Hu Liena's Weak Legs

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains and fell in dappled patterns across Hu Liena's face. She slowly opened her eyes, only to feel aching pain all over, as if every inch of muscle had been brutally kneaded. She tried to sit up, but found her body uncontrollably limp and unsteady.

Just then, Ning Rongrong pushed open the door. Seeing Hu Liena like this, she could not help frowning. She hurried to the bedside and gently reproached her, "Look at you. You stayed up so late last night, and now look what happened." Hu Liena gave a bitter smile and shook her head, wanting to explain, but her throat was so dry that she could not speak.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong sighed, turned around, poured a cup of water, and handed it to Hu Liena. Hu Liena took the cup and drained it in one gulp, finally feeling a little better.

Ning Rongrong muttered unhappily, "It's all your fault. I told you not to go at it so late. Look what you did to Hu Liena." Her tone carried both reproach and concern.

At that moment, a figure entered from outside. It was Bai Ying. Hearing Ning Rongrong's words, he showed an awkward, remorseful expression and hurried to the bedside. "I was wrong, all right? I didn't think it would turn out like this."

Hu Liena looked at Bai Ying, warmth rising in her heart. She knew that although Bai Ying could be mischievous at times, he was sincere toward her. She gently tugged on his sleeve, signaling for him not to blame himself too much. Seeing this, Bai Ying felt even more guilty. He gently held Hu Liena's hand, his eyes full of apology and tenderness.

Ning Rongrong stood before Bai Ying with her hands on her hips, her face serious. "Fine, don't just say it. Today, we're finding Spirit Rings for Hu Liena and Dugu Yan. You'd better find her a good Spirit Ring, or I won't let you off."

Stunned by Ning Rongrong's imposing manner, Bai Ying hurriedly nodded. "Don't worry. I'll do my best."

Lying on the bed, Hu Liena looked at Bai Ying and Ning Rongrong, a complicated emotion flashing through her eyes. She nodded lightly, then quickly shook her head and said softly, "Bai Ying, you don't need to force yourself too much."

Hearing Hu Liena's words, Bai Ying felt even guiltier. He lowered his head without speaking, merely gripping her hand tightly. Ning Rongrong could not help getting annoyed. She stepped forward, glared at Bai Ying, then said to Hu Liena, "He bullied you into this state, and you're still speaking up for him? Bai Ying, I'm telling you, you have to find Hu Liena a good Spirit Ring today, or I won't forgive you!"

Bai Ying took a deep breath and said firmly, "Don't worry. I'll definitely find the most suitable Spirit Ring for Hu Liena." Determination gleamed in his eyes, as though he had already made thorough preparations.

Ning Rongrong nodded, her tone softening somewhat. "Good. Don't disappoint us."

Hu Liena struggled to support herself as she slowly rose from the bed. However, her legs seemed unwilling to obey her. The moment she exerted force, they began to tremble, and she crashed heavily to the floor.

"Ah!" Ning Rongrong cried out and hurriedly helped Hu Liena up. "Look at you, what have you become?" She shot Bai Ying a resentful look. "This is all because of what you did!"

Hu Liena tried hard to stand, but her legs seemed completely beyond her control. Every attempt only brought another fall. Seeing this, a trace of pity flashed through Ning Rongrong's eyes. She quickly went to Hu Liena's side and said gently, "Come, I'll help you."

Watching Hu Liena repeatedly try to stand and fall again, Ning Rongrong's dissatisfaction and concern tangled together. She turned toward Bai Ying, frowning deeply as she reproached him, "Carry her. Would she be like this if you hadn't gone so hard last night?"

Bai Ying froze. Looking at Hu Liena's repeated failed attempts to stand, guilt surged through him like a tide. He silently walked to her side, crouched down, and said softly, "I'm sorry. I'll carry you."

Bai Ying took a deep breath and crouched down, allowing Hu Liena to climb onto his back. His hands firmly supported her legs, afraid that anything might go wrong. When he stood, the person on his back seemed weightless, yet his heart felt exceptionally heavy.

Hu Liena lay quietly on Bai Ying's back, her head resting gently against his shoulder. She felt his steady footsteps and solid back. Closing her eyes, warmth welled up in her heart, as if all her exhaustion and pain had been soothed at that moment.

Ning Rongrong stood to the side, watching them with a complicated emotion in her eyes. She stepped forward and said softly, "Walk carefully. If you drop her, I won't let you off." Her tone carried some reproach, but even more concern and worry.

Bai Ying took an exquisite little porcelain bottle from his robe and held it out before Hu Liena. His gaze was gentle yet firm as he said softly, "Take this first." Hu Liena looked up at him, confusion flashing in her eyes, but she still reached out and accepted the bottle.

She gently removed the stopper, and a faint fragrance greeted her nose. She poured out a pill. It was dark brown, smooth on the surface, and emitted a gentle glow. Without further hesitation, she placed it in her mouth and lightly chewed it.

The pill melted as soon as it entered her mouth, and warm energy instantly spread through her body. She felt a warm current slowly flow down from her throat and through all her limbs and bones, as if countless tiny hands were gently caressing her body, taking away all her exhaustion and soreness.

When the three of them left the tent, the morning sunlight fell upon them, warm and gentle. Zhu Zhuqing stood nearby. Seeing Bai Ying carry Hu Liena out, a teasing look appeared in her eyes.

"Bai Ying, just how long did you go at it last night?" Zhu Zhuqing teased. Her voice was not loud, but it was more than enough for Hu Liena on his back to hear clearly.

Hearing that, Hu Liena's little face immediately turned red. She pressed herself tightly against Bai Ying's back, not daring to look up at Zhu Zhuqing. "Stop saying that..." she murmured weakly, her voice full of shyness and embarrassment.

Bai Ying gave an awkward smile. He did not answer Zhu Zhuqing's question, merely quickening his pace in hopes of escaping the awkward topic as soon as possible. However, Zhu Zhuqing did not seem inclined to let him go so easily. She caught up and continued teasing, "Oh? Embarrassed now? Weren't you quite fierce last night?"

"Zhu Qing, do you want to try it with us tonight?" As soon as Bai Ying spoke, Zhu Zhuqing felt dizzy. Her eyes widened as she looked at Bai Ying's teasing smile, while her heart was in complete turmoil.

"I didn't expect you to be quite pretty," Bai Ying continued teasing, seemingly not noticing Zhu Zhuqing's reaction at all.

Zhu Zhuqing's heart tightened. She knew she could not allow Bai Ying's words to affect her like this. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the stirrings in her heart. Yet Bai Ying's muscular figure would not leave her mind. She could almost feel the powerful aura radiating from him, making her both drawn to him and afraid.

The group quickly set out, passing through a dense forest before soon arriving at an open clearing.

Just then, a fiery red fox suddenly leaped from the grass. Its eyes gleamed with cunning, and it radiated scorching heat. Bai Ying recognized it at a glance. It was a Ten Thousand Year Fire Fox, and its Spirit Ring was undoubtedly an excellent match for Hu Liena.

"This Ten Thousand Year Fire Fox suits you very well," Bai Ying said to Hu Liena on his back, excitement and anticipation in his voice. Hu Liena nodded as well, determination shining in her eyes, as though she had already prepared herself for battle.

"Watch me!" Bai Ying shouted. He abruptly swung the Blade of Time and Space. Wherever the blade passed, space itself seemed to rip apart, revealing deep fissures. Then, he softly uttered three words: "Time Seal!"

As his words fell, an invisible force instantly spread out and enveloped the entire area. The fiery red Ten Thousand Year Fire Fox seemed to sense the threat of that force. Its eyes widened, and it let out a terrified roar. Yet its body seemed restrained by an invisible power, unable to move in the slightest.

Bai Ying's power of time and space was like an invisible net, binding the Ten Thousand Year Fire Fox tightly. The fox struggled with all its might, its fiery fur gleaming beneath the sunlight, but no matter how it fought, it could not break free of the invisible restraints.

By then, Hu Liena had already jumped down from Bai Ying's back. She stood before the fox, her gaze resolute and cold. Extending a slender finger, she lightly pointed forward, and a beam of golden light instantly shot from her fingertip, piercing straight into the fox's forehead.

The fox let out a shrill scream, its body trembling violently as the golden light pierced through it. A fierce glint flashed in Hu Liena's eyes. With a low shout, the golden light erupted, completely tearing the fox's body apart.

Hu Liena stood beside the fox's remains, excitement gleaming in her eyes. She could feel that powerful force surging within her body, as if it might burst forth at any moment.

"Quickly absorb the Spirit Ring!" Bai Ying's voice rang out beside her, interrupting her thoughts. She nodded, took a deep breath, then sat cross-legged and began focusing on absorbing the Ten Thousand Year Fire Fox's Spirit Ring.

From the fox's remains, a red Spirit Ring slowly rose. It revolved around Hu Liena's body, radiating scorching light. Hu Liena closed her eyes and focused her mind on the Spirit Ring, feeling its powerful energy gradually merge into her body.

It's been so long since I received a check-in system reward. I wonder what the system will give me.

System rewards issued.

Congratulations, Host. You have obtained six Spirit Bones.

Congratulations, Host. You have obtained three God-Bestowed Spirit Rings. They have been integrated into the Host's body.

Adding the two Spirit Bones I received when obtaining my fourth Spirit Ring, I now have eight. I can't absorb Spirit Bones myself, so I might as well give them to them.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, falling in dappled patterns across everyone and draping them in a golden glow. Bai Ying stood before the group, eight Spirit Bones glittering with strange light in his hands. Each contained powerful energy, as if it could erupt with astonishing force at any moment.

Hu Liena had just finished absorbing her Spirit Ring and stood nearby, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan gathered around Bai Ying, all their gazes fixed on the eight Spirit Bones, their faces showing both shock and delight.

"You six can divide them among yourselves," Bai Ying said, breaking the surrounding silence. His tone was casual and relaxed, as though the eight Spirit Bones were nothing rare to him.

Ning Rongrong blinked as she looked at the Spirit Bones in Bai Ying's hands. "Are Spirit Bones sold wholesale now? This is unbelievable!" She reached out and carefully touched one of them. Feeling the powerful energy it emitted, indescribable excitement surged in her heart.

Hu Liena also moved closer. Looking at Bai Ying, her eyes were full of confusion. "Do you really not need these Spirit Bones? No matter how powerful your Martial Soul is, you still need Spirit Bones to increase your strength, don't you?"

Bai Ying shook his head and smiled faintly. "My Martial Soul is indeed powerful, but I don't need Spirit Bones to assist it. These Spirit Bones are useless to me, while you can use them to strengthen yourselves. So they suit you better."

In the end, everyone received one Spirit Bone.

"These two Spirit Bones truly have no suitable owners."

Hearing this, everyone could not help showing disappointed expressions. However, Bai Ying changed his tone and said with a smile, "But there's no need to lose heart. Spirit Bones are good, but what matters most is your own cultivation and strength. As long as you work hard and improve yourselves, you will surely find Spirit Bones that suit you better in the future."

After all that, Dugu Yan suddenly asked, "Brother Bai, what kind of Spirit Ring do you think I should absorb?"

"Yan Yan, your Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphorous Poison Dragon. It is an extremely special Martial Soul that possesses potent venom. Therefore, when choosing a Spirit Ring, you should focus on finding Soul Beasts with poison attributes."

He paused, then continued, "I think the Man Faced Demon Spider would be an excellent choice. Not only is this Soul Beast highly venomous, but its methods of attack are also extremely strange, allowing it to match your Martial Soul well. Of course, that is only my suggestion. The final decision is still yours."

After hearing Bai Ying's advice, determination flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes. She knew the traits of her own Martial Soul well, and she also understood that the Man Faced Demon Spider's venom would be of tremendous help to her.

Before long, she finally found her target—a Man Faced Demon Spider perched upon a thick tree trunk. Its body emitted an eerie blue glow, its fangs exposed as it looked exceptionally ferocious.

Dugu Yan did not hesitate in the slightest. She swiftly released her Martial Soul, and the Jade Phosphorous Poison Dragon appeared behind her, radiating chilling venom. She charged toward the Man Faced Demon Spider, and the battle between them was on the verge of erupting.