Transformation

Qian Yuling closed her eyes and silently accepted the Corpse Dragon's power. Kirin stood guard nearby. With Kirin present, no other soul beasts dared approach.

"Why is your Soul Power density so thin? No wonder you reached level 40 at such a young age. And your physical condition is so poor too. Forget it, I'll use my power to compress your Soul Power and strengthen your body while I'm at it." The Corpse Dragon had discovered problems with Qian Yuling's physique and Soul Power density.

"Qian Yuling, there's something wrong with your body. I need to change the method of sacrifice. It may hurt a lot, so endure it."

"Mm, I can do it." Qian Yuling nodded firmly.

After hearing Qian Yuling's response, the Corpse Dragon changed its method of sacrifice, focusing primarily on compressing her Soul Power and improving her physical condition, with increasing her Soul Power as a secondary goal. The Corpse Dragon's immense power began swirling around Qian Yuling before slowly entering her body.

"Ah... ngh... ahhh... ahhhhhh!!!" Qian Yuling's agonized cries rang out continuously.

Kirin temporarily sealed off its hearing as well. Qian Yuling's cries were truly a little...

The sacrifice lasted seven days.

Qian Yuling sat on the ground as the phantom of the great tree behind her gradually faded away. The aura she emitted also began to withdraw inward. Outwardly, the most noticeable change was that Qian Yuling's originally wheat-colored skin had become milky white.

Kirin restored its hearing. The screaming had finally ended.

Kirin examined Qian Yuling. Her Soul Power Level had reached level 45, and the density of her Soul Power had been compressed to its limit. Her physical strength had also increased considerably. Because the Corpse Dragon's sacrificial method had been different, Qian Yuling's Soul Power Level had only risen by five levels.

Qian Yuling slowly opened her eyes and sensed her body. Other than her throat hurting from screaming for too long, nothing else felt unusual. On the contrary, she felt extremely comfortable.

Kirin said, "I believe you can feel it too. Your Soul Power density and physical strength have both reached a very high level. However, because your Soul Power density has increased, your Soul Power Level will rise more slowly in the future. As for why your Soul Power only increased by this much, most of the Corpse Dragon's power was absorbed by your martial soul. Another portion was used to increase your Soul Power density and physical strength. Only the final bit raised your Soul Power by five levels."

"I'll leave the Corpse Dragon's Soul Bone here for now. After all, you can't absorb it. It can be used to revive the Corpse Dragon in the future." With that, Kirin released a strand of aura that wrapped around the Corpse Dragon's Soul Bone and concealed it deep within Miasma Valley.

Qian Yuling's eyes lit up. "Can Senior Corpse Dragon be revived?"

Kirin nodded.

"That's wonderful!" Qian Yuling said happily.

Kirin revealed a faint smile as well.

Qian Yuling extended her right hand, circulated her Soul Power, and summoned her martial soul.

The World Tree Root had clearly changed. What had initially been a branch had become a staff composed of branches. Its entire body was a luminous white, with faint golden patterns running through its center.

At the same time, four soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, and white—rose beneath Qian Yuling's feet. However, the fourth white soul ring radiated waves of golden light.

"So Million-Year soul rings are platinum-white." Qian Yuling suddenly understood. Seeing that her martial soul had also changed so noticeably, she was delighted. She had grown much stronger again.

"Alright, put your martial soul away. Your physical strength is already extremely high. Although your Soul Power only increased by five levels, its density is now very high. Over the next year and a half, I'll teach you the most powerful cultivation technique."

"The most powerful cultivation technique?" Qian Yuling was somewhat puzzled.

Kirin replied, "That's right. This technique is called Jieyi Gong. Jieyi Gong relies on the various parts of the body moving through conditioned reflexes, requiring no thought from the brain, maximizing movement speed and reaction ability. It separates the body from consciousness, allowing every part of your body to sense danger beyond instinct, no longer requiring the brain to think before acting. Your current physical condition and Spiritual Power fully meet the requirements for cultivating Jieyi Gong."

Qian Yuling's eyes lit up. According to Kirin, this Jieyi Gong could maximize her speed and allow her to completely evade attacks. That was exactly what she, as a Summon System soul master, needed most right now.

One human and one Kirin began a year-and-a-half-long period of training deep within Miasma Valley.

A year and a half later.

Looking at the circle of light before her, Qian Yuling said reluctantly to Kirin, "Big Brother Kirin, I'm heading back first."

Kirin nodded. It was reluctant to part with her too, but it still said, "Go back. Your Jieyi Gong has already reached the first level. Return to your friends."

Qian Yuling wiped away her tears, nodded, and stepped into the circle of light.

Qian Yuling walked as though passing through a tunnel. After several minutes, a glimmer of light appeared ahead.

She returned to the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Looking at the familiar scene before her, the first thing Qian Yuling planned to do was return to her dormitory and take a bath.

Since it was still daytime and the students were all in class, Qian Yuling went to the gatehouse, showed the guard her student card, and smoothly entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

After bathing, Qian Yuling arrived outside her classroom. Looking at the familiar classroom door and hearing Qin Ming teaching the students inside, she slowly raised her hand and knocked on the door.

Ever since Mo Ying had been sent back to Heaven Dou Royal Academy by the Wind Drifter Dragon a year and a half ago, Qin Ming and the others had been greatly shocked. They had asked Mo Ying many questions, and upon learning that Qian Yuling's whereabouts were unknown, Qin Ming and the others had been deeply distressed.

Over the past year and a half, neither Qin Ming nor the thirteen students had been willing to bring up the matter again.

A crisp knock sounded. Qin Ming stopped his lesson and opened the door.

A young girl in a white shirt and black pleated skirt stood outside. Her light purple hair draped over her shoulders, and she was roughly one and a half meters tall. Her slightly raised brows and delicate upturned eyes were perfectly placed, giving her an adorable charm.

The girl slowly parted her lips. "Teacher Qin, I'm back."

"Yu... Yu Ling!" Qin Ming and the thirteen students in the classroom cried out at the same time. Then, their shock turned into wild joy. Dugu Yan immediately pulled Qian Yuling into an embrace. "You're finally back. We all thought you..."

Held in Dugu Yan's arms, Qian Yuling heard the tears in her voice and looked at the classmates around her. She softly said, "I'm fine. Didn't I come back safely?"

Looking at Qian Yuling, Mo Ying asked, "Yu Ling, after that day, the Wind Drifter Dragon brought me back to the academy. Where did you go back then?"

Qian Yuling altered parts of what had happened in Miasma Valley as she told them about it. She did not mention Kirin or the Corpse Dragon, merely giving a simple account of her life on the run. In the end, she said she had found a safe place deep in Miasma Valley, cultivated there for a year and a half, then discovered a circle of light. After entering it, she had returned here.

Everyone was left bewildered. After all, Qian Yuling's explanation was rather fantastical.

Noticing their expressions, Qian Yuling changed the subject. "What Soul Power Levels has everyone reached?"

Hearing that, Qin Ming said, "Tell Yu Ling your Soul Power Levels."

"Yu Tianheng, level 37."

"Dugu Yan, level 36."

"Shi Mo, level 36."

"Shi Mo, level 35."

"Yu Feng, level 35."

"Osler, level 35."

"Ye Lingling, level 34."

"Mo Ying, level 37."

"Lu Xiaoguo, level 31."

"Hua Ruyi, level 31."

"Ning Keke, level 31."

"Shui Wuyue, level 31."

"Luo Keke, level 43."

Qin Ming nodded and said to Qian Yuling, "It has been four and a half years since the fourteen of you first met in this classroom. None of you have slacked off in cultivating your Soul Power. Yu Ling, tell us your level too. Let's see how far you've risen from level 39 over the past year and a half."

Qian Yuling nodded. "Yu Ling, level 45."

Although everyone had been mentally prepared, they were still deeply shocked upon hearing Qian Yuling's level. They had originally estimated that her strength would be around level 42, but they had not expected her to have already reached level 45.

Qin Ming smiled. "Yu Ling has returned as well. Now then, return to your seats. We'll continue the lesson."

"Yes!" everyone shouted in unison.