Ever since learning that Qian Renxue wanted to return to Spirit City, Qian Daoliu had begun preparing for her journey.
After collecting a large amount of whale glue from the eastern seas and testing it himself, Qian Daoliu confirmed its effects.
Although the thousand-year whale glue had a strong, fishy smell, its effects were undeniable.
Due to the additional effects of the whale glue, Qian Daoliu found himself reminiscing about his younger days.
In his daze, he seemed to dream of Bo Saixi, as beautiful and captivating as ever, while he had aged into middle age.
Sitting quietly in the empty Hall of Worship, he sighed, waiting for Qian Renxue and Lin Feng to arrive.
---
Down in the city, Dugu Bo was playing with Dugu Yan, who was perched on his shoulders.
Dugu Yan tugged at Dugu Bo's now-black hair.
"Grandpa, grandpa, look over there. Is that Brother Lin?"
Dugu Bo put down the snack he was eating and looked in the direction Dugu Yan was pointing.
He set Dugu Yan down, cursing himself for not noticing sooner. His spiritual perception still needed work.
His eyebrows raised as he noticed the girl beside Lin Feng.
She was stunning—fair-skinned with golden hair, her eyes clear and cold, exuding an undeniable noble aura. Her identity was obvious.
He glanced at Dugu Yan, who was munching on candy and staring curiously at Lin Feng and his companions. Dugu Bo's mouth twitched.
No wonder Lin Feng had always refused. The girl beside him was truly extraordinary.
Even the woman next to her, who radiated the aura of a Soul Douluo, was exceptionally beautiful. Dugu Yan simply couldn't compare.
As Lin Feng and the others approached, Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes, noticing that Lin Feng's hands were occupied. He couldn't help but tease.
"Long time no see, Lin Feng. You've been living well, I see. Who are these two?"
Lin Feng ignored the teasing glint in Dugu Bo's eyes and introduced them.
"This is Ling Yuan, an 85th-level Soul Douluo.
And this is Xue'er."
"Big brother, is this Sister Xue your fiancée? She's so beautiful!"
Dugu Yan's eyes sparkled.
Actually, both of them are…
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up, and she smiled.
"Yes, yes, you're right, Yan Yan. Here's a lollipop as a reward."
She pulled out a lollipop from her storage pouch and handed it to Dugu Yan.
"Thank you, Sister Xue."
Dugu Yan's cheeks turned red. Sister Xue was so strange—why was she pinching her cheeks?
Qian Renxue couldn't resist playing with Dugu Yan for a while before standing up.
"Senior Dugu, have you been enjoying your time in Spirit City?"
Dugu Bo stroked his beard and chuckled.
"Of course, I've been having a great time."
Not only had he obtained an 88,000-year ninth soul ring without any trouble, but he had also gained a soul skill that perfectly suited him.
In Spirit City, there was nothing much for him to do.
Although his peers kept their distance because of his previous boasting about his relationship with Qian Daoliu, it only proved his importance to Spirit Hall.
Every day, he just played with Dugu Yan, and at the beginning of each month, he received thousands of gold soul coins. Life couldn't be better.
Ling Yuan smiled.
"Senior Dugu, it's been almost a year."
Dugu Bo's heart tightened. Had it really been that long?
He looked up at the sky.
"What's a year or two? Time flies. When Yan Yan grows up, I plan to send her to the primary academy here. What do you think?"
Lin Feng chuckled inwardly. Dugu Bo probably wouldn't want to leave even if asked.
Once Lin Feng's theories were published, Dugu Bo would likely beg for a position to do something meaningful.
"Of course. If Yan Yan wants to study at Spirit Hall's academy, I'll make sure she has the best teachers."
"Thank you, Sister Xue."
Dugu Yan tugged at Qian Renxue's skirt, signaling her to crouch down.
She glanced at Ling Yuan and whispered in Qian Renxue's ear.
"Sister Xue, is this sister also Brother Lin's fiancée?"
Qian Renxue's face turned red, and she nodded slightly.
"Can I…"
Qian Renxue's eyes widened. "No!"
"Oh… why not?" Dugu Yan pouted, her eyes welling up with tears.
Qian Renxue panicked.
"Yan Yan, listen to me…"
Their whispers couldn't escape the ears of the soul masters present.
Dugu Bo clicked his tongue, giving Lin Feng and Ling Yuan a teasing look.
However, he was met with Ling Yuan's icy glare, filled with warning.
Dugu Bo's heart skipped a beat. That look was terrifying.
He pulled Lin Feng aside and transmitted his voice.
"Kid, you've got some nerve. Aren't you afraid the Grand Worship will be furious?"
Lin Feng rolled his eyes.
"Why do you care? Xue'er isn't mad."
Dugu Bo was taken aback.
"By the way, where's that little sister of yours, the one about Yan Yan's age? Did she run off in a jealous fit?"
Lin Feng shrugged. That little sister was currently comforting Dugu Yan.
"Something like that."
"Haha, so it's not all smooth sailing, huh?" Dugu Bo couldn't help but gloat.
"It's fine. We need to report to the Grand Worship now. Let's catch up another day, Senior Dugu."
Dugu Bo nodded, pulling Dugu Yan, who was now happily chatting with Qian Renxue.
"Alright. My residence in the city is at… I'm there every day. You're welcome anytime."
He paused, then added, "You can bring that damn Ju Douluo too."
Lin Feng laughed. Had they developed some kind of friendship?
"Goodbye, Sister Xue, Sister Ling Yuan, and Brother Lin! Come play with me sometime, Yan Yan~"
---
On the way to the Hall of Worship, Qian Renxue hummed.
"I didn't expect Dugu Yan to still be so attached to you. She still remembers Dugu Bo's joke about you becoming her husband?
Lin Feng, your charm is truly something~"
Lin Feng rubbed his forehead.
"She's just a child. Don't take it seriously. Are you really jealous of a kid?"
Qian Renxue glanced at the delicate hand Lin Feng was holding and smiled.
"What do you think?"
---
From a distance, Qian Daoliu watched as Lin Feng held two hands, deep in thought.
His heart felt cold.
Although he had prepared himself after that night when Qian Renxue sneaked into Lin Feng's room, he hadn't expected her to openly display her relationship with Lin Feng in front of him so soon.
And why was Ling Yuan blushing while holding Lin Feng's hand? Couldn't Xue'er see that?
Why are you smiling? Your man is being taken away, and you're smiling?
Qian Daoliu felt his vision darken, his brain struggling to process the situation.
If his logic was correct, Lin Feng was now in a relationship with both of them, and Qian Renxue was perfectly fine with it.
"What the…"
Qian Daoliu nearly cursed out loud.
His usually calm face twisted with conflicting emotions.
So, out of the two people he had assigned to Lin Feng, both had been won over by him?
Damn it, what did this kid have that he didn't? When he was pursuing Xi Xi, things hadn't been this smooth!
And that damned Tang Chen!
Regaining his composure, Qian Daoliu watched as the three approached.
He ignored the downcast Ling Yuan and the nervous Qian Renxue.
Any thoughts of praising Lin Feng for his achievements in Heaven Dou City were long gone.
His eyes locked onto Lin Feng, who was smiling calmly, and he gritted his teeth.
"Kid, you're quite the player, aren't you?"