The lone goose clutched the medicinal herbs in her hand, staring at them with tangled thoughts.
Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong had already eaten theirs, and their spirit power rose by several levels. But she… she hadn't taken hers yet.
Her heart twisted.
When Lu Yuan had given Lingling the Eight Treasures Herb, he had said it would raise her spirit power. But after eating it, would she really… have eight children later?
Forget it, forget it. For the sake of strength… then give birth if needed!
At this time, Lu Yuan, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong were staying at a small-town hotel not far from the Star Dou Great Forest.
Originally, Yu Tianheng and the others had planned to join them for Lingling's spirit ring hunt, since they were all teammates from the same squad. But the moment Lu Yuan appeared, that plan crumbled.
"Too dangerous. If he's going, I'm staying," was their silent decision. Compared to fighting alongside Lu Yuan, sitting in class sounded much more comfortable—and far safer.
Lu Yuan himself preferred this cleaner setup. Just him, his "mistresses," and no extra crane tails dragging him down. Without dead weight like Yu Tianheng tagging along, he could fight freely.
The only thing that bothered him was that Dugu Yan hadn't come. Apparently her grandfather, Dugu Bo—the "old poison"—had summoned her back at the academy.
On the other hand, Ning Rongrong had insisted on tagging along. Along the journey, Lu Yuan noticed both girls had been unusually warm with him, circling around him, competing for his attention in not-so-subtle ways.
And Lu Yuan's natural choice… was to enjoy it.
"Big Brother Lu Yuan, eat more! This is your favorite braised pork!"
Ye Lingling touched her delicate nose, her eyes sparkling with expectation. She picked up a tender piece of meat and placed it carefully in his bowl.
Not to be outdone, Ning Rongrong smiled sweetly. "Lu Yuan Big Brother, this is wine my father's been collecting for decades. Try it!" She produced a sealed clay jar and pushed it into his hands like a prized treasure.
Lu Yuan chuckled, licking his lips. "Oh? Then let me try this…"
He popped the seal, raised the jar, and let the rich fragrance rise to his nose before drinking boldly.
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
"Haah!" He set the jar down with relish, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Good wine!"
His eyes gleamed with enjoyment as warmth coursed through him.
A mechanical voice rang in his head.
[Ding! Host is detected in excellent health. Fifth spirit ring age +500 years.]
Lu Yuan's grin widened. Just as Rongrong claimed, it really was good wine. Even the tribute wine given to him by little Xuexue only added 100 years per trigger with the Dionysus System. Yet this jar alone had pushed his ring 500 years forward.
Why hadn't Uncle Ning taken out this particular jar when he returned to the sect last time? Stingy old man!
"Lu Yuan Big Brother likes it?" Ning Rongrong asked brightly, pride flashing across her face. She'd given him her treasure, and she loved seeing him savoring it. When she glanced at Lingling, who was gnashing her teeth in quiet frustration, Rongrong's cherry lips curved up triumphantly.
"Damn it, I won't lose!" Ye Lingling muttered, fists clenched.
She suddenly stood, her eyes glinting with determination, and disappeared toward the kitchen.
Not long later, she returned, carrying a steaming platter with both hands. "Lu Yuan Big Brother," she said with a bright smile, "how can you drink without a proper dish to go with it? Try this hug carp I made myself."
Lu Yuan blinked in surprise. "Huh? Makes sense!"
The aroma of fish drifted toward him, sharp and intoxicating. The carp gleamed with a gorgeous crimson sheen, promising exquisite flavor.
His eyes lit up. He did love fish. Lingling had noticed before, which was why she had practiced this dish to perfection.
"This is her killer move," Lu Yuan realized with amusement.
He plucked a piece and placed it on his tongue. Instantly, the tender flesh melted in his mouth. "Mm! Delicious!"
Another long swig of wine followed—gulp, gulp—and Lu Yuan laughed freely. "Now this is living!"
Wine and fish, wine and meat together… perfection. In his contentment, he completely ignored the silent sparks crackling between the two women who were clearly waging war behind his back.
Before long, the jar of wine was empty. Such a shame! He found himself wishing there had been a second.
Just then, the door opened, and seven or eight people strode in.
At the front stood a short but broad-shouldered middle-aged man radiating strength. Behind him, Lu Yuan's sharp gaze caught sight of a familiar figure.
He grinned. "Little Cat! What a coincidence."
It was Zhu Zhuqing.
"Here to share a drink with me? Though, ah, too bad—you're late! Just finished a jar of amazing wine."
Zhu Zhuqing's heart jolted violently. The mysterious man who haunted her dreams, whom she had thought about countless times… stood right before her.
Her lips trembled, but before she could speak, a harsh voice broke in.
"Lu Yuan!"
Her so-called fiancée, Dai Mubai, glared at Lu Yuan, fury blazing in his eyes.
The last time they had crossed paths, Lu Yuan had kicked him half-dead. Dai Mubai had spent a week lying crippled in bed just to recover. The humiliation still burned deep.
"What's wrong, Boss Dai?" Tang San asked curiously, noting how tense Dai Mubai looked. The boy with cold black hair and a light-blue robe frowned.
Dai Mubai forced a cold snort. "Just… a little history."
Tang San's brow furrowed, but before he could press further, Ma Hongjun cracked his knuckles with a grin. "No problem, Boss Dai. We brothers will take care of it for you!"
Oscar nodded with bravado. "The dean always says, 'Anyone too afraid to stir trouble is mediocre!'"
Hearing that, Zhu Zhuqing's disgust deepened. These so-called teammates were nothing more than crude ruffians.
"Kitten, want to drink with me?" Lu Yuan ignored them, swaying slightly as he walked toward Zhu Zhuqing, hand extended.
Before his fingertips could brush her sleeve, another hand suddenly slapped his wrist.
A sharp twist followed. Pain lanced through Dai Mubai's arm. His face went pale as Lu Yuan's eyes flickered with boredom.
"Oh. It's you again. Still itching for another beating?"
Dai Mubai sucked a sharp breath, enduring the agony as Lu Yuan toyed with his wrist.
Tang San's eyes narrowed, and with a cold shout he struck. His palm gleamed with jade light, whipping toward Lu Yuan.
Boom!
Lu Yuan barely moved. With a flick of his sleeve, he deflected the palm strike, sending Tang San skidding back a few steps.
The disparity was obvious.
Tang San's gaze hardened—this man was no ordinary opponent.
Dai Mubai growled, gritting out between his teeth, "Don't hold back! Brothers, take him together!"
The innkeeper scrambled forward, panicked. "Sirs, please! My place is small, don't fight here!"
Lu Yuan yawned, shaking off Dai Mubai's wrist with contempt. "Fine, fine. Let's take this outside. No sense ruining my bed."
Drunk though he felt, his head was still clear. Wrecking the hotel would mean no soft place to sleep after his drink.
The Shrek group quickly regrouped.
"Boss Dai… who is he?" Tang San asked grimly.
Dai Mubai's lips thinned. "Lu Yuan."
The words struck like lightning.
Ma Hongjun's confident grin faltered. "No way! Boss Dai, you actually offended that pervert?"
After all, Lu Yuan's name was already whispered across much of the Douluo Continent.
And now, Shrek would learn firsthand why.
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