"Why? Does Xiaobei not want his teacher to accompany him?"
Bibi Dong crouched slightly, her robes stretching tight across her chest. Even though Subei was still young, he almost choked. If he were just a little older, his nose would already be gushing blood.
"It's good, of course," he said quickly, laughing. "The Star Dou Forest is dangerous. It'll be much safer with Teacher protecting us."
Hu Liena's fox-like eyes curved with satisfaction. She trusted Bibi Dong implicitly—her teacher wasn't just a mentor, but also like a strict mother to her.
"Yes," Hu Liena chimed, sweetly. "With Teacher here, everything will be fine!"
Subei smiled faintly. Mischief tugged at his lips as he raised two fingers—index and middle side by side. "Besides, I have plenty of tricks mastered with these two fingers."
Hu Liena blinked, her expression curious and full of admiration. "Really? What kind of trick? Cooking?"
"Yes," she nodded brightly before he could answer. "You look good, your talent is sky-high, and now you're skilled at cooking too? You're amazing, Bei!"
Her admiration beamed like worship, stars sparkling in her eyes.
[System: Congratulations, Host. Your boasting has succeeded once again. Hu Liena's admiration has risen. Current affection progress: 40.]
[Reward Unlocked—① Five-Star Chef Techniques: conquer hearts with the power of delicious food.
② Paoding Jieniu Knife Arts: mastery over dismantling beasts, slicing rare ingredients with surgical skill, usable both in cooking and combat.]
Subei's face darkened. What?! This isn't boasting, it's real!
"Xiao Ai, you dare slander me?! I really am a grill master!"
The system's neutral tone slapped back mercilessly: [Correction. The host has basic grill experience limited to sausages. Often burnt. Barely entry-level.]
"~~~~!!!" Subei clenched his fists. Traitor system!
Hu Liena was too besotted to care. She clapped her hands excitedly. "Then Bei, you'll cook for me later, right? I can't wait!"
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong's eyes had fixed on those two raised fingers. Her stoic, noble face sought to remain calm—but her ears burned pink.
If these fingers were just a little longer, thicker... white and perfect...
Her thoughts spun indecently.
Before her imagination embarrassed even herself, she swiftly reached out and caught Subei's hand. Her grip tightened just slightly against those pale fingers.
"Xiaobei," she said seriously, "don't use that gesture in front of others anymore. Do you understand?"
"Eh? Why?" he asked innocently.
"It's… impolite." Her gaze carried subtle heat. "That sign should only be used… with the closest person. Never in public."
Hu Liena blinked in confusion. "The closest person…?" Her lips parted slowly as her thoughts clicked. Then her eyes widened with sparkling hope.
"Bei! If that's the case—use it with me! I want to be your closest person! Show me how to use it!"
Her straightforward plea stunned the hall.
Tang San, clueless yet envious, scribbled the memory in his heart. When Teacher has time, I must privately ask him about this sacred gesture. If it means becoming the closest… then I will learn too!
"You foolish child!" Bibi Dong snapped suddenly, her tone sharp. Hu Liena flinched badly, shrinking against Subei's shoulder.
Bibi Dong's scolding was laced with hidden annoyance. How could my disciple blurt such things so shamelessly?! If anyone deserves to be first for this gesture… it should be me!
Instantly, Hu Liena's lips trembled. Her red eyes turned glassy with tears, staring up at Subei for comfort.
He brushed her hair back gently. "Teacher, don't be so fierce. Poor Na'er…"
"Mn…" Hu Liena buried herself into his chest for comfort, voice muffled. "Then Bei, can't I… marry you in the future? Can't I be your Nana forever?"
Her soft words landed in the dead center of Bibi Dong's chest.
For a beat, silence ruled. Tang San's face twitched. Yan clenched his teeth. Bibi Dong's heartbeat stumbled.
Subei only winked smoothly. "Why not?"
The playful light in his eyes gave Hu Liena courage and hope, her heart pounding with sweetness. She clung tighter, her resolve hardening. Even if Teacher glares, even if rivals circle him… Nana will never give up on Bei.
Bibi Dong's expression cracked. Part outrage, part ache, part helplessness. She wanted to claim him solely for herself, yet here he was, winking at another girl with such ease. Her nails dug faint crescents into her scepter.
Beside them, Yan stared in bitterness. He had thought he'd rage upon seeing Na'er cling to another man, but strangely—looking at Subei's face, his very soul surrendered. Against this boy… even Nana's devotion felt natural.
Perhaps even Nana isn't worthy of him, Yan thought numbly. This beauty is beyond rivalry.
Bibi Dong inhaled slowly, suppressing her unrest. She stroked Subei's head softly, her voice coaxing. "Stupid child. You're still young. You don't understand. Na'er is your senior sister. Don't speak recklessly. Between men and women, you must respect propriety."
Her hypocrisy gnawed at her tongue, but she pressed on, trying to repair her image as Teacher. With difficulty.
Subei smirked in secret. Respect? Teacher, you're the one with the strangest fantasies, aren't you?
But he let her change the subject as she declared: "In truth, we are heading into Star Dou not just to hunt Tang San's ring or to accompany you, but for another urgent reason."
"What reason?" Subei probed—but Hu Liena's eyes already sharpened.
"Teacher… are you talking about the Titan Giant Ape?" she guessed.
Bibi Dong nodded. "Yes. Months ago, an animal tide erupted in Star Dou. The forest is unstable. I suspect terrifying changes. A hundred-thousand-year beast has appeared. We must obtain its ring, its soul bone—these will be crucial to Spirit Hall's strength. I came personally to investigate and suppress the elders' covetousness."
Her eyes swept to Subei with hidden weight. "And… when you gifted that Enchantment Soul Bone to Na'er, I wondered. Perhaps its birth tied directly to the forest's upheaval. If so, then somewhere in Star Dou is a beast even I would hesitate to fight—an existence not weaker than me."
Her words froze the group.
Tang San paled. Hu Liena bit her lip nervously. Yan clenched fists unconsciously.
But Subei's expression faltered inwardly for a different reason.
She's not wrong. Gu Yuena, the Silver Dragon King, locked me as the king of beasts. Her aura still lingers. If Spirit Hall probes deeper, they'll inevitably brush against her will.
This trip suddenly felt far less like a picnic…