Off to sunset forest again

Several hours passed in serene silence, The girls were immersed in the profound changes brought by the immortal herbs.

The first to complete her absorption was none other than Ning Rongrong. Her eyes widened in awe as she instinctively released her martial soul.

A gasp escaped her lips.

Her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, which previously had seven layers with seven distinct hues, had transformed—no, evolved—into a nine-story pagoda radiating nine dazzling colors of light.

Stunned, Rongrong stared at the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, still dazed, until her gaze shifted toward Tang Yin. He was watching her with a knowing smile.

"You… you knew?" she whispered, then, without warning, threw herself into his arms and kissed him tenderly, tears glistening in her eyes.

Tang Yin held her with a pleased grin, clearly enjoying her enthusiasm.

Just then, another gasp rang out—this time from Meng Yiran. Her serpent cane had undergone a dramatic transformation, turning into a majestic dragon-headed staff.

"This… this is a top-level Wuhun!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

Ning Rongrong, suddenly realizing what she'd just done, pushed Tang Yin away, her cheeks flushed scarlet. "I got a little excited, that's all! Don't think too much into it, understood?" she huffed, crossing her arms with her usual haughty flair.

Tang Yin raised his hands in mock surrender. "Don't worry, I wouldn't dare. After all, I don't have a powerful background or a great clan behind me. How could I possibly have any thoughts about the princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan?"

Rongrong blinked, visibly taken aback. Her lips trembled as she blurted, "That's not fair! If you don't take responsibility, who will?! You're marrying this little princess, and that's final!"

Before Tang Yin could react, a pair of soft arms snaked around his neck, and Meng Yiran's lips crashed into his in a heated, impulsive kiss—right in front of a wide-eyed, slack-jawed Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong stood frozen, mouth agape, unable to form words.

The kiss lingered just long enough to leave Tang Yin slightly dazed, enjoying the sweet aftertaste, before Yiran suddenly realized what she'd done. With a squeak, she turned tail and bolted, her face beet red, not daring to meet anyone's eyes.

Zhu Zhuqing, who had also completed her absorption, stood calmly off to the side. Though her martial soul hadn't evolved, her overall talent had received a major upgrade. A black, tar-like substance oozed from her pores—impurities expelled by the marrow-cleansing effect of the immortal herb.

Her Eight Extraordinary Meridians had been cleared, and her soul power now flowed more smoothly than ever before.

Unlike Rongrong and Yiran, Zhuqing wasn't impulsive. But she didn't want to be left behind either. Stepping forward quietly, she tiptoed up to Tang Yin, pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, and then quickly dashed away, her catlike grace betrayed only by her blushing ears.

Then came Dugu Yan. Her transformation was nothing short of incredible.

Not only had her soul power increased dramatically, but it had also become denser, laying the groundwork for her future soul core. Just as she was about to lunge at Tang Yin with a devilish grin, a high-pitched shriek pierced the air.

Ye Lingling.

Tang Yin turned to find the petite, porcelain-like girl with silver hair trembling, her violet eyes brimming with tears.

His heart clenched. So cute, he thought.

But Ye Lingling wasn't crying out of fear or pain—she was overwhelmed with joy. Her cursed martial soul had evolved. The burden of her bloodline, the tragedy that plagued her family for generations, had been lifted.

Seeing this, Dugu Yan quietly stepped back, her own joy turning to heartfelt support as she walked over. "Lingling, did your Wuhun really evolve?"

Ye Lingling nodded eagerly, her entire face glowing with happiness.

She released her martial soul.

Gone was the Nine Heart Flowering Apple. Instead, a radiant apple hovered in her palm, bathed in dazzling light.

"This new Wuhun can still heal… but now it can provide other auxiliary boosts too, just like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda," she explained softly. Her eyes drifted to Tang Yin and lingered.

Without warning, she dashed forward and pecked his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered, then scurried behind Dugu Yan, hiding her face in her hands.

Tang Yin clapped his hands loudly, drawing everyone's attention."All right, ladies. It looks like everyone's going to be needing a soul ring soon, am I right?"

The girls nodded in agreement—except for Meng Yiran, who raised her hand hesitantly.

"Sorry, Tang Yin. I've just broken through to Soul Level 39. I won't be needing a soul ring just yet,"

Tang Yin turned to her with a dazzling smile. "You'll reach Level 40 tonight. Don't worry."

Dugu Yan immediately shot him a venomous glare. "Rogue!" she muttered under her breath, cheeks flushing ever so slightly.

Tang Yin, completely unfazed by Dugu yan's reaction, continued as if he hadn't just made a wildly bold claim in front of everyone.

"I'll be asking Yan Yan's grandfather to escort all of us to Sunset Forest tomorrow. He will help us find suitable soul rings," Tang Yin said with a faint smile. "And for me… I've got some important matters to handle with Senior Dugu Bo, so I might be gone for, oh… about three months or so."

As he spoke, the unmistakable crash of a shattered clay pot echoed from the next room.

Tang Yin didn't even flinch. He already knew—Liu Erlong had been eavesdropping.

Smiling to himself, he carried on, "So pack up and get ready for tomorrow's adventure to sunset forest."

The girls dispersed in unison for preparation.

As they fled out, Tang Yin made his way toward the adjacent room, where a pair of curious eyes peeked through a gap in the wooden wall.

He chuckled softly. "Dear Erlong, why don't you come in and join me?"

Hearing him call her dear with such affection, Liu Erlong nearly fainted on the spot. Blushing furiously, she stepped inside, only for Tang Yin to gently pull her into his arms and guide her toward the bedroom, holding her waist with care.

Her voice trembled. "You said… you'll be gone for three months? Can you not go?" she asked hopefully.

Tang Yin held her hands and kissed them gently. "I don't want to go either. But it's something important. I'll miss you dearly… and I hope you'll miss me too, Erlong."

As he raised his gaze to her beautiful eyes, Liu Erlong leaned forward and kissed him softly—then deeper. Time seemed to slow down, as the two melted into each other. Tang Yin pulled her into his lap, one hand wrapped around her waist, the other entwined in her flowing hair.

Breathless, they finally parted.

Liu Erlong looked into his eyes and whispered, "I hope… you don't hate me for being older."

Tang Yin smiled tenderly. "I don't care about age. You're beautiful, Erlong. I love you just as you are."

With that, he pulled her into another deep, passionate kiss.

When they finally separated, Tang Yin looked serious. "Erlong… when I come back, will you be my woman?"

Her eyes sparkled with emotion. "I already am"

Tang Yin stayed with her until evening, savoring the warmth of her presence. He also passed on the mysterious heaven record to Liu Erlong with his telepathy.

"I'm passing you the Mysterious Heaven Record," he said softly. "It's a powerful cultivation method… but I've added a seal. You won't be able to share it with anyone else."

Liu Erlong nodded without hesitation, her eyes full of trust. "As long as it's from you, I'll cherish it."

Then, with a light heart and a satisfied grin, Tang yin headed toward Meng Yiran's dorm.

Standing outside, he called, "Yiran! I'm here!"

The door flung open immediately. "Tang Yin! Come in!" she said, tugging him inside without hesitation.

Before he could say a word, she had already dragged him into her bedroom.

Tang Yin raised a brow. "Is she expecting something? Hmm… well, I'll fulfill my duty."

Without missing a beat, he took out a chunk containing a milky, shimmering resin from his soul tool. "Yiran, this is a rare treasure—Millennium Whale Glue. My personal secret. It aids in marrow cleansing, body enhancement, and boosts soul power reserve."

He paused, then added solemnly, "However, there's a side effect… It greatly increases desire. Things may get a little… embarrassing. But I'll guide you through it."

Yiran's face flushed from her neck to the tips of her ears. "Um… okay."

She sat down cross-legged as Tang Yin guided her through the Mysterious Heaven Technique. At first, all went well—but soon her temperature spiked, and her breathing quickened. Her self-control crumbled, and with a fiery look in her eyes, she lunged at Tang Yin.

He caught her gently, smiling wryly. "Looks like the side effect kicked in…"

What followed could only be described as… passionate frustration relief.

(Hundreds of words omitted for modesty's sake.)

The next morning, Tang Yin and the girls bid a heartfelt farewell to Liu Erlong before setting off alongside Dugu Bo, their destination— The Sunset Forest.

[FYI Meng Yiran is more than 18+ according to original story]