"What are these herbs? Can they really let me absorb a fourth spirit ring as a Spirit Ancestor?"
Hearing Shui Bing'er's doubts, Ignaz explained further:
"These red stalk leaves will refine your Phoenix power, pushing your Ice Phoenix martial spirit to the level of a true top-tier spirit. And this immortal herb in my hand is called the *Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass*. It can bring your martial spirit to the very limit of the ice element. If you take both together, there's a strong chance your Ice Phoenix will evolve once more."
"My Ice Phoenix martial spirit can evolve? And what exactly is the 'Ultimate Ice' you mentioned?"
Shui Bing'er's questions came one after another, her eyes filled with confusion.
"The evolution is only my conjecture," Ignaz admitted. "As for Ultimate Ice—you can think of it as the very pinnacle of the ice element, carrying the power to freeze and destroy with terrifying force."
He was only fifty percent confident that the Ice Phoenix would evolve. Still, the *Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass* was the most suitable immortal herb for water- or ice-attribute spirit masters. Not only harmless, it could even repair the body to a remarkable degree.
Meanwhile, the stalk leaves of the *Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower* carried refined Phoenix power and a faint trace of fire. They were perfect to counteract the chilling toxins of the *Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass*, preventing any harm during the process.
Seeing Shui Bing'er hesitate, Dugu yan and Ye Lingling immediately snatched the immortal herbs from Ignaz and pressed them into her hands.
"Bing'er, Lingling and I already took immortal herbs long ago. Otherwise, how could my Jade Phosphor Serpent have evolved into the Netherworld Poison Dragon so easily?" Dugu yan urged.
"Bing'er, look at my Nine-Hearted Begonia. Doesn't it feel different compared to before?" Ye Lingling added.
The two of them were more anxious than Shui Bing'er herself. If her Ice Phoenix martial spirit could evolve again, their Fusion Technique would grow exponentially stronger—perfect for their plan to one day beat Ignaz to a pulp.
Looking at Ye Lingling's *Acacia Heartbroken Red* and sensing the deep concern of her two sisters, Shui Bing'er felt a rush of gratitude.
"All right—for the sake of sisterhood, and for the sake of becoming stronger, I'll do it."
She finally made up her mind. Just as she was about to swallow the herbs, Ignaz spoke up:
"Take the red stalk leaves first, then the *Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass*. The order must not be reversed."
"Thank you, Brother Ignaz."
At last, Shui Bing'er addressed him directly, their relationship softening a little.
"You're welcome. Absorb them here—I'll keep watch to ensure nothing goes wrong."
Dugu yan and Ye Lingling immediately puffed their cheeks in protest. His words sounded far too much like he wanted an excuse to stay close to Shui Bing'er.
"You just wait outside. Lingling and I will guard her. If anything happens, we'll call you."
"And no peeking—we'll be watching you," Dugu yan warned.
Ignaz could only sigh. He truly had no other intention than to protect Shui Bing'er during absorption.
Inside the room, Shui Bing'er began as instructed. She swallowed six red stalk leaves in succession. Almost instantly, waves of scorching heat surged through her body, making her flush scarlet with pain.
"Ignaz, Bing'er's burning up—it's unbearable! Why is this happening?" Dugu yan cried out in alarm.
Ignaz paused briefly, then replied:
"That's the fire energy within the *Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower* clashing against her ice attribute. It's also a sign of her Phoenix power being refined. Have her take the *Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass* slowly—it will ease her suffering while the Phoenix power strengthens."
No rainbow without storm—he hadn't made her swallow the entire fiery plant, only the leaves. This much was enough to awaken her Phoenix bloodline without overwhelming her.
"Bing'er, take the *Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass* slowly," Dugu yan urged.
Already in a meditative trance, Shui Bing'er still sensed their words. She accepted the herb from Dugu yan's hand and swallowed it piece by piece.
The extreme cold of the *Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass* spread instantly, enveloping and suppressing the fiery energy, before gradually consuming it. The rest of its power coursed through her body, seeping into every corner.
White mist poured from Shui Bing'er's body as frost and ice crystals coated her form.
"Lingling, is this safe?" Dugu yan shivered, her teeth chattering.
"Look at her expression," Ye Lingling whispered back. "That serenity means she's fine."
But the frost thickened rapidly, freezing the room solid. Alarmed, Ignaz smashed the frozen door open just as the cold exploded outward like a blizzard, sweeping through the entire dormitory.
He grabbed the nearly frozen Dugu yan and Ye Lingling and unleashed his *Emperor-Slaying Domain*. Blood-red murderous aura surged, forming a barrier to protect them from the deadly chill.
"You two… caring too much only made you reckless. Now you're paying the price," Ignaz teased, though his gaze was solemn.
Did they really think the evolution of an Ultimate martial spirit was as simple as theirs had been? This was only the beginning.
To contain the spreading cold, Ignaz quickly laid down four Grade-4 Soul Tool Barrier Arrays, confining most of the frost within. Gradually, the dorm's temperature stabilized.
"Brother Ignaz, how much longer will this last?" Ye Lingling asked anxiously.
"I can't say. It all depends on Bing'er's own fortune."
Moments later, the Ice Phoenix manifested behind Shui Bing'er. With a piercing, noble cry—
BOOM!
The Ice Phoenix martial spirit shattered completely, scattering into countless shards of glimmering ice.