Chapter 183: Changes, Ning Rongrong's Growth
"A different world?"
Zhu Zhuqing froze for a moment.
The atmosphere in Slaughter City had been far too oppressive before, and after coming out, everything suddenly felt overly relaxed. She had thought it was just an illusion.
But now that she carefully sensed it again, she abruptly realized—
"The entire world seems to have become a lot more 'relaxed.'"
"That's more or less the right way to put it."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, agreeing with her assessment:
"Previously, it was as though a mountain was pressing down on everyone through the very air itself."
"Because of that mountain's existence, cultivation was generally more difficult, and the strength people could display was weaker."
"But now, that great mountain has suddenly disappeared."
He paused, his tone becoming somewhat profound:
"Now, aside from cultivation becoming smoother, everyone's abilities have also undergone some new changes."
The girl cooperatively asked, "What kind of changes?"
"For example… Now every Titled Douluo can fly."
"Even powerful Soul Saints can fly now."
Qian Daoliu gave the most intuitive example possible.
Although the example sounded ridiculous, it was the truth.
Before this, on the Douluo Continent, not every Titled Douluo could fly.
Even someone as powerful as the Golden Crocodile Douluo could not truly fly.
But now, without exception, they all could!
"So that's how it is!"
Zhu Zhuqing instantly understood.
No wonder she had felt like she could fly even without using her right leg soul bone earlier.
And on the way back, after activating the right leg soul bone, her flight speed had become twice as fast as she had expected.
"Right now, the entire continent appears peaceful on the surface, but beneath it, undercurrents are surging."
"Earthquakes are occurring frequently across the continent, and tsunamis continue endlessly in coastal regions."
"The gods told me—the world is about to change!"
"But exactly how it will change, and what it will become, nobody knows."
Qian Daoliu looked toward the girl, his eyes filled with expectation and solemnity:
"In short, chaotic times are approaching. Only by becoming stronger can we protect ourselves, protect the people we cherish, and defend Spirit City."
"Work hard, Xiao Qing. Cultivate diligently."
"The future belongs to your generation."
"I will, Teacher."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded seriously, her gaze resolute.
Although her strength was already formidable, her level was still only rank 78.
Her future growth potential remained unimaginably vast.
Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction before changing the subject and returning to the main topic:
"As for your Fourth Trial, I'll immediately send people to gather the fallen soul masters captured across various regions."
"Once the number reaches fifty, someone will notify you to carry out the judgment."
"Mhm!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly. "Then I'll head back to my courtyard to rest and adjust my condition."
"Wait! Take this."
Qian Daoliu suddenly stopped her and flipped his hand, producing an ancient wooden box.
With a casual toss, the box landed precisely in Zhu Zhuqing's hands.
"This is…"
"Hundred Thousand Year Whale Rubber."
Qian Daoliu said calmly, "Spirit Hall obtained it by chance over the past two years. The quantity is small, but it's still extremely precious."
"Thank you, Teacher! Then I'll go rest first!"
A flash of delight crossed Zhu Zhuqing's face.
She quickly stored away the wooden box before turning and walking toward her small courtyard.
As soon as she exited the Douluo Hall, she asked inwardly:
"Big Tiger, do you know what exactly happened to this world?"
"Not really."
Bai Lu's voice sounded within the spiritual sea, carrying a trace of contemplation:
"In fact, ever since we left the Slaughter City and passed through that curtain of light, I already sensed the changes in heaven and earth."
At first, he thought it was something similar to spiritual qi revival.
That the world's origin had awakened, causing heaven and earth's spiritual energy to become active, which in turn strengthened soul masters…
But after carefully sensing it, he realized that the energy had merely become more active and easier to absorb.
There was no sign of any so-called "revival."
"Let's not worry about it for now."
"Even if we knew the root cause, with our current strength, there's nothing we could do about it."
"Rather than wasting time guessing, it's better to seize every opportunity to become stronger."
"As long as we ourselves are strong enough, no matter how the world changes, we'll be able to handle it calmly."
Bai Lu paused before adding:
"Oh right, make time to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well later. There are several immortal herbs we couldn't make use of before that can be used now."
"Okay!"
Zhu Zhuqing smiled faintly.
Her steps were light as she quickly arrived at the small courtyard where she lived.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, she found that the furnishings inside had barely changed from before she left—
Bluestone paths, swaying bamboo shadows, a crystal-clear pond, and an exceptionally tranquil atmosphere.
Walking inside, she felt her mood relax considerably.
The girl casually strolled around once but did not spot the familiar figure.
"Rongrong isn't here?"
"Or did she change residence?"
Just as the thought appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's mind, she sensed hurried footsteps sprinting toward the courtyard.
"Wah! Zhuqing! You're finally back!"
Accompanied by a crisp voice, a beautiful figure rushed in.
Ning Rongrong spread her arms wide, locked onto Zhu Zhuqing, and pounced straight at her.
"Zhuqing! It's been so long; I missed you to death—ugh!"
Before she could finish speaking, her neck was suddenly seized midair, leaving her dangling helplessly in the air.
In an instant, her breathing became rapid, her face turned red, and her limbs flailed wildly as she struggled in vain.
She seemed to have died a little.
"Eh?!"
Zhu Zhuqing froze for a moment before hurriedly setting her down.
"Are you okay, Rongrong?"
She patted Ning Rongrong's head comfortingly to soothe her.
"Z-Zhuqing! Were you trying to kill me?"
Ning Rongrong clutched her neck and gasped for air.
Her face was full of grievance and injury.
"Sorry. I stayed outside for too long and picked up some habits. My body reacted subconsciously."
Zhu Zhuqing remained calm and composed.
During these two years in Death Canyon and the Slaughter City, there had been too many sneak attacks.
Neck-snapping, skewering people like kebabs, ripping hearts out—she had experienced a lot of such things.
Although her killing intent was restrained, some of those instincts still had not been adjusted back.
Ning Rongrong's flying pounce just now had left her wide open, the posture absolutely perfect.
Her hand had reacted a little too instinctively.
"What exactly did you go through over these two years? How did you become this fierce…"
Ning Rongrong puffed her cheeks and quietly muttered.
Still, one matter was one matter. She quickly cast aside her grievances and waved magnanimously:
"Forget it, forget it. Since you finally came back, I'll magnanimously forgive you!"
She impatiently pulled Zhu Zhuqing over to sit beside the stone table, then immediately opened up and began chattering nonstop about everything that had happened over the past two years.
"These past two years, I've been studying at Spirit Hall Academy. Sometimes I even cultivated alongside the other worship teachers. My progress has been super fast!"
Ning Rongrong looked incredibly proud, slightly lifting her chin:
"Bet you didn't expect this! I'm already a rank 56 Soul King now!"
"Not only did I obtain my fifth soul ring, but I also contracted my second spirit soul!"
"My fifth soul skill is soul power amplification. It can massively increase a target's soul power. It's unbelievably powerful!"
"When combined with my other soul skills, once you experience it, you'll never be able to go back!"
Ning Rongrong's face was filled with pride and excitement as she grew increasingly animated while speaking.
"What's your second spirit soul?"
"My spirit soul is a Rainbow Unicorn with a full forty thousand years of cultivation! It's super beautiful, and its combat power is also incredibly strong!"
"Right now, even if Hu Liena and the others all attacked together at full strength, they still might not be able to beat me!"
After saying that, she looked expectantly toward Zhu Zhuqing, her sparkling eyes shining brightly:
"Zhuqing, Zhuqing, what about you?"
"Where did you go these past two years? How have you been? Did you become a lot stronger again?"
End of Chapter