The reward's physical form perfectly embodied its name, and Ju Zi shook the needle in her hand, finding it extremely novel.
However, she remembered the rules that Lin Yi had just described. Combining life forms sounded like a very dangerous thing, so for the short term, Ju Zi did not want to use the needle on life forms, much less on humans.
So, putting life forms aside, what should she try it on first?
Her gaze swept around and Ju Zi picked up a fist-sized rock from the ground and examined it—a potential material for combination: an ordinary rock.
When it came to finding items for experimentation, rocks seemed to have become a regular choice.
At that moment, Ju Zi looked at the crowd, "What do you want to see the rock combined with?"
Everyone looked at each other, and then various items were suggested. There was even a man who proposed that Ju Zi combine his ex-girlfriend with the rock, and a woman said to combine her heart with the rock... their suggestions varied, and the items became more and more eclectic, leaving Ju Zi somewhat bewildered.
Lin Yi spoke up, "Your initial choice to start with a stone was very good. To validate the award's theory that 1+1 is far more than 2, starting with the most ordinary and common items is the correct approach. I suggest that the other item should also be as ordinary and common as the rock."
When Lin Yi spoke, everyone fell silent, and upon hearing his advice, Ju Zi silently pondered. Just then, a breeze blew by, and a green leaf slapped onto Ju Zi's cheek.
Just as Ju Zi was about to remove the leaf, she suddenly stared at it.
Isn't a leaf that falls from a tree one of the most common items?
She quickly pressed the leaf to the rock, and then raised her now-free right hand. A golden needle floated up with her right hand and automatically pierced through the leaf and rock, a golden thread threading through both items, instantly taut.
At that moment, the two objects emitted a glow, and the volume of stone suddenly expanded, growing larger and larger at a fast pace, while the green leaf tightly adhered to the surface of the rock, its veins spreading out into branches. These branches slowly elongated and thickened, gradually forming the shape of a wooden cart below, with a tall and sturdy wooden support on top of the cart holding the rock, and a thick rope connecting the cart below.
Quietly, Ju Zi took a step back.
This is... a trebuchet?
The combined item of the green leaf and small rock is a trebuchet?
The stone's diameter had grown to over three meters; even the thickest city walls might be reduced to rubble by one "shot."
The combined item did not develop as Ju Zi had envisioned. She thought the leaf would merge into the rock, turning into something like... a rock full of leaves?
In any case, her thoughts had not strayed from the concept of "fusion," but now, it seemed that the result of combining could also simply be the coming together of two things to form a powerful tool that already existed, like this trebuchet.
However, Ju Zi did not rush to define the reward. Perhaps there truly was the possibility of a "fusion" type of development.
As for the trebuchet, it was not very suitable for use in this location. Fortunately, Ju Zi had storage device with ample space; she successfully stored the trebuchet inside her soul tool and then, clapping her hands together, she smiled brightly.
Ju Zi was eager to try another fusion with different items.
This time she decided to offer "public service."
"Does anyone want me to help them combine something? Just two items will do. You all saw the effect just now; if you are willing, I can help out on the spot!"
In the eyes of the crowd, Ju Zi always appeared to be warm-hearted, as she had used many of her rewards to help others.
Upon hearing Ju Zi's offer, the Gua Sha Masters were all abuzz; it was clear that the direction of combination was becoming stronger, and they were not willing to miss out on such an opportunity.
However, the excited Gua Sha Masters' words were very chaotic, and the items they produced from their bodies dazzled Ju Zi, leaving her with no idea whom to help.
Just then, a child's voice suddenly broke through the commotion.
"Can you sew my mom and dad together?"
Ju Zi immediately turned to look, only to realize it was the Little Snow Maiden in front of the Snow Emperor who had spoken, but the Snow Emperor, after hearing what his daughter had said, hastily covered her mouth.
The Little Snow Maiden struggled fiercely, following up with, "Can't you?"
Ju Zi glanced in Lin Yi's direction, well aware of whom the Little Snow Maiden was referring to as "daddy."
She tried to approach the Little Snow Maiden, but due to the low temperature of her Domain, Ju Zi could only stop ten meters away from the Little Snow Maiden.
"I'm afraid that's not possible, but you can come up with some other ideas, and I'll do my best to help you realize them," she said gently.
The Little Snow Maiden pouted unhappily and then raised her two chubby hands, each holding a hexagonal snowflake larger than her palm.
"I only have snowflakes, nothing else. Can you sew these two snowflakes together for me?"
At this, the Snow Emperor gently tapped the Little Snow Maiden's head, "Call her human sister."
Little Snow Maiden: "Human sister."
Ju Zi chuckled awkwardly, "This little one sure speaks concisely."
She had barely finished speaking when the Little Snow Maiden suddenly sent the two snowflakes flying towards Ju Zi. The sharp snowflakes sliced through the air with a piercing sound, startling Ju Zi. Her first soul ring flickered, and she swiftly produced two pomelos to shield herself.
"Puff! Puff!"
The two hexagonal snowflakes embedded themselves in the pomelos, the cold air instantly turning both fruits into frozen spheres.
She was so young and yet already possessed such powers?
Technically, she was only twenty-four hours old...
Ju Zi, with a racing heart, quickly pulled the two hexagonal snowflakes out and sewed them together while her hands hadn't yet frozen stiff. Once finished, she immediately tossed the combined snowflakes away.
Ju Zi immediately shattered the layer of ice that had formed on the surface of her palms; her hands were frostbitten, the surfaces red and numb.
It must be noted she was, after all, a Soul Douluo.
The joined snowflakes fell to the ground, their sharp edges embedding themselves directly into the soil. The two snowflakes emitted a strong light, merging as if melting together.
They became a small ice ball, but the ice ball kept growing in size. As it grew, the shape of the sphere changed, no longer smooth and round but instead developing many edges and angles.
About a dozen seconds later, an utterly unforeseen fusion appeared before Ju Zi.
And the Little Snow Maiden was even more surprised.