Chapter 32: Xiao Xiao Awakens a Special Attribute! Such a Difficult Choice!

Perhaps Electrolux, having long stood at the lonely heights of power, was more interested in a fresh start?

"If the opportunity arises, I am willing."

In the brief exchange that followed, Electrolux released a new surge of golden light, replacing the one previously consumed. This time, what flowed forth was pure spiritual consciousness—with the exception of the Skydream Iceworm, of course.

Skydream: o(╥﹏╥)o

"This spiritual energy is enough to purify for over half a month," Electrolux frowned. "It is still too weak; otherwise, I could have refined it in an instant."

"It’s enough, it’s enough," Zhuge Lan said with satisfaction. "Why bother with the hard work of cultivation when you can just lie down and get stronger? Who needs a bicycle when you have a car?"

"Eh?" The Skydream Iceworm stared at the seven-clawed undead creature. "Can its tentacles not regenerate?"

The seven-clawed undead cast a displeased glance at him. The missing tentacle grew back in an instant, though its own aura dimmed slightly.

"Very well, you may return now," Electrolux waved his hand.

A grey hexagram flashed beneath the eight-clawed undead, and it vanished from the spiritual world, sent back to the Undead Semi-Plane. Summoning it required a real-world anchor, but returning was effortless. Once this batch of spiritual energy was depleted, it could simply be summoned again for sacrifice.

"Little Yuhao, you should return to your cultivation as well," Electrolux said. "Zhuge, let us discuss this spiritual consciousness; it truly fascinates me."

"I happen to have many thoughts I’d like to share with you, too," Zhuge Lan replied happily. Having a legendary powerhouse as a free laborer was exactly what he wanted.

He explained the spiritual master system from *Swallowed Star* in detail, then picked out various secret techniques of spiritual masters to analyze them carefully. Electrolux was particularly intrigued by "Laws." Especially upon hearing that Laws could be comprehended, applied, and fused, he became even more fascinated by that world.

"In my world, Laws are something only gods can master."

"And in your world, one can begin to comprehend them so early in their cultivation journey?"

"What a marvelous and open world that must be!"

Zhuge Lan wagged his finger. " *Swallowed Star* is merely one of the planes I have visited; it is not the world I truly belong to." (After all, roaming through the sea of books counts as visiting, right?)

Electrolux was even more amazed. There were other planes? Seeing his keen interest, Zhuge Lan simply began to recount them one by one.

The *Ice Fire Magic Chef* who attained the Dao through culinary arts!
The world of *Mortal Cultivation* where mortals defy the heavens!
The vast seas filled with the power of devils!
The *Battle Through the Heavens* where battle qi and alchemy reign!

One bizarre and wondrous world after another unfolded before Electrolux. The light in his eyes grew brighter, as if he had made a certain decision. Even the Skydream Iceworm, who had been feeling down about being the only one not to awaken spiritual consciousness, couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

Zhuge Lan chuckled inwardly. The marketing talent purchased for 5 Luck Points was indeed effective.

***

The next day.

The alarm soul tool awakened the two who had been practicing together. No sooner had Huo Yuhao opened his eyes than Wang Dong pushed him away. Seeing Wang Dong's slightly reddened ears, Huo Yuhao was left confused.

"We’re two grown men hugging, why are you being so shy?"

"L-less nonsense!" Wang Dong retorted, annoyed. "Oh! We’re going to be late! We still have to wash up, go away!"

Wang Dong chased Huo Yuhao out. The latter, unfazed, flew to the base of the great tree and bowed to the sleeping Mu En before heading to the bathhouse.

"Brother Lan," he asked internally, "when are you going to extend Teacher's life? His condition feels terrible."

"In a few days," Zhuge Lan said calmly. "I only arrived the day after you made your promise to Ma Xiaotao; it would be too easy to arouse suspicion."

"Alright."

After washing up, they had a little time to grab breakfast. Following one after the other, they arrived at the classroom just as the bell rang.

"The monitor is here!"
"Monitor, did the Dragon God Douluo really take you as his personal disciple?"
"It’s a closed-door disciple!"
"Doesn't that make Dean Yan the monitor's senior martial brother?"
"Your news is outdated; Wang Dong was also taken as a personal disciple."
"You're the one who's outdated! Xiao Xiao became a disciple yesterday, too—to Dean Yan!"
"Eh? Doesn't that make her the junior martial niece of the monitor and Wang Dong?"

Facing the enthusiasm of his classmates, Huo Yuhao responded with his usual friendliness. He reached the front row, where Xiao Xiao had already moved her seat, leaving an empty spot on either side.

"Monitor, you're here!" Xiao Xiao said with a giggle. "I saved you both a spot. From now on, we're a team, so we need to stay together to build rapport!"

Huo Yuhao looked at the spots on either side of Xiao Xiao and felt that neither was appropriate. He could only cast a plea for help toward Wang Dong. Expecting Wang Dong to just watch the show, he was surprised when Wang Dong didn't stand idly by. Instead, Wang Dong nudged Xiao Xiao with his hip as she was about to give up her seat, and sat down in the adjacent chair himself.

Wang Dong then sat in Xiao Xiao's original spot. Huo Yuhao hurried to sit next to Wang Dong, giving him a subtle thumbs up.

*Well done!*

His hand was immediately grasped by Wang Dong.

"Don't think I'm doing this to help you. It's just convenient for practicing soul power fusion; we need to race against time to get stronger."

"Oh, oh, right."

The two circulated their soul power, letting it blend and flow through each other's bodies. Huo Yuhao could easily multitask, continuing to cycle the Yijin Jing. Wang Dong couldn't do the same, but the simple fusion and circulation of soul power were immensely beneficial.

Seeing this, Xiao Xiao leaned over. "Is this an advanced application of the Yijin Jing? I want to learn it too!"

"I can't teach you that, Xiao Xiao," Huo Yuhao laughed. "Wang Dong and I have compatible martial souls, and there's a possibility of a martial soul fusion skill. This is soul power fusion to increase our compatibility."

Xiao Xiao’s eyes widened!

*This... is he really that lucky?*

"Alright then..." She retreated to her seat, feeling dejected.

Huo Yuhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally managed to brush off the clingy girl.

Wang Dong had a sudden thought. "Calling it 'fused soul power' is so unoriginal. How about we come up with a name exclusive to us?"

"Ah? Oh, sure."

"What should we call it..."

"How about 'Haodong Power'?"

Huo Yuhao had only intended to take one character from each of their names—simple and clear. Wang Dong, however, blushed again, his gaze shifting away awkwardly. Huo Yuhao was used to this.

Xiao Xiao, meanwhile, was suspicious. *Why does Wang Dong look a bit strange? Could it be... that he likes the monitor too?!*

As soon as this thought occurred, Xiao Xiao seemed to have some hidden attribute activated. Instead of being saddened by a "rival in love," she felt a strong urge to "play matchmaker" for them!

But as soon as the thought emerged, she shook her head to extinguish it. *No, no! The monitor is mine! How could I give him to Wang Dong? But... the monitor and Wang Dong! If they could become a couple, wouldn't that be such a treat to watch? Oh my! This is such a dilemma!* (*╹▽╹*)

"Thump, thump, thump—"

The sound of quick, rhythmic footsteps approached, but Xiao Xiao was still lost in her tangled thoughts until—

"Bang!"

A loud crash jolted Xiao Xiao out of her trance. Looking at the wall of books that stood taller than a person, she was momentarily stunned. What was happening?

The next instant, the wall of books was stored away into Wang Dong’s storage ring, revealing the stern face of Zhou Yi.

Σ(っQДQ;)っ