Chapter 343 : A Steel Straight Man
Chapter 343: A Steel Straight Man
On the sixth floor of the stone tower, the black mist formed from Shadow Energy Particles had completely enveloped the surroundings.
It could be said that the current scene was one where a person could not see their own hand in front of their face.
However, Zhou Ming, who stood in the distance, was completely unaffected.
With the assistance of his Dark-gold Serpent Pupils, every change occurring within Catgirl Aina was visible to him.
Her bloodline was like a seed. Under the nourishment of various resources and Shadow Energy Particles, a tender green sprout pierced through the seed's shell and continuously absorbed nutrients to strengthen itself.
As he observed the changes in Aina's Catgirl bloodline, a blood-red glow appeared in Zhou Ming's hand as he began simulating this special bloodline transformation.
Strands of blood-red light shifted back and forth, continuously outlining mysterious patterns.
Whether it was because Zhou Ming's methods of observation were limited or because the Catgirl bloodline within Aina was too complex, the patterns he outlined were clearly incomplete.
Suddenly, as the surrounding black mist surged violently and poured into Aina's body like a tide, an aura as deep and elusive as the night naturally emerged.
“She succeeded in advancing?”
The blood-red lines changing within Zhou Ming's hand immediately froze, and a trace of disappointment appeared in his voice.
Looking at the incomplete pattern formed by the blood-red lines, Zhou Ming immediately used his methods to solidify it before taking out a transparent crystal and sealing it within.
From afar, it resembled a red flower battered by wind and snow, now encased within a crystal of ice.
“My lord, does it look beautiful?”
As a soft, tingling voice sounded beside his ear, Zhou Ming finally noticed Aina's changes.
She possessed a tall and flawless figure, skin as smooth as white jade, an exquisitely beautiful face, and waist-length black hair.
Atop her head were two adorable cat ears.
Her naked body stood before him, adorned only by two touches of crimson.
The moment Zhou Ming saw Aina, he felt his bloodline become somewhat restless. The aura she emitted was filled with an indescribable attraction toward him.
Aina seemed to notice the change in her lord.
The corners of her lips curved upward into a smile.
Her figure blurred, suddenly appearing before Zhou Ming. Her soft, boneless arms wrapped around his neck.
After advancing to Transcendent Rank, she had become even more captivated by Zhou Ming's Molting Snake Emperor Bloodline. The shyness she once possessed had long been cast aside.
However, faced with Aina's temptation, Zhou Ming's expression instead became somewhat solemn.
“You removed the bloodline seal I placed on you?”
When he noticed the infatuation in Aina's eyes, Zhou Ming immediately sensed the changes within her.
“My lord, I didn't do it intentionally. After my bloodline transformed, it naturally helped me break free from it. Isn't that a good thing?”
Yet in response to Aina's initiative and affection, Zhou Ming gave an icy reply.
“Snake Soul Curse Seal.”
Before Aina could react, Zhou Ming pressed his right hand against her smooth and delicate abdomen.
A black serpent shadow was instantly branded onto it.
“My lord!”
Aina quickly retreated, but it was already too late.
During the past two years, Zhou Ming had not only perfected the Blood Descendant and Gathering Sand Secret Techniques, but had also refined all of his other methods.
The Snake Soul Curse Seal was built upon the will contained within the Molting Snake Emperor Bloodline. Carrying the spiritual will of both the Molting Snake Swarm and the Ironthread Snake Swarm, it possessed powerful sealing and suppression effects.
In addition, it could also grant other creatures the abilities of the Molting Snake Bloodline.
Under the effects of the Snake Soul Curse Seal, the alluring aura emanating from Aina immediately disappeared.
At the same time, it severed the Catgirl bloodline's perception of Zhou Ming's Molting Snake Emperor Bloodline.
“Focus on stabilizing your strength. Stop thinking about random things.”
After leaving behind a statement worthy of a true steel straight man, Zhou Ming turned around and departed.
However, the manifestation within his Spiritual Sea had yet to dissipate.
The full moon, bright and clear as a mirror, revealed that suppressing the agitation of his bloodline had not been easy.
It was the manifestation of the Heart Seal, paired with the Heart-Observing Moon-Gazing Diagram Meditation Method.
“Hmph, I refuse to believe I can lose to a human woman.”
After advancing to Transcendent Rank, Aina's personality had quietly begun to change under the influence of her bloodline.
If she had once been a somewhat shy young woman, she was now a bold heroine who dared to love and hate openly.
Of course, this change was not solely due to her bloodline.
Her personal experiences also played a major role.
The perfect explanation was Stockholm Syndrome.
Because of Zhou Ming, Aina had transformed from an ordinary member of the Shadow Cat Clan into a Catgirl possessing an extraordinary bloodline.
After being captured by Zhou Ming, although she had endured painful research experiments, none of the things she had feared ever happened.
In the end, with Zhou Ming's assistance, she had even advanced to Transcendent Rank, becoming a powerhouse even by the standards of Tamu World.
More importantly, Zhou Ming's Bloodline Leap methods had been developed using the transformation of Aina's Catgirl bloodline as a foundation.
As a result, their bloodlines had developed a mutual attraction.
And now that Aina had advanced to Transcendent Rank, the feelings she had accumulated for so long finally erupted like a volcano.
Unfortunately, the master she faced was Zhou Ming—
A man who could not be controlled by desire.
Perhaps only Lei Yuan, who served as his anchor, could make Zhou Ming lower the barriers around his emotions.
To Zhou Ming, Lei Yuan had gradually evolved from merely anchoring his humanity to also balancing his desires and emotions.
The anchor was unique.
As a result, Aina's wishes would most likely never come true.
Although unwilling to accept it, Aina still chose to obey Zhou Ming's orders and began stabilizing her rapidly increasing strength.
Outside the stone tower, after the phenomenon accompanying Aina's advancement disappeared, everyone within the camp began speculating about the outcome.
After all, many of the Beast Tamers present came from major factions.
It did not take them long to deduce the cause of the phenomenon.
Not long afterward, a streak of blood-red light flashed across the cavern sky.
Zhou Ming's figure appeared before everyone.
“Everyone, my apologies for the disturbance.”
“Greetings, Lord Zhou!”
On the streets of Nightshade Market, whether they were members of Snake King Fortress or visiting Beast Tamers and Hunters, everyone greeted Zhou Ming respectfully.
Although Zhou Ming had remained secluded within the stone tower for the past two years, secret news had already spread that the destruction of the Shadow Kill Organization had been his doing.
For a person capable of killing a Mid-level Transcendent Expert, very few people present dared to show any disrespect.
“Young Friend Zhou Ming, congratulations on Snake King Fortress gaining another Transcendent Expert.”
Upon seeing Zhou Ming, Duanmu Ruibo and the others immediately stepped forward to offer their congratulations.
Looking at the young man before them, they could not help but marvel at his growth.
Not only had he advanced to Transcendent Rank at such a young age, but even the foreign-race Catgirl under his command had successfully advanced as well.
With the strength Zhou Ming currently displayed, combined with the power of Snake King Fortress, he now held considerable influence within the Alliance.
“Thank you all for your congratulations. I was unable to receive you earlier, so please forgive my lack of hospitality.”
“Not at all, not at all. There are priorities in all matters. We were the ones who arrived unannounced, so we only hope Lord Zhou will not blame us.”
Chu Yujie and the others quickly exchanged a few polite remarks.
“Thank you all for your understanding. Since all four of you are here, why don't we gather at my humble residence?”
Seeing everyone below staring at them, Zhou Ming disliked being the center of attention and immediately invited them to the stone tower.
Naturally, Duanmu Ruibo and the others had no intention of refusing.
Under Zhou Ming's guidance, they immediately flew toward the stone tower.