T/N: I'm back.
Dugu Yan's gaze shifted between Lin Feng and Qian Renxue. Suddenly, she grabbed Qian Renxue and pulled her aside.
"Sister Xue'er, haven't you eaten up Brother Lin Feng yet?"
Qian Renxue's eyes widened, her ears turning red. She sneaked a glance at Lin Feng and thumped Dugu Yan on the head in exasperation.
"You little brat, where did you learn such things?!"
Dugu Yan rubbed her head and stuck out her tongue.
"I'm not that little anymore. I know a lot, okay? Don't underestimate me, Sister Xue'er.
Besides, you've all been away for so long. Why haven't you taken Brother Lin Feng yet? Same with Sister Lingyuan. Aren't you two in a hurry?"
Qian Renxue inhaled sharply. Impressive, truly. Even though she had already claimed Xiao Feng as hers when she was around eight, she felt like she couldn't compete with Dugu Yan now.
Could it be that Xiao Feng's pathway doesn't just accelerate soul power cultivation, but also mental development?
Qian Renxue shook her head."What's there to rush for? Your Brother Xiao Feng is practically ours already… Wait, why am I even explaining this to you!"
Annoyed and embarrassed, she pinched Dugu Yan's cheeks.
"Don't ask about this again! And don't study this stuff so early, got it?!"
Dugu Yan tilted her head."But Grandpa said that when you guys come back, I should already be able to meet my little brother or sister."
Qian Renxue gritted her teeth. Oh, so this is the root of the problem? Damn that Dugu Bo, corrupting even Yan Yan.
Back then he was encouraging Dugu Yan to become one of Xiao Feng's concubines, and now he's spreading rumors? Looks like he's asking for another round of training from Chrysanthemum Douluo. It's been too long since his last beating, and his butt must be itchy again.
"Yan Yan, what's your grandpa's current position?"
Dugu Yan thought for a moment.
"He's one of the Elders now, part of the Douluo Palace under the jurisdiction of the Pope's Palace."
Qian Renxue froze. So he's a double agent?
Noticing Qian Renxue's confusion, Dugu Yan explained:
"Grandpa just works for the Pope's Palace, but his real backing is the Douluo Palace. I heard the Pope's Palace doesn't have enough Titled Douluo, and there's too much work to be done.
Grandpa said he wanted to contribute more to the Spirit Hall, so he joined the Pope's Palace."
Qian Renxue was speechless. With only two Titled Douluo handling affairs in the Pope's Palace right now, it's tough on Bibi Dong too.
Dugu Yan rubbed her chin like Lin Feng would:
"Come to think of it, Grandpa's been going to the Douluo Palace a lot lately. He comes back every time covered in wounds, mumbling things like 'refreshed and invigorated.' I have no idea what he's doing there, and I don't want to know."
As Lin Feng approached, he was left speechless.
"Yan Yan, what's your grandpa's ninth soul skill like?"
Dugu Yan clapped her hands:
"I think it summons six massive dragons that look like the Bi-Phosphorus Poison Dragon Emperor. They charge forward and it's really powerful. I saw him use it once when we went to the forest.
He stood on the poison dragon and laughed maniacally—like a total idiot."
So he's really feeling "invigorated" now?
The original wide-range poison-attribute skill had evolved into Toxic Dragon Soaring?
Maybe he's been sparring with the Worship Hall members and got beaten until he nearly lost control…
Lin Feng shook his head:
"Yan Yan, since you're here, I'll go ahead and teach you the fourth pathway."
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up:
"Really?! Brother Lin Feng, you made another breakthrough in your research!? I'm the first to know, right?"
Lin Feng nodded with a smile:
"Don't get too excited, it's just one week early."
Dugu Yan pouted:
"What, only one week? I thought Brother Lin Feng was giving me special treatment. You're no fun."
Lin Feng chuckled:
"Next time, when I make a new breakthrough, I'll let you know way in advance, how's that?"
"Hehe, it's a deal!"
Lin Feng took Qian Renxue's hand and looked at Dugu Yan, who was chirping nonstop, asking about their adventures.
"Yan Yan, it's getting late. Why don't you head back first?"
Dugu Yan blinked, glanced at the sky, then at Lin Feng, Qian Renxue, and Lingyuan, whose expression was hard to read. She nodded in realization:
"Oh~ then Yan Yan will go first. Brother Lin Feng, Sister Xue'er, Sister Lingyuan—don't forget to come play with me!"
—
Qian Renxue and Lingyuan both let out a long sigh of relief once Dugu Yan finally left.
Qian Renxue rolled her eyes at Lin Feng:
"I didn't expect Yan Yan to admire you that much.
She even praised your cooking like it was a divine skill."
Lin Feng shrugged:
"Isn't it worth praising? These days, a lot of men can cook, but those who match my skills? Maybe three in ten—rare as phoenix feathers."
Qian Renxue chuckled:
"Such a braggart. Why weren't you this bold the other night?"
Lingyuan also nodded and covered her mouth with a giggle:
"Xiao Feng probably enjoys being pursued. Only when we take the initiative does he get 'dominant.'"
Lin Feng raised a brow:
"You two really don't understand your husband, huh?Zhou—come with me into the room!"
Not wanting to show favoritism, Lin Feng swept Lingyuan into his arms. Amid her startled cry, the two vanished into the bedroom.
Qian Renxue's cheeks turned red. After mentally calculating the date, she realized—it was Sister Lingyuan's turn. She huffed and went back to her own room.
"If I had known, I wouldn't have agreed to Sister Lingyuan back then—letting a wolf into the house, hmph!"
The soft morning light filtered through the misty forest. Dewdrops clung to the leaves.
Lin Feng touched the bedding beside him. Sure enough, today's humidity made even the sheets damp.
He nudged Lingyuan:
"Sister Lingyuan, time to get up."
Lingyuan murmured hoarsely, her lips a little swollen:
"No... Xiao Feng, you're too mean… let me sleep a bit more."
She barely opened her sleepy eyes, pouted, blinked her lashes, then closed her eyes again.
Her arms shifted positions, and in doing so, her soft curves pressed and moved against Lin Feng's chest. Something like cherries brushed his chin.
Was this supposed to be temptation?
Lin Feng sighed. Seeing how exhausted Lingyuan looked, he held back, brushing her hair gently and tucking the blanket up to cover her more completely.
At the breakfast table, food was already laid out.
Qian Renxue sat with arms crossed, one foot tapping impatiently, frequently glancing toward Lin Feng's room.
"That stupid Xiao Feng. Overtime again. Sister Lingyuan, you must've sneakily extended time again. Trying to sleep in like me, huh? Hmph."
Frustrated, Qian Renxue picked up her chopsticks and glared at the steamed buns in front of her.
"Fine! I'll eat, eat, eat—I'll finish all the breakfast! That'll teach you two for not getting up!"
Another hour passed before the two finally emerged.
Yawn—
Lingyuan stretched and looked curiously at Qian Renxue:
"Xiao Xue, what's wrong?"
Qian Renxue pulled Lingyuan aside:
"Sister Lingyuan! Why did you extend time again?"
Lingyuan raised her brow:
"You're one to talk. You slept until noon last time. Did I say anything?"
Qian Renxue blushed:
"T-that was… fine, I'll admit I was wrong. But next time, neither of us is allowed to extend time!"
Lingyuan chuckled to herself but agreed:
"Alright, alright~ no more overtime~"
Yeah right, like that'll happen.
T/N: For twenty chapters ahead on all my fics become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle