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--- Chapter 129 ---
Han Yuan brought Ah Yin and Zhu Zhuqing to the waterfall near his house, but the surroundings didn't look as beautiful and serene as they used to be because of the chaos he had last night.
"We might need to hire someone to fix this place." Ah Yin commented with pity in her voice. "It would be a shame if this place remained like this."
Han Yuan laughed bitterly, "We don't need someone for such a thing. I will do it later."
"After all, I was the one who sculpted this mountainside, though it was more of a training for me."
"Sculpting mountainside?" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up. That sounds like a fascinating training plan.
Feeling Zhu Zhuqing's fiery gaze, Han Yuan smiled, "Do you also want to try sculpting the mountain, Zhuqing?"
"Can I?" Zhu Zhuqing was excited.
"Of course, you can. You're my student!" Han Yuan replied casually. "But this training wasn't easy, and only a handful of my students can do it."
"After all, this training demands a strong physical prowess and control over your spirit energy and spiritual power."
"I will do it!" Zhu Zhuqing wasn't afraid. She likes challenges that can make her stronger.
Han Yuan poked Zhu Zhuqing's forehead gently, "First, you must consume the pill I gave you. Next, form a contract with the Spirit Soul, and we can start your training."
"Haha, aren't you curious about what will happen to your martial soul after it evolves?"
"Mm, you're right." Zhu Zhuqing immediately pulled out the medicine box Han Yuan had given her. Although she hesitated to accept this gift earlier, Han Yuan's compelling reasons forced her to swallow her hesitation and choose a path that could make her grow stronger.
Opening the medicine box, Zhu Zhuqing saw a jet-black pill with golden cloud markings. The pill's appearance surprised her a bit, but she weirdly didn't feel anything special from it. There is not even a scent.
Of course, there is no scent on this immortal pill because Han Yuan has perfected his method. While the Sky Poison Pearl can make a 'flawless' pill, it still relies on the alchemist's knowledge and skills.
After all, you can't cook without a recipe, right?
Thankfully, Han Yuan was a master cook!
So, Han Yuan developed the immortal pill to the point that its miraculous properties were sealed by a thin layer of medicinal skin, allowing for longer shelf life and better effects upon consumption.
"What are you waiting for? Don't tell me you want Xiao Yuan to feed you the pill?" Ah Yin saw this and couldn't help but tease Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing blushed hard, glancing at Han Yuan wistfully before shaking her head. "N-No, I can eat it myself."
"Sit down and start adjusting your breath," said Han Yuan as he gave Ah Yin a wry look. "Then, eat the pill. Do not fight the medicinal property and accept it instead."
Nodding her head, Zhu Zhuqing sat on the ground and slowly adjusted her condition based on Han Yuan's instructions. Looking at the pill with hope in her eyes, she gulped the pill.
Zhu Zhuqing felt a burst of warm energy in her body, but because of Han Yuan's warning earlier, she didn't fight this energy and accepted it. Even then, she underestimated the effect of the immortal pill.
She felt every fiber of her being molded to perfection, becoming stronger and purer. Her five senses become sharper, especially her nose, eyes, and ears. Her blood also boiled, seemingly infused with a more refined version of the Zhu Family's origins.
At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul, Hell Spirit Cat, underwent a qualitative change.
Under Han Yuan and Ah Yin's eyes, which could see through nature, the Hell Spirit Cat has become more aligned with dark and nether elements, even reaching the ultimate realm, but there is more than that.
The Hell Spirit Cat is actually a fascinating martial soul. It bears the hell and spirit in name, but the Hell Spirit Cat's spirit master always focused on being an agility-system spirit master.
One particular point is that the Hell Spirit Cat can achieve martial soul fusion with the Dai Family's White Tiger, making the infamous Hell White Tiger, which perfects White Tiger's origins.
Or is it?
What if the Dai Family doesn't want the Zhu Family to be in a dominant position by misleading them?
What if the Dai Family wants to use the Zhu Family as their servant forever?
After all, the Dai Family always ruled the Star Luo Empire, even with many sects and families. They aren't weak like Heaven Dou Empire, which let the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan interfere with their system.
That's why they never left a path open for others, not even their ally, who had been intermarried with them for many generations.
Simply put, they ruled with an iron fist.
And it was successful!
Anyway, back to Hell Spirit Cat. Han Yuan guessed that Zhu Zhuqing and her family didn't realize their potential was 'discreetly' undermined. They got blinded by the "fish" the Dai Family provided and never sought a way to fish themselves. Eventually, the Zhu Family lost their fangs and claws, becoming house cats for the Dai Family.
However, what if Hell Spirit Cat took the right path?
What if the Hell Spirit Cat becomes a tiger like the White Tiger?
The Hell Spirit Cat within Zhu Zhuqing roared with joy as it felt the strengthening of its insufficient origins, gradually evolving into a new form.
Its small, lithe body, previously covered with dark purple fur, began to change. It grew two, no, three times larger than an ordinary Hell Spirit Cat. The fur became shinier, and its spike-like claws darkened, gleaming with sharpness. Noticeable runic patterns emerged on its fur, glowing with a silver light.
But this transformation was far from over. The cat's mystic eyes shone with a vibrant purple light before twisting and transforming into a pair of amethyst gem-like eyes, radiating a magical aura. Finally, the tail of the Hell Spirit Cat split into two, swaying playfully from left to right.
Looking at the newly evolved martial soul, Han Yuan couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
Zhu Zhuqing gradually opened her eyes, which had become like her Hell Spirit Cat, beautiful like an amethyst gem. She sighed in amazement and clenched her hand, feeling the newfound strength in her body.
Her spirit energy also became purer, and if not for her bottleneck, she would have known what rank she was now.
"I feel stronger..." Zhu Zhuqing said emotionally while giving Han Yuan a bright smile.
Han Yuan smiled back, "Congratulations on getting stronger."
"However, don't get too happy soon, Zhuqing."
"This is just the beginning."
"Since you wanted to change your destiny, you need at least a Title Douluo's strength. At that point, not even the Star Luo Empire's engagement can stop you."
"Mm!" Zhu Zhuqing nodded in understanding, feeling warmth in her heart that she couldn't describe. No one treated her this well before, not even her family.
Unknown to Zhu Zhuqing, this "good" feeling is rooted firmly in her heart and makes her addicted to it.
Thankfully, one can cultivate feelings, too.
As expected of the Love-! No, Douluo Continent!
Of course, Han Yuan doesn't know this. Even if he knew, nothing would change unless something happened between them.
For now, his investments in Zhu Zhuqing have proven successful.
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly requested, "Um, Headmaster, can you name my evolved martial soul? Calling it Hell Spirit Cat feels odd..."
Han Yuan raised his eyebrow, "Sure."
"What about the Netherworld Beast?"
"Netherworld Beast..." Zhu Zhuqing felt the name fit her newly evolved martial soul and decided to call it that from now on.
"Well, do you want to explore your new martial soul first or make a soul contract with the Ghost Tiger's Spirit Soul?" Han Yuan asked this time.
Zhu Zhuqing pondered briefly before answering, "Let's perform the soul contract first. I want to break through to the Spirit Grandmaster Realm before exploring my strength."
"Well, Soul Contract it is." Han Yuan chuckled as he started reciting the ritual's spells.
...