Martial Soul Evolution!

Ning Fengzhi wore a look of relief and open-mindedness. He ruffled Ning Xiaochun's hair, his tone as casual as if they were discussing what to have for dinner. "I thought it was something serious. Is that all?"

"Huh?" Ning Xiaochun was stunned.

"The Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda is, of course, a heaven-sent opportunity. But opportunities are static; people are dynamic."

Ning Fengzhi's gaze swept over the two Qiluo Tulips before returning to his son's face, his eyes filled with undisguised pride and affection.

"What difference does it make if you use these immortal herbs, or if Rongrong uses them, or even if I use them? Aren't they all benefiting the children of our Ning family? I am old, and my potential is exhausted. Even if I evolved my Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, my future achievements might not surpass yours. Rongrong is still young, and her talent has yet to fully manifest. She has infinite possibilities ahead. Even without these herbs, with you as her brother and the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect behind her, she will surely live a safe and happy life."

He paused, his expression turning profound and wise—the look of a sect master weighing decisions.

"But Xiaochun, you are different. You are a twin martial soul user with innate full soul power. You are the future hope of our Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and the key to dealing with the 'crises' you speak of. Your strength is the sect's greatest guarantee."

Ning Fengzhi's words hit Ning Xiaochun's heart like a warm current, yet also like a heavy hammer.

His father had ceded the opportunity to him, framing it with such grand justification that he was left with no room to argue.

"But..." Ning Xiaochun tried to say more.

"Besides, you've overlooked the most important issue." Ning Fengzhi interrupted him, reaching out to tap Ning Xiaochun's forehead with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Silly boy, you have two pagodas! The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda and the Seven Killings Glazed Pagoda! Are two Qiluo Tulips... really enough? Can they evolve both martial souls at the same time?"

Boom!

It was like a thunderclap in his mind; Ning Xiaochun froze instantly!

Right! How could he have forgotten that?! He had twin martial souls! Two pagodas!

The effect of the Aromatic Silk Beauty was to sublimate and evolve the origin of "pagoda" type martial souls.

Could the medicinal power of a single immortal herb support the simultaneous evolution of two top-tier martial souls? If the power were insufficient, leading to an incomplete evolution or even a backlash, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Risk! A massive risk! Ning Xiaochun's "prudence" nerve tightened instantly.

If he only consumed one, should he choose to evolve the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda or the Seven Killings Glazed Pagoda?

Whichever he chose, the other martial soul might lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Moreover, no one could guarantee that a single herb would ensure a one-hundred-percent successful evolution.

Two... seemed to be the "stable" choice. One for each pagoda to ensure the success rate and integrity of the evolution.

But if he did that, then Rongrong would...

Selfishness and responsibility, family affection and the big picture, safety and risk—various thoughts warred violently within Ning Xiaochun, causing his little face to crumple.

At his core, he was a kind child. Letting him hog two immortal herbs that might determine his sister's future was a hurdle he couldn't easily clear, even if it was the "safest" plan.

Ning Fengzhi took in his son's struggle, feeling both gratified and pained.

He was gratified by his son's kindness and sense of responsibility, but pained that he had to face such a choice at such a young age.

He knew that with his son's overly high "moral compass," if he didn't give him a push, he might agonize over this until nightfall.

Thus, while Ning Xiaochun was staring blankly at the Qiluo Tulips, caught in an internal battle, Ning Fengzhi moved.

His movements were as swift as lightning. With a gentle but firm sweep of soul power, he uprooted the two Qiluo Tulips, which were radiating an alluring glow.

Before Ning Xiaochun could react, with lightning speed, he shoved them directly into the boy's slightly parted mouth!

"Mmph—!?"

Ning Xiaochun's eyes went wide. He felt two indescribable, massive waves of medicinal power—fragrant, cool, and potent—rush into his throat like a burst dam.

They quickly transformed into two similar yet distinct warm currents, surging irresistibly toward his limbs and bones, and... toward the two glazed pagodas quietly hovering in his dantian!

"Refine them properly! Stop overthinking!" Ning Fengzhi's voice rang in his ears, carrying unquestionable authority and hidden tenderness.

"That child Rongrong will have plenty of opportunities in the future! At worst, as her brother, once you become strong, you can ensure she lives a safe and happy life forever, protecting her through all her days! That is the choice a man should make!"

"Now, focus! Circulate your soul power and guide the medicinal energy! Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, Brother Dugu, guard us!"

As he finished speaking, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Dugu Bo moved in unison. With tacit understanding, they stood at the four cardinal directions, surrounding the three children—Dugu Yan, Shui Bing'er, and Ning Xiaochun—who were currently absorbing the immortal herbs. Their massive soul power connected, forming an invisible defensive field that isolated them from the outside world while remaining vigilant against any unexpected accidents.

Ning Xiaochun could no longer afford to think of anything else. Two massive, pure currents of medicinal power rampaged through his body. Although their nature was gentle and non-destructive, the feeling of fullness and the intense pull and impact on the origins of his two martial souls from deep within his soul forced him to immediately gather all his focus.

He sat cross-legged and channeled the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's meditation technique to its limit, guiding the two warm currents toward his left and right palms, the sources of his two martial souls.

He could clearly "see" the two golden currents, imbued with a strange rhythm, acting like the most skillful craftsmen and the gentlest mothers, beginning to meticulously wash, soak, and carve every inch of his two glazed pagodas.

A tingling, itchy sensation, accompanied by an indescribable comfort and a slight trembling at the soul level, swept through his entire body.

He forced himself to forget his guilt toward his sister and devoted himself entirely to this rare opportunity for evolution.

His father was right: becoming strong himself was the prerequisite for protecting everything. If he wasn't strong enough to protect himself and those around him, what future could there be?

Beside the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, time passed quietly. Only the gurgling sound of the ice and fire springs and the increasingly dense fluctuations of heaven and earth energy in the air hinted at the miracle taking place.

The first to finish the absorption was Dugu Yan.

The ink-green soul power radiance around her body suddenly retracted, then erupted once more, becoming more solid and profound than before, even faintly revealing a hint of dark red.

A sharp, hissing screech emanated from within her. Behind her, the phantom of the Jade Phosphorus Serpent Emperor appeared once again, but this time, the serpent's body seemed longer and more powerful. Two small bumps had appeared on its head, and the edges of its scales shimmered with a metallic, dark-red luster. Its aura of ferocity surged—it had clearly completed its initial evolution!

The soul power fluctuations radiating from her body had surged directly to level 30; she only needed a single soul ring to become a three-ring Soul Venerable!

Dugu Yan was not even fourteen years old yet, which was truly impressive.

"Level thirty! Martial soul evolution! Hahaha! Good! My good granddaughter!"

Dugu Bo was overcome with joy, laughing toward the sky as his excitement spilled over. He looked at Ning Xiaochun, who was still absorbing the energy with his eyes closed, the gratitude in his eyes nearly overflowing.

If not for this adopted grandson, not only would his and Yan'yan's lives have been in jeopardy, but such a fortuitous encounter would have been entirely out of the question.

Immediately following this, a drastic change occurred on Shui Bing'er's side.