Tian Shui City, Rose Hotel.
The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.
Steam rose in the bathroom, creating a misty scene.
Luo Yu's body was submerged in the bathtub, his well-muscled upper body half-floating on the water's surface, his arms comfortably draped over the edge, his eyes feigned sleep.
He enjoyed the comfy massage of a pair of soft, boneless hands on his back.
The pretty woman with blue hair reaching her waist knelt on a cushion, her flesh-colored stockings completely soaked, clinging tightly to her round, shapely legs.
A pair of stocking-clad feet rested on the ground, their crimson nails clearly visible, forming a seductive, bewitching arc.
The light-colored, tight cheongsam clung to her body, displaying her proud assets to their full extent, shaping her figure into a large S curve.
If any other man were here, they would probably be so aroused that fire would seem to burst from their eyes.
Feeling the tender hands gliding over his body, Luo Yu asked,
"Lan'er, I will take the girls from Tianshui Academy to Tiandou City tomorrow. Will you come with me, or stay here and focus on recovering?"
"Ah?" Lan Ling'er blinked in surprise, her movements pausing for a moment, "Haven't you always been training them? Why are you suddenly going to Tiandou City?"
Luo Yu glanced back at her with a light laugh, "Of course, it's to participate in the continental senior Soul Master competition."
"I've been training them all this time precisely for this final competition."
Lan Ling'er rolled her eyes, "What's the point of participating?"
"With your strength, it's like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, a high-level boss slaughtering in a beginners' village."
Luo Yu's mouth curved up, smiling with a hidden meaning.
"You can't really say that."
"I think some people have been eager to crush me in this competition."
"Ah?"
Lan Ling'er's mouth hung open, her expression exaggerated.
"With your strength, who would dare challenge you? Are they not seeking death?"
Luo Yu shrugged helplessly.
"Can't help it, some people will always be delusional, believing they are the chosen ones."
"They need me to give them a wake-up call."
"Then they are truly unlucky to provoke you. They're about to learn what it means to be human," Lan Ling'er chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand.
Luo Yu shook his head.
"Let's not talk about that. Have you decided whether you'll come with me or stay?"
"Do I even need to say it? Of course I'll follow you," Lan Ling'er replied without hesitation, "You helped rebuild my body, helped me forget my past, from that moment on, I've been your woman."
"Alright," Luo Yu nodded, "Your sister should be there too, so it will be a reunion for you."
"Ah—," Lan Ling'er drew out the sound, her lips pursed, "I'm going to meet my sister tomorrow?"
"What's wrong, don't you miss your sister?" Luo Yu asked.
Sucking on her finger, Lan Ling'er spoke hesitantly, "I do miss her, but once I see my sister, I won't be able to have alone time with Brother Yu anymore."
"Brother Yu, Lan'er has a request today."
"What request?" Luo Yu was curious.
"Can you... please... satisfy Lan'er."
Lan Ling'er blushed, looking down and touching her flat belly.
"Which 'satisfy'?" The corners of Luo Yu's mouth lifted slightly.
"Stop teasing me, Brother Yu, you're so bad. You know what I mean yet you still ask," Lan Ling'er said shyly, pushing against Luo Yu's arm, her face so red it seemed like water might drip from it.
"I don't know though."
Luo Yu spread his hands, speaking earnestly, "If you don't articulate your wish clearly, I can't really help you achieve it."
Luo Yu grabbed Lan Ling'er's arm with one hand, tensing his neck and back muscles, and suddenly jolted.
With a startled cry, Lan Ling'er's body was lifted into the air and then precisely landed in the bathtub, settling into Luo Yu's lap, causing water to splash and the wooden tub to creak.
"Brother Yu, you were too forceful; you scared me," Lan Ling'er lightly pounded on Luo Yu's chest, her cheongsam and stockings now thoroughly wet from the warm water.
She looked as beautiful as a lotus flower emerging from water.
"Three—"
"Two—"
Lan Ling'er was curious, wondering what Luo Yu was counting down.
"One—"
Crack, crackle.
Accompanied by crisp sounds, spiderweb-like cracks swiftly appeared on the wooden barrel.
Wooden barrel: I've split open!
The embracing Luo Yu and Lan Ling'er quickly lost their balance.
Tumbling down, they collapsed over each other on the ground.
Given the physical condition of the two, naturally, they wouldn't get hurt.
But the scene suddenly became tender and charming.
Eyes locked, they said nothing for a long while.
Finally, the pretty lady's ice-blue Beautiful Eyes gradually became hazy, her pupils reflecting an incredibly handsome and extraordinary face, and she kissed him foolishly.
Luo Yu held Lan Ling'er tight.
In his heart, he was thinking about something else.
He was leaving for Tiandou Empire tomorrow, and tonight, Shui Yue'er and the others insisted on inviting him for drinks.
It seems he would have to speed up his attacks here and quickly subdue the clingy little kitten in his arms.
...
While Luo Yu was enjoying his time with Lan Ling'er, the day gradually turned to evening.
In a wilderness illuminated by the setting sun's afterglow.
A majestic waterfall plummeted from a height, emitting a deafening roar.
Beneath the waterfall stood a tall figure with blue hair.
His eyes were closed, holding a large hammer with black patterns.
A wild and restless power was building up within him.
As this power reached its peak, his eyes snapped open, flashing a blinding purple light. Yellow, purple, and black—five Soul Rings appeared on the hammer, then rapidly swelled.
With the five Soul Rings bursting one after another, the young man's momentum soared to its limit; his robe rustled loudly, and his blue hair danced in the wind.
His muscles bulged, and veins stood out prominently.
"Ha!"
With a roar, the young man gripped his arms, swung the dazzling, radiant black hammer, and instantly the entire grand waterfall cascading down was smashed back, shooting straight into the sky.
With a bang, it seemed as if half the cliff had been blasted away.
Boulders tumbled down, rumbling loudly.
When the young man finished, a hearty laugh full of pride came from nearby.
"Hahaha!!"
"Good, very good!"
The bearded, unkempt, and burly Great Han clapped his hands with glee, his tiger-like eyes shimmering with brilliance.
"Worthy of being my son, Tang Hao, truly unparalleled."
"To master the simplified Divine Skill Great Xumi Hammer in such a short time."
"Under the heavens, my son's talent surely ranks first!"
Tang San tapped the ground with his feet, landing back on the shore, his face full of surprise and delight.
"Dad, how is my strength now?"
Tang Hao puffed out his chest proudly.
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Is that even a question?"
"Even without competing, you are already, undoubtedly, the best in the world among your peers."
"If anyone can take your hammer without dying, I'd be willing to praise him as having extraordinary talent."