Confession

"What does this External Soul Bone do?"

"The effect is pretty good. Its attached Soul Bone Skill—Rising Untainted from the Mud—can negate 20% of physical, energy, and spiritual damage."

As he spoke, the green lotus mark between Ye Chen's brows flashed with green light. A palm-sized lotus dais appeared, hovering a foot above his head.

The moment the green lotus dais appeared, it immediately scattered a hazy green radiance that enveloped Ye Chen's entire body.

The Soul Bone Skill attached to this External Soul Bone—Rising Untainted from the Mud—was not a passive Soul Bone Skill, but an active one. It could be activated or deactivated at any time, though maintaining it continuously consumed Ye Chen's Soul Power.

Well, the Soul Bone Skill had originally simply been called Damage Immunity, but wasn't its name whatever Ye Chen said it was? He had directly given it a somewhat more elegant name.

Although the damage immunity percentage of Rising Untainted from the Mud was a little low, that was no big deal. External Soul Bones could increase in age as a Spirit Master's Soul Power rank rose. Once its age increased, the Soul Bone Skill's effect would surely improve as well.

Besides, Ye Chen could buy Soul Bone Age Upgrade Cards from the System Shop. He did not need to wait until he became a Titled Douluo to raise its age to Ten Thousand Year level. In any case, he happened to have spare money now.

Although an External Soul Bone could automatically increase in age, Ye Chen did not intend to let it evolve on its own. After all, increasing a Soul Bone's age was similar to increasing a Soul Ring's age—it could likewise raise his Soul Power rank.

The massive amount of Gold Soul Coins spent would be more than worth it if he could advance to higher ranks early and receive more filial support from his own son.

"Rising Untainted from the Mud? That's quite an elegant name! Does this External Soul Bone have a specific name?"

Xiao Wu asked Ye Chen.

"Let's call it the Creation Green Lotus!"

After thinking it over, Ye Chen gave his External Soul Bone a lofty, grand, and classy name.

Although he knew that his Creation Green Lotus was merely an imitation version, countless tiers below the Creation Green Lotus from the legends of his previous life, it still sounded much more pleasing, didn't it?

Besides, with the Creation Green Lotus above his head and a Bamboo Staff in hand, it perfectly suited Ye Chen's immortal aura. If any onlookers with a discerning eye saw him, wouldn't they cry out, 'A true immortal who has attained the Dao'?!

"Oh, right, Xiao Wu. Did anything happen while I was absorbing the External Soul Bone earlier?"

Ye Chen asked Xiao Wu with a solemn expression.

"No?"

Xiao Wu put on an innocent, adorably confused look.

"Xiao Wu, don't ever leave me!"

After staring deeply at Xiao Wu, Ye Chen pulled her into his arms.

"What's wrong~? Why are you acting like this~?"

Caught off guard by Ye Chen's sudden action, Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then blushed and asked softly.

"Just remember this—don't ever leave without saying goodbye one day!"

As he spoke, Ye Chen saw the rabbit ears atop Xiao Wu's head and could not resist reaching out to stroke them.

'??? Does Chen Ge know that I'm a transformed soul beast?'

At that moment, Xiao Wu suddenly thought of this possibility. In her shock, she did not even react in time to Ye Chen touching her rabbit ears.

Back when they were at Notting Academy, it was not as if Ye Chen had never tried to get his hands on Xiao Wu's rabbit ears. But every time he did, Xiao Wu would inevitably beat him up.

'Forget it. Chen Ge would never hurt me anyway!'

Xiao Wu had absolute confidence in that.

Although Xiao Wu did not know where Ye Chen had gotten those cards that could increase a Soul Ring's age.

But since they could increase Soul Ring ages, they should be able to increase Soul Bone ages too, right? Then he definitely would not covet her Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone.

Moreover, Xiao Wu knew that the immortal herb she had taken back then was alone worth no less than her Soul Ring and Soul Bone. Ye Chen definitely would not harm her.

Thinking of every moment they had spent together over the years, Xiao Wu suddenly felt an impulse to tell Ye Chen her true identity.

"Chen Ge, you'll protect me, right?"

Xiao Wu looked at Ye Chen with deep affection as she spoke.

"Mm-hm. My Xiao Wu is so cute. Anyone who dares hurt you will have to pay with their life!"

Ye Chen nodded with a serious expression.

"Chen Ge, I lied to you before. My true identity is actually a transformed Ten Thousand Year soul beast. Can you forgive me for hiding it from you?"

Xiao Wu raised her little head and looked at Ye Chen with those watery eyes.

'??? Why did this little rabbit suddenly confess?'

Looking at the soft and adorable Xiao Wu, Ye Chen said nothing. Instead, he chose to respond with actions, directly pressing his lips to her cherry-red mouth.

After a long while~

"Mmph~"

When Xiao Wu was nearly out of breath, she finally shoved Ye Chen away.

"Why are you taking advantage of me?!"

Xiao Wu glared at Ye Chen indignantly.

"We've slept in the same bed for so many years already. Does this still count as taking advantage of you?"

"Hmph~, you only know how to bully me!"

"That's unfair. I'm only a lowly Soul Grandmaster—how could I bully a Four-Ring Soul Elder like you?"

If Xiao Wu hadn't resisted, Ye Chen would never have gotten his way.

"Have you really forgiven me for hiding it from you?"

Rather than getting angry, Xiao Wu asked solemnly.

"Mm-hmm. My Xiao Wu is so adorable—who could possibly dislike you?"

Ye Chen gently stroked Xiao Wu's head, his expression warm.

"No, that's not right. Did you know all along?"

Suddenly, Xiao Wu remembered the Disguise Necklace Ye Chen had given her. Could he have known even back then?

"Oh? I didn't expect it. Xiao Wu, you're actually pretty smart!"

Ye Chen was surprised. When had this silly, adorable little rabbit become so clever?

"Tell me! When did you find out?"

In an instant, Xiao Wu returned to her usual "overbearing" manner.

"Didn't I tell you? I'm the Reincarnation of the God of Wealth. The moment I first saw you, I realized you were an adorable little rabbit."

"You're lying again!"

"I wasn't lying. After all, Xiao Wu is a little rabbit~"

"You're asking for it!"

Xiao Wu immediately pounced on Ye Chen, and the two began playfully wrestling into a tangled heap.

"Chen Ge, thank you~"

After they finished fooling around, Xiao Wu sat beside Ye Chen and spoke softly.

"What are you thanking me for? If you really want to thank me, call me Big Brother! From now on, I'll protect you, little rabbit!"

"Big Brother—"

"Mm, Xiao Wu is such a good girl!"

At that moment, their relationship grew even closer.

"Wait a minute~ Big Brother, you're only a Three-Ring Soul Grandmaster, while I'm a Four-Ring Soul Elder. Why would I need your protection?!"

Suddenly remembering that, Xiao Wu said it with a look of disdain.

Ye Chen: "..."

"Just wait. I'll become a Soul Elder very soon!"

This was simply unbearable!