Chapter 53: Ice and Fire Alchemy Body Achieved, External Soul Bone Evolves!
As the saying goes, when two flowers bloom, each tells its own tale.
The moment Bai Lu discovered that Dugu Bo had left Heaven Dou City to search everywhere for Dugu Yan, he immediately returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Because he knew.
It was stable.
Dugu Bo would not be coming back anytime soon.
Kidnapping?
He was a good tiger. He did not stoop to kidnapping.
He had merely executed a classic diversion tactic, luring the tiger away from the mountain.
"It has already been a full day and night. According to the original timeline, the refinement should have finished by now, right?"
Standing by the spring, he stared blankly for a while. Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing had still not surfaced, he felt a trace of confusion.
With that doubt in mind, he withdrew his wandering thoughts and carefully sensed the young girl's body…
Several minutes later.
"This... that is basically cheating, isn't it?"
Bai Lu muttered, his expression turning somewhat strange.
He could not tell whether it was because she had consumed too much whale rubber, fused with too many soul bones, or because the Blue Silver Emperor was excessively nourishing.
But the rate at which she was digesting the medicinal power of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot far exceeded his expectations.
Under normal circumstances, after completing the Ice and Fire Body Refinement, it would take about ten years to fully absorb the medicinal potency of these two immortal herbs.
Yet Zhu Zhuqing's situation could not be judged by common sense.
Strictly speaking, she had already successfully forged her Ice and Fire Alchemy Body.
The reason she had not awakened yet was because she was using the power of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to accelerate the absorption of the remaining medicinal energy.
"What a pity… if that old bastard did not return, give her three to five more days, and the medicinal power of both immortal herbs would probably be completely absorbed."
Bai Lu let out a faint sigh.
But he also understood that this was impossible.
To be safe, at the very latest by this afternoon, they had to leave.
"Still, it is not bad. Even if she does nothing, after another year or so of digestion and adaptation, she should be able to absorb another immortal herb."
"Which one should be next? Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum? Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone? Or Beautiful Silk Tulip?"
"What a difficult choice."
Bai Lu shook his head, temporarily setting aside this pleasant dilemma.
"For now, let me test the results of my recent research."
Lowering his head, he looked at the hundred-thousand-year soul ring beneath his feet. He attempted to blend his spiritual power with his soul power before channeling both into the soul ring.
Then, using his spiritual power, he forcefully began influencing the soul ring from within.
Da da da.
The blood-red soul ring flickered rapidly before gradually fading in color, turning white.
White shifted to yellow. Yellow shifted to purple. Purple shifted to black. Black shifted back to red.
The colors continuously alternated, and the speed of transformation grew faster and faster.
In the end, it could freely switch between all colors.
"This color changing… does not seem as difficult as I imagined."
Bai Lu rubbed his chin, feeling as though he might have overestimated the Skydream Ice Worm.
Whether it was the intelligent soul ring, aura concealment, or this current color shifting, all of it was far easier than he had anticipated.
Could it be that Douluo cultivation methods were very simple?
As long as one researched diligently, sooner or later, it could be figured out.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible."
"If it were truly that simple, how could it be that over tens of thousands of years no cultivation techniques were developed?"
"The reason I can develop these so easily must be because I am simply too much of a genius."
"Yes. That has to be it."
Bai Lu reaffirmed his confidence.
"Since I am a true genius, replicating Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon should not be too difficult, right?"
With that thought, he immediately directed his clone to begin replicating them.
Only after practicing did he realize how shocking it was.
Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track emphasized footwork, which was somewhat challenging for him.
However…
"This Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon is way too simple."
Perhaps it was the experience of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast at work, or perhaps practicing through a clone allowed him to train without restraint. After barely ten minutes, he was already executing the Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon technique with considerable proficiency.
"At most two months. I will definitely be able to replicate Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon technique to an almost identical level."
As a high-level player, he had full confidence in his talent.
Time swiftly advanced to noon.
Sunlight blossomed across the sky and poured into the valley, causing the spring water to shimmer with an extraordinary radiance.
Splash.
Suddenly, the spring churned violently.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman slowly emerged from the water.
In the sunlight, her flawless body shimmered with a jade-like luster, tinged with a faint golden glow.
Every inch of her skin resembled the finest mutton fat jade, warm and glossy.
Her proud curves carried a subtle sense of strength while maintaining feminine softness.
She opened her eyes. A pair of cat-like pupils appeared deep and mysterious, yet incomparably bright.
She wore nothing upon her body, yet seemed to contain everything.
As she slowly stepped out of the spring, her figure swayed slightly.
Whoosh.
Eight spider lances, as resplendent as black crystal, extended from her back.
Compared to before, they were longer, smoother, and sharper. Their tips glinted with chilling light, as though capable of piercing all things.
Across the dark lances ran two intertwining patterns, one red and one blue, like ice and fire intertwined together, emanating a heart-trembling aura.
The Eight Spider Lances had evolved once again.
And this was only the first change.
"Success…"
Zhu Zhuqing murmured as she slowly raised her left hand.
Whoosh.
A faint glow blossomed across her palm. Dark gold streams of light rippled like water, illuminating her entire arm.
Although her left hand showed no obvious change in form, it radiated an unmistakable oppressive force.
Clearly, the Vigorous Vajra Palm had evolved once more.
No.
It should now be called the Dark Gold Left Hand.
"Little Kitty, how does it feel?"
"Bai Lu!"
Zhu Zhuqing froze for a moment before slowly lifting her head, looking toward the white-robed young man standing before her, wearing that familiar playful smile as he quietly watched her.
When she had thrown herself into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, she had truly feared she might die. She feared her path would end there. She feared Bai Lu had deceived her.
But what she feared most was never being able to fight alongside him again.
Her eyes gradually misted over. All the emotions she had suppressed could no longer be restrained. Like a volcano, they erupted violently.
She spread her arms and, without hesitation, threw herself at Bai Lu. Standing on tiptoe, she excitedly kissed his cheek.
She clung to him tightly, as though afraid he might disappear from her life.
On her usually cool and aloof face, there was now nothing but attachment.
Buzz.
Bai Lu's body stiffened. He stood there, momentarily stunned.
Usually steady or carefree, he now felt slightly at a loss.
But very quickly, he understood the girl's worries.
He said nothing. He simply raised his hand and gently stroked her soft hair, soothing his little kitten.
His touch was gentle yet firm, gradually calming the turbulence within her heart.
Five minutes later, Zhu Zhuqing lifted her head and softly said,
"Thank you…"
"Just one kiss?"
Bai Lu smiled. "I feel like your sincerity is somewhat lacking."
"Just one."
Zhu Zhuqing haughtily released him, a crafty smile appearing on her face.
"Do not think I do not know. You secretly kissed me several times."
"…"
Bai Lu looked at her in silence before letting out a helpless sigh.
"You win."
"Hmph."
The corners of her lips lifted, revealing a trace of pride.
A gentle breeze swept through the valley.
Her body trembled slightly.
Both the valley and the mountain peaks carried a faint chill.
She slowly lowered her head and realized that her delicate, pink-toned body remained exactly the same as before she entered the spring.
Not a single thread of clothing remained upon her.
—
End of Chapter