Ning Rongrong wiped the blood from the corner of her lips, her chest heaving as she coughed several times.
"Seems like I played a bit too hard." She supported herself with her hands on the ground, panting heavily.
"I told you not to show off. Even if you do, don't drag it out for so long. Now you got struck by lightning, didn't you?"
Tokisaki Kurumi was exasperated. "Now we're screwed. Instead of finishing things quickly, you kept dawdling around, completely unaware."
"Being with you, I must've been cursed for eight lifetimes." The Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda floating around Ning Rongrong trembled slightly, a furious voice emanating from within.
"Hehe." Ning Rongrong lifted her head with some difficulty, looking at the frenzied, darting Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda. "You sound pretty energetic! Doesn't seem like you're out of strength."
"I'm your support, not your battery!" Tokisaki Kurumi stomped in frustration. "I can't even maintain my physical form now. What am I supposed to do?"
Forget about strength—now she could only vent verbally.
Tokisaki Kurumi felt utterly speechless.
Back then, Ning Rongrong had said something about giving them a glorious battle, making sure everyone remembered the name Tokisaki Kurumi. Seduced by fame, she had inexplicably agreed.
Using Tokisaki Kurumi as a bridge, Ning Rongrong had fully fused the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda's inherent laws, pushing herself to the next realm—the Perfection Stage.
But this unreliable idiot hadn't mentioned the sheer amount of energy it would consume.
Now, not only was she, the spirit of the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, drained, but even Ning Rongrong seemed incapable of using even a sliver of her abilities.
"Calm down, Kurumi. Learn to be content."
"Didn't we just beat Qian Daoliu to the point he couldn't lift his head?"
"Isn't it normal to feel drained after such a climax?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. The question is—what do we do now?" The Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda rotated slightly, as if scanning the surroundings. "Where the hell is this place anyway?"
"No clue. I just teleported to a spot that looked relatively safe."
"Seems like a small island." Ning Rongrong staggered to her feet, surveying the area. "Hmm, a tiny island surrounded by the sea. No soul beasts around."
"If nothing goes wrong, it's a safe place for cultivation."
She needed about two years to rebuild her body—no destruction, no rebirth—that was the principle.
"You want to enter Zafkiel: City of Devouring Time?" Tokisaki Kurumi frowned.
"Yeah, didn't I tell you before?"
Tokisaki Kurumi sighed. "I have no power left. Even if you enter, time won't accelerate. It won't help your cultivation."
"Doesn't matter. Zafkiel exists in a separate dimension. That's all I need." Ning Rongrong shrugged. "Even if the flow matches the outside world, it's fine."
"Well, if you're set on it, I can still activate Zafkiel." Inside the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, Tokisaki Kurumi—now reduced to a flickering ember—pondered Ning Rongrong's plan.
Strictly speaking, Zafkiel: City of Devouring Time wasn't a domain but a subspace within the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, enhanced by the Evil God Pearl's influence, allowing it to remain hidden in another dimension.
"But don't forget—what about me?" Tokisaki Kurumi complained. "I don't know what you're trying to prove, but the Evil God Pearl's original power is almost completely drained."
The Evil God Pearl had fused with the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, yet now, there was no trace of its aura left inside. However, the sinister energy radiating from Ning Rongrong was undeniably linked to it.
"Once I finish my seclusion, I'll help you gather the time you need. As for the Evil God Pearl… I have other plans."
"Tch…" Tokisaki Kurumi pouted. "You always say that, yet I end up losing even my pants every time."
"Oh? Kurumi's angry~"
"Angry? I'm furious." After a pause, Tokisaki Kurumi added, "I can't peek into your memories, but… this place feels off."
"Off?" Ning Rongrong blinked.
Earlier, when she opened the spatial portal, she had sensed several areas rich in natural energy, perfect for cultivation. Yet she had ultimately chosen the open sea.
If nothing went wrong, two and a half years in Zafkiel would pass peacefully.
As for Poseidon—that guy had been shocked by the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's strength. There was no way he could monitor the entire ocean.
"You've been here for almost half an hour. Not a single soul beast in the sky—not even a bird."
"An island this big—does that seem normal to you?"
"Who cares?" Ning Rongrong shrugged. "No one can track us in Zafkiel's subspace, not even the Deep Sea Demon Whale King."
Right now, she wielded the power of three first-grade deities. Even if this was the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's territory, it was just a slightly bigger fish.
"Alright, enough talk. Let's begin seclusion."
With that, Ning Rongrong willed the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda above her head. Rays of light cascaded down, enveloping her.
In an instant, waves of zhenqi erupted around her.
A moment later, Ning Rongrong vanished.
Only the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda remained, shimmering strangely in the air.
A spherical barrier formed around it, soon encasing the pagoda entirely.
Then—space cracked.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda dissolved into specks of light, scattering into the void.
Ten Minutes After Ning Rongrong's Disappearance
The sky darkened abruptly, clouds churning ominously.
From the depths of the ocean, a colossal silhouette grew increasingly distinct—though it never fully surfaced.
Yet its sheer size blotted out the water, and the overwhelming soul power it radiated surpassed even that of an average Title Douluo.
Its abyss-like, whirlpool-like eyes stared at the island for a long moment.
Then, the massive figure flicked its tail—a fin dozens of meters wide.
The sea hissed violently, waves churning as an oppressive aura spread. Only when the hundred-meter-long silhouette retreated into the depths did the tension gradually fade.
However, after its departure—
A water arrow shot toward the island.
In an instant, the empty space was marked with an "X", carved by a liquid blade resembling a water jet.
Judging by the faint soul power lingering on the mark, it seemed to serve as a beacon.
Two and a Half Years Later
Winter passed, spring arrived—time flew like a fleeting steed.
In the blink of an eye, nearly two and a half years had gone by.
The small island in the vast ocean remained as lifeless as before, devoid of any vitality.
Yet despite exposure to wind and sun, the "X" etched into the soil remained clear, untouched by erosion.
From time to time, wisps of soul power drifted with the sea breeze, dispersing into the endless waters.
Then—
A dark-red sphere materialized abruptly.
Moments later, it cracked open like an eggshell.
A brown-haired girl stepped out, bare feet sinking into the soft sand. In her right hand was the Angel's Sacred Sword, while her left cradled the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda.
"Kekekeke~ At last, I, Ning Rongrong, have returned!"