A resolute light shone in Xiao Wu's eyes. No one knew just how bold—and how unwavering—the decision she had made truly was.
Time ticked away second by second. In the blink of an eye, three hours had passed. As the effects of the celestial herbs took hold, every member of the Shrek Seven Devils—aside from Xiao Wu—along with the Great Master, began to undergo changes of varying degrees.
Dai Mubai, who had consumed the "Wonderful Chrysanthemum of the Heavens," now had a layer of white fur growing across his body—just like the White Tiger he summoned during Martial Soul Possession. Where he had been sitting cross-legged moments ago, he now lay sprawled on the ground in a spread-eagle position, his limbs visibly swollen to more than twice their original size, while the crackling of bones echoed continuously from his body.
His three Soul Rings flashed with dazzling brilliance at a startling pace, and from his throat occasionally came low growls like rumbling thunder. His entire body trembled in a peculiar rhythm.
Oscar was the calmest of the group, simply sitting there in silence, yet a unique fragrance exclusive to the "Eight-Petal Celestial Orchid" emanated from his body. A faint white mist rose from the surface of his skin, swirling and undulating around him.
He had always been the most handsome among the Shrek Seven Devils, and now, set against that white mist, he appeared even more ethereally noble.
Ma Hongjun's appearance was the most dramatic of all. The chubby youth's upper-body clothing had already turned entirely to ash, revealing reddish flesh beneath. The "Rooster Comb Phoenix Hibiscus" produced extremely potent effects; layer upon layer of fine, dark liquid continuously seeped out from beneath his skin, while the young man himself looked like a boiled shrimp—even his hair had turned fiery red.
Strangely, every time another layer of dark liquid seeped out, his bulk would shrink a little. Xiao Wu, watching from the side, couldn't help but wonder if Tang San had fed the chubby youth some kind of miracle diet pill.
Ning Rongrong's transformation was the most magnificent. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, shimmering with seven-colored halos, floated silently before her. Amid the flicker of three Soul Rings, it was set against a layer of rich golden light.
This golden light emanated from Ning Rongrong herself, carrying a rich tulip-like fragrance. As the treasure light swirled around her, she looked like a fairy descended to the mortal world. Each time the golden light intensified, it made her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appear even more resplendent and dazzling.
The golden light surrounding Ning Rongrong and the white mist rising from Oscar seemed to be faintly drawn toward each other. The white mist and golden light met and mingled in the air, and the fragrances from their bodies merged together as well, producing an extraordinarily soothing and wondrous aroma.
Not even Tang San had known that the "Magnificent Tulip" Ning Rongrong consumed and the "Eight-Petal Celestial Orchid" Oscar consumed were a paired set of celestial herbs—much like the "Octagonal Ice Grass" and "Blazing Fire Apricot Delicacy" he himself had taken, they complemented and enhanced each other.
A similar phenomenon occurred between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai, though in their case it was not due to any connection between their herbs but rather because of their Martial Soul Fusion Technique.
The Great Master sat there calmly, a faint purple glow suffusing his entire body. His appearance was not as dramatic as Ma Hongjun's, but like the chubby youth, dark liquid continuously seeped from his skin.
Both the "Rooster Comb Phoenix Hibiscus" and the "Ninth-Grade Purple Lingzhi" possessed the power to transform one's very being. This was something Tang San had forgotten to mention.
At this moment, the changes on Tang San himself were relatively minor—only a faint reddish-gold light enveloped his head, the golden luminescence gathering like fine threads toward his eyes.
Xiao Wu stood there cradling the "Lover's Heartbreak," quietly breathing in its rich fragrance. Her gaze drifted over the others only occasionally, lingering on Tang San for the most part.
As the sun rose in the east and gradually descended toward the west, the first to awaken from meditation was Oscar, who had taken the mildest of the herbs—the Eight-Petal Celestial Orchid.
He stretched luxuriously and opened his eyes as if waking from a pleasant sleep. "That feels wonderful!"
Xiao Wu shot him a glare and whispered, "Everyone's still cultivating. Keep your voice down."
Oscar blinked, finally noticing the others still seated around him, and hurriedly clapped a hand over his mouth as he stood up.
Xiao Wu looked him up and down and noticed that the ethereal nobility Oscar had developed while absorbing the Eight-Petal Celestial Orchid had not faded with the end of his cultivation. His entire being seemed to be bathed in a gentle, luminous sheen.
"Notice anything different?" Xiao Wu asked quietly.
Oscar paused for a moment, then recalled to sense the changes in his body.