Seeing this, Biji, Zi Ji, and the other Fierce Beasts, along with the Auspicious Beast, quietly withdrew and returned to their respective territories. Only the Imperial Auspicious Beast did not leave immediately after departing Lake of Life. Instead, it stopped nearby and silently watched the Little Dragon God everyone spoke of.
"Xiao Yuan, at your age, the most important thing is building a solid foundation. So today, let's do some Pressure Resistance Training, all right?" Gu Yue Na said softly.
"Sister Nana, what is Pressure Resistance Training?" Lin Yuan asked curiously.
Gu Yue Na explained, "In a moment, Sister Nana will put a little pressure on you. You'll use your own Soul Power to resist it. That's Pressure Resistance Training, and it benefits both your Soul Power and your body. For a soul master, the right amount of pressure can better bring out one's potential."
"Okay, Sister Nana! I'm ready!" Lin Yuan said as he obediently sat down cross-legged.
"Xiao Yuan, as long as you can hold out under the pressure I release for one hour, I'll agree to one request of yours. Whatever you want to do is fine." Gu Yue Na smiled faintly. She knew very well that for a child his age, rewards could inspire motivation far better than simple reminders.
As soon as she finished speaking, a peculiar aura spread from Gu Yue Na's body.
Lin Yuan felt invisible pressure surge in from every direction, as though it intended to crush his body from all sides. He hurriedly released his Soul Power to resist. The pressure slowly and steadily intensified. Under it, he could clearly feel his Soul Power circulating faster, yet it was also being continuously drained.
"Feel the changes in your body. Try to control your Soul Power. Don't let it stray from course; keep it following its original circulation path. You can also summon your Martial Soul," Gu Yue Na's voice sounded at just the right time.
Lin Yuan bit down on his lower lip, his childish face taut with strain as he obediently sank his consciousness into his body. With a thought, Nine-Colored Flowing Light suddenly bloomed around him, and the Dragon God Martial Soul slowly emerged behind him. Though it was not large enough to blot out the night sky as it had during his awakening, it was still several meters tall. As the dragon raised its head high, draconic might quietly spread out, faintly contending with the pressure Gu Yue Na had released.
But before Lin Yuan could breathe a sigh of relief, the pressure on him suddenly changed. It was no longer a crushing force from all directions; some areas became stronger, while others weakened. His previously smooth Soul Power circulation instantly became sluggish. The Nine-Colored Flowing Light dimmed somewhat, and the Dragon God Martial Soul swayed slightly, lowering its head as though it could barely withstand the sudden change. Seeing this, Lin Yuan hurriedly adjusted his Soul Power and focused all his strength on resisting the areas under heavier pressure.
"Not bad. Very clever." A trace of approval flashed through Gu Yue Na's eyes. "You immediately noticed the change in pressure and even knew to actively adjust your Soul Power to reinforce the weak points. You've done far better than Sister Nana expected." Even as she said that, her fingertip moved slightly. The targeted pressure did not weaken at all. Instead, the moment Lin Yuan adjusted himself, it quietly shifted its points of force, precisely catching the breaks in his Soul Power circulation.
Before long, Lin Yuan began to feel exhausted. His Soul Power was the first thing that could no longer keep up. After the pressure Gu Yue Na applied reached a certain level, it stopped increasing, but it remained at a fixed intensity while constantly changing the way it pressed down on him. Beyond the consumption of Soul Power, the burden on his mind also grew heavier. He had been striving to control the Dragon God Martial Soul the entire time. Weariness had long since come crashing over him, yet the pressure never faded.
About half an hour later, after maintaining balance for some time, the pressure Gu Yue Na released suddenly increased drastically.
Lin Yuan opened his mouth, wanting to cry out, only to discover that he could not make even the slightest sound. He dared not let his mind wander in the least. He could clearly hear his heartbeat suddenly quickening. The Soul Power inside him was like a stream on the verge of drying up, struggling to creep through his meridians. The originally dazzling Nine-Colored Flowing Light had dimmed by more than half, while the Dragon God Martial Soul shook violently. The luster on its Dragon Scales faded layer by layer, as if it would collapse the next second.
His vision began to blur, and Gu Yue Na's figure before him gradually overlapped into a haze. Yet his clenched fists never loosened. He remembered that Gu Yue Na had said she would grant him one request if he held on for one hour, and he remembered even more clearly that he had promised he would not fear hardship, no matter how bitter it was.
Gu Yue Na watched Lin Yuan's tiny figure, tense yet unwilling to admit defeat. A trace of heartache flashed through her purple eyes, but her hand never stopped adjusting the rhythm of the pressure. More than anyone, she understood that the Dragon God's path of growth had never had shortcuts. The more he gritted his teeth and endured now, the more confidence he would have when facing the might of the God Realm in the future.
Lin Yuan's Soul Power was already nearly exhausted, and a faint stabbing pain came from his meridians. At that moment, the Dragon God's Heart in his dantian warmed slightly. A wisp of extremely faint nine-colored energy drifted out from the Dragon God's Heart and slowly traveled along his meridians. Wherever it passed, his originally dried-up meridians actually filled with a faint warmth. His sluggish Soul Power seemed to awaken once more, gradually showing signs of flowing again.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan's heart stirred. He hurriedly focused all his attention and guided that wisp of energy to merge with his own Soul Power. But the Dragon God's Heart was far too domineering. The instant they came into contact, he felt as though his meridians were being forcibly stretched open. Beads of sweat immediately rolled down his forehead even faster.
"Don't fight it head-on. Follow its rhythm." Gu Yue Na's voice sounded at the right time, carrying a soothing strength. "The Dragon God's Heart and your bloodline were originally one. It is actively helping you, not fighting against you."
Lin Yuan took a deep breath and tried to relax his control over his Soul Power, no longer forcibly suppressing that wisp of nine-colored energy. Sure enough, its movement gradually became smoother, little by little driving his remaining Soul Power into circulation.
Even more wondrously, as the two merged, the pressure around him seemed to be torn open by a small gap. The force that had originally pricked at the weak points in his meridians like fine needles quietly dissipated upon touching the nine-colored energy. The Dragon God Martial Soul behind him also regained its glow. Its nine-colored scales shimmered with fragmented flowing light, and its dragon head lifted slightly as it let out a weak yet resolute dragon roar.
Lin Yuan seized the chance to mobilize the fused Soul Power, circulating it through the gaps in Gu Yue Na's pressure. He was no longer resisting passively, but searching for balance within those cracks. With every circulation of Soul Power, his understanding and control of his body became clearer.
Time slowly passed amid the tense confrontation. When Lin Yuan felt his Soul Power nearing exhaustion for the third time, the pressure around Gu Yue Na suddenly receded like a tide. He could no longer hold himself up. His legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the grass, gulping down air.
Gu Yue Na quickly stepped forward, crouched down, and gently drew Lin Yuan into her arms. Her palm rested against his sweat-soaked back as soft divine power slowly seeped into him, helping ease his bodily exhaustion. Feeling the tiny body in her arms still trembling slightly, she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Our Xiao Yuan has worked hard. You did wonderfully. You held on for exactly one hour. You did what we agreed on, so Sister will grant you one request. What do you want to do?"
"Sister Nana, when I become the Dragon God someday, can you marry me?" Lin Yuan's voice was soft, but exceptionally serious.
Gu Yue Na's arm around Lin Yuan paused slightly. Then she lowered her head to look at the little fellow's earnest expression. A faint smile rippled across her cool features, and her tone carried a trace of teasing. "Our Xiao Yuan may be young, but he certainly has big ideas. You just received one promise, and you're already trying to reserve Sister Nana for yourself? Isn't that asking for an inch after getting a foot?"
Hearing that, Lin Yuan not only failed to retreat, but snuggled even closer into Gu Yue Na's embrace. His childish voice carried a touch of self-righteous stubbornness. "That's not asking for too much! Sister Nana said you'd agree to one thing I wanted, and what I want most is for you to marry me! Besides, I've already kissed Sister Nana. Where I come from, if you kiss someone, you have to take responsibility and be good to her for the rest of your life!"
"Fine. Sister Nana agrees to it. This promise will always count." Gu Yue Na nodded.
Lin Yuan abruptly raised his head, his purple eyes filled with disbelief. Even his breathing paused for half a beat. He had originally thought Gu Yue Na would smilingly refuse, or brush him off with something like, "We'll talk when you grow up." He had never expected her to agree so readily.
"Sister Nana, you... you're not lying to me, are you?" Lin Yuan asked hesitantly, afraid it was only his imagination.
"Sister Nana never lies to Xiao Yuan. But now, we need to deal with a small problem first." Gu Yue Na raised a hand and pinched Lin Yuan's sweat-dampened cheek, unable to stop the curve of her lips. "Xiao Yuan is covered in sweat and smells all stinky. If you keep hugging me, you'll get my clothes dirty too. Come on, Sister Nana will take you to bathe."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Yue Na carried Lin Yuan toward the hot spring pool beside Lake of Life. It was a natural spring unique to the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest. The life energy within its waters could nourish the body, and it carried a faint warmth. Soft animal hides were spread along the edge of the pool, while clean clothes Biji had prepared in advance rested on a stone platform nearby.
Warm mist rose from the hot spring pool. The pale green spring water shimmered with fine ripples, casting a hazy tint over the surrounding grass and trees. Gu Yue Na carried Lin Yuan to the poolside and first tested the water temperature with her hand. Once she confirmed it was not too hot, she gently set him down, crouched, and helped him untie the fastenings of his silver-gray outfit.
Lin Yuan's cheeks reddened slightly, and his little hands instinctively clutched his clothes. Though he knew it was for washing up, being cared for so attentively still embarrassed him somewhat. But then he thought that Gu Yue Na would be with him sooner or later, so it was only natural for her to take care of him now. With that thought, he slowly released his grip on his clothing and allowed Gu Yue Na to remove his outfit, leaving only his close-fitting soft undergarment.
Gu Yue Na placed the folded clean clothes on the animal hide by the pool, then reached out and rubbed Lin Yuan's sweat-dampened silver hair. "The water temperature is just right. Go soak for a while. It'll ease the exhaustion in your body."
Lin Yuan nodded and cautiously dipped a foot into the hot spring. The warm water wrapped around his ankle, instantly dispelling much of the soreness in his body. He then quickly stepped into the pool and sat on a stone step near the shore, letting the spring water reach only up to his chest. The moment he relaxed, he felt faint energy in the water seep into his body through his skin. His originally depleted Soul Power actually recovered slightly, and even his tense nerves eased considerably.
"Come sit a little closer. Sister Nana will massage your shoulders and help you relax." As Gu Yue Na spoke, she removed her outer silver-white gown as well, leaving only a thin inner garment before slowly stepping into the hot spring. She sat on the stone steps with her knees bent, stretched out her fair hands, and gently placed them on Lin Yuan's tense shoulders, slowly kneading them.
Lin Yuan immediately relaxed, his little head lightly resting against Gu Yue Na's arm. The warm spring water washed over his chest, while the gentle pressure on his shoulders seemed to melt away the soreness throughout his body bit by bit. He comfortably narrowed his purple eyes. His silver hair scattered across his neck, water droplets sliding down his skin, yet he did not feel cold at all.
Half an hour later, Gu Yue Na stopped massaging him. She reached for a clean soft towel by the pool and said gently, "Xiao Yuan, you've soaked long enough. If you stay in any longer, you'll get dizzy."
Lin Yuan obediently nodded and braced himself against the stone steps at the edge of the pool as he slowly stood. Warm spring water slid down his body, leaving faint trails across his fair skin.
Gu Yue Na stepped forward and gently wiped away the droplets on his body with the soft towel, from his shoulders to his arms, then his calves. She even carefully dried the dampness between his strands of hair, afraid he might catch a chill. After drying him off, Gu Yue Na picked up the clean clothes from the stone platform and gently helped Lin Yuan put them on. The new clothing was a loose, soft robe specially sewn by Biji. The pale blue fabric wrapped around his tiny body, comfortable and breathable.
"All right, much fresher now. Our Xiao Yuan smells sweet and milky again." Gu Yue Na said as she reached out to pinch Lin Yuan's soft little cheek, unable to stop smiling.
Lin Yuan's cheeks reddened slightly from the pinch, but he did not dodge. Instead, he leaned closer to Gu Yue Na and inhaled her cool, clean fragrance. "Sister Nana smells nice too. Smelling you makes me feel especially safe."
"Since Xiao Yuan is so good with words, open your mouth." As Gu Yue Na spoke, she raised a hand and took out a round green fruit from her clothes, gently bringing it to Lin Yuan's lips.
Lin Yuan obediently opened his mouth and swallowed the fruit in a few bites. The fruit did not taste particularly good. Its skin was springy and it was juicy, but it was not sweet. Instead, it had a somewhat astringent taste. As soon as he swallowed the last bite of flesh, he could not help frowning. A faint astringency lingered on his tongue. He smacked his lips instinctively, his childish voice carrying a hint of grievance. "Sister Nana, this fruit isn't sweet at all. It's even a little bitter..."
"This is a Golden Jade Fruit, an extremely precious fruit and a rare natural treasure that enhances a soul master's physique and Soul Power." Gu Yue Na raised her hand to wipe the remaining juice from the corner of Lin Yuan's mouth, her voice full of patience. "For Xiao Yuan, it can transform into the purest energy, nourish your Dragon God Bloodline, Dragon God Bone, and physical constitution, and help strengthen your foundation. Carefully feel the changes in your body now. Doesn't your dantian feel warm? Isn't your Soul Power slowly recovering too?"
Lin Yuan obediently closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into his body. Sure enough, a gentle warmth flowed slowly from his dantian through his meridians. His Soul Power, which had previously been on the verge of exhaustion, gradually began to gather again as that warmth spread. Though it was nowhere near as full as at his peak, the recovery was far more obvious than the faint improvement from soaking in the hot spring. Even his limbs and bones felt indescribably comfortable.
"It's not bitter anymore!" Lin Yuan abruptly opened his eyes and quickly shook his head. "Even though it tasted bitter when I first ate it, it can give me more Soul Power and nourish my bloodline. It's a good fruit!"
Gu Yue Na took Lin Yuan's hand and led him toward the wooden house. "That's right. Golden Jade Fruit has long vanished from the outside world. Only the core region of our Star Dou Great Forest has it. From now on, Sister Nana will prepare one for Xiao Yuan every day to help you stabilize your foundation faster."
"Sister Nana, Golden Jade Fruit is so amazing. Does that mean I'll become strong very quickly?" Lin Yuan swung their joined hands, his purple eyes filled with anticipation.
Gu Yue Na lowered her head to look at him and said softly, "You will, but you can't rush it. Golden Jade Fruit is only an aid. True strength still depends on Xiao Yuan walking forward step by step on his own."
Before you continue