After several busy days…
Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo returned from the palace to find the Bone Douluo, who had rushed over using a spatial gate and his ninth Soul Skill after receiving their letter.
"Oh, old bones, that fast?"
The Sword Douluo was slightly surprised to see him.
"Yeah. After Dugu Bo returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I flew straight here."
"What exactly happened? Dugu Bo mentioned the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian and Emerald Swan Bi Ji came to Heaven Dou?"
Having hurried over, the Bone Douluo hadn't gotten a detailed explanation from Dugu Bo.
"That's right."
Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo recounted the events of the past few days.
"Honestly, calling me here is pointless," the Bone Douluo's eye twitched.
Two 99th-rank Titled Douluo? They overestimated Gu Rong's capabilities.
Did they want a group wipe?
"With Ning Fengzhi's support, both of you would be at the 98th-rank. The gap isn't insurmountable." A crisp set of footsteps approached.
"Tokisaki Kurumi."
The Sword Douluo remained wary of the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
"Miss Kurumi, what do you mean by 'bridging the gap'?" Ning Fengzhi, however, wasn't as guarded. Since his daughter had entrusted her with her safety, she likely posed no threat.
"Soul Ring Fusion… I recall one of you two Titled Douluo has mastered a similar skill."
"That's impossible. The difference between us and a 99th-rank is still substantial. Soul Ring Fusion takes too long it'd leave too many openings in actual combat," the Sword Douluo shook his head.
Tokisaki Kurumi chuckled. "Master has completed her breakthrough. I can now fully control the Evil God Pearl's power or rather, that power belongs to me now."
"Though I can no longer use the Life-and-Death Arena, manipulating time is within my capabilities."
"You mean…"
"Accelerating time, or even reversing it such things are possible for me now!"
"I see." Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Using time acceleration to shorten the Soul Ring Fusion's wind-up."
"Miss Kurumi, I've seen Sword Dude's Soul Ring Fusion. Even if executed perfectly, it wouldn't kill a Limit Douluo."
"At best, under ideal conditions with no defenses, it might inflict heavy injuries."
Gu Rong wasn't looking down on Chen Xin. Having faced Di Tian up close, that overwhelming sense of invincibility made resistance seem futile. And besides Di Tian, there was still Emerald Swan Bi Ji.
Another 99th-rank-equivalent Soul Beast and a healing-type at that.
Even if Di Tian were injured, one heal from her would restore him completely. How could they fight that?
Targeting Bi Ji first? Forget whether they could kill a healer who could also fight if Di Tian flew into a rage, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would be annihilated.
"What about a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"
"Master just informed me that this might be worth trying." Tokisaki Kurumi studied the Bone Douluo. "Through the Evil God Pearl, I've comprehended the powers of time, space, and darkness."
"Additionally, as a Dark Devilgod Tiger, I possess other elemental abilities."
"I'll now share all the insights I've gained over tens of thousands of years. How much you comprehend is up to you." She spread her hands.
"You… why are you doing this?" The Sword Douluo frowned.
If he recalled correctly, this creature ah, Tokisaki Kurumi had once wanted to kill Ning Rongrong and even destroy the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
At least before becoming the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's spirit, that had been her intent. She'd said as much.
"Hah? Why, you ask…" Tokisaki Kurumi smiled.
"Consider it repaying a debt to Master. This was likely her goal from the start otherwise, she wouldn't have spared me or purified the Evil God's malice."
"What do you mean?" Ning Fengzhi was puzzled.
Hadn't Ning Rongrong and the Dark Devilgod Tiger reached a compromise after a struggle, barely forming a contract?
"She could have killed me, erased me completely from the Evil God Pearl. But she didn't, likely valuing my abilities and experience perhaps useful for you three."
"I only realized this after becoming the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's spirit," Tokisaki Kurumi sighed. "I was thoroughly outmaneuvered."
"That's how it was?" The Sword Douluo was stunned.
"Of course. Soul Ring Fusion, Soul Ring Explosion, even Martial Soul Fusion Skills these were all part of her initial plan."
"She even simulated your Soul Power fluctuations within the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's rules to test Martial Soul Fusion Skills. Though it seems something was still missing I'm not sure what."
"But based on her recent message, she seems to have gained some insight."
"Anyway, given her personality, once she awakens, you might truly gain the power to rival a 99th-rank."
"Even if not, with my and her abilities, escaping with you three wouldn't be an issue."
The Bone Douluo's eye twitched:
"Why do I feel like you and Rongrong think we're utterly useless?"
"Those are your words, not mine. I wouldn't dare let Master know I think her father needs his daughter to 'hope for his success.'"
Ning Fengzhi: "…"
No wonder Rongrong had spared her. Their compatibility was uncanny.
"Actually, there's one more thing. Do you remember the Evil Spirit Orca King?"
"Uh, yes. What about it?"
"Before Master erased its soul, it actually wanted to become her second Martial Soul. Hilarious."
"Second Martial Soul? Twin Martial Souls?" Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened as he exchanged glances with the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
"Ah, Soul Beasts that have survived one tribulation can potentially become a human's second Martial Soul. The probability depends on whether the human can endure it."
"But given Master's condition, she definitely could. Yet she refused."
"Why?" The Sword Douluo couldn't help but ask.
A 100,000-year Evil Spirit Orca King as a Martial Soul? That would be a top-tier Martial Soul!
A top-tier beast-type, no less. Paired with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, it'd be unstoppable. At the very least, she'd gain nine more Soul Rings.
If he and Gu Rong could get one, they'd reach the 99th-rank in no time.
"Pfft." Tokisaki Kurumi laughed again. "Didn't I tell you? Master doesn't need a Martial Soul. She's completely different from you humans who steal power from Soul Beasts."
"Alright, enough talk." A pistol appeared in Kurumi's hand as the clock in her left eye ticked faintly.
"What are you doing?"
The Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo immediately shielded Ning Fengzhi. Since Ning Rongrong was still cultivating, they didn't release their Martial Souls immediately.
But it was clear they'd act at the first sign of danger.