Chapter 17: Nana
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Above the Shadow Mist
Nian Yun’s eyes gradually glowed with a blue light as his soul ring flickered, a halo of light enveloping his left hand.
A free and cool breeze gathered from all directions, forming a vortex.
“Pff—”
His left hand suddenly grasped toward the Shadow Mist.
His right hand drew back the bowstring without an arrow; the light slowly faded away, revealing a blue-and-white feathered bow beneath the moonlight.
He condensed his soul power into an arrow, blue light illuminating the entire scene.
“Shuu—”
The bow and arrow, formed from points of azure-gold light, shot straight into the Shadow Mist.
“Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh”
Layers of glowing points fell, staining the mist with blue light.
A fierce wind swept through, dispersing the Shadow Mist entirely.
On the battlefield
Sensing his vision clearing, Xie Yue quickly locked onto the Purple Shadow Lion.
“First Soul Technique, Moon Wheel Slash.”
Xie Yue tossed a moon blade with one hand and slashed toward the target with the other.
“Grr~”
The Purple Shadow Lion let out a light roar, relying on the toughness of its claws to swipe away the incoming moon blade.
The moon blade flew back to Xie Yue’s hand, spinning in front of the Purple Shadow Lion to reinforce its own resilience.
“Bang!”
With a powerful collision, Xie Yue was knocked back, while the Purple Shadow Lion’s claws trembled slightly.
“Rustle rustle”
“Step step”
Glancing around, the Purple Shadow Lion ultimately chose to turn and dart into the forest.
“It wants to run,” Hu Liena, the first to notice the lion’s intention, was about to pursue, but blood flowed relentlessly from her forearm, the pain forcing her to signal the other two instead.
After steadying his mind, Xie Yue quickly followed, plunging into the thicket.
“You won’t escape.”
Above, under the cloak of night, the pair of black wings fluttered even more fluidly.
Nian Yun’s right hand had already drawn the bowstring again.
“Third Soul Technique, End—Divine Arrow.”
“Shush—!”
“Shush—!!”
“Shush—!!!”
The blue light arrow tore through the night sky, a gust of free wind sweeping through the grasses and trees.
Sensing the arrow overhead, Xie Yue involuntarily slowed his pace.
“Bang!”
A tremendous explosion erupted ahead, followed by a fierce gust of wind.
Seeing Hu Liena staggering, Nian Yun dove down and caught her.
“The wound’s starting to get infected; let me bandage it for you.”
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Finding a suitable stone nearby, Nian Yun set Hu Liena down and looked at her left arm, already stained with quite a bit of blood. He pulled a blade from his waist.
“Hiss~~”
“This might hurt a bit,” Nian Yun said with concern, glancing at Hu Liena.
“It’s alright.”
Feigning to put his hand in his pocket, Nian Yun soon produced a bottle of purified water to clean the gauze from the wound.
Then he took out iodine and sterile cotton swabs along with other medical supplies.
“Ahh—”
Seeing Hu Liena’s pained expression, Nian Yun unconsciously slowed his movements.
Finally, he wrapped the wound with bandages.
“All done,” Nian Yun breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
Hu Liena glanced at Nian Yun, whose face was still damp with a faint sweat, and gave a barely noticeable, enchanting smile.
“Rustle rustle”
Just after finishing the wound care, the previously silent bushes suddenly stirred. Xie Yue dragged the barely breathing Purple Shadow Lion to the two.
“Sorry, this soul beast only has one breath left,” Xie Yue said apologetically.
Nian Yun nodded in thanks and went to tend to the Purple Shadow Lion, while Hu Liena shyly lowered her head, glancing away.
An eight-thousand-year soul ring rose from the box and finally settled on Nian Yun.
Outside
A purplish-red light gleamed from the Purple Shadow Lion’s left leg.
“That’s a soul bone!” Xie Yue exclaimed in surprise. After instructing Hu Liena, he leapt onto a tree branch to observe the surroundings.
“System, how much does the hero rescue beauty plus warm guy attribute increase the favorability?”
System: “Calculating...”
System: “Hu Liena’s favorability toward the host +15, now 25; trust in the host has increased.”
“Not a wasted trip.”
Nian Yun slowly opened his eyes, feeling the electricity coursing through his body.
Casting a casual glance at the soul bone, he nonchalantly walked over to Hu Liena.
“Nian Yun, you’re better now. There’s another soul bone; you should absorb that too. I just checked—no one’s nearby,” Xie Yue said, jumping down.
“No, Xie Yue, these gains are thanks to you and Hu Liena. This soul bone suits you well—I’ll be your protector,” Nian Yun said, slapping Xie Yue’s shoulder to interrupt.
Seeing Xie Yue about to argue, Nian Yun shook his head and stepped aside to clear a path.
“Thanks then.” After exchanging a glance with Hu Liena, Xie Yue excitedly moved to retrieve the soul bone.
“Thunder Seal.”
Nian Yun’s right hand condensed a ball of lightning, forcefully slamming it onto the ground.
Lightning strands spread outward, weaving into a dense electric net.
With a soft sigh, Nian Yun slowly sat down two paces from Hu Liena.
“Thank you.”
Looking at Hu Liena’s faintly flushed face under the moonlight, Nian Yun felt his heart race to the point of deafness.
“If you want, just call me Nana—it feels more familiar.”
“Ah, okay, Nana.”
...
Morning sunlight bathed her beautiful, delicate face, making it even more captivating.
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“Rustle rustle”
Slowly opening her eyes, she looked down at the familiar clothes on her body; a gentle blush returned to her previously calm face.
“Nana, you’re awake.”
The small face slowly lifted, slightly panicked as she sat up. “Brother, you’re awake too.”
“Nian Yun just went out to fetch water. After washing up, we should head back to the academy.”
“Mm, okay.”
By the brook
“System, do you have something like a shop?”
System: “Host probably means if you can draw lots to get things girls like.”
“Just say yes or no—so wordy.”
System: “One draw costs the soul power of a hundred-year-old soul beast; ten draws cost that of an eight-hundred-year-old soul beast.”
“Such a scammer.”
...
Two days later
Martial Soul City Advanced Soul Master Academy
Deputy Dean’s Office
“Earlier than I expected by a day—seems you’ve gained quite a lot.”
“But the tents and wagon you left in the Starry Forest—you’ll have to compensate for those yourselves.”
Hearing this, the three were momentarily stunned but then answered in unison, “Yes, sir.”
“Alright, rest well when you get back.”
After saluting, they all left.
“Nian Yun.”
Just as Nian Yun was about to close the door, Shan Li called out, and he reopened it.
“Teacher, what is it?”
“Your duel with Sun Chuantao has drawn the Pope’s attention. You can win, but I hope you understand some of the deeper lessons within.”
Nian Yun paused slightly, then nodded.
“Understood, Teacher.”
“Thud.”
After bidding a brief farewell to Xie Yue and Hu Liena, Nian Yun returned to his dormitory.
“Knock knock.”
“Bang.”
“Of course it’s you. Congratulations,” Morris said with a smile, welcoming Nian Yun.
“How’s the academy this week?”
“Not as good as promised.”
“Sun Chuantao?”
“Your matter with him spread while you were gone—word even reached the Pope. Since his attention, the academy has calmed down quite a bit.”
“A calm surface, but no one knows how dangerous the lake really is. Seems they’re all waiting for this stone to show. Well, better to settle it soon than let things drag on.”
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