"This!" Nan Shuishui couldn't help but gasp, her pupils contracting sharply.
Two Titled Douluo-level evil soul masters were utterly helpless before Snow Empress, instantly frozen solid. Such terrifying power truly exceeded her cognitive scope, filling her with shock and awe.
"This concubine is Nan Shuishui, Sect Master of the Earth Dragon Gate. Today, thanks to the several benefactors who saved me, your great kindness will never be forgotten!"
Nan Shuishui hastily floated down from the air, her expression incredibly respectful, and her demeanor exceedingly humble.
Her gratitude was genuine. After all, the situation just now was extremely perilous. If Lu Jingming and the others hadn't appeared in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Sect Master Nan is too kind. Evil soul masters commit countless wicked deeds on the continent; everyone has the right to punish them. Besides, we came here specifically for the Earth Dragon Gate."
Lu Jingming waved his hand, speaking with a calm expression.
He had originally intended to bestow a favor upon the Earth Dragon Gate so that he could openly seek repayment by requesting the Ten-Thousand Year Profound Ice Marrow beneath their sect.
However, it must be said that if he truly encountered evil soul masters wantonly committing evil, he naturally wouldn't stand idly by if it was within his power to intervene.
"Here for the Earth Dragon Gate?" Nan Shuishui paused slightly, her eyes filled with surprise.
She had indeed never seen Lu Jingming and the others and knew nothing of their intentions. She wondered why they sought her Earth Dragon Gate.
But out of gratitude, she still smiled and said, "May I ask what important matter brings the benefactors here? Anything within the Earth Dragon Gate's power, we will certainly do our utmost, without any refusal."
Nan Shuishui knew well that regardless of Lu Jingming and the others' intentions, the fact that they had saved her and the members of the Earth Dragon Gate was undeniable.
Take the Third Elder, for example. Though he was infatuated with her, if she had truly fallen into his hands, her fate would have been dire.
She would either die or be imprisoned for life, losing her freedom.
Moreover, the Earth Dragon Gate possessed an ancestral secret art that allowed them to judge a person's character to some extent by observing their facial features.
Although this secret art wasn't 100% accurate, after observing Lu Jingming, Nan Shuishui felt that he truly harbored no significant ill will. This also made her trust Lu Jingming and the others a bit more.
"This isn't a good place for a detailed discussion. Let's find somewhere else to talk," Lu Jingming said, shaking his head slightly as he looked at the completely frozen, eerily silent forest around them.
"That's a good idea. Then, please, benefactors, follow me back to the Earth Dragon Gate. It would be an honor for us to extend our hospitality and entertain you all properly." Nan Shuishui nodded in agreement.
After such a heart-pounding encounter, the members of the Earth Dragon Gate had no desire to continue hunting soul beasts.
Furthermore, these evil soul masters being able to set up an ambush in the Sunset Forest clearly indicated a premeditated plan, and there might even be their insiders within Dragon City. All these hidden dangers needed to be addressed.
At this time, among the evil soul masters who had ambushed the Earth Dragon Gate, except for the Third Elder and Fourth Elder, the rest were either killed by Lu Jingming or frozen to death by Snow Empress's cold aura.
As for the Third Elder and Fourth Elder, these two Titled Douluo-level evil soul masters, Lu Jingming had no intention of killing them directly.
In his opinion, these two were rare "treasures." Taking them back as experience packs for Ye Guyi to enhance her strength, or giving them to Mobius as "little white mice" for research, would be far more valuable than simply killing them.
Snow Empress held the same view; that was why she had held back earlier, not directly killing the two evil soul master Titled Douluo.
After all, she still owed Mobius a favor because of the Ice Empress incident.
Xu Shenshu of the Earth Dragon Gate was still concentrating on absorbing his soul ring, which would take some time.
Taking advantage of this gap, Snow Empress put the Third Elder and Fourth Elder into a specially made soul tool that could hold living beings.
This soul tool was specifically crafted for storing special items or living creatures, ensuring that the people inside could maintain vital signs for a period of time.
"Um, hello. Thank you so much just now. My name is Nan Qiuqiu, I'm the Young Master of the Earth Dragon Gate."
Nan Qiuqiu hesitated for a while before plucking up the courage to walk forward, her cheeks slightly flushed, somewhat shyly addressing Lu Jingming.
"It's nothing, just a small effort. My name is Lu Jingming, from Abyss City in the Star Luo Empire." Lu Jingming responded with a smile, his gaze gentle as he looked at Nan Qiuqiu.
For some reason, he always felt that Nan Qiuqiu's gaze was subtly similar to Meng Hongchen's, though Nan Qiuqiu was not as direct and bold as Meng Hongchen, possessing more of a young girl's shyness.
"Abyss City? It sounds a bit familiar. Ah! I remember now, it's the city that hosted this year's Soul Master Tournament, right? I heard the Stigmata also originated from Abyss City!"
Nan Qiuqiu said, gently tapping her lip with her finger, her head tilted slightly to one side, a thoughtful expression on her face.
A moment later, her eyes suddenly lit up, revealing a look of sudden realization, appearing unexpectedly cute and mischievous.
"Yes, that's right. I didn't expect Abyss City's reputation to have already reached your Dragon City." Lu Jingming smiled and nodded, feeling quite pleased.
The more famous Abyss City became now, the happier he naturally was, as the development of this city had also involved a great deal of his effort.
"You were so amazing just now! You killed so many evil soul masters in an instant and even injured a Titled Douluo. You're really too handsome!"
Nan Qiuqiu's gaze towards Lu Jingming seemed to sparkle with countless little stars, filled with admiration and adoration.
"Heh heh, it's alright!" Lu Jingming responded humbly.
Although he wasn't lacking in attention from fangirls on a daily basis, Nan Qiuqiu was, after all, a character who had appeared in the original work. Being adored by her like this, Lu Jingming couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
"Qiuqiu, hurry up and meditate to restore your soul power! We still have to travel later!"
Nan Shuishui's eyes twitched slightly upon seeing her daughter's infatuated expression, and she quickly reminded her.
"I know!" Nan Qiuqiu playfully stuck out her tongue at Nan Shuishui, then gave Lu Jingming a sweet greeting before turning to rejoin Song Qian and the others, sitting cross-legged and concentrating on meditation to restore her depleted soul power.
"The hero saving the beauty trick works quite well, doesn't it? If you were more proactive, she might just throw herself into your arms very soon."
Gu Yue quietly walked to Lu Jingming's side, her tone indifferent, but if one listened carefully, a hint of undetectable sourness could be heard.
"Hmm, now that you mention it, there might really be such a possibility. After all, I'm so outstanding and charming!"
Lu Jingming deliberately stroked his chin, feigning a thoughtful expression, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, carrying a hint of smugness.
Gu Yue's mouth twitched at this. Her slender fingers clenched into a fist, and an impulse surged within her to immediately punch that handsome face before her.
But the moment the thought arose, she felt a bit reluctant, as that face was indeed too good-looking.
Lu Jingming noticed Gu Yue's subtle emotions, and his lips curved slightly. It was good that she was jealous; this indicated that Gu Yue's favorability towards him had reached a certain level, making it worthwhile for him to bring Gu Yue along for the benefits.
Not long after, Xu Shenshu, who was absorbing his fourth soul ring, completed his breakthrough.
Since he was absorbing a soul ring from a soul beast of the same type as his martial soul, the process was relatively smooth and didn't make Lu Jingming and the others wait too long.
Afterward, everyone left the Sunset Forest and set off towards Dragon City.
As they left, Lu Jingming looked back at the depths of the Sunset Forest. He would definitely return here again, as his target this time consisted of two things: the Earth Dragon Gate's Ten-Thousand Year Profound Ice Marrow and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in this Sunset Forest.
However, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was located right here and wouldn't move. Moreover, Snow Empress and Ice Empress were already impatient, especially Ice Empress, who had been residing in this somewhat weak physical body, which made her very uncomfortable, and she urgently needed the Ten-Thousand Year Profound Ice Marrow to reshape her body.
Dragon City, located in the far north, was the Heavenly Soul Empire's largest city in the north and the closest city to the Extreme North Ice Plains.
Because of this, Dragon City was almost entirely covered in heavy snow year-round. Snowflakes fluttered down, blanketing the entire city as if it were adorned in pristine white attire. From a distance, it resembled a dreamy city of ice and snow.
Despite the cold climate and harsh environment, Dragon City's population remained considerable. People bustled in and out of the city gates, making it lively and bustling.
This was because Dragon City was close to the Extreme North, and the Extreme North was one of the three major gathering places for soul beasts.
Although the Extreme North Ice Plains had a harsh environment, very few people dared to venture deep into it. However, in the outermost areas of the ice plains, many people were still active, either searching for soul beasts to obtain soul rings or looking for ice-attribute heavenly treasures.
The entire Dragon City was guarded by two major soul master sects: the Heavenly Dragon Gate and the Earth Dragon Gate.
The Heavenly Dragon Gate inherited the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, which was a rare true dragon martial soul on the continent. Ten thousand years ago, it was even renowned as the continent's number one beast martial soul, famous and awe-inspiring.
Because of this, the Earth Dragon Gate, also one of Dragon City's two major sects, had always been at a disadvantage in its competition with the Heavenly Dragon Gate, being suppressed by the Heavenly Dragon Gate in every aspect.
So much so that many people considered the Earth Dragon Gate to be a subordinate of the Heavenly Dragon Gate, although the Earth Dragon Gate truly had been a subordinate of the Heavenly Dragon Gate in the past.
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