Return to Douluo Continent

For now, he had no intention of letting anyone from the Battle Through the Heavens World rush off to Douluo Continent.

At the very least, he would wait until this group had all awakened their Martial Souls and he had reaped enough benefits before considering travel between worlds.

Seeing that Lu Chuan had stopped responding, Xiao Yan knew better than to keep pestering him. His eyes darted about, and he asked eagerly,

"Big brother, what kind of Martial Soul do you think I'll awaken? A super-invincible sword, or some outrageously awesome giant beast?

"I'd take a Gatling gun, too. Thirty-six hundred rounds a second, with six barrels of depleted-uranium bullets!"

The more he talked, the more excited he grew. He leaned forward, eyes sparkling, already imagining himself awakening a top-tier Martial Soul and sweeping through all of Wutan City.

Lu Chuan pressed a hand against Xiao Yan's approaching head and pushed him away in disgust.

"You're asking me to declare what you'll become? I told you, your Martial Soul Awakening depends on your bloodline. You'll get whatever you get."

"Ugh... Then I'm doomed. I just hope it isn't a hoe..."

Xiao Yan deflated at once. The strongest person in the Xiao Family was only a Da Dou Shi. What kind of bloodline could they have?

After his long talk with Yao Lao last night, he understood this world's cultivation ranks. The Dou Emperor was not the pinnacle. Above it stood Dou Zong, Dou Zun, and even Dou Saint experts.

That knowledge had set his ambition ablaze. He wanted to climb, step by step, until he stood at the very peak of this world!

But reality had poured cold water over him.

The truly powerful clans passed down mighty bloodlines generation after generation. Some were born with considerable cultivation, starting far ahead of ordinary people.

How could someone from a small family like his compete with them?

Even if he gave everything to cultivation, a lifetime of desperate effort might not match the talent they had been born with.

"Then I'll go cultivate, big brother. Give me a shout when you get back."

With that, Xiao Yan got up and left the courtyard.

Lu Chuan set down his bowl and chopsticks, then checked Zhu Zhuqing's remaining time.

Client Zhu Zhuqing, time remaining in the Battle Through the Heavens World: 3 hours, 32 minutes.

There was not enough time.

According to the original story, once a drop of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid was diluted, its effects lasted only two to three double-hours—four to six hours.

They could not complete a full medicinal-bath cultivation session here.

They would have to return to Douluo Continent and find a suitable place to cultivate.

Lu Chuan looked at the young woman beside him.

"Zhu Qing, are you done eating?"

"Yes."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly and set down her bowl and chopsticks, a trace of anticipation in her expression.

"All right. Let's head back to Douluo Continent."

Lu Chuan rose to take them back, but just as he was about to activate the transfer, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward. Her slender, warm hand gently took his.

"Didn't you say there was spatial turbulence? You forgot to hold my hand."

Zhu Zhuqing tightened her grip on Lu Chuan's hand, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Lu Chuan froze, then caught on, looking a little embarrassed.

"Huh? Oh! Right, right. How could I forget?"

He closed his hand around Zhu Zhuqing's soft fingers and silently called out in his mind.

System, return to Douluo Continent.

The familiar sensation of weightlessness swept over them.

When they opened their eyes again, they were back in Star Dou Forest.

"Come on. Let's get a room in the nearest town, then use the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid to cultivate."

"Okay. This way."

Zhu Zhuqing led the way at an unhurried pace, their hands clasped tightly together.

Neither mentioned letting go, as though walking hand in hand were the most natural thing in the world.

A gentle breeze stirred through the trees, lifting a strand of hair beside her cheek. Now and then, she slowed and edged a little closer to Lu Chuan. With her palm resting against his, a sense of safety welled up inside her.

They walked in silence, yet the warmth where their fingers touched seemed to travel slowly up her arm and into her heart.

They walked for a long time.

After crossing the outskirts of Star Dou Forest, they arrived at a town built to serve Soul Masters on Soul Hunting trips.

Voices filled the streets, and carts and horses passed by. The lively bustle dispelled the forest's quiet completely.

Looking at the town, Lu Chuan said softly, "We'll stop here. Let's find a quiet inn."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and followed him into one of the town's inns.

"Innkeeper, one room, and have two large buckets of hot water brought up."

Lu Chuan slapped a Gold Soul Coin onto the counter.

The innkeeper's eyes lit up. He pocketed the Gold Soul Coin and agreed with an eager smile. "Right away, sir! A fine, quiet guest room! We'll bring the hot water up for you two in no time, plenty of it and piping hot!"

Zhu Zhuqing blushed, but said nothing.

In her mind, she quietly came up with a reason and repeated it to reassure herself.

He must be worried something might go wrong while I cultivate. That's why he only booked one room—to keep watch over me. Yes, that must be it.

The innkeeper quickly prepared a room tag and handed it over. "Your room is the last one on the second floor. Nice and quiet. We'll have the hot water up shortly!"

Lu Chuan took the tag. "Come on, let's go upstairs."

Still holding Zhu Zhuqing's hand, he went up the wooden stairs to the room at the far end.

Inside, the room was clean and tidy. A broad wooden bed stood against one wall, while a large wooden tub sat in a smaller adjoining room, just right for preparing a medicinal bath.

Before long, an attendant brought in four large buckets of hot water. He set them down, bowed his way out, and gently shut the door.

Lu Chuan first rinsed the tub with hot water. Then he lifted a steaming bucket beside it and poured all the scalding water into the broad wooden tub.

White mist rose in curling wisps and spread through the small room.

He took out the white jade Porcelain Bottle and tipped it gently. A drop of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid, glimmering pale green, fell into the hot water.

The liquid dissolved the instant it touched the water. A faint green glow spread through the tub, and a rich, fresh medicinal scent slowly filled the room. Just breathing it in made their Soul Power stir.

"Zhu Qing, you go first. I'll stay nearby in case anything goes wrong."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and answered in a voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."

She hurried into the bathing room and gently pulled the wooden door shut behind her, separating herself from the outer room.

Warm steam filled the cramped space, with a faint medicinal scent lingering in the air.

She leaned against the door and took several deep breaths, but her heart kept pounding.

It was only a medicinal bath, yet knowing Lu Chuan was quietly standing guard just outside made her cheeks burn.

She patted her cheeks and steadied herself, then reached behind her for the zipper.

Zrrip—

Soon, a few black garments lay in a heap on the floor, along with a pair of white briefs embroidered with a cat.

Resting one hand lightly on the tub's rim, Zhu Zhuqing cautiously touched the green-glowing bath with her toes.

Warm medicinal energy seeped through her skin at once, bringing a faint prickling sensation.

Her heart tightened. She bit her lower lip and slowly lowered herself into the bath.

The warm water rose past her shoulders. Potent medicinal energy surged into her body through every pore and began washing through her meridians.

Wave after wave of soreness and stinging pain spread through her limbs, far stronger than she had expected.

Zhu Zhuqing's brows drew together. Gripping the rim of the tub, she endured the discomfort and slowly circulated her Soul Power. With great care, she guided and refined the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid's energy, then began meditating and cultivating.