The return journey from the Sunset Forest was a quiet, triumphant procession. The air in the carriage, once filled with the nervous energy of the hunt, now hummed with the potent, thrumming aura of newfound power. The three of them had not just crossed a threshold; they had taken a quantum leap forward.
Ning Rongrong, having absorbed a four-thousand-one-hundred-year-old spirit ring, felt the potent energy from the beast, combined with the reservoir of power from her accumulated pills, surge through her newly expanded meridians. When the light of her breakthrough faded, she had not just reached Level 31. She had soared directly to Level 32.
Zhang Tian's advancement was just as profound. The nearly five-thousand-year-old Jade Weaver Banyan's spirit ring was a torrent of pure, ancient energy. Combined with the foundation laid by his pills, it pushed him past two consecutive bottlenecks. When he opened his eyes, he was a Level 33 Spirit Elder.
But it was Zhu Zhuqing who had experienced the most dramatic transformation. The sheer, untamed power of a nearly six-thousand-year-old Midnight Tyrant Lion was a raging storm within her. Her body, tempered by the Whale Gum along with her foundation through Zhang Tian's pills, was the only thing that allowed her to contain it. The energy propelled her past four ranks, settling her firmly at an astonishing Level 34.
Upon their return to the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Sect, a period of intense consolidation began. The two girls, now Spirit Elders, threw themselves into their training with a renewed, almost fanatical zeal. Ning Rongrong stood in the main training courtyard, her Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Pagoda shimmering with a new, blinding brilliance. Before her stood four of the sect's most elite Spirit Emperor guards.
"Four Aperture Constant Heart!" she would command, and her spirit power would split, a complex, beautiful symphony of light as she simultaneously applied three different forty-percent buffs to each of the four powerful men, testing the limits of her new control.
Zhu Zhuqing spent her days in the dark-attribute simulation field, a black phantom dancing amidst shadows. She wasn't just practicing her new Eclipse Ray Strike; she was learning to feel her darkness attribute, to command it, to weave it into her very movements, making her already stealthy steps even more silent, her presence even more difficult to detect.
Zhang Tian, for his part, retreated once more to the quiet solitude of his laboratory. He spent hours with his Blood Silver Grass, experimenting with its new properties. He would weave a patch of grass as soft and yielding as velvet, and then with a single thought, transform it into a field of razor-sharp, steel-hard blades that could slice through an iron plate. His mind was a whirlwind of new ideas for deadly, self-created skills.
One sunny afternoon, the trio gathered in Zhang Tian's luxurious suite. He lay on the long, velvet couch, a picture of relaxed contentment. His head rested comfortably on the soft, gentle lap of Ning Rongrong, who sat at one end, her fingers idly carding through his long, silky blue hair. His legs were stretched out, his feet propped up on the surprisingly soft and plump thighs of Zhu Zhuqing, who sat at the other end, her slender, skilled fingers methodically massaging the arches of his feet.
He held a thick, leather-bound report in his hands, his eyes scanning the neat script of a sect intelligence agent.
'His hair is so soft,' Ning Rongrong thought, a dreamy, contented smile on her face as she let the silky blue strands run through her fingers. 'And it smells so good. Like sandalwood and clean rain. I could do this forever.'
Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts were running along a far more… practical line. 'His feet are so strong. I wonder if the rest of his body is this tired. Maybe tonight… if Rongrong falls asleep early again… I can convince him to let me give him a full-body massage. With my body.' A faint, secret blush warmed her cheeks at the thought.
'So, Qin Ming and his Emperor Team are making their rounds,' Zhang Tian thought, absorbing the information from the report. 'They're touring the major arenas, a "friendly" tour to temper the arrogance of the empire's so-called geniuses. A good strategy.'
His eyes flickered to the next section of the report, and a faint, cold smile touched his lips. 'And the destruction of Suotuo City's plaza is still a hot topic. The Spirit Hall and the Empire have dispatched investigative teams, all chasing ghosts. Just as I planned.' He could almost feel the phantom heat of Tang Hao's rage, a rage he had so carefully stoked.
The report detailed a series of brutal, targeted attacks on several of the Spirit Hall's remote branches in the Fasno and Barien Kingdoms over the past two months. The attacks were swift, overwhelming, and left no survivors. Then, fifteen days ago, they had stopped as suddenly as they had begun.
'He's leading them on a wild goose chase,' Zhang Tian deduced, tracing the locations on a mental map. 'Drawing their attention far away from Suotuo, far away from Silves City, giving his precious little imposter the space and time he needs to grow. How predictable. How… paternal.'
The final section of the report detailed the recent exploits of the "Shrek Five Devils" in the Great Spirit Arena of Silves City. Their undefeated streak in the five-on-five matches, Tang San's high win rate in the one-on-ones. It was all laid out in cold, emotionless text.
'They're building their strength, their cohesion,' he noted. 'But without Rongrong and Zhuqing, they're still just a five-man team. They can't participate in the standard seven-on-seven matches. That means they won't clash with Qin Ming's Emperor Team in the arena.'
A new, critical thought clicked into place, a key turning in a lock. 'Which means there will be no confrontation. No Dugu Yan and her Jade Phosphor Serpent poison. No reason for Dugu Bo to ever notice Tang San.'
The chain of causality was clear in his mind. 'And if Dugu Bo doesn't kidnap Tang San, then Tang San never gets taken to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He never gets the chance to steal the immortal herbs. The greatest opportunity of his entire life… it's now hanging ripe on the vine, completely unguarded.'
A cold, predatory fire ignited in his eyes. 'The herbs that can grant physical invulnerability, that can allow a spirit to evolve, that can resurrect the dead… and most importantly, the herb I need to restore Ah Yin's physical body. It's all just sitting there. Waiting for me.'
He couldn't be hasty. He wasn't strong enough to face a Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo directly. But the urgency was a new, driving force. He had to accelerate his plans.
He slowly sat up, dislodging the two comfortable girls. Ning Rongrong pouted, while Zhu Zhuqing simply looked at him with a questioning gaze.
"Come with me," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "It's time."
He led them through the quiet, opulent corridors of the sect to his laboratory. The heavy doors, forged from a special alloy that dampened all energy fluctuations, sealed behind them with a soft, satisfying hiss.
He turned to face them, his expression serious. "Rongrong, Zhuqing," he began. "I have a treasure I wish to give to Zhuqing. I believe it will be of immense help to her."
He stepped over to a secure, lead-lined chest in the corner of the lab. He opened it, and a wave of cold, sinister energy seemed to spill into the room. He reached into his Life Jade Treasure Bracelet, and with a shimmer of light, an object appeared in his hand that made both girls gasp.
It was a spirit bone. But it was unlike any they had ever seen. It was composed of eight long, sharp, purple-black legs, each one glistening like polished obsidian, connected to a central, spine-like structure. It pulsed with a dark, predatory light, seeming almost alive in his hands.
"What… what is that?" Ning Rongrong breathed, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear.
"It is an External Spirit Bone," Zhang Tian explained, his voice low and reverent. "A treasure far rarer than even a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit bone. It does not occupy one of the six standard positions on the body. It grows with its user, evolving as your own strength increases. And most importantly, once it has merged with you, it will never drop, even upon your death. It becomes a part of your very body."
Zhu Zhuqing stared at the sinister, beautiful object, her heart hammering in her chest.
Zhang Tian walked over to her and held it out. "I believe its abilities will be a perfect match for you."
Zhu Zhuqing took a sharp step back, shaking her head, her face pale. "No, Zhang Tian. I can't. A treasure like this… it's too valuable. You should absorb it. It will make you stronger."
He just smiled, a gentle, reassuring expression. "Its primary abilities are related to infusing and absorbing poison, devouring life force and providing defense, Zhuqing. Abilities that are largely redundant for me. My Blood Silver Grass already possesses a far more versatile control attribute, and I don't need this External Spirit Bone to infuse poison. For you, however… it will grant you a new dimension of strength and make you stronger. Moreover, for your Hell Civet spirit and your Darkness Attribute, its poison should be a close match. Take it."
Zhu Zhuqing looked from the priceless treasure to the sincere, unwavering look in his blue eyes. Her final reservations melted away. She gave a slow, grateful nod. "What is it called?"
"The Eight Spider Lances," he replied.
She took the spirit bone from him, her fingers trembling slightly as she held the cold, powerful object. "What do I do?"
"Sit," he instructed gently. "Clear your mind. And let it guide you."
She sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor. She held the Eight Spider Lances against her back, and as she began to circulate her spirit power, the spirit bone began to glow. It seemed to melt, turning into a stream of purple-black liquid light that flowed into her, merging directly with her vertebrae.
The process began, and with it, the pain. Zhu Zhuqing let out a sharp, strangled cry, her back arching as a searing, tearing sensation ripped through her. The fusion of an external spirit bone was a brutal, agonizing process, a violent remaking of the body.
Her form-fitting black leather top, unable to withstand the strain, suddenly tore apart with a sharp ripping sound, the pieces falling away to the floor.
Her entire upper body was now exposed. Her flawless, pale skin was slick with sweat, her back muscles spasming as the spirit bone fused with her spine. And her magnificent, large breasts, now completely unrestrained, rose and fell with her ragged, pained gasps. Her nipples were hard, erect not from pleasure, but from pure, unadulterated agony.
Zhang Tian watched, his gaze a mixture of clinical observation and a deep, possessive admiration. She was a work of art, even in her torment.
Ning Rongrong, however, saw something else. She saw the way his eyes were fixed on her friend's naked torso, the undeniable heat in his gaze. A sharp, familiar pang of jealousy shot through her. 'He's staring at her again… Of course he is. She's so beautiful, and her chest is so… big.'
She looked down at her own chest with a sigh. While her figure had blossomed, she was still a delicate flower compared to Zhu Zhuqing's magnificent, full bloom.
As if sensing her thoughts, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind. Zhang Tian had moved, his attention shifting from the agonizing fusion to the girl who felt left out. He pulled her back against his chest, his lips close to her ear.
"Don't compare yourself to her, Rongrong," he whispered, his voice a low, warm rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. "Zhuqing has her charms, it is true. A wild, seductive beauty that is impossible to ignore. But you…" he nuzzled her neck, "…you have your own. A sweet, noble grace. An elegance that she can never hope to match. I love you both, for everything that you are."
His words were a warm, healing balm on her wounded pride. The jealousy evaporated instantly, replaced by a sweet, blossoming warmth that spread through her entire body. She leaned back against him, her heart soaring.
The absorption was a grueling ordeal that lasted for several hours. Finally, with a last, shuddering gasp, the process was complete.
Zhu Zhuqing lay on the floor, panting, her body drenched in sweat, but her eyes were shining with a new, terrifying power.
Ning Rongrong, her earlier jealousy now completely forgotten in her happiness for her friend, rushed over. But then she stopped, a pout forming on her lips. She turned to Zhang Tian, her hands on her hips. "Hey! That's not fair! You gave Zhuqing such an amazing treasure. What about me? Don't I get a treasure too?"
Zhang Tian chuckled. He walked over to her, a warm, indulgent smile on his face. "You want a treasure, Rongrong?"
She nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with expectation.
He didn't produce a spirit bone or a pill. He simply placed his hands gently on her slender waist and pulled her close. "Then close your eyes," he murmured.
She did as she was told, her heart beginning to hammer in her chest. She felt his face draw near, his warm breath on her lips. And then, he kissed her.
It was a deep, passionate kiss that stole the very breath from her lungs. His tongue pushed past her lips, exploring the warm, sweet cavern of her mouth with a confidence that made her knees weak. She whimpered softly, her own arms wrapping around his neck as she melted into the embrace.
They stayed like that for a long, breathless moment. When he finally broke the kiss, they were both panting slightly. He looked down at her, at her flushed cheeks and dazed, happy eyes. "Is that a good enough treasure for you?" he asked, his voice a low, husky whisper.
She could only nod, her mind a dizzying, wonderful haze.
"Alright, you two," he said, his tone turning lighter. "All this training and fusions… I think we've earned a break. Let's go out. Explore Heaven Dou City. We can check out the street food, maybe some of the entertainment districts. We'll even stay the night in a hotel."
Ning Rongrong readily accepted, her boredom with the sect's quiet palace making her eager for the vibrant chaos of the city. As for Zhu Zhuqing, she noticed the secret, heated look Zhang Tian shot her way, his eyes lingering on her lips, then her breasts. She knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted a night where he could have her, all of her, without restraint. A thrill of anticipation shot through her. She was more than happy to oblige.
That evening, they descended upon Heaven Dou City. Zhu Zhuqing wore a new, elegant crimson dress that hugged her breathtaking curves, a stark, beautiful contrast to her dark hair. They explored the bustling night markets, the air thick with the smell of sizzling meats and sweet pastries. They watched street performers and browsed shops filled with strange and wonderful things.
Later, they found a quiet, high-end restaurant where Ning Rongrong, with a mischievous wink, ordered a bottle of the finest, most potent fruit wine. She made sure Zhang Tian's cup was always full, and she "accidentally" topped off her own a few too many times. By the end of the meal, her cheeks were flushed, her words were slurring slightly, and she was leaning heavily on Zhang Tian's shoulder.
By the time they reached their luxurious hotel suite, she was fast asleep, dead to the world.
The moment the door to their suite clicked shut, the atmosphere changed. The playful friendship of the day gave way to the raw, heated passion of the night.
"She won't be waking up anytime soon," Zhu Zhuqing whispered, a predatory, cat-like smile on her lips as she watched him gently lay the sleeping princess on one of the large beds.
He turned, and she was there, pressing her body against his. "Good," he growled, his mouth crashing down on hers.
The night was a blur of tangled limbs and whispered moans. He carried her to the other bed, and she immediately went to work, her hands and mouth a symphony of practiced, exquisite pleasure. She took his hard, thick dick deep down her throat, her head bobbing in a rhythm that drove him wild. She straddled his hips, squeezing his length between her magnificent, heavy breasts, her hips grinding against his as he groaned her name.
He returned the favor with equal fervor, his fingers and tongue a relentless assault on her senses. He brought her to a screaming, shuddering climax, her cries of "Zhang Tian! Yes! Right there! Oh, gods!" muffled by the plush pillows. She came again and again, her body a quivering, hypersensitive mess under his skilled touch.
In the early hours of the morning, when they were both spent and slick with sweat, they finally collapsed into the bathroom, the hot spray of the shower a welcome relief. But even then, their passion was not fully sated.
He pressed her against the cool, tiled wall, his erection, miraculously hard again, pressing insistently between her soft, plump thighs. "Just a little more," he growled, his hands squeezing her curvaceous ass. "I can't get enough of you."
He fucked her thighs until he came, his release a hot, messy affair against her flat stomach. He spanked her ass, the sharp smack echoing in the steam-filled room, a sound that drew a surprised, delighted moan from her lips. "I love watching them jiggle," he whispered, slapping her again. "And I love hearing you scream."
He held her in his arms under the water, kissing her deeply, his lust finally, truly, sated. For now.
~~
A/N: Check out my other novels like "Harem Master: Seduction System" and the "Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist" and I hope you like this story and those stories as well.
Check out more chapters on my P.atreon. The P.atreon will have 20+ Chapters ahead for this story. I hope you like it.
The link of p.atreon is: bit.ly/evildragon