Qian Renxue's sudden question caught Lin Feng by surprise.
Normally, when Ling Yuan was present, Qian Renxue would never ask something like that.
But today felt... a little strange.
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes, eagerly awaiting Lin Feng's response.
Ling Yuan had dragged her along to wear this kind of outfit, as if cheering her on — but clearly with some hidden intent.
How could she not feel some emotions herself? This was a great opportunity to let the instigator, Lin Feng, feel a bit tormented.
Lin Feng hesitated for a moment, then tactfully gave his opinion:
"Honestly, in terms of appearance alone, Xiaoxue, you definitely have the edge — a beauty like a fleeting glimpse of a celestial being, truly one of a kind."
Ling Yuan's gaze dimmed slightly, but she kept listening closely. She knew Lin Feng well enough to be sure he wasn't done.
Sure enough.
Lin Feng cleared his throat and continued under Qian Renxue's proud gaze:
"But in terms of graceful figure, gentle temperament, and refined elegance, Sister Ling Yuan is still slightly better."
Qian Renxue studied Ling Yuan carefully, then glanced at herself and pouted:
"Just wait a few more years. By then, Sister Ling Yuan won't be able to compete with me."
"Giggle."
Ling Yuan covered her mouth with a light laugh.
"Hmph."
"By the way, the person replacing you for the mission hasn't passed the test yet? I thought they had already started doing some impersonation work."
Lying in Lin Feng's arms, Qian Renxue waved her hand:
"Almost done. I should be able to return to Spirit Hall and see Grandpa by next month."
And that woman...
Qian Renxue closed her eyes. Just thinking about Bibi Dong made her irritated.
What exactly did she mean back then in the Scripture Pavilion — "the Qian family owes her"?
Did Father do something to hurt her, making her hold this grudge all along?
Qian Renxue frowned. Back then, she and Lin Feng had been suppressed by Bibi Dong and couldn't even ask questions.
Even if they could, she probably wouldn't care to answer anyway.
Thinking about this made Qian Renxue feel a little wronged.
She sighed and stopped thinking about Bibi Dong, instead shifting her position and hugging Lin Feng around the waist.
She took a deep breath of his fresh scent and drifted off into a light nap.
Indeed, being by Xiao Feng's side is the most comfortable. That woman? I don't want to think about her anymore.
Ling Yuan was momentarily lost in thought, glancing at the now-sleeping Qian Renxue.
Her lips curled up slightly as she leaned on Lin Feng's right arm, her fuller curves pressing against him.
"Sister Ling Yuan, have you thought of your Title yet?"
"So soon? I'm still five levels away — how could it be that fast?"
Ling Yuan chuckled softly.
Lin Feng shook his head: "Sister Ling Yuan, you're underestimating the effect of the immortal herbs. Your past aptitude can't even compare to now.
With two cultivation paths, you'll definitely reach Titled Douluo within five years."
Ling Yuan gave a gentle hum in reply:
"What do you think my Title should be?"
"Let's go with... Nihong (Rainbow Phoenix)."
On the road back to Spirit Hall, Lin Feng felt somewhat sentimental.
In just a few short months, so much had happened during their trip to Heaven Dou City.
After absorbing two immortal herbs and tempering her golden body, Qian Renxue's cultivation had skyrocketed again.
Now ten years old, she had already reached level 39. Soon, she would break through to Soul Ancestor.
Lin Feng himself had reached level 28 and would soon be 29 — within three months, he'd be a Soul Expert.
Besides power growth, this trip to Heaven Dou had accomplished key goals:
They secured the immortal herbs — the most important objective.
They subdued the Jiuxin Begonia clan and the entire Dugu family.
They successfully implemented their plan to seize Heaven Dou from within.
Now Qian Renxue no longer had to stay undercover for over a decade.
Tang San's greatest opportunities had also been intercepted.
By now, Tang Hao should be in Holy Soul Village.
But since they just settled down, his guard was likely still up.
A level-95 Titled Douluo fighting with full strength — combined with his explosive spirit rings and the Great Sumeru Hammer — would be difficult to handle.
They might need several elders to take him down.
If they startled him or if he got angry and began slaughtering civilians, things could get messy.
Maybe it would be better to let Qian Daoliu go take him down directly?
Lin Feng stroked his chin, thinking.
For cornered prey like Tang Hao, a direct assault might not be best. Better to lay a trap and wait.
Soon, Lin Feng would travel the continent. With access to information, more actions could begin.
As for Tang San, Lin Feng was quite curious. If, in his first term at Nuoding Academy, he read a letter from his father and believed Tang Hao was just out running errands...
But in truth, their fates were forever separated — what kind of expression would he show when he learned the truth?
To Lin Feng, Tang San was no longer much of a threat.
Tang San was stubborn, narrow-minded, possessed strong pride and independence.
Even if he later acquired the cultivation methods passed down by Lin Feng, he'd probably scoff and insist they were inferior to his Xuan Tian Gong.
Or worse — after disparaging them, he'd secretly practice them while self-righteously claiming:
"This method has some merits, but it's far inferior to my Tang Sect's top techniques.
Still, as the saying goes, all paths lead to enlightenment — I'll use this as a supplement to my Xuan Tian Gong.
Just like the Grandmaster — study others' work and make it my own."
Lin Feng shook his head — that really did sound like something Tang San would do.
A month later, after a journey filled with sightseeing, Qian Renxue and her group finally returned to Spirit Hall.
Unlike Heaven Dou City, Spirit Hall's grandeur and majesty far outshone it.
Nestled between two mountains, its imposing presence surpassed that of any other main city.
Looking at the familiar cityscape, both Lin Feng and Qian Renxue felt nostalgic.
But Ling Yuan… felt anxious.
So much had happened during their months away.
Originally, the Grand Priest only sent her to act as a protector for Lin Feng and Qian Renxue.
Because her spirit had the essence of the Phoenix — rebirth through fire and immortal traits — she was assigned to help research Lin Feng's meridian reconstruction.
In the end, she hadn't really helped Lin Feng much.
Instead, she was constantly being guided by this much younger man, drawn in by his talent and courage. And then...
Even now, Ling Yuan didn't know whether the Grand Priest had figured out the relationship between her, Lin Feng, and Qian Renxue.
That rather effeminate elder seemed to be gossiping with the silent one every day.
Lately, their looks toward her were laced with teasing and mockery.
Who knows if they had told the Grand Priest?
Protector, protector… How did this turn into becoming his little wife? And even competing with Xiaoxue?
Ling Yuan, who felt like she had landed on Qian Daoliu's blacklist, was growing worried.
"Xiao Feng, Xiaoxue, when we go see the Grand Priest… should I just not go?"
Ling Yuan bit her lip, clearly conflicted.
Qian Renxue blinked, then gently pulled Ling Yuan's hand, patting it softly.
"Relax. Even if Grandpa is unhappy, he can't stop it.
This is my choice. What can he say?"
Ling Yuan nodded and smiled:
"Thank you, Xiaoxue."
From farther away, Chrysanthemum Douluo clicked his tongue and sent a sound transmission to Ghost Douluo, voice filled with excitement:
"See that? It's confirmed. That kid Lin Feng really pulled it off — he got Ling Yuan!"
Ghost Douluo didn't react, replying only with:
"Childish."
T/N: For up to fifteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle