Chapter 170: Zhu Zhuqing's Gratitude, Pre-Selecting the Third Soul Ring
The forest on the back mountain was quiet, with only the soft sound of wind sweeping fallen leaves across the ground.
"Are you ready?"
Lin Qingmo's voice was gentle, lacking his usual dominance and instead carrying a hint of reassurance.
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly raised her head, a trace of surprise flashing through her eyes.
She immediately nodded firmly.
"Yes, I'm ready. Ah Qing, whatever you need me to do, just say it."
Her voice remained cool, but there was an unmistakable seriousness hidden within.
She silently added in her heart, 'As long as I can become stronger, I'm willing to do anything.'
Seeing this, Lin Qingmo didn't waste words.
He raised his hand and took out a jade-white bottle from his storage soul tool.
The moment the lid was opened, a rich scent instantly spread through the forest.
Inside the bottle was a semi-transparent viscous liquid, gently swaying, carrying a faint warmth.
Under the sunlight, it looked like melted amber, radiating a soft and gentle glow.
"This is something that can improve your physical constitution."
Lin Qingmo handed the small bottle to her.
He didn't say it was whale rubber.
Because it was a secret, and whale rubber was also something easily misunderstood. Better left unexplained.
"There are no side effects. It can temper your body to the greatest extent and solidify your foundation."
"For an agility-attack system soul master like you, the effect is also the most direct."
"Drink all of it."
"Such a precious thing… you're just giving it to me like this?"
Zhu Zhuqing instinctively looked up, her voice carrying a trace of unconcealed astonishment.
She had heard Lin Qingmo say before that physical constitution determined the limit of soul ring absorption.
Improving physical constitution meant increasing the limit of soul ring absorption.
In other words, what stood before her was an extremely valuable treasure.
Hearing this, Lin Qingmo merely raised an eyebrow slightly and pushed the bottle closer.
"If it's useful to you, then it's not considered precious. Besides, you'll be working for me in the future."
As for how to cultivate this future worker, it would depend on how Zhu Zhuqing performed later. It remained to be seen.
After hearing Lin Qingmo's teasing words, Zhu Zhuqing's ears instantly turned red.
Even her fair cheeks were tinged with a faint blush.
Lin Qingmo looked at the redness on her ears, a faint smile flashing in his eyes.
"Don't worry. Although the medicinal effect is somewhat intense, with me here, nothing will go wrong. I'll guide you the entire time. There won't be the slightest mistake."
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing did not hesitate and reached out to take the white jade bottle.
Her fingertips accidentally brushed against Lin Qingmo's, and she quickly withdrew as if shocked.
She didn't ask another question and tilted her head back, drinking the entire bottle of whale rubber in one go.
The whale rubber melted upon entering her mouth, without the slightest fishy taste, instead carrying a faint sweetness.
But the moment it slid down her throat—
A terrifying wave of warmth exploded from her dantian.
Like a surging current, it instantly swept through her entire body.
"!!!"
This was the "intense medicinal effect" Lin Qingmo mentioned.
In just a few breaths, Zhu Zhuqing felt as if her body had been thrown into a boiling steamer.
Her whole body began to heat up.
Her skin quickly flushed with an alluring crimson, fine beads of sweat instantly forming on her forehead, and even her breathing became rapid.
Her blood seemed to boil, and waves of numbness and itchiness spread through her bones and meridians.
It felt as if countless ants were crawling, making her unable to suppress a soft moan as she curled up.
If Lin Qingmo hadn't been in front of her, she would have already lost control.
"Don't lose focus."
Lin Qingmo's voice sounded at the right moment, carrying a calming force that instantly pulled her scattered consciousness back together.
"Calm your mind, circulate your soul power, and focus on refining the medicinal energy."
"Follow the guidance of my soul power. Don't resist the medicinal force."
"Let it seep into every inch of your meridians and bones."
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lower lip, forcefully suppressing the restless agitation in her heart.
She immediately began circulating her own soul power as instructed, gradually guiding that domineering medicinal force to wash through her meridians, tempering her bones and muscles.
Lin Qingmo stood opposite her, carefully observing.
The first time consuming whale rubber would indeed produce a strong reaction, especially since this was ten-thousand-year whale rubber.
The sweat on her forehead grew more and more, sliding down her cheeks and dripping onto her clothes.
Her body trembled slightly, yet she clenched her teeth and did not make a single sound of weakness.
A trace of approval flashed in Lin Qingmo's eyes.
He understood Zhu Zhuqing's resilience.
This seemingly cold and delicate girl possessed a toughness deep in her bones stronger than many boys.
He made no unnecessary movements, only releasing a strand of gentle soul power.
The soul power formed a barrier around Zhu Zhuqing, stabilizing the turbulent medicinal force and isolating external disturbances.
At the same time, he guided the medicinal energy to permeate her body to the fullest extent, not wasting even the slightest bit of its effect.
…
Time passed little by little.
The forest was filled only with the sound of wind rustling leaves and Zhu Zhuqing's slightly rapid breathing.
The light and shadows shifted gradually, moving from noon toward the afternoon.
After an unknown amount of time, the burning heat in Zhu Zhuqing's body slowly subsided.
The boiling sensation throughout her body gradually calmed.
She slowly opened her eyes.
A few fine beads of sweat still clung to her long eyelashes.
A faint mist lingered in her cat-like eyes.
She subconsciously clenched her fists.
Clearly feeling the changes in her body.
Her meridians had become broader and tougher, and her bone density had increased by more than a level.
The explosive power, speed, and endurance of her muscles had all undergone a leap.
Even her soul power faintly showed signs of breaking through.
A trace of astonishment flashed through Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as she murmured softly, "It really… made me stronger."
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and looked at Lin Qingmo standing before her.
Her eyes were filled with undisguised shock, along with deep, overwhelming gratitude.
She took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Lin Qingmo, her posture extremely proper.
"Thank you!"
Her tone was solemn, her voice even, carrying a slight, barely noticeable tremor.
"I will remember this kindness. I will definitely fulfill what I promised you."
She was not someone who didn't understand human affairs.
Such a precious thing, and Lin Qingmo gave it to her without even blinking.
She knew better than anyone how heavy this favor was.
Lin Qingmo reached out and helped her up.
"No need to be so polite. After all, this is a formal transaction between us."
His tone remained calm, with a faint smile.
"You're about to break through rank 30. You don't need to worry about your third soul ring. When you reach rank 30, inform me immediately. I'll help you determine the most suitable soul ring."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing froze again.
She nodded firmly, suppressing all the surging emotions within her heart.
She only said one word: "Alright. I'll tell you as soon as I break through."
At the same time, she felt a deep anticipation about what kind of third soul ring Lin Qingmo would arrange for her now.
End of Chapter