Spirit Condensing Stone, an incredibly rare ore, possesses a miraculous property: it continuously emits a unique fragrance.
This scent seems to hold a magical power; simply being enveloped by it allows one to quickly calm their mind and spirit, finding immense relief as inner agitation and unease dissipate.
During the crucial moment of Martial Soul Awakening, the pervasive calming aroma in the air plays a vital role.
It ensures a smoother and more stable awakening process, significantly reducing the likelihood of unforeseen complications. After all, Martial Soul Awakening is a pivotal juncture in every Soul Master's life, leaving no room for error.
However, such generous treatment isn't something ordinary individuals can enjoy during their Martial Soul Awakening.
It's precisely for this reason that this Awakening Chamber, equipped with Spirit Condensing Stone pillars, is exceptionally precious and special throughout Haiyuan City and its surrounding areas.
At this moment, within the serene Awakening Chamber, several figures stood quietly. Zhang Lexuan had arrived before him, smiling as she looked at Lu Jingming, her bright eyes twinkling mischievously, a playful charm in her lively demeanor.
Seeing this, Lu Jingming felt a touch of helplessness. The Zhang Lexuan before him was full of youthful vivacity, completely unlike the serious, steady, and reserved senior disciple of Shrek Academy's Inner Court he remembered.
Upon reflection, all of this was quite reasonable. Ever since Lu Jingming arrived in this world, Zhang Lexuan's fate had undergone a drastic change.
Originally, she had been burdened by family vengeance, wandering alone and experiencing countless hardships, until she was accidentally found by Dragon God Douluo Mu En and subsequently joined Shrek Academy.
To avenge her family, she even made a pact with Dragon God Douluo Mu En, entrusting her future to Beibei.
However, now, although Zhang Lexuan still experienced the pain of losing loved ones, Lu Jingming's appearance changed everything.
Under Jingliu's sharp sword qi, her enemies were reduced to dust, and the shackles of hatred dissolved.
Lu Jingming hadn't expected that the sole survivor of the Zhang family, who shared a common lineage with his Lu family, would actually be Zhang Lexuan, the senior disciple of Shrek Academy's Inner Court from the original novel.
From the elders who survived in the City Lord's Manor, Lu Jingming learned that the Zhang family ancestors came from the Sun Moon Empire, crossing the sea, and were controversially taken in by the then-Lu family patriarch. Because of this, the Zhang and Lu families maintained good relations for generations.
Zhang Lexuan's father and Lu Jingming's father were even sworn brothers. The two families had even arranged a childhood engagement. Although Lu Jingming was nine years younger than Zhang Lexuan, the lifespan of Soul Masters is longer than that of ordinary people, and in the eyes of both families, a nine-year age gap was negligible. Zhang Lexuan had been well-behaved and adorable since childhood, and after her Martial Soul Awakening, she possessed innate full soul power. Lu Jingming's parents had always been very satisfied with this future daughter-in-law.
Originally, Lu Jingming only intended to quell the rebellion in Haiyuan City, but by a twist of fate, he ended up saving his fiancée, Zhang Lexuan.
Due to his impressions from his previous life, coupled with the deep existing friendship between the two families, Lu Jingming unhesitatingly welcomed her into the City Lord's Manor, meticulously cared for her, and arranged for her to become Jingliu's disciple.
Such vastly different life experiences naturally led to her current distinct personality. Moreover, Zhang Lexuan was only fifteen years old at this time, at least eight years younger than the age at which she first appeared in Lu Jingming's memories. She was in the prime of her innocent and carefree youth.
Beside Zhang Lexuan stood the first game character Lu Jingming had summoned after arriving in this world—Jingliu.
This peerless sword immortal, who had turned the tide and quelled the unrest in Haiyuan City, hailed from the mobile game "Honkai: Star Rail."
She was the former Sword Master of the Xianzhou Luofu, one of the Cloud Knights' Five Elders, renowned by the title "Transcendent Flash."
Jingliu's waterfall-like silver hair was lightly bound by a slender cyan silk ribbon, casually draped down her back, exuding a unique, uninhibited aura.
Her eyes were completely obscured by a black eye patch adorned with a silver moon motif, lending her an air of mystery.
A glistening, transparent teardrop earring hung from her right ear, chest, and back. With her slightest movement, the earrings swayed gently, gleaming with a cool luminescence.
She was clad in light armor primarily in ice blue and silver. The exquisite armor clung to her body, perfectly outlining her tall and graceful figure.
This attire not only highlighted her valiant and heroic spirit but also radiated a cool and powerful aura, like a bright moon hanging high in the night sky, solitary and distant, inspiring awe.
Despite her eyes being covered by the eye patch, the moment Lu Jingming stepped into the Awakening Chamber, Jingliu's gaze keenly shifted towards him, as if the black eye patch couldn't impede her all-seeing eyes.
Lu Jingming met her gaze with a slightly sheepish smile. For some reason, even though he wasn't late this time, he always felt a surge of guilt deep down whenever he faced Jingliu.
Thinking about it carefully, perhaps it was because ever since he was three, Jingliu had rigorously demanded him to practice swordsmanship. That sternness, over time, gradually transformed his initial wonderful impression of this "waifu" into the reverence and nervousness he felt towards a homeroom teacher in his previous life. Just then, the pink-furred fox in Lu Jingming's arms suddenly pushed off with its hind legs, leaping from his embrace like a pink lightning bolt and pouncing directly onto another woman in the Awakening Chamber.
This woman had remarkably distinctive long hair, gracefully transitioning from soft pink to pure white, cleverly styled into a long ponytail.
Her flame-colored hair tips resembled the magnificent tail feathers of a legendary phoenix, gently swaying behind her, exuding a lazy and casual charm.
Golden triple-ring hair ornaments were meticulously placed on both sides of her hair, shimmering with an enchanting luster in the light.
Her golden eyes held multiple mysterious black rings, contrasting with her deep black pupils, as if hiding endless stories, drawing one deeply in.
Her attire was uniquely crafted, predominantly in black, white, and red, creating a strong visual impact.
The main piece was a plain white off-the-shoulder dress, its delicate fabric clinging to her skin, perfectly showcasing her graceful figure.
A black cape draped over it added a touch of mystery and elegance, while a vermilion shawl served as a striking accent, injecting a splash of passion and boldness into the overall look.
This clever combination showcased both her alluring charm and her elegance and dignity, making her appear as a perfect fusion of youthful playfulness and mature feminine allure.
Under Lu Jingming's envious gaze, the little fox happily plunged into the woman's full and tempting cleavage.