"Lu Yuan… I'm sorry!"
Shui Bing'er lowered her head, guilt clear in her voice, like a kitten that had messed up and dared not meet its master's eyes. "It was all my fault. I accidentally absorbed everything from you… all of it."
Her words trailed off awkwardly, her face burning red.
Lu Yuan sighed and rubbed her soft hair affectionately. "Bing'er, I already told you—it has nothing to do with you. The coldness around my sword wasn't drained by you at all. It was swallowed. By the sword itself."
Indeed, half a year ago, that eerie blade of his had been covered in layers of white frost, a mist that swirled constantly like lingering snow. Now, every trace of it was gone.
But—gone did not mean weakened. If anything, he could feel it clearly: the weapon had become even stronger.
Packing for Departure
Shui Bing'er's brows tightened as she watched Lu Yuan moving about the room, gathering his belongings. His relaxed hands were tying leather straps, his wine jar already slung across his shoulder—it was obvious.
"You're leaving…?" she asked softly, unease dripping from her voice.
Lu Yuan didn't even hide it. "Yeah. I've got somewhere to go. Won't be back for a while."
He tilted up the jar and gulped down several long swigs.
"Ton, ton, ton… ahhh! Happy!" His cheeks flushed slightly.
The reason for this mood? Yesterday, he had stumbled across a letter secretly left for him at Liu Erlong's simple thatched cottage. Little Pepper had finally contacted him again. That discovery had lit his mood alight.
How could he not drink a few jars in celebration?
Shui Bing'er hesitated, biting her lip. "Will… will you come back?"
Over the past six months, things between them had softened drastically. The stiffness that once kept them apart was gone. Though the outside world was swirling with rumors about their ambiguous relationship, Shui Bing'er no longer cared. Six months had numbed her heart to gossip—what mattered now was her true feelings.
And truthfully… she had grown attached to this damn man. Reluctantly so.
Her strength had climbed as well. She was about to reach level 46, and she was confident she would break through before the Elite Tournament. All of this, she knew, was thanks to the terrifying sword Lu Yuan carried. Even though its chilling aura had vanished, she wondered if she would ever feel the same speed of cultivation again.
"Of course I'll come back," Lu Yuan chuckled, lifting her chin boldly. "When I do… I'll invite you for a drink myself."
Before she could answer, he suddenly hugged the Blue Silver Emperor vine that grew near the window sill, cradling it like an old friend.
"What if you shrivel up because no one waters you when I'm away?" His voice slurred from drink. "I can't trust anyone else. Guess I'll hug you too while I can."
Shui Bing'er couldn't help a laugh, shaking her head. "Fine. Just this once—I'll drink with you when you return."
She watched him walk out the door, his carefree figure disappearing into the morning light.
System Awakening
After leaving the city, Lu Yuan flew straight west, guided by Liu Erlong's handwritten instructions. His mood drifted between anticipation and irritation. "This woman… she waits half a year before writing back. She better have a good explanation!"
He tilted his wine jar again.
"Tons… tons… tons…"
The intoxicating liquid burned his throat—but then, something unexpected happened.
[Ding—host health condition stable. Soul power level +1.]
[Congratulations. Host soul power breakthrough to level 60—promotion to Soul Emperor!]
[Sixth spirit ring obtained!]
[Sixth spirit skill acquired: Gale Sword Dance!]
For a moment, Lu Yuan blinked, stunned. Then a wild grin split across his face.
"Haha! Breakthrough again? Now this is a good day!" He laughed loudly into the empty night, tipping more wine back. "Soul Emperor already…? Life couldn't be better!"
Ever since he had drunk the tribute wine from the imperial collection, his cultivation had been surging at inhuman speed. Now, without realizing it, he had made a major leap.
He glanced at his system panel.
System Status:
Name: Lu Yuan
Level: 61 (Soul Emperor)
Martial Soul: **
Spirit Rings: Purple (3,700), Purple (4,900), Purple (6,760), Black (22,100), Black (24,300), Black (40,000)
Skills:
First Soul Skill (Surge): 70% boost to all attributes.
Second Soul Skill (Air Break Slash): Quick draw—nine devastating slashes.
Third Soul Skill (Sword Array): Traps enemies within storming sword blades.
Fourth Soul Skill (Sword Will): Burns intent for blazing attacks.
Fifth Soul Skill (Absolute Slash): Sword Qi teleport strike.
Sixth Soul Skill (Gale Sword Dance): A storm of swift strikes, finishing with a massive sword qi blow.
Soul Bones:
Left Arm: Dark Evil Phoenix Bone – skill: Dark Fire (sword qi ignites black flames).
Right Arm: Blasting Power Bone – skill: Earth Slash (massive sword strike).
Special Note: Drunkenness grants unpredictable bonuses.
Lu Yuan snorted. "Gale Sword Dance?" He twirled his wrist. "I'll test it when I'm in the mood. Panels don't mean anything—only battle proves worth."
Arrival at Liu Erlong's Retreat
Three days later—even with his flying sword—it took him multiple dawns to travel the vast distances west.
At last, he arrived before a serene, secluded lake. A narrow bamboo walkway extended across the water toward a delicate bamboo residence built at the center. A wooden waterwheel spun gently by the side, rippling the water in calm circles.
Lu Yuan's eyes gleamed. "Little Pepper really knows how to pick a place. Quiet, comfortable, scenic. Perfect for rest."
Just as he allowed himself to relax, a prickle of murderous intent shot up his spine.
His hand flew to his sword.
"Who's there?"
Clash with the Dragon Claws
The attack came instantly—a streak of lightning and a claw swung down on him.
The impact cracked the air with a deafening boom, forcing Lu Yuan back two steps. His sword hummed in defiance. Across from him, a rugged middle-aged man stood firm, his Martial Soul fully manifested.
The man's fists had transformed into massive azure claws wreathed in arcs of crackling lightning. Eight soul rings gleamed beneath his feet—the unmistakable aura of a Contra-level powerhouse.
Lu Yuan's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell…? Don't know, don't care. You dare to attack me—then I'll just beat you down!"
Without hesitation, he charged.
"First Soul Skill—Surge!"
"Fourth Soul Skill—Sword Will!"
His momentum spiked like an erupting volcano.
"Second Soul Skill—Air Break Slash!"
Black sword qi screams split the air, nine devastating arcs hurtling toward the Contra. The man barely managed to cross his thunder claws defensively, yet still staggered tens of meters under the impact. Sparks danced on his battered arms.
"I—" he started to speak.
"Save it!" Lu Yuan roared. Sword qi rained from the heavens, his Sword Array descending like a storm.
The Contra's fifth soul ring flared frantically. Blue lightning coalesced, forming thick armor that covered his body in electric plating. The rain of blades rang out like a cascade of striking metal, sparks erupting wildly.
But Lu Yuan wasn't done. He pressed forward mercilessly, refusing to allow his enemy a word.
The man's seventh soul ring flashed. A resounding dragon's roar split the skies. His body expanded, transforming in an instant into a towering Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, scales blazing with sky-splitting electricity. The beast stretched twenty meters long, coiled in raw destructive power.
The air itself quaked under its presence.
Lu Yuan stood there, steady, eyes fixed on the dragon—and licked his lips. His grin was wild.
"A Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon? Now this will be interesting."
--
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