Under the night sky, Lin Feng, who was grilling fish, suddenly let out a loud sneeze.
A bit confused.
He was already a Soul Ancestor now—how was he still sneezing?
Was someone talking about him behind his back?
For such a chain of causality to occur, that person must be frighteningly powerful!
Could it be Qian Daoliu?
Even though that day Chrysanthemum Douluo had dragged out the matter of his relationship with Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan...
Qian Daoliu hadn't shown much anger.
But who could say for sure that he wasn't secretly brooding over it?
Qian Renxue was his precious little granddaughter—especially after Qian Xunji had landed on his blacklist.
His affection for Qian Renxue was practically unmatched.
And now that this fresh flower had been trampled by him—well, it would be strange if the old man wasn't a little upset.
He hadn't shown up at tonight's banquet either.
Thinking back to when they were traveling to Saint Soul Village, and Qian Daoliu had solemnly insisted that he and Qian Renxue sleep separately...
Lin Feng couldn't suppress the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Shaking his head, he handed the grilled fish to Hu Liena, who was eagerly waiting by his side.
"Thank you, Brother Lin Feng."
Lin Feng gave her a light karate chop on the head:
"Call me 'teacher' now."
Hu Liena smiled sweetly and, with her free hand, touched his hand resting on her head:
"Okay, Teacher Lin Feng."
She then smugly glanced over at Dugu Yan, who was silently watching from a distance.
Little brat, Brother Lin Feng is now my teacher, and he's planning to stay in Spirit Hall permanently.
With this connection, I'll have plenty of time to spend with him.
Unlike you—always fighting, always scrapping. Honestly, what has that unlucky grandfather of yours even taught you?
Dugu Yan caught the meaning in Hu Liena's look.
Her vertical pupils narrowed slightly.
She tugged on the sleeve of Dugu Bo, who was munching on food nearby, smacking his lips in satisfaction.
"Grandpa, do the things you used to say still count?"
Dugu Bo blinked, still chewing on lobster:
"What things? When?"
Dugu Yan didn't reply.
Dugu Bo followed her gaze—and saw Lin Feng.
His heart skipped a beat. Ah…
He did seem to have asked Yan-yan once if she wanted Lin Feng as her fiancé.
But times had changed. Lin Feng's future happiness was no longer something he had the right to arrange.
Especially with two heavyweights present—
Pope Bibi Dong, and the third consecrated elder of Spirit Hall, a level-96 Super Douluo—Qing Luan.
It really wasn't his place to speak.
That Bibi Dong was here, he could still understand. She seemed to be accompanying her personal disciple and Lin Feng's half-disciple.
But why was that terrifying consecrated elder here?
Surely it wasn't just to freeload a meal like he was.
The man was usually cold and reserved, and he had hammered him painfully before.
Didn't seem like the type to throw away face for some food.
Strangely, that old Chrysanthemum hadn't come. Dugu Bo found it a bit dull.
Qing Luan stood silently by the grill, casually sprinkled the seasoning Lin Feng had given him, then tore off a drumstick.
He walked alone to the farthest table.
And began to eat slowly and methodically, leaving Dugu Bo dumbfounded.
Wait, seriously? Bro's actually just here for a free meal?
Bibi Dong strolled leisurely up to Lin Feng, her gaze containing a mix of scrutiny and warmth.
"Xiaofeng, regarding Nana's third soul ring—how should she choose? What direction should her future development take?"
Lin Feng glanced at Hu Liena and replied:
"Your Holiness, if I may speak frankly, specializing solely in charm has no future.
It would be better to focus on spiritual power—mental shock, illusionary confusion. It's both offensive and controllable."
Bibi Dong smiled:
"Nana, did you hear that?"
Hu Liena nodded excitedly:
"Mhm, I heard! For my third soul ring, I'll choose a soul beast with offensive traits.
When the time comes, I'll need Teacher Lin Feng to help me choose."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow:
"Helping with the selection is fine, but there's no need for me to accompany you. As the personal disciple of Her Holiness, you'll naturally have escorts."
"Oh—"
Hu Liena exhaled a long sigh in disappointment.
Bibi Dong glanced at her reaction, the corner of her eye stealing a subtle look at Lin Feng.
"Xiaofeng, there's another matter I'd like to consult you on."
Just then, Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan arrived by Lin Feng's side.
Qian Renxue looked at Bibi Dong in surprise.
It was rare to hear her say the word "consult."
Curiously, she asked:
"What is it?"
Bibi Dong looked at how naturally the two stood by Lin Feng's side, and a flash of envy flickered in her eyes.
"Let's talk inside. It's about Xiaofeng's cultivation method."
Lin Feng and Qian Renxue exchanged a glance and nodded.
Returning to the room after many years.
Unlike last time, there was now a faint, almost imperceptible scent lingering in the air.
It was the kind of scent that tugged at one's emotions, like a bewitching poison.
"You're still using whale glue?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, sounding like she was scolding someone.
Qian Renxue blushed. They'd been careful—where was that smell coming from?
Truly baffling.
Bibi Dong snorted in her heart but outwardly maintained a casual tone:
"Speaking of whale glue, I was just discussing it with Xiaofeng earlier today. What I really want to ask now is—how do we go about publicizing the method of condensing Soul Veins?
The concept of Soul Veins is groundbreaking. Once revealed, it's bound to cause a massive stir.
How we respond to other factions will be a major issue as well."
She shrugged and casually sat in the seat next to the main one.
Then reached out and picked up a teacup from beside Lin Feng's seat—still warm with his scent.
She poured herself a cup and began sipping slowly.
Rich and fragrant—it was fine tea!
Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan both widened their eyes, mouths slightly agape.
Qian Renxue pointed at Bibi Dong:
"You…"
Bibi Dong feigned confusion:
"What? It's just a cup of tea. Are you that stingy?"
That killed any motivation Qian Renxue had to explain further.
Too embarrassing. Absolutely ridiculous.
She glared fiercely at Lin Feng—this is what happens when you don't clean up after yourself!
Was this… indirect kissing?
Bibi Dong casually licked the corner of her lips:
"Xiaofeng, what do you think?"
Lin Feng shifted his gaze away from the teacup.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke:
"Actually, there's no rush to reveal the Soul Vein method.
Right now, only with the help of my Innate Treasure Pearl can Soul Vein condensation even be achieved."
Bibi Dong nodded. She had tried herself—ever since obtaining the Undying Body soul skill, she had attempted to merge soul rings into her body.
But it was impossible. The violent energy immediately triggered cooldown on her skills.
Lin Feng continued:
"In a few years, we can use whale glue as bait and Soul Veins as the hook to lure in talent.
Let Soul Veins become a prize that all other factions desperately covet. Lure every soul master in the world into our net.
Make a public declaration and select a number of the next generation's top talents from other factions—help them condense a Soul Vein.
Once they've benefited, they'll willingly hand over control to us, because..."
Lin Feng smiled:
"I'm the only one who can help them condense a Soul Vein."
Bibi Dong looked at the smiling Lin Feng with some surprise. Normally, she hadn't noticed—
Who would've thought?
This guy has a devious side too.