Chapter 66: Xu Xiaoyan’s Martial Soul Evolution

As he left the White Tiger Estate, Jing Shaoyu felt a deep sense of relief. Spending time with the aloof Wu Siduo had felt almost suffocating, her coldness so intense it nearly rubbed off on him, leaving him feeling on the brink of gloom.

Leng Yaozhu, noticing his look of relief, couldn't help but chuckle. "So, did you find it that hard to be around that Wu family heiress?"

"Teacher, it's just… that girl's coldness was overwhelming," Jing Shaoyu complained.

"Oh?" Leng Yaozhu's lips curved with a playful smile. "Doesn't that little girlfriend of yours, Gu Yue, have quite a chilly personality too?"

"Compared to Wu Siduo, Gu Yue's practically lively!" Jing Shaoyu replied with a roll of his eyes.

Leng Yaozhu's gaze softened with a glimmer of thought. "Then what if I made her your junior apprentice? How would you like that?"

"Who…Gu Yue?" Jing Shaoyu asked, momentarily surprised.

Leng Yaozhu gave a mischievous wink and nodded, showing none of the usual decorum of a Titled Douluo.

"I have no objections; it's your choice, Teacher," Jing Shaoyu replied with a light-hearted shrug, mirroring her playful expression.

He'd anticipated that Leng Yaozhu might want to take Gu Yue as her apprentice someday, so he wasn't particularly surprised. In his mind, it was simply destiny running its proper course.

For the next several days, the master-disciple duo thoroughly explored Star Luo City before finally leaving the vibrant metropolis, steeped in history yet brimming with youthful energy.

With only about fifteen days remaining before Jing Shaoyu's classes resumed, they traveled straight to Eastsea City without lingering in any other towns. Arriving just as evening descended, Leng Yaozhu dropped him off at his doorstep before speeding off with a wave.

"A-Yu, you're back?!" Jing Ziyuan, hearing the noise outside, rushed to the door. Her face lit up as she spotted him at the doorstep. "Welcome home!"

"Yes, I'm back, Mom," Jing Shaoyu replied with a smile, moving to her side.

"What about your teacher? Didn't she come inside with you?" Jing Ziyuan looked around, clearly hoping to spot Leng Yaozhu.

"She had some other matters to attend to and left right after dropping me off," Jing Shaoyu explained with a wry smile, recalling his teacher's quick departure. "Anyway, I'm starving, Mom. Have you and Aunt Lin eaten yet?"

"You're hungry?" Jing Ziyuan immediately focused on him, smiling warmly. "Your Aunt Lin and I were just about to eat. Come join us!"

"Perfect timing!" Jing Shaoyu's smile brightened as he followed her inside.

After dinner, Jing Shaoyu received a message from Xu Xiaoyan. The girl was overjoyed to hear he was back and wanted to meet him immediately. Not wanting to keep her waiting, he hopped on his bike and headed to Eastsea Park.

When he arrived, Xu Xiaoyan was already there, waiting inside her family's car and scanning the surroundings anxiously. As soon as she spotted him, she leapt out of the car and ran toward him.

"Xiao Yu-ge!" Xu Xiaoyan called excitedly.

"Xiao Yan!" Jing Shaoyu parked his bike beside her, and she jumped up to embrace him in her excitement.

Clearly, she had missed him terribly, a realization that warmed his heart and filled him with a sense of pride. Ah, so it's not me; it's just that cold-hearted heiress who's out of the ordinary.

"Xiao Yu-ge, why did you stay away so long without messaging me even once?" Xu Xiaoyan scolded him, pouting in mock indignation.

"It was my fault," he said sincerely, refraining from explaining further.

Xu Xiaoyan's frown eased, clearly more concerned with his apology than any explanation. Seeing him accept fault so easily, she decided to let it go. Sometimes, girls could be demanding and tough to please, but other times, they could be easily mollified.

Hand in hand, they strolled through Eastsea Park, steering clear of the more crowded areas to avoid interruptions. Before long, they reached a secluded path surrounded by trees under the sparkling night sky.

"Hehe, Xiao Yu-ge, guess what? My Snow has evolved!" Xu Xiaoyan, holding his arm and leaning against his shoulder, announced with a giddy smile.

"Really? That's fantastic!" Jing Shaoyu replied, genuinely happy for her. "That means you won't need to bond with a new spirit for your third ring. You can wait until the fourth ring and get a stronger one."

"Exactly! That's what I was thinking too," Xu Xiaoyan giggled. Her silly smile melted away any lingering worries Jing Shaoyu had, filling him with a warm sense of peace. Then, an idea struck him, making him pause mid-step.

Seeing him stop, Xu Xiaoyan tilted her head curiously. "What is it, Xiao Yu-ge?"

Jing Shaoyu's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Xiao Yan, summon your martial soul."

"Um… okay." Though puzzled, Xu Xiaoyan did as he asked, summoning her Starwheel Ice Staff. Since it was nighttime, her martial soul displayed its true form. The ice-blue staff gleamed, crowned with a golden star wheel engraved with twelve unique astrological symbols.

Jing Shaoyu gazed at the staff, feeling both anticipation and a touch of nervousness. Summoning his own martial soul, three purple spirit rings shimmered behind him. Xu Xiaoyan's eyes widened with delight, exclaiming, "Xiao Yu-ge, you…"

But Jing Shaoyu gently placed a finger on her lips, signaling her to stay silent. A moment later, his Star Spirit Staff appeared in his hand.

Xu Xiaoyan, surprised, felt her own martial soul resonate in response, emitting a strange hum as if calling out.

Raising the Star Spirit Staff, Jing Shaoyu channeled his thoughts. A brilliant starlight descended from the vast sky, touching the gemstone atop his staff, which then radiated that light onto Xu Xiaoyan, who wore a faintly dazed expression.

An unexpected transformation began.

Xu Xiaoyan's petite form began to lift from the ground, glowing with a gentle gold aura. The night sky overhead filled with stars that blazed brightly, though no one seemed to notice. Streams of starlight flowed toward her, forming a brilliant halo around her like a celestial child enveloped in pure golden light.

Jing Shaoyu watched in amazement, thrilled beyond belief. He'd acted on a mere flash of inspiration, yet it had actually triggered a significant transformation in her martial soul!

Indeed, her martial soul was evolving.

Her current state was unmistakably a sign of martial soul evolution.

On that quiet, hidden path, the golden light persisted, casting a warm glow on the flowers and trees, transforming them into beautiful golden hues. Xu Xiaoyan hovered in the air, eyes closed, serene as a sleeping princess. The sight was pure and mysterious, stirring a protective feeling in Jing Shaoyu's heart.

A ring of 365 twinkling stars encircled her, representing the full cosmic zodiac, symbolizing the Pole Star. Her Starwheel Ice Staff floated horizontally in front of her, gripped in both hands, its icy blue hue now gleaming with gold. The star wheel at the top had transformed, displaying celestial symbols representing the heavens.

After half an hour, the light faded. Xu Xiaoyan gently descended, and Jing Shaoyu caught her just in time.

As she rested in his arms, peacefully asleep, her martial soul retreated naturally. She would awaken the next day to find herself and her martial soul fundamentally transformed.

"Beep—"

Jing Shaoyu dialed Xu Xiaoyan's older sister, Xu Xiaoyu.

"What?" Xu Xiaoyu's cold voice answered, "Is my sister coming back?"

"Xiao Yan's martial soul evolved," Jing Shaoyu said, ignoring her icy tone.

A crash sounded over the phone, followed by Xu Xiaoyu's startled, excited voice. "Stay right where you are in Eastsea Park—I'll be there immediately!"

With that, she abruptly ended the call.

Staring at the disconnected call screen, Jing Shaoyu chuckled helplessly. He adjusted Xu Xiaoyan, carefully supporting her with one arm beneath her knees and the other around her shoulders, carrying her princess-style toward the park exit.

By the time he reached the park entrance, Xu Xiaoyu had already arrived. Spotting him from a distance, she frantically flashed her car's headlights and even drove onto the sidewalk.

Xu Xiaoyu hurried from her car and approached him, her face expressionless as she gently took Xu Xiaoyan from his arms. After a curt "thank you," she returned to her car

with her sister and sped off.

Watching them go, Jing Shaoyu sighed, then mounted his bike and rode home.

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