Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo refrained from disturbing Ning Rongrong's deep contemplation.
The group returned silently to their hotel.
"Rongrong, perhaps set it aside temporarily? Inspiration may come in a few days," Ning Fengzhi suggested tentatively.
"Father, I'm not obsessing," Ning Rongrong replied. "I've already solved the soul ring issue. I was just contemplating where the original soul power of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts goes after they take human form."
Observing Xiao Wu's condensation process had provided significant enlightenment. She now felt completely confident in creating stable soul rings that resonated with her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Since we're already in Notting City, taking a month-long break wouldn't hurt. Proper rest between training yields faster progress."
Sometimes Ning Fengzhi felt his daughter could simply follow conventional soul master cultivation rather than pioneering an entirely new path.
"A month is too long - much can be accomplished in that time."
Sitting cross-legged in an open space, Ning Rongrong placed her hands together and began condensing her first soul ring.
As zhenqi circulated, mist-like energy shimmered around her body. The faintly glowing outline of her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda materialized, transforming from illusion to reality.
The pagoda rotated slowly, floating around Ning Rongrong while emitting pressure comparable to a Soul Elder's.
The Sword Douluo erected a soul power barrier to contain the energy before retreating with Ning Fengzhi to observe quietly.
Zhenqi rippling across her body stirred Ning Rongrong's ear-length hair gently.
The pagoda's first tier became enveloped in white light that gradually compressed into a ring - a white ten-year soul ring.
Minutes passed.
Faint yellow spots appeared on the white ring, quickly spreading until the entire ring turned yellow - a century soul ring.
Next, Ning Rongrong began condensing her second ring, progressing significantly faster than the first.
In the blink of an eye, two yellow century rings with faint purple hues floated around the pagoda - both nearing the millennium threshold.
"S-succeeded?" Seeing the rings remain intact unlike before, Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo displayed astonishment.
Their widened eyes and slight trembling betrayed their excitement.
This was undoubtedly an entirely new cultivation method.
The two purple-tinged century rings vibrated slightly as the purple radiance intensified, completely overtaking the yellow before receding again to their original state.
"What's happening?" The two men exchanged confused glances.
New complications?
Before coming to Notting City, Ning Rongrong could already turn her first ring purple. Why did it revert now?
As Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan experts, they recognized both rings approached 900 years - possibly nearing 1,000 years given the purple tint.
While they puzzled over this, Ning Rongrong's pagoda manifested a third ring, condensing even faster than its predecessors.
Within thirty seconds, a third purple-tinged century ring completed formation.
"Hu—" Ning Rongrong exhaled softly.
"Three 999-year rings."
As the surrounding energy dissipated into her body, she extended her palm. The pagoda obediently descended onto her hand, displaying three yellow rings.
Studying them thoughtfully, she mused: Millennium rings require more stable frameworks. This will suffice for now.
"Rongrong, your current condition..." Ning Fengzhi's concerned voice held unspoken questions.
"No major issues. Condensing millennium rings requires more time."
With that, all three century rings turned white before vanishing transparently, the pagoda dissolving into motes of light that reentered her body.
"You can still freely adjust ring ages?" Relieved at her safety, the Sword Douluo grew curious about the color changes.
His previous attempt at her Everlasting Life Art had caused violent soul power backflow due to zhenqi conflict, requiring over a month to recover - but not without benefits.
His original soul ring configuration (Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black) transformed into the ideal arrangement (Two Yellow, Two Purple, Five Black).
In his youth, Sword Douluo Chen Xin had absorbed a 9,900-year soul beast's ring by mistake for his fifth ring. The backflow upgraded it to a true ten-thousand-year ring.
While this didn't enhance his rank 96 strength, the aesthetic improvement pleased him immensely - especially since it finally shut Gu Rong up about his past miscalculation.
"Ring ages are fundamentally fixed," Ning Rongrong explained after consideration. "Their strength relates to the soul beast's power and becomes constant upon formation."
"My modifications work because I don't rely on soul beasts." Recognizing his interest, she added, "As for your fifth ring's upgrade, I truly don't understand the mechanism."
"I see..." The Sword Douluo wasn't overly disappointed. Different cultivation systems couldn't be easily reconciled - such mysteries likely required divine comprehension.
"Speaking of which, Rongrong, what's your current strength?"
"Between 30-40 levels? It's hard to determine precisely." Noticing their expectant looks, she elaborated:
The rings served no practical purpose since she didn't absorb them conventionally. Adjusting their age simply optimized zhenqi utilization.
Perhaps due to martial soul limitations, she still couldn't fight like battle soul masters - relegated to supporting from the rear while cheering them on.
Overcoming her fragile support-type physique would require opening the Ren and Du meridians to achieve full-body zhenqi circulation - the Xiantian Grandmaster realm. Only then might solutions emerge.