Xiao Wu: I... I can't sleep alone...

Sharp sword qi swept out with the force to destroy the heavens and annihilate the earth.

A flash of red light, and the wraiths vanished the instant they touched the Asura Sword Qi.

"Who are you?"

Watching Lu Chen's casual expression, the black-clad man couldn't help feeling an urge to retreat.

The Slaughter Aura radiating from Lu Chen was especially unnerving. Even he felt his scalp tingle.

"The one who's going to kill you!"

Lu Chen flicked the Asura Demon Sword in his hand, and Asura Sword Intent surged skyward from his body.

The Slaughter Aura locked onto its target. Holding the Asura Demon Sword, Lu Chen swung it straight at the black-clad man's head.

A vicious look filled the black-clad man's eyes. His Fifth Soul Ring lit up, and the Frost Wraith behind him glowed with a ghostly blue light.

Countless wisps of ice mist gathered in front of the black-clad man, eventually forming a three-foot-long ice spear. Strands of black qi coiled around its spear tip.

"Kid, my Soul Skill has even killed a Soul Emperor!"

The ice spear shot out. A frenzied, savage grin appeared on the Evil Soul Master's face. "Once I devour Shui Bing'er's soul, I'll devour you next!"

The ice spear collided with the Asura Demon Sword, and a dazzling white light flared.

"Crack—"

A crisp cracking sound pierced the white light, and the grin on the black-clad man's face froze.

Then, under his horrified gaze, countless cracks spread across the ice spear.

"Boom!"

The ice spear exploded. The resulting blast sent the unconscious Shui Bing'er flying.

Seeing this, Xiao Wu immediately leaped out from behind a tree. Her slender figure traced a nimble arc through the air, and she caught Shui Bing'er securely in her arms.

The black-clad man looked at Lu Chen standing before him with the Asura Demon Sword in hand, despair filling his eyes.

"How is this possible? You—"

Before the black-clad man could recover, the Asura Demon Sword in Lu Chen's hand had already cleaved him in two.

But just then, the severed corpse on the ground suddenly began to swell at a visible rate. A faint blue light flickered beneath its skin.

A dangerous aura spread rapidly through the area.

Corpse Explosion!

Lu Chen's pupils contracted sharply. Without the slightest hesitation, he kicked the corpse, which was about to explode, away.

At the same time, he spread the fingers of his left hand. Five streaks of crimson-gold light shot from his fingertips.

A flash of crimson-gold, and the Asura Purgatory Claw slammed into the corpse.

"Boom!"

The power inside the corpse, not yet fully gathered, exploded in an instant.

The tremendous blast echoed through the forest, and the violent shock wave made the surrounding trees sway wildly.

At the same time, the people from Skywater Academy heard the explosion in the forest and ran toward where Lu Chen and Xiao Wu were.

"Evil Soul Masters really are treacherous. Even after they die, their corpses still explode!"

Lu Chen put away the Asura Demon Sword and the Asura Purgatory Claw, murmuring, "Good thing I was on my guard!"

Holding Shui Bing'er, Xiao Wu came to Lu Chen's side and asked with concern, "Lu Chen, are you hurt?"

Lu Chen shook his head, his gaze falling on Shui Bing'er's pale face.

He checked Shui Bing'er's condition and said slowly, "Thankfully, she's only unconscious."

Just as Lu Chen and Xiao Wu were preparing to take Shui Bing'er back to town, the people from Skywater Academy arrived.

At their head was a beautiful, mature woman dressed in a light blue gown.

Blue hair fell to her shoulders. Her demeanor was cool as ice, yet her grace was impossible to conceal.

When the woman saw Lu Chen and Xiao Wu, surprise flashed through her eyes. They didn't look any younger than Bing'er, yet they had actually managed to defeat that Evil Soul Master!

"Big sister." A young woman who looked remarkably like Shui Bing'er hurried forward. Seeing Shui Bing'er in Xiao Wu's arms, she looked frantic.

"How is she?"

Xiao Wu handed Shui Bing'er to her and replied, "She's only unconscious."

The woman came before Lu Chen and said in a gentle voice, "I'm Leng Shuang, a teacher at Skywater Academy. Thank you for saving my student!

"Skywater Academy never leaves a debt unpaid. If you need anything, just ask. We'll be sure to reward you generously."

Leng Shuang meant no harm, yet she gave off a faint chill.

Looking at Leng Shuang, Lu Chen thought to himself, Could it be that women with great figures all have such cold personalities?

"No need."

Lu Chen waved his hand and turned to leave with Xiao Wu. "We have other things to do. We'll be going."

"Wait."

Leng Shuang called out, "I haven't asked your name."

Lu Chen paused. His voice drifted back, calm and indifferent. "Imperial Fighting Team. Lu Chen!"

Imperial Fighting Team was the name Qin Ming had recently settled on for their Soul Fighting team.

"Imperial Fighting Team?"

Watching Lu Chen and Xiao Wu walk away, curiosity appeared in Leng Shuang's eyes.

Once they had left the forest, Xiao Wu asked in confusion, "Skywater Academy? Does that mean they're from Skywater City?"

Lu Chen nodded. Skywater City, home to Skywater Academy, was the first stop on their Soul Fighting tour.

For the rest of the day, Lu Chen took Xiao Wu around to enjoy the sights and sounds of everyday life before returning to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

By the time they got back to the academy, they had been away for four days.

As soon as they entered the villa, they saw Zhu Zhuqing sitting on the living room sofa, cultivating.

Her black, form-fitting outfit accentuated her stunning figure, making her look even more alluring.

Moonlight spilled over Zhu Zhuqing, lending her an almost sacred air.

Hearing the noise, Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes and saw Lu Chen and Xiao Wu had returned safely. A faint smile appeared on her cool face.

Xiao Wu went over to Zhu Zhuqing and said, "Zhuqing, my Soul Power has reached Level 41. We also ran into an Evil Soul Master..."

Zhu Zhuqing listened with a smile as Xiao Wu told her about the past few days, occasionally nodding in response, though her gaze kept drifting toward Lu Chen.

Lu Chen asked, "Zhuqing, did anything happen while I was away?"

Zhu Zhuqing thought for a moment, then replied, "Dugu Yan came by a few times with Ling Ling, but they left when they learned you weren't back yet."

Confusion appeared in Lu Chen's eyes, then he seemed to realize something, and a look of understanding crossed his face.

That night, Lu Chen washed up and went to bed. The mental exhaustion from traveling over the past few days wasn't something Meditation Cultivation could dispel.

In the middle of the night, a pink figure carefully pushed open Lu Chen's bedroom door.

Xiao Wu tiptoed over to Lu Chen's side, making almost no sound.

Lu Chen had actually been awake for a while, but he hadn't said anything.

He opened his eyes and looked tenderly at Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed pink, and she stammered, "I... I can't sleep alone..."

Hearing that, Lu Chen knew the little rabbit wouldn't be going back to her own room tonight.

He simply extended his right arm and gently drew Xiao Wu into his embrace.

Xiao Wu felt herself grow light, then landed securely in a warm embrace.

Lu Chen held Xiao Wu with his right arm and said gently, "Go to sleep. We still have training tomorrow."

"Mm!"

Xiao Wu instinctively snuggled closer to Lu Chen, burying her head in the hollow of his neck.

Before long, her breathing grew steady. A faint smile unconsciously curled her lips, and even her long eyelashes rested softly against her cheeks.

Every now and then, she let out a quiet little murmur.