Shang Yang's sparring guidance continued for over four months.
During this period, Tang Sui was either being beaten or meditating and recovering, only occasionally drinking water when thirsty, and almost entirely abstaining from food.
For the demon race, eating was optional; most of the time, hunting and eating were for increasing their own energy or simply for the pleasure of it.
Much like cultivators in immortal cultivation novels, once they reached a certain realm, they could abstain from grains and cereals. As long as the spiritual energy within their bodies was not depleted, they could maintain a state of satiety.
The current air of the Slaughter City was permeated with dense demonic energy, serving as a natural nurturing cradle.
Similarly, bathed in abundant energy, Tang Sui felt neither hunger nor thirst.
It was only when Tang Sui finally transitioned from passive defense to active offense, leaving Shang Yang’s fine black scales bloody and torn with numerous cracks, that Shang Yang ceased this prolonged training.
"Good. Your mastery of power is now consummate. There is nothing more I can teach you."
Crimson demonic energy enveloped the flesh and scales that were churning with blood, slowly seeping into the deep gashes like slime.
In just over ten seconds, the wounds on Shang Yang's body condensed into shallow marks. Once covered by his tightened black scales, they were invisible, save for the darker hue of the affected black scales.
Thanks to the relentless sparring, Tang Sui had also figured out how to heal herself with demonic energy without using soul skills, in order to accelerate her recovery.
Although human soul masters could also do this, their self-healing took longer and required constant diversion of soul power to repair damaged meridians or the use of external medicines to aid recovery.
Tang Sui’s self-healing speed was much slower than Shang Yang’s, but healing from severe injuries in just over ten minutes, without the amplification of soul skills, was still remarkably fast.
It wasn't that Tang Sui lacked soul power to use soul skills, but rather that she was consciously training her control over demonic energy. This was also to be prepared for future battles, reserving the two limited recovery slots of her second soul skill for companions in greater need.
After her own injuries had completely healed, Tang Sui felt the remaining power in her body, about thirty percent, and a relieved smile bloomed on her dust-smudged face. "Mm. My soul power has also reached level eighty-nine. For now, in my opinion, fighting Titled Douluo below level ninety-five would be no difficult task. Those at level ninety-five and above might be a bit tough, but I wouldn't be without a fighting chance."
Beyond that, it would depend on who possessed more and stronger trump cards.
Although to this day, she still couldn't fully comprehend the suffix in parentheses under the "Evolution Domain" on the personal panel given by Black Face, being able to preserve the advantage and profound effects of her domain under absolute disadvantage was no small feat.
Shang Yang nodded and retracted his demonic energy domain.
The surroundings immediately reverted to their original exquisite decor.
"What are your plans now? Your human brother won't be able to leave Sea God Island anytime soon, will he?" Shang Yang looked at Tang Sui.
Tang Sui fell into thought.
There was nothing more for Snake Uncle to guide her on. Her next plan…
Continue cultivating?
She thought hesitantly, opening her mouth, but her intended words were intercepted by Fox Face.
Fox Face: 'Little Master, perhaps you could head to the extreme north while Tang San is still next door extracting divine artifacts, and complete the Qing Nu Fang.'
Hm?
Qing Nu Fang?
A memory of her previous exchange with Qing Nu Fang flashed through Tang Sui's mind, and she appeared enlightened.
Oh, right, she almost forgot. Her current soul weapon was still incomplete.
Mere cultivation wouldn't bring much improvement; the greater gains would come from "equipment enhancement."
Moreover, possessing the complete Qing Nu Fang would be equivalent to having a life-saving guarantee.
With this thought, Tang Sui's eyes shimmered, and she said, "Next, I want to go to the extreme north."
"Extreme north? The ice plains?" Mentioning the north easily brought to mind the vast, pale snowfields.
Shang Yang frowned immediately, as he disliked the cold.
"What are you going to the extreme north for?"
"The soul weapon Qing Nu Fang, unexpectedly obtained from the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's treasury, was actually in an incomplete form. Currently, its bonus to me is only a 15% increase in critical hit passive. However, if it were the complete Qing Nu Fang, I would not only gain a 15% critical hit increase but also the ability to revive once."
The last two words made Shang Yang's gaze sharpen, and he repeated Tang Sui's words, "Revive?"
"Mm. If I were to be killed by an enemy in the future, or die from other accidents, after removing all my buffs and debuffs, I would automatically be frozen and revive within the ice. While frozen and awaiting revival, I would gain a 100% defense increase and become immune to all negative status effects."
Tang Sui's eyes sparkled. "But the prerequisite is that someone must guard the ice, preventing it from being shattered. Otherwise, I would truly die as well."
Shang Yang looked at Tang Sui, who spoke with longing, and said ambiguously, "You trust me quite a bit."
The word "revive" held allure even for a great demon like him.
One who walks by the river will eventually get their shoes wet. Who wouldn't want a genuine life-saving trump card?
Tang Sui smiled at Shang Yang, her smile devoid of any gloom. "Although most demon races are unpredictable, even cruel and ruthless, I believe in Snake Uncle."
It was Batwing who had initially picked her up. Shang Yang's attitude had been one of disdain, caught in a hierarchy of contempt.
Later, when she had theoretically lost her true protector and become a lamb to the slaughter, Shang Yang, who had always been accustomed to freedom, did not abandon his responsibilities. Not only did he help her guard her during a crucial advancement after returning to the Slaughter City, but he also went to Sea God Island alone, which was contrary to his own attributes.
All of this indicated that Shang Yang considered her to be one of his own.
And he harbored trust.
Therefore, Tang Sui also trusted and felt at ease with Shang Yang.
Some things didn't need to be said aloud; everyone understood.
Meeting Tang Sui's gaze, Shang Yang snorted, letting the matter pass.
Having passed the test, Tang Sui blinked and asked again, "Then, Snake Uncle, will you be staying in the Slaughter City, or…?"
Shang Yang waved his hand. "I'll stay and guard the Slaughter City for you. I don't like cold places. Remember to bring that fox mask with you when you leave."
"The fox mask?" Tang Sui was taken aback.
Shang Yang, seeing that Tang Sui had no intention of taking the fox mask, warned in a slightly lower tone, "Even if you now have the ability to fight those powerful human soul masters, the extreme north… the powerful ones there are not soul masters, but soul beasts."
Tang Sui acutely sensed something. "Have you been to the extreme north?"
"When I was first swept here by a spatial rift, I wandered there for a period of time."
As if recalling something unpleasant, Shang Yang's tone soured.
"The environment of the extreme north is harsh, and the terrain is high. There are humans, but not many. More prevalent are various soul beast races that occupy territories and rule as kings. I had some unpleasant dealings with the soul beast races there. If you want to go to the extreme north, bring your mask."
"To you, the mask is equivalent to half of your existence. If your overall strength is divided into seven parts, losing one mask would mean losing one-seventh of your total strength. It's too dangerous."
Shang Yang's voice turned cold as he said this:
"Sometimes, it's not just human hearts that are cunning and treacherous. There are also… those who have been brainwashed by greed."
Tang Sui's heart gave a jolt.