Farewell and Rewards!

She slowly opened her eyes. Her peach-blossom eyes now gleamed with a mesmerizing light, as if stars were swirling within them. A powerful mental wave rippled outward, leaving even Ning Xiaochun feeling dazed.

"Level forty-two." Hu Liena rose to her feet, a satisfied smile on her face.

"And this Three-Eyed Demon Fox's Soul Ring gave me a very useful mental-type Soul Skill. This trip to Sunset Forest has been so rewarding!"

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Ning Xiaochun once more, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration and gratitude.

"Little brother, I really have you to thank for this. You helped me deal with that nuisance Yan, and you helped me get such a perfect Soul Ring. I truly don't know how I could ever repay you..."

As she spoke, she suddenly stepped forward. Before Ning Xiaochun could react, she bent down and gave him a big, warm hug!

A faint, orchid-like fragrance instantly filled Ning Xiaochun's nose. The soft sensation made his whole body freeze, and his mind went completely blank!

I... I'm still just a kid!

Ning Xiaochun cried out inwardly.

But before he could savor this sudden embrace, a gaze as cold as ice, as if it could freeze a person's very soul, shot toward him like a sword!

At some point, Shui Bing'er had risen to her feet. She stared expressionlessly at Hu Liena and Ning Xiaochun in each other's arms, her ice-blue eyes now seeming to roar with the blizzard of a thousand years!

The temperature around them visibly plummeted! New frost even began to form on the ground!

"Ahem... cough, cough!" The look sent a shiver through Ning Xiaochun. He hurriedly struggled free of Hu Liena's "deadly" embrace, his little face bright red—whether from holding his breath or embarrassment, he couldn't tell.

Seeing Shui Bing'er's practically murderous glare, Hu Liena didn't seem bothered at all. Instead, she covered her mouth with a light laugh and winked at Ning Xiaochun.

"All right, I'll stop teasing you. I really have to go. I still haven't finished the task His Holiness the Pope gave me."

She straightened up and gave Ning Xiaochun one last, lingering look. There was a hint of earnestness in her eyes. "Xiaochun, remember what I said. If you ever get the chance to visit Spirit City, come find me. I'll always be happy to see you."

With that, she didn't linger. Her figure turned into a streak of pink-gold light, flickered a few times, and vanished completely into the depths of the forest.

Ning Xiaochun watched the direction Hu Liena had gone, somewhat dazed.

He had to admit, that hug had left him feeling a little... distracted. After all, in both his past and present lives, this was the first time such a beautiful older sister had hugged him of her own accord...

"Hmph!"

A cold snort pierced Ning Xiaochun's eardrum like an icicle, instantly dragging him back to reality.

He turned around and saw Shui Bing'er staring at him without expression, her ice-blue eyes so cold they seemed ready to freeze solid.

Her cherry lips parted, and her voice carried an indescribable... sourness.

"Can't bear to see her go? Why don't you... just follow her right now?"

Hearing that tone, Ning Xiaochun's heart sank. Oh no... Is she jealous?! Bing'er is actually jealous?! Her voice may be icy, but this is clearly what jealousy sounds like!

His survival instinct kicked in at full force. In an instant, Ning Xiaochun settled on the one correct response!

He immediately plastered on his most sincere, innocent smile and took three quick steps toward Shui Bing'er. Then—

He grabbed hold of her arm! He was only tall enough to wrap his arms around her forearm, but he clung to her with all the intimacy and dependence he could manage!

"Bing'er, what are you talking about? How could I bear to part with you?" Ning Xiaochun tilted up his face, his big eyes full of "sincerity."

"That Hu Liena isn't even half as good as you! She's just a fox! You're the best, the prettiest, the strongest! I like you best, Bing'er!"

He hurled out one compliment after another, all free of charge. Paired with his expression of "I'm your most loyal follower," he was practically foolproof!

Shui Bing'er was taken aback by his sudden show of affection and barrage of praise. The frost on her face melted away at once, and even the tips of her ears secretly took on a faint blush.

She tried awkwardly to pull her arm free, but Ning Xiaochun had a death grip on it. When she couldn't get loose, she let him be and simply turned her head away with a cold snort. "Such a smooth talker."

Though her voice remained cool, the jealousy and chill in it had vanished without a trace.

Watching this, Dugu Yan suddenly felt a sour pang in her heart. She pursed her lips and muttered, "Hmph, all he knows is how to sweet-talk people..."

Just then, several figures appeared soundlessly at the edge of the clearing, like specters.

"Hahaha! Good! Very good!" Ning Fengzhi's hearty laughter rang out. Beaming, he looked at Ning Xiaochun and the three girls, his eyes full of pride and relief.

"This trip to Sunset Forest has been wonderfully fruitful! Xiaochun got his Second Soul Ring, Bing'er and Yanyan found Soul Rings that suit them perfectly, and we even taught those Spirit Hall brats a lesson, bringing glory to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! Satisfying! Truly satisfying!"

Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong emerged as well, both wearing smiles. Sword Douluo even offered a rare word of praise. "Not bad, kid."

Bone Douluo chuckled. "Especially that last move, 'Ring Elevation.' Even I was startled. You always manage to surprise people, kid."

Dugu Bo stroked his beard, pleased to see his granddaughter's aura grow so much stronger. He was even more delighted with Ning Xiaochun, his adopted grandson, the more he looked at him.

"All right, this isn't a place to linger." Ning Fengzhi's smile faded, and he grew serious.

"We've been out for quite some time. It's time to head back. The gains from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, along with these Soul Rings, will all take time to digest and absorb properly. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also needs to prepare for what's coming."

He gave Ning Xiaochun a meaningful look. His son had given him far too many surprises on this trip.

The Twin Towers' evolution, the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and that astonishing "Ring Elevation"... All of it foretold that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's future would be turned upside down because of his son, who seemed carefree but was actually hiding incredible depths!

Ning Xiaochun nodded too.

"Yeah, let's go home!" Ning Xiaochun clenched his fist, feeling the Soul Power in his body—tired but brimming with strength—and looking at the reliable companions and elders around him. An unprecedented sense of security and confidence filled his heart.

A pretty-boy's easy life was certainly sweet, but if he wanted it to last and stay peaceful, in the end he still had to grow stronger—with trustworthy companions by his side!