Tianmeng Iceworm's counter-question was something Zhuge Lan never expected.
"Wait, that's it? You're a million-year soul beast, and that's all you've got?"
"B-Bro, I don't like fighting, okay? I like being alone. Never studied those things…" Tianmeng's guilty tone wavered.
"Oh? Are you sure it's not just that you spent all those years in the Myriad-Year Ice Marrow eating and sleeping, only to get dragged out and used as a portable battery?" Zhuge Lan exposed him mercilessly.
Tianmeng let out a furious screech, then vanished again.
Burrowed into the ground.
But from the exchange, Huo Yuhao realized the method might actually work.
Without hesitation, he followed the instructions—activating his first soul skill: Spiritual Sharing—focusing his mind to send a message.
[Huo Yuhao: Wang Dong, save me! Hurry and get Xiao Xiao away!]
Wang Dong blinked in confusion, pointing at his own head.
You talking to me?
He didn't know how to reply—he had no spiritual communication technique.
[Huo Yuhao: It's me, Huo Yuhao! Please, help!]
Wang Dong's brows arched in surprise, but he casually walked over, plucked one of the food trays from Yuhao's hands, and waved cheerfully at Xiao Xiao.
"Not gonna bother your little two-person world. Bye-bye~"
Then he turned around—
And left.
He left!!!
Huo Yuhao was petrified, his whole world crumbling as Xiao Xiao happily dragged him away.
Backstabbed. Betrayed.
Wang Dong, you've shattered my trust!!!
---
After finally escaping Xiao Xiao's persistence, Yuhao stormed back to the dorm, fuming and ready to give Wang Dong a piece of his mind.
Key in hand, he opened the door—this time without being locked out.
Only to be hit in the face with a wave of thick mist.
What the—?
He instinctively summoned his Spirit Eyes, peering through the haze—
And saw a pale, delicate back. Smooth shoulders, a slender waist, long straight legs gleaming with beads of water sliding down like silk.
Yuhao's first reaction was—
So smooth… definitely no leg hair!
"Ahhhh!!!"
A sharp scream pierced the room. Behind the figure, a pair of sapphire-blue wings flared open, golden soul rings igniting with symbols.
A surge of soul power exploded, hurling gale-force winds through the dorm.
Yuhao reacted instantly, ducking by the doorway as the storm roared past.
What the hell? We're bros, aren't we? It's just a look—what's the big deal?
Wait… too small? Is that why you're so insecure?
"You! Why don't you ever knock?!" Wang Dong's furious voice came from inside.
When Yuhao stepped in again, Wang Dong was already dressed in his white academy uniform.
His face was flushed—whether from the bath or from anger, Yuhao couldn't tell.
A wooden bath barrel sat in the middle of the dorm.
Seriously? There's a perfectly good bathroom. You had to bathe here?
Considering Wang Dong's "fragile pride," Yuhao decided to take responsibility.
"Sorry. Next time, I'll knock first."
His straightforward apology left Wang Dong choking for words.
It was a public dorm. Yuhao coming back wasn't wrong. And he already apologized…
Could he really keep chasing him over it?
Meanwhile, in Yuhao's spiritual sea, Tianmeng poked his head out.
"Zhuge, that Wang Dong is totally a girl. How come Yuhao hasn't noticed?"
"First impressions are powerful." Zhuge Lan chuckled. "Isn't this fun? Pure-hearted boy and his cross-dressing roommate, living together every day. Hahaha!"
"Eh? When you put it that way… this is kinda exciting!" Tianmeng perked up.
Zhuge Lan snapped his fingers—three buckets of popcorn materialized.
He tossed one to Tianmeng, another floated into the sky where a faint gray-gold light swallowed it whole.
"Whoa! You can make food out of spiritual power? And it's delicious… plus it boosts spiritual energy?! More! More!!"
Zhuge Lan casually spent another ten fortune points, conjuring sunflower seeds, spicy strips, pistachios—snacks galore. He and Tianmeng munched happily while watching the "live drama."
---
After the brief awkwardness faded, Wang Dong suddenly asked, "Earlier… you said what made me lose focus wasn't a soul skill. So what was it? And the way you spoke directly into my mind—that's one of your abilities, isn't it?"
Yuhao blinked, caught off guard.
Ah… this was tricky. He definitely couldn't mention the million-year spirit ring.
He'd have to use the Holy Flame Meow Meow Sect cover story instead…
"No. Tell him." Zhuge Lan interrupted firmly. "Wang Dong is someone you can trust. You two even share a Martial Soul Fusion. Your fates are tied. Better to be honest now than hide it until it blows up later."
Yuhao froze.
What? Are you crazy?
"This is a million-year spirit ring we're talking about!" Tianmeng shrieked. "Even if he believes you, if word gets out, every powerhouse under the heavens will be hunting for the million-year spirit bone! And I don't even produce one—Little Yuhao can't hand anything over! That means he'll just die!!"
Huo Yuhao agreed silently. Staying quiet was safer.
Zhuge Lan sighed. He already knew the "script"—he knew Wang Dong was trustworthy.
But from Yuhao and Tianmeng's perspective, it really was too much, too fast.
Still…
"Million-year spirit ring or not, with Wang Dong's background, he'll accept the truth. And with his character, he'll never spread it. Even if someone does come hunting, as long as they're below god-level, I can take you far away."
"Little Yuhao, believe me—Wang Dong is someone you can entrust your life to."
At those words, Huo Yuhao and Tianmeng both went silent.
Something about it felt… off. Entrust his life? What kind of phrasing was that?
But under Zhuge Lan's unyielding insistence, they reluctantly agreed.
At the same time, Zhuge Lan's spiritual pressure sealed off the dorm, ensuring no prying eyes could eavesdrop.
Huo Yuhao's gaze sharpened. He summoned his Spirit Eyes, his platinum soul ring lighting up.
"Wang Dong… tell me. How many years do you think my first soul ring is?"
"Ten years, obviously. White spirit ring." Wang Dong answered without thinking.
Yuhao shook his head gravely.
"Since we're roommates now, there are things I can't keep hidden. Wang Dong, can I trust you?"
The sudden seriousness made Wang Dong's heart tighten.
A secret?
From someone he'd only known for four days—someone who was actually willing to bare his truth to him?
Is he really this trusting?
Huo Yuhao continued, "I had a stroke of fortune. I can perceive more than others can. I also know your identity isn't ordinary. That's why I refuse to cover this with lies. Better to speak now than be forced to lie later."
The explanation was flimsy at best, but Wang Dong barely heard it.
Her thoughts spun on one phrase—'see more than others'…
Did he already realize I'm a girl?
Wang Dong's voice wavered as she tested him: "Then… have you noticed anything different about me?"
Hui Yuhao hesitated. Wasn't the important thing his secret? Why was Wang Dong redirecting the question?
Did this mean… Wang Dong also had a secret?
"He's a twin martial soul—Radiant Butterfly Goddess and Clear Sky Hammer." Zhuge Lan reminded calmly.
Huo Yuhao's eyes widened.
Clear Sky Hammer? Then… doesn't that mean—