The silence in the desolate cave was profound, broken only by the soft, fading hiss of dissipating spirit energy. The colossal, beautiful body of the Prismatic Crystal Python King lay still, its life force extinguished.
From its corpse, two points of light began to rise.
The first was a spirit ring. It was a deep, mesmerizing black, the color of a starless midnight sky, signifying its immense age. But within that blackness, a faint, almost imperceptible hue of blood-red seemed to pulse, a hint of a power that was pushing the very boundaries of a ten-thousand-year ring.
The second light was softer, more diffuse. It coalesced into a shimmering, crystalline object that seemed to be carved from a flawless diamond. It was a torso spirit bone, pulsing with a gentle, yet incredibly potent, earthy energy.
Ah Yin looked at the two treasures, her crimson eyes wide with a mixture of awe and anticipation. A ninety-thousand-year-old spirit ring, and a spirit bone from the same ancient, sub-dragon type beast. The potential they represented was staggering.
Zhang Tian stepped to her side, his own expression one of deep satisfaction. He didn't hesitate for a second.
"They are yours, Ah Yin," he said, his voice a calm, simple statement of fact.
She turned to him, a flicker of surprise on her beautiful face. "Both of them?"
"Of course," he replied, a confident smile on his lips. "It is only natural. Absorbing a spirit ring and a spirit bone from the same beast provides the greatest possible synergy. It will allow you to gain immense advantages."
He gently took her hand, his gaze turning more serious, more strategic. "And this is just the beginning. I want you to think of these not just as a source of immediate power, but as a long-term investment."
He squeezed her hand gently. "Once you have absorbed them, I want you to use the life force you can passively Devour from our clan, and from the Blue Silver Grass in whatever area you choose to reside in. Use that constant, steady stream of energy to nurture these new acquisitions. Feed them. Strengthen them."
A brilliant, calculating light entered his blue eyes. "I have a guess, my Empress. Once this new spirit ring and spirit bone cross the hundred-thousand-year threshold, once that black ring turns completely blood-red, I believe they may grant you a second spirit ability each. A hidden power, unlocked only by nurturing them to their absolute peak. This will make you stronger than any conventional Spirit Master could ever dream of becoming."
Ah Yin stared at him, her heart swelling with a profound, overwhelming love. He wasn't just giving her treasures; he was giving her a future, a path to a level of power she had never imagined.
"I understand," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
"Good," he said with a nod. "Now, begin. The Blood Silver King and I will stand guard. No one will disturb you."
Ah Yin took a deep, steadying breath and walked towards the floating treasures. She sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, her expression one of serene focus.
Zhang Tian and the Blood Silver King took up positions at the mouth of the cave, their combined auras creating a silent, impenetrable perimeter.
Ah Yin reached out with her spirit power, a gentle, crimson tendril that touched the deep black spirit ring. The moment contact was made, the ring shot forward, merging with her body.
An immense, chaotic torrent of crystalline energy flooded her meridians. It was the raw, untamed power of a ninety-thousand-year-old beast, a force that would have torn a normal Spirit Douluo apart from the inside.
But Ah Yin was not a normal Spirit Douluo. Her body was that of a hundred-thousand-year-old Empress, reforged by the Black Jade Divine Bamboo. Her Blood Silver Empress spirit, a divine hybrid infused with the essence of immortal herbs, met the influx of power not as an invader, but as a long-lost cousin. It welcomed the crystalline energy, absorbing it, fusing with it, making it its own.
The process, which should have been a brutal, agonizing ordeal, was a smooth, powerful symphony of integration. It took her less than an hour.
When the last of the ring's energy had settled, she did not rest. She immediately turned her attention to the shimmering torso spirit bone.
This fusion was a different kind of challenge. It was not just a matter of absorbing energy; it was a physical remaking of her very core. She pressed the bone against her chest, and it began to melt, turning into a stream of liquid diamond that flowed into her skin, seeking out her sternum, her ribs, her spine.
A sharp, strangled gasp escaped her lips, her back arching as a searing, tearing sensation ripped through her. It was the pain of creation, of bone and spirit being forged into something new.
Zhang Tian watched, his expression calm but his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He could feel her pain through their spiritual connection, but he did not intervene. This was her battle to fight.
For four long, grueling hours, she endured. Finally, with a last, shuddering breath, the process was complete.
Ah Yin opened her eyes. The transformation was absolute.
A vast, deep ocean of power now resided within her. The spirit ring and bone had not just given her a boost; they had propelled her forward. The energy surged through her, shattering the bottlenecks of her rank with contemptuous ease. Level 81. Level 82. It finally settled at a solid, stable Level 83. She was a high-level Spirit Douluo.
She stood, and her very presence seemed to make the air in the cave hum with power.
"Let's see what they can do," Zhang Tian said, a proud, eager smile on his face.
She smiled back, a slow, confident expression. "My eighth spirit ability," she announced, her voice a low, resonant melody. She raised a hand, and a single crimson vine shot from her palm.
"Crystallize."
The moment she spoke the word, the vine transformed. The soft, pliable plant matter hardened instantly, its surface taking on a multi-faceted, prismatic sheen. It was now a spear of pure, unbreakable crystal.
She flicked her wrist, and the crystal spear shot forward, striking a massive, solid stone pillar at the back of the cave. The impact was not a loud crash, but a high-pitched, resonant shing. The pillar, which was over two meters thick, simply disintegrated into a cloud of fine, grey dust.
Zhang Tian's eyes widened. "Incredible."
"And this," she said, her smile widening. Her new torso spirit bone began to glow from within her body. A shimmering, translucent light washed over her, and in an instant, her entire magnificent form was covered in a suit of interlocking, diamond-hard scales. The Crystalline Scale Armor. It clung to every curve of her body like a second skin, a breathtaking fusion of deadly defense and raw, sensual power.
"It reduces all incoming physical and elemental damage by fifty percent," she explained.
Zhang Tian looked at her, at the powerful, confident Spirit Douluo who stood before him. Her Level 83 cultivation, her transformed physique, her superior mental strength, and her new, terrifyingly versatile abilities… he knew, with an absolute certainty, that she was now an existence that was effectively unbeatable by anyone below the Titled Douluo rank.
With her power consolidated, a comfortable, familiar silence settled between them. They knew what came next.
"I must return to the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Sect," he said, his voice soft. "It has been over a month. Rongrong and Zhuqing… they will be worried. I miss them."
"I know," she replied, her own voice a low, intimate murmur.
"You should remain in Heaven Dou City for a time," he continued. "Focus on stabilizing your new power. Consolidate your cultivation. And," he added, a teasing glint in his eyes, "begin the process of nurturing your new toys. I expect them to be at the hundred-thousand-year level by the time I see you again."
She chuckled, a low, throaty sound that echoed in the quiet cave. She closed the distance between them in a single, fluid step.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her magnificent, voluptuous body against his. She moved her hips in a slow, deliberate, grinding motion, her soft, full mound pressing against his hardening erection.
"Mmm…," she purred, her lips brushing against his ear. "I don't want to part away from you. I will miss you so much, my Emperor."
He groaned, his own hands finding their familiar home on the impossible curve of her ass. He pulled her closer, their bodies flush against each other. He captured her lips in a deep, searing kiss, his tongue plundering the warm, sweet cavern of her mouth.
"I will miss you too," he said when they finally broke for air, his voice a rough, husky growl. He continued to fondle her sexy body, his hands squeezing and kneading her magnificent buttocks.
"I will try to bring Rongrong and Zhuqing out of the sect to meet you as soon as possible," he promised. "After all…I can't bring you to the sect and introduce you to them inside the sect as my woman… Uncle Ning would be understanding, I think. But Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone… they might actually try to kill me."
Ah Yin giggled, a sound of pure, unadulterated amusement. "If it ever comes to that then I will have to protect you, won't I?" She kissed him again, a soft, lingering touch. "Do not worry. I understand. I will be patient."
She pulled back slightly, her crimson eyes shining with a new, exciting idea. "I will buy a mansion," she declared. "A large one. With a beautiful garden, and a big courtyard. A home for us. A place where you, and I, and my two little sisters can all live together, comfortably. I will find the perfect place, and I will wait for you there."
The thought of it, of a home with the three women he loved, sent a wave of profound warmth through him. He hugged her tightly, burying his face in her fragrant, crimson hair. "I look forward to it."
The journey out of the Sunset Forest took them six long days. The Blood Silver King had already returned to its new home in the valley of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, leaving the two of them to travel alone.
Their journey was filled with a tender, bittersweet intimacy. They knew their time together was coming to a temporary end, and they savored every last moment.
Upon reaching the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, they found a secluded spot in the woods. They stood facing each other, the setting sun casting long shadows around them.
"This is where we part," he said, his voice soft.
She didn't say anything. She just moved into his arms, her body molding against his. They shared a final, long, passionate series of kisses, a silent promise of their swift reunion.
Finally, with a reluctance that was a physical pain, they separated.
"I'll see you soon," he whispered.
"I'll be waiting," she replied.
He turned and headed towards the towering, palatial structure of the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Sect in the distance.
Ah Yin watched him go, a serene, loving smile on her face as his figure disappeared into the distance. She stood there for a long moment, the warmth of his final kiss still lingering on her lips. Then, she turned and walked towards the vibrant, chaotic heart of Heaven Dou City, her mind already filled with plans for their new home.
Her search for a property was a study in quiet, overwhelming power. She walked into the most prestigious real estate office in the capital, a place accustomed to dealing with the whims of nobles and wealthy merchants. The property dealer, a man named Jin, was a professional, his smile polished, his suit immaculate. But the moment he laid eyes on the magnificent, crimson-clad woman who had just entered his establishment, his professional composure momentarily faltered.
He saw a beauty that was not of the mortal realm, a mature, regal grace that seemed to make the very air in the room hum with respect.
"Good day, madam," he said, recovering quickly and offering a deep, respectful bow. "How may I be of service to you today?"
Ah Yin simply placed a black card, given to her by Zhang Tian, on the polished surface of his desk. It was a card issued by the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Sect, a symbol of near-limitless wealth.
Jin's eyes widened slightly. He recognized the crest. "I see. Please, follow me to our private viewing room, madam. I will bring you the portfolios for our most exclusive, unlisted properties."
She spent the next hour reviewing the properties, dismissing most with a polite but firm shake of her head. They were opulent, yes, but they were in the heart of the city, surrounded by the noise and prying eyes of the nobility. She needed seclusion. She needed space.
Finally, Jin, seeing her dissatisfaction, presented a final, hesitant option. "There is one more property, madam. It is… quite remote. On the far eastern edge of the city, bordering the forest. It was the former estate of a reclusive old scholar. It has been on the market for years. It is very large, and very private."
The moment Ah Yin saw the images, she knew. It was perfect.
The mansion was not a gaudy palace, but a masterpiece of elegant, understated architecture. It was built from dark, warm-toned wood and cool, grey stone, designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature. It was nestled in a small, private valley, completely shielded from the city by a thick grove of ancient trees.
A large, beautifully landscaped garden, complete with a tranquil koi pond and a winding stream, surrounded the main building. A vast, open courtyard, paved with smooth, flat stones, was perfect for training. The mansion itself was a sprawling complex of interconnected wings, with dozens of spacious, airy rooms, each with a balcony that overlooked the serene, private landscape.
"I'll take it," she said simply.
The transaction was completed with a swift, silent efficiency that left the property dealer reeling. Within the hour, the deed was signed, the payment was made, and Ah Yin was standing in the empty, sunlit hall of her new home.
She walked through the silent rooms, her footsteps echoing on the polished wooden floors. She imagined Zhang Tian in the large, comfortable study, his head bent over his research. She imagined Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing in the garden, their laughter filling the air. She imagined their shared meals in the grand dining hall, their quiet evenings in the spacious living area.
'This is not just a house,' she thought, a deep, profound sense of contentment washing over her. 'This is a home. Our home.'
Zhang Tian's journey back to the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Sect was a swift, solitary affair. The month-long separation from his two fiancées had left a dull ache in his chest, a feeling of incompleteness that he was eager to remedy. His mind was filled with thoughts of them, of their smiles, their laughter, their unique, captivating charms.
He arrived at the sect in the late afternoon. The disciples and guards who saw him greeted him with a new level of profound respect. The stories of his exploits in the Sunset Forest, of the gifts he had bestowed upon their Sect Master and the two Titled Douluos, had spread like wildfire. He was no longer just the Young Miss's talented fiancé; he was a legendary figure in his own right, a benefactor to whom the entire sect owed an immeasurable debt.
He bypassed the main halls, heading directly to the private wing where he and the girls resided. He found them in Ning Rongrong's opulent suite, a room filled with soft silks and the faint, sweet scent of flowers.
They were lounging on a plush sofa, a deck of cards scattered on the low table before them, engaged in a lighthearted, lazy game. The sight of them, so beautiful, so relaxed, so utterly perfect, made his heart ache with a sudden, overwhelming wave of affection.
"I'm back."
His voice was soft, but it cut through the quiet room like a thunderclap.
Two heads snapped up. Two pairs of beautiful eyes widened in a shared, synchronized expression of pure, unadulterated joy.
"Zhang Tian!"
Ning Rongrong's cry was a happy, exuberant squeal. She threw her cards into the air and launched herself from the sofa, crossing the room in a blur of motion and throwing her arms around his neck in a tight, possessive hug.
Zhu Zhuqing was a half-second behind her, her usual cool composure completely gone, replaced by a rare, brilliant smile that lit up her entire face. She wrapped her arms around both of them, her own grip tight and desperate.
He was caught in the middle of a hug sandwich, the soft, warm bodies of the two women he loved pressed against him. He laughed, a deep, happy sound, and wrapped his own arms around their slender waists, lifting them both off their feet and spinning them in a circle.
The room was filled with their joyous, unrestrained laughter.
When he finally set them down, they didn't let go. They clung to him, their faces buried in his chest, inhaling his familiar, comforting scent.
"We missed you so much," Ning Rongrong mumbled against his robes.
"It felt like an eternity," Zhu Zhuqing added, her voice a soft, intimate murmur.
He held them for a long, silent moment, savoring the feeling of being home. Finally, he pulled back just enough to look at them.
"Tell me everything," he said, his voice warm. "Your hunt. Your new rings. I want to know all of it."
They settled back onto the sofa, this time with him in the middle, an arm wrapped around each of them.
Ning Rongrong, her eyes sparkling with pride, went first. "My hunt was amazing! Daddy and Grandpa Bone were so careful. We found the perfect beast, a nine-thousand-year-old Jade-Armored Earth Shield Bear. It was so tough!"
She summoned her Nine Treasure Glaze Tile Pagoda, and a fourth, deep purple spirit ring pulsed with a steady, powerful light. "My new ability is Defense Amplification," she announced proudly. "And with my fourth ring, all of my buffs are stronger now. I can provide a fifty percent boost to Strength, Speed, Spirit Power, and now, Defense!"
'A fifty percent boost across four attributes,' Zhang Tian thought, genuinely impressed. 'She's become a walking god-tier buffing station. In a team fight, her value is immeasurable.'
"And my spirit power," she added, her chest puffing out with pride, "after I absorbed the ring, I jumped straight to Level 42! Daddy said my foundation is so solid now, I'll probably reach Spirit King before I'm fourteen!"
"That's incredible, Rongrong," he said, squeezing her shoulder gently. "I'm proud of you." He then turned his gaze to the quiet, powerful woman on his other side. "And you, Zhuqing?"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression was more serene, but her dark eyes held a deep, unshakable confidence. "My hunt was… intense. As you requested, Uncle Ning and Grandpa Bone found a fourteen-thousand-year-old Abyssal Shadow Tiger. It was a pure dark-attribute beast. The absorption was difficult, but successful."
A black, ten-thousand-year-old spirit ring materialized around her, its dark light seeming to drink the very air. "My fourth spirit ability is called Abyssal Clones."
She explained the ability in detail, her voice a low, clinical monotone that did little to hide the terrifying potential of her new power. She could now create four perfect clones of herself. At each major rank advancement, the number would increase by one, culminating in nine clones at the Titled Douluo level.
"Each clone possesses nearly the same level of power as my real body," she continued. "They can use any of my three elements—Darkness, Fire, or Ice—and they can each unleash any of my spirit abilities. And," she added, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk touching her lips, "I can instantly switch positions with any of my clones at will. It is a very effective life-saving skill."
'Life-saving is an understatement,' Zhang Tian thought. 'It's a perfect assassination and confusion tool. Four of her, all moving at her top speed, all capable of unleashing different elemental attacks… it's a tactical nightmare for any opponent.'
As she finished her explanation, he shot her a secret, heated look. His eyes were filled with a dark, amused light, a look that had nothing to do with combat tactics.
Zhu Zhuqing's breath hitched. She knew that look. She knew exactly what he was thinking. His mind was not on the battlefield; it was in the bedroom. He was imagining the four clones, all naked, all eager to please him.
A brilliant, crimson blush flooded her cheeks, a stark, beautiful contrast to her pale skin. She quickly looked down, but not before giving him a tiny, almost imperceptible nod. A silent, thrilling promise.
Ning Rongrong, who had been listening with rapt attention, was completely oblivious to the silent, lewd exchange. "Isn't it amazing, Zhang Tian?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement for her friend. "She's so strong now! We've been training in secret, just like Daddy said. We don't want to cause any rumors."
"You have both become incredibly powerful," he said, his voice filled with a genuine, heartfelt pride. "I am very happy for you."
The conversation then shifted, as it always did, to the future.
"So," Ning Rongrong began, a mischievous, teasing glint in her eyes as she snuggled closer to him. "The big day is getting closer. Only a week or two left until you're officially stuck with us. Are you getting nervous?"
He just chuckled, a low, warm sound. He looked from her bright, happy face to Zhu Zhuqing's serene, beautiful one. "Not at all," he said softly.
He then looked at Ning Rongrong, and his expression shifted. The playful teasing was gone, replaced by a new kind of warmth, a deep, profound intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
'I have held back with you, Rongrong,' he thought, his gaze tracing the delicate, beautiful lines of her face. 'I have respected your innocence, cherished your sweet, playful romance. But after the engagement, you will be my fiancée. My wife-to-be. The time for holding back will be over.'
She saw something in his eyes then, something new and thrilling and just a little bit dangerous. It was a promise. A promise of a different kind of intimacy, a deeper connection that she had only ever dreamed of.
A shiver of pure, unadulterated anticipation ran down her spine. Her cheeks flushed, and her heart began to race. The next two weeks suddenly felt like an eternity.
~~
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