Ning Rongrong had always maintained a keen interest in soul tools.
Not for their destructive power, but for their ability to bypass spirit rules allowing soul masters to directly channel soul power as fuel for formation arrays without relying on spirits.
If she could replicate these formations and deploy them freely, like magic circles in Western tales...
As a support-type soul master, she might never need to just "cheer from the backlines" again.
Despite numerous attempts, she'd consistently failed.
The formations proved tedious to construct and even more cumbersome to activate. Only external mineral components seemed capable of stabilizing them.
Placing her hands on the Frost Soul Ballista's control panel,
Ning Rongrong channeled zhenqi into the device. Energy flowed through the engraved patterns, making them glow.
Soul tools didn't discriminate between soul power and zhenqi any energy that activated the array would suffice. This versatility fascinated her.
Soon, the core formation's radiance stabilized at maximum capacity.
"Fire."
She pressed the launch button.
WHOOSH!
The massive ballista trembled as a glacial arrow streaked forth,
Penetrating distant targets with frigid precision. The surrounding air temperature plummeted instantly.
After flying hundreds of meters, the ice-coated projectile arced downward, embedding itself in the ground.
Frost spread rapidly, transforming the impact zone into a winter wasteland.
BOOM!
An explosion dwarfing the previous test's fury erupted.
Snowflakes drifted from the sky as the shockwave carved a crater dozens of meters wide, its freezing mists still expanding.
Ning Fengzhi's group watched in astonishment.
Ning Rongrong a support-type soul master had just unleashed Soul Emperor-level firepower.
Though fixed-mounted soul tools suffered poor accuracy against moving targets,
Their potential as war machines became undeniable once those flaws were addressed.
"Even a Soul Emperor activating protective barriers at the last moment would suffer heavy injuries," the Bone Douluo remarked.
"Indeed. Soul tools' future development is unimaginable," the Sword Douluo agreed, recalling Ning Rongrong's past words.
Most soul tool fragments drifted over from another continent.
Lou Gao hadn't created this ballista he'd restored it by replicating its formation arrays.
What if that distant land possessed even deadlier soul tools capable of threatening Soul Douluos... or Title Douluos?
The thought chilled him.
Could the spirit system become obsolete?
While others advanced, stagnation invited invasion. Strategic planning was essential at Rank 97, he had decades to prepare.
As these thoughts swirled, Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan approached.
"Senior Lou Gao's mastery deserves endless admiration, like an unceasing river " Ning Rongrong's flattery made the craftsman blush. Even he hadn't realized his own brilliance.
Lou Gao departed to recuperate for the soul ring absorption.
Ning Rongrong withheld the Dragon Abyss Submersible knowing its reveal might distract him entirely.
Two days later, at peak condition, Lou Gao assembled with others in the sect's conference hall.
Ning Fengzhi remained at Level 85, having postponed absorbing the spirit bone.
"The bone can wait," he'd said. "We don't know how long fusion will take. Lou Gao's timed soul ring takes priority."
The portly elder sat solemnly, his silver hair meticulously groomed a testament to his grave approach.
Ning Rongrong summoned her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, addressing him seriously:
"Senior Lou, no recorded soul master has ever taken a hundred-thousand-year ring as their eighth. Even with Father's amplification, the risks are unprecedented."
"If overwhelmed, expel the energy immediately. With three Title Douluos present, success isn't mandatory."
"Safety comes first. Please remember this."
"Enough, Young Mistress!" Lou Gao's forehead creased with exasperation.
At his age, being lectured by a teenager all morning was absurd!
Like some nagging grandmother!
He shot Ning Fengzhi a pointed look How did you raise this child?
Ning Fengzhi could only smile wryly. Even he'd never seen his daughter so verbose.
Her concern for Lou Gao surpassed expectations. Perhaps she'd always intended the Evil Spirit Orca King's soul ring for him.
The absorption commenced.
Lou Gao sat cross-legged, eyes closed.
Ning Rongrong released the crimson soul ring from her pagoda's confinement.
Instantly, the hall drowned in bloody hues.
The soul ring vibrated faintly had it retained mobility, the Evil Spirit Orca King's lingering will might have devoured Ning Rongrong on the spot.
Retreating, she observed the pulsating ring.
"Such potent resentment?" Her eyelid twitched. "Though the ring's energy depleted over days, its malice feels stronger than seven days ago?"
"This defies logic!"
Can Lou Gao truly absorb this?
As the soul ring floated toward Lou Gao, drawn by his soul power,
Ning Fengzhi's Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda blazed to life.
His first seven soul rings shone brightly,
Amplifying Lou Gao's attributes by ninety percent through the pagoda's innate ten percent boost atop standard enhancements.
Lou Gao's power now rivaled Level 86. Combined with years of medicinal baths, his physical parameters approached Level 90 standards though his soul remained lacking.
"Still insufficient." Ning Rongrong's spiritual senses confirmed Lou Gao's precarious state. The Evil Spirit Orca King's resistance far exceeded projections.
The remnant soul's fury has multiplied inexplicably.
Soul Tremors...
Even if his body endured, his spirit might fracture.
"Only that method remains. Perhaps it'll verify certain theories too."
Determination hardened her gaze.
Willpower dictated many outcomes but against absolute power, it meant nothing.