Dugu Yan felt the pair of scorching hands disappear from her back and opened her eyes in confusion.
She saw Dugu Bo standing in the distance, smiling as he looked at her.
Seeing that her grandfather had ruined her moment, Dugu Yan pouted and said, "Grandpa, what are you doing here?"
Dugu Bo knew the timing might not be right and quickly coaxed her, "Grandpa didn't mean to disturb you two. I just have something to discuss with Li Xun."
"What is it, Grandpa Dugu?"
Knowing that Dugu Bo must have something important to say, Li Xun quickly stepped forward.
"The Sect Leader has sent word. Heavenly Dou has officially launched an attack on Star Luo and has already achieved some results. However, this is only temporary. To maintain the current advantage, we must withstand the continuous counterattacks from the Clear Sky Sect and Star Luo. I need to return for a while. You two should be careful here."
Dugu Bo was growing more and more satisfied with Li Xun.
Now eighteen years old, Li Xun had a heroic aura about him. Dressed in a bright white martial outfit, he exuded vitality, and his Soul Power was nearing the Titled Realm. He truly was an excellent candidate for a grandson-in-law.
"So it has begun?"
This had been planned long ago, so Li Xun wasn't surprised. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Grandpa Dugu, after you return, try not to harm civilians or ordinary soldiers. Just restrain the experts on Star Luo's side."
"Why? With my current strength, using poison would greatly speed up Heavenly Dou's offensive," Dugu Bo asked, puzzled.
As a level 95 Titled Douluo with water-attribute attacks, using water to carry poison was more lethal and easier to control than poison gas alone. He could easily summon a light rain to swiftly annihilate an entire city.
"This is for your own good and for the sake of the innocent."
Li Xun explained, "You might think the two empires are fighting with hundreds of thousands of troops, but the final death toll might not even compare to the number of lives lost if you were to wipe out a city."
"Even though we belong to two different nations, if you act too ruthlessly, it could tarnish your reputation in the eyes of future generations."
It wasn't that Li Xun was being overly compassionate, but the outcome of this war had little to do with ordinary people.
Once one of them became a god and obtained absolute power, all of this would naturally come to an end.
What they needed to do now was merely to hinder Bibidong's progress in her God Trial.
Li Xun naturally wouldn't allow Dugu Bo to harm ordinary people the way Tang San had.
Hearing this, Dugu Bo felt a warmth in his heart. Truly, his future grandson-in-law even considered his reputation. "I understand what to do. You and Yan Yan can focus on your cultivation here with peace of mind."
After saying this, Dugu Bo chatted with Dugu Yan for a while longer. Then, while Li Xun wasn't paying attention, he secretly slipped a mysterious little bottle into her hand.
No one knew what Dugu Bo whispered into Dugu Yan's ear, but it made her blush and pout in embarrassment.
Seeing that although his granddaughter was putting up a tough front, she still secretly tucked the bottle away, Dugu Bo couldn't help but laugh heartily. In high spirits, he turned and left.
Li Xun watched Dugu Bo, puzzled: What's so joyful about going to the battlefield?
The Tidal Body Tempering trial would be over in three days. After that, it would be time to hunt the Evil Spirit Tiger Whale Group.
Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation had already reached level 70 two months ago. Considering the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, Li Xun had deliberately made her wait until now.
When Zhu Zhuqing absorbed the God-given Soul Ring, she sacrificed two lives to elevate her Sixth Soul Ring to 81,000 years.
After another year of Tidal Body Tempering, her physical constitution had improved once more, and her endurance should have grown stronger.
Having reached this stage, staying on Seagod Island held little meaning. Li Xun decided to return to the continent after helping Zhu Zhuqing obtain her Soul Ring.
The God Trial required completion within a year—finishing too quickly was pointless, and without advancing their cultivation realm, they would likely be stuck at Poseidon's stage.
Having stayed on Seagod Island for too long, he also wanted to return to the continent to see how things were and make preparations for the future.
After Li Xun obtained the God of Slaughter Domain, the anticipated Asura God Trial did not appear. Now, with him and Ning Rongrong sharing the Sea God Affinity, he couldn't help but feel uncertain no matter how he thought about it.
The Sea God was a first-class deity, inherently inferior to a God King. If their power was further divided equally, it would inevitably affect their strength.
Three days later, as the last tide receded, the rewards arrived as expected.
As anticipated, Li Xun and Ning Rongrong equally shared the 15% Sea God Affinity awarded from the trial.
Due to her level bottleneck, Zhu Zhuqing's rewarded two levels of Soul Power did not manifest, remaining at level 70.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan's Soul Power reached level 69, which was undoubtedly a significant improvement for her.
"Brother, when will this kind of life ever end?"
Ning Rongrong thought bitterly about how hard she had trained, yet her cultivation had fallen further behind Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan.
From what she knew, even after passing all the trials, one still needed to cultivate to level 100 to become a god. But now she was only at level 65, still worlds apart from level 100.
"As the saying goes, good food is worth waiting for."
Li Xun glanced at Ning Rongrong: "You started later than Zhuqing and the others, but haven't you still grown somewhat?"
It took Ning Rongrong a while to understand what Li Xun meant. Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly covered her chest: "You only know how to bully me."
Over the past year, Li Xun's behavior had grown increasingly bold. They were no longer children, so they naturally understood the implications.
"Ungrateful. Without me, could you have grown this fast?"
Li Xun made a grasping motion in front of Ning Rongrong, demonstrating the growth process from small to large.
"Ugh! Shameless." Ning Rongrong's face turned crimson. She slapped Li Xun's hand away and tried to run off, instantly forgetting her worries about her slow progress.
Unexpectedly, Li Xun grabbed her: "Leave your door open for me tonight. I'll give you some private tutoring."
The whispered words in her ear felt like a demon's murmur. Ning Rongrong felt a tingling sensation rise from her tailbone, quickly spreading throughout her body, making her instinctively clamp her legs together and shudder.
"..." Ning Rongrong's mind went blank. Remembering what happened last time, she didn't know what to say. She quickly lowered her head and hurried away.
Seeing this, Li Xun revealed a victor's smile.
Over the years, he had exercised great restraint due to their age. Although he often deepened his relationships with the three, he had always maintained boundaries.
Now, these shackles were finally removed.
His recent efforts to desensitize Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had also shown some effect.
Li Xun still remembered what Ning Rongrong had once said to him, so he planned to follow the example of his predecessors.
As for letting women go—unless the Douluo Continent was destroyed.
Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan inadvertently exchanged glances.
Girls tend to mature earlier emotionally, and Zhu Zhuqing clearly understood why Li Xun had been growing increasingly restless lately. Even Ning Rongrong had her own speculations in mind.
However, everyone had kept this layer of unspoken understanding intact, wanting to see what choice Li Xun would ultimately make.
After the details of the Sea God's Fourth Trial were revealed, the group gathered to briefly discuss the content before returning to their lodgings.
Having endured a year of Tidal Body Tempering, they could finally enjoy a proper day of rest.
Li Xun glanced at the three girls, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.
(End of Chapter)