On the side of Spirit Hall, everyone was still reeling from the shock of Yu Keke's soul ring when she suddenly began to radiate a soft glow. The phenomenon seemed even more intense than when Zhu Zhuqing absorbed the spirit marrow.
Yet, just as quickly as the strange light appeared, it faded. Before anyone could fully recover from their astonishment, Yu Keke had already withdrawn her soul ring. Her body, which had transformed slightly due to her spirit's manifestation, returned to its usual state.
"Big brother… I only went up one level…"
Yu Keke looked somewhat at a loss. Her head drooped, and a tinge of guilt colored her delicate features.
Zhuqing-jiejie was at a higher level than her and still gained two levels… but she only gained one. She felt so dumb~
"Keke, you've done wonderfully already."
Aether gently patted Yu Keke on the head. He didn't seem surprised at all that she only rose by one soul power level after absorbing the spirit marrow.
It wasn't that her talent was inferior to Zhu Zhuqing's—it was just that the spirit marrow had a similar nature to his elemental power.
Yu Keke's martial soul had already undergone the baptism of elemental energy. Absorbing a treasure of similar nature would naturally have a more subdued effect.
In contrast, Zhu Zhuqing had never experienced such a baptism, so it made sense she would gain more from the spirit marrow.
"Big brother… but I do feel like my control over my powers has improved a lot," Yu Keke added.
She wasn't just trying to cover for her lower improvement in soul power—it was a real, tangible effect.
Before absorbing the spirit marrow, she could wield 100% of her martial soul's power. Now, she could push beyond that—at least 105% efficiency in combat strength.
"Fire Meow Meow, come here."
Aether smiled and called over the little beast Yu Keke had set aside while she was absorbing the spirit marrow.
"Rrrowww~"
Fire Meow Meow let out a low growl and trotted over energetically, rubbing affectionately against Aether's pant leg.
"No way… don't tell me he's planning to use that divine treasure on this little beast?"
Yan's mouth twitched in disbelief.
It was understandable to use spirit marrow on those two girls—their talents were clear, especially Yu Keke, whose first and second soul rings were both purple. Yan already saw her as a major rival for future competition.
But when Aether called over that weird-looking pet—the one that had previously knocked into Nana—Yan's mind went completely blank.
Could this rare and precious treasure really be wasted on a little beast?
Almost as if to confirm his suspicion, Aether squeezed out another drop of spirit marrow from the glow and gently placed it atop Fire Meow Meow's head.
Fire Meow Meow didn't understand what was going on, but mimicked Zhu Zhuqing and Yu Keke, focusing its attention as if trying to sense the wonders of the divine item.
Three seconds… five… thirty…
Everyone stared at Fire Meow Meow. But after all that buildup… nothing happened.
"Rrrow…"
Fire Meow Meow let out an awkward little cry, looking up at Aether with a confused expression.
"Looks like spirit marrow has some serious limitations," Aether concluded, rubbing his chin.
He'd let Fire Meow Meow try it to see whether spirit marrow, like his elemental power, could enhance other species regardless of type.
But clearly, the answer was no—spirit marrow only worked on human soul masters. Beasts like Fire Meow Meow didn't benefit at all.
At most… if you fed them enough of it, maybe they'd just get full?
"..."
Do you even hear yourself right now?!
Yan was having a meltdown inside. That miraculous treasure had been fed to a pet, and worse—it didn't even work!
If he had been given that drop, at the very least he could've improved his martial soul control, or gained a level or two!
"My lord… I don't believe there's ever been any record of spirit marrow improving soul beasts…" Yue Guan added, a little stunned.
"Mmm…"
Aether nodded without suspicion, then turned his gaze toward Paimon.
"Eh? Traveler, what are you planning?"
Paimon shrank back a little, sensing danger.
"This stuff looks kinda tasty. Wanna try it?" Aether raised the drop of spirit marrow in his hand with a grin.
"Whaaat?! Isn't that the thing you gave to Keke to boost her soul power?!"
Paimon flailed her hands in refusal.
That weird gooey thing probably tasted awful. The Traveler was clearly trying to trick her!
"…Fine then."
Aether shrugged. He had wanted to experiment on Paimon, but if she wasn't going to cooperate, he'd just have to try it himself.
He squeezed a drop Into his hand. Despite its gooey appearance, the texture was mostly due to its dense energy.
Without hesitation, he flicked it into his mouth.
Tastes like… kelp?
That was his first impression. Other than that, no physical changes at all.
Aether blinked. He tried another drop—still nothing.
Gurgle~
Just as he was about to give up, he heard a gulp beside him. Paimon swallowed hard.
"Uhh… What does it taste like?"
"Hmm… hard to describe. Wanna try for yourself?"
"I-I guess I could…"
Paimon hesitated, then stretched out her tiny hand.
"Aaah~"
Deciding to just go for it, she popped the drop into her mouth—and immediately scrunched her face.
"Well? How was it?" Aether asked, noting her reaction.
"It's so slippery I couldn't even taste it!"
Paimon opened her hands wide. It had gone straight down—eaten, but not really eaten.
"Try again."
Aether handed her the entire glowing orb of spirit marrow.
Unlike Aether, who had carefully squeezed it drop by drop, Paimon just chomped down.
The thin membrane of energy burst instantly, and the powerful spiritual aura burst outward, even making Hu Liena and the others feel its presence in the air.
"Chomp chomp chomp…"
Paimon devoured the rest with a few big bites.
Her enthusiastic chewing made even Yue Guan and the others gulp with envy.
Taste aside, just watching her munch on it stirred everyone's appetite.
"Well? Feel anything strange?" Aether asked when she finished devouring all of it.
"I feel… hic~…"
Paimon let out a little hiccup, then added:
"My tummy's kinda full—is that a side effect?"
She rubbed her belly. Even after eating loads of delicious food before, she'd never felt stuffed. But now, just a few bites of this spirit marrow, and she felt bloated.
Could this be a hidden effect of the spirit marrow? She wondered.
_
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