Word Count: 2,766 Words
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Late at night, on Sea God Island.
After parting ways with Han Ruoruo, Ling Bai returned to his room on the first level beneath the Ancient Golden Tree. He sat cross-legged on the ancient wooden bed, two unusual bones hovering and slowly rotating in the air, supported by his spirit power.
They were the 90,000-year Heavenly Dragon Horse right arm spirit bone and the 10,000-year secret thod right arm spirit bone.
The way to fuse spirit bones on the Douluo Continent was not overly complicated, but the crucial point lay in possessing similar attributes. If one attempted to fuse an ice-type bone with a fire-type bone, even a 100,000-year secret thod spirit bone would be unable to bind them together.
Ling Bai drew the two spirit bones closer. As he did, the Heavenly Dragon Horse spirit bone gradually transford into a compact, unyielding sphere of golden, flowing energy. Imdiately afterward, the entirely deep-purple secret thod spirit bone also lted into a glowing purple sphere.
The purple sphere continuously changed shape before finally attaching itself to one side of the golden one. A secret thod spirit bone essentially acted as a binding agent, doing its utmost to minimize conflict between two spirit bones.
With all preparations complete, Ling Bai formally comnced the fusion. The golden sphere drifted toward his right arm.
The Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture spirit bone hidden within Ling Bai’s right arm sensed the Heavenly Dragon Horse bone drawing nearer and emitted screeches that sounded like warnings.
The Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture clearly refused to rge with the Heavenly Dragon Horse, but it had no choice in the matter. Within the golden sphere, the silhouette of the Heavenly Dragon Horse flickered. Although both shared the Light Holy Dragon bloodline, the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture’s ancestor was a lowly thief who had stolen dragon blood from a Light Holy Dragon’s corpse. As a legitimate dragon descendant, the Heavenly Dragon Horse hated it to the bone and could not wait to eradicate it.
The golden sphere accelerated and rushed into Ling Bai’s right arm. Its 90,000-year cultivation firmly suppressed the 10,000-year-old bone. The Heavenly Dragon Horse imdiately struck the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture with a flurry of kicks and punches.
The weak, pitiful secret thod spirit bone, witnessing this, wanted to intervene but dared not. It could only shout helplessly from the side, "Stop! Stop! It’s already dead!"
The Heavenly Dragon Horse’s actions were exceedingly violent, yet remarkably effective. After a bout of beating, the Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture seed to raise a white flag. The three chaotic spirit power fluctuations began to synchronize. The newly fused sphere of light shone with an intense brilliance that bathed the entire room in dazzling gold.
The golden light grew increasingly radiant, and invigorating dragon roars echoed within the room.
Monts later, the brilliant golden sphere contracted and solidified. A spirit bone of higher quality had co into existence. It was no longer a Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture or Heavenly Dragon Horse bone, but rather a 100,000-year Light Holy Dragon right arm spirit bone!
Ling Bai flexed his right arm gently. His muscles and bones felt warm, as if a small furnace burned softly within. The Light Holy Dragon was a true dragon spirit beast approaching Ultimate Light, and the value of this 100,000-year spirit bone was beyond asure.
He focused his consciousness within his Spiritual Sea. When he had killed the Body Sect’s two Spirit Douluo, he had extorted 200,000 years of origin power from Skydream. Now, he decided to use it to upgrade both the 50,000-year Dark Emperor Demon Vine spirit ring and the 70,000-year Scorching Sun Fire Dragon spirit ring.
The Dark Emperor Demon Vine was the second spirit ring of his Death Abyss Spider Emperor. Once advanced to 100,000 years, the Death Abyss Spider Emperor’s rings would beco a fearso combination of one gray and two reds.
The Scorching Sun Fire Dragon, anwhile, was the fifth spirit ring of his Seraphim. Thanks to the disguising effect of the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, the change in the spirit ring’s color wouldn’t be discovered.
In truth, even if such changes were exposed it would not matter. Ling Bai was not a rootless duckweed at the rcy of others. He could simply explain that it was a secret technique created by Jianmu Douluo. In any case, no one could extract the real situation from the mouth of a first-generation Limit Douluo.
The importance of having a strong background was evident.
"The Seraphim is still missing four spirit rings, 400,000 years of origin power..."
Ling Bai murmured before entering a ditative state.
...
anwhile, in Shrek Academy’s Outer Courtyard.
"Oh no, oh no, they’re about to lock the dorms!"
Wu Feng was drenched in sweat as she sprinted toward the dormitory building in the thick of the night. Ever since Shrek Academy unfairly took away her spot on the reserve team, she had turned her grief and indignation into motivation. She would frantically practice at the Spirit Dueling Arena and training grounds after her daily classes ended, becoming the new generation’s self-discipline freak.
Just as the dorm supervisor was about to lock the doors, Wu Feng dashed into the dormitory building with the exaggerated posture of a hundred-ter sprinter crossing the finish line.
She kicked open the rickety door to her dorm room and saw the graceful figure she had longed for day and night. Joy instantly filled her eyes. With a powerful push of her feet, she leaped forward like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, crying out:
"Ning Tian, I missed you so much!"
Wu Feng soared into the air, her arms and legs bending as she pounced and toppled Ning Tian onto the bed. Then, she nestled against Ning Tian’s chest like a little kitten abandoned at ho by its owner and continued to rub affectionately.
Ning Tian was about to protest that she had nearly been crushed, but could not bring herself to scold her when she saw Wu Feng’s endearingly pitiful state. She patted Wu Feng’s head and said softly, "Xiao Feng, I missed you too."
"Hold on, give five minutes!"
Wu Feng stopped abruptly as she realized she was dripping with sweat and stickiness. Although she herself didn’t mind, Ning Tian exuded a heady fragrance that made her too self-conscious to cling to her like this.
She had said five minutes, but a re three minutes later, she erged from a lightning-fast bath and plopped down at Ning Tian’s side once more. She unabashedly wrapped an arm around Ning Tian’s smooth, fair limb as bliss and sweetness spread across her face.
Ning Tian looked at Wu Feng, who clung to her like a little pendant, with a sowhat helpless expression. She sensed sothing was slightly off about Wu Feng but couldn’t reprimand her since the other party hadn’t done anything truly excessive. After all, it was normal for close female friends to be affectionate.
Having been apart for over two months, they had countless things to share. Wu Feng recounted amusing incidents from the Outer Courtyard, while Ning Tian described her experiences at the recent Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournant.
"Ugh, he’s showing off again!"
Wu Feng exclaid, slamming her fist on the bed in frustration upon hearing how Ling Bai had swept aside all opponents.
When will the ’Knight Wu Feng Saves Princess Ning Tian’ plan ever succeed?
"Ning Tian, that guy didn’t bully you, did he?" Wu Feng asked cautiously.
At the ntion of Ling Bai, a strangely complex, fleeting expression crossed Ning Tian’s face, but Wu Feng still caught it.
"No, why would Bai-ge bully ?"
"But you seem to have sothing on your mind."
Having grown up together, Wu Feng knew Ning Tian’s moods well.
Ning Tian sighed and, after a long internal struggle, finally said, "Bai-ge... he’s beco overly close with a Senior Sister from the Inner Courtyard."
"What?!"
Wu Feng sprang up, her voice instantly rising several octaves. Her eyes went round like saucers.
"The night Shrek’s team won the championship, I knocked on Bai-ge’s door. He didn’t even open it, just said he was too tired and we’d talk tomorrow.
That Inner Courtyard Senior Sister had an accident with her Martial Spirit, so I thought I’d politely check on her, but no one answered in her room!"
Ning Tian’s delicate brows knitted together as she continued slowly, "I secretly watched how they acted around each other on the way back. Even though they weren’t obviously intimate, there was an inexplicable sense of natural ease between them.
Most of this is just my intuition, though. Perhaps I’m overthinking things..."
"Argh!!! I’m gonna stab him to death!"
Wu Feng paced furiously in the room. Her feelings were a tangled ss. She dread of a closer relationship with Ning Tian, yet Ling Bai drawing near another girl sent her into a rage.
"And what are you going to do?" Wu Feng abruptly halted and asked Ning Tian.
Ning Tian’s small hand clenched the bedsheet beside her. Her eyes downcast, she said quietly, "I gained a lot beneath the Ancient Golden Tree. In three months at most, I’ll break through to Spirit Ancestor and take the Inner Courtyard examination. Once I’m in the Inner Courtyard, I’ll observe them more carefully.
Noble families aren’t averse to accepting concubines or mistresses, and Bai-ge is so outstanding; countless people have their eyes on him and his Seraphim bloodline. If that Senior Sister is sincere, I can turn a blind eye. But she’d better not let find out she’s scheming for the Seraphim bloodline on behalf of so faction..."
The bone-chilling coldness deep in those sapphire blue eyes made Wu Feng shiver. It was the first ti she had seen Ning Tian display such an icy deanor.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan no longer needed to heed any outside faction with Jianmu Douluo and Ning Fengya at the helm. Ning Tian, as the clan’s young mistress, naturally possessed firm confidence.
...
The following morning, on Sea God Island.
Wang Yan was dressed in his Shrek Academy teacher’s uniform, which accentuated his upright figure and scholarly air, as he made his way to the library. After being promoted to a Special Grade Teacher at Shrek Academy, this theoretical Spirit Master had been eager to explore the second floor of the Inner Courtyard’s Library where the top-secret books were housed.
As the saying goes, good things co in pairs. The mont he stepped onto the Library’s second floor, he saw a woman sitting by the window. That woman only smiled at him lightly, yet his long-dormant heart suddenly stirred. He didn’t know why, but scenes of a warm future with her involuntarily flashed before his eyes.
’I believe I’ve fallen in love. No matter how I lie, I cannot sleep. Two figures keep appearing in my mind. One is her, and the other is still her.
I finally realized that I yearn for a companion. When I write, I want her to pore over my words. When I am not writing, I wish to hold her hand and admire her gentle eyes.
The more I think about it, a faint intoxication washes over , though I’ve not touched a drop of wine.’
Wang Yan walked toward the Library with a smile on his face, his expression sowhat dazed. He recalled his student days at Shrek Academy. Among the throngs of geniuses, his talent hadn’t been outstanding, so he had later dedicated himself entirely to researching Spirit Master theory.
He was the very picture of a chronically single, sheltered bachelor who did not know how to pursue a woman or cater to her tastes. His only thod was to initiate conversations about Spirit Master theory, hoping to attract a kindred spirit with his erudition. He was convinced she was ’the one.’
Few people frequented the Library; the wooden zzanine was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Wang Yan could clearly discern his own footsteps and the gentle whisper of his breath.
A red flower was now in his hand. He planned to subtly express his feelings this way.
Wang Yan slowly ascended to the second floor, taking a deep breath to calm the rhythmic pounding of his heart. He had inquired about the identity of that woman. She was an 8-ringed control-type Spirit Douluo, one of the most senior students in the Inner Courtyard, her status second only to Big Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan. She had never been in a relationship because her requirents for a partner were very high. He hoped, in this lifeti, to have the fortune of accompanying her.
Wang Yan passed through the restriction and pushed open the door to the second floor of the Library. His gaze instantly locked onto the woman he had yearned for day and night for an entire month. Sunlight filtered through a gap and fell upon her face by the window. Her fair skin reflected the beauty of the sun, and the fine hairs on her face shimred with an attractive hint of gold.
The red Inner Courtyard uniform was casually draped over the back of the chair. She wore a loose, oversized white shirt. The shirt was obviously larger than her actual figure. It wrapped around her body in a baggy manner, revealing a swan-like neck and breathtaking collarbones.
Gentle and refined. Such was Wang Yan’s impression. She was like an older sister, always caring and considerate. This lazy yet subtly mature style of dress, on such a kindly, sisterly woman, was like a blade coated with arsenic. He had no strength to fight it and tumbled willingly into wholehearted fascination.
Wang Yan nearly lost control of his excitent, but then he noticed the figure of a young man seated opposite the woman.
It was a handso face all too familiar to him. The young man sat quietly. His gleaming golden hair intermingled with the sunlight streaming through the window, his eyes dazzling and his lips slightly upturned, as if he were in a very good mood.
Crack—
Sothing inside Wang Yan seed to shatter, releasing a bitter, sour liquid. Unable to hide his lancholy, he casually grabbed a few books and sat down not far away with his head bowed. The carefully chosen flower in his hand drooped, as if sharing its owner’s misery.
Ling Bai glanced at Wang Yan, who looked on the verge of breaking. He recalled that in his previous life’s mories, Wang Yan had indeed ended up with Han Ruoruo, relying on his profound knowledge. However, two factors had contributed: Han Ruoruo had almost no male friends, and no one else shared her interest in accompanying her to the Library.
First co, first served. In this lifeti, Wang Yan had already lost. It was better to find another suitable match; prolonged pain was worse than a short, sharp one. The elegant auctioneer at the Starlight Auction House had long been eager to get to know Teacher Wang.
Ling Bai turned his head only to see Han Ruoruo tilting hers and smiling lightly in his direction. Her skin appeared translucent and milky against the backdrop of her white attire. A subtle aroma of sandalwood mixed pleasantly with delicate floral notes wafted around her.
He smiled back. Ti itself seed to freeze in that wordless mont as they gazed at each other.
According to an old adage: when three people gather, soone inevitably feels left out.
Teacher Wang was in such anguish he could barely breathe. That look exchanged between them, that tacit understanding... not even once in the past month had Han Ruoruo shown him a hint of it. She had only given him polite nods or polite head shakes.
All morning, Wang Yan barely functioned. Though he kept one book open, he never flipped a page. Thousands of tis he scanned those sentences without registering a single word. His eyes kept drifting unconsciously toward Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo.
Around noon, Ling Bai walked over to Han Ruoruo, draped her school uniform over her shoulders, and leaned down to whisper sothing in her ear. She smiled brightly, then slipped her arm lightly through his. Together, they left the Library.
The last glimr of hope in Wang Yan was shattered. With trembling hands, he took out a pen and paper and recorded:
"I suppose I am simply worn out. Everything seems bleak. I skimd a few books, but my eyelids grew unbearably heavy. After staring at the spaces between the lines for so long, I finally discerned the truth, sumd up in two words: lost love."
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NOTE: I’ve just posted an auxiliary Chapter that lists all of our MC’s love interests! Feel free to check it out if you’re curious about the harem girls.
Please rember to keep any discussions about the future harem or other spoiler-heavy topics in that auxiliary Chapter. Let’s keep the regular Chapter comnts spoiler-free for readers who prefer it that way!
Thank you!
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