han Yuan.
[Welcome, Player Zero!]
[I am Gnosia, the Spirit of this Mysterious World. Also, before entering the DND Beta Testing World, you may configure your avatar and registration name.]
Gnosia spoke in a calm, melodic tone.
Han Yuan narrowed his silver eyes, examining the virtual entity, a hovering cluster of shifting, rainbow-colored light. This was his first time seeing the Spirit Guidance Tool created from Xu Deming's own Martial Soul.
"It seems our plan is working just fine."
Although Han Yuan had designed the core concepts for this Beta Testing World, Xu Deming and Gnosia were the ones actively managing its framework from the moon.
"Gnosia, can you prompt a call with Brother Xu?"
[Game Master Xu Deming is currently managing personal matters...]
[I can initiate a call for you, though acceptance is not guaranteed.]
[...However, he left a direct message for Player Zero.]
"Oh? What did he say?" Han Yuan asked, his interest piqued.
["Just enjoy the game. We will talk once the Beta Test yields actual data and results we need," he said]
The corner of Han Yuan's mouth twitched slightly in exasperation. "That guy..."
"Whatever... Let's see what this world has in store for me."
"I hope it's fun."
Han Yuan customized his avatar just a tiny bit, altering his appearance so that no one would recognize his true identity in the real world. Funnily, the nickname was actually harder to decide.
Once Han Yuan confirmed his preference, the white realm dissolved as Gnosia's voice echoed through the void.
[Enjoy your journey, True Whale!]
[Welcome to the DND Online!!!]
.
.
Han Yuan felt the space around him buffer for a split second before his vision stabilized. He suddenly found himself standing in the center of a colossal, bustling plaza platform, surrounded by hundreds of players popping into existence all at once.
Flexing his hands and feeling the remarkably real textural sensation of his virtual body, Han Yuan smiled faintly.
"Well... let's do this!"