Back at Dugu Bo's mansion, Song Qing carefully retrieved the Infernal Passion Flower and the Glacial Heart Grass from his spiritual storage tool. He turned to Zhu Zhuqing, who was still looking around the mansion with a mixture of curiosity and slight nervousness.
"Zhuqing," Song Qing said gently, holding out the two uniquely colored herbs towards her. "These are for you."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the vibrant red and icy blue plants, her brow furrowed in confusion. "For me, Qing? What are they?"
"These are very special herbs," Song Qing explained, his voice soft but serious. "The Infernal Passion Flower will help unlock the true potential of your Hell Spirit Cat, pushing it to evolve into something even more powerful. The Glacial Heart Grass will temper that power, making you stronger and more resilient."
He then detailed the method of absorbing their essence. "You need to take them at the same time. Find a quiet place and focus your spirit power. Hold the Infernal Passion Flower in your left hand and the Glacial Heart Grass in your right. Slowly absorb the energy emanating from both. It might feel intense, but trust me, it will be worth it. Go into seclusion for a few days after you've absorbed their energy. When you come out, you'll be very pleased with the results."
Zhu Zhuqing stared at the herbs, her eyes wide with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. 'Evolve my spirit?' she thought, her heart pounding. 'Could I really become stronger, powerful like Qing?' She nodded firmly, clutching the herbs carefully. "I understand, Qing. Thank you."
Next, Song Qing sought out Dugu Yan, who was in the courtyard, practicing her control over her Jade Phosphor Serpent.
"Sister Yan," Song Qing called out, approaching her with the Emerald Serpent Vine and the Phosphor Jade Fruit in his hands.
Dugu Yan turned, her emerald eyes curious. "Little Qing! You're back already. What did you find?"
Song Qing held out the two herbs. "These are for you, Sister Yan. The Emerald Serpent Vine will make your Jade Phosphor Serpent's venom even more potent and give you better control over it. The Phosphor Jade Fruit will enhance its overall power and size."
He then explained how to use them. "You need to crush the Emerald Serpent Vine and feed it to your spirit. Then, consume the Phosphor Jade Fruit yourself. Focus your spirit power and guide the energy throughout your body. It will be a bit uncomfortable, but it will make you much stronger. You should also go into seclusion for a few days to fully absorb their effects."
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? My Little Green will become even stronger?" She eagerly took the herbs. "Thank you, Qing! I can't wait to try them!"
Later, Song Qing found Ye Lingling in one of the guest rooms, her expression still carrying a hint of her usual gentle sadness.
"Sister Lingling," Song Qing said softly, approaching her with the Nine Heart Blood Begonia and the Pure Spirit Jade Dew.
Ye Lingling looked up, her eyes widening slightly as she saw the unique herbs. "Little Qing? What are these?"
"These are special herbs for you, Sister Lingling," Song Qing explained, his voice gentle. "The Nine Heart Blood Begonia will help strengthen your spirit and improve your aptitude. But more importantly," he lowered his voice slightly, "combined with the Pure Spirit Jade Dew, it will help you break away from the… unfortunate fate associated with the Nine Heart Begonia spirit. You won't have to worry about the limitations anymore."
Ye Lingling's eyes filled with disbelief and a glimmer of hope. "Really? It can do that?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Song Qing nodded reassuringly. "Yes. You need to consume the Pure Spirit Jade Dew first. It's a liquid, so just drink it slowly. Then, hold the Nine Heart Blood Begonia and focus your spirit power on it, absorbing its essence. It might take some time, but it will work. You should also go into seclusion afterwards to let your spirit adapt to the changes."
Tears welled up in Ye Lingling's eyes, but this time, they were tears of joy. "Thank you, Little Qing," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you so much."
It was late in the afternoon when Song Qing finally managed to meet with Ning Rongrong. She had been out exploring Heaven Dou City but rushed back to Dugu Bo's mansion as soon as she heard that Song Qing had returned.
"Qing!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a hug. "You're back! I missed you!"
Song Qing hugged her back, smiling. "I missed you too, Rongrong. I have something special for you." He pulled out the Beautiful Silk Tulip and the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid.
Ning Rongrong's eyes widened in delight as she saw the two exquisite herbs. "Wow! What are these?"
Song Qing held out the Beautiful Silk Tulip. "This is the Beautiful Silk Tulip. You can't eat it. Instead," he explained, his voice becoming more serious, "you have to breathe in the stamen, slowly absorbing the best features within. Afterwards, cultivate your spirit power and slowly circulate it, letting the medicinal effects find their way to the hundred bones of all four limbs. By taking it, you can breathe in the quintessence of heaven and earth, the radiance of the sun and the moon. It will help your spirit evolve."
He then presented the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid. "And this is the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid. You can consume this one directly. It will greatly boost your soul power, mental power, and overall aptitude."
Ning Rongrong listened intently, her eyes shining with excitement. "This sounds amazing, Qing! Thank you!" She carefully took the herbs. "I can't wait to try them!"
After distributing the herbs to his friends, Song Qing sought out Dugu Bo. "Senior," he said, his expression earnest, "would you mind taking me back to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
Dugu Bo, who was enjoying a rare moment of peace in his courtyard, grumbled, "Back there again, brat? You just went! Didn't you take everything you needed?"
"Well, almost everything," Song Qing replied sheepishly. "There were a couple of other herbs that I… couldn't use while Zhuqing was with me."
Dugu Bo stared at him, a flicker of surprise in his emerald eyes. "Couldn't use them? What are these herbs that require such secrecy?" He was intrigued.
Song Qing hesitated for a moment before answering. "They are the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot, Senior. And I need to use the energies of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to properly consume them."
Dugu Bo's eyes widened in shock. "The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot? What are those? They do sound quite potent. And you plan to consume both of them?"
He looked at Song Qing with a puzzling gaze, realizing that the boy was far more knowledgeable and capable than he had initially thought.
"Alright, brat," he sighed, shaking his head in amazement. "Let's go. But you better know what you're doing."
He knew that consuming unknown herbs simultaneously was incredibly dangerous, but he trusted Song Qing's judgment, especially after witnessing his extraordinary abilities.
~~
Half a month later, Song Qing finally returned to Dugu Bo's mansion from his second trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. The time spent within the extreme environment had been transformative.
'Whoa…' Song Qing thought, flexing his arms, feeling the significant increase in his physical strength. His height had visibly increased, and his once slightly chubby frame had now become lean and powerful, at least twice as strong as before.
His aptitude for cultivation felt sharper, his mind clearer. And his soul power… it had surged to a solid Level 50. 'I knew those herbs were powerful, but this is incredible! And I can still feel residual energy within me. Once I absorb my fifth soul ring, I'm sure I'll level up again.'
He reflected on the benefits to his spirits. His Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit now felt even more dominant, the abyssal energy within it more potent. 'The Frostfire Resistance passive ability has definitely leveled up,' he mused.
'I feel completely immune to both intense flames and freezing temperatures now. And my spirit abilities… they feel significantly stronger.' His Primordial Life Tree Spirit also thrived in the intense energies, its connection to nature deepening. 'It feels even more attuned to all forms of plant life now. Its healing and supportive capabilities must have increased as well.'
His external spirit bones had also undergone a remarkable transformation.
'My Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings feel lighter and stronger,' he thought, flexing them subtly. 'The tempering in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well has made them incredibly resilient. My speed and agility in the air must have increased dramatically.' The Crimson Soul King's Crown felt warmer, its connection to his mental and spiritual energies feeling more profound. 'My mental clarity and spiritual power have definitely received a significant boost.'
News of the women's breakthroughs reached Song Qing quickly. Sister Lingling was the first to emerge from her seclusion, her usual gentle demeanor now tinged with an unmistakable air of quiet confidence. She found Song Qing in the courtyard, practicing some basic hand-to-hand combat.
"Little Qing!" she called out, her voice lighter and more cheerful than he remembered.
Song Qing turned, a smile spreading across his face as he saw her. "Sister Lingling! You're out! How do you feel?"
Ye Lingling rushed towards him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I feel… amazing, Little Qing! The herbs were incredible! My soul power has reached Level 30! I need my third soul ring now!"
"That's wonderful, Sister Lingling!" Song Qing exclaimed, genuinely happy for her. "But that's not all, is it?" He remembered the specific properties of the herbs he had given her.
Ye Lingling's smile widened even further. "You're right! My spirit… it's changed! It's still a Nine Heart Begonia, but it's… different. The petals have a faint golden shimmer now, and I can feel a much stronger connection to life energy. It's like the limitations… they're gone! I no longer feel that sense of impending doom that the elders of my clan always spoke of. Thank you, Little Qing! You've changed my life!"
Song Qing grinned. "I told you it would work, Sister Lingling! I'm so happy for you!"
Next to emerge from seclusion was Zhu Zhuqing. Song Qing was in the middle of having a conversation with Dugu Bo when he felt a sudden blur of black and a small figure launched itself at him.
"Qing!" Zhu Zhuqing squealed, tackling him in a hug that nearly sent him tumbling. Before he could react, she started peppering his face with quick, enthusiastic kisses, her lips landing on his forehead, cheeks, and even his nose. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she whispered repeatedly, her voice filled with pure joy.
Song Qing blushed furiously, feeling his face heat up under the onslaught of affection. "Zhuqing! Hey! It's okay!" he stammered, trying to regain his balance.
Zhu Zhuqing finally pulled back, her eyes shining with excitement. Her appearance had changed subtly. Her movements were even more fluid and agile, and there was a newfound sharpness in her gaze. Behind her, a sleek, black panther-like creature with glowing purple eyes materialized – the Abyssal Phantom Lion.
"Look, Qing! Look!" she exclaimed, gesturing proudly at her evolved spirit. "My Hell Spirit Cat… it evolved! It's so much stronger now! I can feel it! My soul power has also reached Level 20! I need my second soul ring!"
Song Qing's initial embarrassment vanished, replaced by genuine delight. "That's fantastic, Zhuqing! The Abyssal Phantom Lion! It suits you perfectly!" He grinned at her enthusiasm. "See? I told you you'd be pleased!"
Dugu Bo, who had been watching the scene with a raised eyebrow and a hint of amusement, grunted. "Well, that's certainly… enthusiastic gratitude."
Soon after, Dugu Yan emerged from her seclusion, her usual sharp demeanor softened by a look of satisfaction. Her Jade Phosphor Serpent had indeed evolved. It was now larger, its scales a deeper shade of emerald, and a small, jade-colored horn had sprouted from its head – the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor. Her soul power had also reached Level 30.
"Little Qing," she said, a rare smile gracing her lips. "Thank you. Little Green is… well, he's become the emperor." She gestured to her spirit, which coiled around her protectively, exuding a powerful aura. "My soul power has also reached the bottleneck. I need to find a suitable third soul ring now."
"I'm so glad it worked out for you too, Sister Yan!" Song Qing said, genuinely pleased.
Finally, it was Ning Rongrong's turn. She emerged from her seclusion in the late afternoon, and she wasn't alone. Standing beside her were her father, Ning Fengzhi, and her two powerful protectors, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong. Their presence immediately filled the mansion with an air of authority and anticipation.
Ning Rongrong looked radiant, her eyes sparkling with newfound confidence. Behind her, her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shimmered, but something was different. Upon closer inspection, Song Qing noticed subtle changes in its structure, a hint of a ninth level appearing within its intricate design. Her soul power had also reached Level 20.
"Qing!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed, rushing forward to hug him. "It worked! It really worked! I can feel it! My spirit… it's evolving!"
Behind her, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward, his elegant face etched with gratitude. He bowed slightly towards Song Qing. "Holy Son, on behalf of my daughter and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, I offer you our sincerest thanks. The changes in Rongrong's spirit are undeniable. You have shown us that the evolution to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is indeed possible."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, who rarely showed such deference, also offered respectful nods. "Young Master Song Qing," Sword Douluo said, his voice carrying the weight of his immense power, "your generosity and knowledge are truly remarkable. We are deeply grateful."
Bone Douluo added, his skeletal face creasing into what Song Qing assumed was a smile, "Indeed, young friend. This is a momentous occasion for our school. We are in your debt."
Song Qing smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "It was my pleasure to help, Sect Leader Ning, Seniors Sword and Bone. Rongrong is my friend, and I wanted to help her reach her full potential." He looked at Ning Rongrong, his eyes filled with warmth. "You'll be the first Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda master in history, Rongrong. You're going to be amazing."
Ning Rongrong blushed, her heart swelling with happiness and gratitude. She knew she owed it all to Song Qing. 'He really is the best,' she thought, gazing at him with admiration. The past half-month had been transformative for all of them, all thanks to the young boy who stood before them, his eyes shining with a quiet determination and a genuine desire to help his friends. The future suddenly seemed brighter and filled with endless possibilities.