An hour later, Ning Rongrong finally adapted to the new attack.
She had thought it would be a support-type Soul Skill. After all, that was the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda's tradition.
But Ning Rongrong had never imagined that once the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda in the puppet's hands lit up, it would disappear. The next moment, an illusory pagoda appeared above her head and came crashing down, stopping at a fixed height over her and bringing with it a gravity-suppressing effect similar to Zhao Wuji's.
As soon as the move was used, Ning Rongrong felt a tremendous resistance to her movements. Even using her Soul Skills became a struggle. It took her a full hour to just barely withstand the attack.
What she hadn't expected was that the move wasn't over yet. The pagoda didn't have to stay suspended above her head; it could come crashing all the way down. The Silver Dragon King had only limited the Soul Skill's power earlier because she was afraid she'd be flattened outright.
Feeling the pagoda's pressure, Ning Rongrong knew this Soul Skill was undoubtedly an attack skill with a slight controlling effect. Its power also kept growing, making her Trapped Beast not very effective, as it only blocked 60% of the damage.
Wasn't using this Martial Soul like this a little unorthodox?
The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda was one of the continent's top auxiliary Martial Souls, but it had a drawback: no one had ever found a way to break through level 80. Even her father, Ning Fengzhi, had only reached level 79.
Since the Seventh Soul Skill was bound to be the Martial Soul Avatar, each of the first six Soul Skills was incredibly important. Losing even one support skill would greatly diminish the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda's support capabilities.
But now, Her Highness the Silver Dragon King wanted her to learn an attack skill that didn't feel like it had any support capabilities at all?
She admitted that the Soul Skill was powerful, but that was only when it came to her personally. In a team, this skill might not be as useful as a support skill.
Compared to the Soul Skills of pure attack Martial Souls like the Seven Kill Sword and Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul, could this skill really be considered powerful?
Ning Rongrong didn't know, and she wasn't in the mood to think about it.
Taking advantage of the break, she hurriedly spoke up. "Your Highness, I don't think this makes much sense. I'm a support-type Soul Master."
"So what if you're a support-type?" the Silver Dragon King said coolly. "Who says support-types can't practice attack skills? Even pure attack types have support skills."
"I mean, this wouldn't be as useful as a support skill in a team." Ning Rongrong argued her case.
The puppet's expression grew even more puzzled. "A team? Then put the team aside."
Ning Rongrong's expression was resolute as she said, full of conviction, "I can't put it aside."
"Absurd! How could someone chosen by the Holy God be content to live under another's roof?"
The puppet's expression was unusually stern as she barked the words, sounding as if she was disappointed in Ning Rongrong for failing to live up to her potential.
Ning Rongrong couldn't take that. She wilted at once.
"Phew—" The puppet let out a long breath and continued, "You need to understand that a certain degree of solo combat ability is essential. Most of the time from now on, you'll leave your team to carry out missions alone—for me, and for the Holy God."
Ning Rongrong nodded, seeming to understand. Then she abruptly raised her head and said cautiously, "Your Highness, did you just mention... a mission?"
The puppet nodded. "Of course. Why else would I bring you here? Just to waste time training you? I'm no saint."
Ah, that did make a little sense... No, no, wait... Oh, right, right... No, that's not right...
Ning Rongrong felt her head spinning.
"Then... what's the mission this time?"
"Well, I'll tell you once you've adapted to the complete Fourth Soul Skill and are about to leave. That way, you're less likely to forget."
As the puppet spoke, she changed states. The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda appeared and vanished, catching Ning Rongrong completely off guard.
Another half hour passed. Enticed by the prospect of leaving the palace, Ning Rongrong quickly adapted to the complete Fourth Soul Skill.
Of course, by "adapted," all that meant was that she'd gained control over her body and could adjust how much force she used at any time.
"That's enough for today." The puppet sighed, calling an end to the training. After a brief pause, she continued, "There's one more thing. A certain cult has been stirring up trouble lately and tarnishing the Holy God's name. I can't very well leave this place myself, so I need you to deal with it."
Ning Rongrong frowned. She thought she knew what this was about.
It had to be the Holy Spirit Cult. And the Holy God controlling her must have destroyed the Second Saintess Ritual because she couldn't stand their ways.
It had to be!
But she still needed to make sure, so she asked, "The Holy Spirit Cult?"
"Oh?" The puppet showed an unusual flicker of interest. "You know about them too? That makes this much easier. From now on, I'll assume you understand everything I say. If you don't, you can interrupt me at any time."
The puppet took a breath. This seemed strange to Ning Rongrong, but she figured the puppet was just imitating the Silver Dragon King's real body. She didn't give it any more thought.
"The so-called Holy Spirit Cult is made up of a bunch of lunatics who use the Holy God's name to satisfy their own selfish desires. Every one of their actions, whether it's the Steal-the-Fire Plan or the Saintess Ritual, ultimately comes down to power and profit. They're tarnishing the Holy God's name, and I will never allow it!"
Ning Rongrong felt the Silver Dragon King growing more and more agitated as she spoke. It took a long while for her to calm down and reveal the real, specific objective:
"So, I need you to sabotage the Third Saintess Ritual. Based on my calculations, it'll take another two days for the Third Saintess Ritual to be completed."
Ah, so she wanted Ning Rongrong to sabotage the Third Saintess Ritual...
The previous second, Ning Rongrong had been worried about how difficult the mission might be. The next, she realized it really was that difficult.
Her eyes widened, and cold sweat began to bead on her forehead. Not long ago, she'd been relieved that she hadn't gotten caught up in the Third Saintess Ritual. Her father and Grandpa Bone hadn't managed to deal with it in a whole day. Even with two days left, what difference could her involvement make?
Not to mention, it would take her a whole day just to get back.
So she lifted her head and gave an awkward yet polite smile.
"What do you mean by that?" The puppet only belatedly realized that Ning Rongrong thought the mission was too difficult. She patted her on the shoulder. "It's fine. I'll give you the information you need."
"No, I know the Saintess Ritual is happening in Suotuo City. In fact, I came from there."
"Hey, what good does knowing that do?"
The puppet shook her head.
"This Saintess Ritual is quite unusual. It isn't happening in the world you know. It's taking place somewhere special—in someone's mental space. Only those with a special tool can get inside."
Ning Rongrong was even more confused. "Then how do I get in?"
"Well, as luck would have it, I have the tool."
As she spoke, the puppet took out a purple stone and handed it to Ning Rongrong.
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