Jing Liu

Spirit Condensing Stone was an exceedingly rare mineral with a miraculous property: it continuously emitted a unique fragrance.

This fragrance seemed to possess magical power. As long as one remained within its reach, they could swiftly calm their mind and focus their spirit, greatly easing their mental state as the irritability and unease in their heart vanished without a trace.

At the crucial moment of martial soul awakening, this spirit-calming fragrance permeating the air could play a role that could not be overlooked.

It could make the entire martial soul awakening process steadier and smoother, greatly reducing the likelihood of unexpected incidents.

After all, a martial soul awakening was a pivotal moment in every soul master's life, and there could not be the slightest room for error.

Yet such preferential treatment was not something ordinary people could enjoy when awakening their martial souls.

For that very reason, this awakening room furnished with pillars of Spirit Condensing Stone was especially precious and unique throughout Haiyuan City and even the surrounding region.

At that moment, several figures stood quietly within the tranquil awakening room. Zhang Lexuan had arrived before him as well. Smiling brightly at Lu Jingming, she playfully blinked her clear eyes, her lively manner full of youthful mischief.

Seeing this, Lu Jingming felt a trace of helplessness. The Zhang Lexuan before him was brimming with the liveliness and innocence of a young girl, utterly unlike the serious, composed, and reserved senior disciple of Shrek Academy's inner court from his memories.

Upon reflection, it was only natural. Ever since Lu Jingming had come to this world, the course of Zhang Lexuan's fate had changed beyond recognition.

Originally, she had borne the hatred of her family's destruction and wandered alone through countless hardships. Later, Dragon God Douluo Mu En had happened upon her and taken her in, leading her to join Shrek Academy.

For the sake of revenge, she had even made an agreement with Dragon God Douluo Mu En, handing her future over to Beibei.

But now, although Zhang Lexuan had likewise endured the pain of losing her loved ones, Lu Jingming's appearance had changed everything.

Under Jing Liu's fierce sword qi, her enemies had been reduced to ashes, and the shackles of hatred had dissipated with them.

Lu Jingming had never expected that the sole surviving descendant of the Zhang Family, which had been bound to the Lu Family by such close ties, would turn out to be Zhang Lexuan, Shrek Academy's inner-court senior disciple from the original work.

From the elderly survivors of the City Lord's manor, Lu Jingming learned that the Zhang Family's ancestors had come across the sea from the Sun Moon Empire. The Lu Family head at the time had defied all opposition to take them in, and the Zhang and Lu Families had been close friends for generations ever since.

Zhang Lexuan's father and Lu Jingming's father had even been sworn brothers who would die for one another. The two families had arranged a childhood betrothal as well. Although Lu Jingming was nine years younger than Zhang Lexuan, soul masters lived longer than ordinary people, so neither family considered a nine-year age gap to be anything significant.

Zhang Lexuan had been obedient and adorable since childhood, and after awakening her martial soul, she had even possessed Innate Full Soul Power. Lu Jingming's parents had always been deeply satisfied with this future daughter-in-law.

Lu Jingming had originally only intended to quell the rebellion in Haiyuan City, but by a twist of fate, he had saved his own fiancée—Zhang Lexuan.

Influenced by his impressions from his previous life, as well as the deep friendship between their families, Lu Jingming had not hesitated to bring her into the City Lord's manor and care for her attentively. He had also arranged for her to become Jing Liu's disciple.

Completely different life experiences had naturally forged such vastly different personalities. Besides, Zhang Lexuan was only fifteen years old now, still at least eight years away from the age at which she had first appeared in Lu Jingming's memories. She was in the very prime of her innocent and carefree youth.

Standing beside Zhang Lexuan was Jing Liu, the first game character Lu Jingming had summoned after coming to this world.

This Peerless Sword Immortal, who had turned the tide and quelled the unrest in Haiyuan City, came from the mobile game "Honkai: Star Rail."

She was the Former Sword Master of Luofu, one of the Five Talents of the Cloud, and bore the renowned title Flawless Radiance.

Jing Liu's waterfall-like silver hair was lightly bound by a slender teal ribbon, falling casually down her back and lending her an air of unrestrained grace.

Her eyes were completely concealed behind a black blindfold adorned with a silver moon motif, adding several layers of mystery to her presence.

A crystal-clear droplet earring hung from her right ear, chest, and back. With her slightest movements, they swayed gently, glimmering with a cold, clear sheen.

She wore light armor dominated by icy blue and silver. The exquisite armor hugged her body, perfectly outlining her tall and graceful figure.

This attire not only highlighted her valiant bearing, but also gave her an aura of cold, overwhelming strength. Like a bright moon hanging high in the night sky, she was aloof and distant, inspiring reverence in all who saw her.

Though her eyes were covered by the blindfold, the instant Lu Jingming entered the awakening room, Jing Liu sharply turned her gaze toward him, as if the black cloth could not obstruct her all-seeing sight in the slightest.

Meeting that gaze, Lu Jingming wore a somewhat sheepish smile. For some reason, even though he had not been late this time, he could never help feeling guilty whenever he faced Jing Liu.

Thinking it over carefully, perhaps it was because Jing Liu had been strict with him from the age of three, constantly urging him to practice swordsmanship. Over time, that severity had gradually transformed his initial fond impression of this two-dimensional wife into the same reverence and nervousness he had felt toward his homeroom teacher in his previous life.

Just then, the Pink-haired little fox in Lu Jingming's arms suddenly kicked off with both legs. Like a streak of pink lightning, she leaped from his embrace and pounced straight toward another woman in the awakening room.

This woman had highly distinctive long hair that faded from a soft pink into pure white, skillfully tied into a long ponytail.

The flame-colored ends resembled the gorgeous tail feathers of a legendary phoenix, swaying lightly behind her and exuding a lazy, carefree air.

On either side of her hair, she wore carefully chosen golden triple-ring knot ornaments, which gleamed with a captivating luster beneath the light.

Within her golden eyes were multiple mysterious black rings, set off by deep black pupils. They seemed to conceal endless stories, drawing anyone who looked into them ever deeper.

Her outfit was uniquely designed around black, white, and red, creating a striking visual contrast.

The main piece was a plain white off-the-shoulder dress, its delicate fabric fitting close against her skin and displaying the beautiful curves of her figure to perfection.

Over it, she wore a black cape that added an air of mystery and elegance, while a vermilion shawl served as the finishing touch, injecting a burst of fervor and boldness into the ensemble.

This ingenious combination displayed her sensual charm without sacrificing elegance or dignity, perfectly blending the pretty liveliness of a young girl with the captivating allure of a mature woman.

Under Lu Jingming's envious gaze, the little fox happily plunged headfirst into that full, enticing cleavage.