Arc 9The Rose and the Return

Lu Ling built Spirit City’s strength, reunited with Ailin and developed relationships with the women around him before leaving for National Team training. The arc ended with Lu Ling arriving in Peru and confronting Lu Yilin after he harassed Jiang Shaoxu.

  • Lu Ling brought Qin Yuer out of Tianshan, welcomed her into his household, and helped her control her Ice Element while Shen Xi revealed herself as his power and returned Netherworld’s red spider lily.
  • Lu Ling hunted Demon Beasts around Dongting Lake, teamed up with Li Man and the military to clear the area, and secured sixty percent of the proceeds for Spirit City.
  • Lu Ling returned to Fanxue City, where Mu Yinfeng revealed her Half Forbidden Curse breakthrough and subdued the Great Li Clan as Spirit City expanded.
  • Lu Ling defended China’s National Pavilion against the British Team, defeated Ailin’s teammates, and left the arena with Ailin after she accepted his rose.
  • Lu Ling revealed the Parthenon Divine Soul within him to Ailin, agreed to study Victoria’s Dragon Taming Technique, and began a relationship with her before they parted.
  • Lu Ling spent a day with Ling Ling before leaving, and she confessed that she liked him, and he told her they could not be together because of her age and her sister, though she insisted she knew everything.
  • Ai Tutu arranged for Bai Tingting to confess her love to Lu Ling, and Lu Ling accepted before leaving home for National Team training.
  • Lu Ling arrived in Peru and forced Lu Yilin to kneel after Lu Yilin began casting magic against him.
Chapters 202–226 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 202The mysterious ice palace

Lu Ling saved Qin Yuer from her icy confinement, stabilized her power, and persuaded her to join his faction. As the group ventured deeper into Tianshan to investigate a familiar voice, they discovered a magnificent ice palace.

  • Lu Ling told Qin Yuer he had saved her because he needed her strength and offered her a place guarding his faction; she agreed.
  • Lu Ling said he had erased the Heretic Judgment Court's mark on Qin Yuer and stabilized her Ice Element power.
  • Qin Yuer met Little Ling Ling, Jiang Feng, and Flame Belle, then learned that ten years had passed while she was frozen.
  • Lu Ling sensed a familiar voice deeper in Tianshan and led the group into an endless ice corridor despite Qin Yuer's warning.
  • After passing through a bubble-like barrier, the group entered a new world and found a magnificent ice palace, where a voice called, “Heh... Ling?”

Ch. 203Your power

Lu Ling and the others discovered an ice crystal palace identical to the palace where Netherworld had been sealed, and Lu Ling encountered a blonde woman inside his mental world. She identified herself as Shen Xi, Lu Ling’s power, and he woke to find Ling Ling frightened and clinging to him before deciding to leave after finding the Tianshan Sacred Lotus.

  • Lu Ling recognized the ice crystal palace as identical to the palace where Netherworld had been sealed, and he and the others found a cross wrapped in ice crystal chains.
  • Lu Ling suddenly collapsed in pain, and the blonde woman appeared in his mental world and called him trash.
  • Lu Ling asked the woman about her relationship with Netherworld, and she seized him by the neck before releasing him.
  • The blonde woman introduced herself as Shen Xi and said she was Lu Ling’s power, then vanished.
  • Lu Ling woke as Ling Ling tearfully checked on him, and he said they would leave after finding the Tianshan Sacred Lotus.

Ch. 204A new family member

Lu Ling brought Qin Yuer back from Tianshan with the Tianshan Sacred Lotus and Tianshan Tranquil Dew, then welcomed her into Spirit City and his household. Qin Yuer began settling into her new family, while Ling Ling remained unusually attached to Lu Ling.

  • Lu Ling led Qin Yuer and Ling Ling out of Tianshan, collected the Tianshan Sacred Lotus and Tianshan Tranquil Dew, and avoided conflict with the Heavenly Scar White Tiger.
  • Lu Ling told Qin Yuer that she belonged to Spirit City and offered to have a house built for her; she accepted the sense of belonging with gratitude.
  • Lu Ling returned to Magic City with Qin Yuer and asked Liu Ru to arrange a genuine false identity for her.
  • At Jinyuan Apartment, Lu Ling introduced Qin Yuer to the women living there, and Ding Yumian welcomed her as Sister Yuer.
  • Qin Yuer shared her painful past with the household, while Ling Ling refused to get down from Lu Ling and called him a pervert.

Ch. 205Is That Okay-or Criminal?

Lu Ling comforted Little Ling Ling after she admitted she feared losing him, and promised to outlive her. Shen Xi briefly appeared, returned Ling Ling’s red spider lily with a white rose, and said it preserved life; the chapter ended with Ling Ling secretly kissing Lu Ling while he pretended to sleep.

  • Lu Ling held Little Ling Ling on the rooftop, and she refused to leave his embrace or go to bed.
  • Little Ling Ling revealed that she feared Lu Ling would die after his near-death experience at the ice crystal palace, and he promised to die only after her.
  • Little Ling Ling brought out the red spider lily and insisted that Netherworld would wake up; Shen Xi appeared and returned the flower alongside a white rose.
  • Shen Xi said the flowers preserved life, then returned to the Contract Space as Lu Ling explained her connection to Netherworld.
  • Little Ling Ling made Lu Ling reaffirm his promise, then kissed him on the cheek while he pretended to be asleep.

Ch. 206Ice Element Growth

After comforting Ling Ling through the night, Lu Ling helped Qin Yuer control her rapidly growing Ice Element cultivation. The session also strengthened Lu Ling’s own Ice Element, and he left the others watching him and Qin Yuer hold hands.

  • Lu Ling stayed with Ling Ling until dawn, and Ding Yumian helped the sleeping girl rest peacefully with Psychic Soothe.
  • Ding Yumian learned that Ling Ling had feared Lu Ling died on Tianshan and urged him to put his safety first.
  • Qin Yuer told Lu Ling her Ice Element cultivation had risen to Super Level Third Tier and asked him to help control it.
  • Lu Ling held Qin Yuer’s hand and absorbed her Ice Element energy, raising his own cultivation toward Advanced Level Third Tier.
  • Ding Yumian, Mochizuki Chiharu, and Bai Tingting showed signs of jealousy as Lu Ling continued holding Qin Yuer’s hand, and he eventually declared the session finished.

Ch. 207Good things come in pairs

Lu Ling spent the day with Ding Yumian and Jiang Feng, and Ding Yumian realized she had been away from the other family members for a full day and night. As the three settled down late at night, Lu Ling wondered whether the Red Demon was with the Lu Family.

  • Lu Ling continued his night with Ding Yumian until she passed out, then used the Healing Treasure Bottle to restore her after they woke in the afternoon.
  • Jiang Feng told Lu Ling she was hungry, and Ding Yumian left them alone before going to shower.
  • A mysterious force pulled Ding Yumian from the bathroom and brought her back to the bed with Lu Ling and Jiang Feng.
  • Late at night, Ding Yumian and Jiang Feng rested beside Lu Ling after Ding Yumian had been gone from the family for a full day and night.
  • Lu Ling thought about Ling Ling and wondered whether the Red Demon was with the Lu Family.

Ch. 208Making money, making money

Lu Ling traveled to Dongting Lake to hunt Giant Lizard-Skull Demons and gather Soul Essences for his Summoning System, but his limited mana made the work painfully slow. After realizing that Spirit City’s needs and his goal of refining seven Emperor-level Soul Essences had left him short of funds, he questioned whether building his own territory was worthwhile.

  • Ai Tutu teased Bai Tingting about her feelings for Lu Ling, then kissed her fingers and tried to help her practice while they shared a bed.
  • Lu Ling traveled through Jinlin City to Dongting Lake, where he began hunting the Giant Lizard-Skull Demon tribe for Soul Essences.
  • Lu Ling killed hundreds of demons at a time, but after a day he had gained only a few thousand mostly Servant-level Soul Essences and was running low on Undead Element mana.
  • Jiang Feng offered to help by using her flames, but Lu Ling stopped her because her attacks would destroy demons faster than he could absorb their Soul Essences.
  • Lu Ling realized that he had too few Soul Essences to refine even half an Emperor-level one and wondered whether building Spirit City had been a mistake.

Ch. 209Picked up a woman

Lu Ling rescued the poisoned military commander Li Man and treated her in his cave. After she recovered and learned he was a man, she thanked him and began to suspect his unusual magical abilities.

  • The military sealed off Dongting Lake after reports of the mass deaths of Demon Beasts, while a woman left a commanders’ meeting.
  • Lu Ling found the unconscious Li Man, removed her poisoned clothing, and cured her with magic and potions.
  • Li Man woke up, realized Lu Ling had saved her, and awkwardly asked whether he had taken off her clothes.
  • Lu Ling offered Li Man instant noodles, and she introduced herself before asking whether he was a hunter.
  • Lu Ling demonstrated that he could control water and fire at the same time, astonishing Li Man.

Ch. 210How Do You Have Clothes Like These?

Li Man questioned Lu Ling about the Demon Beast deaths around Dongting Lake, and he admitted he had killed them while discussing the possibility of rebuilding Jinlin City. The next morning, Li Man joined Lu Ling on his hunt for Demon Beasts, hoping to uncover the truth about Dongting Lake.

  • Li Man told Lu Ling she was an intelligence agent investigating the frequent Demon Beast deaths around Dongting Lake, and Lu Ling said he had killed the beasts.
  • Li Man explained that Jinlin City could be rebuilt if the area met the requirements for a Sub-Safe Zone, while Lu Ling said he planned to clear out the Demon Beasts.
  • Li Man woke up clinging to Lu Ling, apologized, and asked him for clothes before leaving the cave.
  • Lu Ling gave Li Man a dress, underwear, stockings, and shoes, then teased her as she changed.
  • Li Man followed Lu Ling when he went to kill Demon Beasts, insisting that her Advanced Level cultivation would keep her safe.

Ch. 211Cooperation

Lu Ling and Li Man arranged a cooperation between Spirit City and the Biyi City Military District to clear demon beasts from Dongting Lake. After the hunt succeeded, Lu Ling departed, leaving Li Man wondering whether she might visit Spirit City.

  • Jiang Feng kissed Lu Ling while they rested in the wilderness, and Li Man marveled at his strength and asked why he hunted demon beasts.
  • Li Man proposed working with the Biyi City Military District to collect valuable materials from the demon beast corpses, and Lu Ling agreed.
  • Lu Ling showed Li Man his identity badges, including his Hunter Master and Fanxue City councilor badges, along with several honorary councilor badges.
  • Li Man organized hunters and military personnel to join Lu Ling in clearing Dongting Lake, and Long Zhanye's imposing appearance silenced the military district's doubters.
  • After half a month, Lu Ling and the military district had cleared the lake, and Li Man agreed that sixty percent of the proceeds would go to Spirit City.
  • Lu Ling left after telling Li Man she looked pretty in a dress, and she considered visiting Spirit City.

Ch. 212What do you mean, you've broken through to Half Forbidden Curse?

Lu Ling brought Qin Yuer and Mochizuki Chiharu to Fanxue City, where he introduced them to his subordinates and gave Qin Yuer a new identity and a place to belong. After helping with the city’s affairs and coastal defenses, Lu Ling learned that Mu Yinfeng had reached Half Forbidden Curse.

  • Lu Ling returned to Fanxue City with Qin Yuer and Mochizuki Chiharu and showed them the prosperous city he helped develop.
  • Liu Ru welcomed Lu Ling and introduced him to the women managing the city; she sensed that Qin Yuer was exceptionally powerful.
  • Lu Ling introduced Mochizuki Chiharu as the expert who would help plan the port defenses and Qin Yuer as the powerhouse stationed in Spirit City.
  • Lu Ling gave Qin Yuer identification listing Fanxue City as her place of origin, and she thanked him for giving her a home.
  • Mochizuki Chiharu began planning the coastal defenses while Lu Ling joined the city’s administrative work.
  • Mu Yinfeng privately told Lu Ling that she had broken through to Half Forbidden Curse.

Ch. 213There Was Another Way

Mu Yinfeng revealed that she had reached the half forbidden curse level and spent three days with Lu Ling. After Liu Ru reported that the Great Li Clan was eyeing Spirit City's territory, Mu Yinfeng proposed recruiting them and said her new strength could help her do it.

  • Mu Yinfeng showed Lu Ling her Ice Element star sea and told him she had reached the half forbidden curse level.
  • Lu Ling and Mu Yinfeng spent three days together, and Liu Ru later served Lu Ling breakfast while Mu Yinfeng clung to him.
  • Liu Ru told Lu Ling that the Great Li Clan was jealous of Spirit City's growth and wanted a share of its territory.
  • Mu Yinfeng said the Great Li Clan was a vassal of the Mu Clan and offered to handle them.
  • Mu Yinfeng proposed recruiting the Great Li Clan to do odd jobs and claimed the Mu Clan's patriarch might not be able to defeat her.

Ch. 214A tooth for a tooth

Lu Ling let Mu Yinfeng use the Mu Clan’s methods to bring its vassals under Spirit City’s control, while his relationships with Liu Ru and Liu Xian grew closer. Spirit City gained new resources and labor, and Mu Yinfeng prepared to approach the remnants of the Mu Clan.

  • Lu Ling approved Mu Yinfeng’s plan to subdue the Mu Clan’s vassal families and inspected Spirit City’s construction.
  • Liu Ru and Liu Xian tied Lu Ling to a bed, but he broke free and took control of their attempted seduction.
  • Three days later, Mu Yinfeng arrived with breakfast and competed with Liu Ru, until Lu Ling sent the sisters back to work.
  • Mochizuki Chiharu took charge of the coastal defenses, Qin Yuer handled miscellaneous tasks, and Mu Yinfeng found a fragmented crystal vein in Spirit City.
  • Mu Yinfeng subdued the Great Li Clan and planned to ascend Mu Pang Mountain in Lu Ling’s name to bring the Mu Clan’s remnants under their control.

Ch. 215A life for a life?

Lu Ling questioned Shen Xi about Netherworld and learned that reviving her required a life for a life, but Shen Xi refused to explain further. Half a month later, the British Team arrived in Magic City, and Grand Duchess Ailin recalled her past connection with Lu Ling as she approached the city’s National Pavilion.

  • Lu Ling confronted Shen Xi about occupying a contract slot and asked how to wake Netherworld.
  • Shen Xi said Netherworld’s revival required Lu Ling’s life in exchange, then disappeared without telling him how to do it.
  • Over the next half month, Lu Ling cultivated at home with Ding Yumian and Ai Tutu, who advanced her Light Element to the Advanced Level.
  • Bai Tingting told Lu Ling that the British Team had arrived, so he stopped brushing Long Zhanye’s hair to meet them.
  • Ailin recalled visiting Magic City with Lu Ling and privately thought she probably would not see him this time.

Ch. 216The Empire Arrives

Ailin reunited with Lu Ling at the National Pavilion before they faced off in a match between China and the British Team. The battle began with Shade summoning his griffin, while Lu Ling’s pale pink magic prompted Ailin to warn her teammates.

  • Ailin spotted Lu Ling at the National Pavilion and happily greeted him, revealing that she had hoped to see him in Magic City.
  • Lu Ling explained that he had returned from the National Team’s training journey to defend China’s National Pavilion.
  • Zhe Luo selected Ailin, Hilbert, Shade, and Mu Wen to face Lu Ling, who said he would take on all four alone.
  • Ailin warned her teammates that Lu Ling’s strength was unfathomable before the match began.
  • Shade summoned his Commander Level griffin, William, and ordered it to attack Lu Ling.
  • Ailin noticed pale pink light in Lu Ling’s eyes and urgently warned her teammates to watch their backs.

Ch. 217Defeating the British Team

Lu Ling used Mind Element and Shadow Element magic to overwhelm the British Team during the match. Ailin surrendered after he trapped her, leaving the National Pavilion team victorious.

  • The Golden Griffin, controlled by Lu Ling, knocked Mu Wen out of the arena, and Ailin identified Lu Ling's Soul Seizure and Mind Control magic.
  • Shade summoned a tide of blood beasts while Hilbert kept the Golden Griffin occupied and Ailin tried to interfere with Lu Ling.
  • Lu Ling activated Night Ruler and Blood Shadow Dark Domain, then used Myriad Forms to kill the summoned beasts in the darkness.
  • Hilbert struck Shade with lightning, and Lu Ling immobilized Ailin with Space Rhythm before presenting her with a red rose.
  • Ailin surrendered, revealing that Hilbert and Shade had fallen unconscious, and the National Pavilion team cheered its victory.
  • Feng Li praised Lu Ling, surprising Bai Dongwei, who had not noticed Feng Li's arrival.

Ch. 218I Agreed

Lu Ling defeated Ailin and her teammates, then accepted Ailin’s request to stay with her until his magical rose withered. They shared a meal in Magic City, where Lu Ling summoned Long Zhanye, leaving Ailin surprised.

  • Ailin confirmed that Lu Ling had used Soul Seizure and Mind Control on Hilbert and knocked Shade unconscious, then accepted his blood-red rose.
  • Ailin asked Lu Ling to stay with her until the rose withered, and he agreed before leading her away from the arena.
  • Zhe Luo learned that Ailin had left with Lu Ling, while Bai Tingting watched them go with bitter feelings.
  • Lu Ling took Ailin to a restaurant and arranged a feast of Chinese specialties for her.
  • Long Zhanye demanded food, and Lu Ling summoned her to join the meal; Ailin asked whether he had summoned her.

Ch. 219Cooperation

Lu Ling discussed Ailin’s research into dragon taming and revealed that Long Zhanye was a pureblood true dragon. He offered to help Victoria improve its Dragon Taming Technique in exchange for cooperation, then began showing Ailin a secret ability after she agreed to hear his secret.

  • Ailin asked Lu Ling about his Psychic Element and the possibility of using Mind Magic to tame Demon Beasts, and Lu Ling recognized her interest in Victoria’s Dragon Taming Technique.
  • Long Zhanye frightened Ailin by dismissing humanity’s ambition to control dragons, then Lu Ling revealed that she was his white flying dragon in human form and a pureblood true dragon.
  • Lu Ling suggested that Victoria might cooperate with the Parthenon Temple, but Ailin explained that its Goddess selection and Saintess rivalry made a partnership impractical.
  • Lu Ling said he might improve Victoria’s Dragon Taming Technique and brought Ailin into Chaos Reflection Space to discuss a secret that could cost him his life if others learned it.
  • Ailin agreed to hear Lu Ling’s secret after he said his forces needed money and cooperation with Victoria could help, and Lu Ling released divine light before invoking Zhu Nan’s Spiritual Power.

Ch. 220A promise

Lu Ling revealed his connection to the Parthenon Divine Soul and arranged to help Ailin improve Victoria’s dragon-taming techniques. After spending the day together, they shared a romantic dinner where Lu Ling kissed Ailin and promised to stay with her, then offered to rapidly improve her cultivation before she could respond.

  • Ailin realized Lu Ling’s magic could restore mana and learned that the Parthenon Divine Soul had descended upon him.
  • Ailin and Lu Ling agreed that he would study Victoria’s dragon-taming techniques and improve them.
  • Lu Ling and Ailin went shopping together, where he bought her gifts.
  • At a candlelit dinner, Lu Ling explained the Blood Oath and kissed Ailin, who protested that she had not been ready.
  • Lu Ling promised to stay with Ailin even after the rose withered and offered to improve her cultivation, but she was interrupted before answering.

Ch. 221A different kind of contract

Ailin woke after spending the night with Lu Ling and discovered their union had greatly increased her cultivation. She learned Lu Ling had other lovers, then left after they renewed their promises to keep in touch and honor their agreement.

  • Lu Ling used Healing Light on Ailin and told her their union might have improved her cultivation.
  • Ailin meditated and found her Water Element cultivation had advanced to Advanced Level Third Tier; Lu Ling revealed he cultivated Water, Psychic, and Light elements.
  • Ailin asked how many women Lu Ling had been with, and he told her she would meet them and that he would love them equally.
  • Lu Ling and Ailin were intimate again, and Ailin wondered whether she might be pregnant.
  • Lu Ling combed Ailin's hair, and they promised to keep in touch and remember their agreement.

Ch. 222Parting

Ailin left after a breakthrough, and Lu Ling learned that the National Team would soon head to Peru. Before departing, he visited the Azure Sky Hunter Agency to say goodbye, where Leng Qing suggested that he take the dejected Ling Ling out for a day.

  • Ailin reunited with the British Team looking noticeably more mature and left Lu Ling a copy of Victoria's Dragon Taming Technique.
  • Lu Ling received Feng Li's call informing him that the National Team's next stop was Peru and that he would need to leave in a few days.
  • Long Zhanye suddenly appeared through a spatial gate and demanded more food, surprising Lu Ling because he had not summoned her.
  • Lu Ling visited the Azure Sky Hunter Agency to say goodbye, and Ling Ling grew visibly dejected when he mentioned his departure.
  • Leng Qing suggested that Lu Ling take Ling Ling out for a day before he left.

Ch. 223Lu Ling, I Like You

Lu Ling and Ling Ling spent a day visiting popular places before she warned him not to endanger himself again. A golden-haired girl intervened from another dimension, and Ling Ling kissed Lu Ling in the Ferris wheel cabin and confessed that she liked him.

  • Lu Ling took Ling Ling to a milk tea shop, a mall, a cat café, a zoo, and finally a Ferris wheel.
  • Ling Ling told Lu Ling not to put himself in danger, recalling that her previous hunter partner had met with disaster.
  • A golden-haired girl watched them from another dimension and used her power to awaken the white rose within Ling Ling.
  • Ling Ling kissed Lu Ling while he pretended to be asleep, then climbed into his arms and tried to kiss him again.
  • Lu Ling stopped Ling Ling and said they could not be together because of her age and her sister; Ling Ling said she knew everything and confessed that she liked him.

Ch. 224No Choice but to Use Force

Lu Ling responded to Ling Ling’s confession with a kiss and promised to wait for her, while a mysterious blonde girl secretly interfered with the white rose inside Ling Ling. Three days later, Lu Ling told Ding Yumian, Ai Tutu, and Bai Tingting that he would soon leave for the national team’s training journey, prompting Ai Tutu to devise a plan.

  • Lu Ling kissed Ling Ling and told her he would wait to see whether he fell for someone else, but Ling Ling insisted she wanted only him.
  • Lu Ling asked Ling Ling to keep their relationship from her sister, and she fell asleep in his arms during the Ferris wheel ride.
  • A blonde girl watched them from another dimension and sent a golden thread into Ling Ling, causing the white rose inside her to tremble.
  • Lu Ling took Ling Ling to the Azure Sky Hunter Agency, then spent the next three days resting at home instead of cultivating.
  • Lu Ling told Ding Yumian, Ai Tutu, and Bai Tingting he would soon leave for national team training, and Ai Tutu decided she would have to use force.

Ch. 225You Have to Make It Up to Me!

Ai Tutu arranged for Lu Ling to find Bai Tingting bound in her room, where Bai confessed her long-held love and began a relationship with him. A day later, Lu Ling left after saying goodbye to the women, while Ai Tutu demanded a kiss and playfully kissed Bai Tingting and chased Ding Yumian.

  • Ai Tutu lured Lu Ling into her room and revealed Bai Tingting tied to the bed.
  • Lu Ling removed Bai Tingting's gag, but she asked him not to untie her and confessed that she loved him.
  • Lu Ling accepted Bai Tingting's confession, and they spent the night together in Ai Tutu's room.
  • The next day, Lu Ling embraced Ding Yumian, Ai Tutu, and Bai Tingting before leaving on his journey.
  • After Lu Ling departed without kissing her, Ai Tutu kissed Bai Tingting and chased the laughing Ding Yumian through the living room.

Ch. 226Liked doing good deeds

Lu Ling arrived in Peru and reunited with the National Team in Hami City, where Jiang Shaoxu embraced him and provoked Lu Yilin’s jealousy. Lu Ling effortlessly stopped Lu Yilin’s attack and forced him to kneel, leaving the team stunned.

  • Lu Ling flew to Peru alone and crushed a strange bird with spatial telekinesis during the trip.
  • Mu Ningxue sensed Lu Ling’s return while the National Team rested in a tavern, and she briefly summoned an Ice Bow before its power vanished.
  • Lu Ling entered the tavern, and Jiang Shaoxu warmly embraced him while hinting that he should take responsibility for her first kiss.
  • Lu Yilin confronted Lu Ling after Jiang Shaoxu rejected his advances and began casting Advanced Level magic.
  • Lu Ling scattered Lu Yilin’s half-formed Star Constellation with a quiet command and forced him to kneel.
Arc 9 of 20
Arc 9 of 20