For the next four months, Lin Yi devoted nearly all his energy to arduous cultivation, striving to break through the barrier to Soul Douluo.
He spent most of his time deep in the freezing Ice Spring at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Drawing on its extreme cold and vast energy, he tempered his Soul Power again and again, honed his spirit, and battered at that seemingly paper-thin yet incredibly resilient bottleneck.
Only when his spirit and Soul Power had both reached a taut breaking point and he needed a little respite did he temporarily leave the Ice Eye.
Whenever he emerged, Xiao Wu would appear at once, like a cheerful little rabbit, warming him with her ardent affection and unreserved devotion. On quiet nights, the two naturally cuddled close, lost in tender embraces.
Xiao Wu's sincerity and passion were like a warm spring, washing away the exhaustion and chill brought on by cultivation and deepening the bond between them.
One day, Lin Yi had just awakened from a brief session of Deep Meditation. He felt his Soul Power had advanced a little, bringing him closer to the threshold of level eighty. As usual, Zhu Zhuqing silently brought a meal she had carefully prepared to his makeshift cultivation chamber.
She gently set the food box on the table, but instead of leaving at once as she usually did, she stood where she was, her cool gaze fixed on Lin Yi's face, as if hesitating over something.
Noticing that something was amiss, Lin Yi asked, "Zhuqing, is something wrong?"
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, as if she had finally made up her mind. She raised her deep, catlike eyes and looked straight at Lin Yi. Her voice held a faint tremble and stubborn resolve. "Lin Yi, do you... really