Ma Xiaotao's room.
The moment Huo Yuhao's mind returned from the Undead Demi-Plane, Tianmeng Ice Worm's lazy voice rang out in his Spirit Sea.
"Little Yuhao, finished?"
Huo Yuhao answered, "Yeah, the Dugu Bo puppet has already been modified."
Tianmeng Ice Worm chuckled. "Perfect. That girl you were sparring with has woken up. It's your turn to take over. I kept her company for half the day, so I've done you a favor, right?"
Huo Yuhao froze slightly. "Ma Xiaotao is awake?"
"She's awake, awake. She's waiting eagerly for you." Tianmeng Ice Worm's tone carried a hint of teasing. "That girl's feelings for you are anything but ordinary, Little Yuhao. You'd better seize the opportunity."
Huo Yuhao said helplessly, "Tian Meng, stop messing around."
Tianmeng Ice Worm snorted. "Fine, fine. I won't disturb you anymore. This place is yours now. I'm going to find my Bingbing."
"Tian Meng..."
"I'm off, I'm off!"
Tianmeng Ice Worm's voice vanished, and that lazy presence faded from the Spirit Sea as well.
Huo Yuhao shook his head, his mind fully returning to his body.
He opened his eyes and met Ma Xiaotao's sparkling gaze.
"Xuelian! You're awake?"
Ma Xiaotao sat cross-legged opposite him, her face full of excitement. She raised a hand, and a ball of crimson flame burned quietly in her palm.
"Look! My soul power... it actually rose by half a rank!"
Huo Yuhao was slightly startled, then immediately circulated his soul power to examine himself.
As the soul power within his body moved, his heart stirred—his actual soul power had risen from Rank 75 to Rank 75 and a half, bringing him another step closer to Rank 76.
Sure enough, with the Fire Dragon King, cultivating alongside a fire-attributed Soul Master truly produced twice the result with half the effort.
But