Emily looked faintly surprised and said, “No wonder they call her the Water Fairy. Her looks and bearing are truly gentle and captivating.”She paused for a moment, then spoke with a half-smile. “I noticed her watching the two of us nonstop. Could there be some story between you?”Albert sighed helplessly, “With all the grudges between us and Patty, how dare I have any sort of story with her? I suspect she has schemes against me at all times. Back when we traveled together in the Cave Heaven Secret Realm, I kept my guard up around her every second.”“You underestimate your own charm,” Emily shifted her gaze toward Freya standing atop the nearby mountain peak.At that moment, Freya’s light laugh drifted over. “Albert, now that you are safe, I shall take my leave. But remember this — I helped you only for my little sister Kelly’s sake.”With those words, she turned and soared away riding streams of light, followed by more than ten figures radiating powerful energy fluctuations.Albert w

Emily disliked taking advantage of others, yet when an elder bestowed a gift, there was no need to haggle over every detail.“You two performed admirably. I trust you’ve learned just how many hidden powerhouses dwell within the River Boundary Domain.” Thomas smiled faintly.Emily and Albert both nodded. Their long escape had been filled with brutal battles. Rogue God Realm cultivators and hostile factions alike had posed grave threats. Without the reinforcement granted by the Heavenly Dragon Guard formation, even Emily would have been forced to remain perpetually vigilant, relying solely on her own strength.“The foes you faced were roughly matched to your power. Beyond your sight lie High-Grade God Realm warriors capable of crushing you. Some hold back out of fear of the Martin Supreme Clan. Others are pinned down by our clan’s fighters stationed abroad. Your safe return carried no small amount of luck.” Thomas stated.Emily dipped her head slightly. “I will push toward 2-Star God Re

Albert looked at Emily, her usual calm and poised self once again. He clicked his tongue in regret, voice laced with longing. “Give my soft Emily back to me.”Last night’s Emily, bright and tinged with shyness, was a rare sight he would not soon forget.Emily shot him a glance. “I’m off to drills. No missions for the time being, so focus on your cultivation.”She turned to leave, but at the sight of his dejected expression, she strode over. Leaning down, she pressed her cool red lips lightly against his forehead, leaving a faint mark.With that, she spun around cleanly. Her slender, sharp figure carried a trail of fragrance as she stepped out through the door.Watching her graceful retreat, Albert felt a strange sense of role reversal. Who exactly had held whom through the night?Still, it had felt wonderful.Emily’s body was fragrant and soft. Holding her while sleeping soothed his soul far better than any divine elixir.If he could keep this reward forever, nothing would be better.

Albert would likely succeed in evolving his Heavenly Dragon Soul; the real question was what rank he would attain.Thomas gave Dennis his orders. “This evolution will take a long time. Seal off the great hall and bar all entry. Go speak with Emily as well, tell her not to worry.”“Understood.” Dennis bowed and withdrew.Thomas settled into a meditative posture right there in the hall and closed his eyes. He intended to guard the ritual in person.And so he waited.For two full months.During those two months, the River Boundary Domain grew increasingly turbulent. A faint mist began spreading across heaven and earth. The mist was uncanny, carrying faint, insidious whispers that preyed on the mind.The folk of River Boundary Domain knew this phenomenon well: Ghost Mist. Its arrival signaled the Black Rain Ghost Tribulation was brewing.Some feared it. Others rejoiced.For right before the Black Rain Ghost Tribulation descended, the greatest opportunity within River Boundary Domain would

Thomas and Dennis both fixed their gazes on the heart of the purple-gold radiance. Albert’s body visibly stretched taller before their eyes. In mere breaths, he morphed into a small giant standing several meters high.Flesh and blood writhed across his frame. Thomas and Dennis could feel that beneath this rhythmic vibration, Albert’s physical fortitude surged at a staggering rate. Purple-gold runes surfaced over his skin, each winding line resembling a snarling purple-gold divine dragon.“Purple-gold dragon runes. He’s forging his True Heavenly Dragon Body?” Dennis’s eyes sharpened.The True Heavenly Dragon Body was an innate ability of the Heavenly Dragon Soul. This amplification drastically bolstered physical strength, comparable to mastering a top-middle-grade divine body-refining art. The power of this form would grow alongside the Heavenly Dragon Soul’s rank. It had once been one of Andrew’s greatest assets.The emergence of these purple-gold runes on Albert meant his Heavenly Dr