Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan exchanged glances, silently signaling to each other.
"You go first."
"No, I'll go after you."
In their silent back-and-forth, both their faces grew increasingly red.
In the end, it was Ling Yuan who caved under Qian Renxue's "pressure" and made the first move.
Her delicate hands wrapped around Lin Feng from behind, gently caressing his chest. Her touch was soft, boneless, and smooth, like silk gliding over skin.
Her voluptuous figure pressed softly against his back, bringing a double sensation of softness.
"Mmh—"
Lin Feng's heartbeat sped up, accelerating the refining of the whale glue within him.
Though the amount wasn't much and he could remain clear-headed, the sensations were still rather overwhelming.
His flushed cheeks deepened in color.
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, excitedly leaned in, and gently touched Lin Feng's cheek.
Unlike usual, both of them visibly shuddered at the contact, as though shocked by electricity.
Whoa—!
Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled with intrigue, as if she'd just discovered something very amusing.
The feeling was hazy, ambiguous, but undeniably real—it sparked her curiosity even more.
No wonder nobles kept this stuff hidden away. It really was... quite fun.
Qian Renxue smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. Her soft legs naturally draped across Lin Feng's lap.
"If you're feeling uncomfortable, Xiao Feng, it's okay to… touch a little~"
Hey, what are you doing!?
There's no way he could fall for that! What does it mean to be a real man? Stand tall, remain unshaken in the face of temptation!
"Mmm—"
His slightly heated hand brushed across her smooth, slender leg.
Suddenly, Lin Feng felt himself calming down a bit.
What does it mean to be a real man? One who can yield and adapt—that's a true man!
"Xiao Feng?"
"Yeah?"
Leaning on his shoulder, Ling Yuan tilted her head slightly, her lips moving gently:
"That plan fell through. Xiao Xue already knew you overheard us that day."
Lin Feng froze mid-movement. Even his thick skin couldn't stop the wave of embarrassment that followed.
Qian Renxue swung her legs playfully, hinting at him to continue:
"I knew the moment I saw you two holding hands that day. Xiao Feng, there's no one in this world who knows you better than me.
Still trying to hide it from me? Impossible."
"You're feeling pretty proud of yourself now, huh? Getting both me and Ling Yuan under your belt—you must be thrilled.
Even tried to team up with her to prank me? You really don't get it—Ling Yuan is mine!"
Lin Feng: …
"Alright then, what punishment do you have in mind?"
Qian Renxue giggled and glanced at Lin Feng's squirming, clearly uncomfortable figure, his face as red as a tomato.
"I want you to say it to my face, right now: tell me you love Ling Yuan."
That's it?
"I love Ling Yuan. And the same goes for you, Xiao Xue—I love you too."
"Hmph, you two-timing scoundrel."
Qian Renxue raised a foot and placed it on Lin Feng's stomach. Her delicate toes playfully "punished" him.
Ling Yuan's pretty face flushed bright red. In fact, both girls' blushes were even deeper than Lin Feng's, despite him being the one who took the whale glue.
Classic case of: amateur-level skill, maximum playfulness.
So… why exactly are you two rewarding me again?Lin Feng was baffled. He had absolutely no idea what these two were thinking anymore.
After seeing off Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan, Lin Feng let out a long sigh of relief.
Looks like Qian Renxue had fully accepted Ling Yuan now. He no longer had to worry about their relationship.
They could even collaborate to "torment" him. What lingering awkwardness could there possibly be left?
"Martial soul defect, huh?"
Lin Feng stroked his chin.
"Maybe it's similar to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's restriction…Only by evolving the martial soul into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda can one attach nine spirit rings. Otherwise, they're stuck at rank 79 as a Spirit Sage."
Lin Feng frowned slightly. If that's the case, giving the Delicate Immortal Fragrance to the Ye family could make future negotiations with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan more complicated.
"I'll have to go see for myself.Xiao Xue's disguise has held long enough. Soon, Ling Yuan and I can leave.When that time comes, I want to experience the Nine-Heart Begonia clan's martial soul firsthand.If there's no solution… then I'll consider the immortal herb."
Lin Feng had another theory—perhaps both the Nine-Heart Begonia and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda were martial souls restricted by the laws of heaven and earth.
Their complete forms were simply too overpowered. If they could be inherited and passed down freely…
They'd completely eclipse all other auxiliary-type martial souls.
Or maybe…
It was the will of the Douluo Plane itself suppressing them?
After all, if more people had these martial souls, human spirit masters would survive in far greater numbers.
That would upset the balance of the entire continent—and be seen as a threat.
Lin Feng's eyes gleamed. If that's true, does it mean he'll eventually have to repay this karmic debt to the plane itself?
Hmm…
He pondered carefully. That didn't seem so bad. His Innate Soul Evolution Technique had long since transcended the current soul master system.
If he could one day form soul rings on his own, he would effectively be standing in opposition to the Divine Realm.That was an inevitable path, ever since he first began his cultivation research.
Helping the will of the plane? That would just be a bonus.
So…
Had he basically taken on Huo Yuhao's mission from ten thousand years in the future—early?
"Xiao Feng, time to make dinner! I want grilled fish today!"
Qian Renxue yawned as she emerged from the training chamber.
"Grilled fish… Sure, no problem."
Lin Feng's expression turned a little strange, but he accepted the request nonetheless.
Life in the training chamber and the crown prince's mansion was getting a little monotonous.
Three months later.
That morning, Lin Feng and Ling Yuan strolled through the streets of Heaven Dou City.
"Feels like this is the first time we've gone shopping together like this."
Ling Yuan clung to Lin Feng's arm, her body leaning against him closely, step by step. A small smile played at her lips.
Lin Feng shook his head, stopping her from finishing the leftover fish balls she still held. He replied casually:
"There'll be plenty more days like this. We'll come often."
"Mhm~"
Ling Yuan closed her eyes slightly, breathing in the youthful scent coming from beside her. It was fresh like green leaves, yet warm and bright like sunshine.
After consuming the immortal herbs and whale glue, and being nourished by the innate soul orb and soul meridians, Lin Feng's growth had been rapid.
Now, he stood as tall as Ling Yuan, if not taller.
His facial structure had become more defined, his eyes bright and full of spirit, and a warm smile always lingered on his lips.
A handsome young man and a stunning girl, walking side by side.
Countless envious and bitter murmurs echoed around them as they passed.
Ling Yuan quietly laughed to herself.
"Want to buy some clothes?"
Ling Yuan nodded, then glanced teasingly at Lin Feng:
"Planning to help me pick?"
"Of course. Actually, I have a deep understanding of fashion."
Lin Feng said it with a completely serious face—utter nonsense.
"Pfft."
Ling Yuan rolled her eyes at him and pulled him toward a nearby shop.
Just then, a crisp voice called out:
"Ling Yuan?! You're here too?!"
Hearing that voice, Ling Yuan's delicate body stiffened slightly, and the smile on her face froze.
T/N: For up to fifteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle