Petting the Cat

Zhu Zhuqing nodded when she heard Bai Yu's question. After a moment of hesitation, she said:

"The spirit bone has already fused. My soul power rose by one level, and the abilities it grants are Penetration and Tearing, but there are no active spirit skills, nor have the meridians you mentioned appeared."

Bai Yu could not help laughing at Zhu Zhuqing's answer. Thinking of that spirit bone's age, he had never encountered another like it.

"Pfft, that spirit bone's age is a little low. The reason it raised your soul power by one level is because you were already close to the threshold of Rank 28. Otherwise, don't even dream of gaining a level!"

"As for the meridians, you'll have to wait until it has fully fused. That takes time, and a little pressure as well. Once the fusion is complete, it will grow alongside your strength. By then, active spirit skills should appear!"

Zhu Zhuqing looked enlightened, then grew a little curious. Its age was low? How low could it be?

"You said its age was very low. So how many years was it exactly?"

Bai Yu's eyelid twitched involuntarily, and he thought to himself:

How low? You've heard of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, but have you ever heard of a Ten Year Soul Bone? Even now, I still can't figure out how a Ten Year Spirit Beast with so little foundation could have accumulated enough resentment to condense a spirit bone!

He immediately shook his head. "Forget about it. Since it can grow, however many years it had initially won't affect its future development."

He quickly changed the subject and said to Zhu Zhuqing:

"There's one more reason I called you here. Take this. Eat the petals first, then suck the stamen, and finally absorb and refine it."

As he spoke, Bai Yu took out a jade box and opened it. Inside lay a crystalline white flower.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at the flower in surprise, her gaze carrying a hint of fondness as she asked Bai Yu:

"What is this? It's so beautiful!"

Bai Yu paused, muttering inwardly. Why were men and women's priorities so different? What mattered was its effect, not whether it was pretty, Milk Cat!

"This is the Heavenly Treasure I mentioned to you before, one that can refine your body. It is called the Jade Bone of Watery Muscles and Immortal Bones. Consuming it nourishes the muscles and bones, opens the meridians, and can make up for your innate aptitude."

Hearing that this was the Heavenly Treasure, Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed in shock. She was just about to refuse, but then seemed to think of something and clenched her teeth.

"Alright. I'll absorb it here."

Seeing Little Wildcat accept it so readily, Bai Yu looked somewhat startled. Then he chuckled to himself. She's completely given up struggling. She's evolved into a house cat and handed herself over for me to raise.

Bai Yu's laughter made Zhu Zhuqing blush faintly. She shot him an annoyed glare, turned her back to him, sat cross-legged on his bed, and began absorbing and refining it.

Time slowly passed. Zhu Zhuqing rose from her cross-legged position, having grown even taller. As she stretched her waist and closed her eyes to absorb the medicinal power, her curvaceous figure was displayed perfectly.

Bai Yu critically appraised Zhu Zhuqing and muttered, "They seem even bigger? I'll have to call her Big Milk Cat from now on!"

"Meow!"

A kittenish cry slipped from Zhu Zhuqing's mouth without her realizing it. She then opened her eyes in confusion and jumped down from the bed.

Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing had finished absorbing the medicinal power, Bai Yu walked over and asked:

"How is it? What do you feel?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked hesitant, her tone questioning.

"It seems... it seems my cultivation speed has gotten faster? My soul power has reached Rank 30?"

Just as she was doubting herself, she suddenly felt something lightly poking against her chest.

Looking down, she saw that Bai Yu had extended a finger and was repeatedly tapping her big kitty, nearly poking her cat eyes!

Her expression froze, then her face instantly turned scarlet. Covering her chest with both hands, she leaped backward onto the bed and shouted in embarrassment and anger:

"What are you doing?!"

Bai Yu rubbed his fingers together, savoring the sensation from before. He nodded to himself. It really is nice—big and bouncy!

Seeing his lecherous smile and nostalgic expression, Zhu Zhuqing could no longer endure it. She directly used Martial Soul Possession and, with a low shout, clawed at Bai Yu.

As for Bai Yu, when he saw Big Milk Cat pouncing at him, the corner of his mouth curled up. He reached out, grabbed Milk Cat's wrist, and pulled her into his arms, lifting her up directly.

He then walked over to the bed and sat down. Ignoring Big Milk Cat's struggles, he held her in his arms and whispered into her ear:

"Why are you so shy? You'll be mine from now on, so you need to get used to it! Just now, you looked dazed, so I was only reminding you that it wasn't an illusion."

"And it's not Rank 30. Once you absorb your spirit ring, your soul power will probably reach around Rank 36 or 37. Since it's a Heavenly Treasure, it naturally possesses extraordinary effects!"

The breath against her ear made Zhu Zhuqing's whole body go weak, and her struggles became increasingly feeble. The words that followed made her pupils widen even further.

She had not expected this so-called Heavenly Treasure to be so powerful. It could improve one's aptitude and boost so much soul power as well.

She turned to face Bai Yu and asked in astonishment:

"What you said is true? It can actually raise it that much?"

Seeing Big Milk Cat's slightly parted rosy lips, Bai Yu became dazed for a moment before he could not help pressing his lips to hers.

Zhu Zhuqing's pupils contracted. She wanted to struggle, but he held her tightly. Gradually, her body relaxed as she immersed herself in it.

After a while, the two parted. Bai Yu looked at Zhu Zhuqing, limp in his arms and gasping for breath. He licked his lips and said:

"Of course it's true. You'll know once you absorb the spirit ring. Speaking of spirit rings, your First Spirit Skill is Speed Burst, and your Second Spirit Ability is Multi-stage Attack."

"You lack a powerful single-target attack, so your third ring should make up for that with a single-target spirit skill. What do you think?"

Zhu Zhuqing curled up in Bai Yu's arms with her eyes closed, resting her head against his chest as she softly replied:

"I'll listen to you."

Bai Yu's eyes curved into crescents. He raised a hand and patted her slender waist, saying:

"Don't get too attached. There'll be plenty of chances to hug later. Get up and absorb the spirit ring first, then tidy up. I'll take you to lunch."

Big Milk Cat rose from his arms, her face flushed as she shot him a coy glare. Taking the Soul Gathering Seal, she began drawing forth the spirit ring.

Bai Yu stretched his arms and lazily stretched himself.

"Aren't you going to ask what kind of Spirit Beast this spirit ring came from?"

Zhu Zhuqing paused, raised her head to look at him, and said solemnly, "I trust you!"

Hearing Milk Cat's answer, he nodded with a smile and began explaining.

"This is the spirit ring of a Shadow Blade Mantis. It is dark-attributed and possesses both speed and exceptionally powerful single-target attacks. It is fairly compatible with your martial soul's traits."

In less than half an hour, the spirit ring had been completely absorbed. Zhu Zhuqing's face was full of excitement as she stood and rushed into Bai Yu's arms, hugging him tightly.

Bai Yu wrapped an arm around Milk Cat's curvaceous body. Feeling the pressure against his chest, he hurriedly patted her lower back and changed the subject.

"How is it? I didn't lie to you, did I? What rank are you now?"

Zhu Zhuqing released Bai Yu, took a step back, and nodded.

"Rank 37! But it seems a little difficult to control."

Bai Yu raised a hand and pinched Milk Cat's cheek, smiling as he said:

"It's not a big problem. Your strength rose too quickly, so you just haven't adjusted yet. A couple of Soul Fights tonight will fix that. Let's eat first."