Yu Xiaogang and his soul hunter team returned to Longmen Base before dawn. Xiao Zhan jumped out of the soul guide off-road vehicle, stretched his sore muscles, and grumbled, "I'm exhausted! That trip nearly broke me. The roads outside Notting City are awful. Teacher, when will you invent a soul guide that can fly? It'd make traveling so much easier!"
Xiao Zhan was jealous of Yu Xiaogang's ability to float and fly. Sisi, climbing out of another vehicle, overheard him and said with disappointment, "Xiao Zhan, you're so unambitious! The teacher said we can fly briefly when our mental power reaches the second level. If you practiced harder, you'd be there! I can fly for ten minutes already. You're the leader of Notting City Junior Soul Master Academy, but you're slacking!"
Su Yuntao got out and saw Sisi scolding Xiao Zhan again. Noticing Xiao Zhan's pleading look, he stepped in. "Alright, Sisi, calm down. Xiao Zhan's just not great at spiritual training. He'll catch up. We got a super-age spirit ring this time, and our spirit power's a bit unstable. The teacher told us to consolidate it on the way back."
Sisi huffed at Su Yuntao. "Oh, you're bold now, questioning me? Let's talk about *you* absorbing a spirit ring beyond the teacher's age limit! Do you know how worried I was? Do that again, and I'm done with you!"
Su Yuntao froze, glancing at Xiao Zhan for help. But Xiao Zhan, rubbing his sore back, mumbled about needing sleep and dodged the situation. Luckily, Yu Xiaogang, helping Bibi Dong out of the vehicle, spoke up. "Enough! Su Yuntao, you were reckless this time. No more risks like that—it's too dangerous. All four of you, go practice and stabilize your spirit power. I need to sort out our haul."
"Got it, teacher!" Su Yuntao said, seizing the chance to escape. He grabbed Sisi's hand and hurried off. Sisi pouted, still annoyed, but softened after Su Yuntao made endless promises.
Bibi Dong leaned on Yu Xiaogang's shoulder, watching them leave. She smiled and said, "It's great to be young, isn't it? So carefree. They're lucky to have a teacher like you shielding them. Especially Su Yuntao—with his level 2 innate soul power, you've turned him into a gem."
Flanders and Liu Erlong had already headed to the hotel to grab their things. With no one else around, Yu Xiaogang gently hugged Bibi Dong's shoulders. Seeing the warmth in her eyes, he teased, "Dong'er, you love kids so much. I saw how much you liked Sisi on the trip. How about we try for a daughter of our own next year?"
Bibi Dong's face turned bright red, her neck flushing with shyness. She buried her head in his chest and whispered, "Okay."
Yu Xiaogang grinned, thrilled, and scooped her up, striding toward their small house in Holy Soul Village. Suddenly, Bibi Dong giggled, playfully tapping his chest. "Xiaogang! What are you doing? It's still daytime! I'm all dusty from the fight and haven't showered. Can't we wait until tonight?"
Yu Xiaogang flashed a bright smile at the blushing Bibi Dong. Her beauty, enhanced by her training in spirit, energy, and soul, made his heart race. With his sharp senses, he leaned in and said, "How about we shower together? I'll scrub your back. You must be itchy after traveling all night. Let's rest properly."
Bibi Dong stopped protesting and nestled closer, listening to his steady heartbeat. Soon, Yu Xiaogang carried her into their hut. They spent a joyful, exhausting day together, and he only woke up at night.
Feeling refreshed after a breakthrough in his qi and blood, Yu Xiaogang's body felt stronger than ever. For once, he'd taken the lead. He glanced at Bibi Dong, still sleeping soundly, and gently moved her arms and legs off him. Hungry after the long day, he got up to cook dinner.
Slipping out of the bedroom quietly, Yu Xiaogang started a fire in the kitchen. He was grateful for the storage soul guide—it kept food as fresh as when it was stored, like a perfect refrigerator.
As he cooked, Bibi Dong stirred, reaching for him. Not finding him, she opened her eyes, momentarily confused by the empty bed. But the familiar smell of food calmed her. She smiled as Yu Xiaogang set the table and was about to call her.
A soft breeze carried her scent as she appeared behind him. "That smells amazing, Xiaogang! What did you make today?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Yu Xiaogang felt her warmth against his back and suppressed a stir of excitement. He took her hand, turned, and pulled her into his arms. "Just a simple home-cooked meal. Come on, Dong'er, I'll feed you."
Dinner was slow, with Yu Xiaogang reheating the dishes using soul power. Afterward, he held Bibi Dong on the bedroom sofa and said, "Dong'er, close your eyes and don't resist your spirit power. I'm taking you somewhere special—it might be the key to our future, maybe even to becoming gods."
Bibi Dong's heart raced. Becoming a god was every soul master's dream. She closed her eyes, unable to hide her excitement. Yu Xiaogang smiled—nobody could resist the lure of such power. He spoke to Yunlan in his mind, "Yunlan, locate the God Realm fragment now. Shenlan and I will analyze its structure once our spiritual projections enter. I want that fragment to belong to me, Yu Xiaogang!"
"Got it, Master!" Yunlan replied energetically. "You can count on me!"
Yu Xiaogang hoped this exploration would yield something incredible, like a god's corpse for study. Holding Bibi Dong's hand tightly, their fingers interlocked, he pressed their foreheads together and closed his eyes. He linked his spirit to hers, and through Yunlan's blue silver grass network, they sped toward the God Realm fragment Yunlan had found.
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(End of Chapter)
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