Chapter 15: The Blossoming of the Heart
As the "Wind Spirit" was activated, a trace of wind element suddenly appeared before Nian Yun’s eyes.
“Swoosh.”
After confirming the movements of Xie Yue and Hu Li Na, Nian Yun took the wind and left the camp.
“Only an old man from the Emberfire Academy is guarding it; his strength shouldn’t be low. I still need to engineer a chance encounter.”
Under the cover of night, the Wind Wings granted perfect concealment.
After a while,
Following the elemental trace, Nian Yun found the horse-drawn carriage, and nearby, flickering flames caught his attention.
“It seems they don’t intend to delay until tomorrow. Perfect.”
Elsewhere,
“Uncle Huang, he’s over there!” a youthful voice called out.
Prompted, Huang Yan leapt high, a purple soul ring flashing as he swung a fist at the fleeing Fire Salamander.
“Boom!”
The earth shattered under the blow, surrounding vegetation damaged beyond repair.
“Uncle Huang!”
Behind him, two small figures swiftly climbed along branches to catch up.
“That beast got away again,” Huang Yan said, standing and gazing disappointedly at the shattered ground, finding no trace of the Fire Salamander.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Huang. Let’s search for other soul beasts,” Fire Dance panted, struggling to catch her breath as she comforted him.
“Mm.”
“Boom, boom!”
Just as the three prepared to leave, a roar echoed.
“Be careful, that noise must have alerted nearby soul beasts,” Huang Yan warned, shielding the two behind him.
“Swoosh, swoosh—whoosh.”
A fireball blazed through the brush, hurtling toward the trio.
Seizing the moment, Huang Yan enveloped his arm in flames, colliding fiercely with the fireball.
“Bang!”
The fireball was shattered.
From the ashes, a Blazing Tiger, its mouth still flickering with fire element traces, fixed its fierce gaze on them.
“A century-old Blazing Tiger, just right. Wu Shuang, protect Fire Dance and return to camp first. I’ll catch up soon.”
With that, six soul rings slowly rose beneath Huang Yan’s feet.
“Thud.”
Flames and rock engulfed his arms as he charged straight at the Blazing Tiger.
Seeing Huang Yan’s overwhelming soul power, the tiger, knowing it could not win, turned and fled deeper into the wilderness.
Man and beast clashed again not far off.
“Fire Dance, Uncle Huang is enough. Let’s head back now.”
“Mm,” Fire Dance’s delicate face showed a trace of exhaustion as she listened to Wu Shuang.
The recent chase had drained them both, so their steps were small and cautious.
In the shadows, swarms of Fire Salamanders crawled around them.
Ahead, Wu Shuang’s right hand burned brightly, illuminating their path, with Fire Dance closely following behind.
“Swoosh.”
The rustling behind tugged at their nerves.
Suddenly, a Fire Salamander leapt from the side, its blue tongue aimed at Fire Dance behind them.
“Fire Dance, watch out!” Wu Shuang reacted swiftly, circling around to stand before her.
“First Soul Skill: Blazing Dragon Flame!”
Behind Wu Shuang, the Martial Soul—a fiery one-horned dragon—roared to life, unleashing extreme flames toward the Fire Salamander.
“Pfft!”
The Salamander, wrapped in fire, quickly retracted its blue tongue and landed.
“Whoosh.”
As both focused on this threat, another Fire Salamander suddenly darted out from the side.
Fire Dance’s fireball was not fully ignited, and the Salamander was already dangerously close.
“Smack!”
In desperation, Wu Shuang pushed Fire Dance aside and stepped back a few paces.
The Salamander dashed between them, separating their positions.
“Brother, watch your back!”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the Salamander, previously engulfed by Wu Shuang’s flames, launched another attack.
Unprepared, Wu Shuang could only cross his arms defensively.
“Swoosh, swoosh.”
Before they could react, three more Fire Salamanders appeared.
“Fire Dance, quickly alert Uncle Huang!”
Seeing the growing number of Fire Salamanders, Wu Shuang became anxious.
Fire Dance calmed herself and fiercely ignited the fireball in her hands.
“First Soul Skill: Fireworks!”
“Whoosh—boom!”
The fireball exploded overhead.
At that moment, the three Fire Salamanders surrounding Fire Dance lunged forward.
“Fire Dance!”
Recovering from the earlier injury caused by the Salamander’s attack, Wu Shuang charged toward her with all his might.
“Hiss!”
Wu Shuang’s first step was blocked by two Salamanders.
Seeing this, Fire Dance’s heart filled with fear.
Her back foot accidentally stepped on a broken stick, causing her to stumble backward.
“Brother.”
The three Fire Salamanders were right before her eyes; Fire Dance closed them tightly in terror.
“Whoosh—smack!”
A gust of wind brushed past her ears. Just as she feared falling backward, she felt her body being lifted.
Startled, Fire Dance opened her eyes to see a handsome face before her.
“Thud.”
Nian Yun had carried her away from danger and then looked down at her. “Are you alright?”
Moonlight scattered across the sky like stars, making her usually flushed cheeks appear even more delicate.
“I-I'm fine.”
Just as Fire Dance shyly tried to break free from Nian Yun’s embrace, he gently lowered the arm that supported her knees.
“Thud, thud.”
No sooner had Nian Yun set her down than the three Fire Salamanders lunged again.
His arm, resting on Fire Dance’s right shoulder, had not yet withdrawn as his left hand swept forward, gathering a swirling wind.
Held in Nian Yun’s arms, Fire Dance watched silently.
“Second Soul Skill: Power of the Wind Spirit.”
Withdrawing his left hand, Nian Yun unleashed it as the three Salamanders came close.
“Whoosh, whoosh—whoosh, whoosh.”
The small whirlwind, detached from his hand, drew in surrounding wind elements, growing stronger.
The Salamanders, caught mid-air, were swept away by the hurricane, thrown hundreds of meters before the whirlwind shattered.
Sensing a subtle shift in the atmosphere, the two separated instantly.
“Th-thank you,” Fire Dance lowered her head shyly, expressing gratitude to Nian Yun.
“As long as you’re alright.”
Wu Shuang, using the wind currents to strengthen his fiery arm, quickly dealt with the two Salamanders blocking his path.
“Fire Dance.”
After neutralizing the threat, Wu Shuang hurried over.
“Brother, I’m fine.”
Fire Dance smiled slightly, showing she was uninjured.
Only then did Wu Shuang notice Nian Yun standing behind her.
“Thank you for saving my sister. My name is Wu Shuang.”
Nian Yun smiled back, shaking the hand of the one who had just shed his Martial Soul.
“I’m Nian Yun. Glad you’re safe.”
Just as they released their grip, Nian Yun’s face briefly darkened as he spotted flames rushing toward them from not far away.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now. Farewell.”
Seeing Nian Yun spread his black wings to leave, Fire Dance reached out to grab him but shyly withdrew halfway.
Watching the shadow disappear into the distance, Fire Dance took two heavy steps forward.
“My name is Fire Dance. Thank you!”
Nian Yun glanced back and nodded slightly before vanishing from their sight.
“Whoosh—”
Soaring to the dome of the sky, Nian Yun finally exhaled deeply, glancing back at where he had been moments before.
A wave of scorching heat followed.
“Thank goodness, that was close.”
“Ding.”
System: “Congratulations, host, for completing [Task: Befriend Fire Dance]. Fire Dance’s favorability: +10.”
“Ten points! Hero saving damsel adds so much!” Nian Yun grinned, feeling as if a plan was unfolding.
System: “Wind Elemental Dragon spawn rate increased by 20%.”
[Soul Bone Main Quest: Wings of the Azure Breeze task refreshed.]