Hu Liena's Alluring Temptation, Qian Daoliu's Gift!

Hu Liena lifted her face.

"When I reach level sixty, I want to hunt a powerful Soul Ring too."

"You're still six levels away."

"I'll catch up."

"Don't rush your advancement."

"I know."

She raised her arms around Lin Tian's neck.

"But you promised to give me a reward after hunting the Soul Ring."

"A Soul Bone?"

"No."

Hu Liena leaned closer.

"You said you would give me a Soul Bone."

"Then what do you want?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"You can decide now."

"I want you to carry me back to the carriage."

Lin Tian glanced at her.

"The carriage is still some distance away."

"That's why I need you to carry me."

Hu Liena tightened her arms around him on her own initiative and pressed her face against his shoulder.

"I've been protecting you all day."

"You didn't make a move."

"I blocked the aftermath for you."

"That counts as protection?"

"Of course it does."

Lin Tian supported her waist and lifted her from the ground.

Hu Liena's legs left the ground, and the hem of her pale gold dress fell downward. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Lin Tian's neck and pressed her cheek against his chest.

"You're really carrying me?"

"You asked for it yourself."

"Then hold me steady."

"I won't let you fall."

Hu Liena fell quiet.

Lin Tian carried her toward the edge of the forest.

Along the way, Hu Liena never loosened her hold again.

After they had walked some distance, she lifted her face.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"You're level sixty-five now."

"I know."

"Will you keep cultivating after we return?"

"I will."

"Then what about me?"

"You can cultivate with me."

"What about after cultivation ends?"

"Eat."

Hu Liena's brows furrowed slightly.

"Nothing else?"

"Resting too."

"That's not what I meant."

Lin Tian lowered his head to look at her.

A blush colored Hu Liena's cheeks as her fingers lightly traced across his lapel.

"You promised me that you'd give me a bigger reward once we returned."

"I remember."

"Have you prepared it?"

"What do you want?"

Hu Liena did not answer.

She lifted her face and lightly brushed her lips against the corner of Lin Tian's mouth.

"I'll tell you once we get back to our residence."

Lin Tian continued forward while carrying her.

Hu Liena nestled back into his arms, the smile at the corner of her lips never fading.

"This time, you can't just say yes."

"Then what should I say?"

"You need to be more proactive."

"How?"

"Figure it out yourself."

Lin Tian did not answer.

Hu Liena did not press him further.

She closed her eyes and quietly leaned against Lin Tian.

Their figures gradually left the Great Star Dou Forest.

In the distance, Spirit Hall's black carriage stood among the trees.

The knights beside the carriage immediately lowered their heads when they saw Lin Tian carrying Hu Liena toward them.

Hu Liena opened her eyes.

She did not climb down from Lin Tian's arms.

"Go straight back to Spirit City."

"Mm."

Lin Tian carried her into the carriage.

Hu Liena sat down inside the carriage, but she still held onto Lin Tian's sleeve.

"Sit beside me."

"I know."

Lin Tian sat at her side.

The carriage slowly departed from the Great Star Dou Forest.

Hu Liena leaned into his arms, her palm resting against his waist.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"After we get back, I want to inspect your Soul Ring first."

"Fine."

"Then inspect your body."

"I'm not injured."

"I know."

Hu Liena lifted her face.

"I just want to confirm it personally."

Lin Tian looked at her.

Hu Liena did not avoid his gaze.

A moment later, she wrapped her arms around Lin Tian's neck and pressed her red lips to his.

The carriage continued onward.

Inside the carriage, only the two figures drawing close remained.

Outside Spirit City.

The black carriage slowly traveled along the stone road.

Hu Liena leaned against Lin Tian's side, her palm still resting on his waist.

Her long hair fell over her shoulders, with several strands clinging to her cheeks.

Her pale gold dress was stained with some forest dust, and white soft boots showed beneath its hem.

"You're level sixty-five now."

"Mm."

"You rose from level sixty to level sixty-five with just one Soul Ring."

"The energy within the Soul Ring was sufficient."

Hu Liena lifted her face.

"You absorbed a Fifty-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring."

"That's why I advanced so much."

"Then I want to absorb a Fifty-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring someday too."

"Your body can't withstand it."

"I can improve gradually."

"Reach level sixty first."

Hu Liena lightly pinched his sleeve.

"You're always like this."

"Like what?"

"No matter what I say, you only look at the result."

"The result is what matters most."

"What about the process?"

"The process determines the result."

Hu Liena looked at him for a moment before leaning back against Lin Tian's shoulder.

"I contributed this time too."

"You blocked the aftermath."

"And accompanied you all that way."

"You're my teammate."

"After returning to Spirit City, I'm no longer a competition team member."

Hu Liena raised an arm around his.

"I'm your friend now."

"And a teammate."

"Then I'm still your friend."

"Mm."

That answer quieted Hu Liena.

The carriage passed through the city gate.

The Spirit Hall soul masters on both sides immediately cleared the way when they saw the emblem on the carriage.

Lin Tian lifted the carriage curtain.

People flowed along both sides of the street, while Spirit Hall's banners unfurled in the wind overhead.

Hu Liena looked outside as well.

"Should we go to the Pope Hall first, or the Worship Hall?"

"The Worship Hall."

"Teacher already said he wanted to inspect your cultivation progress."

"See Master first."

Hu Liena nodded.

"Then I'll go with you."

"Fine."

She immediately sat upright and raised her hands to straighten her skirt.

The long journey had left her dress slightly disheveled. Lin Tian reached out to smooth the hair at her shoulder, brushing several strands that had fallen over her lapel behind her.

Hu Liena stopped moving.

"You've learned to take the initiative to fix my hair now."

"Your hair was messy."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Mm."

Hu Liena looked at him and raised a hand to fasten Lin Tian's collar again.

"I only thought your clothes were messy."

"I didn't ask."

"I know."

She withdrew her hand, a smile appearing on her face.

The carriage stopped below the long steps of the Worship Hall.

Lin Tian stepped out of the carriage first.

Hu Liena followed him down and reached out to link her arm through his.

The two of them walked up the long steps.

The golden-armored knights guarding either side of the hall entrance saluted at the same time.

"The Grand Worshiper is already waiting inside."

Lin Tian nodded.

"Got it."

The doors of the Worship Hall stood open.

Qian Daoliu stood beneath the Angel God statue, his golden robes trailing across the floor.

His gaze fell on Lin Tian.

The next moment, the entire hall fell silent.

Qian Daoliu sensed Soul Power within Lin Tian that was far stronger than when he had left Spirit City.

That power was heavy and complete.

Level sixty-five.

A change appeared in Qian Daoliu's eyes.

"How many levels did you break through?"

"Sixty-five."

Hu Liena stood beside Lin Tian.

"He absorbed the Fifty-Thousand-Year Nether Demon Wolf Soul Ring."

Qian Daoliu did not answer immediately.

He raised his right hand.

Golden Soul Power landed on Lin Tian's shoulder and swiftly traveled through his meridians.

Lin Tian did not stop him.

The Nine Nether Beast emerged behind him.

Six black Soul Rings rose one after another.

After the fifth Soul Ring, the deep-black sixth ring was arranged at the outermost edge. Dense destructive aura flowed across its surface, while the phantom of three wolf heads flashed through the black light.

Qian Daoliu's palm stopped in midair.

"All six Soul Rings exceed ten thousand years."

"The sixth Soul Ring has reached fifty thousand years."

"Your Soul Power has also risen by five levels."

"Yes."

Qian Daoliu withdrew his hand.

The way he looked at Lin Tian now held several more traces of scrutiny.

"You killed the Nether Demon Wolf by yourself?"

"Yes."

"Hu Liena didn't make a move?"

"She was responsible for blocking the aftershocks."

Hu Liena lifted her chin.

"I didn't hold him back."

Qian Daoliu glanced at her.

"You did well."

Hu Liena's eyes brightened.

Lin Tian withdrew the Nine Nether Beast.

"The sixth soul skill is Nether Demon Wolf Transformation."

"It can increase speed and strength, and it can also devour an opponent's Soul Power."

Qian Daoliu walked over to Lin Tian.

"Use it once."

Lin Tian raised his right hand.

Pitch-black Soul Power gathered in his palm.

A three-headed wolf head slowly took shape, and the surrounding air contracted inward with it.

Qian Daoliu raised a hand and released a strand of golden Soul Power.

The wolf head opened its jaws and bit down on the golden ball of light.

The instant the two powers came into contact, the golden Soul Power rapidly diminished. The light on the black wolf head's surface grew stronger in turn.

Qian Daoliu withdrew his Soul Power.

The wolf head still hovered above Lin Tian's palm.

"The devouring speed is decent."

"The greater the Soul Power gap, the more obvious the effect."

"Can it also be used against Soul Masters of the same level?"

"Yes."

"What about the duration?"

"As long as there is enough Soul Power, it can continue."

Qian Daoliu nodded.

"This soul skill suits the Nine Nether Beast well."

Lin Tian withdrew his Soul Power.

Qian Daoliu looked toward his right arm.

"Your Right Arm Soul Bone has also fully fused."

"Yes."

"With the sixth Soul Ring and the Right Arm Soul Bone strengthening you at the same time, your close-combat ability already surpasses that of an ordinary Soul Emperor."

Hu Liena looked up at Lin Tian.

"Ordinary Soul Emperors aren't his match either."

"He hasn't reached Soul Emperor yet."

Qian Daoliu looked at Lin Tian.

"Soul Power Level is only the foundation."

"Your combat ability can no longer be judged by Soul Power Level."

Lin Tian did not answer.

Qian Daoliu walked to the side of the hall.

A rectangular wooden box sat on the table.

"This is for you."

Lin Tian walked to the table and opened the lid.

A longsword lay quietly atop black silk.

The scabbard was dark gold throughout, its surface carved with fine patterns. A white gemstone was set into the hilt, with faint golden light flowing inside it.

Lin Tian reached out and gripped the hilt.

The longsword left its sheath.

The blade was a full four feet long, its surface dark gold. Six-winged Seraphim patterns were carved into the sword spine, while a layer of sharp golden light condensed along its edge.

Hu Liena came to his side.

"This sword's Soul Power fluctuations are powerful."

Qian Daoliu spoke.

"It came from the smiths of the Worship Hall."

"The blade was forged with metal containing remnants of Angel Divine Power."

"Though it cannot compare to a divine artifact, it can withstand Soul Power at the Soul Sage level."

Lin Tian casually swung it.

Sword light swept across the hall.

A thin sword mark was left on the surface of the stone pillar ahead.

Lin Tian sheathed the sword.

"Not bad."

Qian Daoliu looked at him.

"You don't use swords?"

"Only occasionally."

"The Nine Nether Beast excels at close combat."

"A sword can also extend your attack range."

"This sword doesn't require Soul Rings."

Qian Daoliu placed a golden ring beside the wooden box.

"There are three sets of sword techniques inside the ring."

"The first set is suited for close combat."

"The second can use Soul Power to release sword qi."

"The third comes from the Worship Hall's old collection and has only three moves."

Lin Tian picked up the ring.

"What are they called?"

"Angel Three Absolutes."

Lin Tian put the ring on his finger.

A stream of information entered his Spirit Sea.

Three sword moves appeared at once.

First move, Heavenly Light.

Second move, Mountain Severing.

Third move, Judgment.

The moves were not complicated.

Each move concentrated power at the sword's edge, making them suitable for Lin Tian's strength and Soul Power.

"I'll train them."

Qian Daoliu nodded.

"With your current strength, there is no longer any point in concealing the age of your Soul Rings."

"After the finals championship, Spirit Hall already knows your strength."

"Do I need to hide it?"

"No."

Qian Daoliu's gaze fell on the Nine Nether Beast phantom behind Lin Tian.

"From today onward, you may freely use your sixth soul skill."

"However, some people within Spirit Hall will change their attitude because of your improvement."

"I know."

"You don't care?"

"If my strength is sufficient, their attitude doesn't matter."

Qian Daoliu paused for a moment.

"That's a good statement."

Hu Liena reached out and touched the scabbard.

"Master, this sword suits him very well."

"You like it?"

"I don't use swords."

"Then you can keep it for him."

Hu Liena immediately withdrew her hand.

"I'll let him keep it himself."

Lin Tian stored the longsword in his Soul Tool.

Qian Daoliu lifted his teacup.

"Did you encounter any other powerful Soul Beasts during your trip to the Great Star Dou Forest?"

"No."

"When you came out of the inner region, there were Soul Power fluctuations deep in the forest."

"After the Nether Demon Wolf died, no other Soul Beasts approached."

"Your martial soul aura suppressed them."

"Mm."

Qian Daoliu looked at Lin Tian for a moment.

"You no longer need me to teach you how to fight."

"I still need Master's guidance in cultivation."

"I can still offer you some advice regarding Soul Power circulation and martial soul fusion."

"Very well."

Hu Liena stood at Lin Tian's side.

"Master, Lin Tian has only just returned. He needs rest."

Qian Daoliu glanced at her.

"Are you more tired than he is?"

"I've been with him the whole time."

"Then go back first."

Qian Daoliu waved his hand.

"Come find me tomorrow."

Lin Tian nodded.

"Understood."

The two of them walked out of the Worship Hall.

Hu Liena descended several steps before speaking.

"Master was really startled by you just now."

"He was only checking my Soul Power."

"When you were level fifty-nine, he didn't look at you like that."

"I'm level sixty-five now."

"You rose five levels at once. Anyone would be surprised."

Lin Tian looked at her.

"Would you be too?"

"I would."

Hu Liena stopped walking.

"So you need to reward me."

"What do you want?"

"Let's go back first."

"You can't tell me now?"

"I'll tell you after we get back."

She linked her arm through Lin Tian's again.

"And you have to let me see that sword first."

"Fine."

"Just look at it?"

"You can hold it."

"Then I also want to see your sixth soul skill."

"You've already seen it."

"I couldn't see clearly in the Great Star Dou Forest."

"You were standing right beside me."

"That's why I need to see it again."

Lin Tian did not refuse.

By the time the two returned to their residence, the sky had already darkened.

Hu Liena pushed open the door to the cultivation room.

Soul Beast meat and spirit fruit, still steaming, had long been laid out on the table.

She took off her white soft boots and sat on the edge of the stone platform.

Her pale gold dress spread beside her, black stockings sheathing her legs as the hem fanned out to the side with her seated posture.

"Eat first."

Lin Tian sat down beside her.

Hu Liena picked up a piece of Soul Beast meat and held it to his lips.

Lin Tian lowered his head and took a bite.

"Not bad."