Star Martial Soaring Cloud

Fate is a wonderful thing; once you meet one person, you are destined to meet another.

Yan Zixi is known as the most beautiful woman in Kyushu, and countless people in Kyushu know her name.

But without Su Qinhe, Wang Xiao would never have gotten to know her so quickly, and there would have been no meeting today.

What's even more amazing is that he became acquainted with Su Qinhe through a bet, and now he's going to have to fight Yan Zixi through another bet.

As dawn broke, the hot spring valley in the northern part of the Demon Island was shrouded in a hazy mist.

Wang Xiao slowly rose from the hot spring, warm water droplets sliding down her skin, refracting into tiny golden glimmers in the morning light.

He clenched his fist, feeling the surge of power within him, and a satisfied smile curved his lips.

After soaking overnight, not only were his injuries completely healed, but he even felt that his body was stronger than before.

Beneath those scars, the newly formed skin is tough and elastic, as if even the flesh and blood have been re-tempered by the hot spring.

"We should go back now, or Miss Su will worry again."

As Wang Xiao finished tidying himself up and was about to leave, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a green light in the mist not far away.

The light and shadow were extremely faint, flickering in the misty vapor. If he hadn't had a keen sense of perception, he wouldn't have noticed them at all.

"This is……"

Wang Xiao's heart skipped a beat; the light and shadow gave him a strange sense of familiarity.

Green, warm, and imbued with a rich wood-elemental spiritual energy—

"The Glory of the Jianmu Tree!"

His pupils contracted sharply as he instantly recalled the emerald light that floated above Lu Shu's head when he was cultivating in the ancient forest that day.

Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Xiao moved swiftly, unleashing the Seven Star Rain Steps as he sped towards the green light.

The fog grew thicker, and the warm scent of spring water wafted over, mixed with a faint fragrance of grass and trees.

Wang Xiao slowed her steps, held her breath, and carefully parted the drooping vines—

The sight before him made him hold his breath instantly.

In the very center of the hot spring, a mythical beast stands quietly.

Deer and Shu.

It remained as mystical as ever, its body as agile as a deer, its entire body covered in fine, wood-grain-like fur, with a faint green light flowing between the patterns.

Several emerald green leaves are entwined around the forked antlers on its head, swaying gently in the mist.

What is most eye-catching is the emerald green light floating above its head—the radiance of the Jianmu tree.

The spiritual plant was entirely emerald green, shaped like a jade hairpin, about half a foot tall, and covered with intricate spiral patterns.

It was emitting a soft light at this moment, intertwining with the rising mist, turning into countless tiny green specks of light that slowly drifted down.

The deer stood in the hot spring, the warm water covering its four hooves.

With its eyes slightly closed and its expression serene, it faces the rising sun, cultivating itself with the spiritual energy of the hot spring. The peaceful aura surrounding it blends seamlessly with the tranquil mountains and waters around it.

Its aura resonated with the Jianmu Flower, and with each breath, wisps of green spiritual energy escaped from the Jianmu Flower, flowing into its body through its mouth and nose.

Wang Xiao stared in disbelief, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "This Demon Island is interesting not only for its people, but also for its strange beasts—they even know how to enjoy hot springs."

The moment the thought crossed his mind, he felt a gaze fall upon him.

Lu Shu opened his eyes.

Those beastly eyes were as clear as autumn water, gazing at him quietly without any hostility or wariness, simply looking at him calmly, as if to say: You've come again.

Wang Xiao's heart tightened, and he instinctively wanted to retreat—he still vividly remembered the feeling of being imprisoned by its supernatural powers last time.

But the next moment, he realized something was wrong.

Lu Shu simply looked at him without using any supernatural powers.

There was no hostility or even wariness in that gaze, only a hint of... scrutiny?

Wang Xiao's mind raced, and he instantly understood.

He took a deep breath, slowly raised his hands, palms facing outwards, making a harmless gesture.

Lu Shu looked at him, her eyes flickered slightly, but she still didn't make a move.

Wang Xiao was overjoyed, knowing that it had understood his goodwill.

His boldness in stepping forward was not due to recklessness.

Firstly, last time in the ancient forest, the deer-like creature could easily have taken his life, but it only imprisoned him for a short while, which shows that this auspicious beast is gentle and has no intention of harming people.

Secondly, and most importantly, he wanted to find an opportunity to borrow the splendor of the Jianmu tree.

The Demon Island is bound by the restrictions of heaven and earth. Even with the Immortal Ephemeral Flower in hand, one cannot break through the shackles of realm. The only way to improve one's strength right now is to perfect one's Five Elements Body Refining Technique.

The Jianmu flower atop Lu Shu's head contains the purest life essence, making it an excellent treasure for perfecting body-refining techniques.

The fire of the heart and the water of the kidneys have already been condensed and formed. If he can further refine his liver with the essence of the Jianmu tree, his physical body will surely reach a higher level.

By then, even if he were to encounter Lin Shisan again, he might still be able to put up a fight.

only……

Looking at the auspicious beast quietly cultivating before him, Wang Xiao felt somewhat troubled.

Why should it lend it to me?

How about we become friends first?

How can I befriend an auspicious beast?

Wang Xiao suddenly realized a serious problem—the strange beasts on the Demon Island seemed unable to speak.

The strange beasts on this Demon Island are truly bizarre. Besides their supernatural powers and spiritual senses being suppressed, it seems that even their ability to transform and speak is restricted. In the Nine Provinces Continent, ordinary demon soldiers can speak human language, let alone auspicious beasts like the Deer-like Beast.

Why can't the strange beasts of the Demon Island do the same?

Wang Xiao vaguely felt that this might be related to the restrictions on the Demon Island.

"If we can't speak, then we can only use gestures."

Wang Xiao took a deep breath and began his performance.

He first pointed to himself, then to Lu Shu, and then hooked his thumbs together and gestured with his other fingers as if nodding in greeting, intending to show goodwill and make friends: Shall we be friends?

Lu Shu looked at him, a strange glint in her eyes.

Seeing that it reacted, Wang Xiao immediately perked up. He pointed to the Jianmu flower on the top of the deer's head, put his hands together and pressed them against his cheeks as if resting, then pointed to the rising sun in the east, gesturing a posture of awakening, meaning: I know you are cultivating, and I will not disturb you.

Unable to communicate verbally, Wang Xiao could only patiently gesture, his anxious yet clumsy appearance quite comical.

Lu Shu's eyes looked even stranger.

Wang Xiao was completely unaware and continued gesturing: he pointed to the distant mountains and forests, made a picking motion, and then held it in both hands and handed it to the deer, indicating that he could find food for it.

Lu Shu finally reacted.

It blinked slowly, and then...

He turned his head to the side.

Wang Xiao: "???"

He clearly saw a hint of...disdain flash in Lu Shu's clear eyes?

No, it's not just dislike.

The way he looked at me was as if I were some kind of idiot.

Wang Xiao stood frozen for a long time before awkwardly withdrawing her hand, her smile turning into deep embarrassment.

Lu Shu ignored him and simply lowered her eyes to continue absorbing the spiritual energy of the Jianmu Flower.

The faint green halo around it grew increasingly intense, intertwining with the dawn, mist, and hot springs to form a dreamlike and enchanting sea of ​​spiritual energy.

It continued its cultivation, completely ignoring Wang Xiao's existence.

Wang Xiao frowned, but quickly figured out the reason.

"That's true, mythical beasts don't trust people so easily."

He glanced at the standing deer, then looked at the flowing blossoms of the Jianmu tree above its head, a stubborn determination flashing in his eyes.

"Fine, if you ignore me, I'll take it as a test. Let's see how I win you over!"