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*****
"Are you attempting to evolve the Light and Darkness attributes?" Su Wen observed the Heavenly Star Snail with genuine interest.
Channelling starlight and converting it into life force—it was a truly unique species of Heavenly Beast. Had this creature existed on the Douluo Continent, it would be a top-tier soul beast, likely highly sought after by many Soul Masters. Even Su Wen, had he been presented with such a choice in his earlier years, might have considered taking its soul ring.
At the High-Level Heavenly Zong rank, this snail's aura was already nearing that of a 100,000-year soul beast.
The Heavenly Star Snail's wariness of Su Wen intensified. He saw through my true state with a single glance? Just what level of powerhouse is this?
Tang Xian was equally surprised. She looked closely at the snail and noticed faint black and white patterns etched onto its star-drenched shell. Currently, these patterns seemed uncoordinated with the shell's original markings, appearing as though they had been added later in life.
Is she trying to break through to the Heavenly King level this way? Tang Xian's estimation of the creature rose. The potential of a Heavenly Star Snail was high, and given their immense life force, they could theoretically hide away and reach the King level through sheer longevity. If left undisturbed in this valley, she might even reach the Heavenly Emperor level in a thousand years.
However, this snail clearly had grander ambitions. Merely reaching the Emperor level through time wasn't enough to satisfy her.
"On the Boundless Mainland, Light and Darkness are considered powerful attributes, yet they are diametrically opposed," Su Wen commented. "Using starlight and the Life attribute as your core to evolve Light and Darkness... if you succeed, you truly might reach heights no other Heavenly Star Snail has ever achieved."
Su Wen didn't know much about the species in general, but he respected any creature attempting to transcend its racial limits. Furthermore, while Light and Darkness were opposites, they were incredibly potent if harmonized. The combination of Light, Darkness, and Life was no less formidable than any Saint attribute. Such a configuration was enough to achieve the Emperor rank; as for becoming a Heavenly God, that would depend on whether the three could be perfectly fused.
It seemed the reason the snail had supported Zhou Shuiniu years ago was finally clear. However, Su Wen didn't dwell on the snail's ambitions.
"Since you possess the Life attribute, your help will increase my success rate by several folds."
A frustrated "cross" symbol practically manifested on the snail's forehead. Zhou Shuiniu only said we were borrowing the environment. You, on the other hand, just start giving orders?
Su Wen unleashed a brief pulse of Mental Deterrence. The symbol on the snail's head vanished instantly, replaced by an eager tone: "Please rest assured, Senior. I will cooperate fully."
"Good. If this succeeds, your understanding of the Darkness attribute will reach a new level. Additionally, I can assist you in furthering your attribute evolution."
While Su Wen's direct experience with Light and Darkness might not be as deep as the snail's, his research into the essence of cultivation was far more profound. Even on the Boundless Mainland, the fundamental nature of life shared common ground.
The Heavenly Star Snail thanked him repeatedly. She knew Weiqing's constitution leaned toward Darkness; if the meridian reshaping succeeded, observing it would indeed help her understand that attribute. As for Su Wen's promise to help her evolution, she took it with a grain of salt. He's painting a big picture for me. Half-true, half-false, I suspect.
"Your meridian blockage is severe, almost impenetrable to external power," Su Wen said, turning to the boy. "In a moment, I will fuse the Dark Devouring God Pearl into your body—a complete fusion."
"Using the power of the pearl, your meridians will be eroded, but they will simultaneously be cleared by its force. That is when you will awaken your Heavenly Jewels."
"Once you awaken and become a Heavenly Jewel Master, the pearl will merge with your jewels. Your only task is to hold on. Persevere."
"As the pearl's power permeates your body, your meridians will no longer be solid. The energy will increase their plasticity, allowing you to begin cultivating the Technique of Immortality immediately."
Su Wen explained the procedure clearly. Zhou Weiqing took a deep breath, his eyes filled with resolve. He would awaken his jewels.
Su Wen nodded, satisfied with the boy's attitude. This honest, slightly chubby kid was quite likable. Though he was sturdy and had been training hard, Zhou Weiqing still carried a bit of "baby fat"—his nickname, "Little Fatty," hadn't come out of nowhere.
"Your job," Su Wen said to the snail, "is to inject life force into Weiqing to help him through the critical period."
"Do not try to manipulate the life force to 'heal' him. Just provide it. Let his body absorb it naturally as needed."
The Heavenly Star Snail nodded vigorously. Su Wen's mental pulse had truly made her submissive. An Emperor! This human is at least a Heavenly Emperor, and a mental-type one at that!
Heavenly Star Snails were a species that could reach the Emperor rank through time, but the odds were less than one percent. Thus, a true Emperor still held immense deterrent power over her. Regardless of her ambition, she had to admit she was currently only a High-Level Heavenly Zong. Before an Emperor, one must show proper respect.
"Drop your blood."
Su Wen produced the Dark Devouring God Pearl, making it hover before the boy. Though he had studied it for years, the pearl had never been "mastered" by him, nor had it recognized him as its owner. His refinement had always been focused on the Evil Power within.
Zhou Weiqing obeyed, biting his finger and letting a drop of blood fall onto the sphere. The pearl flickered with light as the blood merged seamlessly into its core. Su Wen narrowed his eyes as he felt the shift.
As expected, a perfect match. Not just anyone's blood could claim ownership of this pearl. Even without the tiger's consciousness, it remained a Life Jewel—the tiger's Life Jewel.
With a flash of light, the pearl flew toward Zhou Weiqing's forehead and sank into his brow.
The boy collapsed to the ground. His mind went hazy as waves of terrifying energy crashed through his body. The pain was absolute. Within his meridians, the power of the pearl rampaged, bringing agony beyond description.
The Heavenly Star Snail swallowed hard and hurriedly injected life force into his body. What a ruthless man, she thought. The aura of this pearl... could it be the dan of a Heavenly God's offspring? One dares to give it, the other dares to take it. They truly don't know the meaning of 'death.'
Su Wen watched the changes carefully. The pearl's power initially tore through every blocked channel. As time passed, Zhou Weiqing went numb from the pain, and his internal state looked disastrous.
However, the power was fundamentally compatible with him. As the merger reached a critical threshold, the pain began to subside.
On Zhou Weiqing's wrists, a pair of jewels finally began to manifest.
(End of Chapter)