“Star Swordsman…” Sonia chewed on the term. “Is it the soldier that just transformed from the snake-scorpion dragon?”

The summoning of the spirit of the soul was not difficult to understand, because they had just ruthlessly run it over with a sports car. In simple terms, this spirit was accumulated by hunting and killing other soldiers, and then using that power to bestow upon oneself or one’s followers.

If they could hunt and kill other heroic spirits, they could seize their summoning spirits for absorption and upgrade, unlocking more types of soldiers.

A single spirit alone possessed a complete system of ‘collection-exchange-upgrade’. If this spirit were to spread, it would likely cause a technological revolution in the entire world of sorcerers.

But it couldn’t spread.

Firstly, it couldn’t appear in reality, meaning sorcerers couldn’t take out this spirit for research in reality. Secondly…

“What does ‘Zero-Winged Spirit’ mean?” Asho was puzzled. “Can spirits also have zero wings?”

The only farm woman present who had received formal education shook her head. “Spirits cannot be without wings, similar to us sorcerers. The wings of a spirit represent its level of knowledge, but they lack the power of sorcery. A four-winged spirit symbolizes its legendary level of knowledge, while a zero-winged spirit means…”

“It is not composed of knowledge at all,” Diya interjected. “It is not made up of knowledge.”

A spirit without knowledge sounded absurd even to Asho, a mud-type sorcerer. The definition of a spirit was a virtual realm creature condensed from knowledge, and a spirit without knowledge was like a Lalafell without flesh, fundamentally denying its definition.

“Do you know?” Sonia suddenly said. “Some spirits have more than one evolutionary direction. For example, a two-winged ‘Sword Qi’ spirit can evolve into a three-winged ‘Sword Qi’ spirit, but after special training and feeding, it can also evolve into a three-winged ‘Sword Light’ spirit.”

“Many spirits may undergo mutations during evolution, with ordinary spirits transforming into rarer and more powerful spirits. Sorcerers have recorded these phenomena and later discovered that they can use certain methods to devolve advanced spirits into lower-level spirits. These lower-level spirits, having ‘experience’, are more likely to evolve into higher-winged spirits.”

“A special summoning technique was born: first devolving easily obtained advanced spirits into lower-level spirits, then targeted cultivation, and finally causing the lower-level spirits to evolve into the desired higher-winged spirits.”

“I heard that some noble sorcerers even devolve particularly powerful spirits into one-winged spirits, specifically for their descendants to use.”

“In other words, as long as the sorcerer is willing, it is not impossible to devolve a four-winged spirit into a one-winged spirit.”

Sonia looked at the triangular double cone in Asho’s hand. “The summoning spirit may be a devolved spirit, and it is too perfect. It definitely does not lack knowledge; on the contrary, it has an enormous amount of knowledge. I don’t think it would be an original spirit that appeared in the Time Continent. Even if it is a four-winged spirit, I have no doubt.”

“It is likely a legendary spirit formed by the fusion of multiple spirits, and the zero wings are a kind of seal, sealing it to the extent that heroic spirits can use it.”

Asho nodded in agreement. After all, the heroic spirits of the Time Continent were only two-winged sorcerers, and allowing them to use a four-winged spirit was completely beyond their capabilities.

However, Sonia mentioned a new term, so Asho asked, “Fusion?”

“Fusion is a special summoning method that only advanced sorcerers can attempt,” Sonia explained. “In simple terms, it is the fusion of multiple spirits into a new spirit. For example, I can fuse Moon Silk, Torrent, and Undulation into the new spirit ‘Aqua Moon Undulation’, so in the future, I only need to activate one spirit to unleash the Aqua Moon Miracle.”

“But then wouldn’t you lose those three spirits?”

“Exactly, they would be lost,” Sonia nodded. “Fused spirits are specifically used to activate specific miracles, but they can only activate miracles, with very limited scope. Only sorcerers of the Holy Domain and above would dabble in fused spirits, because they encounter situations where they need to activate multiple miracles at the same time. In these cases, fused spirits can greatly reduce their mental effort.”

“The summoning spirit is powerful but also limited, and it is likely to have devolved from an advanced fused spirit to a zero-winged spirit. This spirit may not have much meaning in the higher levels of the virtual realm, where those soldiers we fear could easily be suppressed by legendary sorcerers. But in the Time Continent, it becomes the cornerstone of the heroic spirit legion sweeping everything.”

Diya also understood. “It sounds like the story of an imperial princess secretly escaping to the border area and starting from scratch.”

Asho glanced at the witch – you described it in such detail.

Although he had roughly guessed the origin of the summoning spirit, it was clearly not something they could research at their level. It was best to be honest and just be a consumer.

So, who would control this spirit?

Because there was a ‘Star Swordsman’ among the soldiers, in theory, it would be most appropriate for Sonia to use it. But she had just taken the commander’s manual, and now she had the summoning spirit. Even the farm woman would feel a little embarrassed.

However, Asho had a different view. “Speaking of which, what are you to me?”

Sonia and Diya blinked, looked at each other, and then at Asho.

“Family?” Diya asked. “But it’s strange to say that. Why would you want to find a stranger to be your family… don’t you have a family, Observer?”

“Followers!” Asho, seeing that they were not getting it, said loudly. “The exploration of the virtual realm was started by me, and you are my team members, theoretically my followers.”

Sonia understood. “You mean, if you take the summoning spirit, you can bestow the soldiers upon us?”

“It’s possible.” Asho held the summoning spirit. “Then should I take it?”

“I kind of want it…” Diya saw the new spirit and felt a little itchy. “You can have it this time, but next time, if there’s something fun, give it to me!”Sonia also said, “You take it. Even if it can’t empower us, the soldier armor can at least increase your safety factor. As you said, you’re the captain, and the most important thing for the team is you. Without you, we can’t drive the sports car and look at the map to explore the Virtual Realm… You need to cherish yourself more.”

“But without you guys, I wouldn’t be able to explore the Virtual Realm so easily,” Asho said, gripping the Summoning Sorcery Spirit. “If I can’t empower you all, then we each take one, consider it a team benefit—”

When he completely dominated the Summoning Sorcery Spirit, a mist-like energy suddenly rose around the cave, swirling towards Asho like swallows returning to their nest. The Sorcerers couldn’t react in time, and Sonia asked anxiously, “Observer, what’s happening to you?”

“I’m fine, just put down your sword, I’m scared.”

“But just now it seemed like an evil soul had devoured your spirit, I need to verify that it’s really you: ‘I feel as light as a balloon, yet only a thin string ties me to the ground’…”

Asho pounced on Sonia, pinning her down and trying to cover her mouth.

Sonia forcefully pried his hand away and said seriously, “See, you’re possessed by an evil soul, I need to continue reciting your famous words to awaken your memory. Sword Girl, to me, you… if you dare spit, I’ll never let you off!”

Just as Asho was about to make a spitting (physical) gesture, Sonia surrendered. Diya, curious, squatted beside them and asked, “Why is the Observer so agitated? Is this some kind of spell?”

“I’ll tell you privately when we have time,” Sonia said cheerfully.

“Then you’re done for, you’ll never have free time again, not in your whole life,” Asho said coldly.

“Just now was the first effect of the Summoning Sorcery Spirit: Summoning. The residual soul energy of the Star Swordsmen we killed was automatically absorbed into the Sorcery Spirit, and now I have 3 points of soul energy, just enough to try to empower you guys.”

Without waiting for Sonia to refuse, Asho pointed at Diya and said, “Witch evolution—Star Sword Witch!”

Instantly, deep blue flames erupted from Diya’s body, sweeping into exquisite, form-fitting armor, with a fine rapier in each hand and a full-coverage helmet. Asho and Sonia could only see Diya’s eyes through the helmet’s air holes.

“How does it feel?”

“My body feels a bit lighter,” the Star Witch swung her rapier, “The armor and weapons are weightless, making movement very comfortable, wait a second…”

She discarded the rapiers, clapped her fists together, and pulled out three water threads, “I can use the Sorcery Spirit normally, which means treating the soldier type as additional defensive armor is no problem.”

“Good,” Asho said, “Test complete, let’s try the real combat effects tomorrow night if we get the chance.”

Sonia poked Asho’s waist, then pointed at herself.

“What?”

“What about me?”

“What about you?”

“Why didn’t you let me test it? The Star Swordsman clearly matches me better.”

“Anyone could have tested it, and having the Witch test it also allows us to see if she can use water threads and claw attacks while in soldier state.”

“Uh-huh, good reason. Anything else?”

“Also, you annoyed me just now, so I wanted to annoy you back,” Asho poked Sonia’s forehead, “Otherwise, I’ll stop being annoyed in a bit.”

“It was just a joke…” Sonia muttered, touching her forehead.

“Witch, come here!” Asho called Diya, who was doing somersaults, “No other issues?”

“None!” Diya gave a thumbs up, “The experience is great, let’s fight in this from now on!”

“I’d like that too,” Asho shrugged, exchanging a glance with Sonia, “The sports car is about to explode, and everyone’s tired, so let’s call it a night for exploring the Virtual Realm.”

“Okay.”

“Alrighty!”

Diya nodded crisply, ready to leave the Virtual Realm, but then she saw her left hand held by the Observer and her right by the Sword Girl.

“The exploration of the Virtual Realm is over, and we should have half an hour before the Quiet Domain arrives, so we have half an hour for a tea party.”

Asho and the others pulled Diya aside to sit down.

“Witch, your hair color was mixed during the fight, and your voice turned into a strange polyphony,” Sonia said, “Although you’ve calmed down, we can’t pretend nothing happened.”

“Even though we’ve only known each other for a few days, saying ‘worry’ or ‘help’ might not seem appropriate, but it’s too hard to ignore this,” Asho tilted his head, “Actually, we were waiting for you to speak up, but since you didn’t, we had to bring it up.”

“Of course, if you don’t want to talk, I can understand, as we might not be able to help.”

“But if you’re willing to talk, we’ll listen seriously.”