Swimsuits.
Sundresses.
One pure and noble, the other lively and sweet.
Translucent black stockings turned sheer when wet, transforming into veiled temptation that traced the lithe curves of toned calves.
"Pervert!"
"Degenerate!"
Wu Feng's flames erupted, evaporating water—and incinerating her stockings.
"Yep."
An Zhen nodded.
He admitted his actions were… questionable.
"An Zhen, you're shameless!"
"A tsundere beauty scowling while stepping on my back? Perfection." He merely stated facts.
On the sofa, Ning Tian dipped her pink feet in a milk bath, smiling as she watched An Zhen and Wu Feng's tussle—ending with the red dragon girl flushed and nestled in her arms.
So soft to hold.
An Zhen approved.
Naturally, he played fair.
One porcelain foot, still glistening with milk, rested in his palms.
"Wu Feng, Ning Tian might stumble with one foot up."
"Hmph!"
With a milk-fierce glare, Wu Feng stood behind Ning Tian, steadying her.
Dorm Room
Nutrient-rich food left An Zhen restless. Too much energy, no Senior (Zhang Lexuan) to share it with.
Cultivate.
Yi Laike's guidance on spiritual power had accelerated his progress in "The Great Awakening". Though still unable to dual-control both body halves, one side now moved with fluid precision.
Later, in the virtual world, An Zhen "awoke" to find a certain little cutie sneaking into his room.
Huo Yutong—cheeks flushed—unlocked his door with a key, tiptoed inside, and relocked it. After glancing at the "sleeping" figure, she unwrapped a package: a sky-and-ocean blue dress (300 gold souls, handpicked by An Zhen). Shedding her male uniform, she slipped it on—pure as the girl next door, the perfect little sister template.
"Perfect."
My taste is impeccable.
White-socked feet padded across the floor. Blush crept up her neck as she lifted the quilt and slid in, nestling against An Zhen's chest.
Big Brother…
She breathed in his scent.
"Eep!"
Arms wrapped around her. Panicked eyes met his amused gaze.
"Little Yu Tong—here to warm my bed?"
"Mmph—"
He captured her lips.
Delicious.
"Big Brother…" Her eyes overflowed with tenderness. Limp and pliant, she sank into the mattress.
An Zhen knew she'd agree to anything now.
So…
"Rest."
He pulled her close. A soft, milk-scented cuddle buddy.
"Not a beast," Tian Meng yawned in Huo Yutong's mind sea. With the gray ball (Yi Laike) gone, her space felt roomier. Still… what's this boy's deal? Even that outworld elder knew his past.
Meh. Nap first.
Newborn Assessment Quarterfinals
Huo Yutong, Wang Dong'er, and Xiao Xiao dominated. Though Wang Dong'er wasn't yet a Soul Elder, Huo Yutong's mental detection/sharing boosted her combat prowess. With Xiao Xiao's crowd control and the occasional soul shock, they defeated 25+ rank teams without fusion skills—securing a semifinal spot.
"Huang Chutian."
"Lan Susu."
"Lan Luoluo."
The semifinals pitted them against delicate twin girls. On paper, their squad shouldn't have reached top four—but their fusion skill, Heavenly Net, was a dimensional-tier lockdown, unbeatable for first-years.
"Wu Feng?" An Zhen eyed the eager dragon girl.
I'll step in if needed.
"Obviously!" She'd barely fought all tournament. Itched for action.
"Then Ning Tian and I support you."
Wu Feng stepped forward; An Zhen and Ning Tian flanked her.
"So this is our end," Huang Chutian sighed. Why wasn't An Zhen leading? Didn't matter—loss was certain.
Four-ring Light Holy Dragon. The White Tiger's defeat proved it.
"BEGIN!"
"ROAR—!"
Flame-wreathed claws materialized. Wu Feng shot forth like an arrow.
"Seven Treasures: First, Speed!"
"Third, Strength!"
Ning Tian's pagoda glowed. 40% boost made Wu Feng rival a Soul Elder.
As jaws dropped, a white soul ring lit at An Zhen's feet—his eyes shifting from void to starlight.
Mental Detection.
Mental Sharing.
I am, after all, a support tool-soul master.
Predictable victory. Huang Chutian's ape strength and the Lan twins couldn't withstand amped Wu Feng.
"An Zhen's team wins!"
"No fusion skill?" An Zhen raised a brow.
"Boss, we're outclassed," Huang Chutian admitted. "I'll watch the other match. If Dai Huabin loses… maybe our fusion can snatch third place from him."
He'd lost to Huo Yutong's squad before. Even knowing she disrupted the Lan twins' fusion, breaking past Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao seemed impossible.
"Pride shatters hard after a crushing defeat," An Zhen mused. "But your plan might work."
Suddenly—BOOM!
Twin soul-power surges erupted, drawing every eye.
(End of Chapter)