(A/N: A second upload!)
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--- Chapter 88 ---
Another month passed quickly.
Since the "Soul Contract" was established, Ning Fengyuan has become more proactive in studying many of Han Yuan's theories, including the True Spirit Theory.
Although Ning Fengyuan couldn't use it because she lacked the required attributes to cleanse the spirit ring's remaining resentment, it puts a different perspective on things she knew.
Ning Fengyuan knew about the case of the spirit beast's extinction, and the True Spirit Theory could accelerate that even further, which means it can't ever be exposed to the irresponsible hands of others.
Thankfully, Han Yuan has thought of a method to solve a problem in case the spirit beasts went extinct, and he called it the Artificial Spirit Rings Project!
At this moment, Ning Fengyuan sat under a tree and stared at a round, milky white pill in her hand. According to Han Yuan, eating this pill will allow her martial soul to evolve.
She hesitated for a split second before swallowing the milky white pill and meditating on the spot. Gentle, warm energy flowed down her throat and spread all over her body, enhancing her origin and physique.
Slowly but surely, Ning Fengyuan sensed the decades-long "block" on her cultivation loosened and torn apart by this gentle energy. Then, she felt overwhelmingly comfortable.
"Aah~!"
She moaned in pleasure as her cultivation reached level 80, or a half-step Spirit Douluo Realm. She only needed a good 8th spirit ring now.
Ning Fengyuan resigned to this newfound strength and sighed, "That was much more intense than I initially thought, but the pill sure is effective. I can feel all my attributes improving by a leap."
"Even my spiritual power has undergone a qualitative change, meaning I start cultivating the long-lost Eight Aperture Saintly Heart. I might be able to cultivate the legendary Nine Aperture Divine Heart..."
"Title Douluo, I don't think I ever have a chance to reach that realm..."
"All this is possible because of Xiao Yuan." Ning Fengyuan slowly recalled her time with that genius boy. It started when she met and taught Heart Separation Control to him, to that day under that tree.
Recalling what happened under the banyan tree, Ning Fengyuan couldn't help but flush red because she was a woman considerably older than the boy and could even be his grandmother.
Yet, she did that shameless thing.
If "old cow likes to eat young grass" is a person, it must be her!
Ah, so embarrassing!
B-But why do I feel excited about it?
Ning Fengyuan hurriedly shook the improper thoughts from her mind and summoned her Seven Treasure Glazed Reflecting Mirror.
"This is..." She looked at the smooth and tall golden prism in her hand and noticed it had become slightly bigger and nobler than before. Each mirror side is now gleaming with nine-colored light.
"My martial soul really evolves..."
"I really don't know what to do with you. You made me sign a soul contract, but I felt I'm the one indebted to you..."
"Xiao Yuan..." Ning Fengyuan's heart gradually wavered. There is a hint of helplessness in those eyes.
All of a sudden, Liu Erlong appeared before Ning Fengyuan. "Haha, I know you'd be here, Ms. Yuan."
"H-How long have you been watching me?" Ning Fengyuan's eyes dilated slightly as she started panicking.
"Well, let's see..." Liu Erlong tapped her chin playfully. "Long enough to see blushing like a foolish lovestruck girl."
"Ah!" Ning Fengyuan covered her face in embarrassment.
Liu Erlong chuckled, "Haha, don't be embarrassed by such a thing, Ms. Yuan. You're a good woman with desire, so why would you hide it? Just embrace it, and you'll start feeling good about it."
Hearing this, Ning Fengyuan was momentarily stunned. Then, she stared at Liu Erlong in awe, "Are you also with Xiao..."
"Yes!" Liu Erlong replied instantly.
"I haven't even finished my words!" Ning Fengyuan was speechless.
Liu Erlong's eyes blazed with passion as she finally found the same person as her, "EXACTLY! There is no need to hesitate."
"And we are not alone..."
"What do you mean?" Ning Fengyuan then sensed another presence and saw a woman walking toward them. "H-How could it be you, Xuelan!"
Ye Xuelan smiled warmly at Ning Fengyuan, "Haha, fate works wonders on women like us."
"So, Fengyuan. Why don't you join our alliance?"
"Trust me, you won't regret it..."
"This..." Ning Fengyuan gazed at Liu Erlong and Ye Xualan with judging eyes, but something in her heart told her to agree.
"Fine, I will join you two."
"Haha, welcome, Ms. Yuan~!" Liu Erlong laughed excitedly.
"We will give Xiao Yuan a big surprise soon... Very soon."
...
...
Meanwhile, Han Yuan exclusively focused on training Ning Rongrong and directed her on what she should strive for. After roughly two months, she reached level 20 or half-step Spirit Grandmaster.
She even built a strong foundation as a spirit master, allowing her to be a Title Douluo in the future.
While Ning Rongrong wasn't motivated to comprehend Heart Separation Control, she reached 3rd stage, proving just how talented she was if she tried hard enough. Of course, it wasn't easy. Han Yuan has to trick Ning Rongrong into learning it. He modified Heart Separation Control to suit her, and she can cultivate it through visualization now.
Well, this was the only method Ning Rongrong was interested in.
Anyway, back to the story.
Huff! Huff!
Ning Rongrong breathed heavily as her sweaty body moved back and forth rapidly, "Big Brother Yuan, you're too much!"
"R-Rongrong can't keep up..."
Han Yuan, who stood with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, couldn't help but clear his throat, "Rongrong, phrasing!"
"I only told you to showcase your mastery of Flash Step..."
Ning Rongrong pouted, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. You told me support-system spirit masters must master the ability to escape and hand coordination to support their teammates better."
"I've reached the middle mastery of Flash Step, but "phasing" in and out of air is difficult, okay? My eyes can't keep up with my legs."
Dugu Yan chuckled and commented, "Hehe, Rongrong, you should feel the wind. Run with it, not against it."
"Hmm, don't resist the flow." Ye Lingling added another piece of advice after Dugu Yan's.
"Well, what about this? If you get the "phasing" of Flash Step right even once, I will give you something special." Han Yuan smiled playfully at Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong suddenly grinned, "Hmph, you can't take your words back, Big Brother Yuan. Hehe, prepare something good for Rongrong later~!"
With newfound motivation, Ning Rongrong slowly began to show a visible improvement in her movement technique, creating a rustling noise due to how chaotic her training clothes vibrate.
She forced her body to the limit, watching an imaginary back of Han Yuan appear before her. She laughed because she wanted to chase that back forever.
If possible, she wanted to run beside that person!
Then, Ning Rongrong reached it.
Her hand reached that imaginary back.
At the same time, the rustling noise made by Ning Rongrong's worn gi vanished and was 'naturally' replaced with calmness. However, never underestimate this calmness because explosive power is beneath it.
Swoosh!
Ning Rong's figure vanished before appearing behind Han Yuan's back as she hugged and yelled, "I did it, Big Brother!"
"Hehehe, where is my reward now~?"
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling glanced at each other, thinking how impressive Ning Rongrong's speed was. They are happy the girl completed her task, though it was merely an excuse for Han Yuan to give her something.
Han Yuan smiled, handing two items to her, "Take these."
"The Spirit Catcher holds a 1,200-year-old spirit ring from the rare Crystal Winged Snake, which will compliment your martial soul's origin and grant you speed-enhancing support spirit skill."
"As for the jade box, it holds a pill that can help you cultivate faster."
"I recommend you take the pill and absorb the spirit ring simultaneously, as they will give you the best effect."
"Can I use them now?" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up in excitement.
Han Yuan rubbed her head, "Go for it."
"Oh?" Ning Rongrong opened the jade box and saw a lone, milky white pill inside. She was curious about the pill but knew Han Yuan wouldn't answer her.
She could ask anything but his secret.
That's the rules he set.
Even then, Ning Rongrong trusted Han Yuan wouldn't treat her poorly. So, she casually popped the pill like candy and injected her spiritual power into the Spirit Catcher, allowing a light purple spirit ring to appear.
She skillfully summoned her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and used it to draw the spirit ring, feeling the pure and enormous spirit energy from it.
"Let's do this!" Ning Rongrong was about to do what others outside the academy didn't do, absorbing a millennium-old spirit ring as her second spirit ring!
Ning Rongrong closed her eyes and focused on absorbing the spirit ring, unaware of the change the Immortal Pill did to her.
Han Yuan, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling watched as a noble, nine-colored light bloomed from Ning Rongrong's martial soul. They witnessed the pagoda transforming from seven tiles to nine tiles.
Ning Rongrong's tired expression was 'slowly' washed by a colorless dew as her face became even fairer than before. Her body transformed under their gaze, becoming pure and dustless.
She finished absorbing her second spirit ring thirty minutes later.
Two halos, yellow and purple, hovered around her.
Ning Rongrong opened her eyes and jumped excitedly because her spirit rank had reached level 26!
"Rongrong, take a look at your martial soul." Han Yuan said with a faint smile.
"My martial soul?" Ning Rongrong tilted her head and looked at the pagoda on her right palm.
Her eyes widened as she started counting, "One, two, three, four, six, eight, nine!"
"My martial soul has evolved into the legendary Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!" A mix of many happy emotions burst into Ning Rongrong's heart.
"Oh, my god~!" Ning Rongrong jumped and pounced on Han Yuan's back like a koala.
"Big Brother Yuan, You're The Best!"
"I love you sooooo muuuuch~!"
"Mwah!" She pecked Han Yuan's cheek.
Han Yuan was stunned by her proactiveness and laughed, "Do you like my gifts?"
"Hehe, I love it~! I love Big Brother Yuan~!" Ning Rongrong hugged Han Yuan, rubbing her face on his shoulders. At this very moment, she felt Han Yuan was the best person in the world!
"In the future, I want to be your bride~!"
And that's the mark of Summer Camp's end.
...
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Alternative Title: Nine Treasure Martial Soul Evolutions