By the time Qian Renxue recovered her composure, the two of them were already lying on the ground.
Qian Renxue leaned against Lin Feng's chest, her pretty face no longer flushed red, and she rubbed against him casually.
She took a deep sniff of his scent, then braced her hands on either side of his shoulders.
Looking down at Lin Feng, her long hair draped down, and her azure eyes locked onto his.
"Xiao Feng, you're amazing. I can feel it—my body's strength has increased just a little.
Once we use that piece of whale glue, I'll definitely be able to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring."
Lin Feng wrapped his arms around her slender waist and smiled:
"With just the whale glue, I wouldn't dare let you try absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring yet.
Remember what I told you? After ten thousand years, soul beasts develop sentience, and their soul rings carry fragments of their consciousness.
Physical strength alone isn't enough. You need to absorb those two immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well first. Then I'll feel safe letting you attempt it."
The painful process of refining the herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would greatly enhance her spiritual power.
"Oh~"Qian Renxue smiled sweetly, twirling a strand of her hair and brushing it across Lin Feng's nose.
"Then we'll go together when the time comes. I can only endure it with you by my side."
"It's not that bad. For you, the process will only be a little painful.
With your talent, the whale glue boost, and the years of nurturing from the Innate Pearl, the Ice and Fire refinement won't be a problem."
Qian Renxue raised her chin proudly:
"So what? I just like having you with me.
When you're around, I'm not afraid of anything. Hmph!"
"Xue…"
"Mm."
Soft, delicate, silky smooth—today's flavor was cherry…
As their lips touched and Qian Renxue prepared to go further—
A cough came from outside the room:"Young Mistress, it's time for disguise simulation training."
Qian Renxue opened her eyes, a trace of irritation flashing within them. Seeing the teasing look in Lin Feng's gaze, she blushed harder.
That damn whale glue effect still hasn't worn off!
She withdrew her mischievous hand from Lin Feng's clothes.
With a peck on his cheek, she stood up and walked toward the door.
"I'll come back tonight."
She opened the door, glared at Chrysanthemum Douluo, and huffed, "Let's go."
Chrysanthemum Douluo pretended not to notice, sighing inwardly.
The Grand Priest had tasked him with secretly keeping watch, ensuring the two didn't go too far.
Though their relationship was already tacitly approved, the priest was still paranoid that the precious "cabbage" he raised would get snatched away… not realizing the cabbage was leaping into Lin Feng's arms on its own.
Honestly, it wasn't even likely they'd go too far. At that age, his own body hadn't even fully reacted to such things…
Worse, he was stuck in the middle: he couldn't offend the Young Mistress, couldn't disobey the Grand Priest, and couldn't alienate Lin Feng either—his future herbs depended on him.
Wait, maybe all three are family now?…
Chrysanthemum Douluo's thoughts spiraled as he followed Qian Renxue to the training grounds.
Back in his room, Lin Feng sat cross-legged, deep in thought.
Could it be… that I actually like being passive?It seemed like every time, Qian Renxue made the first move and he just responded.
Then he remembered holding hands with Ling Yuan, the lap pillow…
That was the same too?
Did he like that kind of feeling?
He shook his head hard.
Impossible, absolutely impossible!A man born between heaven and earth should not stay beneath others for long.
Next time, I will take the initiative!I'm not Huo Yuhao—I don't have any submissive tendencies!
"Right, there's no way I like that."
He pursed his lips and nodded to himself, walking out with purpose.
In his room, Lin Feng picked up his brush and began writing about the second path of cultivation.
During the process of condensing the second soul vessel, he once again sensed a deeper essence hidden within soul rings.
By combining soul power with natural laws, a unique martial soul draws the part of the law that best suits it—thus generating a soul skill.
That was Lin Feng's current understanding. Though the soul ring had evolved into a soul vessel, the fundamental law still resided within.
Thus, he could still use soul skills, and without the limits of rings, the soul vessel could grow stronger.
From this angle, a soul ring was both a container and a shackle.
"Having internalized the laws of origin, I've already diverged from the mainstream soul master path.
Martial souls, from the moment they awaken, are projections of the self. By the Soul Sage stage, one can manifest the Martial Soul True Body—yet even then, it's still the martial soul taking the lead.
Now that I've absorbed the soul ring into myself, the martial soul should be the same—returning to its roots.
The Innate Pearl.Let it guide me, return to the origin, and reshape the innate."
Lin Feng's eyes gleamed as he wrote fervently.
Outside the window, baby birds chirped, and the breeze gently stirred the young man's hair.
———
"Lingling, say 'Aunt Ling Yuan.'"
"Big Sis Ling Yuan~" came the soft, playful voice of a child.
Ye Lingling curiously stared at Ling Yuan—this big sister seemed unfamiliar…
Ling Yuan giggled, bent down, and patted Lingling's little head.
"Lingling~ what's this? You call me auntie, but call her big sister?"
Ye Lingling tilted her head and blinked: "But you really are my aunt."
She glanced up and whispered:
"Besides, Mom said if a sister over there is especially, especially big, then you should call her auntie."
Ye Wanqing was speechless. What kind of nonsense had her sister been teaching the child?
This was just natural talent, not because of…
Ugh, what even is this logic? Sister's talking nonsense again.
She crouched down too, patiently explaining:
"Lingling, titles don't depend on size, okay?
From now on, when you see a beautiful big sister like us, never call her 'auntie'—always call her 'big sister,' got it?"
"Lingling got it~"
Ling Yuan gave Ye Wanqing a side-eye and sent a voice transmission: "Then what did you mean earlier?"
Ye Wanqing ignored her and took Lingling's hand. "Come on, let's find your mom."
In the guest hall, Ye Father and Ye Mother exchanged a glance.
Smiling, they eagerly pulled Ling Yuan's delicate hand, guiding her to the nearby chairs.
Ye Mother gently kneaded her hand and smiled:
"Xiao Yuan, this is great news. Look at Wanqing—still like a child, how can that go on?
Just the other day she was fighting Lingling over candy. So embarrassing."
Ye Wanqing's face darkened as she looked away awkwardly.
"Listen to me—go for it boldly.
Your brother-in-law is six years younger than me. He was just like that at first—all reserved, like a shy little girl.
With your charm, you don't need fancy tricks. Just be proactive, stay close to him every day.
Once he starts responding even a little, strike while the iron's hot—trap him in your gentleness."
Ling Yuan's face turned red from the bluntness, a little flustered by Ye Mother's advice.
"I'll go over the details with you in a bit," Ye Mother added warmly.
Ling Yuan lowered her head slightly and softly replied, "Mm…"
T/N: For up to twelve chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at P@treon.com/LordHipposApostle