...
One hour later.
The white halo in the private room slowly faded away, Zhu Zhuqing's long eyelashes trembled, and then she suddenly opened her eyes.
In that instant, two sharp glints shot out from her eyes, and her entire aura underwent a dramatic change.
"Level 30..."
Zhu Zhuqing felt the surging soul power within her body, like a rushing river, and the power that was stuck at the bottleneck and constantly overflowing due to the lack of a soul ring to guide it.
Her face was full of disbelief:
"Moreover, this feeling of fullness... far surpasses even level 30!
Once I obtain my third spirit ring, my spirit power will probably surge directly to level 35 or higher!"
In just the time it takes to eat a meal, she was spared at least two years of arduous training?
This is so dreamy!
"How about that?
Stunned, aren't you?"
Just as Zhu Zhuqing was still questioning her life, a delicate little face suddenly came close to her.
Ning Rongrong, like an expert appraiser, circled Zhu Zhuqing twice, her large eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
"Tsk tsk tsk, she really has become more beautiful."
"This is what you call having ice-like skin and jade-like bones...
Your skin is even more delicate than before, and your cool and aloof temperament is even more amazing."
As she spoke, Ning Rongrong's gaze involuntarily drifted downwards, fixing on Zhu Zhuqing's already impressive, now seemingly even more shapely curves, and she said sourly:
"And that figure... It was already unfair, now it's practically leaving no chance for anyone else!"
"I knew it! Xuan Hao didn't have good intentions in giving you this herb! He just wants your body!"
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing blushed at her blunt words and shrank back somewhat flustered.
"Rongrong, what are you saying..."
"Don't believe me? See for yourself!"
Without saying a word, Ning Rongrong pulled Zhu Zhuqing to the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the corner of the private room.
In the mirror, the girl was still wearing a tight leather outfit, but her skin had a faint, crystalline glow.
Her features had become more refined and three-dimensional, and her previously somewhat naive temperament had completely settled down, exuding a captivating and aloof charm.
And her figure... was indeed as Ning Rongrong said, even thinner where she should be thinner, and even more curvy where she should be curvy.
"This..." Zhu Zhuqing was stunned.
This miraculous herb actually has such amazing effects on beauty, skin care, and body shaping?
"that..."
Zhu Zhuqing turned her head, looked at Ning Rongrong who was standing beside her with an envious expression, and suddenly thought of something.
She tentatively asked:
"Rongrong, have you... eaten this kind of thing before?"
Although she had only known Ning Rongrong for a short time, she knew that the girl was only twelve years old, yet her soul power was as high as level forty-two.
Such a cultivation speed was impossible even for someone with innate full soul power.
The only explanation is that she also cheated.
"yes."
Ning Rongrong didn't hide anything, and was even a little proud:
"When I was six years old, my brother Xuanhao gave me a Qiluo Tulip.
It was a top-grade immortal herb that not only made my soul power surge, but also helped my martial soul evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"In addition, I have worked really hard these past few years, so I barely managed to reach level 42."
At this point, Ning Rongrong suddenly sighed and waved her hand dismissively:
"However, while my cultivation level might be considered genius by ordinary people, it's nothing compared to those two freaks..."
"It's just so-so."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression was somewhat unnatural. "What... exactly is their cultivation level?"
"Although I know Brother Hao is very strong, capable of beating Zhao Wuji, he must be at least a Soul Saint level fighter.
But he looks... only two or three years older than us, right?"
"And Na'er...she's the same age as me, right?"
"Listen carefully, don't be scared."
Ning Rongrong held up one finger and solemnly announced the answer:
"Brother Xuanhao is fourteen and a half years old this year, with a soul power level of sixty-seven.
He is a powerful attack-type Soul Emperor.
Moreover, he is the kind who can easily crush a Soul Saint."
"Na'er is twelve years old this year, the same age as you and me, and her soul power is level forty-two."
Zhu Zhuqing gasped, feeling a chill run down her spine.
A fourteen-year-old from the class of '67?
A twelve-year-old with a score of 42?
Is this...is this even human?
"What's most infuriating is..."
Ning Rongrong leaned close to Zhu Zhuqing's ear and whispered:
"Na'er didn't eat any of the magical herbs!"
"Didn't eat?!" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened.
"Then why..."
"Just naturally gifted," Ning Rongrong shrugged. "Comparison is the thief of joy."
"Originally, Brother Xuanhao had prepared Narcissus Jade Bone for her, which is the one you just ate.
But Na'er absolutely refused to eat it."
"Why?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, puzzled.
How could anyone refuse such a divine object?
"because..."
Ning Rongrong's eyes turned somewhat strange, "Because she kept staring at the other immortal herb in Brother Xuanhao's hand—the Acacia Heartbreak Red!"
"She said she didn't want any of the others except for that one."
"If it weren't for the fact that Brother Xuanhao has already given me the Qiluo Tulip and I can't eat any other immortal herbs, I would want that one too!"
"The Red of Heartbreak and Longing?"
Upon first hearing this poignant name, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but ask:
"Is there anything special about that thing? Is it better than what I'm eating?"
"It's not just a matter of good or bad."
Ning Rongrong pulled Zhu Zhuqing down to sit and began to explain to her the stories Xuan Hao had told her:
"The Acacia 'Heartbreak Red' is known as the king of immortal herbs.
Legend has it that it is the flower of love, and can only be taken by lovers."
"To pluck it, one must have one's beloved in one's heart, be single-minded, and love deeply and purely.
If there is even the slightest distraction or wavering, even if you vomit blood and die, you will never be able to pluck a single petal."
"Moreover, legend has it that once a master gains its approval, it will protect him for life and never wither."
"Whoever can pick that flower represents her love for that person... which is unwavering until death."
"Isn't it obvious that Na'er wants that flower?"
After hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's expression became extremely strange.
"Doesn't that mean..."
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment, but still asked:
"You...all...have feelings for him?"
"..."
Ning Rongrong turned her head and looked at Zhu Zhuqing as if she were an idiot, with an expression that said, "Are you blind?"
"Is this some kind of secret?"
"Haven't we made it obvious enough?"
"Sister Yanzi practically clings to him; Na'er is hopelessly addicted to her brother; look at me..."
Ning Rongrong pointed to herself and said confidently:
"I even ran away from home for him! Isn't that obvious enough?"
"Our concern for him is written all over our foreheads, okay?
It's just that that blockhead sometimes pretends to be stupid!"
At this point, Ning Rongrong suddenly leaned closer to Zhu Zhuqing, her eyes filled with a hint of wariness and scrutiny:
"But you..."
"Since you took his magic herb and called him... Brother Hao."
"You wouldn't be thinking of joining the competition, would you?"
"Let me tell you, this line is really long.
If you want to cut in line, you'll have to get past me first!"
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the fierce-looking little devil in front of her, and an unnatural blush flashed across her face.
"No...no."
She turned her head away, her voice low:
"I just... see him as... my boss."
"Pfft, I'd never believe you."
Ning Rongrong pouted, "Sister Yanzi said the same thing back then, but later... hmph."
We'll see.
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