78: Chapter 78, Fourth Soul Skill: Dragon Scale

Half a month had passed; it wasn't long, but it wasn't short either.

Every morning, Xiao Wu would knock on Bai Qi's door to wake him up for breakfast.

Ning Rongrong had learned how to brew tea. Every morning, she would boil water and steep the tea, waiting for the next time she went home to show off her skills to her father, Grandpa Sword, and Gu Bone.

Although Zhu Zhuqing still didn't say much, she would hang out with everyone every day when she wasn't cultivating.

Dugu Yan would occasionally poke her head out from the second floor, glance at the situation in the courtyard, and then retreat to continue studying their lineup coordination—this was the task Bai Qi had assigned her.

Every day, Ye Lingling would use her Soul Power to nourish the Moonlight Cloud-Dwelling Sparrow's egg. Seeing the golden patterns on the shell grow brighter, the smile on her face increased.

In her spare time, Ah Yin had filled the flowerbeds with flowers of various colors, and more than half of them had already bloomed.

As a gentle breeze blew through, the entire courtyard exuded an air of tranquility.

The water in the pool was warmed by the sun. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong had gone down to swim a few times, giving Bai Qi quite an eyeful.

However, on one occasion, Dugu Yan, who was by the poolside, was pulled in by Xiao Wu. She choked on the water and swore she would never go into the water again.

During this half-month, Meng Yiran would train with throwing knives with Bai Qi every day, and in the afternoon, she would ponder over her Soul Power circulation.

Her Soul Power had been stuck at Rank 39 for some time, but she could feel that she was just one step away from Rank 40.

That evening, while Bai Qi was drinking tea alone under the pavilion, Meng Yiran walked out of the house and sat opposite him. Her tone of voice carried an irrepressible excitement.

“I've reached Rank 40.”

Bai Qi smiled and poured a cup of tea for Meng Yiran.

“Congratulations. Tomorrow we'll go to the Sunset Forest to help you find your fourth spirit ring.”

“I want to go with you too.”

Xiao Wu, who had run out of the house at some unknown point, jumped onto Bai Qi.

“I want to go too! I want to go and play!”

Bai Qi was jolted by the impact as Xiao Wu lunged into him and said with a smile,

“Definitely, I wouldn't leave you behind.”

“I'm going too.”

Dugu Yan poked her head out from the second floor, looking at the three people below.

Bai Qi nodded and gave Dugu Yan an OK gesture.

“Let's add Ye Lingling as well.”

Ah Yin walked out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of sliced fruit.

“Lingling has been cooped up in her room lately. Aside from eating, she just stays in her room looking at the sparrow's egg. Let her go out for a walk too.”

Bai Qi looked toward Ye Lingling's room on the second floor. The curtains were half-drawn, and the light was still on inside; he could clearly see her shadow sitting by the window.

“Alright.”

Then, Bai Qi withdrew his gaze and casually picked up a piece of fruit brought by Ah Yin.

“We'll set off tomorrow morning. Xiao Wu, Yanzi, Lingling, plus me and Yiran—five people in total.”

Xiao Wu cheered and hugged Bai Qi.

Dugu Yan didn't say anything then; she just nodded in agreement and pulled her head back inside.

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Bai Qi woke up.

After finishing his morning routine, he went downstairs to find Ah Yin already busy in the kitchen.

In the courtyard, Meng Yiran was already packed. Her throwing knives were tucked into the belt at her waist, and she held her Dragon Staff Spirit.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan also came downstairs.

Bai Qi looked at the descending Ye Lingling and asked,

“Is the egg put away safely?”

“Yes, I left it in my room.”

Bai Qi nodded and said no more. After breakfast, the five of them set off.

Xiao Wu walked at the very front. Finally getting to go out and play, she was skipping along and was scolded twice by Dugu Yan in short order.

Meng Yiran walked beside Bai Qi with a somewhat nervous expression, her fingers constantly stroking the hilt of a Throwing Knife. Ye Lingling walked at the very back, following quietly.

After leaving Heaven Dou City and walking for another five hours, the edge of the Sunset Forest appeared before them. Bai Qi stopped and looked back at everyone.

“Don't split up once we're inside; stay close to me. Our target is an Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard. It should be around seven thousand years old, earth-attributed, with strong defense and great strength. Its tail sweep produces shockwaves. Xiao Wu, you're the main attacker; Yiran, provide harassment; Yanzi, you're the commander; Lingling, heal as needed.”

“Not making a move again,” Xiao Wu muttered, though her voice grew quieter.

Bai Qi looked at Xiao Wu with a smile.

“Originally, if it were just me and Yiran coming, I would have stepped in directly. But well, since you and Yanzi insisted on coming along...”

Hearing this, Xiao Wu rolled her eyes at Bai Qi.

After the group entered the forest, Bai Qi walked at the front to avoid wasting time. He spread his Purple Demon Eye and Mental Energy to capture nearby Soul Power fluctuations and find Spirit Beasts as efficiently as possible.

Xiao Wu followed closely behind, rubbing her hands together in anticipation. Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Meng Yiran followed behind, ready for battle at any moment.

They walked for about another half hour before Bai Qi suddenly stopped and raised his hand to signal them to halt.

He lowered his voice and whispered,

“Three hundred meters ahead, an Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard. It's nearly nine thousand years old and quite large.”

The others quietly crept in the direction Bai Qi pointed.

Standing behind the trees, they observed the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard before them.

“It's this big?”

Xiao Wu gasped.

“That's why it's suitable for Yiran. What Yiran lacks right now is close-combat capability.”

Bai Qi retreated to the back and leaned against a large tree.

“Fight it yourselves; I'll watch.”

Xiao Wu looked back and glared at him but said nothing.

But before Xiao Wu and the others could attack, the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard spotted them.

With a roar, it charged directly toward Bai Qi and the others.

“Get out of the way!”

Left with no choice, Bai Qi shouted to them and blocked the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard with a single hand.

He then sent it flying with a palm strike, snapping several trees in the process.

Before it could get back up, Dugu Yan moved first. The Jade Phosphor Serpent appeared behind her, and a golden-green toxic mist spread silently, forming a ring of poison around the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard to block its retreat.

Xiao Wu quickly activated her Spirit and charged at the lizard.

Meng Yiran also followed close by, throwing knives already held in her palm.

Ye Lingling stood under a tree in the rear, the Nine Heart Begonia appearing in her palm.

The Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard, having scrambled up, let out a roar. It raised its forelimbs and swiped down at the charging Xiao Wu.

Just as it was about to strike Xiao Wu, her third spirit ring glowed: Teleportation.

The Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard's attack missed.

Before it could react, Xiao Wu appeared out of thin air in front of the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard. Her first Spirit Ability, Waist Bow, exploded as she kicked it in the face.

However, the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard's reaction was extremely fast. Using the force from Xiao Wu's kick, it swung its tail toward her.

“Fourth Spirit Ability, Paragon Golden Body.”

Her fourth spirit ring lit up. As the lizard's tail swept across and struck her, she remained motionless, standing firmly in place.

Seeing its attack fail again, the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard was incensed.

It turned around, opening its massive maw to bite at Xiao Wu while its tail reared up high.

At that moment, Dugu Yan's toxic mist began to close in, the golden-green fog surging from all directions.

Seizing the opportunity as the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard opened its mouth, Meng Yiran threw her knives. Her first spirit ring, Snake Blade, lit up, and the knives, coated in paralyzing toxin, accurately shot into the lizard's mouth and the thinner parts of the scales on its belly.

The throwing knives sank directly into the gaps between the scales, and as the paralyzing toxin seeped in, the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard's movements slowed for a split second.

In that very instant, Xiao Wu teleported again, appearing at its neck. She locked her legs around it, and her fifth spirit ring, Soft Bones Lock, activated, death-gripping its neck.

Coming to its senses, the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard shook its head frantically and rolled on the ground, but it was useless against Xiao Wu, who was still in the Paragon Golden Body state. The Soft Bones Lock tightened further and further.

“Yiran, hurry!”

Xiao Wu shouted.

Hearing Xiao Wu call her, Meng Yiran rushed over. Holding her Dragon Staff, she pushed off with her feet and leaped into the air. Gripping the staff with both hands, she smashed it down hard onto the lizard's head.

Blood sprayed as the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard let out a low hiss. Its body convulsed violently a few times before slowly going limp.

A purple spirit ring slowly rose from the corpse.

Once it was over, Meng Yiran plopped down on the ground, gasping for breath.

Xiao Wu jumped off the lizard, brushed the dust off her hands, walked over to Meng Yiran, and reached out. Meng Yiran looked at her, took her hand, and stood up.

“Thanks.”

Meng Yiran said.

“Don't mention it; that was a good strike.”

Xiao Wu grinned.

Dugu Yan also retracted her toxic mist, walked over to glance at the spirit ring, and then looked at Meng Yiran.

“Absorb it quickly. It would be a waste if the spirit ring dissipates.”

Meng Yiran nodded, sat down cross-legged, and began to guide her fourth spirit ring.

Bai Qi also walked over, stood by her side for a while to confirm there were no abnormalities, and then stepped aside.

Ye Lingling walked over and stood next to Bai Qi, watching Meng Yiran absorb the spirit ring. The green light of her Nine Heart Begonia was still glowing.

“Is she okay?”

Ye Lingling asked.

“She's fine. The Soul Power of the Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard isn't particularly violent, and since her Spirit has similar attributes to it, the absorption won't be too difficult.”

Bai Qi watched them with his hands in his pockets.

Ye Lingling nodded and didn't ask further.

Xiao Wu crouched to the side, resting her chin on her hands while watching Meng Yiran. Dugu Yan leaned against a tree with her arms crossed and her eyes half-closed, recovering her Soul Power.

After about fifteen minutes, the Soul Power fluctuations around Meng Yiran gradually stabilized. She opened her eyes, and the golden patterns on her Dragon Staff suddenly flared with light.

“It's done.”

Meng Yiran stood up, clenched her fists, and introduced the ability to everyone.

“Fourth Spirit Ability—Dragon Scales. A phantom of a dragon surfaces on my body, significantly increasing defense while boosting the power and speed of melee attacks. It can also be coordinated with my second Spirit Ability.”

Xiao Wu leaned in, sizing her up from head to toe.

“Sounds pretty good.”

Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at her but didn't respond. The corners of Ye Lingling's mouth curved slightly.

Bai Qi walked over from the tree, looked at the lizard's corpse, then at Meng Yiran, and said,

“Not bad. This Spirit Ability perfectly makes up for your weakness in close combat. Now you have Throwing Knives for long-range and the Dragon Staff for melee; you're balanced in both offense and defense.”

Meng Yiran looked at her hand as a phantom of Dragon Scales flashed across her palm. She looked up at Bai Qi.

Bai Qi smiled.

“Let's go, time to head back. It's almost dark.”

The team headed back. The sun was already setting in the west, and the setting sun dyed the forest orange-red.

Xiao Wu walked beside Bai Qi, humming a tune. Dugu Yan held Ye Lingling's hand as they walked in the middle, and Meng Yiran walked beside them, occasionally looking down at her hand with a smile on her lips.

By the time they returned to Lanba Academy, it was already dark.

Bai Qi told Xiao Wu and the others to go back to the courtyard to rest first while he headed toward the Administration Building alone.

The Administration Building was next to the teaching building, a grey three-story structure with walls covered in ivy. Liu Erlong's office was on the second floor; the door was slightly ajar, and light was shining through from inside.

Bai Qi knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Liu Erlong's voice came from inside.

Bai Qi pushed the door open and entered. Liu Erlong was sitting behind her desk looking at some files, holding a cup of tea in her other hand.

She was wearing that deep blue combat suit with her hair tied back. Her face was expressionless, but when she saw Bai Qi, the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

“You're back? Did it go smoothly?”

Liu Erlong put down the documents.

“Smoothly.”

Bai Qi walked over and sat in the chair opposite her.

“Meng Yiran got her fourth spirit ring—an Iron-Armored Tyrant Dragon Lizard over eight thousand years old. The Spirit Ability is Dragon Scales, which enhances melee defense and strength.”

Liu Erlong nodded and took a sip from her teacup.

“Not bad.”

“Teacher Erlong,”

Bai Qi sat forward in his chair and looked at her.

“Why are you still working so late today? Why not go out for a stroll?”

“Stroll where? What's there to see?”

Liu Erlong set down her teacup.

“This academy is only so big; I've walked around it hundreds of times.”

Bai Qi leaned back against the chair, a smile on his face as he said casually,

“Then how about I accompany you for a stroll tomorrow?”

Liu Erlong looked at him and snorted.

“You certainly have high hopes. What about your training? What about those girls?”

“They can practice on their own; they're not children.”

The smile on Bai Qi's face deepened.

“Besides, accompanying you, Teacher Erlong, is much more interesting than accompanying them. Xiao Wu and the others walk too much when they shop; they can go all day without getting tired. I've actually lost weight following them around.”

Liu Erlong's mouth twitched, but she suppressed her smile and said,

“Cut it out. Do you think if you coax me with a few words, I'll give you some benefit?”

Bai Qi tilted his head to look at her, his eyes filled with a bit of anticipation.

“Then what benefit do you want to give me, Teacher Erlong?”

Liu Erlong glared at him, but there was no malice in her eyes.

She then stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open to let the evening breeze in. The moonlight spilled over her, illuminating her silhouette with an unusually gentle glow.

“Xiao Qi.”

Liu Erlong stood by the window, eyes closed as she enjoyed the breeze for a moment without turning around.

“Hmm?”

“You are quite annoying sometimes.”

Bai Qi was stunned for a moment and pointed at himself.

“Then should I leave?”

“Stay right there.”

Liu Erlong turned around and looked at him.

“I said you're annoying, I didn't tell you to leave.”

Bai Qi rested his chin on his hand, looking like he was all ears.

Liu Erlong walked up to Bai Qi and leaned against the edge of the desk, crossing her arms over her chest. While inadvertently giving Bai Qi a good view, she looked down at him from her height.

“Do you know why I wasn't willing to get too close to you all before?”

Bai Qi shook his head.

“I have a bad temper.”

Liu Erlong's tone was calm.

“It's not like I haven't made friends before, but it always ended in nothing. It's better to be alone; it saves trouble.”

Bai Qi looked at her without speaking, but he knew this was the effect of the herbs he had given her; otherwise, she would still be pining for Yu Xiaogang.

“But since you all arrived, this academy has become lively.”

“And so?” Bai Qi asked.

“So, even though you are annoying, you aren't... that annoying.”

After Liu Erlong finished speaking, she realized the contradiction in her words and laughed first.

Seeing her laugh, Bai Qi suddenly stood up and reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. The movement was natural.

Liu Erlong's smile froze instantly. She didn't dodge, but she didn't speak either.

“Teacher Erlong.”

Bai Qi withdrew his hand and took a step back.

“You look quite beautiful when you smile.”

A blush spread from Liu Erlong's neck all the way to her ears.

She bit her lip and slapped Bai Qi on the shoulder, the force neither light nor heavy.

“Scram.”

“Then I'm really scramming.”

Bai Qi laughed as he walked toward the door.

“Stay right there.”

Liu Erlong called him back again, her voice lower than before.

“Next month, accompany me to Heaven Dou City.”

“For what?”

“Shopping.”

Liu Erlong said.

“The seasons are changing soon, so I'm buying some clothes. You help me pick.”

Bai Qi leaned against the doorframe and looked back at her.

“You're buying clothes, Teacher Erlong, and you want my help?”

Liu Erlong glared at Bai Qi.

“Why do you have so much nonsense to say? Are you going or not?”

“I'm going.”

Bai Qi said with a smile.

“If Teacher Erlong asks me to go, I'll definitely go.”

Liu Erlong snorted and turned around, her back to him.

“Go then, stop being an eyesore here.”

Watching her back, Bai Qi couldn't help but laugh as he pushed the door open and walked out.

Moonlight shone on the corridor and the stairs. As Bai Qi went downstairs, his steps were light and his mood was excellent. At least it proved that Liu Erlong really cared about him now.

When he returned to the courtyard, everyone had finished washing up and returned to their rooms.

The light under the pavilion was still on, and a pot of tea sat on the stone table, still steaming.

Ah Yin sat there, holding a cup of tea. When she saw Bai Qi come in, she smiled.

“You're back?”

“Yeah.”

“Is Erlong doing well?”

“She's doing great.”

Bai Qi sat down opposite her and poured himself a cup of tea.

“I just went to report Yiran's situation to her.”

Ah Yin looked at Bai Qi and raised an eyebrow slightly, clearly not believing that he had only reported the situation.

“Sister Yin.”

Bai Qi suddenly spoke.

“Hmm?”

“What do you think this courtyard is still missing?”

Ah Yin looked around and thought for a moment.

“It's missing a swing.”

“A swing?”

“Yes, Xiao Wu mentioned before that she wanted to play on a swing in the courtyard.”

Ah Yin smiled.

“You probably don't know, but she's looked out from upstairs several times, saying how nice it would be to have a swing under the flower vines.”

Bai Qi thought about it and then said,

“Alright, I'll set one up tomorrow.”

Ah Yin raised her teacup and looked at him, her gaze gentle.

After finishing the tea, Ah Yin also returned to her room.

Two and a half months later.