During that month, Murong Ci cultivated at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
His Soul Power rose to level thirty-seven, which was rather slow.
Dugu Yan came to see him during that time, mostly to ask about the poison treatment.
But each time, they only met briefly. Once he had treated the poison, she left.
That left Murong Ci feeling a little at a loss.
How had their relationship become so strained?
Forget it, he wouldn't think about it for now. He'd been here a month; it was time to go back. Huo Wu must be getting impatient waiting for him.
He got up early that morning and headed back.
Dugu Bo accompanied him, but Dugu Yan didn't come along. He had no idea what she was doing.
"Little Monster, that little fireball has been waiting ages for you. She's been hopping around impatiently every day, and now and then she even beats up that blockhead beside her."
[You really did borrow the original's nickname.]
How could that count as stealing?
Murong Ci grumbled to himself. It was proof that they'd become friends after fighting!
"Blockhead? Feng Xiaotian?"
Murong Ci looked back, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Something like that. But don't worry about it now. Hurry back."
Dugu Bo kicked Murong Ci in the butt, grinning cheerfully.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy, lounge.
"Bang—"
Huo Wu slammed a fist onto the table, eyes wide and teeth clenched.
"A whole month! A whole month!!"
Huo Wu roared, raising a hand to grab her hair.
Feng Xiaotian had already gone numb beside her. He didn't know whether he could stay so calm because he was used to seeing Huo Wu go crazy like this.
"Creak—"
The door opened. Murong Ci stood outside, scratching his head sheepishly.
"Long time... no see?"
Dugu Bo had already left, giving the long-separated young couple some privacy.
Dugu Bo chuckled to himself and turned to go.
Young people, heh. But my granddaughter—
"Bang—"
Murong Ci was sent flying, his clothes still burning with flames.
Dugu Bo looked back in shock. Huo Wu's fist was still outstretched, wrapped in flames.
Her eyes were wild.
"Boy, you're on your own. I'm leaving!"
Dugu Bo vanished.
"Murong Ci! You actually had the nerve to come back!"
Huo Wu pounced on him, punching him again and again, flames smearing across his chest.
But a few teardrops were mixed in with the flames.
"Brother, save me!"
Murong Ci's voice was hoarse as he struggled with both hands and feet, but it was no use.
Huo Wu's legs were wrapped tightly around his waist, leaving him unable to move, and she kept landing the occasional punch.
Then she collapsed against him.
She buried herself in his chest and refused to pull away.
It was wet.
Feng Xiaotian seized the opportunity and hurried over to help Murong Ci up.
But Huo Wu was clinging to Murong Ci like an octopus.
She even mischievously wriggled against him.
He looked up, feeling miserable.
Murong Ci sat on the bed, looking down at Huo Wu in his arms, then glancing up at Feng Xiaotian.
A mischievous thought welled up inside him.
Blocking Feng Xiaotian's view, he secretly rubbed Huo Wu's chest.
"Mmm... naughty..."
She gave a soft hum, heard only by the two of them.
"All right, all right, get up. I've got something for you."
Murong Ci coughed twice, bringing them back to the matter at hand.
Huo Wu hopped down from his arms too, ready to hear what he had to say.
Murong Ci took out several Immortal Herbs from Yongzhen Space. They gleamed brilliantly in the room.
He reached out, picked up the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, and handed it to Feng Xiaotian.
"It'll improve your mental strength and sharpen your dynamic vision, which will help you cultivate your Gale Demon Wolf Consecutive Slash. Once you've absorbed it, try it out at Wind-Eroded Canyon."
"How's that? Your big brother treats you pretty well, doesn't he?"
Feng Xiaotian took the Immortal Herb with trembling hands.
As the chief disciple of Godwind Academy, he had naturally encountered some Immortal Herbs before.
The Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew before him was clearly an excellent match for him.
Feng Xiaotian swallowed and stared at Murong Ci in astonishment.
Murong Ci only smiled innocently.
"It's for you. Go absorb it, and ask Chief Meng Shenji to protect you."
Feng Xiaotian silently withdrew, his steps a little unsteady.
"What about mine?"
Huo Wu tipped her head up, blinking her big eyes expectantly.
"Of course there's one for you."
As he spoke, Murong Ci handed Huo Wu the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.
"It's a fire-type Immortal Herb, top quality—better than the ones we found in Geocentric Fire Cave. Go absorb it. I'll protect you."
Huo Wu said nothing, only punched Murong Ci in the chest again.
"What are you doing now?"
Murong Ci smiled helplessly. He was having a hard time figuring out Huo Wu's moods.
"You got so many Immortal Herbs. Did you get hurt?"
"Huh?"
"I asked if you got hurt, and whether you absorbed any Immortal Herbs yourself."
Murong Ci stared blankly at Huo Wu, this woman who said one thing but meant another, and still cared about him.
His heart was filled with a jumble of emotions.
He pulled her close and kissed her.
"Mmm~"
Their lips and tongues tangled, and the sound of water filled the air.
After a long while, they parted, a thread of saliva stretching between them.
"Come on, let's go absorb it. I'll stay with you."
The two walked to the hall. Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin were already there, surrounding Feng Xiaotian to protect him as he absorbed the Immortal Herb.
Huo Wu looked into Murong Ci's eyes, then sat cross-legged and began absorbing her Immortal Herb.
The three elders exchanged glances.
The negotiations began.
"Little friend Murong, could we speak privately?"
Meng Shenji bowed and gestured for him to follow, his every movement full of courtesy and respect.
"What is it?" Murong Ci nodded slightly in response.
"Once you graduate from Blazing Fire Academy, Heaven Dou's doors will always be open to you. Heaven Dou Royal Academy sincerely invites you to join us in the future as well."
"Join after graduation? As a teacher?"
"Of course, of course. Blazing Fire is your home; we couldn't possibly uproot you. We only hope you'll join us after you graduate."
Murong Ci pondered for a moment, as though considering whether it was feasible.
[You can agree. It'll help you build your own faction in the future.]
"Build a faction?"
[Establish your own organization and following. You'll be in charge of everything.]
Hmm... That could work.
Murong Ci looked up at the three elders.
"That should be fine. I'll come see you after I graduate."
"Hahahahaha!"
The three elders immediately burst into laughter, their joy plain to see.
"In that case, Heaven Dou Royal Academy welcomes you, little friend!"
The negotiations had gone perfectly. Both sides felt they'd come out ahead.
As evening fell, Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu were nearing the end of their absorption.
Suddenly, Feng Xiaotian stood up, his bones cracking and popping.
He circulated his Soul Power to check his level, and the result left him stunned.
"I'm... at level forty now, I think. But I'm stuck there. Once I get my fourth Soul Ring, I might even rise several more levels in a row."
From level thirty-eight to level forty! He even had Soul Power left over, building up inside him.
The effects of the Immortal Herb spoke for themselves.
Meanwhile, Huo Wu stood up too.
Her whole bearing seemed to have changed, now radiating a bold, dashing spirit.
She tossed her hair and stared at Murong Ci with burning eyes.
"I'm level forty too! As soon as you get back, go hunt my fourth Soul Ring!"
With that, she released her Martial Soul, Fire Shadow. A wave of extreme heat instantly filled the hall.
A layer of sweat appeared on everyone's skin in an instant.
Ultimate Fire! Success!