"I—I wasn't missing you. If you keep being so shameless, I'll give you a good slap."
Bibi Dong tilted her head back slightly, deliberately trying to avoid Li Chang'an's face, but unfortunately, his face was already up close again.
"Alright, alright, I missed you too. Sit down properly now, and don't let anyone come in," Bibi Dong said with a sigh. She really had no way to deal with this disciple. Though her words were dismissive, her expression didn't match them at all. Instead, the corners of her lips curled up from time to time, and she looked genuinely happy.
"You came back this time… is something up?"
Bibi Dong tried to compose herself, straightening her posture as she sipped her porridge slowly.
Her disciple no longer needed her guidance in terms of cultivation. Bibi Dong had long since given up micromanaging him and simply let him grow freely.
What truly impressed Bibi Dong, though, was that despite Li Chang'an always being out and about, he remained firmly in control of key developments and arrangements. For instance, the Research Institute had reportedly made a breakthrough in steam technology and was preparing a test railway.
On top of that, Li Chang'an had initiated a pilot program for compulsory education, which was progressing smoothly. Though these efforts seemed subtle and minor at first glance, when viewed on a macro level, they would yield immense long-term results. In ten years, the prestige of the Spirit Hall would rise to a completely new level!
And not just the Spirit Hall—people across the entire continent, including spirit masters, could all benefit from the advancements in policy and technology.
This feeling of treating the whole continent as a chessboard, with all living beings as pieces... Bibi Dong had never experienced anything like it. Compared to Li Chang'an, the man she once idolized in her youth wasn't even worthy of carrying his shoes.
That man had ten big theories, while Li Chang'an had already reached an entirely different plane—and each of his steps was terrifying in its precision. How could you even compare the two?
Now, the only man Bibi Dong admired and cared for was this one, sitting in front of her.
As her thoughts drifted, she heard Li Chang'an speak:
"Dong'er, I came back this time to ask for your help as a protector while I condense my second soul core."
Li Chang'an's tone finally turned a bit serious. He filled a bowl of porridge for himself, then casually scooped up a spoonful and held it in front of Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong glanced at him and, realizing she had no way to avoid it, slowly opened her mouth to accept the bite—"forced" to be fed.
What she failed to notice, though, was just how practiced and natural his actions were. It clearly wasn't his first or second time doing this.
"You've figured out how to condense a second soul core?" Bibi Dong asked, surprised, just as another spoonful made its way to her lips.
Li Chang'an nodded, popped a bit of pickled vegetable into his own mouth, and replied slowly, "Yes, Dong'er. I came up with this method by chance, but I can assure you—it's completely safe."
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow. Completely safe?
"Normally, spirit masters can only have two soul cores. And usually, only those who've reached Level 90 and above are able to condense a second core. Because Title Douluo are so powerful, their second core can be located far from the first, avoiding internal conflict. But in your case, I assume you'll still need to form one after reaching Title Douluo."
Li Chang'an nodded again, pretending to listen seriously. He had already guessed as much and had made plans accordingly—otherwise, he wouldn't dare claim it was "completely safe."
"Very well. Since you've made up your mind, I'll help you with everything I've got. Spirit masters with soul cores and those without are worlds apart. Once you've condensed a second one, even those Title Douluo above Level 95 will no longer be your match."
"But don't get cocky," she added sternly. "Back in Heaven Dou City, you made such a commotion that even Sword Douluo took notice. You weren't his match. He only exchanged blows with you briefly because of your status. If he'd gone all out, it would've been a different story."
Indeed, even though Li Chang'an's soul rings and martial soul allowed him to fight above his level, and the second soul core would boost his power to the equivalent of a 95+ Title Douluo, Bibi Dong still felt the need to give him a reality check.
After Level 95, every advancement was a massive leap. That was something no mere Spirit Saint could hope to match.
"Don't worry, Dong'er. Don't you trust your disciple?" Li Chang'an smirked. "Now, can we head to your room?"
"Wait until I finish eating," Bibi Dong replied stubbornly.
But before she could even finish her sentence, Li Chang'an scooped her up by the waist. With a light tap of his toes, he floated across the room, carrying her as effortlessly as a feather toward her bedroom.
"Dong'er, I think the second soul core is pretty important. We should go to your room to take care of it," he teased.
At that moment, Bibi Dong felt as though her soul power had completely failed. Fearing she might fall, she instinctively clung to Li Chang'an's neck like a newlywed bride.
Once inside, Li Chang'an didn't hesitate—he gently kicked the door shut behind them and carried her straight to the bed.
"Chang'an, didn't you say we were going to condense the second soul core?" Bibi Dong lay on the bed, flustered, heart pounding as she stared up at the man looming over her.
"Dong'er… the rebound from last time out at sea… it's acting up again. Please help me…" Li Chang'an whispered softly, his breath hot against her ear.
"Wha—how can this be happening again…" The memory of that day at sea came rushing back, and Bibi Dong wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole.
But before she realized it, her pale, delicate hand had been guided somewhere by Li Chang'an's grasp.
"Chang'an, you—you…"
"Dong'er, please help me~"
Some things happen only once... or countless times.
Now that they had crossed that line once before, Bibi Dong, after some token resistance, found herself unable to resist. She gave in.
After all, last time, Chang'an had helped her too… and that feeling—she had relived it countless nights, unable to sleep.
…
Three hours later, Li Chang'an wiped his fingers clean, changed out of his half-soaked clothes, and gently cleaned up Bibi Dong as well. The two of them lay together, nestled in each other's arms, basking in the calm after the storm.
Bibi Dong's mind was still spinning.
'What happened? How did it get to this? How did I end up in bed with him again? And how did my clothes just... vanish?'
And during it all, Chang'an actually had the nerve to keep calling her "Teacher~"… utterly shameless.
Her fair, jade-like arm wrapped gently around his neck, Bibi Dong gave him a flushed glance of exasperation. Though this was their second time being so intimate, it was very different from the experience on the sea.
That time was a desperate situation.
This time... well, let's just say the "rebound" acted up again—at least, that's how Bibi Dong tried to justify it to herself.
"Dong'er, get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll condense the soul core," Li Chang'an said, patting her smooth, bare back.
"Mmm~"
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