Chapter 96: Journey to the Star Dou Forest — Hunting a Soul Beast!
"Xiao Wu, try it."
Lin Qingmo's expression was more serious than ever before.
He knew the Yearning Heartbroken Red could conceal a soul beast's aura, so Xiao Wu had to test it.
Otherwise, her identity as a hundred-thousand-year soul beast would be discovered sooner or later.
Xiao Wu's face flushed instantly.
She secretly glanced at Lin Qingmo, her heart pounding wildly.
Taking a deep breath, as if making a great decision, she lightly touched the flower petals with her fingertip and used a thread of soul power to force out a drop of bright red blood essence.
"Pfft…"
The blood droplet landed precisely on the flower's core.
Then, a miracle happened.
The previously quiet flower bud suddenly trembled!
A dazzling red light burst out like a miniature firework, instantly illuminating the area around them.
The glow was warm, but not blinding, carrying a vibrant pulse of life.
The tightly closed petals unfolded layer by layer, as if time itself had accelerated.
In the blink of an eye, the Yearning Heartbroken Red fully bloomed before them.
Its color became even richer and more vivid, red like blood about to drip.
A delicate, indescribable fragrance spread through the air.
Not strong, but it drifted straight into the nose, sweet and calming to the mind.
"It bloomed! It really bloomed!"
Xiao Wu covered her mouth, eyes wide with joy.
She looked at the flower, then at Lin Qingmo, her heart beating like a drum.
All she had been thinking about just now was Ah Qing.
She really did love him.
Lin Qingmo smiled slightly, the weight in his heart finally lifting.
Xiao Wu's feelings were genuine.
That was enough.
In this dangerous world, sincerity was more precious than anything.
"Eat it."
His tone was calm but firm.
"Ah? Eat it?"
Xiao Wu hesitated, reluctance filling her face.
"It's so beautiful… wouldn't eating it be a waste…"
Her fingers gently brushed the petals, which felt soft and warm.
After all, the flower had bloomed for Ah Qing.
"It's an immortal herb, not an ornament," Lin Qingmo explained patiently, his expression turning solemn.
"Eating it is the best option."
"First, it can completely hide your soul beast aura, even a Titled Douluo might not see through it. Second, it can greatly increase your soul power. Xiao Wu, you need to reach level sixty as soon as possible to truly be safe."
He thought silently to himself.
The tragedy from the original story must never happen again.
This was the proper use of the herb.
Xiao Wu bit her lip, struggling internally.
The flower was too beautiful to eat, yet Ah Qing was right.
Her identity as a soul beast could endanger him.
And Xiao Wu always trusted his words.
"Okay."
She finally took the living flower, closed her eyes, and carefully placed it in her mouth.
The petals melted instantly as a sweet, indescribable nectar burst across her tongue and flowed down her throat.
Then, a gentle yet vast energy surged into her limbs like an ocean tide!
Like a warm current in winter, it was so comfortable she nearly moaned.
The energy circulated through her meridians automatically, solidifying and increasing her soul power with each pass.
A faint pink glow appeared around Xiao Wu.
Her soul power surged upward like a breaking wave.
"Boom!"
A wave of energy fluttered Lin Qingmo's clothes.
Rank thirty-two… thirty-three… thirty-four…
Her soul power rose continuously until it stabilized at rank thirty-seven.
Five levels in a row!
Xiao Wu opened her eyes again, a flash of brilliance passing through them.
"I… I leveled up?!"
She felt the new power flowing through her body, both shocked and delighted.
"And my soul beast aura is gone!"
It felt like a heavy stone in her heart had finally been lifted.
She looked up at Lin Qingmo, her eyes slightly moist.
Anyone could tell how precious an immortal herb was.
Yet Ah Qing had given it to her without hesitation.
Warm, tender emotions filled her heart, like soaking in hot spring water.
"Ah Qing…"
Her voice was soft as a feather, with a faint nasal tone.
"Thank you."
She paused, cheeks flushed red, but her eyes bravely met his.
"I… I've decided!"
With that, she stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Lin Qingmo's neck, and stood on her toes.
Her soft lips pressed against his again, filled with love.
!!!"
The sweet fragrance of the girl surrounded him.
He could clearly feel Xiao Wu's nervousness, initiative, and wholehearted affection.
The temperature between them rose.
Xiao Wu was already losing herself, her arms tightening around him.
But Lin Qingmo's remaining rationality sounded the alarm.
Taking a deep breath, he lifted the soft, boneless Xiao Wu by the waist.
Her eyes were hazy, cheeks flushed like she was intoxicated, her gaze naturally charming.
Lin Qingmo swallowed.
Two voices fought in his mind.
One shouted: "Go for it! What are you waiting for? She's already like this!"
The other stayed calm: "No. Not now. The timing and place are wrong."
He rubbed his forehead and muttered to himself:
"If there's love… it should be fine, right?"
Three Days Later, Morning
The training ground of Shrek Academy was still covered in a thin mist, the air slightly cold.
"I broke through!!!"
Oscar's wailing shout shattered the silence.
He bounced in place like a spring, his soul power clearly at level thirty.
"Why are you yelling? So noisy."
Ma Hongjun dug at his ear, though he was smiling.
"Congrats, Xiao Ao."
"Hehe, same to you!"
Oscar scratched his head foolishly, but his eyes drifted toward Ning Rongrong in the distance.
She was talking to Zhu Zhuqing and didn't even look his way.
Oscar immediately deflated.
Dai Mubai patted his shoulder with a forced smile.
"Alright, get ready to leave."
"Teacher Zhao will lead us to the Star Dou Forest to get you a suitable soul ring."
His gaze unconsciously drifted toward Zhu Zhuqing's cold profile, frustration rising in his heart.
He and Oscar were a pair of unacknowledged brothers in misery.
Tang San felt even worse.
For some reason, he felt Xiao Wu laughing and chatting beside Lin Qingmo looked even more beautiful now, carrying a strange charm.
What angered him most was that Xiao Wu's eyes never rested on him.
Since Oscar had reached rank thirty, it was naturally time to hunt his third soul ring.
This time, the Shrek Eight Monsters moved together, with Zhao Wuji leading the group.
After days of travel, they finally arrived at a small town.
The town wasn't small, at least three times larger than the village where Shrek Academy was located.
Because it was close to a soul beast forest and the nearest town to the Star Dou Forest, it had become a supply station for many soul masters and was especially lively.
Soul masters carrying weapons could be seen everywhere, speaking loudly.
The air smelled of alcohol, roasted meat, and dust.
"This place looks fine."
Zhao Wuji pointed at a hotel with red lanterns hanging outside and waved his hand.
"We'll rest here tonight, recover our strength, and head deeper toward the Star Dou Forest tomorrow morning."
He pushed the door open and shouted:
"Waiter!"
The hotel owner, a thin middle-aged man, immediately noticed they were no ordinary guests and greeted them with a smile.
"Welcome, honored soul masters. Lodging or dining?"
"Both."
Zhao Wuji tossed out several gold soul coins, which clinked loudly.
"One single room, two double rooms, and one room for four."
—
End of Chapter