Chapter 222: A Sudden Kiss, Splitting into Two Groups
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's serious expression, Lin Qingmo couldn't help but smile.
"Silly girl, this external soul bone is a feline claw type. My martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. Even if you give me claws, they're useless to me."
"It matches your Hell Spirit Cat martial soul. Only in your hands can it bring out its greatest value."
"But…"
Zhu Zhuqing wanted to say something more, but Lin Qingmo interrupted her.
"No buts."
Lin Qingmo looked at her, his tone firm. "If I'm giving it to you, then you take it."
"The stronger you become, the more ways you'll have to repay me in the future, right?"
"…"
Zhu Zhuqing froze on the spot.
That was an external soul bone comparable to a hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
Countless soul masters would fight to the death over an ordinary hundred-year soul bone.
Yet Lin Qingmo showed not the slightest temptation in the face of something so precious.
He even insisted she keep it without hesitation, thinking of her at every turn.
Since childhood, no one had ever treated her this well.
The people of the Zhu family cared only for profit.
Her emotions surged, as if something had broken through the tightly held barrier in her heart.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Lin Qingmo's face so close to hers. Her mind heated up, and her body moved before reason could catch up.
She leaned forward slightly, raised her head, and gently brushed her soft lips against his.
The touch came with a faint gardenia fragrance from the girl, along with a trace of nervousness.
Lin Qingmo's pupils shrank slightly.
Looking at the girl so close before him, eyes closed, even his breathing paused for half a beat.
Zhu Zhuqing only kissed him once before quickly retreating.
Her entire face flushed red, like a ripe apple; even her ears and neck were dyed a beautiful crimson hue.
She didn't dare look into Lin Qingmo's eyes again, lowering her head as she said, "I… I'm going back to rest now!"
With that, she turned around, lifted the tent flap, and fled in near panic.
Inside the tent, only Lin Qingmo remained.
He stood there, stunned.
Raising his hand, he touched the corner of his lips.
It seemed the soft touch of the girl still lingered there, along with that faint gardenia scent.
A helpless yet amused smile curved at the corner of his mouth.
"This girl…"
…
Early the next morning.
The forest mist had yet to dissipate, but the camp was already lively.
When Lin Qingmo stepped out of his tent, he happened to see Zhu Zhuqing walking out from the nearby woods.
She had just finished meditating.
Fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
She wore a fitted outfit that outlined her slender yet powerful figure.
Their gazes met in midair.
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks instantly flushed red.
She quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her clothes.
But the redness at her ears betrayed her completely.
Lin Qingmo smiled, knowing she was thin-skinned, so he didn't go over to speak or bring up what happened last night.
Both of them tacitly avoided mentioning that sudden kiss.
But anyone perceptive could tell that Zhu Zhuqing had changed.
She no longer stood at the edge of the group, distant and aloof like before.
She would take the initiative to walk up to Lin Qingmo, silently handing him water or dry rations.
Her cool eyes would unconsciously drift toward him.
Even when caught by him, she would only blush slightly instead of immediately looking away like before.
Yu Feng leaned toward Dugu Yan and whispered, "Sister Yan, don't you think Zhuqing is acting strange today? The way she looks at the captain is different."
Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow, glanced at the two in the distance, and curled her lips. "Do you even need to say it? Even a fool could see it."
Something must have happened between those two that they didn't know about.
Ye Lingling sat nearby, her face showing confusion as she listened.
Xiao Wu's gaze moved back and forth between Lin Qingmo and Zhu Zhuqing, as if pondering something.
Just then—
"Ah!!!"
Ning Rongrong suddenly screamed, startling everyone.
"What's wrong, Rongrong?"
Liu Erlong frowned and quickly walked over, worried something had happened.
Ning Rongrong stood there, eyes closed, as she sensed the soul power within her. A look of ecstatic joy gradually appeared on her face.
She suddenly opened her eyes, bouncing excitedly as she ran to the group and shouted, "I broke through!"
"I reached rank 30! I can obtain my third soul ring now!"
She had been extremely envious of Zhu Zhuqing's third soul ring.
She didn't expect that after a night of effort, she would also break through.
As soon as she said this, everyone was slightly surprised.
"Congratulations, Rongrong!"
Dugu Yan smiled. "Looks like this trip to the Sunset Forest just gained another objective."
"Hehe~"
Ning Rongrong excitedly grabbed Liu Erlong's arm and shook it.
"Teacher Erlong, I'll have to trouble you next."
"What trouble is that?"
Liu Erlong gently rubbed her head.
"Since we're here, I'll definitely help you obtain the most suitable soul ring before we go back."
At the same time,
Lin Qingmo's gaze fell on Xiao Wu, who had been standing quietly to the side.
Xiao Wu looked at him as well, sticking out her tongue and making a playful face.
Lin Qingmo smiled slightly in response, though what he was really thinking about was Xiao Wu's biggest concern.
Xiao Wu was a transformed hundred-thousand-year soul beast. She didn't need to hunt soul beasts to obtain soul rings. As long as she reached the level, her soul rings would condense on their own.
Right now, she simply hadn't had the chance to reveal her fourth soul ring openly.
It was time for him to act.
"Teacher Erlong, I have a suggestion."
"Go ahead."
Liu Erlong looked at him curiously.
"With you watching over Rongrong, and with Dugu Yan and the others here, nothing should go wrong."
Lin Qingmo said, "I'll take Xiao Wu to explore another area. We can split up to be more efficient."
Liu Erlong paused, then looked at Xiao Wu, a trace of understanding flashing in her eyes.
She knew Xiao Wu's true identity.
She knew Xiao Wu didn't need to hunt soul beasts for soul rings at all.
On the surface, Lin Qingmo's suggestion was to take Xiao Wu to hunt soul beasts.
In reality, it was to cover for her and prevent her identity from being exposed to everyone.
At the same time, Liu Erlong trusted Lin Qingmo's strength.
Thinking of this, she did not refuse.
"Alright, we'll do as you say."
"You two be careful. If you run into trouble you can't handle, release a signal flare immediately. I'll come at once."
"Don't worry, Teacher Erlong. I'll take good care of Xiao Wu."
Lin Qingmo let out a breath of relief.
Looking at it this way, Liu Erlong was quite easy to talk to.
At least she didn't ask too many questions.
Otherwise, he would have had to pile one lie on top of another, which would be troublesome.
"Brother Qingmo, you have to come back early!"
Ning Rongrong waved her hand.
"Got it."
Lin Qingmo nodded, his gaze shifting to Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing was also looking at him, a trace of concern in her eyes as she softly said, "Be careful."
"Mm."
Lin Qingmo winked at her. "Relax, nothing will happen. When I get back, I'll check how well you've practiced your soul skills."
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks flushed slightly as she gave an almost imperceptible nod.
After giving instructions to everyone,
Lin Qingmo took Xiao Wu and headed into the depths of the forest.
End of Chapter
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