Fusion of Spirit Rings, Spirit Hall

"Sigh..." Zhao Linchuan feigned a helpless sigh. With a flick of his mind, a fresh, succulent carrot with vibrant green fronds appeared out of thin air in his hand.

He held the carrot by its fronds and waved it near Xiao Wu's head from behind the quilt. The carrot's distinct, crisp, sweet aroma immediately seeped into the bedding in thin wisps.

"Don't be angry anymore, my little maid. Isn't this carrot right here?" His voice carried a hint of a smile.

"Mm?" The figure under the quilt stirred noticeably.

Immediately following, with a "swish," the quilt was flung aside. Xiao Wu's head popped out, her small nose twitching as she sniffed the air. Her large eyes locked onto the carrot inches away, glowing with delighted surprise.

"Wow! A carrot!"

With lightning speed, she snatched the carrot away and took a massive bite. Her cheeks puffed out instantly as she chewed with satisfaction, her eyes squinting into happy crescents.

"Eat slowly, no one is going to steal it from you."

Watching her little food-guarding display, Zhao Linchuan found it amusing. He flipped his wrist, produced a bulging cloth bag, and set it gently in front of her.

Points -1

"There, that's enough to last you a few days."

Xiao Wu freed one hand to pull open the bag and peeked inside—it was packed full of fresh, succulent carrots!

Her eyes practically turned into the shape of carrots. She let out a gasp of wonder and hugged the bag to her chest, as if she were embracing the entire world.

About a quarter of an hour later, Xiao Wu rubbed her slightly rounded belly with satisfaction and let out a tiny, contented burp.

She turned on her side to look at Zhao Linchuan, who had already lain down with his hands behind his head. She blinked her large eyes and asked very earnestly:

"Is it true... that as long as I obediently warm your bed from now on, you'll have an endless supply of carrots?"

"Mm, that's right."

Zhao Linchuan turned his head, reached out to pinch her smooth cheek, and laughed:

"Just be my exclusive bed-warming maid from now on, and the carrots will be bottomless."

"Mm-mm-mm!" Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, a brilliant smile blooming on her face.

Half an hour later, Dorm Seven fell into total silence, with only the sound of steady breathing rising and falling.

Zhao Linchuan lay flat, staring at the blurred shadows on the ceiling, and whispered in his heart, System, fuse the Puni First Spirit Ring.

[Instruction confirmed. Beginning fusion with "Puni First Spirit Ring (Growth Type)".]

The moment the system prompt faded, a warm, majestic current surged from the depths of his dantian without warning. Like a bursting spring, it rushed rapidly toward his limbs and bones, flowing into every minute meridian!

This energy was not violent; rather, it was exceptionally gentle and pure. Wherever it passed, it brought an indescribable sense of comfort.

His muscles, bones, and even his blood vibrated slightly under the nourishment of this energy, emitting a joyful resonance.

A marvelous sensation of his life level being subtly elevated enveloped Zhao Linchuan.

"Mm... so comfortable..."

The sensation was so intense that Zhao Linchuan couldn't help but twitch slightly, a barely audible sigh escaping his throat.

However, at this subtle and private moment—

"Shoo!"

A faint sound of something cutting through the air suddenly came from Wang Sheng's bed across the way.

A white object was tossed with precision, landing right by Zhao Linchuan's pillow.

Zhao Linchuan caught it subconsciously. It felt soft... it was an unopened pack of tissues.

He turned his head in astonishment, only to see a dark shadow shifting on Wang Sheng's side. A muffled, lewd chuckle—barely audible but carrying a distinct "brother understands you" vibe—drifted over, before the room quickly returned to silence as if nothing had happened.

Zhao Linchuan froze for two seconds before realizing what that bastard Wang Sheng meant. Three black lines instantly slid down his forehead.

Damn it! he cursed inwardly. What is this nonsense! I'm absorbing a spirit ring! A spirit ring! Not doing that kind of thing! My reputation is ruined!

He gripped the pack of tissues, feeling both annoyed and amused. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it back with precision, hitting Wang Sheng's fat, suppressed-laughing face square on.

A muffled "Ouch" came from the darkness, and then Wang Sheng went completely still.

Too lazy to argue with a guy whose head was filled with yellow filth, Zhao Linchuan closed his eyes again and refocused his attention inward.

The spirit ring fusion was complete. Zhao Linchuan whispered to himself:

Three thousand years! Not bad. Zhao Linchuan felt a surge of joy.

At the same time, he felt his spirit power level climbing steadily under the feedback of the spirit ring's energy, eventually stabilizing at a clear level.

Level fourteen spirit power! Jumping straight from ten to fourteen, crossing the threshold from Spirit Scholar to Spirit Master, and gaining an extra three or four levels! The benefits of this first spirit ring are truly immense.

Not bad, a smooth start.

Zhao Linchuan thought with satisfaction, However, spirit bones need to be put on the agenda too. I wonder if the system's future mission rewards will include spirit bones that can grow or evolve infinitely...

I'll wait and see. If there isn't anything particularly suitable, those two divine bones of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings might be the best choice.

Two days later, Spirit City, Pope Palace.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan walked into the main hall with silent, rapid steps. He arrived before the Pope's imperial desk and knelt on one knee, "Your Holiness, there is urgent intelligence."

Bibi Dong, who was seated upon her throne and flipping through dossiers, slowly raised her head.

She wore the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown, her stunningly beautiful face appearing even more graceful and noble under the reflection of the pearls and jewels, making one afraid to look directly at her.

"Speak."

"Yes." Yue Guan took a deep breath and reported in a low voice, "A secret report just arrived from the Heaven Dou Empire's Nuoding City branch. After verification from multiple sources, it is confirmed... Haotian Douluo, Tang Hao, is dead."

"Tang Hao is dead?" A flicker of surprise flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes.

That Haotian Douluo, who had relied on his own strength to severely wound the previous Pope and fought his way out of the heavy encirclement of Spirit Hall, had actually died so quietly?

"What happened? Tell me in detail. Was it one of the elders from the Elder Hall who took action?" She thought of those reclusive elders immediately.

Yue Guan shook his head. "Reporting to Your Eminence, it was not the Elder Hall."

"According to the investigation from Nuoding City, about three days ago, an extremely... bizarre murder occurred outside the city."

"An adult male was dismembered, shredded into countless uniform pieces."

He paused, as if recalling the description made him feel uneasy as well.

"The local coroner spent a great deal of effort to barely piece the remains back together."

"By comparing physical characteristics, especially the residual soul power aura at the scene... it was finally confirmed that the deceased was indeed Haotian Douluo Tang Hao."

"As for who the killer was or what methods were used, apart from those terrifying cutting marks, no valuable clues were left at the scene."

"The elders of the Elder Hall have also had no records of leaving Spirit City recently."