The moment Li Chang'an noticed Bibi Dong beginning to stir and open her eyes, he immediately shut his own and pretended to still be asleep. His acting skills kicked in instantly—eyes closed, breathing steady—but his hand didn't stop its movement. Suddenly pulling away would have seemed even more suspicious.
When Bibi Dong saw Li Chang'an still asleep with his eyes closed, and noticed that aside from her shoes her clothes were still intact, she didn't lose her temper. Instead, she gently took his hand and moved it to the side.
After straightening the creases in her blouse, her cheeks still flushed red, she quietly got up and went to wash up.
It wasn't until she was finished that she finally woke Li Chang'an, but she said nothing at all about what had happened that morning.
Naturally, Li Chang'an wasn't going to dig his own grave by bringing it up either. He was already quite satisfied—he had a pretty good idea of his teacher's assets, and the experience was quite... pleasing to the touch.
They had a light breakfast at the hotel, then spent the day out and about. They checked out the auction house, visited the Great Spirit Arena, and wandered through the commercial district in the afternoon. In the evening, they sampled a few seafood street snacks before heading back to the hotel.
It was still the same room, but tonight Bibi Dong firmly suggested that Li Chang'an sleep on the other bed. Clearly, she didn't want another repeat of this morning's awkwardness.
Li Chang'an didn't argue. He obediently nodded and went over to the other bed. He wasn't the type to rush things anyway. At this stage, one wrong move could undo all the progress he'd made.
Still, the two beds weren't that far apart. After lying down, Li Chang'an turned slightly and could see Bibi Dong's breathtaking beauty. Coincidentally, Bibi Dong had also turned toward him.
It was the first time Li Chang'an had seen this side of her—her long hair cascading over her shoulders, her bare face soft and natural. In that moment, Bibi Dong looked like a sleeping beauty, serene and stunning.
"Chang'an... do you like someone?"
Bibi Dong suddenly asked, though her voice was soft and uncertain, barely above a whisper. If it weren't for Li Chang'an's level of cultivation, he wouldn't have heard her at all.
When a girl you like asks if you like someone, Li Chang'an thought to himself, there are at least five layers of meaning behind it—and no fewer than ten ways to respond!
"Of course. I do like someone…" he answered, watching Bibi Dong intently, using her expression to decide how to follow up.
Sure enough, as soon as he said he liked someone, Bibi Dong's expression froze—just for a split second. There was a flicker of distress in her eyes. She hid it well, but Li Chang'an caught it.
"I like you, Teacher," he said cheekily.
That first answer had been risky, but his gamble had paid off. If Bibi Dong had no feelings for him, her expression wouldn't have shifted like that.
"You little rascal, I meant romantically. Not that kind of like," Bibi Dong rolled her eyes, but she seemed more relaxed now.
Li Chang'an nodded seriously. "Exactly. I've always dreamed of marrying a girl just like you, Teacher."
Bibi Dong felt a strange sweetness bloom in her heart when she heard that. Still, she maintained her stern tone, "What nonsense are you spouting now? How could someone like me end up with someone like you? You should focus more on girls like Nana and the others."
"But I don't wanna. I like girls like you…" Li Chang'an pouted, voice soft and whiny.
"All right, it's getting late. Go to sleep," Bibi Dong decisively ended the conversation and turned away. But just as she turned her head, she smiled. Unfortunately, Li Chang'an didn't see it.
On his bed, Li Chang'an grinned too. Though the conversation had been short, he knew—he had planted a seed in her heart. Now, he just needed to wait for the right moment for it to take root and grow.
...
The next morning passed without incident.
At dawn, Li Chang'an and Bibi Dong made their way across Vast Sea City, exiting through the west gate. They followed a wide road carved through the rocky coastline, heading straight for the docks.
Anyone who wanted to sail out from Vast Sea City's harbor had to take this road. Though building a road across the reefs was no small feat, the city government had spared no effort in making it smooth and durable.
The harbor was massive, with at least twenty piers stretching hundreds of meters into the sea, and hundreds of ships moored along them. This place was the heart of all sea trade, and one of Vast Sea City's greatest sources of wealth.
Even though the seas were home to terrifying sea spirit beasts, they also held unimaginable riches. Living by the sea meant living from the sea. That had long been the unchanging truth of Vast Sea City. Every year, people died in the mouths of sea spirit beasts—but that never stopped others from taking their place.
The land near the coast was saline and barren, unfit for farming. Only the bounty of the sea could sustain the city and allow its people to trade for the resources they needed.
Soon, Li Chang'an found the ship they had booked—a vessel marked with the logo of the rental company. It was a brand-new sea vessel, sleek and well-maintained. The hull was painted a deep steel-gray, with red and white accents on the deck. Supposedly, this iron-colored paint helped deter spirit beast attacks.
The ship was a hundred meters long and more than thirty meters wide—definitely on the larger end for sea vessels. Upon closer inspection, the gray paint covered a thick layer of iron plating that protected the hull. It even carried a few of the Spirit Hall's newly developed Grade-1 Soul Cannons.
Though Grade-1 cannons weren't all that powerful and were rather expensive, they were still highly sought after. After all, they were the first mass-produced offensive soul tools—a true sign of the changing times.
Of course, Spirit Hall's research division was already working on Grade-3 Soul Cannons. In the world of tech, you never release the next generation until the one after that is nearly ready.
"Welcome aboard the Sea God," a middle-aged man in his fifties greeted them warmly as they stepped onto the deck after showing their documents. His eyes lingered a bit too long on Bibi Dong, but as soon as Li Chang'an released a bit of his soul power, the man quickly became more respectful. In the world of spirit masters, strength spoke loudest.
"Sea God? You guys really dared to name the ship that?" Li Chang'an asked.
To coastal dwellers, the Sea God was nothing less than a divine figure!
"Heh, you may not know this, sir," the man said with a reverent smile, "but the most powerful vessel setting sail is always given the title Sea God. It's our way of seeking the Sea God's blessing..."
'Blessing? More like hoping he doesn't smite me for being aboard this thing'
"I'm Orleans, captain of the Sea God," the man continued. "Aside from me, we have two first mates, twenty crew members, five support staff, and three guest sea spirit masters at the Spirit Ancestor rank…"
Since Li Chang'an and Bibi Dong had requested the highest configuration, the ship was fully staffed, even with high-rank sea spirit masters. This was the rental company's premium package!
___
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