Betrothal Gift?

Star Dou Great Forest, Mixed Area.

Time slowly passed. Zhang Lexuan remained seated cross-legged, still absorbing the Soul Ring's energy. Although the 100,000-year Whale Jelly had improved her physique enough to barely absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring without being blown apart by its immense energy,

the absorption was still extremely difficult for her. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and her face was full of pain.

Fortunately, Zhang Lexuan ultimately succeeded in absorbing it.

Seeing Zhang Lexuan's Soul Power surge after she successfully absorbed the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, Ji Lin, who had been guarding her for half the day, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After absorbing the Soul Ring and officially breaking through to level 83, becoming a Soul Douluo, Zhang Lexuan opened her eyes and saw the concern in Ji Lin's gaze as he stood not far away. Her heart warmed, and the look she gave him became even gentler.

Sensing Zhang Lexuan's gaze, Ji Lin hurriedly asked, "Sister Lexuan, how is it? Are you all right?"

"I feel great. Although the process was painful, I ultimately succeeded. As expected of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring—it gave me two Soul Skills and even raised my Soul Power by two levels."

One had to know that the higher a soul master's level became, the harder it was to advance. At the Soul Douluo level, each increase in rank was measured in years.

Zhang Lexuan had only risen two levels thanks to the immense energy contained within the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.

Zhang Lexuan stood up and stretched her body, which had become stiff from sitting motionless for half a day.

Ji Lin stepped forward, took a dagger from his Soul Tool, and began dissecting the Silver Moon Flood Dragon Emperor's corpse. Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast meat could not be wasted.

This was premium food, something even the Star Luo Empire's royal family normally could not eat. He had to bring some back for Sister Jiujiu to taste.

"Sister Lexuan, take some back too. This is Hundred-Thousand-Year dragon meat. You normally wouldn't get to eat something like this."

As Ji Lin worked, he called Zhang Lexuan over to help. The Silver Moon Flood Dragon Emperor's body was enormous—there was enough meat to last him a long time.

Zhang Lexuan smiled and shook her head, then stepped forward, took out some tools, and helped him.

Suddenly, Ji Lin pulled a Soul Bone emitting a silver glow from the Silver Moon Flood Dragon Emperor's corpse. After examining it, he handed it to Zhang Lexuan beside him.

"I almost forgot. A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast is guaranteed to produce a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone. Sister Lexuan, take this Soul Bone. A Soul Ring and Soul Bone from the same Soul Beast produce the best results when absorbed by the same person."

Zhang Lexuan shook her head and refused. "Without you, I would already have died in the Silver Moon Flood Dragon Emperor's jaws. You let me absorb its Soul Ring too—I don't even know how I could ever repay you. How could I accept this Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone as well? It would be better for Lady Chi Yuan and you to take it."

Chi Yuan, who stood nearby with her arms crossed as she leaned against a tree, calmly shook her head. "I don't need it. Its attribute doesn't suit me, and I already have Soul Bones."

Ji Lin also hurriedly said, "Its attribute doesn't suit me either. Sister Lexuan, you're the most suitable person for it because you share its attribute. Besides, it's a Torso Bone. I already have an even better Torso Bone waiting for me to absorb."

Seeing that neither Ji Lin nor Chi Yuan needed the Soul Bone, Zhang Lexuan was surprised, but she still shook her head and refused.

"I've already gained more than enough this time. You may not need it, but someone around you surely will. At worst, you can trade it for other Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. It will be useful someday."

Seeing how stubborn Zhang Lexuan was, Ji Lin's eyes shifted as an idea came to him.

"How about this, Sister Lexuan? Take this Soul Bone. Together with the 100,000-year Whale Jelly and the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring from before, consider them my betrothal gifts to you. When I come of age, will you marry me?"

Ji Lin's words left Zhang Lexuan completely stunned.

Her pretty face flushed slightly as she said in a flustered voice, "What are you saying? Xiaolin, you're still young. I'm more than ten years older than you! We're not suitable for each other."

Ji Lin became serious as well. Staring into Zhang Lexuan's eyes, he said word by word, "Sister Lexuan, I'm serious. I will take responsibility."

Zhang Lexuan's entire body stiffened. She knew what Ji Lin meant—he would take responsibility for what had happened in the cave. Thinking of that, her heart warmed, and she was deeply moved, but she was still somewhat conflicted.

"But you're still too young. The age difference between us is too great."

Zhang Lexuan's voice was a little low.

Ji Lin smiled unconcernedly.

"Sister Lexuan, the two of us are destined to become Titled Douluo in the future. We'll live for centuries. A hundred years from now, we'll both be over a hundred years old. There won't be any such thing as an age difference."

Seeing Ji Lin's sincerity and seriousness, Zhang Lexuan took a deep breath and calmed herself before smiling. "All right. Since you put it that way, I'll accept your betrothal gifts for now. But if you regret it in the future, I won't give them back."

What had happened in the cave had already made her think through many things. A hero saving a beauty might be clichéd, but it was effective. On top of that, she and Ji Lin had accidentally entered into an intimate relationship, so she accepted Ji Lin's betrothal gifts.

Watching Zhang Lexuan take the Soul Bone from his hand, Ji Lin was so happy he nearly jumped up. He knew that Zhang Lexuan had accepted him. Once he came of age, he could immediately marry a goddess-level wife.

As for Xu Jiujiu, Ji Lin could only think of a way to comfort her later. He was confident.

Don't be fooled by how Douluo Continent had been called the Continent of Romance in his previous life. In truth, Douluo Continent was not monogamous. Duke White Tiger Dai Hao had more than one wife, or there would not have been Huo Yuhao and Dai Luoli. Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei certainly had more than one wife as well.

Just think about it. Martial Souls were passed down through bloodlines. If powerful Martial Souls were to be inherited, families needed to spread their branches and multiply. How could one wife be enough?

Xu Jiujiu, who came from the imperial family, understood this better than Ji Lin did, so there was no need to worry.

After that, he only needed to handle matters with Zhang Lexuan. She was much harder to deal with than Xu Jiujiu.

Moreover, Ji Lin's ambitions did not stop there. What did marrying several beautiful wives amount to? He wanted to become a god, bring his wives with him to become gods, and live forever together.

That was why Ji Lin had long sent people to monitor the White Tiger Duke's Mansion. As soon as Huo Yuhao escaped from the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, it would be time for him to act.

He wanted to see whether he could intercept Sky Dream Ice Silkworm. Before the Treasure Chest System produced any useful treasures, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was the most likely aid that could help him become a god.

Whether he inherited a godhood or created one himself, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's Million-Year Soul Ring and origin were indispensable.

The biggest uncertainty was that he did not possess a Spirit-Type Martial Soul. Although his Mental Power was powerful, far beyond that of ordinary soul masters, and not inferior even to Spirit-Type soul masters, he was not Spirit-Type. Sky Dream Ice Silkworm might not choose him as its host.

As for killing Huo Yuhao beforehand to eliminate a competitor, Ji Lin was not that despicable. He had no grudge against Huo Yuhao. He felt no psychological burden about taking Huo Yuhao's future opportunities, because as long as Huo Yuhao had not obtained them, they did not belong to him. They were ownerless things, and taking them did not count as stealing.

So he would not kill Huo Yuhao. He would only get ahead of Huo Yuhao and see whether he could intercept Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.

It would naturally be good if he could. If not, he would not force it.

He believed that even without Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, the Treasure Chest System would still allow him to become a god.