Chapter 39 - Spirit Evolution

________________

---Night---

Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well,

As night came, Lev finally put his mind back to work again seeing him together with Dugu Bo having a serious conversation while Sia, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and the rest of the summons were relaxing in the hot spring.

"Is everything going well?" Lev asked while looking at Dugu Bo. He actually ordered them to block the news of this attack from the outside. Though he knew that it was impossible, he only wanted to delay it as long as possible.

"Yes, Young Lord." Dugu Bo answered with great respect. It was only now that he realized that Lev really was invincible. Attacking the empire by himself was something no one had ever done before and yet Lev did it. Just like said, the empire that would soon be founded by him would no doubt be the most powerful one.

"Good. Your next mission is to visit all the clans and academies affiliated with the former Empire. I will go and talk with Ning Fengzhi tomorrow. I want you two to do this together." Lev then followed. He knew for a fact that it was not just the Emperor himself that was running the empire, all the clans and several academies held significant roles in running the empire and so he wanted to take hold of them.

"Also, Senior Dugu. Let me take Dugu Yan as one of my wives." Lev suddenly stood up and bowed respectfully while asking Dugu Bo formally. Though it wasn't necessary, he felt like it was the most appropriate to do.

Hearing Lev, Dugu Bo was completely shocked by such a sudden move. Looking at Lev bowing to him with sincerity, he couldn't help but feel great joy and happiness as he also bowed and answered, "It was Dugu Yan's greatest wish to be with you, Young Lord. Please take care of her."

With that, Lev and Dugu Bo then talked several things before parting ways Dugu Bo left as he wanted to group his people after Lev gave them something as a reward. Lev, on the other hand, headed towards the hot spring with a smile before joining Sia and the rest to have fun.

________________

---Two weeks later---

After two weeks of blocking the news, Lev's attack on Heaven Dou Empire started spreading throughout the continent. Every city, clan, organization, and even town has heard such news expressing different kinds of reactions.

________________

Supreme Pontiff's Palace

Meanwhile, Bibi Dong, the Supreme Pontiff, can be found sitting on her throne while listening to the report of the person in front of her while having a complicated expression on her face.

Listening to all that the person had reported, she then waved her hand before seeing him disappearing leaving her alone as she closed her eyes while frowning. No one would ever think that the Supreme Pontiff, one of the strongest people living in the continent was now having a hard time processing the report she had received.

Five years have already passed, yet they were still gathering information about a certain person. Bibi Dong might not be showing her worries outside, but she was actually doing everything in the shadows to protect the interest of the Spirit Hall.

After a while, Bibi Dong opened her eyes again and thought, 'It only took him five years to take down an empire alone. What happened during these years that makes him do something that we from the Spirit Hall are trying to accomplish. A hindrance has been gone and yet another one has arisen. We need to act immediately before we can't control him anymore.'

With that, Bibi Dong then decided that Lev was an unpredictable threat that was blocking the interest of the Spirit Hall and he needed to be eliminated before it was too late. Though the report completely revealed everything, she still felt like it was too absurd to be true.

________________

Star Lou Empire,

Meanwhile, inside the Dai Family Palace, a group of people could be found gathering while listening to the person respectfully kneeling in front of them. They were actually having a meeting for their next plans just to be halted by the sudden interruption of the man.

"I-Is this report a fact?" A handsome and well-built middle-aged man asked while frowning. His appearance had only one word to describe, and that is 'domineering'. However, his expression right now said otherwise as a complete surprise and shock overwhelmed him.

"Yes, your Majesty." A man in a cloak politely replied. Though he was also doubtful about it, he has assured me that this news was factual several times so there's no mistaking it.

Listening to it, the middle-aged man clenched his fist while frowning. He didn't believe the report easily since it was really a piece of absurd news, but he could only trust it since he had no way of thinking why the man in front of him would lie something like this to him.

Following that, the middle-aged then just waved off his hand as the cloaked man disappeared from his sight. He sat tiredly in his seat as he looked completely conflicted by what was happening in the continent.

"First, the Spirit Hall, and now this youth Lev. Looks like another trouble has arisen." The middle-aged man frowned while thinking. One would not think that a man of his status would take such a problem deeply because he was none other than, the Emperor of the Star Lou Empire himself, Emperor Dai of the Dai Family.

________________

Star Lou Empire,

Meanwhile, as Emperor Dai was seriously contemplating the current news, a group of people could also be found gathering in Zhu Family Palace, a powerful family only second to Dai's.

"You're saying that Zhuqing returned two weeks ago with that person Lev?" A middle-aged man asked. The expression on his face could not be described because he was showing happiness or anger at the same time. Despite showing such unsightly behavior, he didn't mind it as he looked at the handsome youth in front of him.

"Yes, uncle." The youth replied with a smile. He was none other than Dai Mubai who had visited the Zhu Family residence after coming back to report the news of Zhu Zhuqing being back in Heaven Dou Empire.

"Good, I will order someone to take Zhuqing ba--." Zhu Family head was about to order someone when suddenly a man appeared in the hall all of a sudden surprising everyone present in the place.

Seeing the man, Zhu Family Head looked at him seriously before hearing all the things he reported. Upon conveying all the news that the man had, Zhu Family's head's face cannot be described in a painting.

Dai Mubai, on the other hand, was very interested after seeing Uncle Zhu's reactions. He was curious about what kind of news the man reported that made his expression become like that as it might be very serious seeing how his demeanor changed so much.

Processing all the news in his head, Zhu Family's head then dismisses the man.

There was a moment of silence before Dai Mubai broke it and asked.

"If it's okay to ask, what was that about, Uncle?" Dai Mubai curiously and respectfully asked.

Hearing Dai Mubai, Zhu Family Head then looked at him with seriousness. He then could only sigh and answered, "I think it's okay to tell you this. The report says that Heaven Dou Empire was now completely gone. Emperor Xue Ye was dead, and the news of a new Emperor had arisen."

This time, Dai Mubai was shocked to the core after hearing such news. No wonder the Zhu Family head would react like that since he also could not believe such news. He then immediately asked again, "Is it the Spirit Hall?"

Zhu Family Head shook his head as he answered, "No, the person who attacked and replaced the Emperor was a person named Lev."

Hearing a name that he least expected, Dai Mubai now can't control his emotions and is dumbstruck for a second. He immediately thought of a person he hated the most and such thought made him more agitated every time he saw him together with Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Family Head looked at Dai Mubai as he noticed something was wrong with him. He asked curiously, "Mubai, is there something wrong?"

Hearing the Zhu Family head, Dai Mubai then woke up. He looked at him and was hesitating whether to tell him the truth. Seconds passed, and he gritted his teeth and decided to tell him something. He said, "Uncle, to be honest, Zhu Zhuqing followed a person named Lev and I think the 'Lev' you just mentioned might be the same person."

Zhu Family Head was surprised after hearing such words, but he immediately calmed down because he thought about how a person of the same age as his daughter could attack an empire alone. He then said, " It's impossible, Mubai. It must all be a coincidence that they have the same name."

Hearing this, Dai Mubai wanted to say something but stopped himself from doing so as he was also hoping that the 'Lev' he knew was not the same 'Lev' who attacked Heaven Dou Empire.

Following that, the two then had a conversation for a while before Dai Mubai bade his farewell and went back to his home. Zhu Family Head, on the other hand, immediately called for an emergency meeting as they needed to create a plan on how to deal with the new empire.

________________

---Morning---

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan,

In a big and grandiose dining hall, a group of people can be seen sitting around while having a conversation. Unlike the reactions of the other powers, the ambiance of the place could be said to be harmonious.

"Clan Master Ning, I'm very grateful for your cooperation for the past two weeks." Lev said with a smile while looking at Ning Fengzhi in front of him. It has been two weeks and with his bits of help, convincing all the other clans goes very smoothly. Though they haven't completely shown their trust, it wouldn't be long before they change their mind.

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty. It is my honor to help the person who will stand on top of this continent." Ning Fengzhi politely replied as he already decided to put his complete support on Lev after all that happened two weeks ago. The appearance and might of Lev completely changed his worldview and he was smart enough to know how powerful he was and knew that it would not be long before he could achieve something that no one had ever done in the past.

Hearing this, Lev just smiled as he looked towards the other two men on his side and felt seeing them having no reactions. He knew Ning Fengzhi was an intelligent man and was only moving to those who were the most favorable, but it didn't concern him since he could bring and put them down when something ever happened.

"Good. So as a token of your allegiance, let me ask you something then. Clan Master Ning, how much do you know about Immortal Herbs?" Lev suddenly asked and changed the topic. One way to make Ning Fengzhi feel indebtedness to him was for him to do something that would help them and so he wanted his trump card for that.

"Immortal Herbs? I heard about them, but I don't know that much." Ning Fengzhi truthfully said while being curious about why Lev asked such a question.

"Hmm. Then, how about I tell you that I could evolve your spirit into the legendary 'Nine Treasure Glaze Tile Pagoda' with the help of an Immortal Herb." Lev said. Yes, he has actually still kept the immortal herb that would help Ning Rongrong's spirit evolve for this very purpose. Knowing how valuable it was, Ning Fengzhi might be completely indebted to him.

Hearing Lev, Ning Fengzhi and the other two men look at him with surprise as they can't tell whether Lev was telling them the truth or playing at them seeing him still smiling. It was his family's wish to give birth to someone and bring back the legendary 'Nine Treasure Glaze Tile Pagoda', however, after a long time, it started becoming a myth while some completely forgot about it.

"Your Majesty Lev, i-is what you said really true?" Ning Fengzhi asked with his hands shaking. He knew Lev would never lie about something like this as this matter was completely of great importance not just to him but also to the clan.

"Yes." Lev replied before summoning an immortal herb from his inventory and presenting it to Ning Fengzhi.

"This immortal herb is called Beautiful Silk Tulip. You might probably feel it now, right? This immortal herb was completely compatible with your spirit. Consuming this will help you evolve your Spirit." Lev said while holding the Beautiful Silk Tulip in his hands.

With that, Ning Fengzhi and the others looked at the immortal herb seriously. They were astonished by looking at it, especially Ning Fengzhi as he really felt a connection towards the Immortal herb. Seeing its appearance, it had stalks and leaves all in wisteria drapes, finely combed but at the top is a golden dazzling tulip, and a heavy tulip fragrance giving a splendorous and majestic feeling.

"But this immortal herb could be said to be the one and only on this continent as this herb needs several years to grow another." Lev then followed. He could actually buy anything in the store and Immortal Herb like this one could be bought there easily but he doesn't want to rely on the store much as he doesn't want others to be dependent on him.

"I will give this to you as a gift of taking my side." Lev, without any second thoughts, then gave the Beautiful Silk Tulip to Ning Fengzhi. He didn't mind who would consume this immortal herb as it didn't concern him anymore.

After touching the immortal herb, Ning Fengzhi was now completely sure that Lev wasn't joking. His Spirit was telling him to absorb the Immortal Herb immediately, but he stopped himself from doing so after hearing what Lev had said before.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for this generous gift. I will forever remember this kindness you have given to us." Ning Fengzhi replied sincerely.

Following that, Lev and Ning Fengzhi then talked about things, especially Lev who had started making plans about his empire from which Ning Fengzhi also started bringing up his ideas and recommendations. It was only after an hour of talking did Lev bid his farewell and head back home.

......

"Fengzhi, is this really the good choice?" Uncle Ju suddenly asked while looking at Lev leaving their clan. Though he was still having second thoughts about the matter of their allegiance to Lev, his strength really was terrible for them to get out of this charade.

"Uncle Ju, I think this would be the best decision I have ever made in my life. Let's support Lev. Doing so, we would become something more in the future." Ning Fengzhi answered while looking at the Beautiful Silk Tulip Lev gave him. He then just looked at the other person beside him.

"Uncle Gu, can you call Rongrong for me." Ning Fengzhi then said.

Hearing this, Uncle Gu then looked at Ning Fengzhi. He did not ask as he left immediately.

After a while, inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan Hall, Uncle Gu came back together with a beautiful girl.

"Father, why would you summon me? Is there a problem?" Ning Rongrong curiously asked after she arrived at the hall. She had been living in the palace for two weeks now and she felt very bored wanting to leave the place but wasn't allowed to.

"Well, come here and I will give you something." Ning Fengzhi said as he smiled before presenting the Beautiful Silk Tulip to Ning Rongrong. He has already past his prime and can no longer improve, so he has decided beforehand to give it to her one and only daughter.

Uncle Gu and Uncle Ju, on the other hand, were completely surprised after seeing Ning Fengzhi actually giving the immortal herb to Rongrong instead of using it himself. Though they kind of understood what was happening, they felt like it was still too risky as they really couldn't trust Lev's words.

"Father, what is this beautiful herb? I could feel a special connection to it. It's a weird feeling." Ning Rongrong said while being captivated after holding the immortal herb. She then looked at her father wanting to hear some explanation.

"Well, this herb will help you evolve your spirit. Try it." Ning Fengzhi answered before repeating the things Lev told him earlier on how to consume the immortal herb. Though he also knows this much, he still wants to follow Lev's instructions to be more effective.

With that, Ning Rongrong then excitedly followed his father's instructions as she consumed the Beautiful Silk Tulip in her hands. She was very excited about the fact that doing so would evolve her spirit. Though she doesn't know if it is true, she still does so as she trusts her father.

________________

---Noon---

After several hours of waiting, Ning Rongrong finally woke up from her meditation. Waking up, what she first discovered was the fact that her spirit power had increased by six which was very unbelievable.

"Father, what kind of herb is this? It actually increased my spirit power. Do you have another? I think it has the ability to increase spirit power." Ning Rongrong immediately asked while looking at her father with great excitement.

Seeing Ning Rongrong waking up, Ning Fengzhi and the others were happy seeing that she was okay, but they didn't have time for that as they were shocked by Ning Rongrong's words as Lev only told them that it would just evolve the spirit, he did not mention anything about increasing spirit power.

Not long after that, Ning Fengzhi calmed down and excitedly said, "Unfortunately, such an herb was very precious and the only one that could be found on this continent. Rongrong, how about showing us your spirit."

Ning Rongrong was a bit sad hearing her father as she thought that she could raise her spirit power by consuming more of such herb. Right after that, she comes back to normal as she summons her spirit just like her father instructed her to.

Seeing Ning Rongrong's spirit, Ning Fengzhi, Uncle Ju, Uncle Gu, and even Ning Rongrong widened their eyes as they could see the newly evolved Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

"F-Father, w-why does my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda have two more layers? Has the herb really evolved my spirit?" Ning Rongrong shockingly asked as she continued counting the pagoda of her spirit as she could still not believe it.

On the other hand, Ning Fengzhi was completely surprised and excited after seeing the legendary Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda with his very own eyes. He answered, "R-Rongrong, the herb you consumed earlier was actually not an ordinary herb. It was called Beautiful Silk Tulip which is an immortal herb. A one of its kind."

"Is there such a herb?!!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed after hearing her father.

"Mmm." Ning Fengzhi nodded while smiling.

"Then, where did you get this Immortal Herb father!?" Ning Rongrong excitedly asked as she believed that such kind of herb mustn't be that easy to find. She was even thinking about what price they pay to get such a thing knowing how precious it was.

Ning Fengzhi and the others were smiling after hearing Ning Rongrong. They were still completely shocked as Lev really was telling the truth and was sincere about giving it to them.

"Well, this Immortal Herb was actually just given to us." Ning Fengzhi sadly said. He really was hoping that there were many of this kind of herb but hearing from Lev itself that it was only one of its own, he could only believe it.

Ning Rongrong was surprised after hearing about it from her father because who would be so kind enough to give them such treasure? She asked once again, "Then, who is it?"

Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong and replied, "It's Lev."

Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong felt surprised and then immediately followed, "W-What!? Did Lev come here today?"

"Yes, and he just left earlier after giving this to us." Ning Fengzhi smiled after seeing Ning Rongrong's reaction. Though he hasn't asked about it, he could tell his daughter has something special feeling for Lev. It's just a shame knowing Lev have already three lovers beside him.

"W-Why didn't you tell me?" Ning Rongrong could not help but blurt it out. Hearing the name, Lev's face immediately popped up on her head and it made her blush a little. Though she still felt scared from the things that happened during these two weeks, she, however, felt more interested for some reason.

"Sigh. Don't worry as you will be meeting him from time to time from now on " Ning Fengzhi could only sigh after seeing Ning Rongrong. Though he kind of wanted to interrupt, he would not cut off her daughter's feelings and make her hate him.

Following that, they talked about several things especially about the newly evolved spirit as they were very curious about it. All of them spend the rest of the day in the palace examining it.

________________

---Night---

Dugu Bo's Mansion,

Getting everything done, Lev and the others were now on the bed embracing each other seeing Zhu Zhuqing and Sia leaning on Lev's arms as Dugu Bo asked to take Dugu Yan for a while wanting to have some time together.

"Zhuqing, I plan on heading to Star Lou Empire soon, how about heading back to your family? Let us formally break the engagement between you and Dai Mubai." Lev suddenly asked while caressing Zhu Zhuqing's head. As the matter in this place was already moving smoothly, he planned on moving again to the second phase of his plan.

Zhu Zhuqing was completely surprised after hearing Lev bringing up the matter about her engagement, she then just looked at him and replied, "Do we still need to head back there? It really doesn't matter to me anymore."

"Stupid. No matter what, they were still your parents. I plan on heading there in another two weeks." Lev then followed. He doesn't really have any idea about her family and so he wanted to take this time to see and know them.

"Hmmm. I'll show you around the palace by then." Zhu Zhuqing replied with a smile. She was already happy on Lev's side, but she thought that taking care of such a thing was also good to finally let go of the worries she had forgotten and buried deep in her heart.

On the other hand, Sia was already sleeping after listening to them talking so it does take longer before the other two did the same. Following that, the night passed without anything to worry about.