The Fire Phoenix Martial Spirit that emerged behind Ma Hongjun, although still slightly inferior to Yuchen's divine Suzaku Martial Spirit, was nonetheless a tremendous leap in strength compared to before!
It now stands shoulder to shoulder with top-tier spirits like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and the Evil Eye White Tiger!
"Not bad, Fatty!"
"You've finally come around—looks like the grass chicken has turned into a phoenix!"
"To think our luck with Brother Chen would bring this much change. I regret not getting to know him sooner!"
Dai Mubai and Oscar, seeing the blazing Fire Phoenix behind Ma Hongjun, couldn't help but grin and tease.
Naturally, the center of it all was still Yuchen.
Although Ma Hongjun's martial spirit transformation was remarkable, the source of this change was clearly Yuchen's influence and guidance!
"Train hard."
"Who knows—maybe you'll catch up to me someday."
Yuchen smiled gently as he watched Ma Hongjun sparring with Tang San, his tone filled with encouragement and calm confidence.
"Catch up to Brother Chen? I wouldn't dare entertain such a foolish dream."
Still riding the high of his evolved spirit, Ma Hongjun quickly echoed Yuchen's words, laughing lightly.
"Brother Chen, Rongrong and I have both broken through to level 30 after absorbing the elixirs."
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing released their martial spirits as they walked over to Yuchen.
Because Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong had slightly higher cultivation foundations than Tang San and the others, the elixir boosted them directly to level 30 spirit power.
Right after, Xiao Wu, too, completed her absorption and similarly advanced to level 30.
Xiao Wu originally had the highest spirit power among the seven; her breakthrough came as no surprise.
"This is an amazing feeling—now all seven of us have reached level 30! And Brother Chen and Teacher Yu Xiaogang are already at level 40. We'll finally be able to get our next spirit rings together!"
Oscar and Ma Hongjun, seeing their teammates reach the new threshold after taking the elixirs, beamed with excitement.
"I must thank Xiao Chen properly. These elixirs are incredible, even for us older ones."
"Zhao and I both advanced by over two levels, and even Dragon Two, a Contra, made a breakthrough!"
"Wait a second… Rongrong, why does your martial spirit seem… different?"
At that moment, Flender and Yu Xiaogang, who had also absorbed the medicinal herbs, turned toward Yu Chen with visible gratitude—until Yu Xiaogang suddenly paused mid-sentence, his eyes fixed on Ning Rongrong's martial spirit: the Qibao Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Hmm?"
Everyone turned to Ning Rongrong upon hearing the shift in tone.
"This… why does it look taller?"
"One, two… six, seven! Eight! Nine!"
Ning Rongrong, focusing on her spirit, blinked in disbelief. As her gaze locked on the shining tower in her hand, her whole body trembled.
Her martial spirit—the Qibao Glazed Tile Pagoda—had evolved!
From seven floors, it had become nine.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!
The Qibao Glazed Pagoda was already known as the best auxiliary martial spirit in the world, but it came with an inherent limit—seven levels, seven spirit rings, and a lifelong cap at level 79.
Even Ning Fengzhi, her father and the current Sect Master, was stuck at level 79.
But now, the martial spirit in her hands had transcended those limitations—the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda meant nine rings and the potential to reach Title Douluo!
"Rongrong's martial spirit also underwent a bloodline evolution like mine!"
"Hey, Rongrong, fair warning—I'm lining up to be Brother Chen's number one follower! You'll have to wait your turn!"
Ma Hongjun, ever the jokester, scrambled to Yuchen's side, fearing Ning Rongrong might 'cut in line.'
"Brother Chen… the appearance of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is of massive importance to my clan. If I'm not mistaken, this could mean… I may be bound to you in more ways than one…"
Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed, but her voice was clear and resolute. After a moment of hesitation, she brought out her family's token and infused it with soul power.
Buzz!
As her soul power entered, the token released a brilliant light, bathing the room in radiance.
"This… this is too sudden."
Everyone froze at Ning Rongrong's words.
No one expected such a bold confession. Even Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's expressions subtly shifted upon hearing it.
Crack!
"Who dares trouble our little princess again?"
"Rongrong, don't tell me you've pledged yourself to…"
A spatial rift opened suddenly before Ning Rongrong. From within stepped Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin.
Upon appearing, Ning Fengzhi glanced calmly at Yuchen, then shifted his gaze to his daughter.
"You two old coots again, huh?"
Dugu Bo, sensing the familiar auras, arrived not long after. Seeing the group gathered and sensing their soaring spirit power, he couldn't help but furrow his brows in amazement.
Just how did Dai Mubai and the others suddenly advance to level 30?
"Father, please see for yourself."
At Ning Rongrong's request, she activated her martial spirit.
Given the significance of a change in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Ning Fengzhi had to confirm with his own eyes.
Buzz!
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda stood tall, each of its nine floors glowing softly.
"Hmm? Rongrong, your martial spirit—it's… different. And your spirit power… has reached level 30 already?"
"Wait… Nine floors?! A Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"
Ning Fengzhi, initially confused, staggered as realization dawned.
As the patriarch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, no one understood better than him how monumental this was!
The Nine Treasure variant was an entirely different class from the Seven Treasure version!
"Nine… Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"
Even Gu Rong, Chen Xin, and Dugu Bo—all of them Title Douluo—gasped in unison upon seeing the ninth level.
Gu Rong and Chen Xin, long-time members of the Sect, turned solemn.
"What's going on? Rongrong, how did your spirit evolve into the Nine Treasure variant?"
"It was Brother Chen's elixir—Qiluo Tulip."
"My Qibao Glazed Tile Pagoda evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda thanks to him."
Ning Rongrong answered without hesitation, pointing straight at Yuchen.
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