69: Chapter 69 Netherworld Slash

Seeing that the porridge was almost ready, Bai Qi turned and walked toward the tent.

"Everyone get up, time to eat."

He pulled back the curtain and called out to those inside.

Ning Rongrong was the first to scramble up, her hair a mess and her eyes not yet fully open; she had clearly fallen back asleep and hadn't rested well.

Dugu Yan rolled over and was pulled up by Ye Lingling.

Meng Yiran, on the other hand, had been awake for a while, leaning against her luggage while wiping her throwing knives. Hearing the words "time to eat," she stood up nimbly and headed out.

Rubbing her eyes, a groggy Ning Rongrong asked,

"Eh, where's Zhuqing?"

"She's outside," Bai Qi said.

Only then remembering what Bai Qi had said, Ning Rongrong trotted out. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing sitting cross-legged by the fire with her eyes closed, she tiptoed around her, careful not to disturb her.

Zhu Zhuqing happened to finish her cultivation just then, opening her eyes and nodding to her.

Bai Qi came out and served a bowl to everyone.

Meng Yiran took a sip from her bowl and gasped from the heat, drawing a round of laughter from the group.

Bai Qi waited for the laughter to die down before speaking.

"Today, we'll prioritize finding a spirit ring for Zhuqing. Later, when we look for Rongrong's, we can use the opportunity to practice coordinating with Zhuqing's third Spirit Ability."

The girls all nodded, while Dugu Yan asked,

"Then for Zhu Zhuqing's third spirit ring, how many years should we look for?"

Bai Qi rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and said with a smile,

"Given Zhuqing's current situation, around three thousand years or so."

Originally, in Bai Qi's estimation, Zhu Zhuqing could have absorbed a four-thousand-year ring or even higher, but considering practical factors, it was better to be safe.

Ning Rongrong sucked in a breath of cold air.

"Three thousand years? Zhuqing is only at her third ring; can she absorb one with such a high age limit?"

Bai Qi replied without a second thought,

"After her Spirit evolved into the Nine Nether Spirit Cat, both her Physique and Soul Power upper limits increased. She can handle a three-thousand-year spirit ring."

After finishing the meal, Meng Yiran was the first to set down her bowl. She pulled a throwing knife from her waist, wiped it with her sleeve, and tilted her chin up.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

Zhu Zhuqing didn't say a word, standing up and taking the lead to observe their surroundings.

Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling stood in the middle, while Dugu Yan and Meng Yiran flanked them on the left and right.

With his hands in his pockets, Bai Qi followed leisurely at the back of the group, taking in the scenery.

After walking deeper for about an hour, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly stopped, raising her hand to signal. She lowered her voice and said,

"Northwest, four hundred paces. There's Soul Power fluctuation, very strong."

The corners of Bai Qi's mouth curled slightly, but he said nothing, quietly watching them.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced back at everyone and began to give low-voiced instructions.

"Rongrong, support me from the back. Yiran, on the right. Yan Yan, see if you can circle to its rear to deploy poison. Lingling, stay in the center. I'll approach from the front and drive it toward Yanzi's poison mist."

Meng Yiran raised an eyebrow and made a sharp comment, but she still followed the arrangement.

"You certainly know how to boss people around. Fine, it's up to you."

As the words fell, Zhu Zhuqing's figure vanished silently into the shadows of the trees.

A moment later, a low roar echoed from ahead.

A massive, black leopard-shaped Spirit Beast emerged from behind the bushes. Its body was pitch black, with only its eyes glowing with an eerie green light.

Its limbs were long and powerful, its claws digging deep into the soil. A silver-white mane extended from its head down to the tip of its tail, quivering slightly with its breath.

Netherworld Leopard, a three-thousand-year Spirit Beast, agility-attack system.

The Netherworld Leopard seemed to sense danger, but it didn't panic. It arched its back and scanned the surroundings coldly.

Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the first to light up.

"First: Strength! Second: Speed!"

Two beams of light shot toward Zhu Zhuqing. She burst out from the shadows, her sharp claws aiming straight for the Netherworld Leopard's throat.

The Netherworld Leopard leaped back to avoid the strike and swept its front paw horizontally.

Zhu Zhuqing leaned back to evade it and struck back with a claw across its forelimb, leaving three bloody gashes.

Pained, the Netherworld Leopard's massive tail lashed out like a whip. Unable to dodge in time, Zhu Zhuqing crossed her arms in front of her chest and was knocked back several steps.

"Zhuqing!"

Ning Rongrong cried out in alarm.

"I'm fine!"

Zhu Zhuqing stabilized herself and lunged forward once more.

Meanwhile, Meng Yiran's throwing knives whistled through the air from the right. Two knives imbued with her first Spirit Ability flew one after the other, cutting off the Netherworld Leopard's retreat.

"As if I'd let you run!"

The Netherworld Leopard jumped sideways to avoid the first, but the second grazed its hind leg, carving out a bloody wound.

"A hit!"

Meng Yiran shouted excitedly.

Stung by the pain, the Netherworld Leopard turned and charged toward Meng Yiran.

However, Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorus Serpent Poison had already formed a misty perimeter. As soon as the Netherworld Leopard approached, it caught the scent of the toxic gas and retreated in a panic.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhu Zhuqing used her first spirit ring's Hell Rush Stab followed by her second spirit ring's Hell Hundred Strikes, leaving several wounds of varying depths on the Netherworld Leopard's body.

The Netherworld Leopard had nowhere to turn; every time it tried to break out, it was forced back by the poison mist and throwing knives.

With a roar of fury, it stopped trying to flee and instead lunged head-on at Zhu Zhuqing.

Rather than retreating, Zhu Zhuqing advanced, releasing her first and second Spirit Abilities simultaneously once more, aiming straight for the Netherworld Leopard's neck.

The Netherworld Leopard forced its body to twist in mid-air, but it was still half a beat too slow. A blade of light sliced into its left shoulder, nearly piercing through the entire front leg.

Blood sprayed as the Netherworld Leopard slammed heavily onto the ground, unable to stand again.

Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and ended its life with a single claw strike.

A purple spirit ring slowly rose from the carcass.

Bai Qi walked over holding a bucket of popcorn, glanced at the spirit ring, and nodded to Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing sat cross-legged and began to guide the spirit ring into her body.

After absorbing it for a while, the Soul Power of the three-thousand-four-hundred-year Netherworld Leopard still had an impact on the already exhausted Zhu Zhuqing. Her cheeks turned nearly bloodless, beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, and her brows were tightly knit. She even bit her lip until it bled, but she never made a sound.

Ning Rongrong clenched her hands nervously, her fingertips turning white.

Dugu Yan held her breath, not daring to make a noise.

Ye Lingling had already released her Nine Heart Begonia, standing ready to deal with any sudden emergency.

Meng Yiran retrieved her throwing knives from the field and walked over to Bai Qi's side, watching with a deep frown.

"She'll be okay, right? Her face is so pale."

There was a hint of worry in Meng Yiran's tone.

Although Bai Qi was also concerned, he had to reassure them now.

"She won't. Her willpower is much stronger than you think."

After about fifteen minutes, the Soul Power fluctuations around Zhu Zhuqing finally stabilized.

She slowly opened her eyes. A sharp light glinted in her purple pupils, and her entire aura had undergone a subtle change.

"It's done."

Zhu Zhuqing stood up. Her voice was steady, but a flash of excitement crossed her eyes.

Bai Qi asked, "What is the third Spirit Ability?"

"Hell Decapitation."

Zhu Zhuqing raised her hand, and a blade of dark purple light manifested in her palm, several times more solid than before.

"A single-target attack with power far exceeding my previous two Spirit Abilities. Moreover—"

She slightly adjusted her Soul Power output, and the light blade in her palm suddenly extended by over a foot, transforming into a sharp blade condensed from Soul Power.

"With enough charge time and Soul Power, it can manifest as a physical melee weapon for direct slashing."

A flash of admiration appeared in Bai Qi's eyes.

"Not bad. A three-thousand-four-hundred-year Netherworld Leopard's Spirit Ability is indeed stronger than an ordinary thousand-year spirit ring."

Ning Rongrong rushed over and gave Zhu Zhuqing a big hug.

"Zhuqing, you're amazing! You scared me to death; I thought you wouldn't make it."

Being hugged, Zhu Zhuqing's body stiffened slightly, but she didn't push her away, merely patting her back gently.

Dugu Yan huffed.

"It's alright, I guess."

But her eyes remained fixed on that spirit ring, and for once, she didn't make any sarcastic remarks.

Ye Lingling withdrew the green light of the Nine Heart Begonia and gave Zhu Zhuqing a slight nod.

Meng Yiran walked back from Bai Qi's side, circled Zhu Zhuqing once, and clicked her tongue twice.

"Not bad at all. A three-thousand-four-hundred-year Netherworld Leopard; among those of the same Rank, showing this spirit ring alone would intimidate anyone."

She patted Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder and turned to Bai Qi.

"When my Rank is high enough, you have to help me find one this powerful too. You can't be biased."

Bai Qi glanced at her and nodded as a response.

Seeing that Ning Rongrong was still hanging onto Zhu Zhuqing, he said with a smile,

"Alright, Zhuqing just finished absorbing her spirit ring; don't strangle her."

Only then did Ning Rongrong let go and step back, her eyes still sparkling.

Bai Qi glanced at the sky.

"It's still early. Let's rest and reorganize first to let Zhuqing recover properly. This afternoon, we'll help Rongrong find her third spirit ring. Rongrong, support system Spirit Beasts are harder to find than agility-attack ones, so you must be patient."

Ning Rongrong nodded vigorously, clutching her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda with a look of anticipation.

The group sat down to eat their dry rations. Meng Yiran nibbled on a biscuit while checking her throwing knives, muttering to herself,

"I wonder how many years my fourth spirit ring will be."

Bai Qi gave her a flat look.

"What's the rush? Once you've properly absorbed the medicinal power of the Immortal Plant, I'll find you a good one too."

Meng Yiran huffed, put away her knives, and leaned against a tree to rest with her eyes closed.

Dugu Yan yawned and pulled Ye Lingling to sit to the side, whispering something. Ye Lingling listened quietly, nodding occasionally, though her gaze fell on Bai Qi from time to time.

Zhu Zhuqing sat beside Bai Qi, holding a water cup and drinking quietly. She didn't speak, but a very faint curve touched the corners of her mouth.

After their rest, Bai Qi stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.

"Let's go."

Ning Rongrong jumped up excitedly; it was finally her turn.

Zhu Zhuqing followed by her side, with Meng Yiran, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling walking behind.

Bai Qi still walked at the very back, hands in his pockets, following at a steady pace.

Bai Qi looked up at the sky, which was sliced into fragments by the tree canopy, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.