Xiao Wu held an orchid-finger pose with both hands. Her right palm faced upward, resting flat on her thigh, while her left hand was held upright before her chest. Then she began to make a series of strange sounds.
As the strange sounds continued, Xiao Wu's eyes gradually turned red. Two Yellow Soul Rings and one Purple Soul Ring quietly appeared, moving up and down around her body.
At the same time, a gigantic white phantom slowly took shape behind her.
A faint red glow gradually spread from Xiao Wu. As time passed, it grew increasingly intense. The scarlet light billowed like blood.
Time slowly went by. A layer of purple light gradually emerged from the intense red glow. It transformed into countless points of starlight, gathering into a distinct circle.
The Purple Ring settled onto Xiao Wu. At first, it seemed somewhat out of sync with the other three Soul Rings, swaying slightly.
But as the red glow around Xiao Wu grew more intense, the Thousand Year Soul Ring gradually stabilized, blending with the others and gleaming with a warm luster.
Lu Chen was deeply shocked by the sight. So the process of Soul Beast Transformation involved gradually unsealing the source of power sealed within the body.
No wonder Xiao Wu didn't spend much time cultivating, yet she had still managed to keep pace with him.
The sky began to brighten, and Xiao Wu's fourth Soul Ring finally solidified completely.
Xiao Wu's figure seemed more harmonious, and she looked a little more grown-up overall. Her chest and hips both seemed fuller and rounder, her feminine features more pronounced, while the childlike innocence in her face quietly faded.
At the same time, the Soft Bone Rabbit Phantom behind her became much clearer after the fourth Soul Ring appeared.
Xiao Wu's lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes. A flash of Pale Pink Flowing Light passed through them.
Looking at Lu Chen before her, the memory of what had just happened involuntarily surfaced in her mind, and her lips curled into a sweet smile.
A rush of sweetness filled her heart. That just now... must have been Lu Chen's first kiss, right? Hehe, I got to him first!
Seeing Xiao Wu wake up, Lu Chen said, "Now that you've obtained your Soul Ring, we should leave the Sunset Forest."
On the way back, Xiao Wu held Lu Chen's hand and asked, puzzled, "Lu Chen, is your Martial Soul really that powerful? Even a Titled Douluo couldn't see through my identity."
Lu Chen smiled faintly, then told her how he had fed her medicine all those years ago.
At his words, Xiao Wu's confusion vanished.
She gazed at Lu Chen, her eyes suddenly softening as a faint tenderness spread through them.
Her nose tingled, and she murmured inwardly, So... he's been quietly protecting me since way back then...
Lu Chen, of course, had no idea that Xiao Wu was busy convincing herself of his feelings.
To make Xiao Wu's fourth Soul Ring seem more plausible, Lu Chen and Xiao Wu decided to stay two more days in a Small Town before returning to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
In the little courtyard they had rented, Xiao Wu watched Lu Chen swing his sword beneath a tree, looking rather put out.
Ever since they had left the Sunset Forest, she and Lu Chen hadn't shared another intimate moment.
Remembering what Lu Jinnian had said before they left, a hint of cunning flashed in Xiao Wu's beautiful eyes.
As Lu Chen swung his final strike, a Blood Sword Intent shot into the sky.
"Phew—"
Lu Chen exhaled, and the Sword Intent within him gradually settled.
[Host completed Daily Ten Thousand Sword Swings Mission. Reward: Spirit Contract Method!]
A vast torrent of information surged into Lu Chen's mind. Dense lines of text and diagrams exploded across his consciousness.
A violent stabbing pain engulfed his brain. He couldn't help but groan as he gripped the Asura Demon Sword and dropped to one knee, cold sweat beading at his temples.
Fortunately, the pain didn't last long. After a few minutes, it gradually subsided, leaving only a faint, aching heaviness in his head.
Lu Chen slowly stood up and examined the Spirit Contract Method in his mind. His heart jolted.
A Soul Spirit was a replacement for a Soul Ring that was superior to the original: it caused less harm to Soul Beasts while maximizing the boost to a Soul Master's abilities.
With the Spirit Contract Method, Lu Chen could build a force that rivaled the Upper Three Sects.
But for any of that to happen, he first had to become strong enough to stand against Spirit Hall and the Upper Three Sects. Otherwise, it was all just empty talk.
Lu Chen put away the Asura Demon Sword, dusted himself off, and turned back toward the house to take a bath.
The moment he stepped inside, a pink figure rushed straight at him.
Xiao Wu's legs wrapped nimbly around Lu Chen's waist, and her arms wound tightly around his neck.
"Xiao Wu, I haven't even bathed yet."
Feeling her soft, fragrant warmth in his arms, Lu Chen held up her supple, springy little bottom with both hands.
Xiao Wu's nose twitched slightly. All she could smell was the faint scent of plants and trees on Lu Chen; she couldn't smell any sweat at all.
Instead, she snuggled closer and tightened her arms around him.
Lu Chen walked to the bed and tried to set Xiao Wu down, but ever since they had returned from the Sunset Forest, she seemed twice as attached to him. Her arms clung even tighter, and her legs tightened around him too.
Pink light shimmered in Xiao Wu's eyes as she slowly tilted her head up...
Their lips met gently.
Their breaths mingled, their fingers intertwined, and they desperately sought warmth and affection from each other.
After a long while, their lips finally parted. Both of them were breathing unevenly.
Xiao Wu's cheeks were red as ripe peaches, and a hint of moisture clung to the corners of her eyes. Even her gaze was as soft as melted sugar.
"Are you satisfied now?" Lu Chen asked helplessly, looking at Xiao Wu's tousled hair and tender, glistening eyes.
Only after getting what she wanted did Xiao Wu obediently let go. She lay on the bed and looked at him, her eyes full of satisfaction. "Go take a bath already."
Lu Chen stood up and looked at Xiao Wu sprawled on the bed, thinking, Why is Xiao Wu getting more and more possessive? Still... I don't think I mind.
By the time Lu Chen came out of the bath, Xiao Wu had already fallen asleep in his bed.
He walked over quietly and saw that her shoulder was exposed. He reached out to pull the blanket over her.
But as soon as his fingertips touched the edge of the blanket, Xiao Wu gently caught his hand.
"Don't... don't leave me..."
Xiao Wu's brow furrowed slightly, her voice faint. She was clearly talking in her sleep.
Lu Chen's heart softened. He let her hold his hand and sat beside the bed for a while, then gently slipped free and tucked the blanket around her.
The next morning, after the two of them finished breakfast,
Xiao Wu took a comb from inside her clothes and handed it to Lu Chen. "Lu Chen, could you comb my hair for me?"
Her voice was soft, trembling slightly with fear and hope. She waited quietly.
Lu Chen knew the story behind the comb. He took it and said gently, "All right."
He went behind Xiao Wu and undid her scorpion braid, then gently gathered up her brown hair, still warm from her body.
The Purple Sandalwood Comb in his right hand glided softly through her hair, smoothing her lovely strands little by little.
Xiao Wu looked at Lu Chen's focused expression in the mirror, and her beautiful eyes gradually welled with shimmering tears.
She silently murmured in her heart, Mom, I've found someone I can entrust my life to... He'll protect me just as you did...
"Lu Chen, do you think... we'll be together forever?"
Lu Chen knew Xiao Wu was getting carried away again. He curled his finger and lightly tapped her on the head. "Don't overthink it... Just focus on cultivating. As long as I'm here, I won't let anything happen to you!"
Before you continue