Douluo: Spiritual Sword

"Rongrong!" Tianlin couldn't help but call her name softly.

Ning Rongrong turned in disbelief, then joy. "Sword Brother! It's really you!"

She stood up, walked faster and faster, then leaped into his arms. "You bad guy, you were gone so long—I worried every day!"

One moment full of joy, the next with grievance. Tianlin may have fought for his life in Slaughter City for two years, but outside, Ning Rongrong worried even more.

She couldn't eat or sleep well, and was distracted and anxious—all for two years.

"Sorry, Rongrong, I'm late. Don't worry, from now on, no matter where I go, I'll take you with me." Tianlin promised solemnly.

This was more reassuring than any sweet words. Leaning in his arms, Ning Rongrong said, "You have to keep your word."

"Of course!"

Tianlin followed the ultimate truth countless women had summarized: men's promises are usually lies, but if he had to go somewhere dangerous again, he'd still leave Rongrong behind to keep her safe—he'd just spend more time coaxing her afterward.

"Sword Brother, I missed you!" Ning Rongrong looked up at him with watery eyes.

Since their engagement, apart from the final step, all other intimacies had become routine.

Tianlin understood and smiled.

He leaned down slowly, savoring the anticipation as her eyes fluttered closed. Their lips met in a kiss that started as gentle as a butterfly's wing but quickly deepened with two years of longing. Her hands fisted in the front of his robes as his arms encircled her waist, pulling her flush against him. She could feel his heartbeat racing to match her own.

They indulged in making up for the past two years.

"Ahem!"

Suddenly, an untimely cough sounded behind them, and they quickly separated.

It was Ma Hongjun, the chubby guy who'd lost weight from Qin Ming's training.

"Boss, I heard from the gate disciple you were back, so I hurried over—turns out it's true…"

"Hey!" Ma Hongjun was about to flatter when someone kicked him aside. "You blind fatso! If I didn't want to interrupt Boss and Big Sis's reunion, would I let you greet him first? I told you, I'm Boss's number one!"

"Haha, Gu Ran, you look well! Almost at level 60 now!" Tianlin smiled at his closest brother.

"Hehe, level 59 now—thanks to your immortal herbs, Boss." Gu Ran said bashfully.

"The herbs are just support; your hard work matters most. But it looks like the others are catching up!" Tianlin praised, looking at the others.

Oscar, Meng Yiran, and Ye Lingling were there. They had formed a group like the Shrek Seven Devils, training together.

Gu Ran worked hard but was less talented than these protagonist team members.

Ma Hongjun had reached level 53, up twelve levels in three years—supervised, he'd reach level 60 in two more years. In the original, he lagged behind, but his talent was always among the best.

Oscar was level 52; no immortal herb, but with Tianlin's medicine, he was not far behind.

Ye Lingling, being older, was level 57.

Ning Rongrong was level 56, nearly catching up to Ye Lingling. Meng Yiran, with less talent, was at level 49.

"Boss, the sect master and elders said to see them first when you return." Gu Ran reminded.

Tianlin nodded. "Got it. You and Rongrong come with me—I have things to discuss."

Gu Ran and Ning Rongrong, as core disciples, were qualified to know future plans.

"We'll meet later at the bamboo grove—that's our secret base now." Oscar smiled.

Zhu Zhuqing was secluded, and only they often visited her, so she wouldn't be lonely.

"See you soon!"

Tianlin left the group, taking Ning Rongrong and Gu Ran to the main hall.

The guards reported, and Ning Fengzhi and the elders were waiting. Tianlin could not keep them waiting.

"Master, Uncle Ning, elders, I'm back!" Tianlin bowed deeply. They, like Ning Rongrong, were among the few who knew where he went and had worried for him.

"Good, you're back—and you've grown taller!" Ning Fengzhi was only excited now, no longer wise and reserved. As his son-in-law, Tianlin's growth was crucial. But to temper Tianlin's personality, he'd had to send him to that dangerous place.

Fortunately, Tianlin did not disappoint, surviving the ordeal.

Sword Douluo was equally pleased but puzzled. "Xiao Tian, did you really go to Slaughter City?"

Tianlin's temperament had changed. His killing aura was not greater but less than two years ago. How could someone from Slaughter City come out like this?

They remembered how Tang Hao was violent and unstable after leaving—taking a long time to recover.

But Tianlin was so calm now, like a soul master who'd never killed.

Tianlin didn't explain—he directly released his Deathgod Domain. The terrifying killing aura covered the main hall, chilling everyone.

Closest to him, Gu Ran involuntarily stepped back. Ning Rongrong, however, was unaffected—Tianlin deliberately spared her with his aura. He couldn't bear to scare his fiancée.