MTLNOVEL Chapter 175: Gu Yue Gets Jealous
Nan Shuishui couldn't help but gasp, eyes wide with shock.
Two Title Douluo-level evil soul masters had been frozen instantly by Xue Di, unable to even fight back. This kind of overwhelming power was beyond her understanding, leaving her deeply awed.
"I am Nan Shuishui, Sect Master of the Earth Dragon Sect. I can never repay the debt I owe you all for saving our lives today!"
She hurriedly descended, bowing with utmost respect and humility.
Her gratitude was sincere—after all, had Lu Jingming and his companions not arrived in time, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
"Please, Sect Master Nan, there's no need for thanks. Evil soul masters are scourges to the continent; it's everyone's duty to destroy them. Besides, we actually came here for the Earth Dragon Sect," Lu Jingming replied with calm composure.
He'd planned all along to help the Earth Dragon Sect, so he could rightfully ask for the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow beneath their base. But even without that, he'd never turn a blind eye to evil soul masters if he could help.
"For the Earth Dragon Sect?" Nan Shuishui blinked in surprise.
She had never met Lu Jingming and had no idea why they'd seek out her sect. Still, out of gratitude, she smiled and said, "I wonder what business brings you here? As long as it's within our means, the Earth Dragon Sect will do everything in its power to help."
No matter their motives, Lu Jingming and his group had truly saved her and her disciples—she couldn't deny that.
If she'd fallen into the Third Elder's hands, she'd have lost her freedom, if not her life.
Moreover, the Earth Dragon Sect had an ancestral technique for reading people's faces—a way to judge character, if not always accurate. After observing Lu Jingming, Nan Shuishui felt confident he bore them no ill will.
"This isn't a good place for a long talk. Let's move somewhere else," Lu Jingming suggested, glancing at the frozen, lifeless forest around them.
"Agreed. Please, let me welcome you all to our sect for proper hospitality," Nan Shuishui nodded.
After so much danger, none of the Earth Dragon Sect had the heart to continue hunting soul beasts. The evil soul masters' ambush clearly hadn't been a coincidence; there were surely spies within Dragon City to root out.
Of all the evil soul masters who ambushed them, only the Third and Fourth Elders survived—and only because Lu Jingming and Xue Di had other plans.
Rather than kill them outright, Lu Jingming thought they'd make excellent 'Lunch box'—either as training fodder for Ye Guiyi or as guinea pigs for Mobius's research. (Squid Game Reference.)
Xue Di agreed; that's why she hadn't finished them off on the spot. She owed Mobius a favor, after all.
Meanwhile, Xu Shenshu was still focused on absorbing his soul ring. While he finished, Xue Di stored the two evil soul masters in a special soul tool designed to hold living beings.
"Um… thank you so much for helping us just now. I'm Nan Qiuqiu, young mistress of the Earth Dragon Sect," Nan Qiuqiu finally mustered up the courage to introduce herself, face flushed with shyness.
"It was nothing. I'm Lu Jingming, from Haiyuan City of the Star Luo Empire," he replied with a gentle smile.
For some reason, he noticed that Nan Qiuqiu's gaze was similar to Meng Hongchen's—though not as bold, but with the bashfulness of a young maiden.
"Haiyuan City? That sounds familiar—oh! That's the city hosting this year's Soul Master Tournament, right? And the Stigmata originated there too!"
As she spoke, Nan Qiuqiu tapped her lips in thought before suddenly lighting up with realization, looking unexpectedly cute.
"Yes, that's right. I'm surprised Haiyuan City's fame has reached Dragon City," Lu Jingming laughed, quite pleased.
The more famous Haiyuan became, the better for him—he'd poured a lot of effort into its development.
"You were amazing just now! You killed so many evil soul masters in one blow and even injured a Title Douluo. So cool!"
Her eyes sparkled with admiration and adoration.
"Heh, it was nothing," Lu Jingming replied modestly, though he couldn't help but feel a bit proud—after all, Nan Qiuqiu was a canon character.
"Qiuqiu, stop gawking and go meditate to recover your soul power! We still have a journey ahead!" Nan Shuishui called out, unable to hide her exasperation at her daughter's lovestruck look.
"Got it!" Nan Qiuqiu stuck out her tongue playfully, waved sweetly to Lu Jingming, then hurried back to meditate.
"Saving the damsel works wonders, huh? If you're a little bolder, she might throw herself at you," Gu Yue said quietly, standing beside Lu Jingming. Her tone was calm, but a hint of jealousy was unmistakable.
"You think so? Well, I am pretty charming," Lu Jingming joked, stroking his chin.
Gu Yue's lips twitched; she almost felt like punching that handsome face—but she couldn't bear to.
Lu Jingming noticed her mood and smiled. Jealousy meant progress! He was glad he'd brought Gu Yue along.
Soon, Xu Shenshu finished absorbing his fourth ring—since it matched his martial soul, the process went smoothly.
With everything settled, the group left Sunset Forest for Dragon City.
Looking back at the forest, Lu Jingming knew he'd return—he still had two goals here: the Profound Ice Marrow below the Earth Dragon Sect, and the Icefire Yin Yang Well within the forest. The latter wasn't going anywhere, and Xue Di and Bing Di were eager, especially Bing Di, who desperately needed the Ice Marrow to restore her physical body.
Dragon City—the northernmost metropolis of the Heaven Soul Empire—stood closest to the Extreme North. It was blanketed in snow year-round, making it a true city of ice and snow.
Despite the harsh climate, the city bustled with people, drawn by the nearby Extreme North—a soul beast haven. Few dared venture deep, but many hunted on the outskirts or sought rare ice-elemental treasures.
Dragon City was home to two major sects: Heaven Dragon Sect and Earth Dragon Sect.
The Heaven Dragon Sect wielded the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul—one of the few pure dragon souls left, once famed as the continent's number one beast martial soul.
As a result, the Earth Dragon Sect had always been overshadowed, seen as little more than a vassal for generations.