...
"So that's how it is..."
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly realized.
It turns out that the so-called "little princess can't endure hardship" was a complete misunderstanding.
It's not that they can't run, it's that they disdain running that kind of low-level "strolling" and can't stand that disgusting atmosphere.
"And also..."
Ning Rongrong suddenly leaned close to Zhu Zhuqing's ear, lowered her voice, and revealed a meaningful, mischievous smile:
"Zhu Qing, don't you think about this?"
"If my physical strength and stamina are not good... how will I deal with Brother Xuanhao in the future?"
"Um?"
Zhu Zhuqing was taken aback, a hint of confusion flashing in her cool eyes:
"Deal with...Brother Hao?"
"Brother Hao is so strong, even if you have good stamina, you can't beat him, right?
Even if the few of us join forces, we probably still won't be his match."
Watching this innocent little kitten seriously analyze combat power, Ning Rongrong almost burst out laughing.
"Oh, you idiot!"
Ning Rongrong poked her waist with a look of exasperation and said with a wink:
"Who said it was a fight-style way to deal with it?"
"I'm talking about something else!"
"Think about it... if you're not physically strong, have a bad back, or weak legs... wouldn't he wear you down?"
"If we want to get back at him a little and stop him from being so arrogant... we have to improve our physical fitness!"
"ah?!"
Zhu Zhuqing's CPU burned out instantly.
She stared blankly at Ning Rongrong, the word "lasting" that she had heard in the car last night flashing through her mind, and then she thought of these lewd words.
In that respect... to get revenge?
After all that tinkering...it's falling apart?
"you..."
Zhu Zhuqing's face turned red instantly, visible to the naked eye, all the way down to the roots of her neck.
However, before she could fully process this massive amount of information...
"collapse--!!"
A crisp snap on the head suddenly rang out.
"Ouch!"
Ning Rongrong covered her forehead, tears welling in her eyes from the pain, and turned away with a wronged expression.
Suddenly, Xuan Hao, who had been following behind them, appeared behind them with a dark expression, still in the pose of flicking their foreheads.
"It's so early in the morning, the air is so fresh, and you're driving here?"
Xuan Hao glared at Ning Rongrong, clearly annoyed.
"What do you mean by 'deal with'?
Am I that scary?"
"Also, don't corrupt the innocent little kitten!"
"Run! If you say another word, tonight I'll show you what it really means to be completely torn apart!"
"Hehehe!"
Ning Rongrong made a face at Xuan Hao, showing no fear whatsoever, and instead shouted even more arrogantly:
"Come on! Who's afraid of who!"
"I'm in great shape right now!"
After saying that, she pulled up Zhu Zhuqing, who was still in a daze, and with a burst of soul power, she accelerated and rushed out.
"Run, Zhuqing! The big bad wolf is going to eat people!"
Ah... Oh!
Zhu Zhuqing then realized what was happening.
Looking at Xuan Hao's "fierce" face behind her, and recalling Ning Rongrong's words, she was overwhelmed with shame.
Her pretty face flushed bright red, and she didn't dare to look back at Xuan Hao at all.
She quickly circulated her soul power and fled with Ning Rongrong like a frightened deer.
...
Before noon, the group arrived at the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Compared to the previous relaxed atmosphere, the team's formation became noticeably more professional after entering the forest.
Na'er led the way, her steps light and graceful, making it seem as if she were walking on flat ground even though the forest was overgrown with weeds and thorns.
The strangest thing was that the branches and vines that were originally blocking her way seemed to come alive the moment they sensed her presence, automatically parting to make way for her and clearing a flat path.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu stood guard on either side, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
Ning Rongrong was protected in the center, while Xuan Hao brought up the rear.
Because Zhu Zhuqing needed her third soul ring and her target was a thousand-year-old soul beast, while the outer areas were mostly filled with ten-year and hundred-year-old monsters, the group didn't linger and continued deeper into the area.
Soon, the sun was high in the sky, and it was noon.
"Let's rest for a bit and have something to eat before we go."
Xuan Hao glanced at the sky, found a relatively flat and open space, and signaled everyone to stop and rest.
As the team's "logistics manager," Xuan Hao skillfully took out pots, pans, and other utensils, as well as marinated meat and fresh vegetables, from his storage soul tool.
"Na'er, start a fire."
Xuan Hao casually gave an order.
"Okay!"
Na'er responded, but she didn't go to gather firewood, or even take a flint.
She simply walked to the iron pot that had been set up, stretched out her small, fair hand, palm up, and gently lifted it up.
"call--"
A ball of crimson flame materialized out of thin air above her palm, then steadily supported the bottom of the pot, controlling the heat with extreme precision, without even a trace of smoke.
Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing, who was helping to chop vegetables, finally couldn't hold back anymore.
She stopped what she was doing, her gaze shifting back and forth between Na'er and the ball of flame, her eyes filled with confusion:
"Na'er... what exactly is your martial soul?"
While traveling, she saw the plants automatically make way for Na'er and assumed that Na'er had a top-tier plant-type martial soul and possessed a kind of affinity similar to that of a "child of the forest".
But now, this ability to conjure fire out of thin air, and with such extreme control over the fire element... is clearly something a plant-type Soul Master couldn't do!
"Martial Soul?"
While controlling the heat, Na'er said without turning her head:
"My martial soul is the silver dragon."
"A silver dragon?"
Zhu Zhuqing was taken aback. "Like the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex?"
No, that's not it.
Na'er shook her head.
"It's a... true dragon that can control all the elements in the world."
"Whether it's fire, water, earth, wind, or light, darkness, space... I can control them all."
"That's why those plants made way for me, because they are also a kind of elemental life."
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing was completely stunned.
Manipulate...all the elements?
Does such a martial spirit still exist in this world?
"Alright, stop spacing out."
Just as Zhu Zhuqing was still questioning her existence, Xuan Hao walked over, wiping his hands with a towel, interrupting her thoughts:
"Na'er's situation is rather special; you'll gradually understand as time goes on."
"The most urgent task right now is your third spirit ring."
Xuan Hao walked up to Zhu Zhuqing, looked her up and down, and his expression became serious:
"Speaking of which, since you consumed the Narcissus Jade Bone and fused with that Soul Bone, I haven't properly tested your current physical limits."
"Come on, stand still."
Xuan Hao gestured for Zhu Zhuqing to stand in the center of the open space and said in a deep voice:
"Concentrate your mind and mobilize all your soul power for defense."
"Next, I will unleash my soul power pressure and mental impact on you to simulate the pressure of absorbing a soul ring."
"What you have to do is resist with all your might until you feel your body or mind is about to collapse."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's expression hardened, and she immediately composed herself, nodding, "Understood!"
"Buzz—"
As Xuan Hao finished speaking, a heavy pressure suddenly descended.
This is not just the oppression of soul power, but also a spiritual shock that pierces the soul!
Zhu Zhuqing felt a sudden weight on her body, as if a mountain had suddenly appeared on her back.
At the same time, her mind was buzzing, as if someone was hammering her nerves.
But this is still within her tolerance level.
"good."
Xuan Hao nodded and began to gradually increase the intensity.
Two thousand years... two thousand five hundred years... three thousand years...
As the pressure mounted, fine beads of sweat began to appear on Zhu Zhuqing's forehead, and her body started to tremble slightly.
But she clenched her teeth, her clear, cold eyes filled with stubbornness, holding on with all her might.
Just as the pressure reached four thousand years, a deep tiger's roar and dragon's cry suddenly came from within Zhu Zhuqing's body.
"boom!"
The dragon-tiger beast's torso and bones automatically protect its master!
A layer of dark golden light emanated from her body, helping to relieve most of the pressure and straightening her slightly hunched back!
"Good heavens..."
A hint of admiration flashed in Xuan Hao's eyes.
The blessing of a 60,000-year-old soul bone is indeed powerful!
Since that's the case... let's increase the stakes!
Four thousand five hundred years... five thousand years!
When the pressure climbed to the terrifying number of five thousand years, Zhu Zhuqing finally couldn't hold on any longer.
Her face turned red, her bones creaked under the strain, and she began to feel a little disoriented.
"stop!"
Xuan Hao instantly withdrew all his oppressive aura.
"Huff... huff..."
Zhu Zhuqing's body went limp, and she almost collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, her whole body looking as if she had just been pulled out of the water.
Five thousand years?!
Before Zhu Zhuqing could recover, Ning Rongrong beside her exclaimed in surprise, staring at her as if she were a monster:
"Zhu Qing, you're such a pervert!!"
"My third spirit ring is only a little over two thousand years old, and yours is more than twice that amount."
Zhu Zhuqing herself was also a little confused.
Although she knew she had become stronger, she hadn't expected to be this strong.
Five thousand years... that's a lifespan that even a fourth spirit ring might not be able to absorb!
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