Ning Rongrong threw herself into Su Yu's embrace, rubbing her little head affectionately against his abdomen like a spoiled kitten, her joy nearly overflowing.
After a long while, she suddenly looked up, her eyes wide and full of confusion:
"Huh? How did I reach level 18? I remember Father saying before that after a Soul Master absorbs their first Soul Ring, they can only break through to level 11 at most!"
She clutched Su Yu's collar with her small hands, tilting her head as she carefully recalled, certain she hadn't misremembered. The excitement on her little face gradually gave way to puzzlement:
"Could it be... that this Soul Ring is somehow different?"
Su Yu chuckled softly, raising his hand to ruffle Ning Rongrong's soft hair, a knowing smile flashing in his eyes:
"Silly girl, have you forgotten already? Didn't you just consume the Fairy Qi Luo Tulip a few days ago?"
He gently tapped the tip of her nose with his finger and patiently explained:
"That's a rare Immortal Herb. Not only does it allow your Martial Soul to complete its evolution, but the accumulated medicinal power can greatly enhance your Soul Power foundation."
"Earlier when your Soul Power was stuck at level 10, the herb's power was quietly stored within your body."
"Now that you've absorbed the Soul Ring, it's like opening a floodgate - the medicinal power was released along with it, allowing you to soar straight to level 18."
"Not only that, but your future cultivation speed will also be improved until you break through to Soul Emperor, when the Fairy Qi Luo Tulip's medicinal power will completely disappear!"
Only then did Ning Rongrong have her sudden realization, slapping her forehead with her small hand as her eyes instantly brightened:
"That's right! How could I forget about the Fairy Qi Luo Tulip!"
She looked up at Su Yu, her voice filled with astonishment.
"So it was the Immortal Herb's power helping! No wonder the breakthrough was so fast!"
Remembering that radiant Immortal Herb when it bloomed, warmth filled her heart.
If it weren't for her Brother Husband, she would never have had the chance to encounter such a miraculous opportunity.
She nuzzled deeper into Su Yu's embrace, her small voice carrying a hint of coquettishness:
"Brother Husband is still the most amazing, knowing everything."
Xue Na, who had been listening intently nearby, tugged at Su Yu's sleeve and asked curiously:
"Brother Su Yu, is the Fairy Qi Luo Tulip really that powerful? It can make Martial Souls evolve and increase Soul Power by so much?"
"Mm!"
Su Yu nodded, patiently explaining.
"The power of Immortal Herbs is miraculous. Different herbs have different wonderful effects. The Fairy Qi Luo Tulip is beneficial for gem-type Martial Souls."
"Rongrong being able to achieve such a breakthrough is both due to the herb's assistance and the result of her own talent and hard work."
"Rongrong's Martial Soul was originally the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, which had inherent defects, which is why I gave her the Immortal Herb so early."
"Of course, little Xuena, you need to cultivate diligently too. When you break through to Soul Grandmaster, big brother will give you an Immortal Herb as well!"
"At that time, your cultivation speed will also be greatly improved!"
Upon hearing this, Xue Na's eyes instantly lit up as if filled with stars, her small hands excitedly clenching into fists:
"Really? Big brother!"
She looked up at him, her face full of anticipation, her small nose tip slightly flushed with excitement.
"Xuena will definitely cultivate diligently! When I break through to Soul Grandmaster, can I become as powerful as Sister Rongrong?"
Ning Rongrong also peeked out from Su Yu's embrace, smiling as she took Xue Na's hand:
"Of course, Xue Na is so well-behaved and talented, she'll definitely break through to Soul Grandmaster soon."
"Then we can cultivate together with Brother Husband and become stronger together."
Su Yu watched the two little ones' excited expressions, his heart softening as he ruffled Xue Na's head:
"It's certainly true, but cultivation shouldn't be rushed. You need to take it step by step, understand?"
Xiao Xuena nodded vigorously, her small face filled with seriousness:
"Mm! Xue Na remembers! I'll cultivate properly and won't slack off!"
Su Yu raised his hand and gently stroked the soft hair of both children, his fingertips carrying a warm tenderness.
He bent down and planted a kiss on each of Ning Rongrong and Xue Na's smooth foreheads.
"So well-behaved."
He straightened up, his voice wrapped in laughter as he took both their small hands and led them deeper into the forest.
"Come, now it's time to find a suitable Soul Ring for our Xue Na."
Xue Na was momentarily stunned by the kiss, then her cheeks flushed pink. Her small hands unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, but she secretly glanced up at Su Yu, her eyes hiding sweet laughter.
Ning Rongrong also smiled with pursed lips, leaning closer to Su Yu, her voice light and cheerful:
"Then let's hurry. The sooner we find a suitable Soul Ring for Xue Na, the sooner she can become a true Soul Master."
With that, the three of them walked deeper into the dense forest, with Su Yu in the middle, holding both children's hands.
The forest breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees, with occasional birds flitting by, everything appearing exceptionally peaceful.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, dancing fragmented light spots on the back of his hand.
The two children, held by his hands, walked with steps as light as forest deer.
After walking for about five minutes, Su Yu suddenly stopped, raising his hand to signal the two beside him to be quiet. His sharp gaze focused ahead as he lowered his voice:
"A hundred meters ahead, there's a Lightning Leopard. Extremely fast, even more agile in reaction, with over four hundred years of cultivation. Its attributes match Xue Na's most perfectly."
When Xue Na heard the words "Lightning Leopard," her eyes suddenly brightened, then showed some nervousness.
Unconsciously clenching her fists, her fingertips turning slightly pale, she asked softly:
"Is... is it fierce?"
Ning Rongrong, seeing this, reached out and gently pinched the baby fat on Xue Na's cheek, her tone carrying both helplessness and doting laughter:
"Xue Na little sister, with Brother Husband here, you can rest assured!"
She looked up at Su Yu, her tone full of certainty: "Not to mention this mere four-hundred-year Lightning Leopard, even if a thousand-year one came, it would definitely be no match for Brother Husband!"
Su Yu also said with a laugh, "Let's go, Xiao Xuena, watch your brother catch it for you!"
The three of them walked toward where the Lightning Leopard was located. One minute later.
Peering through the gaps in the foliage, they saw a Lightning Leopard lazily basking on a smooth rock in the clearing ahead.
Its entire body was covered in dark golden fur, marked with black patterns resembling lightning bolts.
Upon closer look, faint flashes of lightning occasionally sparkled between those patterns.
Its slender tail swayed lightly back and forth, the tip occasionally brushing the ground, producing faint crackling sounds of electricity.
"Brother, is that the Lightning Leopard?"
Xue Na gently tugged Su Yu's sleeve and asked quietly.
"Mm, Xiao Xuena, that's the Lightning Leopard. It's definitely quite suitable for you as a Soul Beast! Watch your brother catch it for you!"
Su Yu placed his right hand on the ground and murmured:
"Wood Release: Tree Binding Eternal Imprisonment!"
As the words fell, a seemingly insignificant sapling abruptly broke through the soil beside the rock beneath Lightning Leopard.
The sapling seemed infused with surging vitality, growing wildly at a visible rate.
Its branches twisted like agile serpents, coiling toward Lightning Leopard's hind legs.