Falling Like a Meteor

The moment they passed through the spatial gate, the surrounding scenery opened up in a vast expanse.

The humid, warm air, thick with the fragrance of soil and vegetation, rushed to meet them, while the air was filled with the overlapping chorus of insects and the roars of beasts.

They were already standing on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.

Wang Dong looked at everything in shock, unable to help but ask:

"This... what kind of ability is this? It's too incredible!"

Ji Jing raised his hand to remove the crown from his head. The flowing radiance of the flames quickly faded, condensing back into a translucent crystal form as he cradled it in his palm.

He explained calmly:

"This is something my mother left for me, called the Flame Empress Crown."

"Flame Empress Crown..."

Wang Dong murmured to herself. She was sensible enough not to press for details, though her heart was filled with curiosity about Ji Jing's mother.

What kind of stunning and brilliant woman could possess such a miraculous treasure?

Meanwhile, in the distant God Realm.

Inside the Sea God Temple, Tang San, who had been silently observing the lower realms through his divine sense, took in everything.

When he saw Ji Jing produce that magnificent crown and use it to transport his daughter with such ease, a flicker of annoyance crossed his handsome face, and he couldn't help but let out a cold snort.

"Brat... just you wait. Once Xiao Qi recovers her memories, I'll give her something even better!"

Muttering to himself, this God Realm enforcer, the Sea God Tang San, fueled by an inexplicable sense of rivalry and the obsession of an overprotective father, stood up abruptly from his divine throne and strode out of the Sea God Temple.

Ji Jing put away the crown, turned to look at Wang Dong beside him, and asked:

"Do you have any target spirit beasts in mind? Have you decided what type of third spirit ring you want to hunt?"

Hearing this, Wang Dong blinked her beautiful, large eyes in a daze and shook her head honestly:

"I don't know."

Ji Jing raised a hand to his forehead, sighed helplessly, and shook his head:

"I tell you to read more books, but you never listen. Now that you actually need the knowledge, do you realize you're illiterate?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Wang Dong refused to take it lying down.

She puffed out her soft, pink cheeks in anger and complained indignantly:

"You big bully! I just want to rely on you, is that not allowed?"

The words carried a hint of coquettishness, though she didn't even realize the dependency in her own tone.

Ji Jing was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then raised an eyebrow, a smile blooming at the corners of his lips:

"I'm quite satisfied with that answer. Let's go."

With that, a cluster of brilliant golden flames ignited in the palm of his left hand—the Bingwu Primordial Yang Sacred Fire.

The flames, like a living spirit snake, quickly spread across his body, enveloping him completely.

Immediately after, three deep purple spirit rings rose, hovering silently behind his left side.

"Third spirit ring, activate!"

With a low shout, the third thousand-year spirit ring behind him suddenly flared with intense light.

Ji Jing reached out an arm and pulled Wang Dong's slender waist into his embrace.

"Ah—!"

Amidst Wang Dong's startled scream, a powerful pulling force surged, and Ji Jing shot into the sky with her, soaring toward the clouds.

The sensation of weightlessness made Wang Dong instinctively cling tightly to Ji Jing, her entire body pressed against his chest.

"Let's go, I'll take you to find a spirit beast that suits you."

Ji Jing's voice rang in her ear, steady and powerful, instantly smoothing away Wang Dong's initial panic.

At this moment, held tightly by Ji Jing and feeling his solid chest and powerful heartbeat, Wang Dong was already so overwhelmed by affection and excitement that she completely forgot the fact that she was currently disguised as a man.

The two flew at high speed through the air, the sea of forest receding rapidly beneath their feet.

Seeing that the person in his arms had gradually calmed down, Ji Jing began to explain:

"My third spirit skill is called Flying Fire Meteor. It unlocks the ability to fly and increases my flight speed by one hundred percent, stackable up to three times."

Listening to the effects of such a powerful spirit skill, Wang Dong couldn't help but pout, saying with a hint of envy:

"Sometimes I really envy your spirit skills; how are they all so strong..."

As she spoke, she unconsciously leaned her head against the left side of Ji Jing's chest. From this position, she couldn't hear his heartbeat clearly, nor could she see the look in his eyes.

And at this moment, Ji Jing's gaze was fixed squarely on her face.

The high-altitude air currents brushed through her powder-blue short hair, with a few strands playfully sweeping across her slightly flushed cheeks.

The adorable look of her pouting lips appeared exceptionally moving under the sunlight.

In this instant, Ji Jing felt his heart skip a beat.

But he quickly suppressed this flicker of emotion, his expression remaining as usual as he continued to fly forward as if nothing had happened.

Wang Dong seemed to sense something, slightly raising her head to glance at Ji Jing.

Just a moment ago, she felt as if his heartbeat had rhythmically faltered, but it returned to normal so quickly that she thought it must have been her own illusion.

What she saw was Ji Jing's profile, his expression relaxed and his confidence soaring in the wind.

The sunlight outlined his perfect silhouette, and that sense of composure and strength deeply attracted her.

Wang Dong felt her own heart rate accelerate sharply, her cheeks turning even redder in a "whoosh." She hurriedly lowered her head again, burying her face deep into his chest while her hands unconsciously tightened their grip on the lapels of his robe.

Ji Jing smiled, looking down at the docile and well-behaved Wang Dong in his arms, enjoying her unreserved reliance at this moment.

After a while, having finally calmed down, Wang Dong reacted belatedly. She lifted her head slightly from Ji Jing's chest and asked with some concern:

"Ji Jing, isn't it dangerous to fly so high-profile in the Soul Beast Forest? Many powerful flying soul beasts have strong territorial instincts. If we do this... won't something happen?"

Hearing this, Ji Jing used his free right hand to gently pat her head, his movements tender and doting, his voice carrying unquestionable confidence:

"Don't be afraid, I am here."

The words sounded abrupt and could even be called incredibly arrogant.

But as Wang Dong heard them, she inexplicably felt an immense sense of peace.

Her love-struck brain was at work again.

She let out an "en" and stopped asking, resting her head back against him.

After flying in the air for a while longer, Ji Jing's voice sounded once more:

"Get ready, we are going to land."

"Okay!"

Wang Dong replied, subconsciously gripping Ji Jing's clothes tighter.

The next second, the flames on Ji Jing's body surged violently. Like a burning meteorite, he plummeted vertically from two or three hundred meters in the air with Wang Dong, descending at extreme speed!

"Boom--!"

With a loud crash, the ground shook violently.

Where they landed, the golden Bingwu Primordial Yang Sacred Fire erupted instantly, forming a towering fire tornado that enveloped the area for several meters.

Ji Jing used his soul power to construct a solid shield, protecting Wang Dong within it so that she remained untouched by any impact.

When Wang Dong regained her senses, she only felt the sky filled with fire all around her. The raging flames formed an impassable barrier surrounding her, making it impossible to see what was happening outside.

She discovered that Ji Jing, who had been by her side, was also gone; she had no idea where he had gone.

In this cage of flames he had created, although Wang Dong was somewhat puzzled, she still chose to wait quietly where she was.