Ling Yuan and Lin Feng exchanged a glance.
"Shall we go?"
"Sure."
Ye Wanqing noticed them making eyes at each other but saying nothing. She clicked her tongue.
"Hey, I'm still here, you know! Just say whether you're going or not. What are you doing over there?!"
Ling Yuan let out a light laugh and nodded, "Sure, when do we go?"
Ye Wanqing glanced at the freshly served food on the table, a trace of regret flashing in her eyes.
Rolling her eyes, she called a server over to pack everything up and stashed it all into her storage soul tool.
"Alright, let's go now."
She grinned happily.
Lin Feng nodded slightly, thinking to himself, So this girl's a foodie and a mischief-maker, huh.
On the way, Ling Yuan held Lin Feng's arm tightly. The two stayed close, whispering from time to time.
A few steps behind them, Ye Wanqing walked alone, suddenly looking rather pitiful.
So I'm part of your play too?
Ye Wanqing took a deep breath, gathered her soul power underfoot, and suddenly sped up.
Ling Yuan looked at the rapidly receding figure, a bit surprised.
Ye Wanqing's sharp voice drifted back on the wind:
"I'll go wait for you over there. You two just take your time! You know the way, after all!"
Walking alone ahead, Ye Wanqing suddenly felt a sense of relief.
Ling Yuan stopped and let out a giggle.
She teased, "Looks like Wanqing is a bit jealous?"
Lin Feng shrugged."Doesn't seem like that's my fault, does it?"
"Haha."
Ling Yuan looked at Lin Feng beside her, covered her mouth as she laughed, and continued walking with him.
"You're heading to the Ye family now—did something come to mind?"Her voice was gentle.
"Emmm, just some thoughts. I haven't studied this martial soul closely before, so I don't have any practical theories for its application."
"Mhm. If there's no solution yet, don't let it weigh you down."
Lin Feng gently rubbed the soft hand in his.
"I know. Don't worry."
—
Ye Wanqing looked at the slowly approaching couple with mild irritation.
I told them to take their time, and they really did?Once again I'm being left out. Sad.
Ling Yuan blinked, confused as she looked at Ye Wanqing standing by the main gate:"Wanqing, why aren't you going in?"
Ye Wanqing gave Ling Yuan a long, emotional look, sighed, and said,"Ling Yuan, you've really changed."
She shook her head and walked inside.
"???"
Ling Yuan was confused. What's this girl thinking again?
The familiar reception hall had changed slightly since their last visit.
The person sitting next to Ling Yuan was now Lin Feng.
Madam Ye had a gentle, gratified smile on her face. She glanced at Ye Wanqing playing around with Ye Lingling and inwardly scoffed.
This little sister of mine is barely younger than me, yet she still acts like a child. Her best friend's already figured out her love life—why isn't she anxious at all?
She spoke softly:"Xiao Yuan, that method I taught you last time worked pretty well, didn't it?"
Seeing the teasing in Madam Ye's eyes, Ling Yuan blushed and nodded.
This made Lin Feng curious. Should I borrow that so-called guide sometime and take a look?
Using others' experience to understand their thinking better might help with future interactions.
Ye Lingling looked curiously at Ling Yuan and Lin Feng, who were chatting happily with her parents.
She tugged on Ye Wanqing's sleeve.
"Auntie, who's that big brother that came with Sister Ling Yuan? I've never seen him before."
Ye Wanqing thought for a moment, then solemnly told her:
"Lingling, from now on, when you see that big brother, call him 'uncle.' When you see Sister Ling Yuan, call her 'auntie,' got it?"
Ye Lingling tilted her little head."Why?"
"Because~"
Ye Wanqing glanced at Ling Yuan, then lowered her voice and whispered into Lingling's ear:
"They're boyfriend and girlfriend, basically like a married couple. That means they're about to have a baby."
"Your mom's told you this before, right? Once someone gets married, they're like an adult—so you call her auntie now."
"Ohhh~ Got it."
Ye Lingling blinked and nodded earnestly.
Ye Wanqing smiled in satisfaction.
Excitement shone in Ye Lingling's gray-blue eyes. She decided she'd go greet Auntie Ling Yuan right away.
After some small talk, Ling Yuan said:
"Sister, would you mind summoning your Nine-Heart Begonia for a look?
Lin Feng here also has a healing-type soul skill. He wants to see if he can get any inspiration from your martial soul."
Madam Ye waved her hand:"No need to be so formal for something small like that. Here is the Nine-Heart Begonia."
She flipped her palm over.
A pinkish-red begonia flower appeared in the air. The moment it did, the entire room was filled with a refreshing fragrance that lifted the spirit.
Madam Ye spoke with some pride:
"When it comes to pure healing, even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda from the Upper Three Sects doesn't compare.
Although our martial soul only has an area-healing effect, with me around, it's hard for teammates to die even if they want to."
Lin Feng nodded:
"Would it be alright to demonstrate a soul skill so I can feel its effect?"
"Of course."
Green light spread out and fell over Lin Feng's body.
He closed his eyes to feel it, then suddenly slashed his own arm with a blade.
The others gasped in shock. Ling Yuan looked at his wound with distress.
Madam and Mister Ye exchanged a glance, surprised by Lin Feng's extreme method, even if it was for research.
They watched as the wound visibly healed, and his energy surged again.
Lin Feng nodded slowly, signaling that she could stop.
"This…"
The Ye parents were puzzled, exchanging another look before turning back to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng summoned the Innate Treasure Pearl.
"I wonder if you'd like to experience my self-created healing soul skill?"
"Self-created?"Madam Ye was startled.
"That's right."
"Go ahead."
Under a gentle white glow, Lin Feng activated his first soul skill:
"Breath of Life."
The Ye couple's pupils contracted—they actually didn't see any soul rings appear?
Madam Ye nodded approvingly. Seems Xiao Yuan picked a pretty capable man.
She focused in, and gradually her brows furrowed slightly.
"This soul skill… is very unusual."
After a moment of contemplation, Madam Ye spoke.
Lin Feng nodded:
"I believe, Sister, that you've already noticed—my healing skill surpasses Nine-Heart Begonia in precision and purity."
To put it in perspective: if Nine-Heart Begonia is like performing surgery, then Lin Feng's skill treats both internal and external issues at once.
While its overall strength still falls short, the skill's quality is undeniably solid.
Madam Ye's expression turned serious. She glanced at her husband and said:
"So, you must have other reasons for visiting today. Speak freely."
Lin Feng and Ling Yuan exchanged a glance, and he shared his idea:
"I think I may have a way to solve the Nine-Heart Begonia's inheritance problem from a different angle."
"What did you just say!!?"
T/N: For up to fifteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle