Location: Deep Forests of the Unclaimed Frontier
There were no guards. No followers. No Holy Knights.
Only Bibi Dong, the most feared woman in the continent...
and Su Chen, the most mysterious boy Spirit Hall had ever raised.
Their journey had begun.
---
The carriage they took stopped miles before the frontier began. Su Chen requested it.
> "After this, I want no one but us on this road."
He carried his Trident wrapped in cloth, and a bag filled with custom alchemical drinks born from his Can martial soul. He had prepared well.
Bibi Dong wore travel robes—less formal, her hair tied loosely. She looked less like a pope… and more like a woman.
But she was distant. Silent.
> "You requested this. So train. Don't waste my time."
He smiled.
> "Yes, Teacher. But I also promised something back then."
She didn't respond, but her hand twitched at the memory.
> That night on the roof… when he said he'd protect me.
---
They moved through the wild forest—vast, untamed, filled with dangerous soul beasts.
> At night, they camped under the stars.
Su Chen cooked. She silently observed.
His food wasn't just tasty—it healed, relaxed muscles, and sharpened mental strength.
> "You infused low-grade spiritual herbs into this?"
> "Yes. Tastes like sweetness. But cleanses toxins too."
Bibi Dong bit her lip slightly, hiding her smile. He noticed.
> "A smile from the Pope is worth a thousand years of cultivation."
She glared—but her eyes shimmered for a second.
---
On the fifth day, a powerful 3,400-year soul beast, a Moonlight Serpent, ambushed them near a river cliff.
Su Chen didn't hesitate.
> "Teacher, don't interfere."
> "You're not strong enough—!"
But it was too late.
He activated his Heavenly Bone Adaptation, his aura rising.
> Purple lightning swirled. Trident in hand.
One strike. Elegant. Terrifying.
The serpent screamed… then shattered.
When the ring floated above, Bibi Dong stared—stunned.
> He fought like a soul king… with just two rings.
---
That night, Su Chen sat beside her by the fire.
For the first time… she didn't sit apart.
> "You were reckless."
> "I was precise."
She glanced at him.
> "Why are you really here, Su Chen?"
> "To grow. To earn a ring."
He looked directly at her now.
> "And to get closer to you… while I still can."
She froze. That wasn't admiration. It was a slow, confident burn.
> And yet, her heart didn't reject it.
She stood.
> "Sleep. Tomorrow, we find your third ring."
> But her steps were slower. Her heart… confused.
.....
Location: Moonshadow Gorge – 7th Day of Journey
They had tracked a 7,000-year-old Shadowfire Panther, a brutal and cunning beast known for its speed and explosive power.
Even Bibi Dong was cautious.
> "It's no ordinary beast. Are you sure, Su Chen?"
He nodded.
> "I didn't travel here to play safe."
She narrowed her eyes, seeing that unshakable resolve again. The kind that made her chest feel… conflicted.
--
The moment they stepped into the panther's hunting ground, it struck.
Black flames burst from the trees—blurring speed and savage claws slicing toward Su Chen.
But he was faster.
> "Heavenly Bone, activate."
"Soul Can – 2nd Skill: Void Acid Burst."
A dark purple can materialized in his hand—he twisted and threw it with deadly precision. It exploded mid-air, releasing acidic mist that ate through the beast's outer flame.
The panther screamed, its speed slowing, body steaming.
---
The battle reached its peak when the beast lunged one last time—eyes glowing red.
Su Chen's body began to tremble.
> "Now."
A massive surge of soul power erupted. The air twisted. Bibi Dong stepped forward, alarmed.
> "He's… breaking through during battle?!"
Su Chen roared, golden light erupting from his core as his Rank 30 breakthrough shattered into reality. The Trident behind him pulsed with divine force.
He jumped mid-air and slammed the Trident down—
> Boom!
The panther exploded in waves of corrosive mist and light.
The soul ring formed: a deep, noble purple.
---
As he sat cross-legged to absorb it, the area glowed faintly violet.
The energy was violent—7,000 years was beyond normal tolerance.
His body shook. Veins bulged. Bibi Dong instinctively rushed forward and held his shoulders.
> "You'll die if you force it!"
But he didn't answer. His aura surged—
> FDP-fueled Heavenly Bone Scripture kicked in, stabilizing the internal chaos.
The ring locked in.
He opened his eyes—blood red, glowing.
> "It's done."
---
> Skill Name: Phantom Venom Draft
> Effect: A drinkable or throwable venom-liquid that corrodes internal soul force and clouds consciousness.
The more powerful the enemy, the stronger the psychological disruption.
> Even Soul Kings would stagger.
And it could be used stealthily… with a sip.
> Bibi Dong's reaction: "...That's not food-type anymore."
---
Still kneeling, breathing hard, he looked up at her. Sweat glistened on his forehead. His voice was low, hoarse—but sharp with heat.
> "You held me... while I was breaking. That warmth... I don't want to lose it."
Before she could react—he reached forward and pulled her into a deep embrace, his forehead pressing into her collar.
She froze.
> "Su Chen…"
> "Just a moment. Please."
She could've pushed him away. She didn't.
Her arms hovered, then hesitantly lowered—to rest on his back.
Silence fell. Just the crackle of leaves and the fire in her chest she didn't want to name.
> "Why do I feel... safe like this? Why do I not want to let go?"
Su Chen still held her, his forehead pressed to her collarbone. His breath warm, steady.
Then—without warning—he lifted his head and kissed her.
Not on impulse. Not by mistake.
A bold, lingering kiss on her lips.
Bibi Dong froze. Her eyes widened—she should have pushed him.
> Why aren't my hands moving?
When he finally pulled back, her hand rose in delayed reaction—and she slapped his chest.
> "You… you dare?!"
> "I dare because I feel it," he said calmly.
She turned away, her voice trembling.
> "Don't play with things you don't understand, Su Chen. I'm not someone you can… love."
His expression didn't change.
> "Then teach me."
She spun around, anger in her eyes. But it wasn't true rage—it was fear. Pain.
> "You don't know what I've been through. What I've become. I'm not pure. I'm not... someone who deserves anything good."
> "I've been used, betrayed, broken. What will you do, Su Chen, if I really am dirty?"
Her voice cracked. She stepped closer, trembling, her fists clenched.
> "What if the whole world is my enemy, my blood cursed, my name dragged into hell? What will you do then, huh?!"
> "Tell me!"
"TELL ME!"
Like a child crying out, like a soul torn apart, screaming not for answers—but for hope.