After summoning her martial spirit, Zhu Zhuqing's body appeared even more slender and curvaceous, enticing and alluring. More importantly, the aura emanating from Zhu Zhuqing had become colder and more sinister than before. The change in her aura was noticeable, but other than that, there seemed to be no significant differences.
"Zhuqing, how do you feel?" Gu Yi could sense that Zhu Zhuqing's aura was now more closely aligned with the characteristics of the Netherworld and its dark energy, but like the others, he couldn't detect any other changes.
As the one experiencing the transformation, Zhu Zhuqing didn't respond verbally. Instead, she began to move, circling around the others with a ghostly presence, her aura flickering like a shadow, her speed more than doubled.
"Such speed!" Dugu Yan, being the highest-ranked among the seven, was shocked by Zhu Zhuqing's speed. Despite her nearing the Spirit King level, she still felt outpaced by Zhu Zhuqing.
This demonstrated just how fast Zhu Zhuqing had become.
"It's not just the speed that's improved, right?" Although Gu Yi couldn't precisely identify all the changes, he could feel a stronger presence of Netherworld energy in Zhu Zhuqing through his primal energy domain.
"Yes, I feel that my martial spirit is venturing deeper into the path of the Netherworld, even more so than when I absorbed the third spirit ring... perhaps..." Zhu Zhuqing's first spirit ring flickered, and a more sinister aura enveloped her, making her presence even more ghost-like.
"It seems that my spirit skills have also evolved due to the martial spirit's transformation," Zhu Zhuqing said, her voice filled with excitement. From this moment on, she truly possessed the foundation to become a Titled Douluo.
While the Hell Spirit Cat could fuse with the White Tiger to perform a martial spirit fusion technique, it was primarily guided by the White Tiger martial spirit, which was inherently superior as a top-tier martial spirit, compared to the merely high-level Hell Spirit Cat.
Now, the Hell Spirit Cat had truly transformed into a top-tier martial spirit, not inferior to any other martial spirit.
However, there was a downside: Zhu Zhuqing might no longer be able to perform the martial spirit fusion technique with Dai Mubai. With the essence of her martial spirit fundamentally altered and having embarked on a different path, the Hell Spirit Cat was no longer the same. This was a moment of true metamorphosis.
"Alright, everyone should return and properly consolidate your cultivation. Although the pills I crafted won't destabilize your foundation, they are still an external aid and need to be thoroughly mastered," Gu Yi advised.
Oscar and the others understood the importance of this and left one by one.
Dugu Yan, however, cast a meaningful glance at Gu Yi before returning to her room, preparing for her actions tonight. The elixir she had acquired at the auction had long been absorbed into her body, and she was ready to unleash its effects.
Sometimes, an overdose of medicine can turn into poison, and such was the case with this elixir.
Gu Yi glanced at the two remaining pills in the bottle, deciding not to consume them. At his level, these pills could only slightly enhance his cultivation. His innate talent had long surpassed the benefits such pills could provide.
...
At Shrek Academy, a figure cloaked in black stood silently under a tree outside the academy gates, watching the entrance. It was unclear what they intended to do, perhaps waiting for someone.
Inside the academy, Xiao Wu had just fended off a pestering Tai Long and feeling annoyed, decided to eat some fresh carrots to lift her spirits.
"Where is Third Brother? Why hasn't he come back yet?" Xiao Wu complained, feeling lonely as she headed out to buy some fresh carrots, her favorite. She didn't notice the cloaked figure in the distance clenching their fists tightly in agitation as they watched her leave.
"Wait for me. I will return." the black-robed figure whispered, looking down at their scarred body hidden beneath the cloak. There wasn't a single part of them unscarred, and even their right arm had lost all sensation.
After Xiao Wu's pink figure disappeared from view, the cloaked figure turned decisively and walked away, their retreating figure full of sorrow, resolve, and a deep-seated hatred.
Xiao Wu seemed to sense something and paused her bouncy steps, turning around, but she saw nothing. Thinking of the fresh carrots, a smile returned to her face as she continued hopping toward the vegetable market.
...
That night, just as Gu Yi was about to leave for Moon Pavillion, he was cornered in his room.
"Dugu Yan, do you need something?" It was rare for her to seek him out so late, and Gu Yi was curious.
"I just feel that the poison core in my body is unstable and I want you to check it for me," Dugu Yan replied pitifully, looking as though she was genuinely concerned about her poison core.
Gu Yi was startled. The poison core was the source of Dugu Yan's cultivation, so if there was indeed an issue, it couldn't be taken lightly.
"Come in, let me take a look," Gu Yi said, not wanting to waste time.
As Dugu Yan entered, she showed a triumphant expression while Gu Yi's back was turned, but quickly hid it before he could notice, returning to her pitiful demeanor.
"Let me check," Gu Yi said, cautiously infusing his spiritual power into her, sensing for any issues with the poison core but finding none—it was perfectly stable.
Dugu Yan remained relaxed, letting him check her without worry. Of course, she knew there was no problem with her poison core; this was just an excuse.
"The poison core is stable, nothing seems wrong," Gu Yi said, looking at Dugu Yan.
"It does feel unstable. Should I activate my power so you can check again?" Dugu Yan suggested, not waiting for Gu Yi's approval before leaping onto the bed and sitting cross-legged at its edge.
"Alright, give it another try," Gu Yi said, a bit confused but willing to go along with it, still unsure of what Dugu Yan was planning.
"Why don't you come closer? How can you observe from so far away?" Dugu Yan's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
Gu Yi moved closer and squatted down.
Satisfied, Dugu Yan said, "I'm starting now," but her voice trembled slightly, revealing her nerves. She was about to do the boldest, most reckless thing she had ever done in her life.
Gu Yi nodded, his gaze focused entirely on Dugu Yan's abdomen, and only then did he notice that she was dressed particularly provocatively and seductively tonight.
Dugu Yan, being five or six years older than Zhu Zhuqing and the others, had a more developed figure, making her stand out even more. Her legs, clad in purple stockings, were especially stunning.
A martial spirit could sometimes change a person, and Dugu Yan's legs were a prime example. Long and slender, her legs, covered in stockings, revealed a hint of pale skin, a sight that could captivate anyone.
(End Of Chapter)