Meng Hongchen's Heart is Stirred

Facing Cao Longyan's inquiry, Meng Hongchen took a deep breath, though the blush on her cheeks had yet to fade.

"That... hello, my name is Meng Hongchen, from the Royal Soul Engineer Academy of the Sun Moon Empire. I came to the Extreme North with my team this time to obtain my fifth soul ring."

She paused, then added.

"Our team had several Soul Douluos guarding us. I thought we would complete our mission smoothly, but I didn't expect to encounter an accident on the way back..."

Meng Hongchen... No wonder, he had been wondering why this girl felt somewhat familiar; she was Xiao Hongchen's sister, Meng Hongchen.

Cao Longyan frowned slightly, the corners of his mouth curling up just a fraction.

Seeing Cao Longyan's expression shift, Meng Hongchen continued, slowly recounting the sequence of events that led to her desperate situation, her tone tinged with grievance and lingering fear.

"When we were in the central area of the Extreme North and had finished helping everyone in the team obtain their soul rings and were preparing to leave, we unexpectedly ran into a Titled Douluo. For some reason, that Titled Douluo was being pursued by a Titan Snow Demon King over two hundred thousand years old."

"That Titled Douluo was no match for it at all. When he saw us, he used us as bait to shake off the Titan Snow Demon King."

"We were forced into a stalemate with the Titan Snow Demon King and had no time to chase after that Titled Douluo. Its attacks were too violent, and the shockwaves of the battle triggered a massive avalanche. It was chaos, our team was instantly scattered, and I ended up separated from the others."

Speaking of this, Meng Hongchen subconsciously touched her injured right leg, a flash of terror crossing her eyes.

"On the way to find my companions, I encountered three ten-thousand-year Ice Plains Tigers. To escape, I lost almost all the soul guidance devices I was carrying, and my soul power and physical strength were completely exhausted. My right leg was also slashed by the ice shards they fired in their final death throes. I had just managed to finish off those soul beasts and let out a sigh of relief when I was spotted by that pack of wolves and surrounded... Thankfully, I met you."

As her voice trailed off, Meng Hongchen couldn't help but steal a glance at Cao Longyan. He remained in his blue-haired, blue-eyed form, his ice-blue eyes clear and resolute. Surrounded by a faint icy mist, his temperament was both cold and gentle, making her heart race once more. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson again, and she quickly lowered her head, pulling her gaze away from him.

However, Cao Longyan did not notice Meng Hongchen's agitation. His thoughts were already occupied by the "Titan Snow Demon King" and the "Titled Douluo," and he began to converse with the Ice Empress and the Sky Dream Ice Worm in his spiritual sea.

"Ice Empress, Tian Meng, you should be very familiar with the Titan Snow Demon King. Why would that Titled Douluo be pursued so relentlessly by it?"

The Ice Empress frowned, her tone full of confusion.

"The Titan Snow Demon King's temper isn't even as volatile as mine. This shouldn't be happening. Unless that Titled Douluo did something truly outrageous, it wouldn't pursue someone so frantically."

The Sky Dream Ice Worm chimed in as well.

"Could it be that the Titled Douluo offended Xiao Bai? Like wantonly hunting its kin?"

Listening to their words, a bold idea suddenly sprouted in Cao Longyan's mind.

According to the timeline of the Peerless Tang Sect and the plot he was familiar with, could it be that the Titled Douluo had stolen the Snow Empress Embryo and been discovered by the Titan Snow Demon King, leading to this?

A sharp pain from the wound on her right leg caused Meng Hongchen to let out a soft gasp, instantly pulling Cao Longyan's thoughts back from his spiritual sea.

Mortified by her own gasp, Meng Hongchen's face turned bright red, and she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Biting her lip, she spoke softly to break the awkwardness.

"That... I still don't know your name?"

Cao Longyan came back to his senses and, looking at her shy appearance, spoke calmly.

"My name is Cao Longyan."

As for anything else, he said not a word.

Meng Hongchen silently memorized the name "Cao Longyan," repeating it in her heart several times, the smile on her face deepening.

She didn't press for more information. Given that he was hiding his aura on the edge of the central area of the Extreme North, possessed immense strength and exceptional talent, and was all alone, it was highly likely he didn't belong to any faction. Such a talent, if recruited to the Sun Moon Empire and Mingde Hall, would surely become a great asset.

Besides, her grandfather and brother would certainly be pleased.

Having made up her mind, Meng Hongchen looked up, her cheeks still flushed, and pointed to her injured right leg, her tone filled with shyness and entreaty.

"Cao Longyan, I can't walk with the injury on my leg. Could you... could you please carry me?"

Looking at the plea in her eyes, Cao Longyan nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Alright."

With that, he took a small bottle of pale green ointment from his backpack, unscrewed the cap, and a cool, medicinal fragrance instantly filled the air.

This was the healing salve Zhang Lexuan had prepared for him; its efficacy was excellent, capable of rapidly healing external wounds without leaving scars.

Before Meng Hongchen could react, Cao Longyan crouched down, dipped his fingertips into a small amount of the ointment, and carefully applied it to the bleeding wound on her exposed leg.

"Ah—"

Meng Hongchen stiffened. The sudden touch startled her; a girl's calf was sensitive, and combined with the stinging pain of the wound, she couldn't help but let out a soft cry. Her cheeks turned so red they looked ready to drip blood, and even her earlobes were dyed crimson.

She subconsciously tried to pull her leg back, but Cao Longyan gently held it in place.

Undistracted, Cao Longyan continued to apply the ointment with a serious expression, his movements gentle to minimize her pain.

As his fingertips touched her delicate skin, he instinctively slowed his movements, and the image of Zhang Lexuan flashed involuntarily through his mind.

When she had applied medicine for him back then, she had been just as gentle and meticulous, reminding him to take care of his wounds. It was just that he didn't know if Sister Lexuan was doing well now...

A moment later, Cao Longyan finished applying the ointment, put away the bottle, and looked up at the still-shy Meng Hongchen, his tone flat yet warming her heart.

"This medicine is very effective. If you keep applying it for three days, the wound will heal completely. Don't worry, it won't leave a scar."

After speaking, he crouched down with his back to her, turned his head slightly, and continued.

"Come on up. In your current state, you can't walk. I'll carry you out."

Looking at Cao Longyan's broad and upright back, his blue hair falling over his shoulders, a warm current surged through Meng Hongchen's heart. The blush on her cheeks deepened, and the sound of her racing heart was clear to her own ears.

She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then gently reached out, carefully climbed onto Cao Longyan's back, wrapped her arms softly around his neck, pressed her cheek against his back, and whispered in his ear.

"Th-thank you... Cao Longyan..."

As her voice faded, she kept a secret thought hidden deep within her heart.

He is such a kind person...

Cao Longyan felt the softness and warmth against his back and stiffened slightly, though he quickly returned to his natural composure. He gently lifted Meng Hongchen's legs and spoke in a low voice.

"Meng Hongchen, hold on tight."

"Mm."

With that, he stood up steadily. Carrying Meng Hongchen on his back, he began to head toward the outer perimeter of the Extreme North. His pace was firm and measured, carefully avoiding the ice shards and snowdrifts along the way, fearful that any jolting might aggravate her wounds.

Within the spiritual sea, the Ice Empress watched this scene, a faint blush quietly staining her cheeks.

I never expected the Master to be so charming...

Beside her, the Sky Dream Ice Worm watched Cao Longyan and Meng Hongchen, a silly grin spreading across his face. His eyes were filled with envy and a hint of eagerness.

"Wow, the Master is just too amazing! I should learn from him—to be gentle and powerful, radiating charm at every moment. Maybe then, Bingbing will change her opinion of me!"

As he spoke, he cast a furtive glance toward the Ice Empress, his face lighting up with a smile as he imagined his success.

But he was met only with a cold roll of the eyes from the Ice Empress, followed immediately by a fierce tail-swipe that sent him flying.

Cao Longyan carried Meng Hongchen, walking step by step toward the outer reaches of the Extreme North. In his ears was the sound of Meng Hongchen's soft breathing, behind him was her warm body heat, and within his spiritual sea were the Sky Dream Ice Worm's aggrieved complaints and the Ice Empress's helpless remarks.

It has been so long since things felt this relaxed and warm...

However, this is only the first step...

Meanwhile, Meng Hongchen, resting on Cao Longyan's back, gazed at his profile beneath his blue hair, the corners of her mouth curling upward involuntarily.

His back is so warm, so full of security...

He is so handsome...