Tang Chen nodded.
"I promise you."
Only then did Zhu Zhuqing release her arms.
She stepped back half a pace, a faint blush appearing on her fair cheeks.
Tang Yuan stood not far away.
The old man looked at the collapsed courtyard wall, then at the two of them after their embrace.
"The courtyard can be rebuilt."
"Grandpa didn't see anything just now."
Zhu Zhuqing's ears turned even redder.
She turned and walked toward the training ground.
"I'll continue cultivating."
Tang Chen followed her.
"Your Soul Power fluctuations were too intense just now. Rest for today."
"I'm not injured."
Zhu Zhuqing stopped.
"Besides, you're already level forty."
"I can't fall too far behind."
Tang Chen saw the serious expression on her face and did not try to stop her again.
"Then I'll practice footwork with you."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly.
"Alright."
The two arrived at the still-intact half of the training ground.
Zhu Zhuqing removed her outer black robe, revealing the fitted training clothes beneath, which allowed for easier movement.
The fabric neatly accentuated her slender waist.
Her long legs stretched out with her opening movement.
She lightly tapped the bluestone with her toes and swiftly darted toward Tang Chen.
The Nether Civet Martial Soul appeared behind her.
Cat ears and sharp claws manifested at the same time.
As Zhu Zhuqing neared him, her right hand reached for Tang Chen's shoulder.
Tang Chen turned aside and avoided it.
He raised a hand to seize her wrist, pulling her smoothly in front of him.
Zhu Zhuqing lost her balance at the waist.
She raised her left hand and pressed it against Tang Chen's chest.
Their bodies came to a stop in the center of the training ground.
One of Tang Chen's hands held her wrist, while the other rested at her waist.
Zhu Zhuqing's long legs had just touched the ground, the tip of her shoe still pressed beside his foot.
"Your speed has improved."
"I still can't touch you."
Zhu Zhuqing tried to pull away.
Tang Chen did not immediately let go.
"You turned too sharply just now, and your center of gravity shifted to the left."
"If an opponent seized that chance, you'd lose the position to continue attacking."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head and glanced at the hand on her waist.
"So how long are you planning to hold me?"
Tang Chen released her.
"Now."
Zhu Zhuqing steadied herself.
She reached up to straighten the fabric around her waist, the faint blush still lingering on her face.
"One more time."
Tang Chen stepped back.
"This time, don't rush to use your first Soul Skill."
Zhu Zhuqing assumed her starting stance again.
Just as she was about to charge forward, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the courtyard.
A purple figure walked in through the collapsed courtyard gate.
Meng Yiran carried a Serpent Cane on her back, her long hair tied into a high ponytail.
She wore a purple short top, cinched at the waist with a silver belt, along with a short skirt and long boots suited for movement.
Her slender legs stepped over the rubble of the courtyard wall, and she soon reached the edge of the training ground.
Meng Yiran first glanced at the ruined wall.
"I was only gone for a while. How did you two tear down your home?"
Tang Chen said, "The Clear Sky Sect sent people here."
"Where are they?"
"They're already dead."
Meng Yiran nodded and did not ask any further questions.
Her attention quickly shifted to the two people on the training ground.
Zhu Zhuqing was still maintaining an attacking stance.
Tang Chen stood opposite her.
The distance between them was very close.
Meng Yiran stepped over the edge of the training ground and walked directly between them.
"Perfect. I need to practice too."
Zhu Zhuqing withdrew her Nether Civet Martial Soul.
"There are already people here."
"I can see that."
Meng Yiran turned to face Tang Chen.
She set her Serpent Cane aside, her purple skirt swaying gently with the movement.
"Tang Chen, I need to talk to you about something."
Zhu Zhuqing walked to Tang Chen's side.
"Every time you come, you say you have something to discuss."
Meng Yiran looked at her.
"This time, I really do."
Zhu Zhuqing looked displeased.
"Last time, you said your Soul Power circulation wasn't smooth."
"The time before that, you said there was a problem with your Serpent Cane Martial Soul."
"But after Tang Chen checked you, there was nothing wrong at all."
Meng Yiran lifted her chin.
"Problems in cultivation naturally need to be confirmed several times."
"What's wrong with asking Tang Chen for guidance?"
Tang Chen looked at Meng Yiran standing before him, already guessing the outcome.
Ever since he had saved Meng Yiran in the Star Dou Great Forest, she had often come looking for him.
After the Unrivaled Dragon Snake took her away to finish her training, Meng Yiran began appearing every few days.
Sometimes she asked about Soul Skills.
Sometimes she discussed Soul Beasts.
On several occasions, she merely brought some fruit and stayed in the courtyard until dusk before leaving.
Tang Chen had long grown used to it.
"What is it this time?"
Meng Yiran immediately said, "I've recently run into difficulties in cultivation."
"When Soul Power circulates through my meridians, it's always limited by my physical strength."
"I want you to help me take a look."
Tang Chen walked up to her.
He raised his hand and placed it on Meng Yiran's wrist.
Life energy slowly circulated through her meridians.
Meng Yiran's body stiffened slightly.
She looked at Tang Chen, who stood so close before her, and her cheeks gradually reddened.
Tang Chen quickly withdrew his hand.
"There's nothing wrong with your meridians."
"Your body has no hidden injuries either."
Zhu Zhuqing stood nearby.
"I knew it."
Meng Yiran immediately explained.
"But when I cultivate, I really do feel that my physical strength isn't enough."
"After my Soul Power improved, the pressure my meridians endure has only grown greater."
"That can't be fake."
Tang Chen did not expose her.
Although Meng Yiran was still making excuses this time, the issue she mentioned did indeed exist.
A Soul Master's physical strength directly affected the age limit of Soul Rings they could endure and their cultivation efficiency.
Tang Chen had recently been preparing to try a new cultivation method.
Whale Rubber could strengthen a Soul Master's physique.
After special processing, its effects could be enhanced even further.
If it were combined with the power of the Life Ancient Tree, perhaps the energy within the Whale Rubber could be fully absorbed.
"Perfect. I've recently been preparing to try a method to temper the body."
Tang Chen looked at Meng Yiran.
"You can join me."
Joy immediately appeared in Meng Yiran's eyes.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She quickly came to Tang Chen's side.
"Then let's start right now."
Zhu Zhuqing followed them.
"I'm coming too."
Meng Yiran turned back to look at her.
"I was asking Tang Chen to guide me alone."
"Tempering the body isn't something that can only be taught to one person."
Zhu Zhuqing moved to Tang Chen's other side.
"I also need to improve my physical strength lately."
Meng Yiran was about to speak again.
Tang Chen had already headed outside the courtyard.
"Let's go into the city first."
The two could only end their argument and follow him together.
Heaven Dou City.
Commercial Street.
A great number of shops lined both sides of the street.
Soul Beast materials, medicinal herbs, and Soul Tools filled the counters.
Tang Chen stopped in front of a shop selling Sea Soul Beast materials.
Inside were many bones and hides from whale-type Soul Beasts.
A merchant immediately came out to greet them.
"What do you need, esteemed guest?"
"Whale Rubber."
The merchant froze for a moment.
"What age range do you want?"
"Over ten thousand years."
"The older, the better."
The merchant hurried toward the warehouse in the back.
Meng Yiran stood beside Tang Chen, and her cheeks suddenly flushed red.
She tugged on Tang Chen's sleeve.
"Why are you buying Whale Rubber?"
Tang Chen looked at her.
"For cultivation."
Meng Yiran's face turned even redder.
"Isn't Whale Rubber... that kind of thing?"
Zhu Zhuqing turned her head as well.
She clearly knew Whale Rubber's common use in Heaven Dou City.
Tang Chen's expression did not change.
"Whale Rubber contains immense vital energy."
"After refining it, it can strengthen the body and broaden the meridians."
"I'm only buying it this time for cultivation."
Before you continue