Chapter 52: Bonds Deepened
Chen Sheng then walked to a large chrysanthemum with golden petals that seemed to glow in the dim light.
He carefully plucked it and said to Tang San, "This flower, the Wondrous Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, can invigorate the limbs and circulate blood through the eight meridians. It can forge an indestructible body. I need it for some purpose."
Tang San nodded, recognizing the herb from his Tang Sect knowledge. "That's indeed a precious immortal herb."
Chen Sheng said, "I'm a bit worried about Zhuqing being alone outside, so I'll leave first. If I need anything, I'll come back."
Tang San nodded slightly. "Mm. Be careful."
Chen Sheng unleashed his wings, flying out of the valley. Zhu Zhuqing was quietly leaning against a tree, waiting. Seeing Chen Sheng return, the coldness on her face melted a little. "You're back."
"This is the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. It should directly raise your spirit power to level forty, and without any side effects." Chen Sheng handed the white, crystal-clear flower to Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing reached out to take the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, then suddenly thought of something. She looked up and kissed Chen Sheng's cheek, a fleeting touch, and whispered, "Thank you."
Chen Sheng felt the lingering warmth on his face and smiled slightly. "I like this kind of thank you very much."
At Chen Sheng's words, Zhu Zhuqing's already slightly flushed face turned even redder.
"You should refine the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. I'll guard you." Chen Sheng said, then explained the method of consuming the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly.
She then sat cross-legged under the tree and consumed the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone according to Chen Sheng's instructions.
Chen Sheng found a spot not far away and sat down, quietly watching Zhu Zhuqing refine the immortal herb.
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Time passed minute by minute, and in the blink of an eye, two hours had gone by. A faint jade color spread across Zhu Zhuqing's entire body. As the medicinal effect was released, she changed from a cross-legged position to an upright one, quietly absorbing the power of the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone.
The black Netherworld Hell Cat appeared behind her.
Under Chen Sheng's gaze, the Spirit Cat underwent a transformation. Its original black color shimmered with a faint luster, like black gilded gold. Its body size increased slightly, and several purple patterns appeared on its tail and legs.
Is this...?! Chen Sheng thought with surprise.
In the original timeline, although Zhu Zhuqing's strength greatly improved after consuming the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, her martial soul did not evolve. This was clearly an additional benefit from the previous enhancement he'd given her.
"Meow—"
Another hour passed, and a soft meow sounded. Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, as if waking from a long dream. Her beautiful eyes darted around, and her expression was a little dazed.
"Zhuqing, how is it?" Chen Sheng asked with a smile.
"My spirit power has reached level forty. If not for the lack of a spirit ring, it would have improved even more. And my martial soul has shown improvement again." Zhu Zhuqing said with some disbelief. The benefits she gained this time were truly immense.
"Once your spirit power stabilizes, I'll take you to acquire your fourth spirit ring," Chen Sheng said.
"Brother Sheng, I want to try our martial soul fusion skill again," Zhu Zhuqing said.
"Okay." Chen Sheng nodded slightly. He also wanted to see if their martial soul fusion skill would be different after Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul evolved.
The two looked at each other, their hands clasped together. Immediately, a dazzling light erupted from their bodies, completely enveloping their figures.
"ROAR—"
A mighty roar dispelled the light, and then a black and white giant tiger with golden strips appeared in their original position. Compared to before, its body size had increased slightly, and several purple patterns appeared on its wings and tail. There were no other significant changes, but the power it exuded had greatly increased.
This mighty roar startled Dugu Bo, who was recuperating in the cave. Thinking a powerful spirit beast had intruded, he immediately ran out to check.
"Martial Soul Avatar? How is this possible?" Dugu Bo saw Chen Sheng and Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul fusion and mistook it for Martial Soul Avatar, a ability only available to Soul Saint.
"Dugu Bo, how about we have another spar?" The giant tiger looked at Dugu Bo and spoke in human words.
"I'm not fighting you." Dugu Bo's face was a little ugly. His injuries had just healed some time ago. If he fought Chen Sheng now, wouldn't he be asking for total abuse?
Chen Sheng chuckled. A burst of light erupted from the giant tiger's body. After the light dissipated, Chen Sheng and Zhu Zhuqing's figures appeared.
"So it's not Martial Soul Avatar, it's a fusion skill. And with her." Dugu Bo recognized Zhu Zhuqing. He had seen her once at the Royal Academy.
After Dugu Bo left, shaking his head at the absurdity of such young geniuses, Chen Sheng thought of an idea. He took out a scroll containing the Indestructible Golden Body method and told the whole method to Zhu Zhuqing. She got interested immediately.
"This technique will strengthen your body's defense significantly," Chen Sheng explained. "Combined with the right medicinal herb, it can make you nearly indestructible."
Then Chen Sheng took out the Wondrous Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and gave it to her. "Consume this while running the technique."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded seriously and began to absorb the herb according to the method described in the technique. As she took the herb, her body heated up intensely. She continued to run the technique with firmness, not letting the burning sensation break her concentration.
Chen Sheng watched carefully, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.
After two hours passed, the heat normalized. Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, and she felt her defense had strengthened tremendously. At least a Soul King might not be able to injure her now.
"This is just the early stage," Chen Sheng explained. "After perfecting this technique, you might be able to withstand attacks from even a limit Douluo."
[DETECTED! Zhu Zhuqing's Emotion (Gratitude, Determination, Growing Affection) Congratulations to Host! Treasure Chest acquired!]
Zhu Zhuqing stood up and tested her body. She could feel the difference immediately. Her skin felt tougher, her bones denser, yet she moved with the same grace as before.
"Thank you, Brother Sheng. You've given me so much."
Chen Sheng smiled. "Now, I'll help you acquire your fourth soul ring."
"Okay," Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly.
---
Chen Sheng led Zhu Zhuqing deeper into the Sunset Forest, releasing his spiritual power to search for suitable soul beasts. Finally, on the evening of the second day, they encountered a soul beast suitable for Zhu Zhuqing.
It was a black fierce tiger with only a white-blue character pattern on its forehead. It was over 1.8 meters long and about 1.5 meters tall at the shoulder. Its muscles rippled under its dark fur, and its eyes glowed with fierce intelligence.
"Shadow Blade Tiger, between six thousand and seven thousand years old," Chen Sheng immediately saw through the soul beast's details with his spiritual power.
"I'll subdue it for you first, then you deliver the final blow," Chen Sheng said. With Zhu Zhuqing's current strength, it would be too difficult for her to kill this Shadow Blade Tiger on her own.
After speaking, Chen Sheng covered himself in lightning and charged toward the Shadow Blade Tiger.
"ROAR—"
The Shadow Blade Tiger roared, its body flickering strangely. The tiger suddenly slashed forward, sending a blade-like energy slash pouncing toward Chen Sheng.
This was the Shadow Blade Tiger's innate ability—Shadow Blade Strike.
Chen Sheng passed through it like lightning. With a bang, he struck the Shadow Blade Tiger carefully, not killing it but severely injuring it to the point where it could no longer resist.
The tiger collapsed, breathing heavily, unable to move.
"Come over and deliver the final blow," Chen Sheng told Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing's figure turned into a series of afterimages, using Netherworld Stab to deliver the final blow to the Shadow Blade Tiger. A purple soul ring emerged from the Shadow Blade Tiger's body.
"You can absorb the soul ring here. I'll guard you," Chen Sheng said.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, sat down cross-legged, and guided the Shadow Blade Tiger's soul ring toward her.
Chen Sheng sat aside, guarding Zhu Zhuqing while keeping his spiritual power extended to sense any approaching threats.
Time slowly passed.
An hour later, Zhu Zhuqing finally finished absorbing and suddenly opened her eyes.
Chen Sheng could feel that her aura seemed even colder, her brows had a hint of heroism, and she had grown slightly taller, now possessing a touch of mature beauty.
"How is it? What's your fourth soul skill?" Chen Sheng asked.
"My fourth soul skill is called Hell Decapitation. It fuses my both hand fingers to form cross blades for attack. The blades can cut through most defenses," Zhu Zhuqing said, demonstrating as dark energy formed cross-shaped blades around her hands.
Chen Sheng was slightly surprised and happy upon hearing this. This was a powerful offensive skill that would greatly increase her combat effectiveness.
Zhu Zhuqing stood up and walked to his side, her gaze fixed on his face. She seemed to be gathering courage for something.
[DETECTED! Zhu Zhuqing's Emotion (Nervousness, Affection, Determination) Congratulations to Host! Treasure Chest acquired!]
Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed slightly under Chen Sheng's direct gaze. As she drew closer to Chen Sheng, she felt a little flustered. Chen Sheng understood what she wanted but still asked playfully, "What do you want to do?"
Without answering, she raised her head, suddenly covering his lips with hers.
"Mmm—"
Chen Sheng wrapped his arm around Zhu Zhuqing's slender waist, pulling her closer as he returned the kiss.
Their minds went blank at this moment. Zhu Zhuqing's clear eyes looked at Chen Sheng's handsome face up close, feeling her heart racing.
After a long while, Chen Sheng reluctantly lifted his head, looking at Zhu Zhuqing's face, which had turned crimson either from shyness or from being out of breath. She turned away slightly, but he could see the happiness in her expression.
Chen Sheng decided to make things clear and asked seriously, "Zhuqing, how about you being my girlfriend?"
[DETECTED! Zhu Zhuqing's Emotion (Joy, Shyness, Love) Congratulations to Host! Treasure Chest acquired!]
Zhu Zhuqing didn't expect Chen Sheng to confess so directly, but the two of them were already so close. Now that they had completely broken through this layer of unspoken understanding, she naturally wouldn't refuse, and nodded slightly. "Mm."
"From now on, I won't let anyone harm you," Chen Sheng looked into Zhu Zhuqing's eyes and said seriously. "Not Dai Mubai, not the Star Luo Empire, not anyone."
[DETECTED! Zhu Zhuqing's Emotion (Deep Love, Security, Gratitude) Congratulations to Host! Treasure Chest acquired!]
Zhu Zhuqing felt warmth spread through her chest. For the first time in her life, she felt truly protected and cherished. "I know. I trust you."
She leaned her head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. "Brother Sheng, can I stay like this for a while?"
"As long as you want," Chen Sheng said softly, stroking her hair gently.
The two stayed like that as the sun began to set, painting the forest in shades of orange and gold. For Zhu Zhuqing, who had spent her entire life in coldness and competition, this moment of warmth was precious beyond measure.
"Let's go back" Chen Sheng said.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded reluctantly, pulling away but keeping her hand in his. "Can we... tell the others?"
Chen Sheng smiled. "Of course. Though I think Xiao Wu and Rongrong might already suspect."
Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed again at the thought, but she nodded. She was ready to face anyone, as long as Chen Sheng was by her side.
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