Haozi, Playing the Devoted Lover!

"Come on!"

Lu Ming gripped the Heavenly Frost Sword and severed the Lightning Swift Dragon's head with one stroke. Guided by the soul spirit, the purple Soul Ring

spiraled down around Lu Ming. He held the Heavenly Frost Sword upright before him.

"Huh?"

Qian Renxue covered her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers.

Xiao Xiao and Snake Lance came over as well. Qian Renxue wanted to make absolutely sure.

"Sister Xiao Xiao, Little Lu has Twin Martial Souls, right? And he has an External Soul Bone, right?"

Xiao Xiao gently rubbed Qian Renxue's head, her voice soft.

"He does!"

"My Little Lu is amazing."

Snake Lance Douluo's expression barely changed, but inside, his mind was already reeling.

Lu Ming possessed a True Dragon Martial Soul even stronger than the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon,

and he had Twin Martial Souls, too.

At his age, even Spirit Hall's Golden Generation had barely passed level ten!

"Senior Xiao, would you consider joining Spirit Hall?"

Snake Lance Douluo wanted to win her over and bowed slightly.

"Spirit Hall would never restrict your freedom. We would only ask you to lend us a hand in times of crisis."

Qian Renxue turned around, her eyes full of hope.

Xiao Xiao shook her head without a moment's hesitation.

"Not interested. All I care about is that my little brother lives well."

Xiao Xiao's answer was just what Qian Renxue had expected. She had long since realized that Xiao Xiao doted on her brother.

Win Lu Ming over, and Xiao Xiao would naturally follow.

Qian Renxue wasn't too disappointed. There was plenty of time!

Three hours later,

Lu Ming slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

His second Martial Soul, the Heavenly Frost Sword, had its first Soul Ring—a thousand-year ring!

"Little Lu, Little Lu! What's your new Soul Skill like? Hurry up and show me!"

Qian Renxue spoke excitedly.

"You really want to see?"

A faint smile tugged at Lu Ming's lips.

"Mm-hmm!"

Lu Ming wasted no words.

Shing!

A flash of icy swordlight—and the Heavenly Frost Sword was already resting against Qian Renxue's neck.

Snake Lance Douluo nearly jumped out of his skin. He had sensed the movement, but they were too close for him to intervene.

"Sister Xue~"

"Fast enough?"

Qian Renxue huffed, unwilling to concede.

"I wasn't ready. Put some distance between us if you dare!"

She straightened her back, puffed out her chest, and lifted her chin.

Lu Ming smiled and nodded, then moved a hundred meters away from Qian Renxue.

Surely she couldn't complain now.

Qian Renxue cracked her knuckles and gripped the Angel Sword, ready for him.

"Why so cautious, Sister Xue?"

"Cut the chatter. Come at me!"

Qian Renxue felt confident now. She was a Soul Elder. How could she fail to dodge a six-year-old who wasn't even a Soul Grandmaster?

Lu Ming held the Heavenly Frost Sword in his right hand. His eyes, bright only moments ago, turned cold. A chill surrounded him, threaded with faint lightning.

He looked rather like that aloof heartthrob Wu Zhangkong!

"First Soul Skill: Frost Flash Sword!"

Shing!

Another streak of swordlight flashed by. Once again, Qian Renxue couldn't react in time. Once again, the blade lay across her neck.

Lu Ming leaned close to Qian Renxue's ear and murmured,

"Am I fast enough now, Sister Xue?"

Qian Renxue's ears burned.

"That doesn't count... You used your External Soul Bone too~"

There was a hint of a pout in her voice, and the scent of her golden hair reached his nose.

"Would an opponent care about that?"

At Lu Ming's words, Qian Renxue puffed out her cheeks but stopped arguing.

"Hahaha!"

Snake Lance Douluo was in high spirits. Lu Ming looked better and better to him. Only someone like Lu Ming could be worthy of a young mistress as gifted as theirs.

"Young Mistress, we've been out for nearly a week. It's time to return."

"Ah!"

Qian Renxue hated to leave. Going back meant returning to her dull routine, nothing like the excitement of the past few days!

But she had no choice. It was her responsibility.

"Goodbye, Xiao Xiao! Come visit Spirit Hall sometime!"

Qian Renxue turned to Lu Ming.

Perhaps it was because they were parting, but he suddenly seemed so much taller. His features looked more balanced and handsome, too.

There was little of the cute child left. In his place stood a boy on the verge of growing up.

"L-Little Lu..."

"You don't have to say it, Sister Xue. I'll come visit you someday!"

Qian Renxue blushed from her ears down to her neck and pressed her lips together.

"Who wants to play with you?"

She strode off in the other direction, not daring to look back.

If she did, she might never want these days to end.

(Qian Renxue and Lu Ming wouldn't see each other for the next six years. But those six years would only take one chapter! Hehe.)

Nuoding Academy.

After resting for some time, Tang San had fully recovered from his injuries.

He was full of energy again. (Note: The protagonist didn't hate Tang San enough to want him dead. He just liked picking on him.)

"You wanted to see me, Teacher?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"How's your recovery? I still have some healing pills here."

"No need, Teacher,"

Tang San said.

"I'm all better."

Tang San performed a backflip on the spot to prove it.

"Good. I'll leave you to it, then."

Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San's shoulder and walked out.

Tang San was puzzled. Leave me to what?

"Little San."

Tang San froze. He knew that voice all too well.

"Father!"

Tang Hao stepped out of the shadows, still wearing his coarse linen clothes. But unlike before,

his stubble was gone, and the sorrow had faded from his eyes. He seemed much more spirited.

"Little San, I've paid you too little attention over the years. Your father owes you..."

Tang San threw his arms around Tang Hao's leg, his voice choking up.

"Father, don't say that. Without you and Mother, I wouldn't even be here."

"Little San."

A few tears slid from Tang Hao's eyes. The man known as the youngest Titled Douluo on the continent was actually crying.

"Little San..."

Tang Hao and Tang San sat in chairs. Tang Hao curled his right hand into a loose fist and held it before his mouth.

"You grew up without a mother's love, and I miss your mother terribly too."

"But a child with no mother to care for him..."

Seeing that his father was about to cry again, Tang San hurried to comfort him.

"It's all right, Father. You've been alone all these years."

Tang San gritted his teeth, torn inside.

"Why not find me a stepmother? Then you wouldn't have to be lonely anymore. I'm sure Mother would be happy to know you'd found someone, wherever she is."

"Really?"

Tang Hao's tears dried up at once. He clasped Tang San's small hands tightly in both of his.

"To tell you the truth, I recently met a woman I like. She's beautiful and kindhearted. I'm sure she'll treat you well."

"Why are you so sure? Do you know her well?"

Something felt off to Tang San. Surely Father hasn't been carrying on a secret affair all this time?

"We've only met once."

Tang Hao smiled as he spoke.

"Little San, did you know? When I met your mother, it was love at first sight, just like this!"

Tang Hao said excitedly, "Perhaps your mother sent her to save us both."

"I, Tang Hao, won't let her slip away."

"Just as I didn't let your mother slip away back then."