Chapter 28: Feeling Zhu Zhuqing's Inner Heat

"First Spirit Skill, Jade Screen Rock Shield!"

"Clang!"

The Wolf King’s claws raked across a thick, sturdy wall of stone. Seeing this, the surrounding Wind Spirit Wolves instinctively retreated. Zhu Zhuqing looked on, dazed, at the shield that had manifested around her for no apparent reason.

"Swish."

"What a coincidence, we meet again," Nian Yun’s voice drifted from the forest.

The Wind Spirit Wolves on the path reacted as if facing a formidable enemy, scrambling backward to clear a way.

Out of the darkness, a deep blue glow appeared, catching the eyes of the beasts. Nian Yun walked out leisurely, his body encased in a stone shield. As he advanced, the wolves retreated step by step, surrounding him from a distance.

"Are you hurt?" As Nian Yun drew closer, the light from his hand naturally illuminated the wound on Zhu Zhuqing’s back.

"I’m fine." Confronted by his gaze, Zhu Zhuqing turned her head away, feeling a sudden flash of embarrassment.

Nian Yun glanced at the Wind Spirit Wolf that was on its last breath. "You won't be able to carry this beast away. My martial soul can help you absorb the spirit ring quickly and hold off this pack."

Zhu Zhuqing did not answer, instead observing him quietly.

"Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet. Hello, I’m Nian Yun."

"Hello, I’m Zhu Zhuqing." Having finally made up her mind, she looked at the rock shield on her body with curiosity.

"Snap!"

A crisp sound interrupted her thoughts, and she stared at Nian Yun in shock. He was teasing a Wind Spirit Wolf, catching it off guard and slapping it. "Hit me, come on."

The wolf glared at him, its jaws parting.

"Grrr..."

Provoked by Nian Yun, the Wolf King let out a long howl, and the pack lunged at him. Zhu Zhuqing watched nervously, but her expression soon shifted. Scratches echoed through the air, yet Nian Yun stood there, perfectly at ease. Watching the wolves exhaust themselves, Nian Yun smiled and displayed his martial soul to Zhu Zhuqing with satisfaction.

Seeing this, she no longer hesitated, sitting cross-legged to absorb the wolf’s spirit ring. Nian Yun walked over, hovering his right hand above her as the "Tears of the Divine Furina" shed a soft, blue light. With his help, it took Zhu Zhuqing only half the night to complete the absorption.

Feeling the second spirit ring within her, she opened her eyes with a faint smile. She looked at the blue particles drifting around her, then looked up to see Nian Yun leaning against a stone pillar, his right hand still raised to shed light upon her. He had fallen asleep, his head bowed.

"Swish."

A sound snapped her to attention, but she only saw the stone pillar dissolve into gray light.

Before she could react, Nian Yun’s right arm slipped due to the lack of support, and he began to tilt sideways.

"Thump."

Zhu Zhuqing quickly caught his falling arm, moving her body to support him so that he rested against her chest. Feeling sudden embarrassment, she tried to move his head, but the slight motion startled him.

"So... so comfortable..." Nian Yun murmured, rubbing against her slightly before falling back into a deep sleep.

With his face so close, Zhu Zhuqing smiled and poked his cheek with her finger.

"Careful, enemy attack!"

Startled awake, Nian Yun sat up, looking around nervously. Then, he looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who was kneeling on the ground. "You’re done absorbing it? Sorry, I accidentally fell asleep and used your leg as a pillow."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing crossed her arms, a faint blush appearing on her cold, elegant face. "It... it’s fine. I should be the one thanking you."

"Let’s go find a more open place to rest."

Hearing his invitation, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for only a second and a half before accepting. She followed him through the grass, and as she looked at his back, an inexplicable sense of safety washed over her.

"Step, step."

"This looks good. Let’s stay here."

After she nodded, she helped him clear the area. Once they sat down, Nian Yun pulled a medicine bottle from his pocket. "This will help clean your wounds."

After handing it to her, he tactfully walked five meters away and turned to look into the distance.

"Swish."

"I can't quite reach it. Could you help me?"

"Oh, right." Nian Yun turned around slowly to find that Zhu Zhuqing had already removed her shredded clothing. Her fair, delicate back was revealed before him. Because the mountains were grand, he couldn't help but catch a glimpse of something marvelous.

Steadying his mind, he took the bottle and sprinkled the medicine onto the three wounds.

"Ah... ah..."

"It might sting a bit. I’ll be gentle, just hold on." Her cries tugged at his heart.

"Swish."

Once she was dressed again, they sat together on the grass.

"Thank you."

"It’s nothing. It’s quite dangerous to be alone in this Spirit Beast Forest. It’s nice to have someone to talk to. Now that your spirit ring is absorbed, you’ll likely be heading out tomorrow morning, right?"

Zhu Zhuqing remained silent.

"I’ll see you out at dawn so you won't be suspected or captured."

"Are you a twin-martial-soul user?"

"Yes. That’s why I came—to find two spirit rings for my second martial soul."

With that, Nian Yun openly extended both hands, and the "Jade Screen" and "Tears of the Divine Furina" appeared in his palms.

"That’s very dangerous. You shouldn't show that to strangers," she warned, still in shock.

"Oh, right."

"Since your martial souls are both defense and support types, I’ll help you hunt spirit beasts in the future."

"Then thank you in advance."

"Mm."

System: "Congratulations to the host for completing the mission. Reward issuing... Zhu Zhuqing Favorability: +12."

"That high?!"

System: "Zhu Zhuqing is the type who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Her surface expression hasn't changed much, but she is already thinking of the host."

—

Heaven Dou City.

Upon seeing the token in Nian Yun’s hand, the Spirit King who had been walking toward them froze in his tracks. Following Nian Yun’s stern shout, the Spirit King trembled and dropped to one knee, performing a grand salute.

Zhang Ping, who also recognized the token, was startled and tried to kneel, but Nian Yun stopped her.

"Is this enough to verify my identity, or do you think it’s fake?"

"I wouldn't dare! Please, allow me to lead you both to our Heaven Dou City Spirit Hall branch."

"Let’s go then. Oh, and that wretched-looking piece of trash—take care of him while you’re at it."

"As you command."

Under the arrangements of the Spirit King, Nian Yun and Zhang Ping were taken into the branch hall. As they walked through the entrance, an elderly, thin man appeared before them.

"Bishop Salas, greetings. We were sent here by His Majesty the Pope for training."

Salas stroked his beard, looking at them with disdain, but after the Spirit King leaned in and whispered something, his expression changed.

"So it is you two. Please, I will arrange your accommodations immediately," Salas said, his face beaming with sudden hospitality.

"Oh, by the way, I accidentally had a little 'spar' with one of your subordinates on the way here. I hope you don't mind."

"Oh, what are you saying? I should be the one apologizing! Please, come in."

Amidst the polite formalities, the two walked inside.

"Nian Yun, how do you have..." Zhang Ping couldn't help but whisper.

"That... is a bit hard to explain."

Several months ago...

"Teacher," Nian Yun said, bowing respectfully to Bibi Dong as she rested on her bed.