Chapter 262: Spirit Beast Mutation & Awakening

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"What did you say?" Zhu Zhuqing couldn't believe her ears.

Zeng Yi smiled slightly and said, "I said, I'm giving you the Star Sword Grass."

Tang San hurriedly said, "Yi Ge, you don't have to do this. I have prepared Immortal Herb for Zhuqing, which is the most suitable for her. You should think it through."

"I've already made up my mind. The Star Sword Grass can enhance Sword Mastery, which will be more beneficial for Xiao Zhu, who is at the initial stage of sword mastery. As for me, trying to improve through items is unrealistic. It requires personal comprehension." Zeng Yi said and then tossed the Star Sword Grass to Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing was taken aback when she saw Zeng Yi casually throwing such a precious Star Sword Grass at her, as if it were a head of cabbage on the roadside. She hurriedly caught the Star Sword Grass and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was unharmed.

"Do you really want to give it to me?" Zhu Zhuqing looked at Zeng Yi with bright eyes and asked seriously. Zhu Zhuqing had envied Zeng Yi for obtaining a Star Sword Grass that could enhance Sword Mastery. However, she never expected him to so generously offer it to her. Could he have sensed my eagerness?

Upon seeing Zeng Yi, Zhu Zhuqing felt moved.

Zeng Yi nodded. In fact, he didn't covet the Immortal Herb as much. He believed that by using the Star Sword Grass himself, he would only gain a few levels of Spirit power, which wouldn't have a significant impact. He could compensate for it later when he returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and relied on the sect's resources. However, it was different for Zhu Zhuqing. The effects of the Star Sword Grass could greatly enhance her initial mastery of sword mastery, making it easier for her to comprehend sword techniques. Moreover, the effects of the Star Sword Grass attachment might also compensate for the deficiency of her beast-type Martial Spirit.

After all, Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Spirit, the Hell Civet, was of medium quality, not only among the Seven Monsters but even on the whole continent. Although she could rely on sword technique in the early stages to compensate for the weakness of her Martial Spirit, it would be greatly amplified in the later stages.

As Tang San mentioned, the quality of the Star Sword Grass that he brought back was the highest among the Immortal Herb. It could potentially induce a different change in Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Spirit.

Zeng Yi didn't ponder much about giving her the Star Sword Grass. His primary consideration was that Zhu Zhuqing was his disciple, and as her Master, he should think of her well-being.

"Now that Yi Ge has made this decision, Zhuqing, accept it." Tang San said, respecting Zeng Yi's choice.

"Thank you." Zhu Zhuqing said without hesitation. She deeply looked at Zeng Yi and then went aside to begin cultivating by consuming the Star Sword Grass.

As Zhu Zhuqing sat cross-legged, Tang San sighed helplessly and approached Zeng Yi, saying, "Yi Ge, I have a Immortal Herb which was originally prepared for Zhuqing. Now that you've given her the Star Sword Grass that was originally yours, you can take this Immortal Herb which is reserved for Zhuqing. After all, we have a limited quantity of Immortal Herb, and I can only barely provide one for each person."

Zeng Yi casually shook his head and said, "It's fine. It doesn't matter. After all, these are just external items. If you want to become stronger, it depends on yourself."

Tang San could discern from Zeng Yi's expression that he genuinely didn't care much about the Immortal Herb, just as he had said.

Among the Seven Monsters, Zeng Yi made the deepest impression on Tang San in Shrek Academy. Although he joined the academy later than the others, Tang San had met Zeng Yi a long time ago and left a deep impression on him.

Zeng Yi's character and strength both impressed Tang San greatly, even to the point of adoration. He saw Zeng Yi as his pursuit and target.

Tang San sincerely admired Zeng Yi.

Tang San said, "The quality of this Immortal Herb is no less than the Star Sword Grass we saw earlier. It has comprehensive effects and even has the power to change one's destiny. However, Yi Ge, you need to be prepared."

Changing one's destiny? After hearing Tang San's introduction, Zeng Yi couldn't help but become interested. He was eager to witness the Immortal Herb that Tang San had prepared.

Tang San took out another Immortal Grass from the Wishful Hundred Treasure Bag. It was an ordinary-looking white flower, about the size of a palm, with the shape of a peony and no grass or leaves. It was connected to a large stone under the root, which was entirely black and seemed extremely heavy from Tang San's carrying posture. On top of the white flower were several astonishing red petals, as red as blood, creating a somewhat thrilling sensation.

"This grass is called Yearning Heartbroken Red. It is a divine treasure among the Immortal Herbs. It also has a legendary story from a long time ago." Tang San said, narrating the touching love story attached to the Yearning Heartbroken Red to everyone. As they listened quietly to Tang San's words, both Zeng Yi and Xiao Wu were fascinated. Even Yu Xiaogang's emotions were stirred, and he seemed somewhat uncontrollable.

Tang San solemnly continued, "This extraordinary grass chooses its Master. When picking it, one must think of their beloved deeply and sincerely, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the petals. If there is any wavering in one's heart, even if they spit blood and die, they will never be able to pluck the flower. Once removed, as long as it stays by the master's side, it will never wither. The stone beneath the flower is called crow break. If forcedly destroyed, the medicinal properties of the Yearning Heartbroken Red will be lost."

Originally, Tang San intended to give the Yearning Heartbroken Red to Zhu Zhuqing. After all, besides Zeng Yi, who was a blind man, everyone could see Zhu Zhuqing's feelings towards him. Tang San also wanted to use this opportunity to unite them. But who could have expected Zeng Yi to give his Star Sword Grass to Zhu Zhuqing? This disrupted Tang San's plan.

Moreover, the situation between them was a bit complicated. As far as Tang San knew, Dai Mubai had pursued Zhu Zhuqing initially, but she didn't have those feelings for him. She seemed to have feelings for Zeng Yi instead. Dai Mubai was disheartened for a few days, but he eventually recovered and stopped pursuing Zhu Zhuqing, as if he voluntarily withdrew.

However, Zeng Yi regarded Zhu Zhuqing merely as a friend because she studied swordsmanship with him, so he might have a mentor-disciple-like feeling towards her.

But Tang San also felt that Ning Rongrong in their group seemed to have some affectionate feelings towards Zeng Yi. It was quite a messy situation.

Although Tang San handed the Yearning Heartbroken Red to Zeng Yi, he couldn't help but think that with Zeng Yi's dense personality, it was probably impossible for the flower to blossom under his possession, let alone be used.

Zeng Yi looked somewhat embarrassed, scratching his head and saying, "Hehe, it seems I'm not suitable for this Immortal Herb."

Seeing Zeng Yi's silly smile, Tang San couldn't help but feel helpless. He said, "It's alright, I still have other medicinal grasses as backups. I'll give another one to you later, just wait for a moment."

Zeng Yi shrugged and said, "It's fine, don't worry. After all, these are just external items. Becoming stronger depends on oneself."

"Don't tell me you're giving the Immortal Herb to someone else?" Tang San remembered Zeng Yi's comment earlier and asked.

Zeng Yi nodded and said, "Yes, I want to give this Immortal Herb to my little disciple, Yan Que."

So it's her! After hearing Zeng Yi's words, Tang San recalled the lively and adorable little girl. Yan Que had actually stayed at Shrek Academy for a few days before. Tang San finally remembered that Zeng Yi had another disciple.

Tang San said, "Yi Ge, think it through carefully. Immortal Herb is extremely scarce. If you give it to Yan Que, I won't have any Immortal Herb of the divine quality left for you. Without it, you'll soon be caught up by us."

Zeng Yi patted Tang San's shoulder and said, "If you catch up, so be it. I care more about people like you. I'll also be happy if you can achieve success."

Next, Tang San handed a Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia to Yu Xiaogang and asked him to consume it for cultivation. Yu Xiaogang didn't refuse his good intentions and accepted it.

Finally, Tang San took out a Immortal Herb for himself, the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, and consumed it as part of his cultivation. Zeng Yi and Xiao Wu, who hadn't consumed any Immortal Herb, acted as their guardians.

As time passed with their cultivation, the sky grew dark.

As the seconds ticked away, they began waking up from their meditation.

The first to wake up was Oscar.

"Amazing! I actually increased my Spirit power by five levels. I'm already level 39, catching up to Boss Dai." Oscar exclaimed excitedly as soon as he woke up, attracting the attention of Zeng Yi and Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu slapped Oscar's head and whispered, "Keep your voice down; they're still cultivating."

"Uh, sorry." Oscar apologized embarrassingly, but his face still showed his uncontrollable excitement.

Following Oscar was Ning Rongrong. Her Spirit power also had a significant increase, reaching a six-level improvement and making her a level 38 Spirit Elder. Most surprising of all, she discovered that her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower had turned into a nine-story tower. What does a nine-story tower signify? It meant that her Martial Spirit would no longer be confined and she could cultivate up to the Titled Douluo level. This thrilled her, almost causing her to faint from excitement.

Then it was Dai Mubai. He successfully broke through the bottleneck of the 40th level. Although his Spirit power didn't increase, after assimilating the fourth spirit ring, the medicinal effects contained within his body would explode, promoting a significant advancement in his Spirit power.

After that was Ma Hongjun, whose Evil Fire issue was successfully resolved by the Immortal Herb. His fire became purer and more powerful than before, with a six-level increase in Spirit power to reach the level 38.

Then it was Tang San's turn, and although the Autumn Water Piercing Dew didn't significantly increase his Spirit power, it pushed his Purple Demon Eyes Mastery into an extremely profound state.

However, when he saw Xiao Wu, Tang San's body suddenly trembled violently, and his facial expression became strange.

But he quickly adjusted his mentality and didn't let anyone notice anything.

Lastly, Zhu Zhuqing was the only one still in cultivation.

After half an hour, a powerful aura erupted from Zhu Zhuqing, and the specter shadow of her Hell Civet emerged beside her, looking up at the stars in the night sky and letting out a long howl.

However, everyone noticed that Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Civet looked slightly different, with its black fur fading into a gradient resembling the starry sky. Its pointed ears became longer and more elegant. Its heterochromatic eyes unified into a blue-purple color resembling gemstones, mysterious like the starry sky.

Although its appearance still resembled a cat, it now felt more like an elf of the starry sky; mysterious, noble, and elegant. It no longer exuded that eerie, agile feeling.

Everyone felt shocked internally. Did her Martial Spirit mutate?

Zhu Zhuqing stood up and slowly opened her eyes. In an instant, everyone felt a flash of blue-purple light before it disappeared. Her bright eyes resembled the starry sky, captivating them.

Everyone gazed at her and at that moment, they felt as though all the starlight in the night sky had converged on her. She was so beautiful, so eye-catching. She seemed like a Celestial Goddess, seemingly near and far, elusive and mysterious, with an ethereal temperament, like a celestial being.

"Beautiful!" Everyone couldn't help but exclaim.

After snapping out of their reverie, they gathered around Zhu Zhuqing eagerly, looking at her with anticipation. Ning Rongrong excitedly asked, "Zhuqing, do you feel any changes? Did your Spirit power increase?"

"Changes?" Zhu Zhuqing muttered softly, closing her eyes to carefully sense her body's condition. Then, she opened her eyes, focusing the blue-purple light in her right hand, which then transformed. In the amazed gazes of everyone, an exquisite longsword appeared in her hand.

The length of this sword was around 1.2 meters, with a blade just under a meter long. The hilt was nearly thirty centimeters, with cloth strips of blue-purple entwined around it. The crescent-shaped blade was thin as cicada wings and reflected the starry sky, sparkling with starlight, appearing breathtakingly beautiful.

"She actually awakened a second Martial Spirit?" Yu Xiaogang exclaimed in astonishment as he saw the sword in Zhu Zhuqing's hand, causing immense waves in his heart.