Ye Wanqing watched Ling Yuan's demeanor with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
She had never seen her best friend like this before. Could love really be so magical?
Maybe she should talk to Zixin and borrow some of her romance novels. She was genuinely curious now.
No, actually, Zixin had so many novels that they could probably stack into a mountain. There was no way she could finish them all. Maybe she should just "borrow" a few from her next time.
Ling Yuan listened attentively to Ye Lingling's mother's patient explanation, her eyes sparkling as she nodded in agreement from time to time.
After finishing a cup of tea, Ye Lingling's mother cleared her throat:
"Well, that's the gist of it. Later..."
She glanced behind her and whispered into Ling Yuan's ear, "I'll have Wanqing give you my old notes."
Ling Yuan's lips parted slightly in surprise. So, this kind of thing required taking notes?
The women of the Ye family she knew seemed a bit... peculiar.
Wanqing was one thing, but Ye Lingling's mother had actually taken notes while pursuing her husband? And Zixin was obsessed with romance novels.
Ling Yuan nodded slightly. "Thank you."
Looking at the three smiling faces, Ling Yuan ultimately decided not to bring up the issue of the Nine-Hearted Begonia martial soul.
She thought it over and decided it would be better to discuss it with Xiao Feng first.
If she brought it up with Wanqing and the others beforehand and things didn't work out, it would not only disrespect Xiao Feng but also give Wanqing and her family false hope. That wouldn't be right.
After thanking Ye Lingling's mother, Ling Yuan left the reception hall with Ye Wanqing.
"Well, Wanqing, I should get going. I'll come see you again later. I can't stay in Heaven Dou City for too long. I still have things to do."
Ye Wanqing's eyes dimmed as she kicked a small stone on the ground:
"So soon? I was hoping to catch up with you. The Spirit Hall is such a hassle. I told you not to join back then. It's all missions and training, missions and training."
Ling Yuan chuckled and pinched Ye Wanqing's nose:
"Alright, I'll play with you more later. You should focus on your cultivation too. It's been so long, and you're still only level 47?"
Ye Wanqing frowned. "Not everyone is as talented as you. My innate soul power is only level 6, and my martial soul is just an ordinary begonia flower.
Reaching level 47 is already pretty good, okay? I'll definitely reach Soul Sage in the future."
Ling Yuan smiled awkwardly:
"By the way, is the begonia flower a degraded version of the Nine-Hearted Begonia? Or is the Nine-Hearted Begonia a mutated evolution?"
Ye Wanqing tilted her head, clearly not having thought much about it:
"I guess it's the former? Since the Nine-Hearted Begonia always awakens...
Wait, no, that feels weird. I don't want to think about it..."
"Then don't. I'll get going now. We'll see each other again soon."
Ling Yuan waved her hand and disappeared.
Ye Wanqing looked at the empty space beside her and pouted:
"Everyone's off doing their own troublesome things. Why can't they just live like me—eat when it's time to eat, play when it's time to play?
Take on a few small missions here and there. Wouldn't that be nice..."
......
When Ling Yuan returned to the base, she saw Lin Feng meditating at his desk.
Recalling Ye Lingling's mother's advice, she glanced at Qian Renxue in the distance.
In a flash, she appeared behind Lin Feng and knelt down.
Her delicate hands gently pressed on Lin Feng's shoulders, easing his fatigue.
"Who's there?"
"Xiao Feng, don't turn around. It's me, Ling Yuan."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. Where did Ling Yuan learn to say something like that? It felt... strange.
"Uh, thanks."
Ling Yuan's face turned red as she looked at the now more relaxed Lin Feng. Softly, she asked:
"How's the pressure? Should I increase it a bit?"
"Yeah, that's fine."
Hearing this, Ling Yuan's eyes sparkled with mischief. She moved her thumbs to Lin Feng's neck, massaging it as well.
"Mmm~ Ling Yuan, your massage skills have gotten so much better. It feels amazing."
"Do you like it, Xiao Feng?"
Lin Feng nodded. "Of course I do. It's Ling Yuan personally massaging me. How could I not like it?"
"Giggle."
Ling Yuan felt a wave of joy:
"You've been thinking for so long. Aren't you mentally exhausted? Lie down, and I'll massage your temples."
"I'm fine. I think I'm in pretty good shape right now."
"Hmm?"
Ling Yuan pushed Lin Feng down onto her lap, her eyes carrying a hint of warning.
"Actually, I do feel a bit tired now. Please help me massage my temples, Ling Yuan."
"Mmm~" Ling Yuan smiled in satisfaction.
Lin Feng looked at the "melons" in front of him and thought, This is bad.
Do I actually like this feeling? This can't be right, can it?
"Xiao Feng, I wish I could massage you like this forever."
Lin Feng closed his eyes. "You can. As long as Ling Yuan wants, I'll always be here."
Ling Yuan's eyes lit up. Was this Xiao Feng's response? She felt a wave of relief and happily continued massaging his temples.
Glancing at Qian Renxue in the distance, she wondered how to get Qian Renxue to accept her.
She had noticed some signs that Qian Renxue had picked up on her feelings, but Qian Renxue hadn't mocked or rejected her.
She hadn't even restricted her interactions with Xiao Feng. Was this an opportunity? What exactly was Qian Renxue's attitude?
Ling Yuan didn't mind. If Qian Renxue was the main wife, she would be content with just a place by Xiao Feng's side.
......
Qian Renxue occasionally glanced toward Lin Feng's room and sighed softly.
"Ling Yuan, if it weren't for how kind you were to me when I was young, and how attentive you've been to Xiao Feng these past few years, do you think I'd let you off so easily?
If I weren't worried that rejecting you might affect Xiao Feng's state of mind, I wouldn't be sharing him at all."
"Young master?"
Seeing Qian Renxue lost in thought, the Chrysanthemum Douluo asked curiously.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about something."
"What is it?"
"None of your business!"
Qian Renxue shot an annoyed glance at the Chrysanthemum Douluo. He was the one who had interrupted her earlier.
The Chrysanthemum Douluo's mouth twitched:
"Forgive me for asking."
Qian Renxue looked at her reflection in the mirror and frowned:
"This is so annoying. This prince has such a feminine aura. Even though he's male, he lacks masculinity.
Neither male nor female. Thinking about having to pretend to be like this in the future is exhausting."
The Chrysanthemum Douluo pondered for a moment. "Young master, Xue Qinghe is only 15 years old. His appearance hasn't fully settled yet. You can make slight adjustments over time."
Qian Renxue nodded slightly:
"That's true. But still, my Xiao Feng is much more handsome. These nobles and royals are all the same—spoiled, extravagant, and indulgent."
"Exactly, young master. This plan is a crucial step toward our ultimate goal. Once we take control of Heaven Dou Empire, the continent will finally be unified.
Only then will soul masters and commoners truly receive the benefits they deserve."
Qian Renxue nodded slightly, her gaze turning cold:
"It's laughable how the two empires are secretly slandering the Spirit Hall. Have they forgotten that without our balance, would they have voluntarily provided subsidies to soul masters?
Would they have offered free martial soul awakenings to commoners? Ninety-eight percent of those who travel to every corner of the continent to awaken children's martial souls are from our Spirit Hall.
The hearts of the people have long been with us. They stand no chance."
"Young master is wise."