Supremely Yang! Dispel the Cold Poison!

Tang Shuo did not hesitate in the slightest. He carefully channeled an incomparably pure stream of Solar True Qi into her body.

This power was supremely firm and yang, the nemesis of all yin and cold energies in the world.

The moment the warm golden current of Soul Power entered Zhu Zhuqing's meridians, her tightly furrowed brow relaxed somewhat, and the trembling of her body gradually subsided.

Yet she still clung tightly to Tang Shuo as though he were a lifeline.

"Not enough... more..."

She mumbled groggily, rubbing her little head against his chest as if searching for an even warmer source.

Suddenly, she opened her small mouth and bit down on the finger Tang Shuo had extended to check her pulse.

Tang Shuo froze.

He could feel the wisp of pure Sun True Fire at his fingertip being continuously drawn away by her.

The girl's actions were unconscious, entirely driven by the instinct to survive.

Looking at her pale, helpless sleeping face, Tang Shuo's heart softened, and he sighed.

He did not withdraw his hand. Instead, he let her absorb his power while increasing the output of his Solar True Qi, enveloping her entire body in warm golden light.

Nothing happened that night.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyelashes trembled faintly.

She slowly opened her eyes.

Her consciousness gradually returned.

The first thing she felt was an unprecedented warmth and sense of security.

Then, she noticed something was wrong with her position.

She... was actually curled up entirely within a firm, warm embrace.

And in her mouth... there seemed to be something, numb yet slightly warm.

Zhu Zhuqing's mind went blank with a boom.

She abruptly raised her head.

What entered her sight was Tang Shuo's handsome face, close at hand, carrying a helpless smile.

She was lying in his arms like a little cat, with his... finger still in her mouth!

"Ah!"

Zhu Zhuqing let out a short cry and sprang out of Tang Shuo's arms as though electrocuted. Her small face instantly flushed crimson, and even the tips of her ears burned red.

"I'm... I'm sorry!"

She stammered, completely at a loss.

"I... I didn't mean to!"

"I know." Tang Shuo withdrew his finger, flexed it, and stood up.

Seeing the girl look so ashamed she wished she could die, he smiled gently.

"Your cold poison flared up last night. You were only instinctively searching for a source of heat."

Hearing Tang Shuo's words, Zhu Zhuqing calmed down somewhat. Recalling the bone-deep cold from last night, she still felt lingering fear.

She lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"Thank you... for saving me again."

"It was nothing."

Tang Shuo waved a hand, but his expression grew serious.

"I've temporarily suppressed the cold poison in your body with Sun True Fire. It won't flare up again for a while."

"However, this cold poison has accumulated in your body for too long and has already seeped into your bones. It cannot be eradicated in one go."

He looked at Zhu Zhuqing and spoke earnestly.

"But don't worry. I'll find a way to help you solve this problem completely."

Zhu Zhuqing abruptly lifted her head, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief.

Help me... solve it completely?

All this time, she had borne the pressure she endured and the dangers she faced all by herself.

Her family's indifference and her sister's coercion had made her accustomed to loneliness, accustomed to relying on herself for everything.

Yet this young man had known her for only a few days, and he had extended a helping hand to her again and again.

He had even taken her troubles so deeply to heart.

An indescribable warmth quietly flowed through Zhu Zhuqing's heart.

The world before her seemed to brighten by several degrees.

"Alright, this matter is settled. It's time for me to leave as well," Tang Shuo said.

His purpose of acquiring a Spirit Ring had been fulfilled, and he still had his own path to walk.

At his words, a strong sense of reluctance surged up within Zhu Zhuqing.

She spoke before she could stop herself.

"Where are you going?"

"I haven't decided yet. I'll travel around and see the world," Tang Shuo answered.

Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, seemingly making up her mind about something.

"I'm going to Shrek Academy."

"It's an academy... that only accepts monsters."

She raised her head, her bright eyes full of expectation as she looked at Tang Shuo.

"You're so special, so gifted, and your martial soul is... so powerful."

"Come to Shrek Academy with me! I believe that with your strength, you'll definitely be able to enroll!"

Hearing the word "monster," Tang Shuo laughed silently.

He shook his head.

"I'm not a monster."

Zhu Zhuqing froze, a trace of confusion flashing across her face.

"Huh?"

Tang Shuo looked at her, the corners of his lips curling upward.

"I'm a Demon Prodigy."

With that, he did not linger any longer. He turned and walked toward the edge of the forest.

"Trust me. We'll meet again soon."

Zhu Zhuqing stood there blankly, watching his figure gradually recede, her heart feeling strangely empty.

But she quickly pulled herself together again.

Yes, they would definitely meet again.

A Demon Prodigy whose first Spirit Ring was Ten-Thousand-Year...

Before long, the name Tang Shuo would surely resound throughout Douluo Continent!

After parting with Zhu Zhuqing, Tang Shuo did not linger long at the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

After getting his bearings, he headed toward the Heaven Dou Empire.

If he wanted to truly establish himself in this world where strength reigned supreme, a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring alone was far from enough.

He had to become stronger as quickly as possible.

A thought gradually became clear in his mind.

Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!

It was a treasured land blessed by heaven and earth, as well as the lair of the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.

If he could cultivate there and use its extreme environment to temper his martial soul and body, his strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds.

Moreover, it contained countless immortal medicinal herbs.

But Tang Shuo quickly suppressed the thought himself.

It was too risky.

With his current strength, seeking out a Titled Douluo directly would be no different from walking into a tiger's jaws.

Dugu Bo had an eccentric temperament and unpredictable moods. No one could say whether he might suddenly turn hostile and kill someone.

Tang Shuo weighed the cards in his hand.

The chaotic energy formed within his body from absorbing the power of the sun since childhood now had only two strands remaining.

Those two strands of energy were the foundation for activating the Chaos Bell and unleashing a great killing move such as Return to the Void.

Each use meant one less.

They were meant to save his life and absolutely could not be wasted casually.

"Looks like I'll have to take a roundabout approach."

Tang Shuo had already made up his mind.

Contacting Dugu Bo directly was too risky, but if he could first get in touch with his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, things would be much easier.

Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor martial soul carried potent poison.

And his Sun True Fire, supremely firm and yang, was the nemesis of all yin, cold, and poisonous substances in the world.

As long as he had a chance to demonstrate that, he would have no trouble drawing her attention.

Once he established a connection with Dugu Yan, he could find a way to meet Dugu Bo and then enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Everything would follow naturally.

With his plan decided, Tang Shuo no longer hesitated and quickened his pace.