Huo Wu: Be My Woman! The Hotel!

"Captain!"

The remaining members of Tianshui Academy charged at Lin Tian at the same time.

Lin Tian raised his left hand.

The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus bloomed behind him.

Azure divine light spread outward.

The water-attribute soul skills rapidly dissipated the moment they approached the azure light.

Xie Yue seized the opportunity.

The two Moon Blades crossed through the air.

Two Tianshui Academy members were sent off the Soul Battle Platform.

Yan stomped on the ground.

Crimson pillars of fire burst up from beneath the stone tiles.

The remaining three could only retreat.

One of them stepped on the edge, and the blast from the flames threw her out.

The final two exchanged glances.

They withdrew their martial souls.

"We concede."

The referee immediately raised an arm.

"The match is over!"

"The winners are Martial Soul Hall Academy!"

On the Soul Battle Platform.

The blue ice crystals gradually faded away.

Shui Bing'er stood below the platform, watching Lin Tian the entire time.

Lin Tian withdrew his two martial souls.

Five black Soul Rings vanished together.

Shui Bing'er walked over to the passageway.

"Why didn't you let me release my fourth soul skill just now?"

"Your soul skill needs time to gather power."

Lin Tian looked at her.

"I won't stand there and wait for you."

Shui Bing'er fell silent for a moment.

"What if I had prepared it beforehand?"

"The result would still be the same."

She did not get angry because of his words.

Shui Bing'er merely looked at Lin Tian seriously.

"You still haven't used any soul skills."

"There was no need to against you."

She nodded lightly.

"I'll remember that."

Lin Tian led the Martial Soul Hall Academy members away from the Soul Battle Platform.

Shui Bing'er remained where she was.

Only after that black-and-gold figure disappeared at the end of the passageway did she withdraw her gaze.

"Captain."

A Tianshui Academy member came to Shui Bing'er's side.

"That man is too strong."

Shui Bing'er looked at her palm.

The instant she had come into contact with Lin Tian, the soul power within her body had been suppressed.

His strength was already beyond comparison to that of an ordinary Soul King.

After the match ended.

Lin Tian returned to the hotel.

Martial Soul Hall Academy had rented an independent courtyard within Heaven Dou City.

There was a hot spring behind the courtyard.

Under the night sky, steam slowly rose from the surface of the pool.

Lin Tian pushed open the door.

Huo Wu was standing by the window.

She had changed out of her Blazing Fire Academy uniform.

She wore a crimson dress that fell to her ankles.

Her fiery red hair draped behind her shoulders.

She turned around and lifted her eyes to Lin Tian.

"You won again today."

"The opponents weren't strong."

"Shui Bing'er is already a level forty-five Soul Ancestor."

"Still not strong."

Huo Wu pressed her lips together.

"Can't you say something nicer?"

"Her Ice Seal control was decent."

"She simply didn't have the chance to use it."

Huo Wu walked up to Lin Tian.

She reached out and unfastened the metal clasps on his outer robe.

"You have moisture on you."

"I went to the hot spring after the match."

"Then I want to go too."

Lin Tian looked at her.

"You came to see me just to soak in the hot spring?"

Huo Wu's fingers paused on his collar.

"Not entirely."

"What else?"

She raised her eyes.

"I wanted to see whether you were injured today."

"I wasn't."

"I want to check for myself."

Huo Wu pulled his outer robe open to either side.

The black inner garment clung to his broad chest, with no wounds visible.

Her fingertips moved down along his collar, gently pressing over Lin Tian's chest.

"Indeed, you aren't injured."

"Can we go to the hot spring now?"

"I'll go first."

Huo Wu turned and walked behind the screen.

Her crimson dress slid from her shoulders.

She raised a hand to undo the sash at her waist and placed the dress on a wooden rack.

Beneath it, she wore a close-fitting black garment.

The fabric hugged her waist, accentuating her slender figure.

Her long legs looked fair beneath the lamplight.

She took off her short boots and stepped barefoot onto the wooden floor.

Her toes were round, and the lines of her insteps were distinct.

Huo Wu turned back to look at Lin Tian.

"What are you still standing there for?"

"You want me to come with you?"

"Is the hot spring in your room?"

"It's the hotel's hot spring."

"Then we'll go together."

Huo Wu walked to the door, then suddenly stopped.

"But you're not allowed to try anything."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid you'll bully me."

Lin Tian looked at her.

"Who was it that kissed me first last time?"

Huo Wu's cheeks quickly turned red.

"That was the price of losing the match."

"You didn't lose today."

"That's why I'm letting you accompany me to the hot spring."

She pushed open the back door.

The night breeze swept through the courtyard.

Huo Wu raised a hand to gather her hair, then walked barefoot down the stone steps toward the hot spring.

Lin Tian followed behind her.

Two sets of clean clothes had been placed beside the hot spring pool.

Huo Wu entered the water first.

The warm spring water rose over her ankles, calves, and finally stopped at her waist.

She sat at the edge of the pool and raised her legs.

Her fair thighs were faintly visible beneath the surface, water droplets sliding down the lines of her legs.

Huo Wu braced herself against the edge of the pool with her arms.

"The temperature is just right."

Lin Tian entered the pool and sat across from her.

The water rippled gently.

Less than an arm's length separated them.

Huo Wu looked at Lin Tian.

"Have you soaked in a hot spring with Hu Liena too?"

"No."

"Really?"

"I have no reason to lie to you."

Her expression softened.

Huo Wu gathered her soaked hair to one side.

Crimson strands clung to her snow-white shoulder, and several droplets slid down from her neck.

"Have you ever spent time like this with anyone else?"

"No."

"Do you only know how to cultivate every day?"

"Cultivation improves strength."

"What about besides cultivation?"

"Competing."

Huo Wu looked at him for a while.

"How could someone like you have so many women around you?"

"Who?"

"Hu Liena."

"She's my teammate."

"What about Ye Lingling?"

"She treated my injuries."

"What about Xue Qinghe?"

"She's the Heaven Dou Crown Prince."

Huo Wu scooped up a handful of spring water and splashed it at Lin Tian.

Droplets landed beside his face.

"You always make it sound so simple."

"It was simple to begin with."

"But it isn't simple for me."

Huo Wu lowered her head.

The water concealed most of her body, leaving only her fair shoulders and slender neck exposed.

After a moment of silence, she looked at Lin Tian again.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"When I kissed you, why didn't you avoid me?"

"You didn't mean any harm."

"What if I wanted more than just a kiss?"

"What do you want to do?"

Huo Wu braced herself against the edge of the pool and stood up.

Water streamed down her body.

She walked up to Lin Tian and placed both hands on his shoulders.

The distance between them narrowed.

Huo Wu looked down at Lin Tian, her long hair falling over her shoulders.

"I want to know whether you only see me as an opponent from Blazing Fire Academy."

"You're Huo Wu."

"What kind of answer is that?"

"I remember you."

A little light returned to Huo Wu's eyes.

"What else do you remember?"

"The soul power control method you taught me."

"What else?"

"You like fire-attribute training grounds."

"What else?"

"You lost to me twice."

Huo Wu raised a hand and lightly slapped his chest.

"Can you stop bringing up winning and losing all the time?"

Lin Tian caught her wrist.

"Then what do you want to hear?"

She did not pull her hand away.

Huo Wu leaned closer, droplets from her waist falling onto the back of Lin Tian's hand.

"I want to hear you say I'm beautiful."

Lin Tian looked at her.

"You're beautiful."

Huo Wu's eyelashes fluttered faintly.

"Say it again."

"You're very beautiful."

She finally smiled.

"That was a good answer."

Huo Wu bent down.

Her red lips touched the corner of Lin Tian's mouth.

This time, she did not pull away immediately.

Lin Tian raised a hand and held her waist.

Huo Wu followed his lead and sat in front of him.

The hot spring water rippled between them.

Her legs pressed against Lin Tian's sides, and her fair feet gently brushed his legs beneath the water.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"Don't go back tonight."

"This is my room."

"I mean, don't let me go back to my room alone."

Lin Tian looked at her.

Huo Wu rested her face against his shoulder.

"I've already thought it through."

"Thought through what?"

"I like being with you."

Her arms wrapped around Lin Tian's neck.

"I also like it when you look at me."

"And I like it when you teach me how to cultivate."

"Most importantly, I don't want to keep watching Hu Liena stand beside you every day."

Lin Tian did not answer.

Huo Wu raised her face.

"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as agreement."

"Agreement to what?"

"Stay with me tonight."

Lin Tian held her waist and lifted her from the pool.

Huo Wu's legs rose out of the water.

She instinctively tightened her arms around him and pressed herself against his chest.

"What are you doing?"

"Didn't you ask me to stay with you?"

"I only asked you to soak in the hot spring with me."

"We're done soaking."

Lin Tian carried her out of the pool.

Huo Wu's fair feet left the water, droplets rolling down the tops of her feet and her ankles.

Her long hair clung to her back, its crimson color especially striking beneath the moonlight.

"Lin Tian, put me down first."

"Didn't you say you didn't want to return to your room alone?"

"I never said I wanted you to carry me."

"It's too late to say that now."

She lightly bit her red lip.

"Then you're not allowed to bully me."

"When have I ever bullied you?"

"On the Soul Battle Platform."

"That was a match."

"And at the training grounds."

"You were the one who approached me."

Huo Wu did not refute him.

She buried her face against Lin Tian's shoulder.

"Don't bring those things up tonight."

"Fine."

Lin Tian carried her into the room.

Candlelight cast the shadows of the two of them across the room.

Huo Wu reached for a clean long towel nearby and pressed it against Lin Tian's cheek.

"Dry yourself first."

"You too."

Lin Tian took the towel and wiped the droplets from her shoulders.

His movements traveled from her shoulders to her arms.

Huo Wu stood where she was and did not avoid him.

The towel brushed over her fair wrist, then moved down to her slender ankle.

She looked down at Lin Tian half-kneeling before her, her toes curling slightly.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"I'm not used to you being like this."

"What aren't you used to?"

"You're too good to me."

"I'm only drying you off."

"But I like it."

Huo Wu placed a hand on his shoulder.

She bent down, her red lips lightly brushing Lin Tian's forehead.

"This is the first reward for tonight."

"Only one?"

"The rest can wait until you're willing to stay."

Lin Tian stood up.

Huo Wu wrapped her arms around his waist again.

The two of them leaned against the bed.

She had already changed out of her dress and wore only close-fitting clothes.

Her fair legs were pressed together, with droplets still clinging to her ankles.

Lin Tian raised a hand and tidied her damp hair.

Huo Wu quieted down.

"Can I still come find you in the future?"

"Yes."

"Outside of matches too?"

"Yes."

"At night too?"

"Yes."

Huo Wu lifted her eyes.

"Then I'll take that as your agreement."

"Mm."

She pulled Lin Tian down to sit at the edge of the bed.

Huo Wu leaned sideways into his embrace.

Lin Tian's arm wrapped around her waist.

Moonlight fell across the floor outside the window.

Only the candle flame swayed gently in the room.

Huo Wu closed her eyes.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"I'm very happy today."

"Because you won the match?"

"Because you were willing to stay with me."

She placed her palm on Lin Tian's chest.

"There's another match tomorrow."

"I know."

"Then let's sleep for a while first."

"Okay."

Huo Wu pulled the blanket over both of them.

Her head rested against Lin Tian's shoulder, her legs pressed against his.

After a moment, she raised her face again.

"You're not allowed to leave while I'm asleep."

"I won't."

"And you're not allowed to send me back either."

"I won't."

Only then did Huo Wu close her eyes.

Lin Tian lowered his head and looked at her peaceful face.

Her fiery red hair spilled across the pillow, her fair cheek pressed against his shoulder.

Her hand still clutched Lin Tian's lapel without letting go.

Night gradually deepened.

That night, Huo Wu stayed in Lin Tian's room.

They slept in each other's arms.

Early the next morning.

Lin Tian opened his eyes from cultivation.

Outside the window, the sky had only just begun to brighten, and a faint mist still drifted above the hot spring pool.

Huo Wu had already left.

A crimson note lay on the table.

"Lin Tian, I'm heading back to Blazing Fire Academy first."

"The soul power control method you taught me is very useful."

"Once I've perfected Huo Wu's Blazing Sun again, I'll come find you."

After reading the note, Lin Tian casually stored it in his soul tool.

He sat cross-legged on the stone platform again.

The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus and Nine Nether Beast appeared at the same time.

Five black Soul Rings slowly revolved around his body.

Whale Glue was placed before him.

Lin Tian put a piece into his mouth, and its rich energy swiftly merged into his meridians.

Tank Engine began operating.

The power of his blood and vitality continuously rose. His soul power circulated through his meridians before flowing back into his dantian.

The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus released Life Divine Light.

The Nine Nether Beast suppressed the violent energy within the Whale Glue.

With the two forces working together, the Whale Glue's energy gradually became docile.

Lin Tian's soul power began rising from level fifty-four.

Level fifty-five.

Level fifty-six.

Soul power continuously gathered within the cultivation room, making the teacup on the table tremble slightly.

Lin Tian did not stop.

He refined all the remaining energy, only withdrawing his two martial souls once the soul power within him had completely stabilized.

Level fifty-six soul power flowed steadily through his meridians.

Tank Engine completed another enhancement.

Lin Tian raised his right hand and slowly clenched his fingers.

The air in his palm compressed with a soft crack.

"Not bad."

At that moment, the door was pushed open.

Hu Liena walked into the cultivation room.

She wore a white and gold academy uniform, her light brown hair draping over her shoulders, with a wooden box in her hand.

"You broke through again?"

"Yeah."

Lin Tian stood up.

Hu Liena came before him and raised her hand to straighten his lapel.

"What level this time?"

"Fifty-six."

Her movements paused for a moment.

"You went from level fifty-four to level fifty-six in such a short time?"

"There's still quite a bit of Whale Glue left."

Hu Liena glanced at the table.

"Then I need to keep cultivating too."

"Your soul power is already at level fifty-two. There's no need to rush."

"I want to catch up to you."

Hu Liena lifted her face and wrapped her arms around Lin Tian's arm.

"You're level fifty-six now. I need to reach at least level fifty-four."

"The gap won't shrink."

"Then I'll cultivate a little longer every day."

Lin Tian looked at her.

"When your body can't take it anymore, you have to stop."

"I know."

Hu Liena set the wooden box on the table and opened the lid.

Inside were several pieces of Whale Glue, along with a bottle of liquid that gave off a medicinal fragrance.

"I had these prepared."

"Tonight, you'll absorb them with me."

"Alright."

Hu Liena immediately smiled.

She took Lin Tian's hand and led him toward the center of the cultivation room.

"You've just broken through to level fifty-six, so you can help suppress the energy."

"You just want me to keep you company."

"Cultivating and keeping me company don't conflict."

She sat on the stone platform and looked up at Lin Tian.

"Captain, you can't only focus on becoming stronger yourself."