Lin Huai heard Malenia's voice and recalled the feeling from before.
Still water rots.
It seemed the way all things in the world counteracted one another was rather precise.
"Yes. Back then, a blind swordsman used the Flowing Water Sword Technique to seal the Outer God of Rot beneath the earth."
"You can hear my thoughts completely now?"
Lin Huai was a little surprised. After all, Malenia herself had said before that she could only sense them vaguely.
The voice in his mind continued:
"When you comprehended Blade Intent just now, your spiritual power also broke through."
"As your Martial Soul, my spiritual power has improved too."
Knowing Lin Huai needed his privacy, Malenia added:
"Don't worry. Unless it's necessary, I won't casually read your thoughts."
Lin Huai breathed a sigh of relief.
He wasn't exactly an open book. To one degree or another, he still had a few thoughts he'd rather keep to himself.
Thinking that Blade Intent could suppress Scarlet Rot, Lin Huai said excitedly:
"Lianlian, I have Blade Intent now. How do I suppress the Rot?"
"You don't need to do anything special. Just cultivate as usual. Blade Intent will flow through your whole body along with your Soul Power, and the Rot won't spread any further."
Thinking of that terrifying power of Rot, Lin Huai was tempted.
If he could use it freely, wouldn't that make him invincible?
"What about the power of Rot?"
"Can I use it now?"
Malenia fell silent for a moment.
Then her voice rang out again.
"You can use that domain, but you mustn't actively trigger Scarlet Rot. Otherwise, it'll be as if I used Scarlet Aeonia."
Malenia didn't mention that Lin Huai's circumstances were actually somewhat different from hers.
She had been born with Rot.
Before she comprehended the Ripple-Sweeping Blade Intent, the Rot had already erupted.
Lin Huai, on the other hand, hadn't developed Rot until he was six, and he had started practicing the Flowing Water Sword Technique to suppress it the following year.
He had even comprehended Blade Intent before the Rot erupted.
Even if the Rot erupted once or twice, it probably wouldn't spread too seriously.
But Rot was still Rot.
Malenia still hoped Lin Huai would use it as little as possible.
"It's fine. As long as the gods don't get involved, I shouldn't have any chance to trigger the Rot on purpose."
Thinking of Spirit Hall's overwhelming advantage at present, Lin Huai said with confidence.
Qian Renxue and the other two came over as well.
There was uncertainty in Qian Renxue's voice.
"Xiao Huai, just now I felt that this forest and that stream seemed a little different from before."
"They seemed more alive!"
Lin Huai couldn't hide his delight.
He immediately used Martial Soul Possession and released the Blade Intent he had just comprehended.
Even though the Blade Intent wasn't directed at the three girls, they still felt as though a river were constantly washing over their bodies.
Tian Yue only felt that Lin Huai had grown stronger. She didn't think much beyond that.
But Qian Renxue sensed it.
At that moment, facing Lin Huai felt just like facing Qian Daoliu.
"I can't believe Xiao Huai comprehended an 'Intent' before I did. I'll have to work harder!"
Lin Huai quickly waved his hands.
He didn't want Qian Renxue comprehending a Sword Intent tied to the spirit of chivalry.
"The angel's path is one that leads to godhood; why seek enlightenment in the sword?"
Lin Huai borrowed a famous saying from another world.
He tried to persuade Qian Renxue to give up on comprehending the Angel God's Sword Intent.
"Besides, Sister Xiao Xue's Angel Martial Soul has been strengthened by its mutation. She can wait until she becomes a god before honing her swordsmanship."
Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully.
That was true. Comprehending it now would just be continuing the Angel God's legacy.
Once she became a god, she could create her own path of the sword and her own Sword Intent.
Hu Liena didn't pay much attention to any of that.
Her mind was filled with the thought that Xiao Huai had already comprehended Blade Intent—now she could finally make her move!
Suppressing her excitement, Hu Liena said:
"Then let's head back. We'll have time to look around while we're there."
In Suotuo City.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were shopping and snacking as they went.
Zhu Zhuqing actually wanted to go back and meditate, but Ning Rongrong had insisted on dragging her along, hoping they could shop together.
"Zhuqing, what do you think of this dress?"
Ning Rongrong picked up a glittering dress and held it against herself.
It had indeed been a long time since Zhu Zhuqing had enjoyed a moment this carefree.
A faint smile appeared on her usually expressionless face.
"It's pretty. It really suits you, Rongrong."
After hearing that, Ning Rongrong promptly had the dress wrapped up, paid for it, and headed to the next shop.
As the two stepped out of the store, they saw Lin Huai and the others passing by.
Ning Rongrong waved.
"Hey, Holy Son Lin Huai!"
Hearing a girl call out to him, Lin Huai looked toward the voice.
He hadn't expected it to be Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
"So it's Young Sect Master Ning and the third young lady of the Duke of Nether's family."
"May I ask what you need?"
It was the first time Ning Rongrong had been called Young Sect Master, and she felt a strange thrill inside.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, was surprised. Her identity hadn't been widely announced, yet Lin Huai knew who she was.
It seemed she had underestimated Spirit Hall's reach.
Ning Rongrong smiled with pursed lips.
"Oh, there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Rongrong."
"My name is Zhu Zhuqing. Holy Son, you can call me by my name."
Zhu Zhuqing thought of that imposing mansion, where there was hardly any affection to be found.
Just thinking about it made it hard to breathe.
Lin Huai replied politely:
"We were just about to have lunch. Would you two like to join us?"
To his surprise, Ning Rongrong agreed immediately.
"Sure, sure! Zhuqing and I were just about to get something to eat too."
Zhu Zhuqing wanted to say something, but Ning Rongrong had bought so many things for her today, so she kept quiet.
Even though she'd just been planning to visit the next shop.
Lin Huai felt that Ning Rongrong seemed a little different from the original story.
"Then let's go together!"
Tian Yue kept sneaking glances at Zhu Zhuqing's enormous chest.
Then she lowered her head and looked at her own shoes.
She was a year younger than Zhu Zhuqing, so how could Zhu Zhuqing be so well-endowed?
She looked at Ning Rongrong too. At least her figure was about the same as Tian Yue's, which was some consolation.
The group entered a very luxurious restaurant.
Ning Rongrong called out loudly:
"Prepare one of your finest private rooms for us!"
A manager hurried over and led the six of them to a private room.
"This is one of our top private rooms. Once you've ordered, just pull this bell, and I'll have your food brought out right away!"
The six entered the room and took their seats.
Lin Huai noticed the manager's surprised expression when he saw Ning Rongrong.
He looked at the girl sitting directly opposite him.
"Rongrong, this place belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, doesn't it?"
Ning Rongrong smiled and waved her little hand.
"You figured it out, Holy Son. Order whatever you like today. It's on me!"
Zhu Zhuqing was astonished by the wealth of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. This place was a hundred thousand li away from Heaven Dou Imperial City.
She hadn't expected the sect to have shops here too.
After the meal, host and guests alike were delighted.
Lin Huai planned to return to the Rose Hotel.
After all, he had just comprehended Blade Intent. For the next few days, all he needed to do was meditate and consolidate his gains.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing followed him as well.
The receptionist saw that the pretty boy had brought two more girls of completely different styles, and was utterly stunned.
Ning Rongrong figured that Shrek was going to disband anyway, so they might as well stay here.
"Find me a room that can fit two people!"
Zhu Zhuqing tugged at Ning Rongrong's hand and whispered:
"Rongrong, we still have to go back to Shrek."
Ning Rongrong patted Zhu Zhuqing.
"It's going to disband anyway. Why should we force ourselves to stay in that dump?"
Before you continue