Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

Ning Rongrong continued recounting what had happened over the past few months.

"Wait." Ning Fengzhi suddenly interrupted her. "I'll admit that I've always respected that 'Grandmaster' your academy speaks so highly of. Gaining three or four ranks in a year with proper methods is perfectly reasonable. I can even accept the spike in your cultivation a few months ago as the result of your own hard work. But there's something I can't explain. Just one month ago, you were still at Rank 33, and then you suddenly jumped to Rank 40 in a single month. What's going on?"

Ning Rongrong smiled mysteriously. "Actually, I only broke through to Rank 34 about half a month ago. But those six ranks after that? I reached them all in a single day."

Bone Douluo's sunken eyes widened in disbelief. "Rongrong, don't scare your grandpa like that."

As someone well-versed in rare and dangerous cultivation methods, Bone Douluo knew that rapidly gaining Spirit Power came at a cost. Gaining six ranks in a single day? That could burn away years—if not decades—of life force.

Seeing the stunned expressions on her father and both elders' faces, Ning Rongrong giggled. "Why do you all look like that? I was trying to give you a surprise, not a scare!"

Ning Fengzhi, still somewhat serious, said, "Alright then, Rongrong. Keep going."

"Okay, okay. There's not much to say really. I just took a rather special kind of herb. That's why my power soared so quickly."

Ning Fengzhi tensed slightly. "Herb? What kind of herb could have such a miraculous effect?"

"Lin Jie said… I think it's called the Beautiful Silk Tulip. He said it's one of the rarest types of immortal herbs," Rongrong explained.

"Beautiful Silk Tulip?" Ning Fengzhi looked at the two elders. "Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, have you ever heard of that plant?"

Both elders frowned and thought for a moment, then shook their heads.

It was Bone Douluo who suddenly muttered, "Maybe… that old poison freak, Dugu Bo, might know something about it."

Sword Douluo suddenly grew serious. "Fengzhi, we need to check Rongrong's body immediately. If her power was gained at the cost of her life force, we have to act now before it's too late."

Without waiting, the three of them stepped forward to examine her.

Rongrong gave a sigh. "Sword Grandpa, don't be so nervous. Lin Jie already said the immortal herbs he gave us were formed from pure Heaven and Earth essence. They don't have any side effects—in fact, they strengthen one's foundation and nourish one's vitality."

She paused, then continued cheekily, "I was going to wait and give you all a big surprise… but I guess now's as good a time as any." As she spoke, she slowly raised her right hand and began circulating her Martial Soul.

A brilliant rainbow-colored light radiated from her body and coalesced in her palm. Ning Fengzhi immediately sensed something was… off, though he couldn't quite place what at first.

Then, the dazzling light formed into a miniature pagoda—glowing with seven-colored brilliance. Three Spirit Rings hovered around it—two yellow and one purple. But something was different. The light was richer, more vibrant than usual.

Before Ning Fengzhi could say anything, Sword Douluo suddenly cried out in shock, "Nine levels… Nine colors. That's the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!"

"What?!" Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened as he turned to stare at the pagoda in Rongrong's hand.

He finally realized what had seemed strange—her Martial Soul had changed. The small pagoda, once seven-tiered, now had nine tiers. Its brilliance had intensified beyond anything he'd seen before.

As the strongest auxiliary-type Martial Soul in the entire continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had always come with a flaw: it could only accept seven Spirit Rings. Most believed it was a divine limitation placed upon it because of its overwhelming amplification abilities.

However, there had always been a legend within the clan: if one had a great enough opportunity or fortune, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could evolve—becoming the mythical Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

And now… that legend stood right in front of him.

At that moment, all of Ning Fengzhi's worries melted away. For Rongrong's Martial Soul to evolve, it meant her foundation hadn't been damaged—in fact, it was now stronger than ever. Without that level of stability, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda would never have appeared.

He wasn't the only one overwhelmed. Both Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo stood frozen with shock and joy. They knew exactly what the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda meant—for Rongrong, and for the future of their clan.

For a moment, none of them could even find the words.

Rongrong retracted her Martial Soul and looked smugly at the stunned trio. "Now do you believe me? Lin Jie would never do anything to hurt me."

Ning Fengzhi snapped out of it. "Wait… are you saying this too was thanks to Lin Jie?"

"Of course. What's so surprising?" she said matter-of-factly.

Father and elders exchanged glances. Clearly, they were all thinking the same thing.

Rongrong went on, "And it's not just me—Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing also broke through to Rank 40 after taking their own immortal herbs."

"What?!" the three exclaimed in unison.

They knew full well what reaching Rank 40 at their age meant—it was monstrous.

"Daddy," Rongrong smiled sweetly, "weren't you going to give me a gift?"

"Oh, right." Ning Fengzhi reached into his robes and pulled out two items. "Rongrong, I got these from the auction house about a week ago. I was hoping to find something even better afterward, but I didn't get the chance. These may not be particularly powerful, but they're still useful as self-defense weapons."

Noticing the strange look in his daughter's eyes, he paused. "Rongrong, why are you looking at me like that?"

She blinked. "Wrist-mounted crossbow… Hidden Sand Launcher… Daddy, how do you have San-ge's hidden weapons?"

As it turned out, Tang San had already sold some of his hidden weapons at the auction house the week prior. Fate was indeed a strange thing.

"You know these?" Ning Fengzhi asked, surprised.

"Of course. Look, it's the same." Rongrong pulled back her sleeve to show a nearly identical wrist-mounted device. Tang San had made one for each of their team before. Lin Jie hadn't received one yet, but even if he had, it wouldn't have been much use to him.

Ning Fengzhi compared the two and found hers was even more refined than the ones he'd bought.

"Oh, and Daddy—look at this!" Rongrong said, taking out a small spherical device: one of Lin Jie's Spirit Power grenades.

Lin Jie had taken great interest in crafting such tools, and had already given her over a dozen of the first-generation models, plus three improved second-generation ones.

Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brow. "What is that?"

Rongrong grinned. "A Spirit Power grenade. Lin Jie made it for me. It's really powerful!"

Ning Fengzhi gave a long sigh. "I really need to meet this Lin Jie someday… What kind of genius is he, exactly?"

Sword Douluo chuckled and added, "If he's really as amazing as Rongrong says… he might even make a good grandson-in-law."

"Grandpa Sword!" Rongrong's cheeks flushed pink. "Don't joke like that!"

Then she perked up. "Right! Daddy, why don't we go outside and test out these hidden weapons and grenades together?"