Besides, she didn't even need a martial soul. If not for the restrictions of this world's rules, she would have found even the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda somewhat cumbersome.
Always standing at the back, cheering others on she had almost forgotten how to fight herself.
"Evil Spirit Orca King, show the dignity of a 100,000-year soul beast and accept your death."
"Damn you!" Seeing the brown-haired girl's unyielding expression, the Evil Spirit Orca King gnashed its teeth in fury.
"Brat, if you want mutual destruction, then die here with me!"
"Let your soul be annihilated alongside mine!"
The Evil Spirit Orca King's soul form suddenly expanded, swelling into a gigantic sphere as vast amounts of soul power seeped out from its skin.
"Hmph! Being able to take down a talented little girl like you before my death I, the Evil Spirit Orca King, have no regrets in this life!"
"Perish! Self-Detonation!"
The domain it had released earlier rapidly compressed back into its body. Its bloated, pufferfish-like form now exuded crimson flames from its skin.
A terrifying aura erupted, causing the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda to tremble violently.
"Thinking of self-destructing in my domain? Aren't you underestimating me a little too much?"
Through the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, Ning Rongrong sensed that the Evil Spirit Orca King's will had nearly dissipated this was the critical moment before detonation.
"Clang "
The blade swept out lightly.
A flash of white light erupted.
"One Sword Frosts Nineteen Provinces."
In that instant, a piercing cold sealed everything in space.
"Sshhk !"
The swollen body of the Evil Spirit Orca King split cleanly down the middle, revealing a perfectly smooth cut.
The severed soul did not immediately disperse.
Instead, it was gradually encased in ice.
"NO!"
The explosive soul power froze solid, and the Evil Spirit Orca King seemed to regain a sliver of consciousness.
Terror flickered in its pupils.
"It's time to end this."
Ning Rongrong gazed at the Evil Spirit Orca King as the sword in her hand dissolved into motes of white light.
"Explode."
A single whisper, and the Evil Spirit Orca King's body shattered into countless glowing particles.
Ning Rongrong stretched out her hand, catching some of the falling light.
This was the Evil Spirit Orca King's purified essence energy far purer than soul power, something that touched upon the very nature of the soul itself.
"It seems my hypothesis was correct. Martial souls are tied to the individual's laws. All the time I spent refining the Five Aperture Dispersed Heart to perfection wasn't wasted."
"Well, I might be thinking too far ahead. First, I should break through to the Grandmaster realm in both body and soul before considering the next steps."
Her body dissolved into specks of light, drifting down alongside the scattered remnants.
...
Outside.
Ning Fengzhi and the others had gathered in the side hall, watching over Ning Rongrong with concern.
"Rongrong, she… Sigh." Ning Fengzhi exhaled heavily.
Since entering this hall, they had sensed the Evil Spirit Orca King's aura emanating from Ning Rongrong multiple times a massive, fluctuating soul presence.
If not for the glow of the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda in her hands, he would have feared the worst.
"An entire day and night have passed." Dugu Yan's voice was laced with worry.
Traces of dried blood lingered at the corners of Ning Rongrong's youthful lips.
Suddenly, her robes fluttered faintly, and the pressure around her intensified.
One by one, her soul rings materialized.
Purple, Purple, Purple, Purple, Purple.
"Crackle zzzt!"
An electric hum resonated between the five soul rings.
"Look! Are Rongrong's soul rings changing?" Dugu Yan's words drew everyone's attention.
"Yes no, it must be!" The Sword Douluo declared firmly.
Ning Rongrong's soul rings had originally been around 7,000 years. Now, the purple had deepened significantly, nearing black.
Since her fifth soul ring had been mistakenly close to 10,000 years, the Sword Douluo had grown particularly sensitive to the transition between purple and black.
"Ten thousand? No, not quite…"
He scrutinized the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda's soul rings. They were extremely close to ten-thousand-year rings, but upon closer inspection, a slight gap remained.
"Indeed not ten thousand. 9,999 years."
A sudden voice made everyone jolt.
Ning Rongrong slowly opened her eyes, the peak Soul King pressure radiating from her body gradually receding.
"I'm back." She stood and walked to Ning Fengzhi, her martial soul fading away.
"Rongrong, promise me you won't act so recklessly again." His tone carried reproach.
"Hmm, honestly? That's hard to guarantee." She smiled slightly. "But at least now, I've found the path forward."
"Rongrong…"
"Father, I'm back safely, aren't I? I don't do things without confidence."
"What about the Evil Spirit Orca King?" The Sword Douluo asked.
"Nothing to worry about. I fought it just a fragment of its will. How could it possibly defeat me?"
"With my Five Aperture Dispersed Heart and the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda's unique properties, the odds were always in my favor."
After catching up with Ning Fengzhi and the others, Ning Rongrong approached Lou Gao.
"Elder Lou Gao, how does the 100,000-year soul ring feel?"
"Young Mistress, I won't spout vows of loyalty. Just know that from now on, if this old man can be of use, command me as you will."
"Mm…" Ning Rongrong studied the 1.6-meter-tall, somewhat simple-looking Lou Gao, recalling certain events from the original timeline.
"Elder Lou Gao, I extracted the Evil Spirit Orca King's will due to my own cultivation needs. You don't need to feel overly indebted."
"However, there is one thing I hope you will heed."
"Please speak." Lou Gao's expression turned solemn.
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath.
"No matter what you forge, prioritize your own safety above all else."
"Only by staying alive can you embrace a brighter future only then can you see the vast skies beyond."
"Uh…" Lou Gao looked stunned but nodded gravely. "Rest assured, Young Mistress. I will remember this."
"Good. That's a relief."
Lou Gao was the type to lose himself in forging.
She didn't want someone she had worked so hard to recruit to throw his life away for a single piece of soul tool craftsmanship.
That simply wasn't worth it!
Learning that Lou Gao's martial soul's flaws had been remedied by the 100,000-year soul ring filled her with satisfaction.
Just as she had predicted.
Even an incompatible 100,000-year soul ring would, when fused with a soul master, produce skills that complemented the user.
Much like how 100,000-year soul bones never overlapped with existing ones, 100,000-year soul skills followed similar principles even compensating for martial soul deficiencies.
"By the way, Elder Lou Gao, I have something for you."
From her storage soul tool, she retrieved the Dragon Abyss Boat.
"Th-This is…!" The moment Lou Gao laid eyes on the exquisitely crafted submarine, he was awestruck.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect intends to expand toward the ocean. So… I hope you can analyze this and, ideally, innovate upon it. Don't worry about resources or time."
"Our current focus remains on soul tools."
"Understood. Leave it to me!" Lou Gao thumped his chest. Then, glancing at Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan, he added,
"Young Mistress, Miss Dugu Yan come back in a month. I'll have a special treasure ready for you."
"Treasure?" Dugu Yan blinked, instinctively stepping closer to Ning Rongrong.
"Indeed." Lou Gao grinned. "After absorbing a 100,000-year soul ring, my forging skills have reached new heights."
"It might not be much for truly powerful soul masters, but for those at the Soul King level… it'll be just right."
He could tell Dugu Yan was nearing Soul King strength. Might as well prepare it early!
Even if Lou Gao wasn't the most socially adept, he recognized the close bond between Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan.
After days of exhausting work, everyone except the ever-energetic Lou Gao retired to rest.
Ning Rongrong was summoned to Ning Fengzhi's chambers.
"Rongrong, the spy you stationed near Shrek Academy has returned."
"Oh? What's the situation? Did they retrieve what I wanted?"
A flicker of surprise crossed her face.