Ye Lingling slowly raised both hands, her ten fingers spreading gently. With a single thought, a dazzling and brilliant Ten-Heart Begonia slowly bloomed in her palm.
A golden light radiated from the Ten-Heart Begonia, like the first light of dawn gentle and full of vitality.
That light descended upon Shui Bing'er, enveloping her whole body.
Shui Bing'er had her eyes closed in focused meditation, her face slightly pale, clearly due to the massive soul power consumed while absorbing the Ice Dragon Bone earlier.
But under the golden light's embrace, soft halos began to ripple around her body.
Her aura gradually became stable, and the soul power she had lost was recovering at an astonishing rate.
At the same time, a streak of reddish-golden light shot out from Yan's fingertip, entering directly into Shui Bing'er's forehead.
It was Yan's spiritual power, aiding Shui Bing'er in stabilizing her mind.
With the help of the two, Shui Bing'er's breathing grew increasingly even, and color gradually returned to her face.
Time passed quietly.
When the first ray of morning light pierced through the clouds and gently spilled onto the earth, Shui Bing'er finally opened her eyes slowly.
A flash of ice-blue light shimmered in her eyes, clean and crystal-clear.
"I did it…"
Shui Bing'er softly murmured, her voice filled with undisguisable excitement and joy.
She could feel the unprecedented power surging within her body. The Ice Dragon Bone had completely fused into her marrow and blood, elevating her strength to a whole new level.
Ye Lingling and Yan exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with mutual relief and satisfaction.
"Bing'er, congratulations," Ye Lingling sincerely offered her blessings.
She could already sense the tremendous change in Shui Bing'er's aura after she had absorbed the Ice Dragon Bone.
Shui Bing'er looked at Yan and Ye Lingling, her eyes full of gratitude.
She knew that the two of them had guarded her throughout the entire night.
"Brother Yan, Lingling, thank you. Without your help, I couldn't have successfully absorbed the Ice Dragon Bone."
Yan smiled and said:
"If I'm not mistaken, your ice power within should've increased quite a bit, right?"
Shui Bing'er lightly nodded.
"Mm. That Ice Dragon Bone was truly incredible. It has completely merged with my body and evolved my ice power into Ultimate Ice."
"Evolved straight into Ultimate Ice, how amazing!" Ye Lingling exclaimed in awe.
Shui Bing'er herself felt it was unbelievable as she continued:
Ultimate Ice is the highest realm ice power can reach. I never imagined I'd attain it so early. And because of it, I also gained an Ultimate frost domain that can both boost my own strength and weaken opponents."
All of this had been within Yan's expectations.
After all, it was the remnant power of a god-level soul beasi it was bound to be extraordinary.
"Ultimate Ice, Ultimate Frost Domain, that's truly impressive. Bing'er, your soul power should've surpassed level sixty by now, right?"
"Mm. It all feels like a dream, too unreal. Yesterday, I was still at level fifty-four, but after absorbing the immortal herb and the Ice Dragon Bone, my level jumped Ultimat I broke through level sixty in one go."
Yan smiled calmly.
"Based on my estimation, after absorbing that Ice Dragon Bone, your soul power increased by at least six levels. It's just that you haven't obtained your sixth soul ring yet, so the excess soul power hasn't manifested."
"Six levels?"
Shui Bing'er and Ye Lingling looked at each other in disbelief.
Ye Lingling smiled and said:
"Then once Bing'er obtains her sixth soul ring, she might reach level sixty-five or so."
Yan nodded.
"Very likely. Feng Xiaotian is also about to break through Level 60. Once we return, let's go to the Star Dou Great Forest together and help both of you find suitable spirit beasts to obtain your sixth spirit rings.
"Alright. Brother Yan, we'll follow your arrangements".
Afterward, the six of them regrouped and rented a large carriage, heading west.
For the sake of safety, the six of them shared one carriage.
Yan and Ye Lingling had stayed up all night protecting Shui Bing'er while she absorbed the dragon bone, barely getting any sleep.
After boarding the carriage, the two immediately began meditating to rest.
By the time Yan opened his eyes again, it was already evening.
The carriage had stopped at a small town, and the group found an inn to rest.
After dinner, Yan knocked on Shui Bing'er's room door.
This inn wasn't large, and Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, and Ye Lingling were sharing one room.
It was Huo Wu who opened the door.
"Brother Yan, are you here for Bing'er?"
"Mm. Is she in?"
"She is. I'll go call her."
Huo Wu pulled Shui Bing'er aside and whispered in her ear:
"Bing'er, Brother Yan came looking for you. You'd better seize this opportunity."
"But I…"
"No buts. You fell in love with Brother Yan at first sight and have liked him for years. Brother Yan treats you well too. Even I'm anxious for you two. Go quickly."
Huo Wu gave Shui Bing'er a little push and made a mischievous face at Yan.
"Hope you two have a good time!"
After stepping out of the room, Shui Bing'er smiled awkwardly.
"Brother Yan, where are we going?"
"Come with me."
A crimson figure leapt into the air, followed closely by an ice-blue figure.
The two arrived at a deserted area.
The moonlight was beautiful tonight, its silvery glow casting dappled shadows over the two of them.
A gentle breeze brushed past their faces, making the moment feel serene and refreshing.
Being alone with Yan, Shui Bing'er felt happy but also quite nervous.
"Bing'er, are you afraid?"
Shui Bing'er gently shook her head.
"Brother Yan, with you here, I'm not afraid of anything."
Yan held a significant place in Shui Bing'er's heart. She had always repressed her feelings and maintained her composure, unsure of what role she played in Yan's eyes.
With Huo Wu's encouragement, she wanted to try opening her heart to Yan.
Suddenly, Yan said:
"Bing'er, if one day I became your enemy, would you be afraid?"
Hearing this, Shui Bing'er was startled.
"Brother Yan, what's wrong? Why would you say that all of a sudden?"
"Actually, the reason I came to find you all this time was under the order of the Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong to recruit you into the Spirit Hall. I know you're all from the Heaven Dou Empire and valued by Emperor Xue Ye, so it's impossible for you to join the Spirit Hall."
Shui Bing'er froze. What she feared most had finally happened.
She had never confessed her feelings to Yan because he belonged to the Spirit Hall.
And she could never join the Spirit Hall under Bibi Dong's control.
"Brother Yan, if we don't join the Spirit Hall… what will happen?"
Yan said slowly:
"You've seen it yourself the Spirit Hall's power is growing stronger by the day. The conflict between the two great empires continues to intensify. War will inevitably break out on the Douluo Continent. By then, no faction will be able to stand against the mighty Spirit Hall. All who oppose it will be purged."
Shui Bing'er also understood that what Yan said would inevitably come true.
Everyone belonged to their own sides, with no control over their fate they might truly face each other as enemies on the battlefield.
"Brother Yan, even though you're from the Spirit Hall, I don't want to be your enemy. If that day truly comes, then even if I die… I want to die by your hand."