The Sinful Hand Grips the Little Snake's Vital Spot

The two of them came beneath the dense shade of an ancient tree.

Lin Hai took out the soft, thick White Tiger Fur Blanket from his Storage Spirit Tool and spread it over the ground.

Speaking of which, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well truly was a treasure land. A Poison Array around its perimeter kept soul beasts out, while the tyrannical ice and fire aura within intertwined so thoroughly that not even a bothersome insect could be found.

But now, that very fact had become a shackle on Lin Hai's "grand undertaking." There was nothing here at all—why would a girl throw herself at him?

Thus, the two sat side by side on the White Tiger Fur Blanket, their hands still naturally clasped as they chatted about everything under the heavens.

Lin Hai did not hide his identity. He knew that Dugu Bo held no deep-seated grudge against Spirit Hall. His conflict with Chrysanthemum Douluo had merely arisen because of other members of Spirit Hall.

Both sides had long been used to being domineering. It was perfectly normal for conflict to arise when they collided, and it was difficult to say who was right or wrong.

They had fought twice over the past two years, and Dugu Bo had been at a disadvantage both times. Presumably, the next time they fought, he would finally vent that resentment.

Lin Hai was confident that he could help the two of them bury the hatchet.

As for Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, although he had shown Dugu Bo kindness, in Old Poison's heart, Lin Hai's kindness in changing his own granddaughter's Destiny was clearly far greater.

He would never reveal Lin Hai's background.

And even if he did, so what? What could they possibly do to him?

In truth, Lin Hai himself considered helping Dugu Bo resolve his poison to be only one part of a transaction. He was exchanging it for Immortal Herbs; both sides made concessions, and it was also a process of building a relationship.

"Y-you're actually Your Holiness the Pope's disciple?"

Dugu Yan's emerald-green eyes widened in astonishment.

"Mm." Lin Hai nodded calmly.

"I grew up in Heaven Dou City and have never traveled far from home. Hurry and tell me, what is Spirit City really like?" Longing showed in Dugu Yan's eyes.

Lin Hai chuckled. "Spirit City? It's nothing special. In terms of prosperity and liveliness, it's far inferior to Heaven Dou City."

Then, his tone shifted, taking on a hint of mystery.

"But... I do have a more exciting story here. Do you want to hear it?"

"What story?" Dugu Yan's curiosity was immediately piqued.

"Then listen as I slowly tell it..."

Lin Hai cleared his throat, his voice taking on the distant air of a storyteller.

"Once upon a time, long, long ago..."

"..."

"What is love in this world, that it makes life and death pledge themselves to each other..."

Upon hearing those words, Dugu Yan felt as though each one were a clear spring drop falling upon the lake of her heart, sending ripples outward.

The profound emotion contained within those lines seemed to pierce through time itself, carrying a heartbreaking, mournful beauty. It was the most soul-stirring sigh in the world.

Even as she lamented Li Mochou's fate, warmth inexplicably rose in her heart. She unconsciously lifted her eyes, and her gaze naturally fell upon Lin Hai's face as he told the story beside her.

That glance seemed to be drawn by something, yet it also held a trace of inquiry that even she herself had not noticed.

However, the moment her gaze touched Lin Hai's focused profile and gentle eyes, an indescribable heat surged into her cheeks, even fiercer than before.

As if burned, she quickly, almost frantically, lowered her head. Her long lashes trembled like startled butterfly wings, concealing the shyness that had surged into her eyes, along with a flutter of emotion she had yet to sort out herself.

The story continued...

"..."

"This Yang Guo, through a fortunate coincidence, actually obtained an unparalleled inheritance left behind by a great senior of your Dugu family..."

Dugu Yan was utterly absorbed and hurriedly asked, "A senior from my family? What was his name? What inheritance did he leave behind?"

The amusement in Lin Hai's eyes deepened.

"That senior was named—Dugu Qiubai! Invincible throughout his life, he sought only a single defeat but could never find one. Just look at that life story—how domineering!"

"As for that fortunate opportunity..."

He deliberately drew out his words.

"It was a Mysterious Iron Heavy Sword and an exceptionally majestic condor..."

"..."

"With that heavy sword and Brother Condor's aid, Yang Guo roamed the martial world. His romantic luck came wave after wave—he simply couldn't stop it..."

Two hours slipped away quietly amid Lin Hai's vivid storytelling.

The story of The Return of the Condor Heroes deeply captivated Dugu Yan.

She listened in complete fascination, utterly unaware—

Whenever the story reached a heart-pounding or tenderly romantic turning point, a sinful hand would quietly, little by little, make a few "small moves."

The story rose through one climax after another, and by the end of those two hours, Dugu Yan had unknowingly nestled her entire body into Lin Hai's embrace...

Dugu Bo had not been lying. He had indeed wanted to give the young people some space, and he truly needed to stabilize his newly advanced cultivation.

Once he had finished regulating his breathing, he walked out of the house refreshed and invigorated. Yet the sight before him made his steps halt abruptly, his eyes nearly popping out—

His precious granddaughter was leaning against Lin Hai's chest like a little bird, completely engrossed, and was even shouting excitedly, "That Divine Condor... it's incredible! What a pity it didn't follow someone from our family!"

For the next while, Lin Hai and Dugu Yan held an in-depth yet accessible discussion about the Divine Condor.

Before they knew it, dusk had gathered, and the sky had already darkened.

Just then, Dugu Bo's figure quietly appeared like a flash of green light. With a teasing smile, he asked, "You're chatting so intently? Shall this old man set up a tent for you two so you can talk by candlelight through the night?"

Only then did Dugu Yan realize how late it had become. She subconsciously lowered her head and glanced at her slightly disheveled clothes, and her pretty face instantly flushed crimson like a ripe cherry.

She shot Lin Hai a reproachful glare and hurriedly moved several steps away from him.

Lin Hai merely smiled without saying anything. His composed manner left Dugu Yan's embarrassment and irritation with nowhere to land.

She could only direct her anger at her grandfather instead.

"Grandpa! Why do you walk like a snake, without making any sound at all? You scared me to death!"

"Pfft!"

This time, Lin Hai could not hold it in and laughed aloud.

Dugu Bo sighed and spread his hands helplessly.

"Your grandfather has a Snake Martial Soul to begin with, and so do you. But..."

His tone shifted, and a gossiping, teasing expression appeared on his face.

"Your grandfather thought that after such an 'in-depth discussion,' your Martial Soul should have evolved already. Why does your Soul Power... still look the same?"

Having her thoughts exposed by her grandfather, Dugu Yan became both embarrassed and angry. She turned to Lin Hai and held out her hand.

"I've rested enough! Where's the Elixir Pill? Give it to me!"

Lin Hai looked up at the pitch-black sky in surprise.

"Now? A night battle?"

Dugu Yan curled her lips, unconcerned.

"What's with all these rules for soul masters?"

Lin Hai stood up and said seriously, "You need to listen to me on this. Staying up late is bad for you. It can easily..."

His voice abruptly trailed off as he thought to himself, Easily what? Sudden death? No soul master would probably believe that if I said it...

Seeing him get stuck halfway through, Dugu Yan pressed, "Easily what?"