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As he absorbed vast quantities of ice-and-fire energy, not only did his cultivation surge past level eighty-seven, but Dai Weisi also made a startling discovery.
A significant portion of the ice-and-fire energy was not being assimilated into his general spirit power at all — it flowed straight toward his spinal column and ultimately fused with his vertebrae.
When the energy had been fully absorbed into his spine, Dai Weisi found, to his astonishment, that the strength of his back had increased nearly tenfold.
"Could this actually be turning into my torso spirit bone?" he wondered aloud when he first noticed the change in his spine.
He quickly dismissed that idea. His ribs and sternum showed no change whatsoever. Opening his Crimson-Gold Evil Eyes, he peered inward through skin, flesh, meridians, and organs to examine the bones themselves.
To his surprise, roughly the upper tenth of his spinal column had already taken on a red-and-blue interlaced coloration, while the ribs and breastbone remained plain white.
As he continued to absorb the ice-and-fire energy, the red-and-blue area along his spine spread steadily, and with it his back strength climbed higher and higher.
"Could my spine be transforming into dragon bone?"
The thought both puzzled and intrigued him. One thing he was certain of: this spinal transformation had nothing to do with a torso spirit bone — meaning he still had room to absorb a proper torso bone later.
As for what his spine would ultimately become, he did not yet know. Regardless, the enormous increase in his back strength could only be beneficial.
Dai Weisi speculated that once the red-and-blue bands covered his entire vertebrae, his spine would have effectively become an Ice-and-Fire Dragon Bone. What that would mean for him in the long run, he could not predict. But a dragon bone formed from the divine power of the Ice-and-Fire Dragon Kings surely wouldn't be of poor quality — it would bring a tremendous boost to his combat power.
For the next eight months, Dai Weisi and the four Zhu sisters remained near the Ice-and-Fire Yin Yang Well, training diligently. There was no denying it: the place was exceptional for cultivation. Progress came fast.
In just eight months, Dai Weisi's spirit power reached the peak of level eighty-eight, and about fifty percent of his spinal column had already transformed into dragon bone.
The energy contained within the dragon bone had multiplied his back strength roughly fiftyfold. Even without unleashing his martial spirit, he could now shoulder rocks weighing several tons.
Moreover, with half his spine converted to dragon bone, he was able to emanate a strong draconic aura.
Once he activated his Fusion Domain, the dragon might from the bone, the murderous intent he radiated, and the beast-king pressure of his martial spirit would fuse — three distinct forces converging into a terrifying storm of killing intent that could sweep across the battlefield.
Although it manifested as murderous intent, this nearly tangible force could inflict formidable physical damage. Dai Weisi had tested it: his killing-intent storm was capable of pulverizing rocks hundreds of meters away.
The fusion domain acted like a high-powered meat grinder — anyone who approached would be torn to shreds by that dread storm of killing intent.
The four Zhu sisters had also reaped substantial gains over the eight months. Zhu Zhuyun led the way: her cultivation had reached level eighty, and she needed only one more spirit ring to become a Soul Douluo.
Cultivating in the Ice-and-Fire Well and having taken the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, her progress was astonishing.
Zhu Zhuqing's spirit power reached level sixty-six, Anna climbed to sixty-seven, and even Tang Yuehua surged to the peak of level forty-six. Each of them became markedly stronger.
Since the Spirit Hall annihilated the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Douluo Continent had fallen into a rare peace; no more terrifying incidents had occurred, and the Spirit Hall had made no great moves. Everything was progressing steadily.
The only thing that nagged at Dai Weisi was a recent spate of deaths among the Tian Dou Empire's officials. Some had been killed by bandits, some by corrupt, fallen men, others in strange accidents.
Some officials hadn't themselves died — but their relatives had mysteriously perished, vanished, or been kidnapped. None of it was good.
Still, those were internal matters within the Tian Dou Empire; as long as the Star Luo Empire remained stable, Dai Weisi did not dwell on them too much. Yet he could not shake the vague sense that the Tian Dou Empire's days of stability might be numbered.
" Weisi, my spirit power has broken past level eighty — take me to the Star Dou Forest and help me obtain my eighth spirit ring!" Zhu Zhuyun said, looping her arm through his with an impatient, girlish laugh. The eagerness in her eyes left no doubt: she could not wait to become a Soul Douluo.
"All right, all right. I'll take you to get that eighth ring. Let's go now," Dai Weisi replied indulgently, ruffling the top of the big cat-like girl's head.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing stood abruptly, worry etched on her face. "Husband, the Star Dou Forest is too dangerous. Why don't I come with you both? The three of us using the Star Luo Sacred Tiger together would be safer."
Dai Weisi smiled. "It's fine. We're not actually going to the Star Dou Forest."
"Eh? Not the Star Dou Forest? Then where? Are we going to pick a spirit beast in the Sunset Forest? Weisi, I'm telling you now — I don't want a spirit ring from a beast younger than eighty thousand years!"
"Heh—trust me!" Dai Weisi answered with a mysterious grin. "Wife, I promise you'll be satisfied with this spirit ring."
With that, he left Zhu Zhuqing to cultivate in the Ice-and-Fire Well while he took Zhu Zhuyun with him on a covert trip to Shrek Academy.
At first Zhu Zhuyun was puzzled. Weren't they hunting a spirit ring? Why bring her here? Then she saw Xiaowu on the academy playground and her eyes widened. The confusion evaporated instantly.
"That— that girl is…"
Dai Weisi gave a slight smile and nodded. "Now you know why I brought you here."
"You already knew she was at Shrek?"
"Of course. I haven't just been cultivating these past eight months."
Besides training, Dai Weisi had periodically visited Shrek Academy to observe. He'd originally intended to see whether Tang San had returned from the Killing City, but instead he had found an unexpected surprise. Tang San was not in sight, but Xiaowu was. To avoid alerting anyone, Dai Weisi had not acted rashly; he waited in secret, planning to strike only after Zhu Zhuyun reached level eighty, so that he could take the girl's spirit ring and spirit bone in one decisive move.
" Weisi, so now—" Zhu Zhuyun made a throat-cutting gesture mid-sentence.
Dai Weisi shook his head. "It's daylight now. If we try to kill Xiaowu during the day, the Shrek teachers will never stand idly by. If the battle attracts the city guards in Tian Dou City, it won't be good."
"Then we wait until night. Besides, there's one thing I've been curious about for a while — I want to discuss it with that so-called useless master."
(End of Chapter)