Before long, the two of them once again arrived at that small clearing in the woods.
Surrounded by dense trees, the branches and leaves intertwined into a natural barrier.
Huo Yuhao let go of Wang Dong's right hand.
He turned around, standing opposite Wang Dong, and naturally opened his arms.
Wang Dong naturally knew what he was doing; they had come here specifically to research their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
After a night of mental preparation, Wang Dong felt he was ready.
He told himself that this was just cultivation, just for researching their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and nothing else.
He told himself to be calm, to be composed, and to be as unfazed as Huo Yuhao.
But when the moment actually arrived... he still couldn't help but hesitate for a moment.
A flicker of complex emotions flashed through those big pinkish-blue eyes: nervousness, shyness, anticipation, and an indescribable throb.
However, it was only for an instant.
Then, he took a step forward.
Just like last night, he threw himself into Huo Yuhao's embrace and wrapped his arms around his waist.
This time, he did not forget to circulate his Spirit Power.
The moment the two embraced, two surges of Spirit Power welled up simultaneously.
The golden light of the Light Goddess Butterfly and the mental fluctuations of the Spirit Eyes intertwined, probing and touching, then... rapidly underwent Fusion.
Everything seemed to happen naturally, like water flowing in a channel, without the slightest hesitation.
The feeling was similar to last night.
Warm and comfortable, like being amidst soft clouds, enveloped in endless tenderness.
But today, both of them remained conscious.
There was no drowsy feeling like last night, nor that dazed state of distraction.
They clearly perceived everything—the power of the Fusion, and each other's heartbeat and breathing.
They believed they would definitely be able to test their Martial Soul Fusion Skill today.
However, just then...
"What are you doing?!"
A sharp cry came from the distance, like a pair of sharp scissors instantly cutting through the tranquility.
The voice was full of shock and disbelief, as if seeing something incredible.
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong instantly separated.
Both turned their heads at the same time, looking toward the direction of the voice.
At the edge of the woods, by a thick tree, they saw a familiar figure.
That round little face, those wide-staring eyes, and that mouth slightly agape from shock...It was Xiao Xiao!
Just now, both had been immersed in the cultivation of their Martial Soul Fusion, their minds completely melded together.
That power circulated between them, bringing an unprecedentedly wonderful experience, so much so that even Huo Yuhao's powerful mental force failed to notice the outside situation.
As a member of the team, Xiao Xiao had originally planned to find Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong today to discuss tactics for the next match.
She didn't find them in the dormitory, but happened to run into a passing student who said they saw Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong heading toward the East Gate.
Xiao Xiao instantly guessed where they were going—it had to be their secret base, that clearing in the small woods!
She snorted, feeling a bit of Life Qi in her heart.
Training without bringing her?
This was too much!
She immediately chased after them at full speed; she wanted to see what these two were secretly up to.
But she never expected... the moment she reached the clearing, she saw an unbelievable scene.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were actually hugging!
Hugging tightly, as if becoming one.
What shocked Xiao Xiao even more was that she even caught a trace of satisfaction on their faces.
That expression, that immersed look, as if they were experiencing something extremely wonderful.
Xiao Xiao froze on the spot, her mind going blank.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong looked at each other.
Then, both shouted "Oh no!" in their hearts.
They looked at Xiao Xiao; on her small face, the expression turned from shock to grievance, and then from grievance to sadness.
In those round eyes, something was rapidly welling up.
Then... she raised her hand to wipe her eyes, turned, and ran.
That small figure disappeared into the woods like a bolt of lightning.
Seeing this, Wang Dong instantly activated his Spirit.
The gorgeous butterfly wings of the Light Goddess Butterfly unfolded behind him, and with a light flap, he soared into the air, chasing after the direction Xiao Xiao had disappeared.
No matter how fast Xiao Xiao ran, she naturally could not outrun Wang Dong who was flying in the sky.
She had just rushed out of the woods and hadn't even had time to get her bearings when a golden figure descended from the sky, blocking her path.
Before long, the two of them once again arrived at that small clearing in the woods.
Surrounded by dense trees, the branches and leaves intertwined into a natural barrier.
Huo Yuhao let go of Wang Dong's right hand.He turned around, standing opposite Wang Dong, and naturally opened his arms.
Wang Dong naturally knew what he was doing; they had come here specifically to research their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
After a night of mental preparation, Wang Dong felt he was ready.
He told himself that this was just cultivation, just for researching their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and nothing else.
He told himself to be calm, to be composed, and to be as unfazed as Huo Yuhao.
But when the moment actually arrived... he still couldn't help but hesitate for a moment.
A flicker of complex emotions flashed through those big pinkish-blue eyes: nervousness, shyness, anticipation, and an indescribable throb.
However, it was only for an instant.
Then, he took a step forward.
Just like last night, he threw himself into Huo Yuhao's embrace and wrapped his arms around his waist.
This time, he did not forget to circulate his Spirit Power.
The moment the two embraced, two surges of Spirit Power welled up simultaneously.
The golden light of the Light Goddess Butterfly and the mental fluctuations of the Spirit Eyes intertwined, probing and touching, then... rapidly underwent Fusion.
Everything seemed to happen naturally, like water flowing in a channel, without the slightest hesitation.
The feeling was similar to last night.
Warm and comfortable, like being amidst soft clouds, enveloped in endless tenderness.
But today, both of them remained conscious.
There was no drowsy feeling like last night, nor that dazed state of distraction.
They clearly perceived everything—the power of the Fusion, and each other's heartbeat and breathing.
They believed they would definitely be able to test their Martial Soul Fusion Skill today.
However, just then...
"What are you doing?!"
A sharp cry came from the distance, like a pair of sharp scissors instantly cutting through the tranquility.
The voice was full of shock and disbelief, as if seeing something incredible.
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong instantly separated.
Both turned their heads at the same time, looking toward the direction of the voice.
At the edge of the woods, by a thick tree, they saw a familiar figure.
That round little face, those wide-staring eyes, and that mouth slightly agape from shock...It was Xiao Xiao!
Just now, both had been immersed in the cultivation of their Martial Soul Fusion, their minds completely melded together.
That power circulated between them, bringing an unprecedentedly wonderful experience, so much so that even Huo Yuhao's powerful mental force failed to notice the outside situation.
As a member of the team, Xiao Xiao had originally planned to find Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong today to discuss tactics for the next match.
She didn't find them in the dormitory, but happened to run into a passing student who said they saw Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong heading toward the East Gate.
Xiao Xiao instantly guessed where they were going—it had to be their secret base, that clearing in the small woods!
She snorted, feeling a bit of Life Qi in her heart.
Training without bringing her?
This was too much!
She immediately chased after them at full speed; she wanted to see what these two were secretly up to.
But she never expected... the moment she reached the clearing, she saw an unbelievable scene.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were actually hugging!
Hugging tightly, as if becoming one.
What shocked Xiao Xiao even more was that she even caught a trace of satisfaction on their faces.
That expression, that immersed look, as if they were experiencing something extremely wonderful.
Xiao Xiao froze on the spot, her mind going blank.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong looked at each other.
Then, both shouted "Oh no!" in their hearts.
They looked at Xiao Xiao; on her small face, the expression turned from shock to grievance, and then from grievance to sadness.
In those round eyes, something was rapidly welling up.
Then... she raised her hand to wipe her eyes, turned, and ran.
That small figure disappeared into the woods like a bolt of lightning.
Seeing this, Wang Dong instantly activated his Spirit.
The gorgeous butterfly wings of the Light Goddess Butterfly unfolded behind him, and with a light flap, he soared into the air, chasing after the direction Xiao Xiao had disappeared.
No matter how fast Xiao Xiao ran, she naturally could not outrun Wang Dong who was flying in the sky.
She had just rushed out of the woods and hadn't even had time to get her bearings when a golden figure descended from the sky, blocking her path.
At this moment, where was the joy and shyness Xiao Xiao had previously shown toward Wang Dong?
In those round eyes, glistening tears were now shimmering.
She looked up at the impossibly exquisite youth before her and said with a sob, "Go away!"
She cried out, forcefully wiping away the tears that were about to fall.
"I was just wishfully thinking before; it turns out you two have that kind of relationship!"
Xiao Xiao really could not understand.
Why would the Wang Dong she liked actually like men?!
She recalled that Wang Dong was always cold toward the female students in class, not even bothering to give them a second look.
But only with Huo Yuhao was he so close, the two of them always together, inseparable.
Now she understood.
She understood everything!
Though she didn't understand it, she respected it!
But the tears still would not stop flowing.
Wang Dong looked at her like this, and his heart skipped a beat.
Looking at her expression and hearing her tone, she clearly misunderstood!
He took a step forward, grabbed Xiao Xiao's shoulders with both hands, and shouted urgently:
"Xiao Xiao, let me explain!"
Xiao Xiao shook her head, shaking it desperately, with an "I'm not listening, I'm not listening" look.
Wang Dong's head throbbed; he never expected things to develop to this point.
Just then, Huo Yuhao walked out of the woods unhurriedly.
He glanced at the scene before him, and his mind stirred slightly.
An invisible mental force instantly spread out, silently enveloping Xiao Xiao.
Without alerting anyone, he secretly unleashed his Fourth Spirit Ability—the Myriad Thoughts Return to Nothingness Domain.
Within the Domain, he easily extracted the surging emotions from Xiao Xiao's heart.
In Wang Dong's sight, Xiao Xiao instantly calmed down.
Her heavily heaving chest steadied, her trembling shoulders stopped, and the tears that were constantly flowing also ceased.
She just stood there, her eyes gradually clearing from their daze.
Huo Yuhao's voice arrived just in time: "Xiao Xiao, just now Wang Dong and I were testing a Martial Soul Fusion Skill."
Xiao Xiao turned her head to look at Huo Yuhao.
Some tear stains still remained in those eyes, but confusion had already overtaken the sorrow.
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"
She murmured, her tone carrying a hint of incomprehension.
Wang Dong quickly chimed in, "Exactly!"
His tone was urgent, fearing Xiao Xiao would continue to misunderstand.
"During the match earlier, didn't we encounter those twin sisters who could use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"
"Yuhao's Spirit and mine also have a resonance, so we thought we'd give it a try and see if we have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill too."
Having calmed down, Xiao Xiao instantly understood what was going on.
She looked at the two of them, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Huo Yuhao's and Wang Dong's faces.
In that gaze, most of the previous sadness and indignation had dissipated, replaced by a hint of skeptical clarity.
She paused and asked, "So when you two were hugging just now, it was to use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"
Wang Dong nodded quickly, like a chicken pecking at grain.
"Exactly! If you hadn't suddenly shouted, we might have already successfully used the Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"
Hearing this, a wave of apology welled up in Xiao Xiao's heart.
"Ah?!"
Her mouth dropped open, and a flash of chagrin appeared in her round eyes.
"Then it's my fault for affecting your cultivation..."
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, and her head gradually lowered, like a child who had done something wrong.
Wang Dong looked at her like this and was stunned for a moment.
He really could not understand why Xiao Xiao's emotions shifted so quickly.
One moment she was crying and making a scene as if the sky were falling, and now she was starting to blame herself?
He then glanced at Huo Yuhao.
Seeing the faint smile on the corner of his mouth, Wang Dong instantly guessed what was happening.
This guy must have used a Spirit Ability; after all, Huo Yuhao had mentioned the effects of his Spirit Ability before.
Huo Yuhao met his gaze and nodded slightly in admission.
Then, he looked at Xiao Xiao and said in a calm and gentle tone,
"It's fine, we'll just try again."
"Xiao Xiao, since you're here, why don't you observe?"
---------------------------------------------
A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.