However, after hearing Ye Lingling's words, Qing Mu's expression did not change much. Clearly, a few words alone were not enough to make him truly feel at ease entrusting his secrets to others.
Seeing that Qing Mu still wore that indifferent expression, Ye Lingling could not help pursing her lips.
Why? I had been so proactive, yet he remained unmoved.
Ye Lingling felt that something was off. Under normal circumstances, if a Spirit Master encountered someone with whom they could perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, they should have been overjoyed.
After all, a Martial Soul Fusion Skill meant a rise in one's standing within the Spirit Master world. Dragon Duke and Snake Dowager were perfect proof of that.
Unless...
This person had some unavoidable reason!
At that thought, Ye Lingling's eyes suddenly lit up. Yes, that had to be it!
Ye Lingling immediately said, "I understand. It is rather forcing the issue to expect Mr. Qing Mu to agree so readily. After all, today is the first time we have met. It is only natural for Mr. Qing Mu to have concerns."
At those words, Qing Mu's gaze shifted slightly. It seemed this woman had seen through something.
Noticing that subtle change in Qing Mu's expression, Ye Lingling became even more certain of her guess. She continued, "Practicing a Martial Soul Fusion Skill is a long-term undertaking. Mr. Qing Mu can spend some time with us first, then decide whether you wish to practice the Martial Soul Fusion Skill with me.
You should know as well that a Martial Soul Fusion Skill requires two people to be of one mind. If either person is unwilling, then the Martial Soul Fusion Skill cannot succeed."
Hearing this, Qing Mu rubbed his chin and began considering the feasibility of performing a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with her.
Indeed, Martial Soul Resonance merely meant that the two of them had the possibility of possessing a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. To truly unleash it, however, their mutual understanding still had to reach a certain level.
A Martial Soul Fusion Skill clearly could not be performed by one person alone. Therefore, if he refused, the Martial Soul Fusion Skill would never succeed.
Thus, he undoubtedly held the dominant position in this relationship. To him, a Martial Soul Fusion Skill was merely icing on the cake, but to Ye Lingling, it was help in the nick of time.
A Martial Soul Fusion Skill drew upon the strengths of both sides and fused them. Given Bulbasaur's traits, the resulting fusion would undoubtedly possess extremely powerful combat abilities, precisely what the Nine Heart Begonia, which only possessed healing abilities, lacked.
Across from him, after saying those words, Ye Lingling could not help feeling nervous inside.
Although Dugu Yan often said she would capture Qing Mu and bring him over, that had only been a joke. When it came to a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, forcing the matter was not very useful.
Perhaps certain methods, such as coercion or mental control, could barely enable a Martial Soul Fusion Skill to be used, but the drawbacks of such methods were obvious as well.
First, the compatibility achieved this way was often not very high, and its power was far inferior to one performed willingly. Second, the risks were simply too great. A Martial Soul Fusion Skill required the hearts of two people to blend as one, with complete intimacy and trust. No one could guarantee when an accident might occur in a relationship maintained through crooked means.
And when it came to a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, any accident would be fatal. No one dared take that risk.
So it would naturally be best if Qing Mu agreed, but if he refused, Ye Lingling had no other options. She could not really resort to some crooked method, could she?
Leaving aside whether her family would agree, Ye Lingling herself could not get past that hurdle in her heart.
At the side, Dugu Yan also knew that they had reached a critical moment. Usually rather carefree, she merely drank the tea before her in silence and did not speak to interfere with Qing Mu's decision.
For a moment, the atmosphere became terrifyingly quiet. The sound of flowing water, rustling leaves, and cicadas chirping could all be heard clearly.
Time passed second by second amid that silence. After roughly two minutes, Qing Mu finally smiled and said, "Since Miss Ye has put it this way, what reason do I have to refuse?"
"So, Mr. Qing Mu, you agree?"
Although Qing Mu had already agreed, Ye Lingling still tucked the hair by her ear back and asked again for confirmation.
Qing Mu nodded. "Of course. I have never gone back on anything I agreed to."
"Haha, I knew little brother Qing Mu would agree. After all, my Lingling is so cute. What man in this world could bear to refuse her?"
After Qing Mu agreed, Dugu Yan immediately patted him on the shoulder and teased him.
Qing Mu merely smiled faintly at that, neither confirming nor denying it.
Qing Mu's agreement to get to know Ye Lingling better was indeed partly because of Ye Lingling herself, but more importantly, because a Martial Soul Fusion Skill was a good thing.
With Qing Mu currently holding the dominant position, he did not want to give it up so easily.
As for Qing Mu's secrets, he could first observe Ye Lingling as a person. If he ultimately discovered that she was unsuitable, it would not be too late to leave then.
"Since that is the case, we are friends now. Stop calling me Miss Dugu; it sounds too distant. I am a few years older than you, so you can call me Sister Yan Yan!"
Dugu Yan looked at Qing Mu teasingly as she spoke.
After hearing Dugu Yan's words, Ye Lingling also said, "Lingling. That is what all my friends call me."
After saying that, Ye Lingling looked at Qing Mu expectantly.
Seeing this, Qing Mu could not help laughing. "You can just call me Qing Mu."
"Oh, right!"
At that moment, Qing Mu seemed to recall something and said, "I nearly forgot to tell you something. I probably will not be staying in Suotuo City for much longer. In about ten days or half a month, I will be leaving."
"You are leaving, Qing Mu?"
Upon hearing that Qing Mu was leaving, Ye Lingling froze, and her face turned slightly pale.
"Why are you doing this, Qing Mu? Do you not like it here? If so, we can go somewhere else."
As she said this, she clenched the skirt over her knees. Her voice remained ethereal, but the faint tremor within it made her seem even more lonely.
"It is not because of you."
Seeing Ye Lingling's reaction, Qing Mu immediately understood that she had misunderstood him. He quickly explained, "I am going to school. My parents gave me letters of recommendation for Plant Academy and Exotic Beast Academy. After some time, I plan to visit both academies and choose one as the school where I will study for the next few years."
"Phew~"
So it was for school. Hearing Qing Mu's explanation, Ye Lingling finally let out a breath of relief. It was good that he was not leaving because he disliked her.
Even so, Ye Lingling's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She had finally managed to make Qing Mu less resistant to the idea of a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. If Qing Mu went to Plant Academy or Exotic Beast Academy, would all their earlier efforts not go to waste?
"Hey, I thought it was something serious."
At that moment, Dugu Yan curled her lips and said, "Why go to Plant Academy or Exotic Beast Academy? Why not just come with us to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
Before you continue