The grand gates of Spirit Hall loomed before them as the carriage rolled to a gentle stop. The two of them stepped down silently, hand still in hand—until Bibi Dong gently pulled hers away.
The warmth lingered between them for just a second longer than it should have.
She looked at Su Chen with her usual composed gaze, though her eyes betrayed a strange softness. "Su Chen," she said calmly, "go to your room and continue practicing. Reach Rank 20 as fast as you can. I have high expectations for you."
He nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Master."
Bibi Dong hesitated briefly, then added, "If you need anything… knowledge, resources, or guidance—come to me directly. Understand?"
Su Chen smiled. "Understood."
Without another word, she turned and walked away toward the Pope Hall, her figure soon swallowed by the ornate corridors and flickering golden light of Spirit Hall's inner sanctum.
---
Left Alone
Su Chen stood in the courtyard for a moment, watching her silhouette disappear.
A faint breeze brushed past, but it didn't feel cold. His hand still held a memory of warmth, and his heart felt unusually full.
So that's what it feels like… being trusted by someone powerful.
He turned to head toward his quarters—but before he could take a step, he sensed someone approaching.
Soft footsteps echoed along the white marble floor.
A moment later, Hu Liena appeared around the corner, dressed in her elegant Spirit Hall robes, her golden eyes locking onto his immediately.
She walked straight toward him with a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Well, well…" she said, her tone teasing but warm, "Little genius Su Chen… I heard you just came back from the Soul Hunting Forest. Gained your first ring already?"
Su Chen nodded calmly. "Yes. Just returned with the Supreme Pontiff."
Hu Liena raised an eyebrow, clearly curious. "Oh? And how was your trip with Master?"
Su Chen looked into her eyes—unshaken.
"It was... enlightening."
Hu Liena stepped closer, her golden eyes shining with curiosity. "So, what kind of soul ring did you get?" she asked. "And more importantly… what's your first soul skill?"
Su Chen didn't hesitate. Unlike others, Hu Liena wasn't just a fellow disciple—she was like an older sister to him. There was no need to hide anything.
"I hunted a 699-year-old Soul Fruit Tree Beast," he said with quiet pride. "It awakened the first ability of my martial soul."
"And your martial soul is still that... can?" she tilted her head, half-incredulous.
"Yes," Su Chen replied, then smirked slightly. "But it's a food-type martial soul. Specifically, a drink-producing type. It stores, converts, and creates nourishing liquids based on what it absorbs."
Hu Liena blinked. "A drink-type soul? That's… new."
Su Chen raised his hand. In a shimmer of golden light, the metallic can appeared in his palm, sleek and sealed with faint rune marks along its surface.
He tapped the lid lightly.
Click.
A soft hiss escaped as the seal broke—and a sweet, fruity aroma drifted into the air.
He offered it toward Hu Liena. "Want a taste? It's safe. This drink is a result of the soul fruit essence. I call it… 'Spirit Fruti'."
Hu Liena hesitated for half a second, then laughed. "You're really something, Su Chen."
She took a sip—and her eyes widened slightly.
"It's sweet… like peach and orange combined. Cold, too. Really refreshing."
Su Chen took a sip next. The flavor was light but energizing, like a spiritual version of fruit juice. He could feel it nourishing his body and mind instantly.
"Useful in battle," he said. "The can can store up to different drinks with different effects.
→This one restores 5 % of soul power and minor stamina and clears mental fatigue."
Su chen thought it is same as milk drink from douluo2 .
Hu Liena looked at him with real admiration now.
"To think a can martial soul could do all this… and even 5 % is less . .Su Chen, you're going to surprise a lot of people."
He smiled.
"I plan to." but here is twist that after it will increase 5 %after every ring.
.....
Su Chen leaned against a pillar, watching the sky with narrowed eyes. The taste of Spirit Fruti still lingered on his tongue, sweet and cool, but his thoughts had wandered far from the drink.
I really didn't even tell her about the soul skill, he thought, blinking slowly. Too focused on that moment. That hand… that warmth.
He exhaled sharply, his thoughts darkening as they drifted.
Maybe it's not so surprising. After all, when someone's been through "that incident"… any little gesture must feel like the first sunlight after a long winter.
His expression shifted.
And that bastard… he ran. After everything. After breaking her, he didn't have the guts to face her again. Then he ran again—on the day of their marriage.
Su Chen sneered.
What a legend in running away. If there were a marathon for shameless cowards, he'd probably be top 10. Hell, maybe dead last. I don't care.
He chuckled bitterly under his breath.
Let's leave track and field to trash. I'll focus on something better… like becoming the man who rewrites her story.
---
Suddenly, reality pulled him back.
Hu Liena was still beside him, happily sipping the rest of the Spirit Fruti with a small smile. The playful elegance in her eyes was back.
"I'm going to train," Su Chen said simply, straightening up. "I need to reach Rank 20 as soon as possible."
Hu Liena blinked—then her eyes sharpened.
That's right…
Devil brother is here.
She couldn't afford to fall behind.
No matter how sweet he acted, he was still a freak of cultivation. If he passed her before she hit Emperor Rank, she'd be the one embarrassed.
She downed the last sip, eyes gleaming with fire. "Then I'll train harder too. Can't let my little brother outrun me."
Without another word, she turned on her heel and marched toward the resource wing, intent on asking Master for advanced techniques and soul cultivation tools.
---
Inside the Pope Hall
Bibi Dong sat alone, her expression unreadable. The light of the golden throne above cast a soft glow across her features.
That child…
Her fingers curled slightly on her armrest.
I was so distracted in that forest… I didn't even ask about the function of his soul ring.
She blinked, stunned at herself.
Me? Forgetting to ask about a soul skill?
A rare flush of embarrassment brushed her cheeks.
What am I doing…
She leaned back, staring at the ceiling, letting the memory of his hand in hers play in her mind again. It was supposed to be just a bet. A childish promise.
But for some reason…
It felt different.