Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

Several more weeks passed, and the Shrek group continued to grow stronger, their teamwork more seamless with each day.

At that moment, inside a hotel in Heaven Dou City, Ning Rongrong sat nervously on the edge of the bed, cheeks flushed with crimson. Across from her, Lin Jie wore an odd, unreadable expression.

Earlier today, Ning Rongrong had invited Lin Jie out, saying she had something important to talk about. Lin Jie hadn't thought much of it—until he followed her all the way to a hotel room.

There was no need to guess what this was about.

Ever since entering Shrek Academy, Ning Rongrong had held a quiet fondness for Lin Jie. And the more she interacted with him, the stronger that fondness became. When Lin Jie helped her temper and refine her body, her feelings subtly shifted from admiration to genuine affection.

The two had already crossed several emotional lines—there was just one step left.

Now, Ning Rongrong was certain: she liked him. Really liked him.

She was aware that Zhu Zhuqing liked Lin Jie too. But so what? She liked him as well. Even though she and Zhu Zhuqing were as close as sisters, Ning Rongrong wasn't the kind of girl to back down from something—or someone—she wanted.

Oscar had once tried to pursue her, but after she rejected him twice, he took the hint and gave up.

What Ning Rongrong didn't know was that Zhu Zhuqing and Lin Jie's relationship had already gone much further than she imagined.

Lately, she had been watching Zhu Zhuqing and Lin Jie laugh and chat together more and more, and it stirred something uneasy in her heart. So today, she took the initiative—and brought Lin Jie here.

She was dressed in a flowing white gown, her neat short hair brushing just below her ears. Her skin glowed like fresh lychee—soft and dewy. Her face, without any powder or paint, was so naturally beautiful it outshone anything cosmetics could achieve. Her features were exquisite—arched brows, shining phoenix eyes, a delicate nose, and soft, cherry-like lips that made one want to take a bite. Her slender neck arched gracefully like a swan's, and the fullness of her chest stretched the fabric of her dress tight against her body.

Now, with a delicate blush painting her cheeks, she looked like a spring peach blossom—fresh, vivid, and heartbreakingly lovely.

Lin Jie looked at the girl beside him, her face glowing red, and even his heart trembled slightly.

She had brought him here to a hotel—if he didn't understand what she meant, he might as well be dead.

Still, he decided to play dumb. "Rongrong, what did you need me for?"

Ning Rongrong pouted, her soft pink lips puffed up. Her expression clearly said, You know exactly what I mean. Why are you pretending?

Seeing her adorable little pout, Lin Jie kept up the act. "Oh, is it because you want me to help you temper your body again? It's been a few days since last time, hasn't it? Sure, let's get started."

Hearing that, Ning Rongrong's face fell slightly, a hint of frustration flickering in her eyes. "Who said I came for that? You know exactly what I mean, Lin Jie."

"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.

But Ning Rongrong wasn't one to shrink away from her feelings. That bold, fiery personality had once earned her the nickname "Little Witch."

She thought to herself: I brought him here—there's no way he doesn't know. Is he afraid I'll reject him? Is that why he's pretending?

Suddenly, she took the initiative.

Without another word, she threw her arms around Lin Jie and kissed him—her soft, warm lips pressing firmly against his.

Lin Jie was stunned for a moment, but quickly responded. In his book, not taking advantage of a free opportunity was practically a crime.

Moments later, their lips parted. Ning Rongrong's face turned a deeper shade of pink, her breathing heavy, eyes half-lidded in embarrassment and desire.

Their faces were mere inches apart. They could feel each other's breath, each other's heartbeat. Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled like misted gemstones under the dim lighting of the hotel room, casting an almost magical glow. Tiny beads of moisture clung to her soft skin, glittering like starlight. Her long lashes fluttered, and her slightly parted lips were impossibly alluring.

Even a stone statue would be moved by the sight.

Let alone Lin Jie.

He wrapped his arms around her soft body, staring into those affectionate eyes. His heart melted.

Their lips met again.

By this point, Lin Jie no longer cared what family Ning Rongrong came from. He had already given a "gift" to Ning Fengzhi last time, after all...

"To hold a flawless jade beauty carved by divine hands—how could the heart remain unmoved?"

"What world is this? Surely not the mortal realm. This must be the heavens."

—

Afterward, the room fell into peaceful silence.

Lin Jie opened his eyes and gazed down at the girl lying in his arms. She was staring up at him, her gaze full of tenderness.

"Rongrong," he asked softly, "do you regret it?"

Ning Rongrong, still curled up against his chest, shook her head and whispered, "I don't."

Her words filled Lin Jie with quiet joy. But beneath that joy was a trace of worry.

He had acted on impulse.

What if Zhu Zhuqing found out? She might absolutely explode. Lin Jie knew he was being a bit of a scumbag here… but what man didn't fall to beauty, sometimes?

Then there was an even bigger concern: What if Ning Fengzhi found out? Not to mention the two Titled Douluo that protected her. Given how much they doted on her, Lin Jie wasn't sure if he'd survive being skinned alive.

—

The next morning, Lin Jie tidied up the hotel room and put away some "important keepsakes" in his spirit tool ring for safekeeping.

Ning Rongrong, seeing him carefully preserve that particular evidence, blushed hard.

They were both mostly recovered now, so Lin Jie took Ning Rongrong out. Since the academy had given them two days off, there was no rush to return.

The two went out to a popular breakfast spot in Heaven Dou City. After eating, they strolled leisurely through the city, arms linked like any couple in love.

By the time they returned to Shrek Academy, they had already separated hands. Lin Jie walked her back to her dorm, then quietly returned to his own.

—

Lin Jie recalled that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan possessed a powerful technique known as Heart Separation Control. It allowed the user to divide their attention and control multiple spirit abilities or actions at once.

During training sessions with Ning Rongrong, Lin Jie personally guided her in cultivating this technique—knowing it would be extremely useful to him as well.

Because of how much he had helped her, and because of their deepening relationship, Ning Rongrong willingly taught him the technique even before he asked.

Lin Jie immediately began studying and practicing it.

—

As time passed, everyone returned to focused cultivation, preparing for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament coming up in six months.

PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin