Qian Yucheng and Ling Yuan left Wuhun City and arrived at the familiar courtyard.
Sensing the familiar presence, Shui Yunyan hurriedly opened the gate.
Upon seeing Qian Yucheng, she smiled happily.
"Young Master, Sister Ling Yuan, come in quickly!"
Shui Yunyan was still the same as before, without much change.
If one had to say something, it was that the peaches were almost ripe but hadn't been picked yet.
After inviting the two inside, the four children also came out.
"Teacher!"
"Aunt Ling Yuan!"
Wang Lei, Shui Qing'er, Mu Lan, and Shui Weiwei were already looking like half-adults.
Children in the Douluo World generally develop earlier.
Seven years had passed, and the most talented was still Mu Lan, now a level 48 Power Attack Soul Master!
Next was Shui Qing'er, a level 44 Control Soul Master;
followed by Shui Weiwei, a level 38 Support Soul Master;
and finally Wang Lei, a level 37 Power Attack Soul Venerable.
"The four of you are now Soul Masters and Soul Sect members, but you mustn't slack off!"
"The monthly practical battles in the Soul Arena are essential; don't neglect them, understand?"
Qian Yucheng had to be strict with them during this crucial period of their growth.
Once they reached Soul King level and had basic self-defense capabilities, he would let them test their ideas and broaden their horizons.
Over the years, he had imparted a great deal of knowledge to them; theoretically, they were already quite proficient, but the time for practical application hadn't arrived yet.
Hearing Qian Yucheng's instructions, the four understood that their teacher was doing it for their own good.
"We understand, Teacher!"
Qian Yucheng nodded and smiled, "Later, I'll personally cook and see which is better, my cooking or Aunt Yunyan's, how about it?!"
"Yay! I love Teacher's cooking the most!"
"Me too!"
"Me too!"
"Same to me!"
The four children smiled, eagerly anticipating Qian Yucheng's cooking.
Shui Yunyan, however, pretended to be angry, saying, "Oh dear, then I won't cook today. My cooking skills are inferior to Young Master's, in your opinions!"
Ling Yuan couldn't help but laugh at her antics.
She teased, "Sister Yunyan, when did you learn this trick too?!"
Shui Yunyan looked at her in confusion, as if to say: Why would you ask that? Isn't this
something you're born with? Lingyuan really couldn't learn this.
Because of her martial soul, her personality was straightforward and fiery.
Qian Yucheng naturally heard Shui Yunyan's words and didn't expect that this kind of woman from the south of the continent could be so naturally charming.
He criticized, "Yunyan, stop doing this in front of the children, don't corrupt Qing'er and Weiwei!"
"Hmph!" Shui Yunyan rolled her eyes at him and pulled Lingyuan into the house to talk.
The four children: ?
Qian Yucheng shook his head. How could such a grown-up act like a child!
"Alright, alright, you guys go buy groceries, we'll have a big meal for lunch!"
Qian Yucheng took out forty gold soul coins from his storage soul tool, gave ten to each of the four, and sent them out to buy groceries.
Now the courtyard was quiet, and he lay down on the rocking chair in the courtyard.
Smelling the familiar fragrance, she closed her eyes to rest.
...
Shui Yunyan, meanwhile, led Ling Yuan to her room.
She had already noticed Ling Yuan's unusual condition, and after they sat down, she asked,
"Sister Ling Yuan, what's wrong with you? I feel a sense of emptiness."
Ling Yuan sighed, "When I first met the Second Young Master, he pointed out my problem, but unfortunately, I didn't listen..."
"After breaking through to the Title Douluo level, the conflict between my Martial Soul and my body has become increasingly frequent, and I've fainted inexplicably several times."
Shui Yunyan looked at her incredulously, "Really? How come I'm perfectly fine?"
"The Second Young Master once said that women's constitutions are Yin, and my Martial Soul, the Fiery Spirit Kite, being at a high level would cause an imbalance of Yin and Yang in my body."
"If the Soul Rings I absorbed were fire-attribute bird Soul Rings, it might not be so serious, but unfortunately, my third, fourth, and fifth Soul Rings were all produced by other types of fire-attribute Soul Beasts!"
"If only I had met the Second Young Master sooner, I wouldn't have gone through so many detours!"
"Of course, I think meeting the Second Young Master is my good fortune!"
Ling Yuan said, the dejection on her face disappearing.
She stretched out her right hand, and cold Soul Power condensed on it!
"This... how can you cultivate ice-attribute Soul Skills with fire-attribute Soul Power?"
"Conflicts in Soul Power will be very dangerous!"
Shui Yunyan frowned and advised her.
"No, you're wrong. This is a soul skill—Frost True Qi—that the Second Young Master researched to alleviate the conflict between my body and my martial soul!"
"After cultivating it, it can neutralize the excess fire-attribute soul power in my body, and I feel much better afterward!"
Ling Yuan explained why she released frost soul power.
"But why didn't you choose Yin-Yang Harmony?"
"I've read the Young Master's book; it describes a method to resolve Yin-Yang imbalance—the method of Yin-Yang harmony and balance!"
Shui Yunyan asked, puzzled.
Ling Yuan's ears turned red, and even the frost soul power in her hand dissipated.
"I... haven't met someone I like yet..."
"Of course... you wouldn't easily choose that method!"
Looking at her girlish expression, Shui Yunyan sighed. She'd taken a liking to the Young Master!
Was her [older sister] going to become her rival in love?!
However, thinking of Qian Yucheng's charm, she dismissed the idea.
Such an outstanding man would attract many women!
It's just that he's always stayed in the Martial Soul Hall; otherwise, he would already be surrounded by beauties!
"You've fallen for the Second Young Master, haven't you!" she blurted out.
"Ah... impossible, how could I possibly like him!"
Ling Yuan quickly retorted.
Seeing her reaction, Shui Yunyan knew she was deeply in love!
Her words were so obviously contradictory!
Shui Yunyan thought to herself, "Hmph, I was here first!"
That winter, she fainted in Wuhun City and met Qian Yucheng, who was about to buy this courtyard.
After she woke up, he took meticulous care of her. Upon
hearing that her home was gone, he gave her this place, telling her: "This will be your new home from now on!"
From that moment on, she decided to follow him for life, even if it meant being a maid.
But Qian Yucheng never treated her like a maid; he cared for her more like a younger sister.
He always had a kind smile on his face, so approachable.
Later, he helped her awaken her martial spirit, acquire her soul rings…
Shui Yunyan couldn't think of any way to repay Qian Yucheng for these kindnesses.
She could only protect him, shielding him from harm, even at the cost of her own life!
Following him for the rest of her life seemed like a good thing!
Those four children, all with similar experiences to hers, were the ones she brought back.
Qian Yucheng didn't blame her; instead, he said she was a kind-hearted person, and whoever married her would be incredibly fortunate!
But she had already secretly resolved to marry no one but Qian Yucheng!
And Ling Yuan, who had been with him for seven years, had also been attracted to him!
Thinking of this, Shui Yunyan felt a strange resentment rise in her heart.
What?! She was here first!
...