The weather wasn't great today. The rain outside gradually grew heavier, and strong winds battered the branches with a rustling sound. Raindrops began pattering against the window, slowly covering the entire pane.
But it seemed the bad weather wasn't going to let up. Instead, it grew more violent, and a thunderstorm began. Bolts of lightning struck down from the dark clouds.
Large raindrops pelted the glass, leaving streaks behind. The view outside had become impossible to make out.
Tap... tap... tap!!!
In the darkness of night, anyone who opened a window and stuck their head outside would have heard a clear, pleasant soprano rising through the rain. It sounded as though a female singer was performing.
Her voice was high and beautiful, enough to make anyone feel utterly captivated. There was also a hint of seduction in it, enchanting and bewitching.
The only thing that marred the performance was that the singer seemed so overwhelmed by the song's emotions that her voice trembled slightly, as though she were crying.
The rain poured outside, and for some reason the singer's voice grew much quieter. But only for a little while. Then she seemed to regain her composure and continued trying to sing her heart out.
It went on until the middle of the night. The singer must have grown tired, because just as the song reached its climax, it abruptly stopped.
At the same time, the heavy rain came to an end. It ceased its wild rampage, and everything returned to peace and quiet.
Inside the room, Cheng Xiaoyu lay on the soft bed, leaning comfortably against the headboard. He couldn't help but tighten his arms around the slender waist in his embrace.
Mu Ningxue sat in Cheng Xiaoyu's arms, their bodies pressed closely together. Beads of sweat clung to her fair skin, glistening like crystal.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around Cheng Xiaoyu's neck, her head resting against his shoulder. She seemed unwilling to let him see her expression. Her fair, pretty face was flushed, her red lips slightly parted as she breathed softly.
"Xiaoyu, how did you get stronger? I knew your weakness, didn't I..."
At her words, Cheng Xiaoyu cupped her rounded, pert bottom with both hands and lifted her slightly, settling her against his lower abdomen. He grinned.
"It's not my first time anymore. I have to thank you for helping me train, Xiaoxue. We both worked hard for this."
Mu Ningxue parted her red lips. She wasn't sure whether it was because of what he'd just said or because they'd changed positions, but her pretty face grew even redder.
Realizing her expression was giving her away, she quickly pressed her lips together. But when she saw the little love bites she'd left on Cheng Xiaoyu's collarbone, a hint of a smile appeared on her face.
"Fine. You're amazing."
Once she had calmed down and reined in the allure in her eyes, she lifted her head to gaze at her man and asked softly,
"Xiaoyu, is... something on your mind?"
Throughout the night, Mu Ningxue had sensed that something was off about Cheng Xiaoyu. But she hadn't said anything, simply responding to him all the while.
Cheng Xiaoyu lowered his eyes and pulled her full, delicate body even closer. Then he asked,
"Xiaoxue, what do you think of this world?"
At the question, Mu Ningxue didn't know how to answer. She understood what Cheng Xiaoyu meant. She laid a slender hand over her chest and replied gently,
"Xiaoyu, no matter what happens, I'll stay by your side and support whatever you choose, no matter what."
"Thank you."
Cheng Xiaoyu felt reassured for a moment, then leaned down to kiss Mu Ningxue's rosy lips, as if he wanted to pour all his feelings into the kiss.
"Mmm... mm~"
At last, the two of them ended their deep kiss. Mu Ningxue caressed Cheng Xiaoyu's cheek, her pretty face flushed and alluring. The love in her eyes nearly spilled over.
"Xiaoxue, let's go see your dad tomorrow."
"What, you're not afraid of my dad anymore?"
"Like they say, an ugly daughter-in-law will have to meet her parents-in-law sooner or later. The same goes for a handsome son-in-law like me."
"Hmph. I'm not ugly, and you weren't nearly this handsome before!"
"Then you must have a pretty unusual taste."
"I like it!"
The next day, Cheng Xiaoyu and Mu Ningxue went to her family home. Mu Zhuoyun was naturally delighted to see them.
"I've heard all about what happened to you, kid. Thank you for saving Xiaoxue. It still scares me just thinking about it."
Mu Zhuoyun poured Cheng Xiaoyu a cup of tea. His face showed how shaken he still was, and he felt deeply grateful to the young man.
"Xiaoxue is my girlfriend. Protecting her is my responsibility."
"Good. I knew I was right about you. From now on, I'm entrusting my precious daughter to you!"
"Leave her to me!"
Luckily, Mu Ningxue had gone to prepare some fruit. Otherwise, if she saw her father and boyfriend getting so inexplicably fired up, she'd have run away in embarrassment.
"Uncle, how has the Mu Clan been treating you?"
At that, Mu Zhuoyun set down his teacup and sighed. A trace of dejection crossed his face as he shook his head.
"Not very well. I suppose this is the sort of treatment a branch family can expect. I was thinking I'd find somewhere to retire. The future belongs to you young people now."
After spending around two years in the Imperial Capital, his edge had gradually been worn away. He was no longer the proud, spirited man who'd ruled Bo City like a king.
Just then, Mu Ningxue came over with a plate of sliced fruit. Hearing her father's words, worry showed on her pretty face.
Seeing her expression, Cheng Xiaoyu fell silent for a moment. Then he fixed his gaze on Mu Zhuoyun and asked seriously,
"Uncle, since things have come to this, have you ever considered breaking away from the Mu Clan?"
Mu Zhuoyun was taken aback, then shook his head and explained helplessly,
"It isn't that easy. If it were just me, I could manage. But Xiaoxue has already received support from the Mu Clan. Nothing in life comes free; sooner or later, we'll have to pay them back."
Cheng Xiaoyu nodded. He understood. Besides, there was still no sign of what the bow inside Mu Ningxue's body might do. The Mu Clan surely wouldn't let the matter rest.
All right, it seemed there was no way out for now. It wasn't as if he could force them with violence. The Mu Clan was powerful, and its clan was full of strong mages...
That night, Cheng Xiaoyu stayed there. Of course, he couldn't sleep in the same bed as Mu Ningxue when her father was right there.
The next day, he got up early and prepared to leave. He'd spent long enough in the Imperial Capital, and everyone from Mingzhu University had returned several days earlier.
"Xiaoyu, be careful on the way. Remember to let me know you got there safely."
When Mu Ningxue found out Cheng Xiaoyu was leaving, she was reluctant to part with him, but understood it was time to say goodbye.
With the potion having repaired her soul, she was going to take the opportunity to use the Star River Vein to break through to the Advanced level. They could only embrace reluctantly before parting.
Mu Zhuoyun patted Cheng Xiaoyu on the shoulder and said he should come visit the Imperial Capital again if he got the chance, or Mu Ningxue could visit Modu. It seemed he approved of their relationship progressing naturally.
After leaving the Imperial Capital, Cheng Xiaoyu didn't hurry to Mingzhu University. It was summer vacation now, and he planned to train Outside Safe Zone.
Once his training was over, he could go to Hangcheng to visit his younger sister. It had been a long time since they'd seen each other, and he missed her. He hadn't absorbed his sister's energy in ages...
As for where to train, he decided on Jinlin City. He'd been there before and knew the terrain, so it would be a good place to practice.
When he arrived in Jinlin City, Cheng Xiaoyu couldn't help feeling a little wistful. He hadn't expected something like that to happen there just a few days ago.
"Since there's a Giant Lizard Pseudo-Dragon here, there should be a nest, right..."
He searched along the streets. Soon, a towering Honeycomb Nest filled his vision.
The Honeycomb Nest stood alone in the city's busiest district. It rose more than a hundred meters above the tallest skyscraper in Jinlin City, almost reaching the clouds.
The mountainside was riddled with holes, so densely packed that the sight made his scalp tingle. Those holes were the nests of the Lizard-Skull Giants.
"Hmm, found you."
Cheng Xiaoyu looked toward the very top of the mountain-like nest. A pair of enormous leathery wings slowly unfolded there.
The wings opened almost as though their owner were stretching. A huge, bright red lizard head drooped over the edge of the nest. Its long mouth hung half open, and drool streamed from it like water from a tap.
This lizard was the leader of the Lizard-Skull Giant tribe—the Giant Lizard Pseudo-Dragon!
"So many prey. Looks like I'm in for a big fight today!"
Looking at the countless Lizard-Skull Giants, Cheng Xiaoyu brought his palm and fist together before his chest. His mouth spread into an excited grin, and his eyes burned with boundless fighting spirit.
"Rise!"
As soon as he spoke, every member of the Shadow Legion assembled behind him. Bell, Yegelite, Daya, Aine, Tank, the Wolf King... They were all ready to obey their monarch's command!
"Then... kill them all!"
Before you continue