Douluo: My Martial Soul Is My Fiancée

Take the Ice Emperor for example; even with a system, he wouldn't dare to think about it (mostly because the system is a bit useless). Without the Ultimate Ice attribute, one couldn't absorb the Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone, or it would cost them their life! Even if they could, it would require money—would he just rob someone? The Black and White Sect couldn't possibly have that capability. The Blade of Life? He was still worrying about how to purify it himself.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye—not to mention the hundred-thousand-year plant-type Spirit Beasts inside, let's see if you can even get in first. As mentioned before, it would be difficult for him to even get there himself.

There's no need to mention the others.

How should one put it? These things were already arranged for Huo Yuhao; even if he obtained many of them, he wouldn't be able to use them.

If Zheng Li truly told someone else, he wouldn't care; at most, he would just feel heartbroken that Ling Nan betrayed him.

His ultimate trump card is the system's soul protection mechanism and reincarnation.

Zheng Li had seen the introduction from that "settings"-like interface.

If he dies, there are two options for reincarnation after his soul is protected by the system.

One: Reincarnation through birth, literally meaning to choose any family in Douluo Dalu to be born into.

After being born, his future physical appearance as an adult would not change much.

The Martial Soul from before reincarnation would be fully inherited, while his Spirit Power, Spirit Rings, and Spirit Bones would simply vanish—though his innate Spirit Power would still remain.

He once asked the system, what about Xiao Nai?

The system replied that as long as Xiao Nai's soul is not extinguished, she will be with the host even after reincarnation. If Xiao Nai's soul were to be obliterated, then after reincarnation, Xiao Nai would truly become just "Xiao Nai."

Although her abilities would remain unchanged.

Xiao Nai is in a Martial Soul state, and Zheng Li remembers that Martial Souls can be restored after being shattered; at the Spirit Fighting Tournament, Xiao Xiao's Three-Life Soul Suppressing Cauldron had shattered once.

However, because of Xiao Nai's uniqueness, Zheng Li would not gamble on it.

He could still easily force Xiao Nai to return to his Sea of Consciousness.

However, after using the birth reincarnation method, the reincarnation ability would have a five-year cooldown. If he were to die again within those five years, the system would still protect his soul, but he would have to wait until the five years were up to reincarnate again.

Two: Rebirth, returning the physical body to an infant state.

It is equivalent to reshaping the physical body, but it is an infant body, and he would still need to grow up all over again.

However, if he chooses rebirth, his previous Spirit Power level, Spirit Rings, and Spirit Bones would be inherited, though his physique and mental power would not.

The two have one thing in common: whether through birth or rebirth, he would have no memories for the first three years, just like a real infant.

The cooldown for rebirth is even longer, requiring ten years!

Therefore, even if Ling Nan betrayed him and he was captured, he could still commit suicide.

What? Can't commit suicide? Then he could let the system do it.

Although it is a "free-range" approach, the system would still help with such matters.

Just like how the system would warn him of danger and the like.

After chatting with Ling Nan for a while longer, Zheng Li began to cultivate.

In the afternoon, there was a plain and simple theory class.

He listened to the lecture attentively.

After class, he finished his meal and returned to the dormitory.

"I'll guard you, A Li, feel free to absorb the Soul Ascension Pill," Ling Nan said with a smile.

Zheng Li nodded, took out the walnut-sized Soul Ascension Pill, and swallowed it in one gulp.

Chapter 22, Ling Nan's Thoughts

The sky was growing dim.

Staring at Zheng Li on the bed, Ling Nan did not have his usual playful expression; his cute little face looked very calm.

At this moment, a faint emerald green halo was flowing beneath Zheng Li's skin, looking somewhat frightening in the dim environment.

It looked as if Zheng Li was about to suffer a cultivation deviation.

In reality, the medicinal power of the Soul Ascension Pill was being integrated by Zheng Li.

Suddenly, Ling Nan muttered something out of the blue: "A Li, do you really think I'm stupid..."

Ever since Zheng Li confessed his Martial Soul, "Fragment of Future Possibility Prediction," at noon, Ling Nan had thought about a lot of things.

His vow was naturally sincere.

For one, he felt that opportunities and such were not as important as A Li; A Li was his second good friend in all these years.

Although they had only known each other for two days, if A Li were to leave him, he would definitely be very sad.

Why did that sound so... wrong?

Ling Nan scratched his head.

Forget it, he wouldn't dwell on it too much.

In any case, fragments of future possibilities and other opportunities—how could they be better than A Li?

On the other hand, just as he had just said, did he really think he was stupid!

After being exposed by himself, and seeing the expression on A Li's face after he admitted it?

Indifferent, still indifferent.

Even though he had been subtly observing A Li's eyes the entire time, he only detected a momentary ripple when he asked if his Martial Soul possessed any special abilities, after which they returned to a state of calm.

Even later, after he swore his second oath, he couldn't tell what A Li was thinking. It wasn't a feeling of disdain, but rather a kind of... well... yes, an appearance of not caring whether he leaked the information or not.

What did this mean?

It meant that A Li had a powerful force behind him, powerful enough to ignore the consequences of him leaking the matter.

He had once heard his father speak of "hidden sects" and "hidden families."

His father told him that their sect could not compare to hidden sects and families; it was like the difference between a human and an ant.

Some powerful hidden sects and families even had several Title Douluo or even Super Douluo guarding them!

Why mention this? Because he suspected that A Li was a disciple of a powerful hidden sect or hidden family! A person with multiple Title Douluo standing behind him!

Ling Nan gasped.

This... the more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became!

That was why A Li acted so "indifferent"! As for the so-called orphan status and his surface identity, they were definitely fake identities A Li used while traveling the world!

"Terrifying..."

Ling Nan shook his head.

Thinking about it now, if he had really leaked the "precognition" ability of A Li's Martial Soul, the first to suffer would be him and his family's Black and White Sect!

When the time came, because of the power behind Zheng Li, A Li would be fine, but he and his sect would be the ones dragged down.

That would be a loss that outweighed the gain!

Ling Nan patted his chest, looking genuinely fearful.

He was very glad now that he never had such thoughts from the beginning.

And by choosing to keep it a secret forever and maintaining a good relationship with A Li, not even counting future opportunities, his own sect could potentially rise to a new level just because of the power behind A Li!

Besides, it wasn't as if A Li wouldn't think of him when it came to future opportunities; didn't A Li bring him along this time?

Hmm, if A Li eats the meat, he'll be satisfied just drinking the soup.

How wonderful!

Thinking of this, the gaze Ling Nan directed at A Li became somewhat fervent.

This was a massive golden thigh; he had to hold onto it tightly!

He would never let go of A Li as a friend for the rest of his life!

"Hahaha! I really am an incredibly clever little genius!" Ling Nan laughed.

But the next moment, he hurriedly covered his own mouth.

A Li was still cultivating; he couldn't disturb him.

However, Ling Nan, sitting cross-legged on his bed, stared at Zheng Li and couldn't help but reveal a "dazed" smile.

(Zheng Li: ???

Your self-delusion is quite something!

But I don't swing that way!)

Inside Zheng Li's Sea of Consciousness, Xiao Nai frowned as she watched Ling Nan.

"This Ling Nan... does he like men?"

"No way... it seems I have to be on guard! I can't let Xiao Li be turned by this Ling Nan..."

Watching Ling Nan's cute face from the Sea of Consciousness... well, he was even cuter than she was before she changed.

Zheng Li was a sucker for this type.

Yes, being on guard was the right move!

Xiao Nai touched her long white hair and whispered, "Going from short hair to long hair all of a sudden, I'm really not used to it..."

The next day, at dawn.

Zheng Li opened his eyes.

Ling Nan, who was by his side, hadn't closed his eyes all night, nor had he cultivated; he had diligently stood guard for Zheng Li the entire night.

"A Li, how was it? How many levels did you go up?"

"Ling Nan, thank you for guarding me." Zheng Li first expressed his gratitude, then extended his right hand to circulate his Spirit Power. Golden light emerged, and he smiled, "It's about what I expected. My Spirit Power is now at level eighteen, and I've even progressed a bit further into level eighteen."

"I'm jealous."

After hearing this, Ling Nan said with envy.

In just one night, Zheng Li's Spirit Power was almost catching up to his.

"Haven't you not taken the Soul Ascension Pill yet? Once you take it, the gap will widen again."

Zheng Li rolled his eyes and said.

"Perhaps your cultivation speed is even faster than mine, A Li."

It should be faster than mine... Ling Nan couldn't help but think after saying that.

This time, Zheng Li did not speak.

Just then, Ling Nan looked at the pale white light appearing on the horizon and asked with anticipation, "A Li, are we still going to Sea God Lake today?"

Zheng Li couldn't help but roll his eyes; how could he not know what Ling Nan was thinking?

"You think good things happen every day? If that were really the case, there would be no need to cultivate; we might as well just go around picking up medicinal pills all day."

"That actually sounds pretty good..."

Ling Nan said, as he had never wanted to do something as dull and tedious as cultivation.

"...Then go ahead and pick them up."

Zheng Li stretched, retorting in an annoyed tone.

"Just kidding, just kidding."

In the blink of an eye, three months passed.

"I really want to take a bath."

"Then just take one."

"Then tell me, how is a Martial Soul supposed to take a bath?"

"...Xiao Nai, look, you are able to manifest independently, so why can't you take a bath? There's no rule stating that a Martial Soul cannot bathe." It was late afternoon, nearing the end of class, and Mu Jin had asked them to write down their future cultivation direction.