I Planted a Seed

Behind him, he carried a basket of charcoal, his entire face smeared pitch-black, looking exactly like a miner fresh from the mines.

From head to toe, he looked like a clown from a mining site putting on an acrobatic show.

"Pfft..."

The moment Bibi Dong saw this, her gloomy mood was swept away, and she could not help laughing aloud.

Although Lu Leng was carrying so much, he had been watching Bibi Dong's expression the whole time. Her sudden smile was immediately caught by his sharp eyes.

He was secretly delighted, knowing that the first step of his plan had succeeded.

"What are you doing?" Bibi Dong stepped forward and helped take some of the load from him.

"Teacher, I recently invented a dish and came especially to share it with you." Lu Leng chuckled. His white teeth stood in stark contrast to his darkened face, making him look like a little black kid from Africa and causing Bibi Dong to smile again.

"You know how to cook?" Bibi Dong asked with a smile.

"Sigh, it can't be helped. Children from poor families grow up early. If I didn't know a few tricks, I would have starved to death long ago." Lu Leng spoke with a hint of sorrow.

"I remember your family being quite wealthy. You even have an estate."

"Cough..."

"Teacher, let's not talk about that. Try my cooking first." Lu Leng gave a dry cough and hurriedly changed the subject. Fortunately, his face was dark enough that his embarrassment at being exposed could not be seen.

"Go wash your face first."

After quickly washing his face, Lu Leng began working under Bibi Dong's curious gaze.

He set up a charcoal stove, placed a copper pot on it, added water, sliced the meat, and arranged it on plates...

That was right. What Lu Leng had prepared for Bibi Dong today was a Sichuan specialty—hotpot! Hotpot was considered the most erotic food because it allowed men and women to mingle their saliva.

Lu Leng had two reasons for preparing hotpot. First, this world did not have it, so its novelty could arouse Bibi Dong's curiosity. Second, hotpot could create an intensely lively atmosphere, helping dilute Bibi Dong's longing for Yu Xiaogang.

That was Lu Leng's main objective.

The water soon boiled furiously. Red oil, spices, Sichuan peppercorns, garlic... Once the many ingredients were added and churned about, a fresh, spicy fragrance filled the air in no time.

He added the meat to cook, then prepared the most classic dipping sauce for Bibi Dong.

Mashed garlic, sesame oil, and chopped scallions.

Just those three things!

Then, under Bibi Dong's expectant gaze, they waited a little longer before they could finally begin eating.

"Alright, it's ready. Teacher, give it a try." Lu Leng picked up a slice of high-quality soul beast meat and placed it in Bibi Dong's bowl.

Bibi Dong was skeptical. It was her first time eating in such a way. Yet under Lu Leng's sincere gaze, she still put the slice of meat into her mouth.

The meat melted as soon as it entered her mouth, soft and tender. Though it had both lean and fatty portions, it was not greasy in the slightest. Combined with the fragrant and spicy broth, it delivered a powerful impact to her taste buds. After just one bite, Bibi Dong fell in love with it.

"Mmm, delicious."

Bibi Dong could not help letting out a cry of surprise, delight appearing in her eyes. "The flavor is good—fragrant, spicy, fresh, and numbing!"

"Hehe, I told you my cooking was good." Seeing that Bibi Dong liked it, Lu Leng knew he had moved another step closer to his goal.

"I never doubted you."

"But Teacher's expression earlier clearly showed doubt."

"I didn't."

"..."

The two ate and chatted at the same time.

The more hotpot was eaten, the more fragrant it became. The broth's flavor only grew richer toward the end.

Lu Leng had prepared quite a lot of food, but he had still underestimated their appetites. By the end, they had eaten every last bit of food he had brought.

"I'll prepare some more." Looking at the glistening sweat already covering Bibi Dong's forehead, Lu Leng was overjoyed.

"No need. Let's stop here for today." Bibi Dong waved her hand. "Good things should always leave something to be remembered."

After saying that, Bibi Dong rose to her feet and walked to the edge of the pavilion, her gaze drifting into the distance once more.

Her temperament sank back into loneliness. Lu Leng knew that Bibi Dong had thought of Yu Xiaogang again.

And the longing after such a lively atmosphere was even lonelier! Damn it, that bastard Yu Xiaogang has caused far too much harm! Lu Leng cursed viciously. If he ever got the chance, he would have to give Yu Xiaogang a little medicine.

"Teacher..." Lu Leng had barely opened his mouth when Bibi Dong interrupted him. "Alright, thank you for dinner. Teacher was very happy today. Rest early. Tomorrow, I'll take you to hunt your second Soul Ring."

Seeing the situation, Lu Leng knew there was no use saying more at this moment, so he began gathering his things.

"Take this ring. It has a hundred cubic meters of space inside, so you won't have to struggle carrying everything back and forth next time." Bibi Dong tossed a ring toward Lu Leng.

Lu Leng caught it and examined it carefully. The ring was entirely silver, with a jade gem set into it. It looked ordinary, neither extravagant nor precious.

When Lu Leng put it on, there was even a trace of lingering warmth on it.

"This was what I used in my younger days. It accompanied me for many years, but I have little use for it now. I've only kept it as an ornament, so I'll give it to you."

"Thank you, Teacher." Lu Leng spoke respectfully.

"I should be the one thanking you."

Lu Leng said nothing. He knew what Bibi Dong meant. He bowed to her once more, waved his hand to store away the tableware, then turned and left.

After Lu Leng left, Bibi Dong watched his departing figure, her eyes calm as water. No one knew what she was thinking.

After returning to his room, Lu Leng stroked the ring on his hand.

Although this dinner had not completely achieved Lu Leng's goal, it had shown its effects. It had left an impression of him in Bibi Dong's heart and planted a seed.

Their relationship had now taken another step forward. Though they were still teacher and disciple, there was now an additional spiritual connection between them.

This ring was proof of that.

Do not think this was nothing. It was actually the most crucial step. More often than not, the first step to opening a woman's heart depended on this very first step.

The next day, Lu Leng discovered to his delight that his Soul Power had broken through. He was already level twenty-two.

He could not help wondering, Was even fate helping him?

Star Dou Forest. Lu Leng's group of three arrived once again.

"My second Soul Ring should be able to absorb one that's ten thousand years old, right?" Lu Leng asked. If his second Soul Ring was still only at the thousand-year level, he would not absorb it.

How would he show off then?

"Yes. Your physical condition far exceeds my expectations. Your second Soul Ring should be able to absorb one around twelve to fourteen thousand years old."

"That's good." Lu Leng grinned.

This time, Bibi Dong did not have Chrysanthemum Douluo capture one for him. Instead, she personally led Lu Leng deeper into the forest.

She could not yet decide what type of soul beast his second Soul Ring should come from. They could only see what they encountered.

Very quickly, they came across a Blazing Fire Bear! "A Blazing Fire Bear has a violent temper, strong aggression, and great strength. It suits you quite well, but it is only ten thousand years old, so it falls a little short." After analyzing it, Bibi Dong shook her head.