Lin Feng looked helplessly at Qian Daoliu's glaring expression — it wasn't their fault he had sat so far away.
Despite his initial refusal, Qian Daoliu kept taking piece after piece of grilled meat, making it hard to comment.
Seeing Lin Feng's teasing gaze, Qian Daoliu grunted and nonchalantly said,"I still have important matters to attend to. I'll leave first."
As he finished, he disappeared — taking two pieces of spirit beast meat from the grill with him.
Lin Feng shrugged, accepting the piece of meat handed to him by Qian Renxue.
"This one smells even better. What part is it?"
Qian Renxue's eyes gleamed with mischief."It's from the ribs — best cooked, juiciest, and most flavorful. I picked it just for you."
"Thanks, Xiaoxue," Lin Feng nodded.
Qian Renxue smiled as she watched Lin Feng eat the meat she had "carefully chosen." The memory of Lin Feng's bashful reaction under the effect of the whale glue earlier in the day still lingered in her mind — the way she could provoke him was too tempting.
Approaching Ling Yuan quietly, Qian Renxue said,"Sis Ling Yuan, I'm sleeping with Xiaofeng tonight."
Ling Yuan was puzzled — they often slept together, so why the special announcement?
But upon seeing the look in Qian Renxue's eyes, she immediately understood. Her face flushed as she asked in a whisper,"Still not used up?"
Qian Renxue nodded. Ling Yuan gave Lin Feng a sympathetic glance and murmured,"Don't overdo it. He's still growing…"
Back at the campfire, Lin Feng enjoyed the grilled meat while recalling his fight with Qian Daoliu. It was clear Qian Daoliu had suppressed his true strength. Even with just Grandmaster-level power, he had precisely targeted the flaws in Lin Feng's soul techniques, with practical, no-frills movements and no wasted energy.
Lin Feng sighed — he lacked real combat experience and would need to train more.
Suddenly, a wave of heat surged through his body, his eyes reddening. The meat… Something was wrong.
He turned toward Qian Renxue in disbelief.
"Xiaoxue, you—"
However, in his line of vision, Qian Renxue looked the same.
Her eyes filled with profound affection, her slender white finger gently pressed against Lin Feng's lips, stifling his words.
Seeing Lin Feng's somewhat weak state, the brilliance in her eyes became even more dazzling. The enchanting fragrance gently infiltrated his nostrils, and Lin Feng glanced over at Ling Yuan in the distance. He saw her give a supportive thumbs-up gesture, send the two of them to the bed, then return to her room with a flushed face.
"Gulp."
Lin Feng breathed slightly heavier. His gaze toward Qian Renxue became heated. One of his arms wrapped around Qianren Xue's slender waist, feeling its delicate softness and he moved somewhat recklessly.
"Ying!"(1)
With her breath quickening the lithe and graceful Qian Renxue straddled Lin Feng. Her pretty face turned a sickly red as she leaned down, gently biting Lin Feng's earlobe.In an instant, Lin Feng trembled, losing a bit of rationality in his gaze once again.
"Xiao Feng, who's more beautiful now, me or Sister Ling Yuan?" Breath wafting like orchids Qian Renxue asked.
Qian Renxue's dress subtly exposed her white shoulders and slender neck. A radiance seemed to shimmer, her golden hair cascading over Lin Feng's face. Her teasing question was alluring and captivating.
Lin Feng was momentarily dazed by the enchanting sight before him, instinctively replying:
"You."
"Giggling."
Qian Renxue smiled satisfactorily, one hand pressing against Lin Feng's chest. The other hand cupped Lin Feng's chin, just like a queen.
"Good answer, this is your reward."
As she spoke, Qian Renxue's dainty head leaned closer, her lips approaching Lin Feng's. Lin Feng's pupils widened, his heart raced as he anticipated that soft arrival, but that tender and translucent contact he was anticipating was just a gentle peck, laying for mere seconds on Lin Feng's lips. The two's faces were almost zero distance apart, but there was a slight gap between their lips.
Qian Renxue teased Lin Feng:
"Xiao Feng, are you looking forward to it?"
Lin Feng felt a surge of frustration in his heart, as the effect of whale gelatin that had been neutralized by the soul pulse and body surged back. With a quick motion, he swapped positions with Qian Renxue and his hands pressed against Qian Renxue's neck. However Qian Renxue showed no sign of panic; rather, her eyes gleamed with excitement as she playfully pouted.
"Ha."
Lin Feng smiled and captured those jade-like lips, while Qian Renxue wrapped her arms around Lin Feng's back, responding passionately.
Their lips finally separated, both breathing heavily. Lin Feng brushed his hand across Qian Renxue's cheek, softly asking:
"Are you satisfied?"
"Mm—"
Qianren Xue shyly buried her head in Lin Feng's embrace. Suddenly her body trembled, a bit awkwardly lifting her head, her face flushed, and whispered:
"Xiao Feng, does it hurt a lot down there?"
"Uh…"
Lin Feng's face changed, quickly shifting his position as an uneasy expression emerged. Qian Renxue's lips curled up, biting her silver teeth for a moment, then softly whispered in Lin Feng's ear:
"I can help you. Sister Ling Yuan said it's not good to hold it in."
In that moment, Lin Feng suddenly felt an impulse to die inside. Why did the body of a soul master develop so quickly? After consuming celestial herbs and whale gelatin, the rate of his physical development exceeded even before. Little Feng couldn't help but respond uncontrollably.
Seeing Lin Feng's troubled expression, Qian Renxue pouted, then suddenly got out of bed.
"I'll go call Sister Ling Yuan"
"Wait—--!"
Ling Yuan listened, dumbfounded, as Qian Renxue described the situation. She had only seen such descriptions in Ye Mother's strategy. How could she possibly be prepared for a real-life encounter? Her cheeks flushed, and her hands couldn't stop shaking:
"No, I can't, he, he…"
Qian Renxue glared:
"Sister Ling Yuan, if you don't want to do it today, don't think about it in the future!"
"No, no way!"
Ling Yuan looked into the threatening gaze of Qian Renxue, biting her silver teeth, and replied with a lowered head.
"Let's go!"
Qian Renxue's eyes shimmered slightly as she pulled Ling Yuan and dashed toward Lin Feng's room.
That night, Lin Feng had a very pleasant experience...
The next day, Lin Feng, for once, slept in.
He exhaled slowly, looking a bit worn out.
Thankfully Qian Daoliu had left early yesterday—otherwise, if he'd found out what happened, Lin Feng couldn't even imagine the consequences.
He thought for a moment. Maybe the entire room would have been reduced to rubble?
"Xiao Feng!"
Seeing that Lin Feng was awake, Qian Renxue walked in holding a bowl of porridge.
Lin Feng glanced at the wolfberries floating on top and twitched at the corner of his mouth.
He accepted the bowl and chopsticks, shaking his head helplessly.
"Xiao Xue, who taught you to put this in porridge?"
"Sister Lingyuan said that after a man releases himself, he'll feel weak and needs to replenish."
Replenish your head!
His own Yang energy was vigorous, his body strong—he didn't need this kind of thing at all.
Lin Feng's face darkened.
"Did she say that after reading something that looked like a manual?"
Qian Renxue nodded in surprise.
Lin Feng was speechless. Just what kind of advice had that "Mother Ye" written in her guidebook?
Still, he didn't correct Qian Renxue's misconception.
Under her hopeful gaze, he finished the porridge. After eating so much soul beast meat yesterday, he wasn't hungry and didn't need anything else for breakfast.
After his usual daily training and making necessary arrangements, Lin Feng began constructing his third soul vessel.
The spleen corresponds to the element of Earth.
Earth is central—
It gives birth to all things. When Earth is strong, the body is robust, filled with the sweet essence of life, nourishing the whole system.
"Condense!"
Once again, the purple soul ring separated from the Innate Treasure Orb and integrated into the spleen region.
Unlike the explosive energy of the second soul vessel or the refreshing sensation of the first soul vessel's awakening,
This time, what he felt was a solid, grounded force.
This power resembled a flowing non-Newtonian fluid—appearing unremarkable, but hiding astonishing strength.
It didn't shock his body with its entry.
Instead, the moment it formed, it simply… stayed there, calm and settled.
It felt, Lin Feng thought, like a worn-out shut-in (like the author, perhaps) finally finding the perfect bed—once you lay down, you never want to move again.
Sensing this "lazy" temperament from his new soul vessel, Lin Feng twitched at the corner of his mouth.
Still, it wasn't entirely passive.
The moment it formed, the three soul vessels finally began interlinking.
The first soul vessel in his liver emitted pure life force, flowing to the heart vessel, supporting purification.
The second soul vessel, with its immense energy, powered the circulation of blood and soul force with explosive momentum.
The third soul vessel resonated with the heart vessel through the spleen, receiving gentle nourishment and gradually stabilizing and conserving the energy inside Lin Feng's body.
If the Wood-based first vessel granted Lin Feng endless vitality and multiplied his soul power,
Then this Earth-based third vessel granted him a rock-solid foundation—establishing a cornerstone for all future soul energy circulation.
With a sound like a massive bronze bell echoing through the body, Lin Feng's third soul vessel was now fully solidified.
Soul power began flowing freely among the three vessels, shimmering with unusual brilliance inside him.
The Innate Treasure Orb floated in midair. As before—when he had formed the second vessel—a reddish mist materialized.
But now, faint yellow traces resembling soil mixed into the mist.
Feeling inspired, Lin Feng raised his hand—and in an instant, three soul skills activated.
Surrounded by the gentle white glow of Life's Breath, flames and stones swirled around his body.
He stepped down and launched himself onto a massive boulder. With a shift in thought, he floated through the air.
"Is this... a form of flying?"
Lingyuan pondered aloud. As everyone knew, in the Douluo Continent, no one could fly unless they became a Titled Douluo—
Unless their martial spirit had flight, or they had a flying soul skill.
Qian Renxue smiled:
"Xiao Feng seems to have gotten even more handsome again."
Lingyuan gave Lin Feng a long look, her gaze intentionally or not drifting downward. Thinking of last night, her cheeks flushed slightly and she nodded softly.
Lin Feng didn't respond.
He was still immersed in the experience of the newly born soul vessel.
To his perception, with the formation of the spleen vessel, his soul system now had an anchor.
The nourishing and strengthening effects of the soul vessels on his body became significantly more potent.
The soul techniques they held were no longer incomprehensible like before.
The laws embedded in these soul vessels were no longer just vague, subtle influences.
Now, he could clearly perceive them and even actively draw on them.
Wood, Fire, and Earth—these three elements now represented source, propulsion, and transformation.
They pulled Lin Feng into an entirely new realm.
Soul power surged like a great river, cycling endlessly.
Soul skills were now as obedient as docile sheep—responding instantly to his will and ready to change at his command.
The potential felt limitless.
A faint light flickered at his dantian, like a hint of chaos—flickering, illusory, not quite real.
But in the end, it failed to fully form. Lin Feng sensed that something essential was still missing, so the new entity hadn't yet come into being.
He didn't dwell on the light for now.
Lin Feng opened his eyes, which shone like stars.
He clenched his hand, and the same fireball that had destroyed Qian Daoliu's luxurious robe instantly appeared in his palm.
No need to summon groundfire and slowly condense it anymore.
Skipping that step meant he had begun to grasp the fundamental law embedded in his second soul skill.
He had now truly set one foot into the reality of this world's deeper truths.
In his excitement, Lin Feng turned to Lingyuan:
"Sister Lingyuan, want to try out this soul skill of mine?"
Lingyuan raised an eyebrow:
"Oh? Xiao Feng, you seem more confident than before."
Lin Feng smirked:
"Strength is the cornerstone of confidence. Shall we spar?"
"Sure."
Lingyuan narrowed her eyes with a playful smile.
"Big sis is a Fire Phoenix. Playing with fire in front of me... are you sure that's a good idea?"
With a graceful flick of her hand, a flaming whip appeared.
Crack.
The whip lashed the ground, instantly turning a patch of Blue Silver Grass to ash.
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up at the sight of the flaming whip—clearly intrigued.
"Maybe I'll try that next time…"
She murmured to herself softly.
"Come on, stinky little brother~"
Lingyuan beckoned with a curled finger.
Lin Feng didn't reply.
In a flash, four stone spikes surged up to immobilize Lingyuan, and he charged forward.
The fireball in his hand launched out. His other hand formed a sword finger, summoning three flaming blades toward her.
Lingyuan looked surprised. With a burst of strength, she shattered the stone spikes.
Her whip lashed out, catching the fireball. The two fiery forces collided, yet neither yielded.
Instead, they held each other in perfect balance. Lin Feng's fireball resisted Lingyuan's pressure, dancing and twisting as it tried to escape her control.
Under intense energy, Lingyuan's flaming whip began to fray and weaken.
Catching her slightly off guard, the fireball exploded with a loud boom, forcing Lingyuan to retreat several steps.
She shot Lin Feng a glare, dismissed the flaming swords in midair, and straightened her outfit, now disheveled from the blast.
"You could've told me that thing explodes after it leaves your hand!"
Lin Feng coughed lightly:
"Accidents are just part of a fair duel, right?"
Lingyuan waved it off:
"Fine, but it's definitely stronger than when you fought the Grand Worship."
Lin Feng nodded, then turned to Qian Renxue, who seemed lost in thought:
"Xiao Xue, I think I'm ready to help you form your first soul vessel."
"Xiao Xue? …Xiao Xue?"
"Huh? Oh, right!"
Qian Renxue snapped out of her thoughts, stopping herself from thinking further about whips and chains in her mind.
Lin Feng held his forehead:
"What were you daydreaming about just now?"
Qian Renxue's ears turned red. She stuck out her little tongue:
"Nothing! You're not allowed to ask!"
Seeing that Qian Renxue didn't want to talk about it, Lin Feng didn't press further.
Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan stepped up to Lin Feng and asked:
"Are you confident?"
Lin Feng nodded:
"Pretty much. When it comes to Xiaoxue, I'm the most confident. The Innate Soul Pearl has been nurturing inside her for nearly two years now.
I know every detail of the meridian paths within her body.
Although it might take some more time, the success rate is close to 98%."
Ling Yuan frowned:
"Why not the full 100%?"
Lin Feng chuckled:
"The Dao gives birth to fifty paths, yet Heaven evolves only forty-nine. That remaining one—it's beyond easy control."
Ling Yuan rolled her eyes:
"You could've just said it's 99% and left it at that. Why go off on some philosophical tangent?
But… now that I think about it, there's a certain depth to that saying. Is it from an ancient text?"
There were no ancient texts in Douluo Continent that recorded such words, and Lin Feng found it a bit awkward.
Still, adhering to the scholar's code of "if you comprehend it yourself, it's not plagiarism," Lin Feng declared boldly:
"I came up with it myself. Impressed?"
Qian Renxue giggled:
"Of course! You're the best, Xiaofeng."
Ling Yuan also nodded slightly.
"Let's go. It's time to find Grandpa."
Qian Daoliu looked at Lin Feng with admiration in his heart.
From a first-level innate soul power to developing a new theoretical system that removed the innate shackles of martial souls—
Now, having broken through to Soul Elder and formed three soul veins, he had truly become a pioneer of future advancement.
But beyond admiration, his gaze fell on Lin Feng holding hands with the two girls beside him, and a wave of discomfort arose in his heart.
Was it frustration? Jealousy? Resentment?
"Since you've completed the exploration of the third path, write it down first.
We can begin the process of publishing the theory.
For the first release, only disclose the first path."
Lin Feng nodded:
"We also need to clearly warn that soul masters should not attempt this on their own. Without the Innate Soul Pearl, recklessly charging through the meridians could result in fatal accidents."
Qian Daoliu stroked his beard, pleased:
"Quite right. However, Xiaofeng, you must remember: the birth of any new thing inevitably comes with blood and sacrifice.
Once people taste the benefits of your method, there will always be those who ignore warnings and rush forward. Deaths and injuries are unavoidable.
Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault."
Lin Feng's gaze was clear:
"Grandpa, don't underestimate my state of mind.
I don't consider myself cruel or evil, but I'm no saint either.
My theory will indeed benefit the soul master world, but if people die out of greed or selfishness—
I won't feel sorry for them. I won't pity them.
The strong remain strong not just because of a willingness to learn, but because of unwavering conviction."
Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled.
Qian Daoliu laughed heartily and tapped Lin Feng:
"You brat, are you lecturing me now?
You've taught Xiaoxue so long, now you want to teach me too?"
"Not at all, just speaking my thoughts."
"Then tell me—what kind of enhancement do your soul veins and paths provide now?"
Lin Feng paused in thought:
"The soul veins nurture my body. Each one increases my cultivation speed by 20%. Every time I forge a new one, it adds another 10%.
Also, the energy and laws embedded within the veins are subtly taking root within me.
This allows me to understand the laws more deeply. I now have infinite potential to develop soul techniques.
For ordinary people, each path only provides a 5% boost. It's not much, but still desirable.
Compared to me, they lack the nourishment of the soul vein's energy. Still, just by circulating soul power, their physical attributes will improve to some extent. That's certain."
Ling Yuan's pupils shrank:
"Then Xiaofeng, your soul veins must be terrifying! With nine veins, your cultivation speed boost will be several times over?"
Lin Feng had already considered and researched this, and he shook his head:
"Everything has a threshold. I have a feeling—
Once I complete five soul veins, the speed boost might stop increasing.
At that point, new changes may happen inside my body."
This wasn't just a baseless hunch—today, the gleam within his dantian had given him new insight.
As the number of soul veins grew, his body began a qualitative transformation.
If there were truly no limits, that would be the real cause for concern.
"Very well—I'll personally oversee the theory's publication.
As for condensing Xiaoxue's first soul vein, wait until these affairs are settled.
Xiaofeng, you must be in peak condition. Her safety must not be compromised."
Lin Feng was slightly stunned—this was the first time in a long while that Qian Daoliu had called him "Xiaofeng" again.
"Of course."
He nodded deeply.
"What did you just say?"
Bibi Dong's face was filled with shock. Her grip on the Pope's scepter tightened.
"Xiaofeng broke through to Soul Elder. His theory will be published in a few days. I need to recall my people."
Qian Daoliu's expression was calm as a still lake, his voice composed.
Bibi Dong's face twisted:
"Level 30… he really reached it…"
She looked at Qian Daoliu, coldly:
"The Hall of the Pope and the Hall of Douluo are separate powers. You're overstepping by issuing commands directly."
Qian Daoliu snorted:
"I'm not asking for your permission. I'm informing you.
This concerns the entire soul master world. Cooperation is not optional. The lower levels are already in motion."
Bibi Dong clenched her jaw, her face contorted:
"Outrageous! I'm the Pope!
You issued orders without my approval—you don't even acknowledge my authority!"
Qian Daoliu sighed:
"Bibi Dong, when it comes to Xiaoxue and Lin Feng, I won't let you interfere.
As for the rest of the affairs in Spirit Hall, you can handle them however you like."
Bibi Dong sneered:
"So in the end, you just don't trust me."
Qian Daoliu remained silent.
Bibi Dong laughed coldly:
"Do you really think I'm foolish enough to sabotage Lin Feng's theory?
How ridiculous. I'd be thrilled if it could elevate Spirit Hall's reputation again."
She lowered her gaze, a fleeting shadow flashing in her eyes:
"I'll let you do as you please this time. But I won't tolerate this again.
Spirit Hall's authority and policies must be under my control."
"As you wish."
Qian Daoliu nodded and left.
He had always acknowledged Bibi Dong's governance.
As the youngest Pope, she had ushered Spirit Hall into its most prosperous era—her cunning and ability to manage a vast power like Spirit Hall were indisputable.
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes as she watched Qian Daoliu depart from the Pope's Hall.
She slammed her scepter onto the granite floor, cracking a massive crater.
"Just four years… just four years, and he's advanced over ten levels—where did that power come from?
Soul veins… could they really be that miraculous, breaking even innate limitations?"
Bibi Dong collapsed onto the Pope's throne, her body weak.
After meeting Lin Feng for the first time, she had also visited the scripture library.
In her youth, for some reason, she had never truly studied. When she finally opened those ancient texts, she came to a realization.
Yu Xiaogang—he had merely compiled the work of predecessors.
Think about it: he stayed in the same place for years. How could he precisely determine the first soul ring's upper limit to be 423 years?
That kind of exact number could only have come from recorded texts.
"He's… a thief. And… a liar…"
Tears welled in Bibi Dong's eyes. The grief in her heart made it hard to breathe.
For a moment, that sorrow turned into fury, engulfing her.
"Death… they all deserve death!
Qian Xunji… Yu Xiaogang… both of you!"
Her eyes glowed with rage. A blast of soul power shattered the desk in front of her.
"And that dear little sister—why does she get someone like Lin Feng?
I won't allow it. Never…"
Bibi Dong closed her eyes, tilted her head back to steady herself, then opened them again—now with a touch of clarity.
But her bloodshot eyes still betrayed her extreme emotions.
"There will be a way. Just like Qian Xunji, that despicable man—there are always ways to tear people apart."
She sneered at herself:
"Thank you so much, my dear teacher. You've given me so many methods to use."
Her gaze glinted, and Bibi Dong walked deeper into the Pope's Hall—toward a hidden chamber.