Chapter 165: Christy's Aka Boshi no Tengan Evolution
It had been ten days since Elton and his group appeared in the abandoned city to recuperate and cultivate.
Currently, inside her makeshift room within the dilapidated building, Christy sat before the much-tattered corpse of the Mortal Lord demon. Her eyes were bloodshot, glowing brilliantly as her Aka Boshi no Tengan remained fully activated. Strange patterns and alternating colors continuously rippled within them.
She focused intensely, her Red Star Chaos Essence flowing from her body as she weaved hand signs in deliberate slowness. The demon's corpse glowed with a faintly dangerous light—something that had happened countless times since they'd arrived in this place. From the demon's eyes, a purplish glow floated upward like a gloomy mist before slowly merging into Christy's.
Her eyes squinted sharply as a burning sensation tore through them. She gritted her teeth, suppressed moans breaking into low whimpers—nearly yells—yet she held them down with sheer willpower.
Christy breathed heavily, forcing herself to accept the essence flowing through her. The process might have been at least somewhat easier had she not worn the magical weighted outfit given to her by Master Bluesonics. But she remembered both his and Elder Rukia's words at the time:
"Hahaha girl, if you truly wish to evolve your eyes closer to their true origin, then wear my special weighted clothing. It will add pressure, yes, but also temper and purify you." — Master Bluesonics
"Indeed. And if you want to go further—faster—then use that forbidden eye ability of your clan. Absorb the essence of another expert with ocular powers. The stronger the better." — Elder Rukia
Her resolve hardened once more. For three days she had endured this painful refinement. Now, her body trembled as she pressed further.
Suddenly, Elton barged in, worry plain on his face. He had sensed her struggle for some time and could no longer hold himself back. Shayleaf and Tongsheng followed behind, anxiety etched in their expressions. Shayleaf quickly released waves of recovery magic onto Christy, who nodded gratefully through gritted teeth.
"Thank you all for worrying about me, but I'll be fine…" she said with a strained smile—before shaking her head faintly, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "Actually, Gege… I want to make a somewhat selfish request. I wasn't planning to ask—not yet at least…"
"Speak, Chris. I'll do whatever I can." Elton's serious tone almost broke her concentration as her heart hammered in her chest.
"Th-then! Gege, I want to do synchronized cultivation again… but with an adjustment."
"Eh? Well… sure, if it'll help."
Flustered by her sudden request, Elton nevertheless agreed. They took their positions, Christy settling atop his lap. Shayleaf and Tongsheng exchanged their anxious looks for suspicious ones.
"Sister Chris… you sure this isn't just an excuse to spend more time with Brother Elly?" Shayleaf asked, one brow arched, a hand on her hip.
"It's not!! I swear! Ahem—it's just… so uncomfortable with you two watching…" Christy snapped, her embarrassment flaring.
"Haha. Come on, your Majesty," Tongsheng chuckled wryly. "Let them cultivate in peace."
"…Well, whatever. Brother Elly, you'll be synchronizing cultivation with me too—soon," Shayleaf added with a flat look before shifting into a dangerously flirtatious smile that nearly made Elton's heart stop.
"You all are so…" Elton sighed, then focused on Christy, whose head now leaned back against his chest, trembling faintly from the pain. "Alright then, Chris… what do I do?"
Christy smiled faintly through the strain. "Hehehe, Gege… you don't have to act so passive around us. Anyway—what I need from you is only possible thanks to your new Blood Ki Meridian. Cut your hand, place it over my eyes, and release your blood ki through your palm. Not the vampiric method the fanged elves use—this one is meant for the evolution of my eyes. No… it's meant for our synchronized cultivation."
Elton quickly understood, already envisioning the method to make it smoother. When they began, it felt surprisingly natural.
Christy's body shuddered as bliss surged through her. Her Aka Boshi no Tengan plunged into depths she had never touched before. She absorbed the demon's essence more intensely, her eyes rapidly evolving while Elton's blood ki supported and tempered the process.
Elton asked repeatedly if she was alright, but every time Christy only answered with the same faint smile: "I'm fine. It's thanks to you, Gege… and your warmth."
An hour later—
A storm erupted above the abandoned city. A thunderous pressure blanketed the land as a radiant surge of energy exploded from Christy and Elton's cultivation, rattling the ruins for miles around.