"Look over there—what's going on at the Spirit Hall?"
"There's so much commotion inside. Did someone crash the place?"
"Whoa, that pressure… Are two Title Douluo fighting in there?"
Ordinary civilians had long fled the scene in panic, but the soul masters, emboldened by their strength, didn't run. On the contrary, they stood around, watching the collapse of the Spirit Hall with interest.
"Traveler, I feel like I'm brimming with power!"
"Cough cough—let's get out first, the smoke's choking me."
Two murmurs echoed from the ruins of the Spirit Hall. Moments later, two figures stepped out from the debris.
"Thank goodness! You're okay, brother! And wait… Paimon?"
Yu Keke was overjoyed to see Aether walk out unscathed. She waved her arms excitedly, but when her gaze shifted to the figure behind him, her jaw dropped, eyes filled with disbelief.
"Is… is that Paimon?"
Even Xue Qinghe's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the radiant figure behind Aether.
The woman behind him had the face of a cold, distant goddess—a 'don't-come-near-me' aura that stopped people in their tracks. A white queen's halo floated above her head, and her figure was tall and elegant.
She wore a tight-fitting outfit of black and white that perfectly accentuated her curves, adorned with specks of starlight—hypnotic to look at, impossible to look away from.
Her legs were like polished jade, flawlessly smooth and white. On her feet were white high heels, the material soft and exquisite, the heels slender and tall. Every step she took echoed with an entrancing rhythm.
"Huh? Keke, Qinghe, what's wrong?"
The woman walked up to the two, waving a hand in front of their faces as she noticed their stunned expressions.
"You… you're Paimon?"
Xue Qinghe stared dumbfounded at the elegant beauty before him.
"Mm-hmm? Do I not look like her?"
Paimon raised her hands to admire her now-slender figure and even twirled in place. The heavy breathing from the crowd watching nearby added significantly to global warming.
"When did Heaven Dou City get a goddess like this?!"
"Not a mortal beauty—she must be a fairy descended from the heavens!"
"Coach, I really want one like her…"
"Want your head examined, maybe! Don't you feel that terrifying energy? She's gotta be at least a Title Douluo-level powerhouse!"
"Did you guys see that person next to her? I think this fairy's following him…"
"Huh? Who?"
"You don't know? You just got here, didn't you? That guy's strength is off the charts! Even Sword Douluo couldn't take one move from him. I bet there's not a soul in the world who could beat him!"
"You kidding me? Sword Douluo didn't even last one move!?"
"Bah, you're all wrong! My aunt's sister's cousin's uncle was at the auction house that day—just one look from that man and Sword Douluo coughed up blood, dropped to his knees, and begged for mercy!"
"…"
"Wow~ Paimon, you're so tall now! And so beautiful!"
Yu Keke ran forward on tiptoe and hugged Paimon tightly, her little head pressing right into the impressive peaks of Paimon's chest. She sniffed deeply at the unique fragrance lingering on Paimon's body, her face glowing with happiness.
"Alright, Keke, people are watching…"
Even the usually cold, aloof expression on Paimon's face gave way to a blush as Keke snuggled against her. She looked embarrassed and a little flustered.
Xue Qinghe couldn't help comparing her own feminine charm to Paimon's radiant form.
She had always prided herself on her beauty, but in front of the current Paimon, she could barely call it a draw—and in terms of aura, she was clearly outmatched.
"Brother Aether, did Paimon awaken… or not?"
Xue Qinghe asked as Aether approached.
Wasn't Paimon supposed to awaken her spirit?
Then how did such a massive change occur? The energy around her was terrifying, but it wasn't soul power—Xue Qinghe could tell that much.
Did something go wrong during the awakening process?
"Yeah… I don't really know either…"
Aether looked at his long-time companion with a complex expression.
Paimon was no longer the small, floating sprite from before. Now, she was actually taller than he was.
Who's the emergency food now…?
He wasn't even sure anymore—was this a spirit awakening, or something entirely different?
All along, as they'd traveled together day and night, he'd suspected there was more to Paimon than met the eye.
Now, those suspicions seemed to be confirmed.
A spirit awakening? Looking at her now, it was more like a full-on transformation.
"Traveler…"
Paimon gently patted Yu Keke's head, lifting her out of the embrace. Then she turned to Aether.
"Hm?"
"Come here."
"…"
What the hell is with this queen-like aura? Why does my body want to obey her without question!?
Aether hesitated, struggling internally, but still walked over and asked:
"Little Paimon, are you feeling okay? Anything uncomfortable?"
"Little Paimon?"
Paimon's starry eyes narrowed with amusement. She reached out her slender hand and lifted his chin playfully, pulling him close. In a sultry, teasing voice, she asked:
"Hmm? What part of me is little, exactly? Do tell~"
She even pressed forward slightly, and Aether could feel a soft pressure against his arm.
"Stop messing around… This is a little much for me to take in…"
Aether pushed her hand away, emotions swirling in his heart.
That silly, adorable little Paimon had turned into this… this alluring, commanding woman.
And she was teasing him now?
"Hehe~"
Paimon burst out laughing at the awkward look on Aether's face.
Her smile was like a snow lotus blooming on an icy peak—ethereal and dazzling, making everything else pale in comparison.
"What's the matter? Don't like me this way?"
Paimon folded her arms, smiling sweetly at Aether.
"Why don't you change back? This version of you is kind of… intimidating."
"Nope. Your eyes are telling me you do like it."
Paimon shook her head gently. In this form, she could stir his emotions much more easily.
"…Besides, I don't know how to change back."
In the awakening array earlier, she had felt her body heat up over time, but hadn't noticed any obvious change.
But then—somehow—an overwhelming force surged from the outside world, and her body responded instinctively, craving that energy and absorbing it madly.
After that, she felt herself growing—bigger, yes—but it didn't feel wrong. It felt… natural. Like she had always been meant to be this way.
"Hey now, I feel really great! You don't need to worry about me."
Seeing the troubled look on Aether's face, this cold-beauty Paimon pulled him into her arms without warning.
Warmth enveloped him, and her fragrance tickled his nose—so much that he nearly forgot how to breathe.
_
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