What? Already? So fast!
Qian Gu Bubai exclaimed in surprise. He had thought this would be the kind of experiment that would take a very long time, yet it had only taken one night.
"Of course! Who do you think I am?" (hands-on-hips pose)
"Yes, yes, yes. You are Nan Fusheng, our true body. For you, pulling this off is only natural." Qian Gu Bubai quickly flattered him, then asked, "So, my lord, do you need me to prepare anything for you?"
"First, go capture some sea soul beasts for me. My stored energy has already run dry. Stockpiling more life force will also help me reach level forty more quickly." Nan Fusheng instructed.
When he saw Qian Gu, Bubai hadn't left yet, and he asked, "What else is it?"
Qian Gu Bubai nodded. "Well… my lord, do you still remember that bag you gave me yesterday?
After I returned, I went to the Spirit Transferring Tower's archives to look it up. I finally found information on it. That thing is called the Evergreen Vine of Life."
"Evergreen Vine of Life?"
"Yes." Qian Gu Bubai confirmed. "Back in ancient times, it grew at the very core of the Star Dou Forest, where there was once a Lake of Life.
Beneath the lake lay condensed Life Crystals, formed from the life energy of the entire mother planet. The Evergreen Vine of Life grew directly on those crystals, taking a thousand years to grow a single inch. It was unimaginably precious."
"At that time, the fiercest beasts of the Star Dou Forest lived around the Lake of Life. Whenever they broke through ten-thousand-year bottlenecks, they would suffer heavenly tribulation.
After each tribulation, their very life essence would be damaged. The purpose of the Evergreen Vine of Life was this: by fusing even a small section into their body, they could repair their damaged origin and extend their lifespan."
"For us humans, it is even more of a treasure. They say: an inch of Evergreen Vine grants a hundred years of life. Even ordinary mortals could extend their lives by a century with just one inch."
"Really?" Nan Fusheng said in mild astonishment. "But when I held it, I didn't sense that kind of overwhelming life force."
"Ah… well, that's because I wasn't finished explaining." Qian Gu Bubai looked a little embarrassed. "My lord, this is indeed Evergreen Vine of Life, but not the main vine—it's actually the roots."
"Even so, the roots still contain vast amounts of life energy. More importantly, the vine absorbs the Life Crystal's power precisely through these roots. So, they're extremely good at transferring and storing life energy.
That's why the Golden Behemoth you found was able to remain alive inside the vine-woven bag until now."
Sensing Nan Fusheng's dissatisfaction, Qian Gu Bubai quickly added, "Although it's only the roots, with some refinement, it's still an incredible treasure.
For example, if you craft it into a meditation mat, cultivating on it will extend lifespan and protect one's vitality. Or, if you use it as a container for heavenly materials and earthly treasures, not only will their potency not fade, but it will actually nurture them further, making them grow stronger over time."
"Mm. I see. I already have another use in mind for it. Now, hand me the bag. Also, tell me, what is the most powerful soul spirit here in the Spirit Transferring Tower of Sea God City?" Nan Fusheng asked, taking the bag.
"The strongest here?" Qian Gu Bubai thought for a moment. "That would be the indomitable soul spirit of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon in the Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform."
"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon? The Spirit Transferring Tower managed to reproduce even that? The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan must be fuming. With a soul spirit that perfectly matches their martial soul, I'm surprised the Tower could keep hold of it." Nan Fusheng's expression turned serious.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—this was a true dragon species, and not just any dragon, but one of the most terrifying among them. A genuine super soul beast.
"Yes. The Spirit Tower once obtained a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon soul bone by chance. Using that as a foundation, they recreated the beast as a soul spirit.
Though it only possesses ten-thousand-year cultivation, as a true dragon species, it is strong enough to rival even ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.
At the time, it caused a huge stir. Both the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy pressed the Tower, offering vast resources to acquire it for soul masters who carried the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul."
"And the result?" Nan Fusheng asked curiously.
"The result was… impossible." Qian Gu Bubai shook his head. "Even if the Tower agreed, the soul spirit itself would never submit.
Its will is utterly unyielding. A Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Master once reached the Titled Douluo realm and attempted to claim it as his final soul spirit. But the dragon forcefully broke free of suppression and tore him apart.
Its mad and tyrannical nature has never allowed it to be subdued."
"In the end, the Tower had no choice but to leave it there. Fortunately, it usually stays within its lair, so it doesn't cause chaos. Thus, it now serves as a guardian between the Intermediate and Advanced Spirit Ascension Platforms."
"Perfect. Then it will do nicely." Nan Fusheng nodded. "Also, prepare several cultivation tanks for me. And make proper identity papers as well. This time, the clone I'm creating will be… special."
"Understood." Qian Gu Bubai replied.
A month later, inside the Spirit Transferring Tower of Sea God City…
"It's done." Nan Fusheng said in satisfaction, gazing at the four cultivation tanks before him.
Qian Gu Bubai peered curiously at the figures suspended within the green liquid. Though indistinct, he could see there were three males and one female.
Three of them were about the same height as Nan Fusheng, but one was clearly taller.
"Finally! We have a female clone at last!" Qian Gu Bubai cheered with sparkling eyes. ヾ(**)
"…That's what you care about?" Nan Fusheng's face darkened, nearly slapping him on the spot.
"Of course I care! This is our very first female clone! Her height, her weight, her looks—all crucial data!" Qian Gu Bubai said with absolute seriousness, though his eyes were glued to the female's tank.
Even through the liquid, he could make out her delicate arched brows, cherry lips, long glossy black hair, and skin pale as snow…
"I'm warning you. Don't even think about it! This clone is the same age as me. If you want to end up in Sea God City's guard station, keep pushing your luck."
Relax, relax! I'm just curious, that's all. Qian Gu Bubai said, patting his chest in mock sincerity.