As Liu Erlong followed Song Qing through the opulent corridors of the Spirit Hall, her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The decision to come here, to meet with this young man who had so thoroughly challenged her beliefs and feelings, had been incredibly difficult.
'He spoke so harshly of Xiaogang,' she thought, her brow furrowing slightly. 'Accused him of hypocrisy… of stealing knowledge… and he even seemed to mock my feelings for him.'
Yet, a sliver of hope, a burning curiosity, had driven her to accept his invitation. The possibility that he could truly evolve her Fire Dragon, her lifelong companion, into something akin to the legendary Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, was too enticing to ignore. If that were to happen, then perhaps this uncomfortable encounter would be worth the emotional turmoil.
'But can I really trust him?' she wondered, her gaze fixed on Song Qing's back as he led her through a series of turns. 'He is, after all, a member of the Spirit Hall, an organization I have always viewed with suspicion.'
Without even turning his head, as if sensing the turmoil within her, Song Qing spoke, his voice calm and steady. "Dean Liu, you should understand my motivations for offering this assistance. My goal is naturally to gain you as an ally of the Spirit Hall."
Liu Erlong's steps faltered slightly. She hadn't expected such bluntness, such a direct declaration of intent.
'So, there it is,' she thought, a wry smile touching her lips. 'Nothing is ever truly free, is it?'
"Naturally," Song Qing continued, still not looking at her, "I will require an oath from you. An oath that you will never betray or attempt to betray or harm the Spirit Hall, nor will you aid those who seek to do so."
Liu Erlong's initial surprise quickly faded, replaced by a sense of acceptance. It was, after all, a perfectly reasonable condition from someone in his position. The Spirit Hall was a powerful organization, and securing loyal allies was paramount.
"That is… acceptable, Holy Son," she replied, her voice firm.
Song Qing finally stopped before an ornate door and turned to face her, his verdant eyes meeting her fiery gaze. "I care little for your past relationship with Yu Xiaogang," he said, his tone surprisingly neutral. "However, I would advise you to look at that… worthless man with a rational mind. Consider whether your continued obsession with him is truly appropriate and that he deserves it or not."
With that, he opened the door, revealing a spacious and well-appointed guest chamber. "Please, Dean Liu. This room is private and secure."
He stepped aside, allowing her to enter before following her in. He then reached into his soul tool and retrieved the small jade box containing the Immortal Herbs.
"These are the herbs you will need," he said, presenting the box to her. "Ingest them in the order I will explain. I will remain outside this chamber to ensure your privacy and prevent any disturbances. If you require any assistance, do not hesitate to call for me."
He then proceeded to give her detailed instructions on how to consume each of the herbs, emphasizing the specific order and timing to maximize their effectiveness. Liu Erlong listened intently, her initial apprehension slowly giving way to a cautious optimism.
As Song Qing finished his instructions and prepared to leave the room, a question lingered in Liu Erlong's mind.
"Holy Son," she began hesitantly, "why… why are you doing this for me? After everything you said…"
Song Qing paused at the door, his hand resting on the handle. He turned back to her, his expression unreadable. "Because, Dean Liu," he said, his voice calm and steady, "everyone deserves a chance to become stronger. And a powerful ally, even one with a complicated past, is still an ally." With that, he stepped out of the room, closing the door gently behind him, leaving Liu Erlong alone with her thoughts and the precious herbs that held the promise of a new, powerful future.
Liu Erlong looked at the jade box in her hands, her mind racing. She still harbored doubts, still felt a sting of resentment at Song Qing's harsh words about Yu Xiaogang. But the allure of evolving her Fire Dragon, of reaching a power level she had only dreamed of, was too strong to resist.
'Perhaps… perhaps this is a new beginning for me,' she thought, her gaze hardening with determination. 'I will take this opportunity, and I will become stronger. Stronger than ever before.'
She carefully opened the jade box, the fragrant aroma of the Immortal Herbs filling the room. She examined each herb, recalling Song Qing's instructions. Taking a deep breath, she steeled her resolve and began the process of consuming the first herb. The journey to a new level of power had begun.
Meanwhile, outside the guest chamber, Song Qing leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. He could sense the energy fluctuations within the room as Liu Erlong ingested the herbs.
'She's taking them,' he thought, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. 'Good. Soon, she will understand the true potential of her spirit.'
He knew that the evolution process would be intense and potentially dangerous. That was why he had offered to stand guard. He wouldn't allow anything to interfere with this. A powerful Titled Douluo with the spirit of the Sacred Fire Dragon King as an ally would be a significant asset to the Spirit Hall.
He closed his eyes for a moment, his thoughts drifting back to Ah Yin in his herbal garden. He could sense her growing strength, her returning consciousness. Soon, he would need to have that conversation with her, to explain his plans, to gain her cooperation.
'This is all part of the larger plan,' he thought. 'Every piece must fall into place.'
The night outside the guest chamber remained quiet, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. Song Qing stood vigil, patiently waiting for the transformation within to complete. He knew it would take time, but the rewards would be well worth the wait.
~~
Minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity for Liu Erlong. The initial warmth from the Immortal Herbs quickly escalated into an inferno raging within her very being. The potent flame power, far beyond anything she had ever experienced, surged through her meridians, threatening to consume her from the inside out.
She could feel her soul power reacting, swirling and churning as it tried to assimilate the immense energy. Her Fire Dragon spirit, currently dormant within her, thrashed restlessly, sensing the impending transformation.
'This… this is far more intense than I imagined!' Liu Erlong thought, her face contorted in pain. 'Can I even endure this?'
The heat became unbearable, pressing against her skin, her muscles, her very bones. It felt as though she was being forged anew in the heart of a volcano.
"Holy Son… help me!" she gasped out, her voice strained and desperate. "I… I can't hold on!"
Outside the door, Song Qing remained still, his senses acutely attuned to the turmoil within the chamber. He had anticipated this reaction. The power of the Immortal Herbs was not to be underestimated.
"Endure, Dean Liu," he replied calmly through the closed door. "You must allow your body and your spirit to absorb this energy. Do not resist it."
He continued, his voice firm but reassuring, "Your Fire Dragon spirit is undergoing a profound transformation. The very essence of your flames, their strength and their attribute, are about to evolve into something far more powerful. You must persevere."
Inside the room, Liu Erlong's body trembled uncontrollably. Every nerve ending screamed in protest against the searing heat.
'He's right,' she thought, her mind fighting through the haze of pain. 'I can feel it… the change… it's happening.'
But the intensity was almost too much to bear. Even as a powerful Soul Douluo, accustomed to enduring immense pressures, this was a challenge unlike any she had faced before.
'It feels like I'm being burned alive… from the inside out!' she mentally cried out, her vision swimming.
The power of the herbs was immense, yet it didn't leak outwards. It remained contained within her body, a concentrated force intent on reshaping her very being – her physical form, her spirit, and the very core of her soul power.
A low moan escaped her lips, followed by a sharp cry of pain. Her throat felt raw, her voice hoarse from the repeated exclamations of agony.
"Agh… it burns… so much…" she choked out, tears streaming down her face. The pain was excruciating, but beneath it, she could sense a burgeoning power, a feeling of incredible potential waiting to be unleashed.
But then, amidst the torment, she felt a shift. Her Fire Dragon spirit, which had been writhing within her, began to solidify, to take on a new form. The chaotic energy around it started to coalesce, shaping itself into something majestic.
It was still a dragon, but it radiated an aura of regal power, an undeniable majesty that spoke of a lineage far beyond that of a mere Fire Dragon. It was as though a king had been born amongst dragons within her very soul.
'This… this is it!' Liu Erlong realized, a flicker of excitement cutting through the pain. 'It's evolving!'
The dragon within her grew larger, its scales shimmering with an even more intense, almost divine, flame. The heat emanating from it was still immense, but it felt… different. Purer.
This was the Sacred Fire Dragon King!
And then, another significant change occurred. Liu Erlong could sense the very attribute of her dragon spirit shifting. Her Fire Dragon had always leaned towards the Yin Attribute, a characteristic that set it apart from the more common Yang-attributed fire spirits.
But now, as it transformed into the Sacred Fire Dragon King, that Yin Attribute seemed to be fading, replaced by a purer, more concentrated essence of Flame Attribute, a power that transcended the traditional Yin and Yang classifications.
As this transformation completed, Liu Erlong felt a significant easing of the burden. The overwhelming heat began to subside, replaced by a feeling of immense power settling within her.
The process of absorbing the remaining energy from the Immortal Herbs went by much more smoothly now, her body and spirit readily accepting the enhanced power.
Finally, as the last vestiges of the herbs' energy were assimilated, Liu Erlong could take a moment to truly observe the changes that had taken place. Her body felt lighter, cleaner.
The impurities that had accumulated over decades had been completely purged by the intense flames. Her soul power flowed smoothly and effortlessly through her meridians, which now felt wider and more resilient, capable of handling a far greater volume of energy.
And then she noticed the change in her appearance. Even at the age of fifty, Liu Erlong had retained a considerable beauty.
But now… her skin seemed to glow with a youthful radiance, as though time itself had been turned back.
She looked as vibrant and radiant as she had when she was in her late twenties or early thirties, her mature beauty now enhanced by a newfound vitality.
She rose to her feet, feeling an incredible surge of power coursing through her. The pain was gone, replaced by a sense of exhilaration. She had done it. She had endured, and she had been rewarded beyond her wildest expectations.
Her Fire Dragon had evolved. She was stronger, more powerful than ever before. And it was all thanks to the young man who stood guard outside her door. A complex mix of gratitude and lingering resentment filled her heart as she prepared to face Song Qing once more.