Zhu Zhuyun cried out in pain, tears silently slipping down her cheeks.
The pain was unbearable! Her body felt like it was being torn apart, forcing her to twist and writhe involuntarily.
Lin Fan held her tightly in his arms, but his thoughts were wandering somewhere else.
As expected of someone who hadn't yet married—her skin was unbelievably smooth and tight. Just holding her, he could feel its incredible elasticity.
Seeing the pain on Zhu Zhuyun's face, Lin Fan slowed down his movements, carefully channeling his energy into her body with a gentler touch.
"How are you feeling now? Any better?"
He softly stroked her head as he eased the flow of energy further.
Zhu Zhuyun immediately felt the raging power in her body soften. The tight furrow in her brow began to relax.
In a sweet, low voice, she murmured, "Much better… Thank you, my Lord."
Lin Fan glanced upward. The fourth soul ring hovering above Zhu Zhuyun's head was nearly complete. The crimson outline and shadow of the ring had fully formed.
"Just hold on a bit longer. You're almost there!"
Feeling Lin Fan's warmth and the steady flow of his energy into her, Zhu Zhuyun's cheeks turned rosy.
"My Lord… you can actually push a little harder. I think I can take it now."
Lin Fan raised an eyebrow. This girl… she adapted quickly to the overwhelming power of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?
A smirk tugged at his lips as he swallowed hard.
"Well then, since you asked for it, don't blame me for being direct."
He tightened his embrace around her slim waist, pulling her fully into his arms. That way, he could better protect her and maintain the flow of energy, shielding her from further damage to her meridians.
Zhu Zhuyun's delicate body pressed firmly against his. The intense heat and heady scent of pheromones from Lin Fan's body overwhelmed her senses.
Her body, untouched by any man before, flushed a deep red—but she craved the warmth. She had never felt so fulfilled before.
The remaining power from the hundred-thousand-year soul ring was slowly seeping into her, gently merged with Lin Fan's supplemental energy. The double-layered infusion washed through her, stirring sensations she had never experienced.
Zhu Zhuyun twisted slightly, lost in the flow of energy. A strange light shimmered in her eyes, betraying a storm of emotion.
She parted her lips several times, hesitated, then softly bit her lower lip. The blush on her face deepened.
Watching this alluring sight, Lin Fan felt a bit awkward. Was he really just channeling energy here? Did it have to look like… that?
The tide of mixed energy churned furiously in Zhu Zhuyun's dantian, growing ever more intense.
She clenched her jaw, her body tensing. She realized the soul ring's energy was flaring up again—no wonder Lin Fan's flow had intensified! It was meant to suppress the surge!
Zhu Zhuyun shut her eyes, throwing her entire focus into absorbing the soul ring's power and balancing Lin Fan's support.
BOOM!
The crimson soul ring suddenly flared and shattered, releasing its final surge of power into her body.
Lin Fan was startled. He gritted his teeth and pumped more energy into her, matching the flow and force.
"Ah—mm! Aah!"
Zhu Zhuyun finally collapsed into his arms, gasping for breath. Sweat beaded her forehead, and her smooth, delicate body was drenched in sweat, soft and slippery against Lin Fan's hands.
"My Lord… d-did I succeed…?"
Lin Fan exhaled in relief. Finally—mission complete. Even his own body felt strangely refreshed.
He patted her shapely backside and said, "Yes. You've fully absorbed the hundred-thousand-year soul ring."
Zhu Zhuyun was completely drained. Hearing his words, she smiled softly and whispered, "That's wonderful… Thank you, my Lord."
Looking at her tempting lips, an idea suddenly struck Lin Fan.
"Open your mouth. I'll feed you an energy crystal. It'll help you recover quickly. Xiao Wu used the same method."
"Oh… okay."
Zhu Zhuyun obediently opened her mouth.
A warm energy crystal slipped past her lips, melting instantly.
Lin Fan didn't want her to absorb it on her own—she was clearly too drained to manage it now.
"Mm~"
The energy flowed through her in a burst of vitality, restoring her drained soul power and reinvigorating her spirit.
Though her mind was still a little tired, her body was rapidly recovering.
When the final trace of energy crystal dissolved, Zhu Zhuyun opened her eyes in amazement. Her Lord truly had astonishing means!
In the Douluo Continent, soul recovery typically relied on support-type soul masters.
Among them, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the supreme—renowned for enhancing power and recovery speed.
But even that didn't compare to this.
If word got out about the Zerg's energy crystals, it would shake the entire continent!
Seeing she had recovered, Lin Fan smirked and pulled Zhu Zhuyun back into his arms—then reached over and grabbed Xiao Wu as well.
"Ah!"
Both girls yelped in surprise.
Truly...
"A single spring night is worth a thousand gold;
Fragrance of flowers, shadows of the moon unfold.
Soft music, quiet towers, laughter whispers low;
Swings sway in the courtyard, as nightfall takes hold."
Meanwhile…
In the outer region of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Silence had fallen. Not a single sound remained, and not even a trace of the earlier battle could be found.
The forest was deathly still, unnaturally quiet.
BOOM!
The Titan Giant Ape landed heavily, his expression grim.
The air was thick with the scent of blood—but no soul beasts could be seen.
Something felt… wrong.
The scene reminded the Titan Giant Ape of the ambush he'd experienced earlier. Muscles tense, he scanned the area with growing suspicion.
Crunch.
Something hard shifted beneath his foot. He looked down—and his pupils shrank in shock.
Half-buried in the soil was a broken shard of horn, stained faintly with blood. A familiar aura lingered on it.
"ROOOAAARRRR!!!"
His furious roar echoed across the entire forest!
****
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