Return

"Mm..."

Mo Yuqing, who had been sound asleep for quite some time, groaned and stretched before climbing off Zhongli. She looked around with a dazed expression.

By now, the sky had gradually darkened, with even dusk drawing its final breath. Seeing how drastically the surroundings had changed, Mo Yuqing's heart skipped a beat as she realized she had slept for a long time.

"Awake? Let's go home."

Zhongli's slightly helpless voice sounded by her ear. Mo Yuqing turned to look at him, feeling a little embarrassed, so she lowered her head slightly and said softly, "Uh... alright."

The two stood and walked toward home beneath the lingering glow of the sunset. The setting sun stretched their shadows long, long across the ground, while the faint Tyndall Effect in the forest added a touch of beauty to the scene.

Not long after

Perhaps because she felt embarrassed about having slept so long, Mo Yuqing took the initiative to start a conversation. "What is your First Soul Skill like? The Scarlet Armor Earth Dragon was so tough, so it must be a defensive-type Soul Skill, right?"

"Yes, it is indeed a defensive Soul Skill."

Zhongli nodded slightly and said, "My Martial Soul and Soul Skills are centered around shields, so the effects of my First Soul Skill are naturally closely related to them. It can double my shield's duration, and as long as I stand on the ground, it can continuously absorb the Power of the Earth to replenish the shield."

"Double the duration... replenish the shield..."

Mo Yuqing immediately sucked in a breath. She understood Zhongli's shield—it was incredibly tough. It was so tough that she needed to attack continuously for twenty minutes to break it. If its duration doubled and its strength could be replenished, wouldn't she need forty minutes of attacking to break it?

That was simply terrifying!

In truth, Zhongli's First Soul Skill was far from that simple. This was merely its passive effect. He had already used the active effect of his First Soul Skill before: a powerful construct-type ability—Rock Spear Vortex Vanquisher!

Zhongli could condense Rock Spears in the shape of Vortex Vanquisher, then freely choose to use them for attack or defense. He could freely control the size and strength of the Rock Spears. He could even condense hundreds or thousands of small Rock Spears at once, unleashing a Gale and Rainstorm-like assault upon his enemies, or directly create a gigantic Rock Spear to forcefully suppress everything.

"How long can your shield last, exactly?" Mo Yuqing suddenly asked.

"Time? It used to be twenty minutes. Now it's forty minutes." Zhongli spoke with a faintly proud smile, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he saw the expression on Mo Yuqing's face, as though she had discovered something. His heart jolted as he realized that he seemed to have let something slip.

"It used to be twenty minutes?"

Mo Yuqing repeated it, her breathing unconsciously quickening. She stared at Zhongli in disbelief. "In other words, your shield has never been broken from the very beginning? During all this time we've been in the Soul Beast Forest, your shield has never broken even once?"

"By universal reason, that is indeed the case." Zhongli turned his head slightly as he spoke.

"Just how tough is this shield of yours? I feel like I can't understand it anymore. No... I'll have to find a chance to test it again someday." The look in Mo Yuqing's eyes gradually changed as her little scheme took root and flourished.

"Heh... heh heh..."

Zhongli laughed rather awkwardly and said nothing more. Not to mention the current Mo Yuqing—even if her Soul Power level rose by another twenty levels, it would still be difficult for her to break Zhongli's shield. This was a test destined to yield no results.

After a long while, the two finally returned to Kela City before nightfall and arrived beside the Zhongli Family home together.

"We're almost there. You should hurry home. If you return too late, your family will worry." Mo Yuqing said with a faint smile.

"This is my home. My family. Right now, I'm the only one here. I don't know what my parents have gone off to busy themselves with again... In any case, they definitely won't be waiting for me at home, so you don't need to worry." Zhongli's brows drooped slightly, and he seemed somewhat downcast.

"Is that so..."

Mo Yuqing's smile faded. The look in her eyes as she watched Zhongli became more careful. She did not know that she had accidentally touched upon his 'sad spot.'

"My house is quite big, and it gets rather lonely staying alone in such a large place at night. How about you come keep me company?" Zhongli asked tentatively.

"No, no. My father and mother said I can't do that. I'm not talking anymore—I'm going home." Mo Yuqing's little face flushed slightly as she ran toward home as though fleeing.

"Sigh, how boring."

Zhongli shook his head slightly, silently took out his key, and opened the door. Looking at the empty, luxurious living room, he could not help but feel a little upset.

Though he was not an ordinary child—not in temperament, soul, or any other aspect—he still instinctively longed for the care and companionship of parents. Yet this family clearly could not give him those things. All it could give him were cold Gold Soul Coins and a luxurious yet empty home.

Zhongli sat quietly on the sofa, savoring the feeling from earlier, and felt slightly better. Though his mind was mature, he was still human. Mo Yuqing was childish yet adorable, and most importantly, she could play with Zhongli and fill the emptiness in his heart.

"Let's find something to eat."

Zhongli slowly stood and walked toward the kitchen. Looking at his enormous home, he instead felt uncomfortable. But just as he had walked halfway there, a rhythmic knock sounded at the front door. The knocker had excellent technique; it was obvious they had received professional training.

Has the Maid arrived?

Zhongli felt little reaction. He merely walked silently to the door and opened it...