Chapter 28

Nighttime, the top floor of the Spirit Pagoda.

After arranging accommodation for Yuanen Yehui, Leng Yaozhu appeared exceptionally attentive and considerate.

"This will be your room from now on. If you need anything, just tell me directly, or you can find Bai Haoze and her sister," Leng Yaozhu said in a gentle tone, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Yuanen Yehui's ear.

"Treat this place like your own home; there's no need to be reserved."

Yuanen Yehui silently felt this care, and her icy heart seemed to have been warmed by a glowing stone.

This feeling of being carefully looked after was far too unfamiliar to her. She let out a soft "Mn," her voice much gentler than usual.

On the other side, having returned to his own room, Luo Yang felt inexplicably restless.

He sat cross-legged to cultivate, but the face of Qiangu Zhangting, filled with spite, kept involuntarily surfacing in his mind.

That guy... after suffering such a huge loss, with his vindictive personality, will he really just let it go?

Luo Yang frowned, a vague sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

Qiangu Dongfeng might fear the Blood God Legion, but that spoiled idiot might not; there was no telling what kind of underhanded schemes he might cook up.

He shook his head, temporarily suppressing this unease.

When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, earth covers it. The most important thing right now was to improve his strength as quickly as possible.

He calmed his mind and circulated his soul power, simultaneously connecting with the Calamity Domain to attempt to purify the stored Undead Power marks from the fallen warriors of the Blood God Legion.

Every time he purified one, his spiritual power and soul power received a trace of pure feedback.

Just as he was immersed in his cultivation.

"Click."

The sound of the door being gently pushed open.

Luo Yang opened his eyes instantly, but when he saw who it was, he was stunned.

Leng Yaozhu was wearing a thin silk nightgown, her snow-white feet bare, her long red hair cascading down like a waterfall as she leaned lazily against the doorframe.

The style of the nightgown was not revealing, yet it perfectly outlined her mature and graceful curves, exuding an astonishing charm under the dim wall lamp.

She seemed to have just bathed, carrying a faint, fresh fragrance. Her face still held a hint of a flush from the hot water, and her eyes were somewhat hazy, lacking the majesty of the day and possessing more softness and allure.

Luo Yang was dumbfounded.

The visual impact was truly a bit too much.

"Aunt Leng, it's so late, why are you..." Luo Yang stammered.

Leng Yaozhu walked in with lazy steps, closed the door behind her, walked to the side of Luo Yang's bed, sat down naturally, and tilted her head to look at him.

"What's wrong? Didn't we agree? I was afraid you wouldn't adapt to being here alone, so I came to sleep with you tonight. There are too many eyes during the day, so tonight is perfect."

Luo Yang: "..."

When did he ever agree to such a thing?!

"Aunt Leng, isn't this inappropriate? I'm already so old..."

Luo Yang tried to struggle.

Although his body was only six years old, his mental age certainly wasn't!

Who could withstand this!

"What do you mean 'old'? In my eyes, you're just a little bean."

Leng Yaozhu didn't wait for an argument; she lifted the blanket and slid right in.

In an instant, a warm scent, a mixture of her natural fragrance and the fresh smell of her bath, enveloped Luo Yang.

She extended her arm, naturally pulling Luo Yang into her embrace, while her other hand gently patted his back.

"Alright, stop fussing and go to sleep. There's special training tomorrow; you need to keep your energy up."

Luo Yang went rigid, feeling like a giant body pillow being suppressed by Leng Yaozhu's absolute "maternal love."

The tip of his nose was filled with an alluring scent, and behind him were warm, soft, rising curves.

This... how is he supposed to sleep?!

He tried to struggle a little, but was met with Leng Yaozhu tightening her arm and a sleepy, soft hum.

"Don't move... be good..."

Luo Yang: "..."

Forget it, he gave up resistance.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself into a meditative state, ignoring the warm, fragrant jade behind him.

That night was the ultimate test of willpower for Luo Yang; he slept extremely "hard," his body stiff and his mind tense.

Early the next morning.

Sunlight spilled into the room through the gaps in the curtains.

Leng Yaozhu slowly opened her eyes and stretched lazily, letting out a satisfied hum. She felt more refreshed than she had in years.

As the Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, she was a notorious workaholic constantly buried in affairs. Her sleep quality had always been poor, leaving her prone to light, fitful rest.

But last night, holding little Luo Yang and breathing in his clean, refreshing scent, she hadn't even dreamt once. She had slept soundly until dawn!

"It seems this little one really is my lucky charm for a good night's sleep..." Leng Yaozhu felt wonderful as she looked down at Luo Yang in her arms.

She saw that Luo Yang had two obvious dark circles under his eyes, clearly having slept poorly, and he was currently trying to wriggle out of her embrace.

"Awake? How did you sleep?" Leng Yaozhu asked with a beaming, cheerful smile.

"Quite well..."

Luo Yang gave her a look of utter despair.

Quite well, my foot!!!

I couldn't take it, I absolutely couldn't take it!

When the two of them were dressed and arrived in the living room, Yuanen Yehui was already waiting there.

She looked at Luo Yang's sleep-deprived, wilted appearance, then glanced at the radiant and spirited Leng Yaozhu.

What on earth did you two do last night??

A flash of confusion crossed her cold, dark eyes, but she didn't ask any questions.

After the three of them finished breakfast, Leng Yaozhu cleared her throat as she looked at Luo Yang and Yuanen Yehui, her expression returning to its usual seriousness and authority.

"Alright, starting today, the special training for the friendly match against Shrek Academy officially begins."

Her gaze swept over Luo Yang and Yuanen Yehui.

"I have already decided on the content for the first phase of special training—live combat practice. Your opponents will be Evil Soul Masters."

"Evil Soul Masters?!"

Yuanen Yehui's pupils constricted. Even with her cold and stern temperament, she instinctively tensed up at the mention of that term.

Luo Yang also perked up, his sleepiness vanishing for the most part.

Live combat against Evil Soul Masters?

"You can never forge true combat strength through theory alone. Shrek Academy students often have much richer combat experience than our Spirit Pagoda students because they have more field trials and missions to exterminate Evil Soul Masters."

Leng Yaozhu explained, "Therefore, we must make up for this lesson. Only in life-and-death struggles can you sharpen your will and combat instincts the fastest."

"I have already received intelligence."

She walked to the wall and tapped on a soul guidance screen, which displayed a map and a location marked in red.

"About three hundred kilometers northwest of Shrek City, there is a small town called 'Grey Rock Town' that was bloodily slaughtered by Evil Soul Masters last night. The stationed soul master guard unit was wiped out, and the civilian casualties are heavy."

The screen pulled up images from the scene, stained with blood and shocking to the eye.

Luo Yang and Yuanen Yehui's expressions darkened.

"Based on our assessment, the Evil Soul Masters involved are not at the peak of cultivation; they are likely at the Soul Ancestor to Soul Emperor level. There are probably about three of them, and they excel at coordinated attacks and concealment."

Leng Yaozhu analyzed, "They are likely still active in the nearby area, searching for survivors. This is a perfect target for live combat."

"And your mission is to find them and eliminate them."

Leng Yaozhu looked at the two of them. "I will follow you the entire time, but unless you are in life-threatening danger, I will not intervene. You two are the main force for this exercise. Do you understand?"

Luo Yang nodded slightly.

Yuanen Yehui nodded heavily, her eyes igniting with fighting spirit.

"Good, no time to lose. Let's depart immediately!"

Leng Yaozhu was decisive and swift, leading the two straight to the flight deck on the top floor of the Spirit Pagoda.

A sleek, medium-sized high-speed soul guidance mecha was already waiting there.

The mecha was about eight meters tall, a lightweight assault model that balanced speed and firepower.

Leng Yaozhu took the pilot's seat herself, while Luo Yang and Yuanen Yehui entered the rear crew cabin.

The hatch closed, and the soul guidance engine emitted a low, powerful hum.

"Coordinates: Grey Rock Town. Launch!"

The thrusters on the back of the mecha spat out deep blue flames. With a powerful surge of thrust, it carried the three of them into the sky.