Su Wen paused.
He didn't know why either.
Maybe it was like a movie fan who, after watching the film multiple times, travels into the movie and develops a natural fondness for the characters? Or maybe it was an instinctive reaction to not want the tragedy to happen again. After all, he had just transmigrated at that time—it all felt like a dream, and he hadn't fully integrated into this world yet. There was a sense of playing a video game.
"If you don't know, then don't search for the answer… because that is the answer itself," Zhang Lexuan said softly.
"Mm."
Su Wen nodded, feeling relieved as he gazed up at the sky.
So blue…
Smooch~
Zhang Lexuan gently pecked Su Wen on the cheek. The moist sensation left him stunned for a moment.
Zhang Lexuan lay on her side next to Su Wen, her long, pale legs as smooth as jade, forming a beautiful S-curve as seen from above. But from Su Wen's perspective, her jet-black hair swayed with the breeze, and at this moment, the two were even closer together. With her tall figure, even now Su Wen was half a head shorter than her. So when this beauty embraced him, it felt more like she was holding him in her arms.
"Mm…"
The two hugged each other on the grass, but it was just a hug.
There were no other movements.
"Senior Sister."
Su Wen felt enveloped, even his heart tightly held by this sweet yet strong senior sister, and he spoke softly.
"Hmm?"
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
"…"
A long silence.
Su Wen's ears felt a little itchy. Zhang Lexuan's red lips moved close, her breath soft: "Playboy…"
…
The team continued forward.
Only now, the leader was no longer the elusive Xuan Zi, but Zhang Lexuan.
There was also an inner court teacher at the rank of Titled Douluo. Clearly, learning from last time, even if Elder Xuan had reformed after five years of seclusion, the academy didn't dare leave the team's safety completely in his hands.
The Star Dou Great Forest was full of dangers, but with a Titled Douluo paving the way, they proceeded unimpeded for half a month.
Zhang Lexuan wore a mask again but still walked beside Su Wen.
Boom!
The surrounding forest trembled, and a flock of birds scattered and flew away.
Zhang Lexuan withdrew her martial soul and looked at the huge beast on the grass. She then glanced calmly at the inner court students. A female student nodded excitedly, "Senior Sister, this soul beast is a perfect match for me!"
Only after Zhang Lexuan nodded did she excitedly step forward to end the armored crocodile's life and hurriedly absorb the black soul ring as it rose.
"We're already in the core area. Be careful…" she reminded softly.
"Yes!"
Everyone nodded.
Then Zhang Lexuan glanced at Su Wen and shook her head.
Su Wen nodded back.
Emerald swans were extremely rare in the Star Dou Forest, and ever since Bi Ji rose to power, she kept her clan close. The last time they encountered a ten-thousand-year emerald swan was pure luck. This time, after wandering the core area for over half a month, there was still no sign of one.
So he didn't expect to be as lucky as last time. Anyway, Xuan Zi was nearby—he'd seen him just yesterday. Besides, if real danger arose, he could lead the students into the Poké Ball…
"Skydream, what should I choose for my second soul ring?" Huo Yuhao, still in hiding, muttered quietly.
With his physique, even after Skydream's constant strengthening, he could only barely absorb a 700-800-year soul beast. A thousand-year one was too much. The closer to the core, the more millennium- and ten-thousand-year beasts. Wouldn't he miss his chance?
"What are you anxious for? With me here, you can always leave the team and grab one later." In the spiritual sea, Skydream said leisurely.
"This is the core of the Star Dou Forest. Don't forget who imprisoned you underground before. If they sense your presence…" Huo Yuhao said expressionlessly.
"Ahem, ahem~"
Skydream coughed awkwardly. "Relax, Yuhao. I'm keeping an eye on the soul beasts around. Shrek Academy promised to help you catch a suitable one. If needed, we can search the outskirts on the way back."
"Alright, guess that's all I can do." Huo Yuhao nodded.
Skydream smacked its lips.
Actually, it wanted to help Huo Yuhao find a suitable second martial soul first, then match it with an appropriate Spirit Eye soul ring. The Extreme North was indeed a treasure trove, but the Ice Empress was too dangerous, and it hadn't found a suitable mental control method even after searching the Shrek Library with Fan Yu.
The Snow Demon King, though a bit dim, was still one of the three kings of the Extreme North—a force to be reckoned with. Skydream, having lost its metamorphosis, couldn't trap her.
No luck with fierce beasts.
So, why not try their luck in the Star Dou Forest?
What if they got lucky?
But this kid was too eager to get stronger, thinking of nothing else, not understanding Skydream's good intentions…
"Wait!"
Skydream's eyes widened.
"Quick, ask for leave and say you're going to the bathroom. Your second martial soul is coming! Hahahaha!"
…
Roar~!!!
Atop an ancient tree.
The auspicious beast was full of shock and anger, letting out a thunderous roar. Once majestic, she was now utterly bedraggled, especially with a deep, bone-exposing wound on her abdomen, with black blood crusted over.
This was a wound inflicted by several black-clothed attackers. Though she escaped the encirclement, her wounds only worsened—the black blade was corrosive, preventing healing.
"Damn humans!"
"Damn Shrek!"
She spat human words, her expression furious.
But she was shocked by the strength of those mysterious black-robed people.
They claimed to be from Shrek Academy. Even the Scarlet King who protected her was suppressed by their leader. She'd already broken through several encirclements, but as her wound spread, she grew weaker, even staggering as she walked.
"No, I must find Di Tian!"
The auspicious beast gritted her teeth and leapt to another tree.
…
"A bunch of useless fools!"
The leader of the black-robed group spoke calmly, but his voice was laced with barely concealed anger.
"I trapped the Scarlet King, and yet dozens of you couldn't stop a single auspicious beast?!"
"Master, that creature is no ordinary ten-thousand-year soul beast. Its strength definitely exceeds a hundred thousand years, and what's strange is its absurdly good luck! Every time, it just happens to escape our encirclement," one black-robed man shivered as he spoke nervously.
"Hmph! Nonsense. The auspicious beast represents the fortune of the entire beast race. If it was just an ordinary ten-thousand-year soul beast, would I need you Titled Douluos to intercept it?!" The leader's tone softened but was tinged with excitement.
After all, they were just here to try their luck looking for a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Who would have expected such a windfall…
He glanced at the gravely wounded, unconscious Scarlet King.
He snorted coldly and turned to another man.
"Wu Yun, you'll handle this personally. Make sure to bring it back within half an hour! This secret technique's time is almost up. If the aura leaks, it'll be noticed by the other big shots in the core of the Star Dou Forest."
"Yes."
Swoosh swoosh swoosh~
The black-robed man replied blandly, then transformed into countless black crows and scattered.
Holy Spirit Cult's Ninth Worshipper, Crow Douluo…
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