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A few days later, while Feng Xiao was enjoying lunch in the cafeteria, a familiar figure quietly appeared opposite him.
"Sister Lingling?" Feng Xiao joyfully put down his chopsticks, a smile unconsciously curving his lips, "I thought you never wanted to see me again." He deliberately sighed exaggeratedly, "Without Sister Lingling these past few days, even the food isn't as fragrant."
Ye Lingling's ear tips instantly flushed crimson, her slender fingers nervously twisting the corner of her clothes: "Don't, don't talk nonsense." She lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "I just took a few days off to handle family matters." She paused, her voice even softer, "Besides… I didn't see you come to the Ye family to find me. You even needed Sister Yan to help relay the message."
Feng Xiao noticed she had specially changed into a new hairpin today; the white jade Sea Tang hairpin in her aqua-blue long hair glowed with a warm luster under the sunlight. When she spoke, her eyelashes trembled slightly, casting tiny shadows on her porcelain-white skin. This appearance created a lovely contrast with her usual cool and aloof demeanor.
"It's my fault." Feng Xiao suddenly became serious, reaching out to pour her a cup of flower tea. "I will definitely visit another day to apologize." Amidst the diffusing tea aroma, the gentle smile in his eyes made one's heart tremble.
Just as the atmosphere turned warm, a crisp sound of footsteps approached from a distance. Dugu Yan leaned back in a chair not far away, her emerald-colored skirt gently swaying in the breeze.
"Oh~" Her red lips curved slightly, drawing out the sound, "Am I here at a bad time?"
Ye Lingling sat up abruptly like a startled fawn, her silver long hair drawing a graceful arc in the air.
Dugu Yan had already casually squeezed herself between the two, an arm resting on each of their shoulders: "I came specifically to check on the results~" She mischievously winked at Ye Lingling, "How is it? Didn't I tell you Little Feng wouldn't care about these things?"
Ye Lingling's face instantly turned red like a ripe apple, and the teacup in her hand almost spilled. Feng Xiao quickly smoothed things over: "Sister Yan, if you keep this up, Sister Lingling will take leave and hide again."
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you guys anymore" Dugu Yan smiled and raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, but then suddenly leaned close to Feng Xiao's ear and "whispered" at a volume everyone could hear: "But Lingling's outfit today was specially changed for you, you know"
"Sister Yan!" Ye Lingling stood up in embarrassment and anger, her silver long hair stirring up a fragrant breeze. Feng Xiao looked at the two women, different in style yet equally charming, and suddenly felt that today's sunlight was exceptionally bright.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more~" Dugu Yan raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, her emerald-colored wide sleeves sliding down with the movement, revealing her fair wrists. She suddenly changed the subject, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Feng Xiao: "I heard… that Little Princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is still cultivating with you?"
Feng Xiao's chopsticks paused slightly, and he looked up to meet Dugu Yan's probing gaze. Sunlight filtered through her hair, casting fragmented light spots on the table.
"She's just here to cultivate, that's all." Feng Xiao's tone was calm, a little helpless, but he noticed Ye Lingling's stirring of her spoon suddenly paused for a moment.
Dugu Yan's red lips curved slightly, her fingertips gently tapping the table: "Is that so? I think that Little Princess doesn't seem to be here purely for cultivation~"
Feng Xiao shook his head, his fingertips gently caressing the rim of the teacup: "Ultimately, she only represents the attitude of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School." His voice carried a hint of detachment, as if he had seen through the ways of the World.
Feng Xiao's eyes held a mischievous smile, his gaze flitting between the two: "Besides," he deliberately drew out the sound, "with Sister Lingling and Sister Yan, why would I bother with that Little Princess?"
Ye Lingling's ear tips instantly turned crimson. She lowered her head, stirring her teacup, her aqua-blue long hair falling to cover her slightly upturned lips. Dugu Yan, on the other hand, burst out laughing, her emerald-colored fingernail lightly tapping Feng Xiao's nose:
"I knew you were a little rascal~" Her red lips curved slightly, "So you're not planning to give up the whole forest for one tree, huh?"
Sunlight filtered through the gap between the three, casting overlapping shadows on the ground. Feng Xiao smiled without answering, merely elegantly refilling the flower tea for the two beautiful women. Amidst the diffusing tea aroma, Ye Lingling quietly looked up, meeting Feng Xiao's gentle gaze, then hastily lowered her head again. Dugu Yan, meanwhile, played with the teacup in her hand, her emerald-like eyes sparkling with a knowing light.
Feng Xiao put down his teacup, looking earnestly at Dugu Yan: "Actually, Sister Yan, I've always had a question…" He carefully chose his words, "Why can you and Sister Lingling…"
A hint of understanding flashed in Dugu Yan's emerald-like eyes. She chuckled and interrupted: "You want to ask why I can accept Lingling so frankly?" Her fingertips drew circles on the table.
Feng Xiao nodded slightly, the sunlight from the window casting fragmented light spots between his brows.
Dugu Yan suddenly became serious, her voice carrying a rare depth: "Lingling and I…" She glanced in the direction Ye Lingling had left, "are both considered single lineage now." Her finger lightly tapped her chest, "Because of Grandpa, you also understand the special nature of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Spirit. And Lingling's Nine-Hearted Begonia is even more so."
She paused for a moment, her gaze distant: "Do you understand what it means for a woman with a powerful Spirit to be of single lineage?"
Feng Xiao's pupils contracted slightly. He suddenly thought of a term from his previous life, "breeding machine." If placed in this World, such women would often be sought after by various major forces, solely to obtain their powerful Spirit bloodline. The best example was the current Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong; wasn't it Bibi Dong's powerful talent that Qian Xunji valued?
Dugu Yan sighed softly, a hint of vicissitude flashing in her emerald-like eyes: "That's why… I initially chose to be with Yu Tianheng." Her fingertips unconsciously caressed the rim of the teacup, "In the Spirit Master's world, powerful female Spirit Master…" A bitter curve appeared at the corner of her lips, "are merely precious resources coveted by various forces."
Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on her delicate profile. Feng Xiao noticed that the scale patterns on the snake-shaped jade hairpin in her hair gleamed with a cold light under the illumination.
"So Lingling and I…" Dugu Yan suddenly looked directly into Feng Xiao's eyes, her voice soft yet firm, "I believe you will protect us well." Her fingertip lightly tapped the table.
Feng Xiao's gaze suddenly became incredibly profound. "I definitely will."
Those four simple words, yet they carried the weight of a thousand pounds. The Fuxi Zither, at some unknown point, had appeared suspended beside him, its seven strings vibrating on their own without wind, emitting a clear resonance. This sound seemed to pierce through time and space, lingering in the cafeteria for a long time.
Dugu Yan stared at him in a daze, her emerald-colored eyes trembling slightly. She suddenly realized that the young man who once needed her grandfather's protection now exuded an aura that made even her heart palpitate.
Feng Xiao gently stroked the zither strings, "As long as I am here, I will definitely protect you all. I swear by my Spirit."
Sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining directly on Feng Xiao's Fuxi Zither. The ancient patterns on the zither body lit up one after another, as if bearing witness to this solemn promise.
As the two looked at Feng Xiao's serious expression, their eyes unconsciously welled up. Dugu Yan suddenly let out a giggle, reaching up to rub her reddened eyes:
"Alright" Her emerald-colored fingernail lightly tapped Feng Xiao's forehead, "It's not as serious as you think." Her tone returned to its usual lazy demeanor, "At least I still have Grandpa, a Titled Douluo, to back me up"
The sunlight outside the window became bright again, illuminating her smiling face. Dugu Yan elegantly brushed back her long hair: "As for Lingling… the special nature of the Nine-Hearted Begonia Spirit allows her to have personal connections with various major forces."
"Compared to those female Spirit Master without support…" Dugu Yan suddenly leaned closer, a faint, clean scent wafting past Feng Xiao's ear, "Our situation is already much better~"
When she pulled back, the snake-shaped jade hairpin in her hair sparkled in the sunlight, just like her mood, which had brightened once more.
At this moment, Ye Lingling also spoke softly: "Now… we also have you…"
As Ye Lingling spoke, her hands were clasped in front of her, and a lingering blush still adorned her porcelain-white cheeks.
Dugu Yan's emerald-like eyes instantly brightened, and she exaggeratedly clutched her chest: "Oh my goodness! Lingling~" She drew out the sound, "When did you get so good at talking?"
Ye Lingling's ear tips turned crimson from the teasing, and she said somewhat flustered, "I-I was just telling the truth."
Dugu Yan watched this scene and suddenly bent over with laughter: "It's over, it's over" She wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes, looking at Feng Xiao, "My Lingling has really been led astray by you"
Sunlight filtered through the gap between the three, casting intertwined shadows on the ground. Feng Xiao looked at the two beautiful women beside him, so different in style yet equally lovely, and suddenly felt that perhaps this was the entire meaning of what he was meant to protect.
Two years later, Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.
Qian Renxue's slender fingers gently traced the thick ancient text, her golden eyes shimmering with awe. The pages rustled under her fingertips, each one carrying wisdom that overturned tradition.
"Amazing… truly amazing, Little Feng." Her voice trembled slightly, and when she looked up, her eyes were filled with admiration. "I don't think you just want to shake up the Spirit Master's world." Her finger pointed to the seven large characters on the title page, "On How Spirit Master Progress," "You want to completely reshape the foundation of the Spirit Master's world."
Sunlight streamed through the glazed window, casting colorful shadows on the book's table of contents. Qian Renxue read line by line:
Basic spirit power Circulation Methods
Spirit Master's Direction of Understanding Spirits
Spirit Master's Control over Bodily Functions
Micro and Macro spirit power Control Techniques
Basic Principles and Directions of Self-Created Spirit Ability
Her fingertips trembled slightly, as if she were holding not a book, but a sharp blade capable of cleaving through the shackles of an era. This ancient text revealed the powerful underlying logic to the vast number of Spirit Master: not merely spirit power levels, nor powerful spirit ring, Spirit Bone, or Spirit Ability, but rather a Spirit Master's utilization of their own conditions, even combining their various conditions to unleash power beyond their own. In other words, it was a step-by-step guide teaching ordinary Spirit Master how to transform into an existence like Feng Xiao through acquired effort—even without immortal-grade herbs or rare Spirit Bone, they could still shine the most dazzling light in their limited lives.
"Do you know?" Qian Renxue suddenly closed the book, her golden long hair shimmering dazzlingly in the sunlight, "Once this book circulates…" She paused meaningfully, "What kind of impact will it have on the Spirit Master's world?"
Feng Xiao took a small sip of clear tea, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Even if it's released, it needs to be gradual. Xue'er, why don't you first send this ancient text back to Spirit Hall." His slender fingers gently tapped the table, "After the Elders in the Hall have studied it…"
Qian Renxue's eyes flashed. Her golden long hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her fingertips unconsciously caressed the edge of the book page: "You want other forces to actively seek it out?"
"It's just a book." Feng Xiao smiled and shook his head, the amber tea swirling in the cup. "Books need to be understood, progress takes time, and the earlier one progresses, the greater the advantage, naturally…" He deliberately drew out the sound, "Seventy percent of Spirit Master are already enough; the other thirty percent should be eliminated by the times."
"Cunning." Qian Renxue's red lips curved slightly, but she carefully put the ancient text into her spirit tool. She knew that when this tradition-defying secret manual spread within Spirit Hall, the entire Spirit Master's world would be turned upside down.
"Young Master, Princess Xue Ke has arrived." She Long's low voice reached Qian Renxue's ear through a secret sound transmission.
Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened, and a dazzling golden light instantly erupted around her. As the light swirled, her tall figure gradually changed, and in a blink, she reverted to Xue Qinghe's gentle and refined appearance.
Feng Xiao watched this scene with interest, slowly sipping his tea. The misty heat from the tea obscured the playful smile on his lips—even though he had seen it countless times, each time he witnessed this miraculous transformation, he still found it wonderfully indescribable.
"Brother Qinghe!" Xue Ke's clear voice came from outside the hall, accompanied by light footsteps. Feng Xiao put down his teacup, watching the gentle smile that instantly appeared on "Xue Qinghe's" face. Feng Xiao could feel that Qian Renxue truly regarded Xue Ke as her own younger sister.
Accompanied by a clear, bell-like voice, Xue Ke, dressed in a luxurious princess gown, trotted into the great hall. The crystal decorations on her skirt reflected dazzling light in the sunlight. She was about to bow when she was gently stopped by Xue Qinghe, impersonated by Qian Renxue.
"No need to bow to your brother." A hint of doting flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes as she reached out and ruffled Xue Ke's hair.
Xue Ke then noticed Feng Xiao beside them, and her sapphire-like eyes immediately lit up: "Teacher Feng is here too!" She delightedly performed a standard court bow, her skirt drawing a graceful arc.
Feng Xiao smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. As an honorary teacher at Moon Pavilion, he indeed taught Xue Ke music—this identity was personally invited by Tang Yuehua through "Xue Qinghe" back then.
Xue Ke clasped her hands together, her large, watery eyes blinking as she looked at Qian Renxue: "Brother Qinghe, next month is our Moon Pavilion's graduation ceremony, you must come and see!" She turned to Feng Xiao with anticipation, "Teacher Feng will also perform, right?"
Sunlight filtered through the glazed window, casting dappled shadows on the excited young girl's face. Xue Qinghe, impersonated by Qian Renxue, smiled gently: "Of course, your brother will attend his imperial sister's graduation ceremony."
Feng Xiao's gaze paused slightly on Xue Ke, as if he suddenly remembered something, and a thoughtful expression flashed in his eyes. He gently put down his teacup, and as if casually, asked: "Little Xue Ke, are there any outstanding students in this class at Moon Pavilion?"
Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, casting fragmented light spots on the tea surface. Xue Ke tilted her head, thinking, her sapphire-like eyes sparkling: "Yes! His name is Tang Yin…"