Xiao Wu rubbed her aching forehead and stuck her tongue out at Lin Xuan.
"Those books are as thick as bricks. I start nodding off after just two pages."
"Besides, with you around, why should I bother memorizing all that?"
Ning Rongrong, who had seen everything from beside them, could not resist teasing her.
"Xiao Wu, you really have no shame about leaving everything to someone else."
Xiao Wu gave a little huff and planted her hands on her hips. "Of course not. That's what happens when Lin Xuan is so reliable."
Lin Xuan shook his head and refrained from embarrassing her further.
Time slipped by as they chatted and laughed.
An hour later.
Zhu Zhuqing, sitting cross-legged on the ground, was nearing the end of absorbing her soul ring. The fluctuations of soul power around her gradually settled.
The purple thousand year soul ring stabilized completely and settled firmly beneath her feet.
Two yellow and two purple rings, neatly aligned.
Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes. The aura radiating from her was much stronger than before, and her soul power had reached level 41.
Ning Rongrong immediately hurried over. "Zhuqing, how do you feel?"
Zhu Zhuqing rose from the bluestone and flexed her fingers lightly. Her claws retracted into her palms as she felt the changes in her strength.
"Mm, I'm level 41 now."
Her voice was as calm as ever, but she could not hide the joy within it.
She turned her gaze slightly toward Lin Xuan, and the corners of her lips lifted into a radiant smile.
Seeing this, Lin Xuan gave a small nod in response.
A faint blush touched Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks at his response, but since she had just absorbed a soul ring, it gave nothing away.
Just then, Xiao Wu ran up beside