"Huh?"
Lin Feng's eyes widened slightly. Aunt Ye, what do you mean by that?
Why does it feel like you're heading down the same path as Dugu Bo? That's not good—better stop now.
Only to hear Aunt Ye say:
"Stay for dinner tonight. I'll cook.
I don't know exactly what you're going off to do, but you're always welcome here."
She patted Lin Feng's shoulder and teased:
"I've heard you're quite good at cooking, Xiao Feng. Want to have a little competition?"
The competition was fake, but the subtle hint was very real, and Lin Feng felt a headache coming on.
"Auntie, we really can't take Lingling traveling with us. She's still so young—can you rest easy?"
How could they possibly bring Ye Lingling along? The three of them were currently in their "undress and blow out the lamp with bashful smiles" phase—peak romance time.
If Ye Lingling came along, that would ruin everything.
Those two hungry wolves would probably start a riot.
Aunt Ye paused in the middle of slicing meat.
"Xiao Feng, how old are you again?"
"…"
Seeing how awkward Lin Feng looked, Aunt Ye chuckled.
"Forget it, let's go with what the rumors say—you're about fifteen or sixteen, right?
When do you plan on having children?"
"Ah!?"
Now Lin Feng was truly overwhelmed. Although in the world of Douluo, getting married at thirteen was totally normal—
Oscar's father had him at fourteen—Lin Feng had never seriously thought about having kids this early.
Aunt Ye squinted slightly:
"Xiao Feng, how does your empress feel about Xiaoyuan?"
Lin Feng cleared his throat, a little relieved the conversation had moved on.
"They get along very well, Auntie. You don't need to worry."
"Is it because they've always been together?"
Aunt Ye rested her finger on her chin, looking thoughtful.
"Xiao Feng, remember to visit more often in the future. You know Lingling can't go out right now, partly because of your influence too.
Bring Xiaoxue and Xiaoyuan—spend more time with her."
Lin Feng nodded. "If I have time, I'll definitely come."
That evening, the three of them stayed over at the Nine-Heart Begonia residence.
For the first time in a while, they all shared one bed again.
Qian Renxue and Lingyuan lay on either side of Lin Feng.
Being at someone else's house, the two girls didn't dare be too intimate.
This quiet feeling—it had been a long time.
Since that night in Snow City, the two girls had been taking turns sleeping in Lin Feng's room.
Of course, Qian Renxue got the lion's share of time with him.
Qian Renxue placed her hands in front of her and turned to look at Lin Feng.
"Xiao Feng, do you think Lingling's spirit is strong enough to be passed down as a new lineage?"
Lin Feng instinctively nodded.
"Probably. It's a miracle in the world of spirit masters. Giving the Saint-Heart Begonia that title now is totally justified."
Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled.
"If that's the case, we really have to protect it. Among all the young talents in the Spirit Hall, is there anyone worthy of her? Xie Yue? No way.
Emmm... Grandpa Qingluan's grandson? Also no. That guy doesn't even talk."
Lin Feng chuckled at her.
"That's her own business. Lingling is still young—no need to worry about that now."
Qian Renxue glared at him:
"I'm just thinking ahead. Lingling is one of our own from Spirit Hall—what if she falls for some scumbag from another faction? Just thinking about it makes me upset."
Lin Feng shook his head.
"That's not for us to control. Love is free. I trust Lingling will make the right decision."
Lingyuan propped herself up on one arm and looked at Lin Feng.
"I actually think Lingling might never even consider that kind of thing."
Qian Renxue blinked.
"Why not?"
Lingyuan pouted. Her meaning was clear without needing to say it.
Qian Renxue snorted. "You think Lingling is like you? She's so sweet—no way she'd have that kind of dirty mind."
Annoyed, she pinched Lin Feng.
"Ah—what was that for?"
Qian Renxue huffed and pulled up the blanket, rubbing Lin Feng's face playfully:
"Go to sleep!"
The next morning, the three of them said goodbye to the Nine-Heart Begonia household. As they were about to leave, Ye Lingling walked up to Lin Feng.
"Brother Xiao Feng, these are candies I made for you guys."
Lin Feng looked into the storage ring—there were quite a lot of candies.
Surprised, he glanced at Ye Wanqing nearby, only to see her turn her head away. Strangely, she hadn't tried to snatch Lingling's candies today. That was new.
"Thank you, Lingling. We really like your gift. We'll definitely see you again—wait for us to come back, okay?"
Lin Feng bent down and patted Ye Lingling's little head.
Ye Lingling lowered her head, ears bright red, and softly murmured, "Mm."
On the road to Gengxin City, they had to pass through the Jincheng Mountains—
An outer range of the Star Dou Great Forest, where spirit beasts were also found.
In the jostling carriage, waves of spirit energy suddenly surged.
Qian Renxue clenched her fists, joy flickering in her eyes.
"Finally hit level 50. I can get my fifth spirit ring now."
A 13-year-old Spirit King!
Before Lin Feng's emergence, even being a Spirit Elder at 13 was genius-level.
To leap a full 20 ranks—even accounting for the innate 10 ranks of spirit power—that was terrifying.
Equivalent to 3 years of cultivation for others.
While spirit power growth slows down after Spirit King, Qian Renxue was an exception. With her talent, the pace would still be considerable.
After all, she didn't eat those two immortal herbs for nothing.
"Lingyuan, let's go help Xiaoxue get her spirit ring."
Lingyuan frowned, clearly bothered, but eventually said:
"How about… from now on you call me Sister Lingyuan? Or something else—just don't call me by name directly. Lately it's been kind of painful."
Lin Feng froze. That was the first time he'd heard something like that.
He looked at her oddly. No wonder she always insisted on it at night.
"…Okay then, Sister Lingyuan, let's go help Xiaoxue."
Lingyuan nodded in satisfaction. "Now that sounds right."
"Have you picked the spirit beast?"
Lin Feng nodded.
"There's one in the Jincheng Mountains—the Ten-Thousand-Year One-Horned Heavenly Dragon Horse. It's a light-type beast with a touch of spiritual attribute.
That's important for the evolution of Xiaoxue's soul skill."
After nearly two weeks of searching, the three finally found it.
A 23,000-year-old One-Horned Heavenly Dragon Horse—11,000 years above the theoretical limit.
But neither Qian Renxue nor Lin Feng were worried.
Advancing to Spirit King gave a big power boost.
Even ordinary Spirit Masters could absorb spirit rings from 12,000-year-old beasts. So this increase for Qian Renxue was totally normal.
After the dragon horse was slain, Qian Renxue obtained her fifth soul skill—
Holy Sword.
A longsword formed from Sacred Fire, which could also function as a blade on her hand.
Extremely powerful in attack, and it boosted the purification effect of her angelic spirit power by 300%.
If a normal spirit master was struck, their spirit power would dissolve dramatically, and combined with physical damage, they'd be either dead or near-dead.
It was a transforming soul skill—just the kind Lin Feng liked. Once she formed a Soul Vein, her understanding of the Law of Fire would grow along with it.
The Six-Winged Angel Martial Spirit was the ultimate form of light, and also carried Sacred Fire, symbolizing the nobility and judgment of angels.
Light brought warmth and purification; Sacred Fire granted the power of judgment.
In theory, Qian Renxue could walk two paths—light and flame.
And Lin Feng's idea, of course, was: Why not both?
With the Soul Vein, grasping both elemental laws would be no problem.
T/N: For up to 30 chapters ahead on most of my translations, become a p@tron at p@treon.com/LordHipposApostle