Hearing Electrolux mention Xu Tianhao, Nana's originally calm face flushed with a faint blush.
Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Xu Tianhao. Memories of their past interactions flashed through her mind, filling her heart with warmth.
However, she had already expressed her gratitude and feelings before.
Though she felt shy now, she was no longer as nervous and awkward as she had been initially.
After a brief pause, Nana looked up at Xu Tianhao, her voice soft yet incredibly firm:
"To me, Tianhao is not just a partner, but the person who led me onto the path of becoming stronger."
"I've said it before—I will repay this kindness by giving myself to him. I will follow Tianhao forever and face the future together."
Hearing this, Xu Tianhao's lips curled into a gentle smile.
His gaze fell on Nana. Seeing her shed her past innocence and become increasingly composed and spirited, his eyes were full of approval.
Speaking of which, now that her Spirit had evolved, Nana indeed possessed more charm.
Unfortunately, Meng Hongchen was still undergoing Ice and Fire Body Tempering nearby, so Xu Tianhao didn't act recklessly.
He stepped forward, took Nana's slender hand, and patted it gently. "Since you've put it that way, I'll have to inspect the goods properly."
Nana blushed instantly. "Meng is still here."
Xu Tianhao chuckled softly. "I've already used my Domain to isolate us; she can't hear anything."
Nana's face grew even redder. "Then... then go ahead and inspect."
As she spoke, Nana proactively leaned closer to Xu Tianhao.
Looking at the bashful girl, Xu Tianhao stopped teasing her. "So obedient. But there are people around now. I'll take my time inspecting when we're alone."
Hearing this, although Nana's anxious heart settled, she still shot Xu Tianhao a glare.
I already prepared myself mentally, and now you're not going through with it?
Are you playing me for a fool?
"Hmph!" Nana gave a light huff and turned her head away, no longer looking at Xu Tianhao.
Time passed slowly, minute by minute. All that remained was the faint sound of ice and fire energy flowing around Meng Hongchen and the steady breathing of the group.
Xu Tianhao and Nana remained on guard, constantly monitoring Meng Hongchen's condition.
Electrolux, meanwhile, had returned to Xu Tianhao's Sea of Consciousness to continue his recovery.
After an unknown amount of time, the two-colored halo of ice and fire enveloping Meng Hongchen suddenly retracted, surging entirely into her body like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.
The two Ultimate powers of scorching heat and freezing cold that had been swirling around her finally merged perfectly, without the slightest conflict.
With a long exhale, Meng Hongchen slowly opened her eyes. Her entire temperament had undergone a world-shaking transformation.
Her skin had become as white as jade, fine and smooth like top-grade mutton-fat jade, with a faint, healthy rosy glow.
Her signature wine-red long hair had completely transformed into a clear ice-blue.
It was as smooth as a glacial stream, falling over her shoulders and radiating a trace of desolate coldness.
Even her originally red pupils had turned into an ice-blue like deep-sea ice. As her gaze shifted, it carried a natural pressure of Ultimate Ice.
The phantom of her Spirit slowly emerged behind her. The original Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad had completely transformed; it no longer looked as it once did.
The Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad had turned into a Mystic Ice Jade Toad carved entirely from ice crystals. Its body was crystal clear, pure, and flawless.
The originally vermilion pupils had also turned the same ice-blue as her eyes, and its body emitted a piercing aura of Ultimate Ice.
This was the new form after the Spirit evolution—the Mystic Ice Jade Toad.
Mystic Ice Jade Toad: Controls the power of Ultimate Ice and can condense the purest Ice Soul power in the world.
With a body like jade, it is impervious to all poisons. Its freezing power can freeze all things, making it significantly more powerful than the original Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad.
The fire poison that had plagued her for years was completely purified by the power of Ultimate Ice during this Ice and Fire Body Tempering, vanishing without a trace.
"Whew..." Meng Hongchen let out a long breath. The breath she exhaled turned into tiny ice crystals that slowly fell to the ground and instantly melted.
Feeling the pure Ultimate Spirit power surging within her and the formidable power of controlling Ultimate Ice, the excitement in her heart was beyond words.
Almost instinctively, she ran toward Xu Tianhao and threw herself into his arms, her voice thick with joy and a hint of a sob:
"Tianhao! I succeeded! I really succeeded! The fire poison is all gone, and my Spirit has evolved!"
Xu Tianhao gently wrapped his arms around her back and patted her softly, his tone full of doting and relief. "I know. I always believed you could do it."
"Meng, congratulations on successfully breaking through your shackles and becoming the first Spirit Master in the history of the Sun Moon Empire to possess an Ultimate Spirit. Your future is limitless."
Hearing Xu Tianhao's praise, Meng Hongchen's joy intensified.
She couldn't help herself; she tilted her head up and planted a light kiss on Xu Tianhao's cheek, her movements brisk yet filled with a young girl's shyness.
Only after the kiss did she suddenly realize that Nana was still watching from the side, and her face instantly turned beet red.
Meng Hongchen hurriedly pulled away from Xu Tianhao's embrace, scratched her head awkwardly, and looked at Nana with a shy, apologetic gaze.
Seeing this, Nana's lips curled into a sincere smile, showing no sign of displeasure.
Nana walked quickly to Meng Hongchen's side and said sincerely, "Meng, congratulations! Successfully evolving an Ultimate Ice Spirit is truly amazing!"
She was truly happy for her best friend. Having obtained an Opportunity and grown stronger together, their bond had become even deeper.
Seeing this, Meng Hongchen's shyness dissipated quite a bit. She proactively took Nana's arm, leaned in affectionately, and said excitedly, "Nana, thank you!"
"Although my spirit power Rank hasn't increased and is still at forty-seven, I can clearly feel that my current self could easily defeat three of my former selves. This power of Ultimate Ice is simply too strong!"
As she spoke, she couldn't help but clench her fists, feeling the surging power within her, her eyes filled with delight.
After speaking, Meng Hongchen suddenly turned to Nana, her eyes full of curiosity. "Tianhao specifically called both of us. Since I've had such a huge transformation, did your Spirit evolve too? Tell me quickly!"
She looked at Nana with great anticipation, wanting to know what her best friend had gained.
Hearing this, a happy smile appeared on Nana's face. "That's right, my Spirit has also successfully evolved!"
"Thanks to Elder Yi's help, my Nether Spirit has transformed into the Nether Spirit Master."
"I absorbed a Spirit Bone earlier, so my spirit power Rank caught up and is at forty-seven just like yours. Although my Rank hasn't increased now, my combat ability can also match three of my past selves!"
Meng Hongchen's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but clap her hands in praise. "That's wonderful, Nana!"
"I didn't expect your Spirit to complete such an incredible evolution too. Now that we've both become stronger, we'll be able to help Tianhao even more in the future!"
She was genuinely happy for Nana.
While both had special feelings for Xu Tianhao, their bond as best friends fighting side-by-side was even stronger.
Becoming stronger together was far more important than mutual suspicion.
After reflecting on their transformations, Meng Hongchen turned her gaze back to Xu Tianhao, her eyes full of admiration and curiosity. She leaned in and asked:
"Tianhao, Elder Yi and the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm are so amazing. Just helping us resulted in our Spirits evolving and our bodies being reborn."
"Then the Opportunity they prepared for you must be ten or a hundred times better than ours, right? Maybe your strength will just skyrocket instantly!"
Nana also looked at Xu Tianhao, her eyes full of expectation.
Since they had gained such a massive Opportunity, Xu Tianhao's own must surely be Heaven-Defying.
Xu Tianhao looked at the two bright-eyed girls before him and couldn't help but laugh.
"While it's not quite'skyrocketing' instantly, this Opportunity has indeed brought a tremendous harvest to my strength."