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"Sigh, Lengleng's life has been hard. She lost her father when she was young. I raised her by myself." Ye Rouyi's eyes shimmered with tears.
"Mother, don't worry. I will take good care of Lengleng!" Ye Lan squeezed Lengleng's hand.
No wonder Lengleng never mentioned her father—she had never met him.
"Xiaolan, you are the Ye family's savior. If not for the immortal herbs you provided, the Nine-Heart Begonia family might not have survived for another generation. If anything happened… the Nine-Heart Begonia would disappear from the Douluo Continent." Ye Rouyi hugged both Ye Lan and Ye Lengleng gratefully.
"Mother, it's what I should do." Ye Lan answered.
"I promised Lengleng I would care for her my whole life," Ye Lan added.
"All right—if you promise to take care of Lengleng, then I can rest easy." Ye Rouyi put more food into Ye Lan's bowl, then poured wine for Lengleng and Ye Lan.
"When will you and Lengleng marry, Xiaolan?" Ye Rouyi asked with concern.
Ye Lengleng's face flushed scarlet; she lowered her head and murmured, "Mother…"
Ye Lan's cheeks reddened too. "Mother, right now our priority is to increase our strength. When I become a Title Douluo and can protect Lengleng, then we'll set the date."
Ye Rouyi was decisive. "When you two marry is up to you, but today you must at least promise to marry."
"All right, Mother. I promise." Ye Lan nodded.
Although Ye Lan felt puzzled at Rouyi's urgency, he assumed his aunt only worried for Lengleng's well-being.
Under Ye Rouyi's witness, Ye Lan and Lengleng drank the ceremonial cup and officially became betrothed. Lengleng, shy and flushed, looked like the most beautiful sight Ye Lan had ever seen.
Stunned, Ye Lan drank and ate more—caught up in the moment, the two of them grew merry and soon quite tipsy.
Ye Rouyi watched the pair and smiled faintly. Now that Lengleng had a proper status, their union would be unquestioned. She helped both of them onto the large bed and, after drawing the curtains, sent the servants away. She stood by the door, occasionally cupping an ear to the paper window to listen.
The aphrodisiac she'd placed in the food and wine was no common drug. Ordinary aphrodisiacs work only on common folk; a Soul Master's spirit power would shred such weak substances. What she used was a specialty forged from generations of the Nine-Heart Begonia's medical practice—called Yinhun Zui Chun Dan.
This pill was useless to ordinary people, but when it met spirit power it behaved like pouring oil on flame: the soul force did not suppress it—rather, it amplified the drug's effect.
On the bed, Ye Lan's mind swam between lucidity and haze. His mouth was dry, and it felt as if a burning fire raged through his body. As he tossed and turned, his arm brushed cool skin again and again.
Half-dreaming, he turned and wrapped his arms around that chilled body, trying to cool himself.
Ding Qing watched: Ye Lengleng's eyes were tightly closed, her long lashes trembling. This was the first time Ye Lan had been so close, face to face, with Lengleng. Her cheeks, ears, and neck glowed pink; each warm exhale from her nose seemed to stir something at Ye Lan's core, accompanied by soft sighs and gentle moans.
"Ye Lan."
Seeing Lengleng like this, the heat that had already consumed Ye Lan broke his restraint. He flipped over and pinned her beneath him, holding her close.
Thump, thump, thump!
(Use your imagination for the next ten thousand characters.)
Ye Rouyi heard the sounds from the room, chuckled softly, and left, satisfied.
The next day, Ye Lan woke slowly. Still groggy, he saw Ye Lengleng sleeping soundly beside him. Memories of last night rushed back like a tide. His trembling hand peeled back the quilt and he saw a smear of bright red on the sheet—snow-white linen stained with blood. He brought his hand to his nose and found it covered in blood.
At that moment, Ye Lengleng felt Ye Lan stir and wake. Seeing the blood at his nose and the pain in his body, she remembered what had happened last night. Redness flooded her snow-pale skin.
Embarrassed, Lengleng clutched Ye Lan and buried her head in his chest. Feeling her warmth, the two became one again.
"Lengleng, does your body still hurt?"
"No—my spirit is the Nine-Heart Begonia…"
"Good—Blood Armor!"
By midday the sun stood high.
Lengleng dressed Ye Lan, and together they went to see Ye Rouyi.
Ye Rouyi watched Ye Lan's light-footed steps and smiled. "Xiaolan, Lengleng—though you are both Soul Masters, you must still take care of your bodies."
"Mother!" Lengleng's face flushed; she wouldn't look Rouyi in the eye.
Ye Lan scratched his head awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
Rouyi ushered them in. "Come inside—I've prepared a meal."
Though Ye Lan originally intended to stay only a few days, he ended up staying over half a month at the Nine-Heart Begonia household.
Finally, with Lengleng's reluctant looks following him, Ye Lan left for Spirit City. Fewer people were in the city now—likely because the All-Continent Advanced Academy Soul Master Tournament had ended and visitors from Tian Dou and Star Luo had returned home.
Ye Lan noticed the town's eyes on him had changed: admiration had turned into deep respect. Word had spread that he had become the disciple of the Holy Pope Bibi Dong.
Thinking on this, he wondered what his new status as Bibi Dong's disciple might bring. The most obvious change would be Tang Hao's reaction—now he had stepped publicly from the shadows.
Ye Lan felt no burden. He had the Silver Wolf to protect him. If any crisis arose, Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu—those extreme Douluos—would strike at Hao Tian Sect themselves. Tang Hao would likely not dare act.
So for the moment, he considered himself safe.
Shaking his head, Ye Lan walked into the Pope's hall to find Bibi Dong with her phoenix eyes fixed on the documents in her hand. Seeing her again, Ye Lan no longer felt awkward. He watched his teacher handle affairs with a quiet admiration.
She truly was graceful, even in official duties.
Catching himself, he suppressed the thought. Bibi Dong was his teacher—and she was also Xiao Xue's teacher.
Sensing someone enter, Bibi Dong looked up and, spotting Ye Lan's confident demeanor, smiled. "Xiaolan, you're finally back. If you hadn't returned soon, I'd have thought you were marrying into the Ye family for good."
Ye Lan fumbled a reply, heroically failing the beauty test once more.
"If I married in," he joked, "I'd still go by Ye!"
Bibi Dong covered her mouth and laughed. Ye Lan stared at that smile—he hadn't expected his teacher to have such a cute side. Bibi Dong noticed his gaze but carefully hid her thoughts; inwardly she was delighted.
"Teacher, take a look at this!" Ye Lan presented a compiled manuscript titled Method of Soul Core Formation.
Though he'd spent the half month at the Ye house enjoying himself, he had not entirely abandoned cultivation. He organized the Method of Soul Core Formation thoroughly—most of the data came from Grandpa Dugu Bo's notes, so it should be reliable.
Bibi Dong took the manuscript and read eagerly. The more she read, the more satisfied she became. Many of the key points addressed problems she had not solved in her own experiments on soul core formation. With Ye Lan's work, once she completed her Limit of Spirit Power Augmentation, she might attempt to condense a balanced Yin-Yang double soul core.
She read every line with care while Ye Lan quietly admired her profile.
After some time she closed the manuscript and looked toward him. "Xiaolan, are you sure you want to give the Method of Soul Core Formation to the Spirit Hall? If you change your mind, I'll keep it locked away—and won't tell a soul. With this method, in time, another 'Nottingham Ye family' might rise. This is a legacy technique."
Hearing her words, Ye Lan withdrew his gaze, warmed by her concern. "Teacher, the Spirit Hall and you have done much for me. The Method of Soul Core Formation is nothing. Right now we must strengthen the Spirit Hall to counter the rising threat of Star Luo Empire's Ten-Thousand Beasts Sect."
Bibi Dong nodded. "All right—The Spirit Hall will accept your Method of Soul Core Formation. But I recommend you keep the Limit of Spirit Power Augmentation for yourself. In some ways that technique is the true world-changing martial art. I'll make sure Nana keeps it secret."
Ye Lan nodded; he didn't refuse. He knew Bibi Dong meant well. She didn't know about his hidden Soul Skill Selection—the powerful cheat he possessed—so giving him more methods was merely to increase his competitiveness on the Continent.
Bibi Dong looked at him thoughtfully. "Xiaolan, is there anything you want? Anything under the Spirit Hall's care, I can get for you."
Ye Lan thought for a moment and answered, "Teacher, could I borrow that ancient spirit guidance relic—the Shadow Crystal Orb—for a while?"
Bibi Dong laughed. "Borrow? Xiaolan, just take it. Do you want to record something?"
Ye Lan scratched his head and smiled. "Nothing in particular."
Bibi Dong had said she'd prepare a surprise for his return. "Wait here; you'll see soon."
"What surprise?" Ye Lan asked.
Bibi Dong clapped her hands.
Clap, clap!
Attendants in white robes entered and one kneeled. "Holy Pope, any orders?"
"Summon every Spirit Hall warrior of Soul Saint rank and above—Pope Warriors, Douluo Warriors, Red-Robe Cardinals, Spirit Hall elders—call them to a meeting in my name."
"Yes!" The attendants vanished to carry out her command.
Soon, the summoned ranks gathered: the Golden Generation, Evil Moon, Flame, Huilena—all manner of high-ranking Soul Saints and Douluo Warriors. Red-robed cardinals and veteran elders filled the hall. Names like Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Demon Bear Douluo, Holy Dragon Douluo Tuoba Xi, Spirit Kite Douluo, Star Douluo, and many others arrived. Qian Renxue, upon hearing Ye Lan had returned, came with Spear Douluo Yu Long and Porcupine Douluo Blood Thorn.
Seeing Ye Lan, Qian Renxue immediately threw herself into his arms. Feeling how tightly she clung, Ye Lan assumed she'd missed him terribly. Only then did most of the high officials put together that the Spirit Hall's young master Qian Renxue and the Pope's disciple Ye Lan were lovers.
They all cast approving looks toward Ye Lan.
When everyone had assembled, Bibi Dong announced loudly, "By the authority of the Spirit Hall, I appoint Ye Lan as this generation's Holy Son of the Spirit Hall. Any objections?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo bowed without a second thought. "Holy Pope—brilliant decision! As the Continent's number-one theoretical master, Ye Lan is absolutely qualified to be the Spirit Hall's Holy Son!"
Seeing them confirm, the others had no choice but to echo, "Holy Pope—wise!"
Bibi Dong nodded at the chorus and tossed Ye Lan's Method of Soul Core Formation to Chrysanthemum Douluo. "This is Ye Lan's contribution to the Spirit Hall. It can greatly increase our power. Study it; if you have time, close in and condense a soul core!"
The crowd peered at the manuscript with suspicion—could a Holy Son really devise a method to advance Soul Douluos or even Title Douluos? Chrysanthemum Douluo read and slowly lit up. "No wonder—the old poison master's power increased so noticeably!"
Seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo's revelation, the others abandoned any pretense and crowded around him. The cardinals and senior warriors had to watch enviously but dared not push forward.
Huilena didn't care about the manuscript. Instead she walked up to Ye Lan and sniffed. "Junior Brother, your scent changed."
Qian Renxue leaned in. "Nana, has Ye Lan's scent changed?"
Ye Lan panicked and sent Huilena a warning look. He did not want Qian Renxue to know about his affair with Lengleng—Xiao Xue would be jealous and furious!
Huilena gave him an "I understand" look and said, "Probably you ate too well at Aunt Rouyi's—you smell like food."
Qian Renxue sniffed at Ye Lan's chest but found nothing and murmured, "Really?"
Ye Lan breathed a sigh of relief. "Sister, your nose is too sharp. Aunt Rouyi really did cook well!"
Huilena laughed but secretly thought: Junior Brother, you've been caught by the elder sister this time.
Soon the Spirit Hall elders finished studying the manuscript.
Demon Bear Douluo bowed. "I never expected the Holy Son so young to produce such a miraculous method!"
Spirit Kite Douluo grinned. "At first I thought Sister Dong favored relations. I didn't expect the Holy Son, newly appointed, to contribute so much. I feel like I've wasted my years—becoming a Title Douluo and never accomplishing such merit!"
With two Title Douluos endorsing Ye Lan, any remaining objections vanished. His appointment was unquestioned; he was no mere favor-recipient.
They were here to behold the training method that made Title Douluos praise it.
Bibi Dong raised her hand and commanded silence. "Those who have not yet seen the Method of Soul Core Formation needn't worry. We will print copies. Anyone who reaches Soul Douluo and contributes to the Spirit Hall may practice it!"
At her declaration, the hall burst into cheers: single-knee prostrations and shouts of "Holy Pope—wise!" "Hail the Holy Son!" "Long live the Spirit Hall!"
Ye Lan felt the weight of the Hall's unity and thought: indeed, the Spirit Hall is more cohesive than the Tian Dou or Star Luo Empires.
After the ceremony, Ye Lan received the Holy Son's robe and insignia. Anyone seeing this token—except Spirit Hall elders, the Pope, and the Douluo Hall—must obey his orders.
As he admired the emblem of supreme authority, a charming figure approached—Huilena, all allure and mischief.
She teased, "Junior Brother, you don't want Xiao Xue to find out what you did, do you?"
Ye Lan groaned. "Sister, what do you want? I can promise one thing, but it can't be too much."
"Even if you told Xiao Xue, I wouldn't be coerced!" Huilena fidgeted. "I won't make a ridiculous demand!"
She trailed off, voice drawn. Before Ye Lan could guess, Huilena leapt into his arms and hugged him. "Hug me…"
Feeling her softness, Ye Lan let her cling. Huilena greedily inhaled his scent, then, cheeks flushed, darted away leaving a coy, "Holy Son, if you ever need anything, you can come to me~"
Watching her bold but bashful retreat, Ye Lan thought having a sister like her wasn't so bad—better than Tang San's romantic brain any day.
As his strength grew, he felt he could change more and more.
Ye Lan summoned a faint soul light in his palm and a crystal clear orb appeared. He whispered, "Whether it succeeds now depends on you."
One month later.
In Spirit City, the Pope's hall, Ye Lan opened his eyes full of joy. Through his efforts he had raised his spirit power to level forty—one more spirit ring and he would become a Soul Sect Master.
"Xiaolan, you broke through to forty so fast?" Bibi Dong exclaimed.
Only then did Ye Lan notice she was there. "Teacher, how did you know?"
"I sensed an abnormal spirit fluctuation in your room last night. To avoid accidents during cultivation, I came to check," she replied.
Ye Lan warmed at her care.
Bibi Dong's eyes brightened. "Is there a spirit ring you desire? Recently the Star Dou Forest shows anomalies—ten-thousand-year and older spirit beasts have vanished."
"If you want a ten-thousand-year ring, I'll need to take you to the Sunset Forest."
Ye Lan's heart sank at that. Has Guyue Na moved? Was the first step to block spirit beast resources? With the Ten-Thousand Beasts Sect expanding, beast resources would soon fall under their control.
"Teacher, I have a target. For now I don't need you. With Uncle Wolf helping, I'll go myself," Ye Lan said. "As for the lost ancient spirit beasts, I'll find a way."
Bibi Dong's eyes lit and she gripped his shoulders excitedly. "Truly? Xiaolan! After the disappearance of ten-thousand-year beasts in the Star Dou Forest, many who need spirit rings will be in dire straits. The Hall must control the spirit forests to prevent wasteful slaughter. Otherwise, if we keep hunting as before, ten-thousand-year beasts will be extinct in no time, and we'll be reduced to using hundred- or thousand-year rings."
"I'll do my best, Teacher," Ye Lan promised.
Bibi Dong smiled with trust. "Good—only you might solve this ring problem across the continent."
After parting with Bibi Dong, Ye Lan wrote a letter to Xiao Xue explaining he'd be away briefly and would return soon, then left the Pope's hall wearing a golden mask.
Attendants knelt as he passed, calling him "Your Highness." Not long after, Ye Lan left Spirit City.
A silver shape flashed beside him. "Master Zi, where are we going?"
Ye Lan sighed. "Uncle Wolf—call me Xiaolan. You're the elder here."
The silver wolf retorted, "Public and private must be separated. If you travel without ceremony, how will others see me? Where's the dignity?"
"All right, you win," Ye Lan gave in. "This trip is to Soto City—Shrek Academy."
"Do you need a carriage?" Uncle Wolf asked.
Ye Lan thought of his luxurious eight-horse carriage and shook his head. "We'll travel casually."
(End of Chapter)