"I think we can give it a try," Bone Douluo nodded and said.
Shortly after,
Tokisaki Kurumi went "biu."
A faint wisp of smoke rose from the barrel of her gun.
The fired bullet swiftly embedded itself into Bone Douluo's forehead. Compared to Ning Fengzhi, the absorption of this knowledge took much longer—nearly an hour before Bone Douluo finally awoke.
"How was it?"
Tokisaki Kurumi inquired.
"Thank you. I apologize for my earlier prejudice," Bone Douluo replied, his tone tinged with excitement. After having his power refined by Tokisaki Kurumi's abilities, he could clearly sense that his previous methods of utilizing his strength had indeed been rather crude.
No wonder she had been able to escape from multiple Limit Douluo-level soul beasts despite only being a ten-thousand-year soul beast herself. She truly had some tricks up her sleeve.
After Bone Douluo received the knowledge, Sword Douluo also underwent the memory transfer.
Among the memories were numerous insights into the path of the sword. The Dark Devilgod Tiger, after all, had lived for tens of thousands of years and possessed a wealth of experience, which proved to be deeply enlightening for Sword Douluo.
"Alright, the appetizer is done. Now, it's time for the main course."
Tokisaki Kurumi exhaled lightly and called out,
"Zafkiel."
Instantly, a giant clock materialized behind her.
"This is…?"
Seeing the three of them enveloped in what appeared to be a domain-like barrier, they didn't resist, given their prior experience. However, confusion still colored their expressions.
"This is a skill I gained after my master's breakthrough—Zafkiel: City of Devouring Time."
"It manipulates time within this space. At most, ten days here equate to one day outside."
"She hopes that within these ten days, you can achieve the level of Martial Soul Resonance."
"Personally, I think it's nearly impossible, but her intention is clear—you must achieve resonance, even if only once."
"Perhaps she has some other ideas in mind. She didn't elaborate on that part." A trace of frustration laced Tokisaki Kurumi's voice as she shook her head, dispelling the jumble of thoughts.
"Anyway, I'll transmit all of my master's understanding of Martial Soul Fusion Skills to you. You only have ten days."
Tokisaki Kurumi sighed.
"Logically, there shouldn't be such a rush, but… she seems quite worried about Limit Douluo suddenly appearing to cause trouble."
"From what I know of her, once you achieve Martial Soul Resonance, she'll be able to assist you in jointly unleashing a Martial Soul Fusion Skill after she emerges from seclusion."
"Maybe that's the case—I'm not entirely sure. But she did say that she wouldn't be completely powerless against a level-99 opponent."
"This… Rongrong has been considering all this?" Ning Fengzhi and the two Douluo exchanged glances.
While they were still thinking about how to avoid conflict, Ning Rongrong was already planning how to contend with a level-99 Title Douluo.
Judging by Tokisaki Kurumi's tone, it actually seemed… quite promising?
Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo locked eyes, both seeing the same helplessness reflected in each other's gazes.
It seemed that over the years, the three of them had essentially been spoon-fed by Ning Rongrong.
"Don't overthink it. She just has a deep-seated lack of security," Tokisaki Kurumi couldn't help but complained.
"Don't be fooled by her demeanor—she just wants to be a carefree, pressure-free young lady. The only catch is that she doesn't want her family exterminated in the process."
Ning Fengzhi and the others: "…"
Such a simple and honest wish. But why did it feel like her actions were the complete opposite?
"Alright, let me explain the information she transmitted to me through the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda."
Tokisaki Kurumi paused to gather her thoughts before continuing.
"The principle of the Martial Soul Fusion Skill is based on the God-Demon Slash framework. As for the process, I assume she's already mentioned it."
"The key lies in the final step—integrating Sect Master Ning's Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda as a stabilizer to balance the instability of the God-Demon Slash. In simple terms, that's the gist of it."
"I'll transmit all the experience she's accumulated through simulations within the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda directly into your memories."
"In the next ten days, I hope you can at least achieve the bare minimum—Martial Soul Resonance among the three of you."
Ning Fengzhi and the two Douluo nodded.
They had naturally studied Martial Soul Fusion Skills, given Ning Rongrong's keen interest in them.
But they never expected that Rongrong had been experimenting alone inside the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda.
Even going so far as to—
"Sigh, it's almost embarrassing to think about."
Martial Soul Resonance was the minimum requirement. Ten days should be enough…
No—it had to be enough.
...
Tokisaki Kurumi exited the City of Devouring Time and gazed at the azure sky.
"According to the messages from my clones, the people from Spirit Hall have arrived."
One of them was an effeminate man, while the other emitted an energy signature somewhat similar to Bone Douluo—a rather shadowy individual.
Tokisaki Kurumi leaned against the corridor railing, occasionally glancing toward the suite.
"Hmm?"
Her brows suddenly furrowed.
Why was he here? Had something been discovered?
A spatial gate opened beside her, and she stepped through without hesitation.
The next moment, she appeared several hundred meters away from the hotel.
"Might I ask what the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou is doing here?" Tokisaki Kurumi intercepted Xue Qinghe, who was approaching the hotel, along with the three deans of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
"Who goes there?!" The sudden appearance of the girl startled the three deans.
Her method of arrival was far too bizarre—as if she had stepped out from some hidden doorway.
An eerie aura surrounded her, sending chills down their spines.
"You are… Miss Kurumi?"
Xue Qinghe remained outwardly composed but inwardly wary. He raised a hand to signal the deans to remain calm.
"Ah, finally someone remembers my name." Tokisaki Kurumi nodded. "Are you here to see the Sect Master, Your Highness? I'm afraid he won't be available today."
"Oh? Has something happened to my teacher?" Xue Qinghe blinked in surprise.
"Nothing major. He's had a breakthrough in cultivation and isn't receiving visitors today." Tokisaki Kurumi shrugged.
"I see." Xue Qinghe nodded thoughtfully, his eyes scanning Tokisaki Kurumi with a calm expression. However, inwardly, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
Her power was strange—it didn't seem to be soul power.
Xue Qinghe remained highly vigilant toward Tokisaki Kurumi.
This girl's strength was unknown, her origins unclear. Even after subtle probing, all he had gleaned from Ning Fengzhi was that she was somehow connected to Ning Rongrong—nothing more.
A being capable of escaping safely from a level-99 beast like Di Tian while evacuating an entire group was anything but normal. And her youthful appearance—barely in her teens—only made it all the more unsettling.
"Your Highness, are you thinking something rather rude right now?"
Tokisaki Kurumi's lips curled into a smirk.
"You'd best not act recklessly. I don't know what the two hidden presences trailing you intend, nor do I care."
"But if you dare make a move against my master… I won't hesitate to retaliate."
So she noticed!
Xue Qinghe's heart skipped a beat, his pupils contracting.
"I'm not sure what you're implying, Miss Kurumi," he replied smoothly.
"I harbor no ill intentions toward Ning Rongrong. She may become the future leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, while I am destined to be the next emperor of Heaven Dou Empire. The likelihood of any marital ties between us is slim."
"Well, if that's how you want to interpret it, fine." Tokisaki Kurumi shrugged again. "Rather than investigating the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, you should focus on the brewing storm in Heaven Dou City."