The setting sun cast a golden glow over the small lake nestled in the grove, its surface shimmering like liquid fire.
Lu Feng and Xiao Wu sat side by side on the grassy bank, their quiet conversation mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves.
As they talked, Xiao Wu learned bits and pieces about Lu Feng's life, just enough to satisfy her curiosity without prying too deeply.
She understood everyone had their secrets, especially when they'd only just met. There would be time for more questions later.
When it was his turn, Lu Feng smiled and asked, "Xiao Wu, what's your biggest dream?"
"To avenge my mother."
The answer came instantly, without hesitation. A mist clouded her beautiful eyes as painful memories surfaced, memories she could never escape, no matter how many years passed. The nightmares still came, jolting her awake in the dead of night.
She had witnessed it all: her mother being hunted down, choosing to stay and fight rather than flee. With her power, she could have escaped, but her mother had refused to abandon her.
That final act of love, sacrificing herself so her daughter could live, had shaped Xiao Wu forever, fueling her desperate drive to grow stronger.
Lu Feng nodded solemnly. "Then you must take care of yourself. The human world is full of deception. The most dangerous aren't the obvious villains, but those who disguise themselves as good people. Remember that."
Xiao Wu nodded earnestly. "I will. Thank you for the warning."
Watching her innocent response, Lu Feng sighed inwardly.
In the original story, this kind-hearted girl had abandoned her life's purpose for a manipulative man twice her mental age, sacrificing her soul ring, her spirit bone, even her very soul for him.
All while believing it was true love, unaware she was just another pawn in the Tang family's schemes.
And what had Tang San ever done for her? Even after becoming a god, he'd only bothered to resurrect his own mother, never sparing a thought for Xiao Wu's deepest wish.
Shaking off these thoughts, Lu Feng turned to her with sudden intensity. "Xiao Wu, did you know? When a hundred-thousand-year soul beast dies, its soul lingers in the spirit bone for a long time. If we could find your mother's remains... there might be a way to bring her back."
"R-really?" Hope blazed in her eyes before panic set in. "Lu Feng, you... you know I'm—"
"Yes," he smiled gently. "I know you're the reincarnated Soft Bone Rabbit. My Dragon God bloodline lets me sense these things." It was a white lie, one meant to comfort her.
"Dragon God bloodline... That explains so much." Xiao Wu felt the overwhelming pressure of his noble beast lineage, though she dared not ask further. This was clearly a profound secret, not something shared lightly with new acquaintances. Yet he had trusted her with it immediately.
His voice grew tender. "This might sound forward, but from the moment I saw you, I wanted to protect you. Now... I want to help you achieve your revenge. And if possible, bring your mother back."
"Lu... Lu Feng gege..." Tears spilled down her cheeks as emotion overwhelmed her. In his warm, confident tone, she sensed genuine care unlike anything she'd known before.
Gently, he wiped her tears away. "Don't cry. You must stay strong, that's what your mother would want. Only then can you face the challenges ahead."
Xiao Wu nodded fiercely, her beautiful face filled with gratitude as she gazed into his deep eyes.
In this moment, her trust in Lu Feng became absolute. His presence began filling the spaces in her heart where Tang San's shadow still lingered.
Stretching out on the soft grass with his hands behind his head, Lu Feng watched the sunset paint the sky in brilliant hues. With such beauty around him and this lovely girl by his side, contentment washed over him like the evening breeze.
Flocks of birds soared across the twilight sky, their silhouettes occasionally interspersed with soul masters possessing flight-type martial souls.
The day had been eventful, completing his mission, making significant progress with Xiao Wu, and thoroughly crushing Tang Hao in battle using the Supreme Douluo's power.
Though brief, the fight had granted him invaluable combat experience at the pinnacle of strength, and he could already feel his soul power growing more refined.
Now, as he prepared to return to the Star Luo Empire, a thought struck him, how much time he'd save with a flight ability. To soar like those birds, to fight mid-air as he had against Tang Hao... The desire burned stronger than ever.
Suddenly, as he watched the drifting clouds, inspiration flashed through his mind like a shooting star. He immediately sat upright, entering deep meditation to grasp this fleeting epiphany.
Xiao Wu, though puzzled by his abrupt cultivation, remained quietly by his side like a devoted guardian.
The grove stayed undisturbed, whether out of respect or fear of the Merchant Alliance's influence, none dared intrude.
Hours passed. Stars emerged to dot the velvet night sky when Lu Feng finally opened his eyes, now gleaming with golden light brighter than the celestial bodies above.
As he summoned his martial soul, one of the shadowy celestial bodies orbiting the World Tree ignited with radiant gold, revealing the silhouette of a divine roc within its luminous core.
At that moment, a massive phantom image of a golden-winged Roc materialized behind him. With a single majestic flap of its shimmering wings, Lu Feng's body slowly lifted into the air.
{T/N: Roc is some mythological bird}
Xiao Wu's eyes widened in astonishment. "You... you have twin martial souls?!"
Though ecstatic, Lu Feng hesitated to explain fully. Scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin, he said, "Seems I can... create new martial souls?"
The roc soul resembled the one used by the Supreme Douluo earlier but evolved, now radiating the aura of a Golden-Winged Great Roc.
He had created a new martial soul.
And with it, a celestial body on the World Tree had ignited.
Ten stars in total orbited the World Tree...
The implications were staggering.
Xiao Wu shook her head in awe. "Your talent is just... monstrous."
"Can you keep this secret for me?" Lu Feng asked.
"Of course! Lu Feng gege," She grinned mischievously. "You're keeping mine too, right? Hehe."
Their shared laughter sealed the pact, bringing them closer.
Though Lu Feng wouldn't mind a more literal interpretation of "closeness", just not yet. Patience was key.
Pickup Artist #3: Perfect Timing.
With Zhu Zhuqing, the moment was nearly ripe for raw honesty between them.
Upon his return, he would envelop the voluptuous Zhu Zhuqing in his arms, slowly peeling away her tight black leather garments that clung to her scorching curves.
Full and blossoming…
A sword sliding into its scabbard.
Feet slipping into snug shoes.
Deep and teasing exchanges.
Imagining this, a surge of exhilaration coursed through Lu Feng's heart.
*****
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