It had been barely more than a month since the school year began, yet her Soul Power had already soared from Rank 21 to Rank 25!
That terrifying rate of cultivation was something she never would have dared even dream of before.
And all of it came from the boy beside her, who gave without holding anything back.
He was like a bottomless treasure trove, always able to produce all kinds of wonderful things, quietly supporting her and helping her move forward.
Ji Jing, on the other hand, hadn't thought that much about it.
Wine?
His father, Ji Dong, had brewed and prepared mountains of divine wines for his mother, Lie Yan.
There was more wine than they could possibly drink at their current level. For now, it was simply a bargain for him and his future wife.
As for all that food...
Ji Jing felt that if he had decided this was the person he wanted to pursue, then naturally he had to put in the effort if he wanted to have a relationship with her.
Besides, Wang Dong wasn't a bottomless pit that only took and never gave.
After dinner, Wang Dong obediently returned to bed at once, sat cross-legged, and quickly entered a state of meditation.
The effects of the Moon Spring Meditation wine and the essence of the food slowly dissolved within her, guiding her into Deep Meditation.
Ji Jing efficiently cleared away the dishes and chopsticks and washed them clean before returning to the bedroom as quietly as he could.
He looked at Wang Dong, already in a state of cultivation on the bed. The moonlight shining in through the window lent her profile a serene, sacred beauty, while her long eyelashes fluttered faintly like the wings of a sleeping butterfly.
Smiling, Ji Jing sat down in front of her, then gently reached out and took the hand resting on her knee.
Her hand was a little cool, delicate and soft.
Perhaps sensing that familiar warmth, Wang Dong's lips curled up ever so slightly, even in Deep Meditation.
Ji Jing clasped her hand and closed his eyes. The power of their Martial Souls merged once more, and they began another round of fusion cultivation.
The next morning, the first rays of dawn slipped through a gap in the curtains, falling softly into the room and turning the motes of dust in the air gold.
They opened their eyes almost simultaneously. After a night of Deep Meditation, their minds were more refreshed than ever, and Soul Power surged through their bodies, brimming with strength.
Wang Dong's cheeks flushed bright red.
She snatched her hand back as if shocked by a jolt of electricity. His warmth still lingered on her skin, making her heart skip a beat.
To hide her embarrassment, she immediately changed the subject and closed her eyes to carefully sense the fluctuations of Soul Power within her.
The moment she checked, her beautiful pink-blue eyes flew open, and she let out a delighted cry:
"Rank 29! My Soul Power... it's actually reached Rank 29!"
Her voice was full of disbelief.
In just one night!
She had shot straight from Rank 25 to Rank 29. It was practically a miracle!
Even with the incredible effects of the Moon Spring Meditation and Ji Jing's help, this was still far too outrageous!
She knew that their Martial Soul Fusion cultivation must have contributed enormously as well.
"Congratulations. It looks like the Moon Spring Meditation worked even better than I expected."
Ji Jing smiled at her, his tone perfectly calm, as though this were nothing more than a trivial matter.
Wang Dong now understood completely that what Ji Jing had given her to drink the night before was far more than merely "precious."
And he had handed it to her so casually.
A rush of gratitude and an unfamiliar tenderness filled her heart, making it tingle with a powerful urge—
She wanted so badly, so badly to throw herself into his arms and hold him tight.
But in the end, her current identity made her force the urge down.
She silently steeled herself:
Oh heavens... no, this can't go on. I have to find the right opportunity and tell him everything...
Ji Jing naturally had no idea she was waging such a fierce battle within herself.
He stood up and stretched. His joints popped and crackled, and he radiated confidence.
"Come on. Let's wash up and get ready for the match."
The corner of his mouth curled into a bold grin.
"Today's the final. It's time to show that sickly cat how ridiculous his provocation was."
The nickname "sickly cat" made Wang Dong burst out laughing, and the lighthearted mood eased much of her nervousness and embarrassment.
She nodded firmly, and burning fighting spirit rekindled in her pink-blue eyes.
"Yeah! Let's give it our all!"
The two walked side by side out of the dormitory and headed for the arena.
The venue for the freshman assessment finals was packed with spectators. The entire first year, along with many students from the upper years, had come to watch.
When Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Ji Jing stepped onto the enormous Soul Fighting Arena, facing Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, and Cui Yajie, the uproar of the crowd seemed to be cut off by an invisible barrier. Only the tense, combative atmosphere remained.
Du Weilun, vice dean of the Outer Court's Martial Soul Department, personally served as the referee for the final.
He swept a stern gaze over the contestants on both sides and announced in a deep voice:
"The freshman assessment final begins now!"
As soon as his words fell, Dai Huabin's side erupted with momentum!
"Roar!"
With a tiger's roar, his White Tiger Martial Soul possessed him. Dai Huabin's figure swelled in an instant, his muscles bulging with explosive power.
Two yellow Soul Rings and one purple Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet, circling and revolving.
Right behind him, Zhu Lu and Cui Yajie released their Martial Souls at the same time.
Zhu Lu's movements became incomparably nimble, and a ghostly gleam shone in her catlike eyes. Two hundred-year yellow Soul Rings were clearly visible.
Their control-type Soul Master, Cui Yajie, also had two yellow Soul Rings.
Yet, to everyone's surprise, Ji Jing's group made no move at all.
Huo Yuhao stood at the back, his Spiritual Detection quietly activated, his expression calm.
Ji Jing, meanwhile, stepped forward and fixed his gaze on the menacing Dai Huabin, the corner of his mouth lifting in a mocking sneer.
"Dai Huabin,"
Ji Jing's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly across the entire Soul Fighting Arena,
"I'll give you a chance. Use the Hell White Tiger. Now."
The crowd erupted!
Was he forcing his opponent to use his strongest technique right from the start?
Dai Huabin's handsome face twisted with fury. He felt as if he had suffered an unprecedented humiliation.
He roared:
"Ji Jing, you're too arrogant! I alone am enough to deal with you!"
"Or,"
Ji Jing didn't give him the chance to finish. Cutting him off, he held up three fingers, his tone cold and domineering,
"I'll send you flying off the stage in three seconds."
"You're asking for death!"
Dai Huabin was utterly enraged.
As the second young master of the Duke's Mansion, and one of Shrek's top first-year students, when had he ever endured such contempt?
He hesitated no longer. Whirling around, he roared at Zhu Lu:
"Fusion!"
Though Zhu Lu was also stunned by Ji Jing's arrogance, she had near-blind faith in Dai Huabin.
Without a moment's hesitation, she threw herself at him, and the two embraced tightly.
"Roar—"
Amid a deafening tiger's roar, dazzling white light and deep black light surged into the sky and fused above them!
A phantom figure, several times larger than Dai Huabin when he possessed his Martial Soul alone, began to take shape in the radiance. Its terrifying energy made the entire Soul Fighting Arena tremble.
The Hell White Tiger—the Martial Soul Fusion Skill that could let them challenge powerful opponents an entire major rank above them—was about to descend!
The students watching held their breath, while the senior figures atop Shrek City's walls looked on with grave expressions.
Just as everyone was wringing their hands over Ji Jing's group and wondering why they still hadn't acted, allowing their opponents to complete their Martial Soul Fusion—
Ji Jing turned around and met Wang Dong's clear, resolute pink-blue eyes.
He said nothing, merely spreading his arms.
Wang Dong understood at once. A lovely blush spread across her face, but there wasn't a trace of hesitation in her eyes.
She stepped forward and willingly threw herself into his embrace.
At that moment, time seemed to stand still.
The next instant, a light even more brilliant and sacred than the light that had accompanied the Hell White Tiger's appearance burst forth from where the two embraced!
On one side was scorching, overbearing Ultimate Yang Fire, as if it could burn all things to ashes. Golden flames became a giant dragon soaring into the sky;
On the other was warm, sacred power of light, as if it could purify everything. Radiant brilliance gathered into the phantom image of the Light Goddess Butterfly.
Flame and light intertwined.
A silhouette radiating majesty and sacredness slowly took shape in the fusion of light and fire!
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