Time flew like a white steed galloping past a crevice - in the blink of an eye, two years had passed.
Ning Rongrong spent most of this time nourishing her meridians to eliminate the aftereffects of forcibly opening them through medicinal means.
As the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, with the full support of her father Ning Fengzhi along with the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, she never faced the resource disputes or jealous branch family members that plagued protagonists in certain fantasy novels.
"Still can't stabilize the soul rings." Ning Rongrong sighed. "Is it truly impossible to use power without soul rings?"
She controlled the zhenqi within her body, making it resonate with her martial soul. The radiant Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda materialized in her palm, its structure emitting a faint green glow.
Then, a white soul ring rose from her feet. The white color lingered briefly before being tinted by strange energy into yellow, then transforming into purple after a few seconds.
"Level 20..."
The purple soul ring remained momentarily before rapidly dissipating. The dispersed energy was absorbed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda before finally returning to Ning Rongrong's body.
"Without stabilizing the first soul ring, I can't condense a second one."
Deactivating her martial soul, the profound aura surrounding Ning Rongrong gradually faded.
"I wonder how that matter is progressing?"
"According to calculations, the time should be approaching. Last we heard, the little rabbit had already reached level 16."
A long, clear bird cry suddenly sounded from the sky.
An entirely snow-white avian soul beast descended rapidly, landing near Ning Rongrong.
This was a carrier pigeon - a specially bred soul beast used by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for message delivery. Capable of direct communication without the hassles of ordinary carrier pigeons.
After considerable persuasion, she had managed to acquire one from her father Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Rongrong approached, removing the message tied to the pigeon's leg.
"Return to your previous location now. Thank you for your hard work." After feeding the pigeon, she waved it away.
Watching the pigeon disappear beyond the horizon, Ning Rongrong unfolded the thin letter slowly. As she read its contents, the corners of her mouth curled up, her slightly chubby cheeks revealing a knowing smile:
"Xiao Wu has finally reached level 19."
The method by which hundred-thousand-year human-form soul beasts condensed their soul rings - this was precisely what Ning Rongrong needed.
Her self-condensed soul rings lacked stability, like fragile containers missing supportive frameworks. Despite her efforts, she couldn't find the fixing method.
Hundred-thousand-year human-form soul beasts inherently leaned toward humanity. Upon reaching level 60 and entering maturity, they became virtually indistinguishable from humans.
If she could personally observe Xiao Wu's ring-condensation process for reference, her current difficulties might resolve themselves.
Ordinary soul beasts' rings provided no condensation insights - killing more wouldn't solve the fundamental problem.
But a hundred-thousand-year human-form soul beast might be her key.
"Ning Rongrong, you can do this!" Shaking off distracting thoughts, she dashed back to her quarters for a refreshing bath. Changing from her training clothes into travel-appropriate attire, she headed straight for Ning Fengzhi's residence.
Ning Fengzhi was currently discussing matters with the two Title Douluo elders.
"Bang—"
The door burst open with slightly excessive force.
Ning Fengzhi sipped tea to calm his startled nerves before asking:
"Rongrong, what has you so excited?"
This was rare indeed. Over these two years, Ning Rongrong had either buried herself in the clan's archives or trained relentlessly with clockwork discipline, avoiding all unnecessary social interactions beyond essential clan affairs.
Her urgent arrival today suggested significant cultivation progress?
By her own assessment, her current strength fell between levels 30-40. However, soul ring limitations restricted her to only manifesting power equivalent to her number of rings.
After briefly greeting the Sword and Bone Douluo, Ning Rongrong got straight to the point.
"Father, I wish to visit Notting City - a border town in the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Notting City?" Ning Fengzhi exchanged bewildered glances with the two Title Douluo.
"Why that remote frontier city?" Both Title Douluo shared Ning Fengzhi's confusion.
"Notting Primary Academy likely has two children with innate full soul power." Ning Rongrong approached, handing the letter to Ning Fengzhi.
"This... this is!" Ning Fengzhi shot to his feet. Seeing his astonishment, the two Title Douluo crowded closer.
"Tang San - soul power level 21. Xiao Wu - soul power level 19... According to subordinate observations of their cultivation speed, they likely possess innate full soul power as the young miss suggests."
"Strange. Can Blue Silver Grass even cultivate?" Frowning at the letter, Ning Fengzhi fell deep into thought.
He knew about Ning Rongrong's widespread dispatch of clan members two years prior.
However, sending Soul Ancestors or lower-ranked soul masters wasn't particularly significant.
Any clan complaints had been suppressed by Ning Fengzhi due to their three-year agreement regarding her cultivation.
As long as it aided her training, Ning Rongrong could utilize clan resources - within reason. Extremes like sending Soul Sages to beg on Heaven Dou's streets were naturally forbidden.
"Rongrong, do you intend to recruit them?" Ning Fengzhi looked up from the letter questioningly.
"Not exactly. I wish to assess them first. Recruitment remains uncertain, hence my proposal." She hesitated before continuing, "But it's a promising possibility."
Ning Fengzhi returned the letter. Two potential innate full soul power youths - assessing their character first was wise. Younger subjects were more malleable - perhaps the clan could gain two future Title Douluo.
Whether innate full soul power or rank 9, any non-Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul could surely reach Title Douluo with the clan's full support.
"Very well. When shall we depart?" Knowing his daughter's independence, Ning Fengzhi avoided presumptuous arrangements.
"The sooner the better." After contemplation, she added, "We may stay in Notting City for an extended period - perhaps half a month, even a full month."
Ning Fengzhi studied her intently. As the saying goes, no one knows a daughter like her father. Ning Rongrong likely concealed something, but since she chose not to share, he wouldn't press.
"Then we depart tomorrow. I'll make clan arrangements first, given the lengthy duration."
...
With a Title Douluo's speed, they reached Notting City swiftly.
After securing lodgings and handling miscellaneous matters, the Sword Douluo finally voiced his question:
"Rongrong, why insist on my accompaniment? That old bone complained endlessly about it."
"Grandpa Sword, you noticed?" Ning Rongrong scratched her head sheepishly.
"Your Grandpa Sword is still a Title Douluo, you know." He stiffened slightly, displeased. Did she think Sword Douluo Chen Xin was senile?
"Not just me - that old bone and your father also noticed your preoccupation. Does it relate to those two potentially innate full soul power children?"
As he finished speaking, Ning Fengzhi placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"Child, do you distrust even us?"
Ning Rongrong gazed at them silently before relenting: "Very well. Regarding Tang San and Xiao Wu, I do possess additional information. Having Father and Grandpa Sword accompany me serves as precaution."
"That girl called Xiao Wu... is very likely a hundred-thousand-year human-form soul beast."