Chapter 71: Bibi Dong: There's Actually Such a Genius? Taking Immortal Herbs a Second Time
Pope's Palace
"Greetings, Teacher."
Hu Liena hurried into the hall and bowed toward the figure seated high upon the platform.
"Nana, what's wrong? Do you have something urgent to discuss with me?"
Bibi Dong raised her head. A trace of gentleness appeared on her usually imposing face.
"Teacher, I wanted to ask about Zhu Zhuqing."
Hu Liena hesitated slightly.
"Do you know anything about her?"
"That girl from the Zhu family recruited by the Douluo Hall? I know a little."
Bibi Dong paused.
As the Pope, she had attended meetings of the elders and naturally knew of Zhu Zhuqing.
Three things had caught her attention about the girl:
First, Qian Daoliu's attitude toward Zhu Zhuqing.
Second, the body-tempering method using whale glue that Zhu Zhuqing had presented.
Third, her unusually high soul power level for her age.
She asked calmly,
"Is there something unusual about her?"
"Zhu Zhuqing… She's very strong."
Hu Liena pressed her lips together. Thinking back to everything she had witnessed today, she unconsciously clenched her fists.
"Very strong? How strong could she possibly be?"
Bibi Dong frowned slightly.
She had read Zhu Zhuqing's records:
Innate Soul Power: Rank 7.
Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat.
Unless she had encountered some extraordinary opportunity and used soul bones and the whale rubber body-tempering method to obtain high-level soul rings, it would be impossible for her to possess rank 48 soul power.
It was even more impossible for her to surpass Hu Liena, whose innate soul power had been close to rank ten.
In fact, Bibi Dong believed that the current rank-48 Zhu Zhuqing might not even be a match for the rank-45 Hu Liena.
"Teacher… She's strong. Extremely strong."
Hu Liena's voice trembled slightly.
"Maybe… even if all the students of the elite class attacked together… even including the teachers… we still wouldn't be her match."
"Nana, do you realize what you're saying?"
Bibi Dong's expression hardened, her tone becoming more severe.
"No matter how strong she is, she's still only a Soul Ancestor!"
"Teacher, I know it's hard to believe, but I'm serious."
Hu Liena forced a bitter smile and began recounting what had happened.
"In the first theory class, she knocked out Teacher Sa De, who is rank 74, with a single punch."
"In the second combat class, she defeated Teacher Jiang Xiaoyu, who is rank 64, without using any soul ring or soul bone skills. She relied purely on a self-created soul skill."
"In the final free battle, she didn't even use her martial soul possession. She only used one soul bone skill to break apart the martial soul fusion skill between my brother and me."
"Honestly… I even felt a little sorry that we couldn't give Zhu Zhuqing a proper fight."
As Hu Liena spoke, her voice grew softer and softer. Her eyes were filled with frustration.
"Are… are you serious?"
After hearing everything, even Bibi Dong was stunned.
Even she herself could never have achieved such feats at her age.
"It's true. Every student in the elite class witnessed it."
Hu Liena nodded firmly.
"There's actually such a genius in this world?!"
Bibi Dong's expression turned strange, and her mood sank slightly.
As Pope, she had gathered talents from everywhere.
Yet despite all her caution, Qian Daoliu had somehow picked up a priceless treasure.
"Teacher…"
Hu Liena raised her head, her eyes slightly red.
"Did I embarrass you?"
Bibi Dong was silent for a moment before gently patting her disciple's hair.
"No, Nana. You've already worked very hard."
She spoke softly.
"It's just that this person… is a bit abnormal."
Bibi Dong looked toward the sky outside the palace, her gaze complicated.
Zhu Zhuqing…
She remembered the name now.
…
Douluo Hall
"Thank you, Teacher!"
After completing the pressure training, Zhu Zhuqing was drenched in sweat, yet excitement filled her exhausted face.
Joining Spirit Hall had brought her many gains.
But the greatest gain turned out to be the pressure released by Qian Daoliu.
Neither Bai Lu nor Zhu Zhuqing had expected this.
The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot originally required one or two more years to fully digest their medicinal power.
But under Qian Daoliu's pressure training, the medicinal effects were completely absorbed.
What did that mean?
It meant that Zhu Zhuqing could take another Immortal Herb.
"Cultivate well. You may return now."
Qian Daoliu nodded calmly.
"This disciple takes her leave!"
Zhu Zhuqing bowed respectfully before departing.
"Congratulations, Grand Worship."
Qin Shan had witnessed everything.
Now he finally understood just how monstrous Zhu Zhuqing truly was.
And why was she qualified to become a secret disciple of the Douluo Hall?
"So Xiao Qing is actually this impressive."
Glowing Feather Douluo's eyes also flashed with surprise.
"Do not spread this matter around."
Qian Daoliu glanced at Qin Shan.
"What are you talking about, Grand Worship? I don't understand anything at all."
Qin Shan looked completely confused.
"The academy still has matters waiting. I won't disturb you. I'll be going now~."
…
"Bai Lu, which Immortal Herb should I take next?"
The moment she left the hall, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help asking.
"Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid stabilizes the foundation and strengthens vitality."
"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum opens the eight extraordinary meridians and forms a vajra indestructible body."
"Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone nourishes tendons and bones while accelerating physical refinement."
"These three are currently the best choices."
Bai Lu quickly selected the three most suitable Immortal Herbs.
"Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid… should I choose that one?"
Zhu Zhuqing thought for a moment.
"My cultivation is progressing too fast right now. I really need something to stabilize my foundation."
"But… Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is also a good option."
After a brief thought, Bai Lu made the decision.
"Choose Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone."
Naturally, Zhu Zhuqing wouldn't oppose Bai Lu's decision.
But…
"You're not just choosing that to satisfy yourself, are you?"
The girl inwardly shot Bai Lu a disdainful look.
She was convinced that this shameless tiger definitely had ulterior motives.
Girls loved beauty; that was true.
But she was currently in a crucial stage of improving her strength.
In her opinion, real power gave far more security.
"Little Kitty, why is your mind filled with such dirty thoughts?"
Bai Lu felt his dignity had been insulted.
"Do you really think I'm that kind of person?"
The girl said nothing.
She simply nodded repeatedly.
"Sigh… forget it. I won't blame you for not understanding."
Bai Lu sighed.
"Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone nourishes tendons and bones and opens the eight extraordinary meridians. It's extremely beneficial for both your cultivation and my study of meridian pathways to perfect your cultivation method."
He remembered that in the original work, Tang San had only fully opened his extraordinary meridians after leaving the Slaughter City and absorbing the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone.
Now they could open them directly.
Wasn't that perfect?
More importantly…
"Chrysanthemum Douluo's martial soul is the Chrysanthemum. If you absorb it, he'll probably start bothering you."
And dealing with that guy right now wouldn't bring any benefits.
"You don't have to argue. It's not like I'm unwilling to satisfy you."
Zhu Zhuqing snorted softly.
After all, becoming prettier sooner wasn't exactly unacceptable.
"I hope you'll still be this confident when you're sleeping tonight."
Bai Lu glanced at her helplessly.
This girl loved to act bold despite lacking experience.
"Hmph! I'm not afraid!"
Zhu Zhuqing snorted inwardly.
"Should I absorb the Immortal Herb first or refine the whale rubber?"
Returning to the courtyard, she took out a white crystalline flower and a basket of ten-thousand-year whale rubber.
"Wait until I perfect your cultivation method before absorbing the whale rubber."
Bai Lu reminded her.
"To consume Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, eat the petals first, then sip the flower core. Calm your mind and circulate soul power to absorb the essence."
At such an important moment, Bai Lu stopped joking.
Instead, he focused entirely on observing the girl within her spiritual sea to refine her cultivation method.
"Alright."
After swallowing the Immortal Herb, a faint jade glow appeared across Zhu Zhuqing's body.
Her skin became even more crystal clear.
Her posture shifted from sitting cross-legged to standing upright. Her hands rested lightly over her chest as she quietly absorbed the medicinal power.
Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
"Meow—!"
With a soft catlike cry, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly opened her eyes as if awakening from a dream.
Her beautiful eyes shimmered with confusion.
"I… actually reached rank 50 already?!"
—
End of Chapter