The sun shines brightly over Heaven Dou City, and inside the Poison Douluo's mansion, laughter echoes through the halls. Song Qing is here, and it feels like a festival for Dugu Yan.
"Little Qing, you've grown so much taller!" Dugu Yan exclaims, her emerald eyes wide as she circles him, her gaze lingering on his now more defined features. She reaches out, her fingers tracing the sharp angle of his jawline. "And so handsome! You'll steal the hearts of all the pretty girls before you even realize it!"
Ye Lingling, sitting beside them, smiles shyly, her gaze also drawn to Song Qing. He really has become incredibly handsome, she thinks, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. She remembers the last time they saw him in the Spirit Hall; even then, his unique appearance had been striking, but now, with a few more years, he has matured into a truly captivating young man.
"Sister Yan is exaggerating," Song Qing says, a faint blush touching his own cheeks. He still feels a bit awkward with such direct compliments, even from those he considers close.
"Nonsense!" Dugu Yan retorts, playfully punching his arm. She marvels at the lean muscle that flexes beneath her touch. "It's the truth! Lingling, don't you agree?"
Ye Lingling nods quickly, her gaze meeting Song Qing's for a fleeting moment before darting away. "Yes, Yan'er is right, Qing. You look… well." She trails off, her shyness preventing her from expressing her thoughts fully.
Song Qing smiles at both of them, a genuine warmth in his emerald green eyes. "It's good to be back here with both of you."
"And we are so happy to have you, Little Qing!" Dugu Yan beams, her hand finding its way to his hair, gently ruffling his soft blue locks. "You said you might be staying for weeks? Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"
"That depends on when things… resolve themselves," Song Qing replies vaguely, not wanting to reveal too much about the situation with Tang Hao just yet.
The hours pass by in a comfortable rhythm. Song Qing spends his time listening to Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's stories, their voices filling the mansion with life.
They talk about their training, their advancements in soul power, and the various happenings in Heaven Dou City. Song Qing mostly listens, offering occasional comments and smiles, enjoying their company immensely.
Dugu Yan, true to her bold personality, is constantly finding excuses to touch him – a squeeze of his arm while laughing at a joke, a gentle nudge as she points out something interesting, her hand resting casually on his shoulder as they talk.
Ye Lingling watches their interactions with a fond smile, her own admiration for Song Qing evident in her shy glances.
"Lingling and I have both reached Soul Power level 46 now, Little Qing!" Dugu Yan announces proudly one afternoon, her emerald eyes sparkling. "Those Immortal Herbs you gave us really did wonders! Our aptitude has increased so much!"
"That's wonderful, Sister Yan, Sister Lingling," Song Qing says, genuinely happy for their progress. He knows that their increased strength will be valuable in the future.
"Speaking of strength," Dugu Yan says, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "I was wondering… Little Qing, would you be willing to spar with me? Just a friendly practice match? It would be the first time I've sparred against you since my Jade Phosphor Serpent evolved to Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor!"
Song Qing considers her request. He hasn't had a proper spar in a while, and it would be a good way to gauge Dugu Yan's progress. "Of course, Sister Yan. I'd be happy to."
Dugu Yan's face lights up with excitement. "Really? Oh, this is going to be amazing!"
They head out to the training grounds in the mansion's courtyard. Ye Lingling offers to oversee the spar, ready to heal any injuries.
"Alright, Little Qing," Dugu Yan says, her Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor spirit manifesting behind her, its emerald scales shimmering in the sunlight. Four spirit rings – two yellow, two purple – encircle her. "Don't hold back!"
"I won't," Song Qing replies, his Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor spirit materializing with a powerful roar that sends a tremor through the ground. His imposing figure, with its black scales and draconic features, dwarfs Dugu Yan's serpent. Four spirit rings – three purple, one black – appear beneath his feet.
Dugu Yan launches the first attack. "First Soul Ring Ability: Venomous Strike!" Her Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor lunges forward, its fangs dripping with a potent green poison, aiming for Song Qing's arm.
Song Qing simply sidesteps, his movements fluid and effortless. "Too slow, Sister Yan."
"Second Soul Ring Ability: Emerald Bind!" Dugu Yan's second spirit ring flashes, and the serpent's tail whips around, attempting to constrict Song Qing.
Song Qing doesn't even need to move. The Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor lets out a low growl, and an invisible pressure emanates from its body, causing the serpent to falter mid-strike, a look of fear flickering in its eyes. The bloodline suppression is too strong.
"Third Soul Ring Ability: Phosphor Mist!" Dugu Yan's third spirit ring ignites, and a cloud of toxic green mist erupts from the serpent's mouth, engulfing the training grounds.
Song Qing inhales deeply, the poison having absolutely no effect on him. "Nice try, Sister Yan, but my body is immune to most poisons."
"Fourth Soul Ring Ability: Serpent's Fury!" Dugu Yan's fourth spirit ring blazes, and the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor roars, its body glowing with an intense emerald light as it charges towards Song Qing with increased speed and power.
Song Qing decides to end the spar. With a swift movement, he unleashes a burst of his soul power, not even needing to activate any of his soul ring abilities. The sheer force of his Soul Power level of 57 is overwhelming. Dugu Yan's serpent is instantly repelled, crashing to the ground with a thud, and Dugu Yan herself stumbles backward, losing her balance.
In a split-second reaction, Song Qing lunges forward to catch her before she falls. However, in the process, he loses his own footing slightly, and they both tumble to the ground. Song Qing ends up on top of Dugu Yan, his body pressed intimately against hers. His hands instinctively reach out to brace himself, landing directly on her plump, soft breasts.
A gasp escapes Dugu Yan's lips, her emerald eyes widening in surprise, then quickly filling with a deep blush that spreads across her face. Her heart begins to pound rapidly in her chest. She can feel the warmth of Song Qing's body against hers, the solid feel of his hands on her chest. A strange, unfamiliar sensation washes over her, a mixture of embarrassment and a thrilling excitement.
Song Qing freezes, his own face flushing crimson as he realizes the incredibly intimate position they are in. He can feel the softness and fullness of her breasts beneath his palms. An instinctive reaction, a flicker of the desires he has long suppressed, causes his fingers to twitch slightly, a brief, unintentional fondle.
Dugu Yan's breath hitches, her blush deepening even further. Her eyes meet Song Qing's, and he can see a whirlwind of emotions swirling within them – shock, embarrassment, and a definite hint of… pleasure. Her heart is racing so fast he can almost feel it through his touch.
Ye Lingling rushes over, her Nine Heart Begonia spirit already glowing with a soft, healing light. "Yan'er! Are you alright?" She notices their position and a knowing smile plays on her lips, though she quickly suppresses it.
Song Qing scrambles to get off Dugu Yan, his face still burning with embarrassment. "I… I'm so sorry, Sister Yan! I didn't mean for that to happen!"
Dugu Yan sits up, her cheeks still flushed, but a playful smile is now tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's… it's alright, Little Qing," she says, her voice slightly breathless. "Accidents happen." Her emerald eyes sparkle mischievously as she glances at his retreating figure. 'He's still so shy,' she thinks, a warmth spreading through her. 'But… that felt… rather nice.'
Ye Lingling gently places her hands on Dugu Yan, and the soft green light of her Nine Heart Begonia envelops her, instantly healing any minor injuries from the fall.
The spar might have ended in an unexpected and intimate way, but the atmosphere remains light, filled with unspoken feelings and a sense of growing closeness between the three young individuals in the heart of Heaven Dou City.
The arrival of Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing is imminent, and the quiet days in the Poison Douluo's mansion are about to become much more eventful.
~~
The moon cast long shadows across Song Qing's private chamber in the Poison Douluo's mansion. His verdant green eyes were fixed on the small, unassuming pot sitting on a nearby table. Within it, a single blade of Blue Silver Grass, marked with faint, intricate patterns, swayed gently in the still night air. This was Ah Yin, the Blue Silver Empress, in her current weakened state.
'Her vitality is far too low,' Song Qing thought, a frown creasing his brow. He had spent the better part of the night channeling the energy of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit into her, using the Verdant Embrace ability of his first soul ring.
The emerald green aura enveloped the small plant, infusing it with life force, healing its dormant essence, and subtly nudging its cultivation forward. For a spirit beast of Ah Yin's caliber, even a small increase in age equated to a significant boost in her power as a beast.
'It will take time,' he mused. 'A couple of days, perhaps even a week, to bring her back to a state where her consciousness fully awakens.'
He had some breathing room. Tang Hao, no doubt, was still reeling from the shock of Ah Yin's disappearance and the note he had left behind. He was likely miles away from Heaven Dou City by now, his mind consumed by a furious search.
'Even if he somehow deduces I'm in Heaven Dou City, he won't arrive immediately,' Song Qing calculated. Tang Hao was not one to act rashly, despite his current rage. He would need to formulate a plan, and that would take time.
However, a sliver of uncertainty lingered in Song Qing's mind. His actions had significantly deviated from the original timeline he vaguely remembered. He could no longer rely on those fragmented memories to predict the future with any accuracy.
'What will he do now?' Song Qing wondered, his gaze softening as he continued to pour his soul power into Ah Yin.
As the night deepened, and the rhythmic pulse of his Verdant Embrace filled the chamber, a faint, ethereal voice echoed in his mind, a familiar presence stirring within the Crimson Soul Emperor's Crown on his forehead.
'Little Qing?' Madam A'Rou's voice was soft, tinged with a mother's longing. 'When will you go back to that academy? I want to see my Xiao Wu again. I didn't know I would be parted from her so soon after our reunion.'
He could almost feel her spiritual form sniffing sadly within the confines of the spirit bone.
Song Qing gently ceased channeling his soul power for a moment, his gaze softening further. 'Soon, Madam A'Rou, soon,' he thought back, his mental voice soothing. 'Just a little longer. I will bring Xiao Wu here to Heaven Dou City. Then you can see her and talk to her every day.'
He could sense a wave of warmth and relief emanating from within the Crimson Soul Emperor's Crown. 'Really, Little Qing? You promise?' Madam A'Rou's spiritual voice brightened considerably. She trusted him, her hope rekindled by his words.
'I promise, Madam A'Rou,' Song Qing reassured her mentally. He knew the importance of keeping his word to her, not just for their agreement, but also because he had genuinely grown to respect her.
A moment of silence passed, then A'Rou's ethereal voice returned, tinged with a hint of concern. 'That Titled Douluo… Tang Hao… was that the man who… who nearly killed you all those years ago, Little Qing? Is it against him that you are unleashing your revenge?'
Song Qing's verdant eyes hardened slightly. 'Yes, Madam A'Rou. It is.' He didn't elaborate on the depth and complexity of his plans, but his confirmation was enough.
A'Rou's spiritual presence within the Crimson Soul Emperor's Crown seemed to nod slowly. 'Then… then I will help you as much as I can, Little Qing,' she whispered, her voice filled with a mother's fierce protectiveness. 'But you must promise me… you must protect my Xiao Wu. She… she cannot… I don't want her to become someone's hundred thousand year old soul ring. That would truly break my heart… if someone killed my daughter!' Her spiritual voice trembled with emotion.
'I promise, Madam A'Rou,' Song Qing thought back, his own resolve hardening. 'I will protect Xiao Wu. For now, no one at Shrek Academy knows her true identity. She is safe there.' He paused, then added, 'But you must also remain obedient, Madam A'Rou. Our agreement… it is still in effect.'
He could sense a flurry of agreement from within the Crimson Soul Emperor's Crown. 'Yes, Little Qing! I am already very obedient to you! I won't betray you. You have given me hope of seeing my daughter again. I will do whatever you ask.' Her spiritual voice was earnest and sincere, with a hint of shyness.
As Song Qing resumed channeling his Verdant Embrace into the Blue Silver Empress, he noticed something peculiar. The single blade of grass, under the constant nourishment of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit, seemed to be growing stronger, its faint patterns becoming more defined.
More surprisingly, delicate, thread-like vines were beginning to sprout from its base, gently twining around his arm as he held his hand near the pot.
The connection felt… intimate, as if the Blue Silver Empress herself was reaching out to him, drawn to the life-giving energy of the Emperor of all plant spirits and spirit beasts.