217: A strong shield makes one king

Time slipped quietly by in the focused tranquility of Medicine King Valley. Another two weeks passed.

Within the Bamboo Rhyme Residence, the energy fluctuations from the secret chamber where Xia Ya was in secluded cultivation had gradually transformed from their initial deep and heavy state into a kind of restrained ferocity. It was like magma churning deep within the earth's crust, continuously accumulating power beneath solid layers of rock, searching for the final point of Breakthrough.

On this day, in the afternoon.

"Boom——!"

A sound, not a deafening roar but a dull rumble like the heartbeat of the earth, suddenly emanated from the depths of the secret chamber! The entire ground of the Bamboo Rhyme Residence trembled slightly for a moment. Immediately after, a majestic, solid, and unshakable aura, carrying a will as firm as bedrock, surged forth like a waking mountain, crashing through the chamber's Restrictions and spreading out!

Martial King!

The genuine aura of a Martial King!

The stone door of the secret chamber slowly opened amidst the rumbling, a faint dust rising. A tall and agile figure stepped out the doorway with firm yet slightly weary steps.

It was Xia Ya.

Her simple training clothes were soaked with sweat, clinging to her body and outlining her powerful physique. Her face bore an unconcealable weariness, but her eyes, always bright and sharp, now burned with an unprecedented brilliance—the confidence and soaring spirit that comes after breaking through shackles and stepping into a new world! The True Qi circulating around her body was condensed, heavy, and faintly shimmered with an earthy-yellow light, having completely stabilized at the Early Stage Martial King Realm!

"Sister Xia Ya!" Qin Feng and Ji Ruxue, having sensed the commotion, were already waiting in the courtyard. Seeing her emerge successfully, a sincere smile appeared on Qin Feng's face.

Xia Ya's gaze immediately fell on Qin Feng. Her expression was incredibly complex—excitement, emotion, relief... all finally coalescing into a trembling call: "Qin Feng... I... I succeeded!"

Before the words even finished, this usually bold, carefree girl who seemed to fear nothing suddenly felt her eyes well up. She rushed forward several steps, like a child who had found her pillar of support, and threw her arms around Qin Feng, burying her face in his shoulder. Suppressed sobs came intermittently.

"I... I finally... did it..."

"Father always said my talent was mediocre... that I couldn't compare to my younger sister... that I only knew how to play with spears and clubs..."

"This journey... was really hard... so many times... I thought I couldn't hold on..."

"It's a good thing... it's a good thing I met you... and everyone else... sob..."

She knew deeply that if Qin Feng hadn't given her those three king breaking pills, she might have been stuck at the Martial King Realm for a long time, perhaps even for a lifetime.

Tears soaked the fabric on Qin Feng's shoulder. The hardships of these years, the neglect from her Family, the loneliness of venturing out alone, the countless struggles on the brink of life and death, and the doubts about her own abilities... all the pent-up emotions, at this moment of achieving her wish, accompanied by the new power and confidence brought by the Martial King Realm, finally breached her defenses and poured out.

Qin Feng did not push her away. He simply patted her back, which trembled with emotion, and said gently, "Cry, let it out. You've already proven with facts that you are more tenacious and remarkable than anyone. This wasn't determined by talent; it was earned by your will and sweat."

Ji Ruxue stood to the side, her cool and clear features softening slightly as she silently handed over a clean silk handkerchief.

After crying for a while, Xia Ya somewhat embarrassedly released Qin Feng. She took the handkerchief from Ji Ruxue and wiped her face roughly. Her eyes and nose were red, but she grinned, revealing a brilliant, tear-streaked smile: "Mm! I finally... reached this step too! From now on, when we encounter powerful enemies, I'll be able to block them even better!"

"You have always been our most reliable shield," Qin Feng affirmed. "Now, that shield is even stronger."

Xia Ya nodded vigorously. Feeling the True Qi surging within her body, several times purer and more majestic than when she was a Half-Step Martial King, an unprecedented sense of solidity filled her heart. Suddenly remembering something, she looked at Qin Feng with expectant eyes: "Right, what about Master Ouyang's side..."

Qin Feng smiled slightly. With a flick of his wrist, the newly restored giant tooth broadsword and the Profound Iron Greatshield, emanating a steady aura, appeared in his hands, which he then offered to her.

"Perfect timing, they should be returned to their owner. Master Ouyang and his Senior Brother have completed their tempering."

Xia Ya's gaze was instantly captivated by the two weapons.

The heavy dark bronze color of the giant tooth sword, its natural mountain range patterns, the golden line running through the spine... As she grasped it, a solid, weighty feeling transmitted to her hand. With a slight thought, its weight could be adjusted at will, and a sense of immense power, as if capable of splitting mountains, spontaneously arose.

What stirred her heart even more was that greatshield. On the deep, earthy-yellow shield surface, the tortoiseshell patterns were ancient and mysterious. The dark red crystal at its center emitted a warm, stable power. Running her fingers over the smooth, sturdy shield surface, she could clearly sense the astonishing defensive power and rebounding force contained within. It felt like holding a miniature mountain that could be carried along!

"Earth Rank... High Grade?" Xia Ya's voice trembled with disbelief. Although she wasn't an Artifact Refiner, she still had a basic perception of weapon grades. This aura, this texture, far surpassed her previous battered Profound Rank shield!

"Both the giant tooth sword and the Profound Iron Shield have advanced to Earth Rank High Grade," Qin Feng confirmed. "Their characteristics have significantly improved. You can familiarize yourself with the details gradually."

"Earth Rank High Grade... Earth Rank High Grade..." Xia Ya murmured the words repeatedly, her eyes welling up again uncontrollably. She abruptly hugged the greatshield tightly against her chest, pressing her rough cheek against the cold yet reassuring shield surface, her voice choked with emotion. "Before... my best equipment was only Profound Rank High Grade... and I had to scrimp and save, complete several dangerous missions just to afford it... I never imagined that one day I could wield Earth Rank weapons, and High Grade at that... Qin Feng, Ruxue, and Master Ouyang... really, thank you all so much! I... I..."

She was so excited she became somewhat incoherent, just tightly clutching the shield and sword. It was like holding recovered treasures, or grasping the keys to a stronger future.

Qin Feng and Ji Ruxue understood her feelings. For a Martial Artist who didn't come from a top-tier background and had climbed up through struggle, a High Grade, well-suited weapon held extraordinary significance. It not only enhanced combat power but also represented recognition and confidence.

"You deserve this," Qin Feng said with a smile. "Now, you are a Martial King wielding Earth Rank divine weapons. You'll have to make good use of their power from now on."

"Absolutely!" Xia Ya raised her head, wiped away her tears, the flames of fighting spirit rekindling in her eyes. She slung the greatshield onto her back, deftly inserted the giant tooth sword into the scabbard clasp on her back, and patted her chest. "Don't worry! From now on, anyone who wants to mess with you will have to answer to my shield and sword first!"

She acclimated to her newly increased strength and the weapons, then sensed the direction of Xiao Chun's secluded cultivation chamber. There, a gentle yet vigorous flow of life energy still circulated, clearly indicating she was still in a critical phase of her process.

"Xiao Chun, she..." Xia Ya sounded worried.

"She has her own rhythm and Opportunity. The Breakthrough of a Myriad Medicine Body might differ from ordinary people. We should wait at ease," Qin Feng said, looking towards that chamber with a calm gaze. "Actually, this is a good time. You can use this period to completely stabilize your new Realm and familiarize yourself with your new weapons. We'll wait for her to emerge."

Xia Ya nodded heavily. Feeling the weighty trust and power on her back, her heart was filled with solidity and fervor.

In the courtyard of the Bamboo Rhyme Residence, the sunlight was just right. The newly advanced Martial King stood holding her shield, her gaze resolute. They were all waiting, waiting for the final companion's moment of breaking the cocoon and emerging as a butterfly.