The next day, Xiao Yun did not go to the Hell Slaughter Arena.
After twenty consecutive days of fighting, he finally gave himself half a month off.
He planned to spend the entire day at home, resting properly and checking on the spirit grass Ling'er had planted in the courtyard.
The morning sunlight filtered through the blood-red sky, carrying a mild, languid warmth.
Xiao Yun moved a bamboo chair beneath the old tree in the courtyard well and reclined in it, leafing through a volume of Records of the Continent’s Curiosities he had bought from a bookshop.
Ling'er crouched by the wall, carefully watering several newly sprouted stalks of spirit grass while humming a tuneless little song.
Someone pushed open the courtyard gate.
Hu Liena walked in. Today, she wore a simple white combat outfit, her long dark gold hair casually tied behind her head. She looked less coldly glamorous than usual, with a more relaxed, homey air.
She carried an oil-paper parcel containing spirit fruit bought at the Inner City market.
"Finished cultivating?" Xiao Yun looked up from his book.
"Mm." Hu Liena set the parcel on the stone table and sat down opposite him.
She picked up a spirit fruit and slowly peeled it with her fingertips, her gaze wandering as though something was on her mind.
Xiao Yun glanced at her without initiating a conversation, then lowered his head and continued reading.
The silence lasted quite a while.
Hu Liena finally finished peeling the fruit, but instead of eating it, she held it in her hand and suddenly looked up at Xiao Yun.
"Xiao Yun, let me ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Can beast martial souls... evolve?"
Xiao Yun's hand paused as he turned a page.
Hu Liena's gaze was earnest. Her scarlet eyes looked straight at