Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

"It's really nine levels…" At that moment, even Ning Rongrong's voice trembled slightly.

Her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda had evolved into a Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.

What did that mean?

It meant that Ning Rongrong was no longer just the heir of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan—she had become the bearer of the long-rumored Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, the very pinnacle her father, Ning Fengzhi, the sect master, had pursued his entire life.

She had never imagined that she would one day achieve the goal her father had strived for over decades. For a moment, her gaze couldn't help but fall on Lin Jie, overwhelmed by a sudden, almost impulsive desire to give herself to him wholeheartedly.

For the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, the evolution to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was nothing short of a miracle.

"Lin Jie, I love you so much!" Without any hesitation, Ning Rongrong leapt forward and embraced Lin Jie, planting a kiss right on his lips this time—bold and direct.

"Mmph…" Lin Jie gently pushed her back with a helpless smile. "Rongrong, I know you love me, but do you have to kiss me every time?"

Ning Rongrong grinned mischievously. "Hehe. I was just too excited! Lin Jie, do you know what this means? My Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda evolved into the legendary Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda! That's what my father devoted his life to achieving, and now, because of you, I've surpassed him. How could I not want to give myself to you?"

"Er…" Lin Jie actually felt a flicker of temptation in his heart upon hearing her words.

Xiao Wu, watching from the side, couldn't help but chime in, "Rongrong, where did all your usual restraint go?"

Ning Rongrong slowly calmed down under Xiao Wu's teasing. Yet even as she regained her composure, her hand holding the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda still trembled slightly.

She understood well—what Lin Jie had given her wasn't just a personal gift. This was something that impacted her entire clan. She had to make a trip home. As the bearer of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, she had to report this.

Rongrong turned to Xiao Wu. "What about you, Xiao Wu? Did you have any changes?"

Xiao Wu thought for a moment. "Of course!" She raised her arm to show off a fair, luminous stretch of skin.

Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. She reached out and gently stroked Xiao Wu's arm. "So white, so soft, so smooth…"

Lin Jie also studied her carefully and found that her entire figure had subtly changed. Her body had grown more elegant and graceful, her curves even more alluring. Her eyebrows arched like crescent moons, and her long, limpid eyes sparkled with charm. Her oval face, delicate features, and snow-pale skin made her look like a divine maiden. But the most striking change was her skin—pure as jade and incredibly tender.

Seeing the results of Xiao Wu's transformation, Ning Rongrong, who had just been ecstatic over her own evolution, now felt a twinge of jealousy. What girl wouldn't envy such beautiful skin?

After collecting herself, Rongrong asked again, "Xiao Wu, there must be more than just changes to your skin, right?"

Xiao Wu smirked slyly. "Of course. But I'll let you find out next time."

Just then, a radiant burst of light erupted from Zhu Zhuqing, shooting straight into the sky. It was so intense that it illuminated the whole courtyard before gradually fading away.

Though the light disappeared quickly, many people across the academy grounds noticed it and turned toward its source.

Lin Jie, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu were all stunned by the spectacle. They looked toward Zhu Zhuqing, who was now surrounded by a faint aura of dark energy. That darkness then fused into her body, and immediately afterward, a red halo enveloped her from head to toe before fading away again.

When the red light vanished, Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes. In that moment, a red gleam flashed in her pupils before quickly fading—leaving a subtle reddish glow behind.

"Zhuqing!" Xiao Wu called out with joy.

Rongrong rushed forward, her tone urgent. "How do you feel? Did anything change?"

Lin Jie also stepped up, eyes full of curiosity.

Zhu Zhuqing rose to her feet and didn't answer right away. Instead, she looked straight at Lin Jie and suddenly stepped forward to hug him tightly. Her voice was solemn.

"Lin Jie, I… I saw it."

Lin Jiedidn't mind the embrace but blinked in surprise. "Saw what?"

Still hugging him, Zhu Zhuqing gave a small shake of her head. "It's nothing. Just… thank you, Lin Jie."

Lin Jie smiled softly. "There's no need for thanks between us."

Rongrong, meanwhile, was quietly pouting on the side, staring daggers at Lin Jie.

"Zhuqing, do you feel any changes?" Rongrong asked again.

Zhu Zhuqing finally stepped back, gently touching the corners of her eyes. "Yes. Massive changes—even I can't believe it. My spirit power directly surged to rank 42. And more importantly… my Martial Soul changed significantly."

"Your Martial Soul?" Rongrong echoed in shock. Could it be that Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul had also evolved like hers?

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Originally, my Martial Soul was the Hell Spirit Cat. It was decent, but just short of top-tier. But now, it has undergone a complete evolution. Not a mutation—an evolution. It's far stronger now. I believe it can rival the best of the top-tier Martial Souls. Maybe even surpass some."

"Can we see it?" Rongrong asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Sure," Zhu Zhuqing replied. She activated her Martial Soul.

With a shimmer of black light, cat ears reappeared atop her head—but unlike before, they now carried a deeper, darker aura. Her eyes, which used to be one blue and one red, had become twin gems of pure obsidian. A sleek black tail unfurled behind her, her whole body wrapped in a dense aura of shadow.

Lin Jie observed closely. The most distinct change was the aura of darkness that now radiated from her. Compared to before, her presence was colder, deadlier—like a true predator of the night.

Rongrong stared in awe at the transformation.

Zhu Zhuqing explained, "My Martial Soul used to be the Hell Spirit Cat. But after this evolution… while it's still technically the same, I've decided to give it a new name: Nightshade Elf."

"Nightshade Elf?" Xiao Wu echoed with surprise.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded again. "Yes. After the evolution, my Martial Soul gained a dark attribute. It boosts my attack, speed, and overall abilities significantly. And—" She paused, her gaze turning to Lin Jie.

"And what?" Rongrong asked.

But Zhu Zhuqing only shook her head, not saying more.

Seeing her reaction, neither Rongrong nor Xiao Wu pressed her further.

At that moment, Ning Rongrong turned to them all and said, "By the way, Lin Jie. Now that my Martial Soul has evolved into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, I need to return to my clan immediately. This is far too important for us."

"Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, surprised. She hadn't been aware of Rongrong's breakthrough until now.

Xiao Wu quickly explained the earlier events to her. Only then did Zhu Zhuqing understand the significance.

"You go ahead, Rongrong," Xiao Wu said. "We'll let the Headmistress know. Just don't take too long. Dean Flender and the others should be back in a couple of days."

"Don't worry, I'll be back quickly. Our home isn't too far away," Ning Rongrong replied with a smile.

After saying her goodbyes to Lin Jie, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing, she turned and left—clearly still reeling from the significance of her Martial Soul's evolution.