Ye Qiu extended his right hand, his spirit power circulating.
A piercing roar echoed throughout the secret room.
The blue-purple lightning illuminated Qian Renxue's beautiful face.
Qian Renxue frowned.
"Is this the Spirit Bone Skill you obtained?"
"Yes, the lightning emitted from the Spirit Bone can activate my body, then I concentrate the power in my hand and pierce through with extreme speed!"
With that, Ye Qiu stabbed at the stone bed beneath him.
Pfft!
Without any hindrance, Ye Qiu's palm easily sank into the stone bed.
The lightning dissipated, and the noise vanished.
"The power is indeed good!"
Qian Renxue looked at the mark on the stone bed and nodded.
Then she gave Ye Qiu an annoyed glare.
Ever since she met Ye Qiu,
she didn't know how many times the stone bed in her secret room had been replaced.
Curiously, she asked, "What's the name of this move?"
"As for the name, hmm... The piercing sound it makes when used is like a Thousand Birds chirping at once, so let's call it Thousand Birds!"
Ye Qiu's face held a faint, meaningful smile.
He looked at his right hand, lost in thought.
This Spirit Bone Skill was very playable, mainly because it was cool.
"Thousand Birds?"
Qian Renxue nodded slightly; the name was indeed very fitting.
"Oh, right!" Ye Qiu seemed to remember something and suddenly said to Qian Renxue with a smile, "After my mental force recovered, I found that my mental force also improved a lot, and I'm not far from the Ten Thousand Year sixth spirit ring you need!"
"Mm!" Qian Renxue responded softly, then sat down directly by the bed.
She wasn't too anxious about this; it would still be some time before she broke through to level fifty-nine.
Qian Renxue suddenly leaned on Ye Qiu's shoulder again.
"By the way, are you really not afraid that I'll kill you?"
"Uh..."
Ye Qiu looked at her strangely, paused, and thought of his previous 'honey trap' plan. He didn't think much of it and instead put his arm around her waist.
He began to act according to his previous thoughts.
Having just bathed not long ago, her hair was still a little damp, and her body exuded a pleasant fragrance.
Her soft waist had no excess flesh; it felt balanced and comfortable to hold.
Looking into Qian Renxue's eyes, he chuckled and said,
"Didn't you say we were good friends? And this was something I promised you before!"
"So... this is how you take advantage of friends?"
Before he could fully appreciate it,
a resentful voice wafted into his ear.
Qian Renxue's face flushed, and then she looked at Ye Qiu coldly.
"Hehe..." Ye Qiu's face stiffened, and he could only laugh awkwardly, withdrawing his hand.
"Ye Qiu, put away your little tricks. Without my permission... you're not allowed to push your luck!"
Qian Renxue's voice was cold.
Yet, she went a step further, reaching out to hug Ye Qiu's waist, leaning her entire body against him.
She exhaled like an orchid, smiling as she watched Ye Qiu's reddening face.
"And you are not allowed to refuse me! For now, I temporarily allow you not to refuse or take responsibility for any of this. Everything will be settled later!"
Ye Qiu felt her soft, warm body pressed tightly against his.
It made him somewhat unable to control himself.
He turned to look at Qian Renxue, his face full of strangeness.
"Isn't this a bit unfair?"
"Unfair? It's always been unfair! After all, you, who were shouting about being friends, took advantage of me quite a bit before..."
Qian Renxue nodded in agreement, raising a hand and placing it on Ye Qiu's face.
"Besides, I like you, but you don't like me. What right do you have to touch me?"
"Ah?!"
Ye Qiu was utterly astonished.
What kind of ridiculous logic was this?!
Qian Renxue, however, ignored him.
Her red lips lightly touched him, like raindrops.
She gently, and fleetingly, tapped Ye Qiu's lips many times.
Ye Qiu endured it silently, helplessly.
Until her red lips were adorned with a vibrant, glistening crimson.
Only then did Qian Renxue, smiling, finally stop.
She then leaned into Ye Qiu's neck, gently bit it, and moved her wet tongue.
Ye Qiu felt somewhat uncomfortable from being teased.
Not until a blood-red plum imprint was left did Qian Renxue, smiling, finally stop.
She pressed her small face to Ye Qiu's ear and whispered softly.
"Ye Qiu~ Is it very uncomfortable? As long as you treat me well, I will reward you..."
"Alright, stop messing around!"
Ye Qiu grabbed her soft hand, which was trying to roam freely, and rolled his eyes helplessly.
This girl actually wouldn't let him use his 'honey trap'... But it didn't matter; Ye Qiu wasn't very interested in that kind of temptation anyway.
He preferred to connect with her heart first. The Sharingan only provided him with opportunities to start that connection.
He wasn't in a hurry.
"Didn't you say there was something else you needed to tell me?"
"Hurry up and say it!"
Ye Qiu wiped his honey-coated lips and asked Qian Renxue, whose face was flushed.
"Actually, it's nothing major!"
Qian Renxue leaned comfortably against Ye Qiu.
"It's just to remind you about the cultivation of the Spirit Fusion Skill!"
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about that!" Ye Qiu immediately nodded.
"Is that so? Who was it last time who kept saying that once you were done with that busy period, you could come and cultivate with me every day? But what happened?"
Qian Renxue furrowed her delicate brows, her eyes filled with inquiry.
Ye Qiu chuckled awkwardly, not knowing what to say.
Qian Renxue snorted coldly, saying,
"Hmph! You don't need to explain. What's past is past. From now on, you must stay here at least one night every three days!"
"Three days? I'm afraid that won't work recently..." Ye Qiu quickly shook his head upon hearing this.
"Do you still have something to be busy with?"
Qian Renxue sat up straight, her expression quickly turning cold.
"Yes, I have to go to the Star Dou Great Forest!" Ye Qiu spread his hands.
He then told Qian Renxue about finding suspected assassins targeting her in the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Really or fake?" Qian Renxue looked at him suspiciously.
"Of course, it's real. Why would I lie to you?"
Ye Qiu smiled helplessly.
His hand, however, was already mischievously grasping Qian Renxue's soft hand.
"Then do you want me to have Porcupinefish and Snake Lance protect you closely?"
Qian Renxue thought carefully for a moment.
Now, the Qian Jun Jiang Mo brothers had withdrawn from Soto City.
And the agreement with Ye Qiu hadn't been fully fulfilled.
Out of concern for Ye Qiu's safety, it was also a good opportunity to let Porcupinefish and the other fill in and exchange duties with the two uncles.
"Forget it, I'm not used to that," Ye Qiu shook his head decisively.
When Qian Renxue wasn't around,
it was unknown how obedient those two would be.
Moreover, he wouldn't let anyone else know about some of his affairs.
"If you don't want them, then fine. But they should always be in this residence. If you encounter anyone you can't deal with, you can come find them. I will arrange it!"
Qian Renxue didn't force him.
Instead, she changed her approach.
"That could work!" Ye Qiu agreed with a smile.
For his Divine Might, this was not only a divine tool for escape but also good for calling for help.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, I should leave! I've been out for so long, Rongrong and the others..."
"Ye Qiu!" Qian Renxue said coldly, interrupting Ye Qiu.
She took her soft hand out of Ye Qiu's palm.
"Try not to mention them in front of me in the future; it makes me very unhappy!"
"Alright! I'll pay attention from now on..."
Although a bit helpless, Ye Qiu was trying his best to accept the ambiguous relationship between them.
"Remember, you must come find me after you complete that task! I'm watching everything in Soto City!"
"Understood!" Ye Qiu nodded seriously.
Then he disappeared from the secret room.
Qian Renxue looked at the empty secret room, feeling a moment of trance.
She gently caressed her red lips, murmuring to herself.
"Ye Qiu, don't disappoint me! Hehe..."
...
Just as Ye Qiu was absorbing the Spirit Bone and breaking through.
Balak Kingdom.
In the VIP waiting room of the Great Spirit Arena in Yale City.
Most of the Royal Fight Team members had already gone on stage for one-on-one or two-on-two Spirit Fights.
Qin Ming was outside watching his students' battles.
In the waiting room, only Dugu Yan and the two other girls remained.
Xiao Lan, who was gorging herself, suddenly reacted.
Ye Lingling, who was feeding her, felt Xiao Lan's aura constantly strengthening, stunned.
She was a little dumbfounded.
This was not the first time Xiao Lan had broken through so casually.
Dugu Yan, who was watching the Spirit Fight through the glazed wall, was also drawn by the commotion from Xiao Lan.
"Xiao Lan, you broke through again?"
"Yes, yes! Xiao Lan is already level thirty-seven!" Xiao Lan, with red hair, nodded happily, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
She could feel her body changing, developing into the appearance her brother liked...
"That's great!" Dugu Yan exclaimed happily.
The reason she was so happy was that she understood the relationship between Ye Qiu and Xiao Lan.
Xiao Lan breaking through meant Ye Qiu had also broken through!
It seemed he was doing well!
Looking at Xiao Lan, who had grown quite a bit but still had a clear face.
Dugu Yan couldn't help but reach out and pinch Xiao Lan's chubby cheeks, which were still full of food.
She even leaned in and took two small sips.
The taste was very similar to her husband's, which could ease her longing.
Being pecked by Dugu Yan made her a little ticklish.
Xiao Lan couldn't help but wrinkle her nose. She had already gotten used to this kind of interaction with Dugu Yan.
After all, Sister Lingling also often did such things to her.
She was already used to it.
But Ye Lingling couldn't get used to it, couldn't get used to Xiao Lan's cultivation being as simple as eating and drinking.
It was fine before, only breaking through one level.
But now, in just a few days, she had broken through two more levels!
This was simply too absurd!
"Xiao Lan, how exactly do you cultivate? Can you just keep eating and improve?"
Ye Lingling, veiled in black gauze, curiously poked Xiao Lan's round belly.
Her face showed curiosity and confusion.
Although she guessed part of it correctly, she didn't guess it completely.
"Sister Lingling, Xiao Lan can't say!"
Xiao Lan gently shook her head.
Having been human for so long, she was gradually adapting.
"Mm, okay!" Ye Lingling's personality prevented her from pestering others about questions they didn't want to answer.
After getting Xiao Lan's reply, she said nothing more.
"Sister Lingling," just as Xiao Lan was about to say something else,
outside, the announcer's voice from the Douluo Arena rang out.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Next up for the one-on-one Spirit Fight are two Spirit Elders!"
"They are level thirty-five control system Spirit Elder Lan Ruobing, with the Fire Ghost Vine Spirit! And level thirty-eight attack system Spirit Elder Yan Que, with the Blazing Bird Spirit!"
"Let's welcome them to the stage with a round of warm applause!"
"Xiao Lan, it's your turn to go out!" Dugu Yan took off the scarf Xiao Lan was wearing.
"Mm, Sister Yan Yan, I heard you!" Xiao Lan stood up happily.
"Sister Lingling, Xiao Lan is going to the Soul Arena first!"
"Mm, be careful, and good luck!" Ye Lingling nodded, smiling as she wiped her mouth.
"Then I'm off!" Xiao Lan happily grabbed a handful of candies and darted out in a flash.
Chewing on the candies as she walked towards the Douluo Arena.
She crunched on candies as she passed through the entrance tunnel.
When she stood on the Douluo Arena,
Xiao Lan's face no longer held any smile. Her hands hung naturally at her sides, and her eyes were unblinking.
Expressionless, she turned sideways to look at her opponent.
She looked cool, as if she had no emotions.
"This Xiao Lan is really mischievous!"
Ye Lingling in the VIP room couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Xiao Lan like this.
Her lips, hidden by the black veil, curved into an uncontrollable smile.
"Yes! He's practically a different species from Ye Qiu!"
Dugu Yan also nodded in agreement.
Someone like that Ye Qiu isn't so boisterous.
He also seems a bit insecure, especially when dealing with emotions.
She wondered if his level had improved after all this time.
Had he listened to her and convinced Xiao Wu?
If so, she could almost completely give herself to him.
"Yan Zi, you and Xiao Lan are truly deeply poisoned, aren't you!" Seeing Dugu Yan's alluring, silken gaze directed at the empty air, Ye Lingling couldn't help but roll her eyes.
These two talked about Ye Qiu every single day.
As the only three girls in the team, they naturally shared a room.
She had heard more than once Dugu Yan hugging Xiao Lan in her sleep, calling out Ye Qiu's name, and even biting and touching…
Xiao Lan was even worse; when asked to choose a nickname for the Douluo Arena, she wanted to register as 'Brother's Xiao Lan'…
It almost gave Ye Lingling, who usually had no emotional fluctuations, goosebumps.
Lan Ruobing.
That name was given by her!
Now it seemed Xiao Lan was still very good at getting into character.
"Then, Lingling, are you poisoned?" Dugu Yan put away her lovesick expression and suddenly looked at Ye Lingling teasingly.
"You dead Yan Zi, what nonsense are you talking about!"
Ye Lingling froze for a moment, then immediately glared at Dugu Yan, her pretty face, hidden by the black veil, flushing slightly.
"Lingling, I'm not talking nonsense. You, who are usually indifferent to everything, actually helped a stranger the first time you met him."
"Alright, Yan Zi! I do have a bit of a good impression of him, but it's just a good impression! You know me, I won't consider that kind of thing!"
Ye Lingling interrupted Dugu Yan, her voice growing colder.
Everyone appreciates beauty.
Ye Lingling admitted that at first, she did have a tiny bit of a good impression of Ye Qiu because of his excellent appearance.
But it was definitely not to the point of having any feelings.
Dugu Yan hadn't expected Ye Lingling to admit it so readily.
It seemed she didn't have many thoughts about Ye Qiu.
But it couldn't be said she had none.
After all, she saw clearly that when Ye Lingling lightly kissed Xiao Lan, her gaze was very unusual.
There was a hint of the way Dugu Yan herself looked at Ye Qiu.
However, Dugu Yan also understood Ye Lingling's situation.
A hint of concern and sincerity appeared in her eyes.
Her words just now weren't a whim.
They were well-considered.
She shifted her shapely bottom and sat directly next to Ye Lingling, embracing her slender shoulders.
"Lingling, actually, even if you had something for Ye Qiu, I wouldn't mind. I'd even wish for it!"
"Yan Zi, are you crazy!" Ye Lingling looked at her in surprise. "Don't try to test me anymore, I won't break up what you two have."
"Lingling, where are you going with this? You probably don't know, but besides me, that Ye Qiu guy has several other confidantes, including Ning Rongrong, the young Miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. They should all be getting along well by now."
Dugu Yan laughed dumbfounded, then lay down directly, resting her head on Ye Lingling's soft thigh.
"Really?!" Ye Lingling looked at her in shock.
"What? Can't tell, right?" Dugu Yan smiled.
Ye Qiu did look harmless and honest. If one hadn't interacted with him deeply, they really wouldn't know he was a thorough philanderer!
"Mm." Ye Lingling nodded blankly.
Then she looked at Dugu Yan strangely.
"Then, Yan Zi, how did you…"
"How did I still get together with him? Of course, it's because I love him."
Dugu Yan quickly took over the conversation.
If it weren't for true love, even if her grandfather forced them together, she would rather die than submit!
Seeing Dugu Yan speak so openly about this, Ye Lingling clicked her tongue in wonder.
"Yan Zi, you're truly deeply poisoned!"
"That's right! I was poisoned long ago. If it weren't for Ye Qiu, you might not have seen me!"
Dugu Yan changed the subject.
Before, she was poisoned by herself; now, she was poisoned by Ye Qiu, and she didn't want to be cured, she wanted it to deepen.
"So, Lingling! I wasn't joking just now. If you also joined us, I wouldn't be so outnumbered."
"Yan Zi, don't say such things anymore. Don't you still have Xiao Lan as an ally?"
Ye Lingling shook her head, looking at the proud Xiao Lan on the Douluo Arena below.
"Xiao Lan? Hmph, she's the least reliable one. You're more reliable, Lingling!"
"Yan Zi!"
Seeing Ye Lingling getting a little angry, Dugu Yan didn't press the issue.
She believed that Ye Lingling wouldn't remain unmarried her whole life. As long as Ye Lingling truly fell in love, she would only need a few simple assists.
Winning over Ye Qiu would still be very easy.
Recalling Ye Qiu's flushed face when he was entangled by her snake body, she pursed her lips and chuckled softly.
Ye Lingling's light blue eyes watched Dugu Yan, who was radiating sweetness and happiness. Her gaze lowered, flashing with a hint of envy and longing.
But the curse she bore due to her Spirit made her dare not have even a shred of 'wishful thinking'.
She shifted her gaze to the Douluo Arena, and her eyes became expressionless again.
While the two were talking,
The battle on the Douluo Arena below was in full swing.
Because she had been attacked by Tang Hao before, Xiao Lan not only used Life Mimicry to change her eye color, hair color, and clothes color.
She also mimicked her Blue Silver Emperor to look like the Fire Ghost Vine, claiming it was a mutated Ghost Vine.
Her opponent, Yan Que, was a young woman.
After Spirit possession, her originally black hair suddenly turned fiery red, and pink wings covered her entire body.
Beneath her feet, three spirit rings—white, yellow, and purple—floated up and down.
In contrast, Xiao Lan had none of those flashy things.
She just stood there, motionless.
As the three hidden spirit rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—appeared beneath her feet,
Fire-red 'Fire Ghost Vines' continuously emerged from the surrounding ground.
Yan Que looked at the configuration of the three spirit rings beneath Xiao Lan's feet.
She didn't underestimate her in the slightest due to her age.
She immediately used her Second Soul Skill, a deep red flame, which she spat out from her mouth.
It swept towards Xiao Lan.
Xiao Lan, expressionless, slowly raised her hand.
Numerous Fire Ghost Vines immediately formed an impenetrable barrier in front of her.
Isolating the surging flames outside.
The Blue Silver Emperor, having long gained fire immunity, feared no flames.
Therefore, Dugu Yan had no worries about Xiao Lan's safety in this battle.
Even she found it a bit difficult to deal with Xiao Lan.
Yan Que on the opposite side saw that Xiao Lan could easily block her Second Soul Skill without even needing to use a Spirit Ability.
She dared not be careless.
The purple Third spirit ring beneath her feet flashed, and two fiery red wings suddenly appeared behind her.
She immediately shot into the sky.
Xiao Lan reacted instantly, tilting her head back.
Several Fire Ghost Vines grew wildly.
Forming a pincer attack around Yan Que.
Yan Que continuously rolled in the air, looking for openings in Xiao Lan's attack.
After all, she had more combat experience.
She pulled up to a high altitude, and as her First spirit ring flashed,
The wings covering her body suddenly stood on end, becoming as hard as rock.
Yan Que's clear voice rang out:
"First Soul Skill, Feather Kill!"
Looking at the vines continuously trying to protect Xiao Lan,
Yan Que shouted again:
"Second Soul Skill, Crimson Fire Blazing Flame!"
The Second spirit ring beneath her feet flashed, and a thick flame instantly ignited the feather blades she had previously shot out.
Fire Feather Kill!
This way, even if Xiao Lan defended against her Crimson Fire Blazing Flame, she wouldn't be able to completely cover the sky above her in a short time.
Those abundant feather blades would be enough to find opportunities and slip through the cracks!
"Excellent!"
Joy appeared on Yan Que's face.
She saw that the flames she spat out were directly blocked.
But quite a few of her composite Spirit Skill—Fire Feather Kill—penetrated through.
Then, before she could be happy for long, as Xiao Lan made her voice heard for the first time, her attack plan was ruined.
"(Blue Silver) Spiral Protection Wall!"
Xiao Lan quickly raised her right hand, spreading her palm.
A clear, bell-like sound rang out.
A crisscrossing 'Fire Ghost Vine' suddenly appeared in her palm, then began to spin continuously.
This was a self-created Spirit Ability that Xiao Lan had developed based on the technique Ye Qiu taught her for using Rasengan.
Just in case, Xiao Lan also secretly used the power of Extreme Ice to harden the disguised Blue Silver Emperor.
Ding ding ding!
The feather blades with tail flames struck the Spiral Protection Wall, clanging and sparking.
Having nullified the opponent's attack, Xiao Lan no longer held back.
She coolly waved her small hand towards Yan Que, who was still somewhat stunned in the sky.
Numerous Fire Ghost Vines continued to rush forward.
At the same time, small red fruits slowly appeared on the Fire Ghost Vines.
Yan Que was wondering when she suddenly noticed the Third spirit ring beneath Xiao Lan's feet flash.
Her heart instantly jolted.
She suddenly saw numerous red fruits flying towards her from below.
She began to dodge frantically, without thinking.
"Hiss~!"
Yan Que cried out in pain, looking at her burned arm. Only then did she realize they were all terrifyingly hot fireballs.
A few bright points suddenly appeared in her eyes.
Apple-sized fireballs continuously attacked Yan Que from all directions.
Puff!
Several 'fruits' collided, and there was a sudden dull thud.
The flames contained within immediately spread out, covering an area of over two meters.
"I surrender!"
Seeing this, Yan Que also understood that she had no chance of winning.
The opponent had only used her Third Soul Skill the entire time.
Upon hearing someone surrender, the host quickly reacted.
"The fireworks continuously exploding in the air are simply too beautiful!"
"Congratulations to our Spirit Elder Lan Ruobing, for winning this Douluo Arena match! Please proceed to the designated location to settle your points!"
Hearing that she had won and feeling the continuous cheers from the entire arena,
Xiao Lan's fiery red eyes darted around.
Just as the smile on her lips was about to become uncontrollable,
She immediately turned around in an orderly fashion and began to sprint once she reached the exit passage.
She took out some snacks from her spirit tool and tasted them.
Emitting unrestrained giggles.
Qin Ming, in the stands, held a pen and paper, meticulously recording the performances of Xiao Lan and the others.
Looking at Xiao Lan's departing back,
His face couldn't help but show admiration.
Both of these siblings were so monstrous!
…
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was bathed in the setting sun.
Most of the pagoda-shaped buildings had glazed products hanging outside.
The light refracted from them was truly resplendent.
Making the place look very distinctive, with a unique sense of grandeur.
After Ye Qiu woke up in the afternoon, he had a meal, absorbed the Spirit Bone, and spent a lot of time with Qian Renxue.
By the time he returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, it was already late.
Zhu Zhuqing and the two other girls were in the small courtyard, busy cooking things to eat.
Ning Rongrong was making her specialty pastries.
Xiao Wu was mixing her favorite vegetable and fruit salad.
And Zhu Zhuqing was outside grilling her famous roasted fish.
Ye Qiu appeared silently in the small courtyard, looking around.
Only then did he see Zhu Zhuqing in the corner, squatting on the ground, flipping the roasted fish in her hand.
"Zhuqing? Why are you grilling fish yourself?"
"Ah, Ye Qiu! You're finally back!"
Zhu Zhuqing froze for a moment, then quickly turned her head, calling out joyfully.
She immediately dropped the roasted fish in her hand.
Getting up, she jogged towards Ye Qiu.
"Mm, I'm back!" Ye Qiu gently embraced the graceful figure that stopped in front of him.
Although there was a faint smell of smoke, it was mostly her pleasant body scent.
Her delicate body, so petite that she couldn't see her toes when she looked down, was held tightly by Ye Qiu.
His arms wrapped around her soft, willowy waist, the pressure shifting with the gentle embrace.
Her slightly altered breathing tinted her pretty face with a blush.
"Xiao Qiu~!" In the kitchen, Xiao Wu, hearing the commotion, bounced out lively.
She quickly came to Ye Qiu's side, her fair, tender face still smeared with a lot of cream.
Ning Rongrong, who had also heard the commotion, however, brightened up and stopped her foot just as she was about to step forward.
She continued with what she was doing.
Hmph, hmph, once Miss wins this competition, Miss will stay up all night tonight!
"Xiao Wu, what are you doing in the kitchen? Where's Rongrong?"
Having taken a small advantage, Ye Qiu gently released the shy big cat from his embrace.
He reached out to wipe the cream from Xiao Wu's face.
"It was a bit boring with you not around, so Rongrong suggested we compete to see who could make the tastiest dish, and the winner gets to ask the other two for a small favor!" Xiao Wu said with a playful laugh.
"Is that so?" Ye Qiu was momentarily stunned, unsure what Ning Rongrong was up to again.
Last time she competed with Yan Yan in cooking, he didn't seem to get anything good out of it either.
"That's right, Xiao Wu Jie made a vegetable and fruit salad she just learned!"
Xiao Wu said, laughing, and then pressed her cream-smeared little face against Ye Qiu's.
Ye Qiu gave a wry smile. Although salad was relatively simple, with Xiao Wu learning and selling on the spot, he wondered how good it could be.
He pinched her little face, lowered his head slightly, and took a small sip from Xiao Wu's cheek.
After the milky white cream was picked off, her soft, delicate skin, which had turned pink, was revealed.
Ye Qiu looked at Zhu Zhuqing, whose nose was a bit dark and whose forehead had a fine sheen of sweat, and reached out to wipe it for her.
"Oh! Zhuqing, is your grilled fish about to burn?" Xiao Wu gently wiggled her nose and sniffed, detecting a burnt smell.
"Ah, I... I forgot!" Zhu Zhuqing scurried back to attend to her grilled fish.
Although she didn't care about the small favor, she couldn't let Ye Qiu eat something burnt.
"Xiao Qiu, you're back just in time! My salad has one last step; help me chill it!"
Xiao Wu pulled Ye Qiu, ready to walk into the kitchen.
"Alright!" Ye Qiu chuckled, following her steps as they walked inside.
As soon as they entered, a fierce gaze shot across.
Ning Rongrong pouted, glaring at him with resentment.
"Ye Qiu, you finally remembered to come back..."
"Rongrong, I'm sorry, I was healing Big Brother Xue, and it took a lot of time!"
Ye Qiu scratched his head.
"Haha... Xiao Qiu, you didn't see Rongrong's dark circles this morning! She must have waited for you all night."
Hearing Xiao Wu's voice, Ning Rongrong didn't refute anything.
She shyly glanced at Ye Qiu, then continued cutting the pastries she had made.
"Xiao Qiu, quickly..."
Xiao Wu brought a large bowl of salad, a mixture of carrots, bananas, cabbage, spinach, and other ingredients mixed with cream, peanut butter, etc., and placed it in front of Ye Qiu.
She wasn't very concerned about winning or losing the competition; she just found it very interesting, as she had never made anything herself before.
Ye Qiu held the large bowl with both hands, and a layer of white frost immediately formed on the bowl's exterior.
Xiao Wu took an even larger bowl, filled with half a bowl of water, and placed it in front of Ye Qiu.
"Xiao Qiu... help Xiao Wu Jie chill this too!"
Xiao Wu pouted, planting two kisses on Ye Qiu's face.
"Hmph~" Ning Rongrong snorted, watching the scene, and continued with her own work.
Ye Qiu extended his hand into it, only withdrawing it when some ice cubes appeared.
"Alright, Rongrong, Zhuqing, Xiao Wu Jie is the first one done!"
Xiao Wu placed the medium bowl containing the salad into the large bowl with ice water.
She called out happily, then carried her finished product and ran out.
Ye Qiu watched this scene with a smile.
Then he looked at Ning Rongrong, who was already plating, and felt her constantly watching him out of the corner of her eye.
Ye Qiu was not polite.
He directly wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, pressing his cheek against hers.
"Ah~ Ye Qiu, what are you doing? I'm plating!"
Ning Rongrong's face was flushed, and she struggled slightly.
"Alright then, it's good that you're not angry anymore." Ye Qiu lightly kissed her, then prepared to leave.
Ning Rongrong, however, frowned.
"Ye Qiu~ How come you have a girl's scent on you? Did you abandon us and go out for a secret rendezvous?"
Ye Qiu was stunned for a moment and quickly explained.
Qian Renxue's true identity definitely couldn't be revealed.
"How is that possible? I've been in the Prince's Residence; where would I have gone?"
As he spoke, Ye Qiu pressed himself against her again, simultaneously activating Blue Silver Fragrance to mask the scent Qian Renxue had left on him.
"If you don't believe me, smell again..."
"You... don't get too close!" Ning Rongrong felt the roughness behind her, her pretty face flushed crimson.
"If there isn't, there isn't. Hurry up and get out, I'm almost done too!"
"I warn you, this time you can't be perfunctory with me like last time; I can taste for myself who made it better!"
"Don't worry, I'll try to be fair!"
Ye Qiu chuckled softly, impishly wiping his 'labor results'.
Then he left the kitchen.
...
The sun was setting, with only a sliver of afterglow still shining on the horizon.
Looking at the salad, grilled fish, and pastries on the table.
Ye Qiu and the girls acted as judges together.
First, the girls would judge themselves, and if they couldn't determine a winner, then it would be Ye Qiu's turn.
"Zhuqing, your grilled fish has a bit of a burnt smell~" Xiao Wu bit her chopsticks, taking a tiny taste.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly; Xiao Wu was indeed correct.
"Xiao Wu, your salad is too sweet, and you put too many carrots, it's a bit of a mixed flavor..."
Hearing Xiao Wu's words, Ning Rongrong quickly tasted Xiao Wu's 'first work'.
She looked at Ye Qiu with a beaming smile.
Zhu Zhuqing also tasted the salad Xiao Wu made; it was indeed a bit too sweet.
"Haha... Well, it seems Ye Qiu won't be needed after all, Miss has won!"
Ning Rongrong laughed out loud happily.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu picked up their chopsticks and tasted the pastries she made. The two girls exchanged glances, then nodded with a hint of disappointment.
"So, Rongrong, what do you want to ask for?" Xiao Wu immediately asked Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong's azure eyes darted mischievously.
Suddenly, she raised her hand and pointed at Ye Qiu.
"I want you two to give Ye Qiu to me for one night. You and Zhuqing will rest in my room, and I'll sleep alone with Ye Qiu in his room!"
"Ah?! Rongrong, you're too cunning! How is that a small favor?!"
Xiao Wu cried with a long face. When they were competing, Ye Qiu wasn't there, and she was only focused on the fun, so she didn't think of this.
Ye Qiu rested his chin on one hand, quietly watching Rongrong and Xiao Wu argue until their faces were red, while Zhu Zhuqing remained aloof.
He exchanged a glance with Zhu Zhuqing, smiling brightly, and received a shy blush in return.
"Alright, let's finish eating and rest early! We'll be leaving Heaven Dou City for a while tomorrow, after all, Zhuqing's matter isn't finished yet."
"Understood, Xiao Qiu."
Hearing Ye Qiu's voice, Xiao Wu, who had already accepted, pouted.
She moved her stool, squeezing Ning Rongrong to the side, and sat next to Ye Qiu.
Ning Rongrong didn't mind; after all, she had plenty of time tonight.
...
Night.
In Ning Rongrong's room.
Zhu Zhuqing, who had just finished bathing and was sitting cross-legged on the bed, said to Xiao Wu, who was insisting on sleeping while hugging her:
"Xiao Wu, I'll cultivate for a while first. Call me when you're ready to sleep!"
"Mm! I understand, Zhuqing."
Watching Zhu Zhuqing close her eyes and sink into cultivation.
Xiao Wu leaned by the window, looking at the moonlight in the sky, a little lost in thought, a look of longing flashing in her eyes.
In Ye Qiu's room.
Ning Rongrong, who had been busy for a good half an hour.
Suddenly got up, covered her pretty face, and ran towards the bathroom.
Ye Qiu lay sprawled on the bed, his entire body relaxed, feeling the soft bedding, incredibly comfortable, feeling like he had reached the peak of life.
Not long after, Ning Rongrong, who had re-washed herself, returned to Ye Qiu's side.
"Rongrong~ Are you alright?" Ye Qiu turned sideways and embraced this somewhat fierce girl into his arms.
"I'm fine, my throat just hurts a little!" Ning Rongrong squeezed into Ye Qiu's arms, shaking her head gently.
She then took Ye Qiu's hand again, letting Ye Qiu feel her heartbeat.
In a soft, gentle voice, she murmured:
"Ye Qiu, you haven't massaged me in a long time..."
"Mm!" Ye Qiu nodded slightly, holding the girl in his arms even tighter.
No sooner said than done.
Fortunately, he hadn't forgotten the techniques she taught him.
Now, he was still exceptionally skilled and adept.
Through his continuous efforts, the breakfast Ning Rongrong prepared also became richer, from just poached eggs and peanuts to adding some steamed buns.
...
Early in the morning, refreshed, Ye Qiu had already gotten up after eating steamed buns.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing looked suspiciously at the radiant Ning Rongrong, the three girls gathered together, whispering something.
Ye Qiu didn't linger; he took them to bid farewell to Ning Fengzhi and the others.
"Ye Qiu, you must take good care of them. In a few years, I will personally host a grand engagement banquet for you!"
Ning Fengzhi's face wore a kind smile as he instructed Ye Qiu.
He also prepared some gifts for Xiao Wu and Zhuqing, some gold coins, and the Hidden Weapons forged these past few days.
"Don't worry, Uncle Ning! Both seniors, I will take good care of Rongrong and the others!"
Ye Qiu smiled, holding Ning Rongrong's small hand, and waved at Ning Fengzhi.
"Father, two grandpas, see you next time! Remember to Miss Rongrong..."
"Uncle Ning, two seniors, goodbye!" × 2
Ning Rongrong and the two other girls also waved goodbye to them.
Watching the few people who had disappeared from sight, Sword Douluo's eyes flashed with a hint of sharp light.
"Fengzhi, that kid Ye Qiu actually broke through again! I wonder how he cultivates!"
...
Shrek Academy.
At this time, Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others were still carrying bamboo baskets filled with stones, training around the village.
Flender personally supervised, with Yu Xiaogang accompanying him.
Ye Qiu directly brought the girls and appeared in their dormitory.
Before they could even stand firm, Ye Qiu bid them farewell.
"Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, Rongrong... I have some things to do these two days, so you all stay here for now!"
"If you don't want to do Shrek's training, then don't go. Just focus on cultivating Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and other things I taught you before!"
"Ah? Xiao Qiu, where are you going? Can't you take us with you?"
Xiao Wu reluctantly pulled Ye Qiu's hand.
Ten Thousand Character Burst Update!
Wishing everyone a pleasant life!
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