Ning Rongrong Did It Again Right in Front of Xiao Wu...

"As long as you can bring it to an end, Zhuqing doesn't mind..."

As she spoke, she shifted her butt closer to Zhao Linchuan, until their shoulders were almost touching.

"Big Brother Zhao, something has already happened between you and Rongrong... hasn't it?"

Zhao Linchuan's brow lifted slightly. He neither denied nor admitted it, merely asking calmly,

"How did you know?"

"It was too obvious." Zhu Zhuqing smiled faintly, her expression carrying certainty and understanding.

She turned her gaze back to Zhao Linchuan's face and continued in a teasing tone,

"Only Sister Xiao Wu is too innocent to see it."

"Otherwise, judging by the way Rongrong has been walking in the mornings these past few days, anyone who knows even a little about such things could tell that she already has a man."

"But it is rather strange." She paused, seeming to ponder it. "Sometimes Sister Xiao Wu clearly understands everything, yet other times she is as pure as a blank sheet of paper."

"She is impossible to figure out."

"I never expected you to know so much." Zhao Linchuan chuckled softly and shook his head. "And you are so observant that you even noticed such little details."

"I would rather not have understood."

Zhu Zhuqing's voice fell desolate, as though a dark cloud had covered the moonlight.

Her gaze lowered to the hands resting on her knees, and she sighed quietly.

"In the Star Luo Empire, the women of our Zhu Family are regarded more as a kind of 'resource' by their imperial family."

"Some things cannot be avoided simply because we do not wish to know about them."

"If you do not look, listen, or think about them, those things will still happen before your eyes—or happen to you."

"So, you must work twice as hard at your cultivation."

As he spoke, Zhao Linchuan took a jade box from his Soul Tool and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.

"There is an Immortal Herb inside called Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone."

"When taking it, eat only the petals, then suck the flower's pistil. Use Soul Power to refine and absorb it."

"Remember, you must remain calm when taking and refining it." He pressed the jade box into Zhu Zhuqing's hands. "I will not tell you what this Immortal Herb does."

"Once you finish absorbing it tomorrow, I think you will be pleasantly surprised."

"Thank you, Big Brother Zhao." Zhu Zhuqing accepted it and carefully stored the jade box in her Soul Tool. "Zhuqing will certainly work twice as hard in cultivation and will not dare slack off in the slightest."

As the two spoke, Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu were already hurrying toward them.

Xiao Wu walked in front, her steps quick and urgent, as if she were rushing to something.

Ning Rongrong followed behind her, her skirt still slightly wet and clinging to her legs, outlining her slender figure.

For once, their little witch had only hastily gone into the water for a rinse. She had not lingered at all, nor even had time to dry her hair before rushing back from the stream.

"Brother Lin Chuan!" Ning Rongrong lifted the hem of her skirt and hurried over with Xiao Wu to Zhao Linchuan.

At that moment, joy nearly overflowed from Ning Rongrong's face. Her eyes shone like two stars, and her crisp, excited voice trembled slightly.

"It really was just like you said! My Martial Soul—it evolved!"

As she spoke, Ning Rongrong raised her right hand, her palm spread flat.

A flash of nine-colored light appeared, and an exquisite glazed pagoda that seemed sculpted from crystal instantly emerged in her palm.

Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, gold, and silver—nine colors flowed, blended, and reflected each other across every level of the pagoda. It was dazzling and magnificent, like an entire rainbow condensed in her hand.

Nine levels, nine colors. This meant that Ning Rongrong had broken through the shackles of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, shattered the fate that had plagued countless generations of predecessors from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and could now advance normally to the realm of Soul Douluo, or even Title Douluo, like other genius Soul Masters.

"Did you see that?"

Ning Rongrong cried excitedly, tears welling at the corners of her eyes, though she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

"Nine colors, nine levels!"

"From now on, I will not be trapped at the Soul Sage level for the rest of my life!"

"I can advance to Title Douluo like all of you, gain a vast lifespan, and remain in this world for ages!"

After saying that, Ning Rongrong could not help stepping forward. She rose onto her toes, looped her right arm around Zhao Linchuan's neck, still held the nine-colored pagoda in her left hand, and kissed him directly in front of Xiao Wu.

Her lips were soft and warm, carrying the coolness of the stream and the sweet fragrance unique to a young girl. They pressed tightly against Zhao Linchuan's, as though she were using this to convey the gratitude and joy she could not put into words.

"Ah—! Rongrong!!!"

Xiao Wu clutched her head with both hands, her ten fingers buried deep in her hair. Her eyes were wider than bells, and her gaping mouth could have swallowed a bronze gong.

"What are you doing again!!!"

She wanted to go over and pull them apart, but she was afraid of ruining her brother's moment. After all, judging from Zhao Linchuan's expression, he did not seem resistant.

With no other choice, she could only stamp her feet in place, alternating between them like a rabbit with scalded paws.

Seeing Xiao Wu's furious, anxious, and helpless appearance, Zhu Zhuqing lightly covered her lips with her right hand and barely managed not to laugh aloud.

After a long while, their lips finally parted.

Ning Rongrong looked at Zhao Linchuan with unfocused eyes, a thin mist seeming to veil her pupils. Her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing was still somewhat rapid.

"Brother Lin Chuan, my Soul Power Level has already broken through level thirty."

"And I can feel that after obtaining my third Soul Ring, my Soul Power Level will surge dramatically again."

"Then we will find a time to take you hunting for a Soul Ring."

Zhao Linchuan wrapped an arm around her waist, his palm resting against the slightly damp fabric at her side without any intention of avoiding Xiao Wu's gaze.

"As for tonight, we must hurry back and rest."

"Mhm..."

Ning Rongrong nodded. Her gaze fell upon Zhao Linchuan's face, then she blinked hard, as though hinting at something.

"Our dormitory should be finished by now. Let's hurry back."

"Alright."

Pretending not to notice, Zhao Linchuan looked toward Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, his tone returning to its usual calm composure.

"Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, it is time for us to go back."

At that, Xiao Wu gritted her teeth and replied in a low voice,

"It is time to go back. If we stay out here in this wilderness any longer, certain people might end up 'making a life.'"

After saying that, she strode forward, grabbed Ning Rongrong's wrist with one hand, bared her teeth, and forced out a smile uglier than crying.

"Rongrong, didn't your Martial Soul evolve?"

"Come on, come on, let me feel it and see whether it is any different from before..."