Return to Douluo Continent

For now, he had no plans to let people from the Battle Through the Heavens World venture recklessly into Douluo Continent.

At the very least, he would wait until this group had all awakened their Martial Souls, reap a solid round of benefits, and only then consider crossing worlds.

When Xiao Yan saw that Lu Chuan wasn't responding, he couldn't keep pestering him. His eyes darted, and he asked with open anticipation.

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

I think a Gatling gun would be good too. Thirty-six hundred rounds a second, six-barreled depleted-uranium bullets to cleanse the soul!"

The more he talked, the more excited he became. Leaning forward slightly, eyes sparkling, he was already imagining himself sweeping through all of Wutan City after awakening a top-tier Martial Soul.

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

"Are you trying to get me to bless your transformation? I told you, your Martial Soul Awakening depends on your bloodline. Whatever it is, it is."

"Ah... then I'm done for. I just hope I don't awaken 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 conversation with Yao Lao last night, he had come to understand the cultivation ranks of this world. It turned out Dou Emperor wasn't the highest. Above it were Dou Zong, Dou Zun, and even Dou Sheng Experts.

That had set his ambition blazing. He wanted to climb step by step to the top—to the very peak of this world!

But reality had dumped a bucket of cold water over him.

Those truly flourishing great families passed powerful bloodlines down through generations. Some of their children were even born with considerable cultivation, starting far ahead of ordinary people.

As a child of a small family, what could he use to compete with them?

Even if he gave everything to cultivation, a lifetime of desperate effort might not match another person's inborn talent.

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

With that, Xiao Yan didn't linger. He rose and left the courtyard.

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

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

There wasn't enough time.

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

There was no time to 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 up at the young woman beside him.

"Zhu Qing, have you finished eating?"

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently and set down her bowl and chopsticks, a trace of anticipation on her face.

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

Lu Chuan stood, about to send them both back. But just as he was about to activate the transfer, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and gently took his hand in her slender, warm one.

"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 puzzlement 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 one and silently called out.

System, return to Douluo Continent.

The familiar sensation of weightlessness swept over them.

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

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

"Mm. This way."

Zhu Zhuqing walked ahead, slowly leading the way, their hands still clasped tightly together.

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

A light breeze drifted through the trees, stirring a strand of hair by her cheek. Now and then she slowed her steps and edged half an inch closer to Lu Chuan. With her palm resting lightly against his, a sense of safety welled up inside her.

They walked on in silence, yet the warmth where their fingers touched crept little by little up her arm and into her heart.

They walked for a long time.

After passing through the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, they reached a small town built specifically for Soul Masters on Soul Hunting trips.

Voices filled the streets, carts and horses passed through, and the bustling signs of everyday life washed away the forest's quiet.

Lu Chuan looked at the town ahead and said softly, "We'll stay here. Let's find a quiet inn."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and followed him into an inn.

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

Lu Chuan slapped a Gold Soul Coin onto the counter.

The innkeeper's eyes lit up. He hurriedly pocketed the Gold Soul Coin and agreed with an eager smile. "Of course, honored guests! A fine, quiet guest room! We'll bring the hot water straight up—plenty of it, and piping hot!"

Zhu Zhuqing blushed but said nothing.

She quietly found herself a reason, repeating it in her mind to set herself at ease.

Senior must be worried something might go wrong with my cultivation. That's why he only booked one room—so he can keep watch over me. Yes, that must be it.

The innkeeper swiftly prepared the room key and handed it over eagerly. "Honored guests, your room is the last one on the second floor. Nice and quiet. We'll bring the hot water right up!"

Lu Chuan took the key. "Let's go upstairs."

Holding Zhu Zhuqing's hand, he climbed the wooden stairs with her to the last room on the second floor.

He pushed open the door. The room was clean and tidy, with a broad wooden bed against the wall. In a smaller adjoining room stood a large wooden tub, just right for preparing the medicinal bath.

Before long, an inn attendant brought in four large buckets of hot water. After setting them down, he bowed himself out and gently shut the door.

Lu Chuan went over and rinsed the wooden tub with hot water. Then he picked up the still-steaming buckets and poured all the scalding water into the broad tub.

White mist curled upward, filling the small room.

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

The liquid dissolved the instant it touched the water, casting a faint green glow over the entire tub. A rich, fresh medicinal fragrance slowly spread through the room, enough to make their Soul Power surge with a single breath.

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

Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently and answered in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's hum. "Mm."

Then she hurried into the bathroom and softly pulled the wooden door shut behind her, separating the two rooms.

Warm steam filled the cramped bathroom, with a faint medicinal fragrance lingering in the air.

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

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

She patted her cheeks. Once she had calmed herself, Zhu Zhuqing reached behind her back and found the zipper.

Zzzip—

Soon, a small pile of black clothing lay on the floor, along with a white triangle embroidered with a cat.

Holding the edge of the wooden tub with one hand, Zhu Zhuqing tentatively touched the green-glowing medicinal bath with her toes.

Warm medicinal power instantly seeped through the skin of her toes, bringing a faint prickling sensation.

Her heart tightened. Biting her lower lip, she slowly lowered her whole body into the bath.

Warm water rose past her shoulders. Potent medicinal power poured through every pore and surged into her body, beginning to scour her Meridians.

Wave after wave of aching, prickling pain spread through her limbs, stronger than she had expected.

Zhu Zhuqing's brows drew tight. She gripped the rim of the tub with one hand and endured the discomfort, slowly guiding her Soul Power to draw in and refine the medicinal power of the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid. Then she began cultivating through meditation.