"It's fine." Ning Rongrong shook her head.
She was simply preparing for her next realm breakthrough, borrowing the energy from shattered soul rings.
Using a higher level of power had placed a heavy burden on her body and spirit, that was all.
There was no need to say it out loud and cause unnecessary worry.
"I have two portions of whale glue from the hundred-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca King." Ning Rongrong changed the subject and took out two palm-sized pieces of golden flesh that carried a faint fishy smell from her soul tool.
"Whale glue from the Evil Spirit Orca King! The last time we got any was several years ago."
Looking at the two pieces, Ning Fengzhi's attention was successfully diverted.
"I don't need whale glue myself. You can decide how to distribute it. The most important thing is to reach level 99 as quickly as possible."
"Rongrong, you seem to be in quite a hurry." A trace of doubt appeared on Ning Fengzhi's face.
After a long silence, Ning Rongrong said, "I met the Sea God earlier. I'm not sure if I've been targeted, but even if I have, the God Realm is jointly ruled by the five great God Kings. He can't act freely."
"Still, there's no harm in raising our strength quickly. If it weren't for the hundred-thousand-year soul rings, I wouldn't have wanted the matter of the hundred-thousand-year soul bones to be known by the enshrined elders."
Ning Rongrong sighed as she spoke.
There were always those closer and those farther away. In the end, the ones she trusted most were still her father and the two Title Douluo, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
As for the other enshrined elders…
Ning Rongrong didn't dwell on it. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared in her palm.
A strange object resembling an eyeball fell into her empty left hand.
The moment it touched her hand, the pressure it released caused the expressions of Ning Fengzhi and the other two to change slightly.
"Rongrong, this is…" Looking at the strange, radiant eyeball, the three were extremely curious. They had a vague guess but weren't certain.
"The externally-attached soul bone Spirit Eye dropped by the 600,000-year Sea Princess. It can amplify mental power and manifest mental energy for both offense and defense."
"If developed properly, it should be able to block attacks from a level 99 Title Douluo. Your defense is really too weak, Dad."
Although the Mirror Destruction and Soul Capture of the Evil Spirit Orca King were good, against truly powerful soul masters they had limited effect at critical moments.
An externally-attached soul bone was different—it could grow, especially one of 600,000 years.
"This kind of rare externally-attached soul bone shouldn't be given to me." Ning Fengzhi shook his head and didn't accept it. He would be lying if he said he didn't want it, but Ning Rongrong was clearly favoring him too much.
Seeing his hesitation, Ning Rongrong smiled and said, "Don't worry about Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone. I've prepared a portion of second-class god sword dao comprehension for Grandpa Sword."
"Second-class god comprehension?" Sword Douluo was stunned. He had no objection to the mental-type soul bone going to Ning Fengzhi, but the fact that Ning Rongrong had also prepared a gift for him—and a god-level one at that—left him astonished.
"That's right. It's the sword technique comprehension of Hypnos and part of the Asura God." Ning Rongrong continued,
"When I killed Hypnos, I extracted his memories and experiences, but that volume is simply too vast and carries extremely heavy murderous aura."
"With my current strength, I can't guarantee that giving it to Grandpa Sword won't affect his personality."
"This…"
Sword Douluo opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to start.
"Don't worry. After this seclusion ends, it should be fine. Even if I'm still not confident then, once I reach the absolute Extreme of Heart, I can protect Grandpa Sword from the murderous aura while he comprehends it."
"Just wait a little longer, Grandpa Sword." Ning Rongrong smiled. "I once said that the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School would never again have to fear any force on the continent. I wasn't joking!"
With that, Ning Rongrong turned her gaze to Bone Douluo on her other side.
"Grandpa Bone's martial soul, the Bone God Dragon, mainly involves space and darkness, but because of its soul skills it leans more toward defense."
"I've also thought about how to improve it." Ning Rongrong pondered as she spoke. "As long as we strengthen the darkness and space aspects, Grandpa Bone should be able to break through to level 99."
"It's even possible to reach quasi-god level."
"Rongrong, you really don't need to think so much for us." Bone Douluo sighed. "You're the junior, yet it feels like we're the ones being protected by you."
"Mm, it's fine!" Ning Rongrong smiled brightly. "We're family, aren't we?"
"Helping each other is only natural!"
"Dad, Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone…" Ning Rongrong continued, "Actually, I have my own selfish motives. Hundred-thousand-year soul bones can improve a soul master's aptitude to a certain extent. If possible, I'd rather the three of you absorbed all the hundred-thousand-year soul bones yourselves."
"I know that's impossible. Since I decided to take them out, a portion has to be shared with the other enshrined elders."
"Anyway, handle the soul bone distribution however you see fit!"
"After this seclusion ends, I hope Grandpa Bone will come with me to the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest."
"The Star Dou Great Forest?" Bone Douluo looked puzzled.
"That's right." Ning Rongrong nodded. "To evolve a martial soul, bathing in dragon blood is the simplest method, and the Star Dou Great Forest happens to have it—whether it's the Golden Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian or the Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena."
"Their blood should be useful to you, Grandpa Bone."
"Rongrong, that's too outrageous." Bone Douluo's scalp went numb just hearing it.
Asking Di Tian and Gu Yuena for dragon blood—wasn't that courting death?
"Don't worry!" Ning Rongrong gave Bone Douluo a reassuring look.
"Moderate blood donation is good for a dragon's physical and mental health. It promotes blood circulation and metabolism."
"I think they'll give me some face."
Bone Douluo: "…"
"Anyway, that's the plan!" Ning Rongrong clapped her hands and stuffed the externally-attached soul bone into Ning Fengzhi's hand.
"I've said everything that needs to be said. Dad, absorb this eye as quickly as possible. It should let you jump from level 95 to around 97."
The three were still reeling from the earlier information and hadn't recovered. Ning Fengzhi blankly stared at the eyeball in his hand that shimmered with hazy light.
"Come out already. How much longer do you plan to eavesdrop?"
Ning Rongrong's sudden words startled Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo.
Before the three could ask, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda trembled lightly.
A black shadow shot out from within and quickly took human form. It was Tokisaki Kurumi in her gothic lolita dress. She first lifted the hem of her skirt with her fingers and curtsied to Ning Rongrong.
"Master, long time no see."
"You woke up long ago. Don't think I didn't know." Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes. "You received all the information I sent you, right?"
Hearing this, Tokisaki Kurumi drooped her cat-like face in resignation. "Yes, yes, I know. Can I go on strike?"
"What do you think?" Ning Rongrong countered.
Tokisaki Kurumi: "…"
"Seriously, the moment I wake up you make me work. You capitalist."
Tokisaki Kurumi yawned with her hand over her mouth, her face full of exasperation.
"Cut the nonsense. If I die in the future, you won't fare much better." Ning Rongrong tossed the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda over. "I'm going into seclusion next. Take care of the things I told you."
"Got it, got it." Tokisaki Kurumi shrugged helplessly.
"Rongrong, this is…" The three looked at each other.
"My relationship with Kurumi is special. Just as I can use her power, she can also use part of mine."
"Let her handle helping the enshrined elders break through to Title Douluo. I need to quickly eliminate the aftereffects of the previous battle."
"Rongrong, is this really okay?" Bone Douluo's expression was grave. Honestly, though he didn't fully understand the relationship between Ning Rongrong and Kurumi, he just felt this thing wasn't very trustworthy.
The enshrined elders of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School might sometimes act entitled due to their seniority, but they were soul masters who had contributed greatly to the sect. If this Dark Devilgod Tiger caused them to explode and die, wouldn't they cry themselves to death?
The Dark Devilgod Tiger—throughout history, countless soul masters had been scammed out of everything, even their lives, and some lost far more than just their underwear.
(End of chapter)