Chapter 117: A Language System Like a Lion's
As night fell, on the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel, the victory banquet for the Shrek group was in full swing.
The long dining table was laden with delicacies and fine cuisine. The amber liquid in the wine glasses shimmered with a brilliant luster under the lights. Everyone sat around the table, their faces overflowing with the joy of victory.
After a round of toasting, Wang Yan stood up and cleared his throat.
"Everyone, please quiet down."
Hearing this, the group slowly stopped their conversations and turned to look at him, their eyes lighting up. Wang Yan didn't keep them in suspense; with a wave of his right hand, three Soul Bones of varying brilliance appeared out of thin air on the table.
These three Soul Bones floated in mid-air, flickering with magnificent Soul Power radiance. The Soul Power fluctuations, so dense they were almost tangible, merged together, making the air in the room feel heavy.
Wang Yan cleared his throat and continued, "These three Soul Bones are the championship rewards for this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition. Before the competition began, the Academy decided through discussion that we could decide their distribution ourselves. They will be awarded to you as encouragement, based on your ability characteristics and performance in the competition."
The three Soul Bones Wang Yan took out from his spirit tool were a Right Leg Bone, a left leg bone, and a right arm bone.
The colors of these three Soul Bones were all different. The Right Leg Bone was entirely silvery-white, with faint glimmers flowing across it, as if it were solid moonlight.
It was about two feet long, and fine scale patterns could be vaguely seen on its surface, emitting a soft and elusive aura.
The right arm bone was a deep cyan-blue, its surface covered in fine sword-shaped patterns, with a faint sharpness emanating from it. Even just lying there quietly, it gave off a feeling of a blade at one's back.
As for the left leg bone in the middle, as soon as the three Soul Bones appeared, everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to it.
This left leg bone flowed with a warm orange-gold light, like lava slowly flowing within it.
Mysterious patterns were faintly visible on the surface of the Soul Bone, as if they were some kind of ancient runes. When one's gaze fell upon it, one could actually feel a wave of warmth hitting the face, like a ray of sunshine in winter.
"Let me first introduce these three Soul Bones to everyone."
Wang Yan's voice pulled everyone's attention back, and he looked at the Right Leg Bone on his right side.
"The first one, the Moonlight Silver Dragon Right Leg Bone, is approximately thirty thousand years old and originates from a rare Silver Moon Dragon Python."
"After appraisal by several treasure appraisers from the Star Luo Empire, the Soul Bone skill contained within this bone was identified as Moonlight Phantom Barrier. Its specific ability is to create three illusory clones with auras identical to the user's original body. Simultaneously, the user gains a short-term speed boost and an aura-hiding effect."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes couldn't help but grow heated. Although this Soul Bone skill wasn't of the power-attack type and couldn't deliver a decisive blow, it was extremely useful in actual combat.
Whether for a sneak attack or for escaping, it could play a significant role, making it very suitable for agility-attack system Soul Masters.
"I suggest giving this Soul Bone to Ning Tian." Wang Yan looked at Ning Tian. "You are a support system Soul Master, and you are naturally prone to being targeted on the battlefield. With this Soul Bone, you'll have an extra life at a critical moment, an extra guarantee for survival."
Everyone nodded one after another; there were no objections.
To be honest, among those present, almost no one was truly lacking in Soul Bones. They either had backgrounds or extremely high talent, with people rushing to give them bones. Only Chen Zifeng and Jiang Nannan didn't have a decent Soul Bone yet.
Chen Zifeng only gave a faint smile and took a sip of wine; this Soul Bone wasn't suitable for him, so he had nothing to fight for.
Jiang Nannan, however, couldn't help but look at that Soul Bone a couple more times. In terms of attributes and Soul Bone skill, this Soul Bone was actually more suitable for her.
But there was nothing she could do. Looking closely at this competition, she and Wang Dong had contributed the least. Even if she wanted to fight for it, she had no grounds to do so.
Ning Tian took the Soul Bone with a calm expression. She looked down at the silver-white Soul Bone in her hand, then glanced at Jiang Nannan, and suddenly stood up, walking over to Jiang Nannan.
"Senior."
Jiang Nannan raised her head and looked at her with some confusion. Ning Tian smiled slightly and held the Soul Bone out to her.
"This Soul Bone is more suitable for you."
Jiang Nannan was stunned, then she instinctively tried to decline. "This... how can this be? This was given to you..."
"Senior, within my Sect, they have already made considerations for my full set of Soul Bones." Ning Tian interrupted her, her tone gentle.
"Giving this Soul Bone to me would only let it gather dust in my hands. But giving it to you will provide you with an extra means of survival."
She paused and said softly, "Senior, please accept it."
Jiang Nannan looked at her blankly, her eyes gradually turning red. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing would come out.
Finally, she nodded heavily and took the Soul Bone with both hands, her voice somewhat choked up.
"Thank you..."
Ning Tian smiled and shook her head, turning back to her seat. Everyone watched this scene with looks of approval in their eyes. Xu Sanshi even gave a direct thumbs-up, his face full of gratitude.
Wang Yan nodded inwardly. He had originally wanted to give this Soul Bone to Jiang Nannan, but considering the issue of contribution in the competition, it wasn't easy to give it directly. Now that Ning Tian had taken the initiative to give it away, it was naturally for the best.
As for Ning Tian, her thoughts were even simpler. It was just a thirty-thousand-year Soul Bone; compared to the treasures stored in her Sect, it was far inferior.
By giving it away, she not only gained a major favor from Jiang Nannan but also won over Xu Sanshi and the Xuanming Sect behind him.
Killing two birds with one stone, why not?
Don't forget, she was the Eldest Miss of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. And what was the foundation of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's existence?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, financial resources, and external or self-cultivated geniuses.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had the first two. As for geniuses, it was even simpler—wasn't Shrek right there?
For every generation of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Master, going to Shrek Academy to abduct a few geniuses back was almost a required course.
The atmosphere became even more harmonious for a moment, and Wang Yan picked up the second Soul Bone.
"This one originates from a ten-thousand-year Sword Flood Dragon's right arm bone."
The cyan-gold Soul Bone gleamed with a faint cold light in his hand.
The Sword Flood Dragon was an anomaly among flood dragon-type Soul Beasts. Its dragon bloodline was thin to the point of non-existence, yet it had put all its talent into sharpness.
Its scales, claws, horns, and even its breath all contained ultimate sword qi. It was a top-tier Soul Ring source dreamed of by countless Tool Soul Masters, especially those with sword-type Martial Souls.
Because of this, this kind of Soul Beast had almost gone extinct on the continent.
Wang Yan's gaze fell on Chen Zifeng, and he smiled. "Regarding the ownership of this Soul Bone, I think there should be no controversy, right?"
The group laughed. The previous Soul Bone might have had some, but this one definitely would not.
Chen Zifeng stood up and took the Soul Bone. A flash of excitement appeared in his usually gentle eyes. In terms of attribute compatibility and contribution, giving this Soul Bone to him was perfectly reasonable.
He said with a solemn expression, "Thank you, Teacher Wang, and thank you all for your help. I, Chen Zifeng, will keep this kindness in my heart."
Wang Yan waved his hand, signaling him to sit down. Finally, he picked up that orange-gold left leg bone.
Instantly, everyone's eyes were drawn to it involuntarily.
Logically speaking, the left leg bone was the lowest priority among the six major Soul Bone positions. But as the saying goes, it's not that the Soul Bone position is bad, it's just that the age hasn't reached the mark.
And this Soul Bone was exactly such a case.
"Ninety thousand years." Wang Yan's voice carried a hint of emotion. "This left leg bone originates from a ninety-thousand-year Fatty Sun Bird, which possesses the dual attributes of Light and Fire."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone couldn't help but be somewhat surprised. Although the championship rewards were chosen by the winning team themselves, the four great Empires weren't fools; they would definitely set limits. Generally, the highest age of a Soul Bone that could be chosen would be fifty thousand years at most.
As for why this ninety-thousand-year Soul Bone appeared here, everyone understood in their hearts. Just after Lin Xuan had revealed his Ultimate Light attribute, the Star Luo Empire brought out a ninety-thousand-year Light-attribute Soul Bone.
What the Star Luo Empire was trying to do, they could figure out with their backsides.
Thinking of this, the group couldn't help but turn their heads to look at Lin Xuan, who was sitting quietly in his seat with a calm face. Bei Bei sighed in his heart and shook his head with a faint smile.
This bone was also very suitable for him, but there was nothing he could do. If it were before the finals, the ownership of this Soul Bone might still have been in suspense, but once Ultimate Light appeared, this piece definitely belonged to Lin Xuan.
Wang Yan directly handed the Soul Bone to Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan took it with a composed expression and looked down at it.
Although his left leg already had a hundred-thousand-year holy radiance blazing sun left leg bone, two Soul Bones that were both Light and Fire dual-attributed could use a secret fusion method to merge the two bones into one.
At that time, it wouldn't be impossible for the holy radiance blazing sun left leg bone to evolve into a near, or even true, two-hundred-thousand-year super Soul Bone.
To the side, Wang Dong looked at the Soul Bone, then at Lin Xuan, silently withdrew his gaze, and gloomily took a sip of juice.
Hmph, it's just a ten-thousand-year Soul Bone. It's not like I care. I'll just let him have it...
Having experienced Lin Xuan's several saves during the competition and the shock of that final Ultimate Light, Wang Dong no longer had any thoughts of comparing himself to Lin Xuan.
If the gap was small, he could still catch up.
But if it was so large that he couldn't even see the shadow, what was there to chase?
...
After distributing the Soul Bones, the banquet officially began. For a while, the atmosphere was lively, and the wine flowed freely.
Everyone raised their glasses to celebrate this hard-won championship.
Ma Xiaotao was the first to declare, "Tonight, no one is allowed to use Soul Power to dispel the alcohol! Whoever uses it is a dog!"
The group roared in agreement. Thus, after a few rounds, everyone was already tipsy.
Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei were leaning on each other, mumbling nonsense.
"Bei Bei... I'm telling you... I, Xu Sanshi... will definitely marry Nannan..."
"Get lost... go practice your alcohol tolerance first..."
Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, and He Caitou were also huddled together. The three men, who usually didn't talk much, were now red-faced and leaning on each other, whispering about who knows what.
Wang Dong was quietly drinking juice to the side. Xu Sanshi caught sight of him, snatched his glass away, forced a glass of wine into his hand, and shouted loudly,
"Are you a man? What's the point of drinking juice? You're acting like a girl!"
Wang Dong was stunned. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say. In the end, he took the wine glass and gloomily took a sip.
To the side, Jiang Nannan wasn't happy when she heard this. She narrowed her eyes and said in a faint tone,
"Acting like a girl? What? From the sound of it, you have a problem with women?"
Xu Sanshi instantly sobered up by thirty percent. He waved his hands hurriedly, his face covered in a fawning smile.
"No, no, no! Absolutely not! Nannan, you know me, I just have a loose tongue, don't take it to heart..."
Jiang Nannan snorted, not bothering to pay him any attention.
On the other side, Lin Xuan was already surrounded by the three girls.
Ma Xiaotao had her arm hooked around his shoulder, her entire body practically hanging off him. Her glamorous face was flushed with a drunken red, and her pink eyes gazed at him hazily as she kept bringing the wine cup in her hand to his lips.
"Come... have another drink..."
Ning Tian was stomping her feet in anxiety nearby, wanting to block the wine for Lin Xuan, but she was glared back by a single look from Ma Xiaotao.
Ling Luochen, however, rarely didn't interfere this time; instead, she kept passing wine to Ma Xiaotao.
"Wait a moment, you're spilling your wine. Here, drink from my cup."
Lin Xuan was caught in the middle, feeling torn. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and looked helplessly at the three women before him.
Ma Xiaotao handed over another cup of wine, and before he could refuse, Ning Tian had already snatched it away.
"I'll drink for Lin Xuan!" She downed it in one gulp and then glared at Ma Xiaotao.
Ma Xiaotao was stunned for a moment before she burst out laughing. "Alright then, you drink for him."
With that, she downed the wine Ling Luochen handed her and poured herself another cup.
Ning Tian grit her teeth, took the cup, and downed it in another go.
Ling Luochen watched from the side with a faint smile, her hands never stopping as she refilled Ma Xiaotao's glass.
Lin Xuan sighed and couldn't help but rub his temples. These guys... is everyone's drinking behavior this bad?
An hour later, the banquet finally drew to a close.
Wang Yan stood up and looked at everyone slumped over the table, smiling helplessly. He clapped his hands to draw the attention of those who were still conscious.
"Everyone, get a good night's rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, we return to the academy."
Everyone nodded and began to leave the table in small groups.
Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, and He Caitou walked off with their arms around each other's shoulders, swaying as they disappeared at the end of the corridor. Usually, they were more taciturn than the next, but now they were muttering about something, occasionally bursting into fits of laughter.
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi each took one of Wang Dong's arms, practically lifting him off the ground.
Wang Dong's handsome face was full of daze; clearly, the after-effects of that last cup of wine had hit him, and he was already floating.
"Let's go, let's go!" Xu Sanshi shouted with a slurred tongue. "Tonight the three of us are sleeping in one room, and we're going to keep drinking!"
Bei Bei dragged the two of them out expressionlessly. "Are you sure you can still drink?"
"Of course I can!"
"Then walk in a straight line for me."
"..."
Jiang Nannan watched the three of them walk away with a speechless expression, but ultimately followed them out of concern.
At the dining table, Ma Xiaotao was slumped over, her face buried in her arms, mumbling something incoherently.
"Lin Xuan... another drink... I can still drink..."
Lin Xuan stood to the side, his brow slightly furrowed. This woman had been the most aggressive when pouring wine, but now she was the first to go down.
Ling Luochen walked over, glanced at Ma Xiaotao slumped on the table, and said softly, "I'll take her back."
Lin Xuan nodded, his gaze falling on Ning Tian.
Ning Tian was propping up her head, her small face flushed red and her eyes already somewhat unfocused. She looked at Lin Xuan hazily, a silly smile hanging on the corner of her mouth.
Lin Xuan walked over and gently supported her shoulder.
"Let's go, I'll take you back."
Ning Tian gave an 'en' and stood up obediently, leaning her entire weight against him.
The corridor was very quiet, the warm yellow wall lamps stretching their shadows long.
Ning Tian walked unsteadily, leaning most of her body on Lin Xuan. She was mumbling something, her voice muffled and hard to hear clearly.
"Lin Xuan..."
"Hmm?"
"You were... so handsome today..."
"I know."
Lin Xuan said softly, looking down at her.
That small face, which was usually somewhat dignified, was now flushed red like a ripe honey peach. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and a silly smile played on her lips.
The night breeze blew past, brushing a few strands of hair across her face. Lin Xuan reached out and gently tucked the messy strands behind her ear.
Ning Tian's eyelashes fluttered as she mumbled something else, then rubbed her face against his shoulder like a pampered kitten.
Arriving at Ning Tian's door, Lin Xuan pushed it open and helped her inside.
He placed her on the edge of the bed, but Ning Tian refused to let go, clutching his sleeve and looking at him with misty eyes.
"Lin Xuan..."
"Hmm?"
"Tell me... how was... my performance today..."
Lin Xuan sat down by the bed and looked at her, saying softly,
"Very good."
"Really?"
"Really."
Ning Tian laughed sillily, then mumbled a few more words. Her voice grew lower and lower until she finally fell into a deep sleep.
Lin Xuan sat by the bed for a while, watching her peaceful sleeping face.
A moment later, he gently tucked her hand under the covers, stood up, and closed the door.
In the corridor, just as Lin Xuan turned around, his peripheral vision caught a white figure standing straight in the middle of the hallway.
Lin Xuan was nearly startled.
Looking closer, he realized it was Ling Luochen. She had changed her clothes—or more accurately, she was wearing a white bathrobe.
The bathrobe was thin and draped loosely over her body, with a belt tied casually around her waist, outlining her slender figure.
She stood there in the middle of the corridor, the warm yellow light spilling from the side and casting soft shadows over her.
That face, which was always so cold, now carried a faint blush.
She lowered her head slightly, her gaze flickering away as her fingers unconsciously interlaced, as if she had something difficult to say.
Lin Xuan was stunned for a moment, then let out a sigh of relief.
"You gave me a fright. Why aren't you resting? What are you standing here for?"
Ling Luochen looked up at Lin Xuan and said softly,
"After the competition ended today... I forgot to heal my injuries. Now my chest hurts slightly."
She paused and continued, "Everyone is asleep now, and I didn't want to trouble them, so I came to find you."
Lin Xuan sized her up.
Chest pain?
He frowned slightly and thought about it.
What Ling Luochen said didn't seem to be a problem. After the competition, she really hadn't done much healing. That was likely why she hadn't drunk any wine earlier.
Lin Xuan nodded. "Alright then."
It was just healing; it wouldn't take long.
Ling Luochen's eyes brightened slightly as she turned and pushed open her room door.
Lin Xuan followed her into the room. The lighting inside was soft, carrying a hint of warmth.
Lin Xuan turned and closed the door casually, saying without looking back,
"Although I've recovered some healing energy now, it's not much. I can only give you three..."
Before he could finish, he turned around and was suddenly stunned.
Ling Luochen had somehow already taken off that white bathrobe. She stood there wearing a black lace nightgown.
The nightgown was as thin as a cicada's wing, with the black lace tracing intricate and exquisite patterns that clung to her body, revealing glimpses of skin.
The straps were so thin they looked like they could slip off at any moment, revealing her delicate collarbones and rounded shoulders.
The neckline was cut quite low, and the curve of those snowy breasts, set off by the black lace, appeared breathtakingly startling.
The hem of the nightgown only reached mid-thigh, revealing a pair of long, straight legs that gleamed like ivory under the warm yellow light.
Her cheeks were flushed to the extreme, the red spreading from her cheeks all the way to her ears, down her neck, and even disappearing into the depths of that low neckline.
She was breathing slightly, her breath as fragrant as orchids, and the warm air diffused between the two of them.
Those ice-blue eyes no longer held their usual coldness; only daze, shyness, and a hint of determination remained.
Ling Luochen raised her hand and gently pressed it against the door behind Lin Xuan.
"Thud."
With a soft sound, Lin Xuan was directly pinned against the door by her.
The distance between them was so close they could hear each other's heartbeats. A faint, delicate fragrance wafted into his nose—not the scent of powder, but her unique body fragrance mixed with the scent of ice and snow.
Ling Luochen tilted her head up slightly, her hazy eyes looking straight at Lin Xuan, her eyelashes trembling like a startled butterfly.
Lin Xuan was stunned. He looked at the woman inches away from him, at the breathtaking curves outlined by the black lace, at the snow-like skin flushed with red, and at those eyes that were no longer cold, but filled only with daze and desire.
After a long while, he finally spoke,
"Ling Luochen..."
"What on earth are you doing?"
Ling Luochen looked at him and blinked, then tilted her head slightly. A flash of confusion crossed her hazy eyes as she said seriously,
"Don't you... like dominant women? Am I not dominant enough now?"
Lin Xuan:???
His brain momentarily short-circuited. Like dominant women? He had indeed said those words...
But if he remembered correctly, he had only said that to Ma Xiaotao, right?
Lin Xuan's brow furrowed slightly as he asked, "How do you know about that?"
Ling Luochen didn't hide it. Her eyes looked straight at him as she said frankly,
"I saw long ago that something was going on between you and Ma Xiaotao, so I drugged her just now and got those words out of her."
Lin Xuan went silent.
"Impressive."
He was truly impressed.
Ling Luochen looked at Lin Xuan's expression and seemed to think he was questioning something. She bit her lower lip, a flash of urgency crossing her flushed cheeks as she asked directly,
"What is our relationship now?"
Lin Xuan was stunned for a moment. Why did this sound so familiar?
The legendary Yellow Weasel asking for a title: 'Do I look like a human to you?'
The real-life human version: 'What is our relationship now?'
Lin Xuan blurted out instinctively, "Friends."
Ling Luochen nodded, then shook her head.
"But I don't want to just be your friend."
Lin Xuan looked at her, at those eyes that were no longer cold, at her determined yet shy expression, and at the curves rising and falling beneath her thin nightgown.
Suddenly, he adopted a serious expression.
"Are you trying to be my enemy?"
Ling Luochen was stunned. She stared at him blankly, her brain seemingly short-circuiting for a moment.
Enemy? I'm confessing! What do you mean enemy?!
She bit her lip, a flash of embarrassed anger crossing her flushed face, and then she suddenly reached out.
"Snap."
The lights in the room went out. In the darkness, her voice drifted over, carrying a hint of gritted teeth.
"Let's see how long you can keep up this act of being a gentleman!"
Loving Book So Far Check Out 50+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FictionsTL