The news that Zhu Ziyang had raised two Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear cubs quickly spread through the inner academy. The two cubs became the focal point of every conversation among the inner academy disciples. While everyone had heard of the Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear's legendary status, very few had ever seen one. So, everyone came with curiosity to observe them.
The two cubs, affectionately named "Xiong Da" (Big Bear) and "Xiong Er" (Little Bear) by Xingcai, were delighted. Every day, unfamiliar faces came to see them, and each person would bring them delicious meats. The two cubs, still so young, quickly became immersed in the lavish human world. They were content and carefree, living each day in bliss.
The elders of Shrek Academy were much more serious about the cubs. They understood the significance of the Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear species and were very willing to help Zhu Ziyang take care of them. After all, Zhu Ziyang wasn't the first lord of Shrek Academy to raise pets. Inside the Sea God Lake, there was still an ancient Black Jade Turtle with a thousand years of cultivation that belonged to a former sect leader.
As the day of the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament drew closer, Shrek Academy's team gathered for their final night before departure. After a temporary meeting of the Tianyuan Pavilion, Zhu Ziyang returned to his residence, only to find Ma Xiaotao waiting for him at the door. He was puzzled.
"Xiaotao, it's so late, why aren't you resting? Is there something you need help with?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Yes!" Ma Xiaotao answered, but her voice had an unusual tone, a hint of charm and allure. She raised her head and smiled seductively. "I need you to help me suppress my evil fire!"
"Huh?" Zhu Ziyang blinked, momentarily confused about Ma Xiaotao's intentions. But before he could think, she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the room.
"Xiaotao!" Zhu Ziyang's voice instinctively raised as he was pulled inside.
"Are you yelling at me?" Ma Xiaotao's voice was full of grievance. "You promised me before. I've been ready for a while now, but half a year has passed, and you haven't done anything. Do you want a girl to make the first move?"
"Uh!" Even though Zhu Ziyang couldn't see his expression, his voice indicated his awkwardness and guilt. "I've been so busy, I—"
"Busy? Is that what you call it? Visiting friends with Nannan and bringing back two Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear cubs?" Ma Xiaotao's voice grew even more aggrieved as she recounted what Zhu Ziyang had been doing. "Anyway, I don't care. You have to do it tonight. Whether you want to or not, you have to do it!"
"Uh... heh heh!" Zhu Ziyang awkwardly chuckled. "Xiaotao, can you get off me first?"
"Nope!" Ma Xiaotao's tone was full of determination, but there seemed to be a hint of shyness and a provocative undertone mixed in.
"Come on, get up!" Zhu Ziyang coaxed softly. "I don't like being passive. I prefer to take the initiative!"
"Huh?" Ma Xiaotao's voice sounded puzzled, then there was a surprised tone followed by an expectant "Ah!"
"Smack!" A sudden noise rang through the room, and the bright moon in the night sky dimmed slightly, as a cloud passed over it, as if a shy woman raised a handkerchief to cover her face, wanting to resist but still yielding.
The next morning, Zhu Ziyang woke up feeling a bit heavy. He looked up to see Ma Xiaotao lying on top of him, her face still flushed with the warmth of the previous night.
"Xiaotao, it's time to get up!" Zhu Ziyang gently tapped Ma Xiaotao's round bottom to wake her up.
"Hmm?" Ma Xiaotao, still a bit sleepy, rested her hands on his chest and sat up on top of him. Her soft and alluring figure was once again in full view. She rubbed her eyes, then said, "Ziyang!"
"What's wrong?" Zhu Ziyang asked, looking at her with confusion.
"I... I think I've broken through," Ma Xiaotao paused for a moment, then suddenly felt light as a feather. Her tired body from last night instantly felt energized, and her face was filled with surprise and excitement.
"Really?" Zhu Ziyang immediately sat up in shock. His movement made Ma Xiaotao, who was sitting on him, tumble off, but he quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms. His eyes were wide with surprise as he stared at her reddened face.
"Of course, it's real!" Ma Xiaotao smiled, then sat comfortably in Zhu Ziyang's lap. She said, "Do you think I would joke about something like this?"
"No, of course not!" Zhu Ziyang quickly denied it and explained, "I'm just surprised. You've been stuck at level 89 for nearly a year, so this breakthrough really is a good sign!"
"Hehe!" Ma Xiaotao giggled and wrapped her arms around Zhu Ziyang's neck, pressing her face against his. "My dear brother, I should thank you for this!"
"Hehe!" Zhu Ziyang chuckled knowingly and laughed along. "If it was that easy to break through, there would be no single people left on the continent. I think you've already reached the bottleneck; you just needed the right opportunity. Last night, you relaxed enough, and when that tension was released, you naturally broke through."
"Yes, yes, you're right." Ma Xiaotao didn't care about the reasoning. All she knew was that she had received double happiness: not only did she get together with the person she loved, but she also broke through to the Title Douluo realm and completed the Fire God's Seventh Trial. This was the best news.
"Alright, let's get up now. We've still got things to do," Zhu Ziyang patted Ma Xiaotao. He realized that after just one night, he had become fond of her soft, bouncy figure.
"Mm!" Ma Xiaotao nodded, her eyes sparkling.
The two quickly got dressed and cleaned up the mess from the previous night. Then Ma Xiaotao sat on Zhu Ziyang's bed and began to respond to the call of the Fire God's Seventh Trial. Zhu Ziyang stood to the side, guarding her.
For the first time, Zhu Ziyang faced a living god. The divine mark of the Fire God emanated from Ma Xiaotao. The golden-red glow enveloped her, and flickering flame-like light surrounded her. Mysterious star-like glimmers fell from the sky.
Soon, the strange phenomena disappeared, and Ma Xiaotao's figure emerged. Her closed eyes lowered naturally, and her lips curled into a smile. It was clear that the reward for completing the Fire God's Seventh Trial had made her elated. It must have been a fantastic reward!
"Hahaha!" Ma Xiaotao opened her eyes and immediately laughed. Looking at Zhu Ziyang, she didn't hide her joy and said, "Ziyang, guess what the reward for the Fire God's Seventh Trial is?"
"How am I supposed to guess?" Zhu Ziyang chuckled helplessly.
"Guess! It's easy to guess!" Ma Xiaotao hugged his arm and playfully pouted.
"Alright, I'll guess," Zhu Ziyang said with a laugh. He knew she was soft-hearted and had a playful nature. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I guess it's Fire God affinity, right?"
"Of course!" Ma Xiaotao gave him a look. "That's obvious, right?"
"Haha, is there an increase in soul ring years? Soul power level? Or maybe a divine soul ring?" Zhu Ziyang continued with his guesses.
"Hehe, I won't tease you anymore," Ma Xiaotao said with a smile, unable to hold back her joy. "The reward is Fire God affinity of 10%, one level of soul power, an increase of 1,000 years to all soul ring ages, a divine soul ring, and... a divine weapon."
"Mm..." Zhu Ziyang nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with most of what she said. However, when he heard the final reward, he became stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief as he asked, "Wait, you said a divine weapon?"
"Mm-hmm!" Ma Xiaotao nodded, extending her hand. A red glow shimmered in her palm, and a sword appeared—a fiery red blade with golden accents. It emitted a faint divine aura, though the light was somewhat obscured, as if it was hidden by something.
"This is the Fire God Sword, the Fire God's divine weapon. It's also part of the Fire God's Eighth Trial," Ma Xiaotao explained. "The next trial is for me to receive the Fire God Sword's recognition and pull it from its sheath."
As she spoke, she tried to pull the sword from its scabbard. Her hand gripped the hilt while the other held the sheath. She pulled with all her might, but the sword didn't move. It was clear that force alone wasn't enough to draw it. To inherit the Fire God's position, Ma Xiaotao still had room for growth!
Not in a hurry, she stored the Fire God Sword back and began to absorb her ninth soul ring, completing her ascension to Title Douluo.
Zhu Ziyang stayed by her side, guarding her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreo
[email protected]/facficmax10