Zhu Zhuqing knew that no matter how hard she worked, she would struggle to change the rules of the Star Luo Empire and the Zhu Family.
But in this pill, she saw hope.
Now she finally understood why Ning Chuan had said, "If becoming a Titled Douluo isn't enough, then become a god."
"Young Master Ning, Your Eminence Sword Douluo, thank you. I will never fail the sect for as long as I live!" Holding the pill, Zhu Zhuqing knelt with heartfelt sincerity.
Sword Douluo nodded, then lifted her to her feet with his soul power.
"Child, you're a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Rongrong's dear friend. From now on, treat the sect as your own home! When you see me, you can call me Sword Grandpa, just as Rongrong does. And don't be so distant with Ning Chuan, either. He's older than you, so calling him your brother won't cost you anything!" Sword Douluo said with a smile.
"Yes!" Zhu Zhuqing nodded emphatically. In Sword Douluo and Ning Chuan, she felt the warmth of family that she had not experienced in so long.
Brother Ning, Sword Grandpa! I will remember this kindness forever! she vowed silently, then swallowed the pill.
Just like Ning Rongrong, after Zhu Zhuqing took the pill, her soul power surged, and her martial soul began to change.
In the end, her Hell Spirit Cat evolved into a Nine Nether Dark Cat, and her soul power level reached forty, just like Ning Rongrong's.
Wrapped in a divine aura, the two hovered in the air for over an hour before slowly descending.
Once they had fully absorbed the pill's medicinal properties, both girls' bearing underwent a tremendous change.
Faint, nine-colored light shimmered around Ning Rongrong. Radiant and glowing, she resembled a goddess who had strayed into the mortal world;
Beside her, a shadowy aura wreathed Zhu Zhuqing, its chill contained within. She seemed to have emerged from the depths of the Nine Nether, cold, ethereal, and distant, her presence striking awe into the soul.
"Fifth Brother, Sword Grandpa, I love you both so much!" Ning Rongrong cried as she threw herself toward them.
Zhu Zhuqing was equally overwhelmed with excitement.
She knew that words could no longer express her gratitude for this kindness, so she stood quietly to one side, gazing at Ning Chuan and the other two with a heart full of thanks.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing's fixation on the Star Luo Empire and the Zhu Family vanished without a trace.
She no longer cared what would become of the Star Luo Empire or the Zhu Family. Now, all she wanted was to protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
A short while later, Sword Douluo looked at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing and said, "Rongrong, the auras you and Zhu Zhuqing are giving off are far too extraordinary. They hold an immense attraction for Titled Douluos. I suspect that the closer someone is to level one hundred, the more sensitive they become to this aura. We must find a way to suppress it, lest it bring unnecessary trouble!"
"All right, Sword Grandpa! We'll see if we can conceal our auras," Ning Rongrong replied. The two then began practicing inside the cave.
However, suppressing this extraordinary aura was no easy task.
Seeing this, Sword Douluo immediately began discussing the matter with Ning Chuan through soul transmission.
"Xiao Chuan, the soul cultivation method should help them conceal their auras. But this method has far-reaching implications for the soul master world. I'm still somewhat uneasy about teaching it to Zhu Zhuqing," Sword Douluo said.
Ning Chuan shared that concern. He had never intended to teach Zhu Zhuqing the cultivation methods on this visit, but events had developed beyond his expectations. He knew very well that leaving their auras unconcealed would have even greater consequences.
He had no desire to draw out Bibi Dong or that bunch of old fellows from the Worship Hall too soon.
"Why not have them stay away from Blue Tyrant Academy?" Sword Douluo suggested.
Ning Chuan had long wanted to split up the Shrek Seven Devils, but back on Heart Lake Island, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had already made it clear that they had promised Shrek Academy they would compete together in the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Ning Chuan knew they were not the sort to betray their word, so he did not want to put them in a difficult position.
Besides, if they did not return, Shrek Academy would certainly refuse to let the matter rest. Who knew what rumors Yu Xiaogang might spread about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect then?
With that thought, Ning Chuan said outright, "Sword Grandpa, as the saying goes, trust those you employ, and do not employ those you distrust. I intend to teach Miss Zhu Zhuqing the Soul Power Cultivation Method as well!"
After a moment's consideration, Sword Douluo replied, "All right. Your Sword Grandpa trusts your judgment. However, their soul power has suddenly risen so much that Shrek will inevitably grow suspicious when they return. We must find a reasonable explanation."
"There's no need for that!" Ning Chuan said. "Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing will be competing for Shrek. Naturally, the stronger they are, the happier Shrek will be. They'll have suspicions and investigate, but as long as the cultivation methods aren't exposed, there's nothing to worry about!"
Sword Douluo thought it over and found Ning Chuan's reasoning sound. He nodded. "True. In any case, Blue Tyrant Academy isn't very far from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Old Bone and I can take turns standing guard nearby. Then we won't have to worry about anything going wrong!"
Once they had settled the matter through soul transmission, they decided to have Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing stay in the sect for a few more days. Sword Douluo would personally guide them in practicing the soul cultivation method, ensuring that they could suppress their divine auras on their own before letting them go to Blue Tyrant Academy.
Ning Chuan had already made up his mind. Once matters here were settled, he would immediately head to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and refine all the immortal herbs there into pills.
When the time came, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Dugu Bo would be the first to receive the pills;
For Titled Douluos, the increase in soul power level would certainly not be as dramatic as it had been for Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, but even one or two levels would bring a qualitative leap in strength.
With the pills and the intermediate Soul Power Cultivation Method to help him, Ning Chuan believed Sword Douluo stood a very good chance of reaching level ninety-nine before the next Soul Master Tournament began.
Dugu Bo in particular had obtained the Poison Scripture. As long as he could reach level ninety-five or above, his deterrent power could, in a certain sense, surpass even that of a level ninety-nine Limit Douluo.
Together with Bone Douluo and Ning Fengzhi, who had broken through the shackles of his martial soul, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's overall strength would surely reach unprecedented heights.
When that happened, even Spirit Hall would have to weigh carefully whether making an enemy of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was worthwhile.
While Ning Chuan pondered all this, Sword Douluo had already imparted the intermediate soul master cultivation method and the beginner soul cultivation method to Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
Unsurprisingly, their reactions were even more excited than when they had taken the pills.
Ning Rongrong took it a little better, since she had already practiced the beginner soul power cultivation method.
This was Zhu Zhuqing's first encounter with such heaven-defying cultivation methods. After experiencing their effects, she was struck dumb on the spot.
Everything that had happened today felt far too much like a dream to her.
She pinched herself hard before finally confirming that she was not dreaming.
"Sword Grandpa, can... can... can you really teach me these two cultivation methods?" After briefly exploring them, Zhu Zhuqing understood what these two methods meant for the soul master world.
The pill earlier had already made her feel unworthy of such a gift. These cultivation methods overturned everything she had ever known.
She did not understand. She had only followed Ning Rongrong here because she was curious about what the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was like, yet the sect had opened its heart to her and treated her with such generosity.
At that moment, she felt that even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect intended to raise her as a sworn warrior ready to die for it, she would willingly accept.
Watching Zhu Zhuqing's reaction and changing expression, Sword Douluo knew that Ning Chuan had judged her correctly. Still, the necessary warning had to be given. He said solemnly, "Child, these two cultivation methods concern the very foundation of the sect. Without the sect's permission, you must never pass them on to outsiders. Do you understand?"
Zhu Zhuqing immediately nodded. "Rest assured, Sword Grandpa. Even if it costs me my life, I will never divulge these cultivation methods!"
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