The Master and Her Two Disciples, Each in Their Own State

The culprit, Lin Hai, had quietly returned to the inn where he was staying.

The sight of that strong man exploding to death, along with all the speculation it had sparked, had not been forgotten.

He immediately summoned the taciturn messenger and sent him to Heaven Dou City to secretly inquire about the recent circumstances of the Ye Family mother and daughter.

They were to meet in Saen City, the provincial capital of Novis Province.

Both Saen City and Tar City belonged to Novis Province, located between Heaven Dou City and the Star Dou Great Forest.

Like Suotuo City, they were among the Heaven Dou Empire's closest cities to the Star Dou Great Forest.

After Lin Hai finished giving his instructions, the messenger merely nodded slightly before turning and leaving.

It seems Teacher really does prefer subordinates who are quiet but capable, Lin Hai mused.

This messenger had been specially sent by Pope Bibi Dong to assist Lin Hai when the coachman had returned to Spirit City to deliver a letter some days ago.

His duties were to pass messages for Lin Hai and gather intelligence.

At that moment, a heavy concern weighed on Lin Hai's heart—

He feared that what he had done would implicate the Ye Family mother and daughter.

He considered himself a fairly kind person... at the very least, he still had a conscience...

When he had first arrived in Douluo, his greatest wish had been to live well and keep his destiny firmly in his own hands.

But as long as one lived, one could not avoid dealing with others.

With interactions came bonds, closeness, and distance.

Joining a major power also meant being bound to a position.

And Bibi Dong and Hu Liena, this master and disciple pair, had long since become his greatest attachments in this life.

Yet they had repeatedly been plotted against and exploited by another master and disciple pair, until they died with broken hearts.

Even if certain things had not yet fully happened along this life's path, he would settle this karma.

As for the people of Shrek, he could regard them with an even mind. What happened in the future would depend on which side they chose.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, Lin Hai continued south.

After traveling at intervals for three days, he finally arrived in Saen City.

This city guarded the northern route leading to the Star Dou Great Forest. It was the last great city before entering that vast and perilous land.

The messenger had already booked rooms in the city and was waiting for him. He also brought good news—

The Ye Family mother and daughter were both well, with nothing unusual to report.

Only then did the tightly wound string in Lin Hai's heart loosen.

Until I completely resolve the restrictions on the Ye Family's martial spirit, I'd better not study this Nine Heart Begonia Martial Spirit Pill...

Lin Hai silently warned himself.

The following day, Lin Hai instructed the messenger and coachman to wait quietly in the city while he slipped away alone.

A carriage was ultimately too slow, especially when the destination was no longer far away...

Besides... deep in his heart, there was another reason he did not wish to speak aloud—

Recently, he had developed an indescribable... fascination with the Earth Style technique.

Perhaps the profound attachment Chinese people held toward the land had long been carved into their bones.

Within the Pope's Palace in Spirit City.

Bibi Dong looked at her beloved disciple, Hu Liena, with considerable helplessness.

"Nana, the Elixir Pill Xiaohai sent back from so far away is meant to help your cultivation, not to be displayed before your eyes for admiration..."

"How long have you been looking at it? When exactly do you intend to take it?"

Hu Liena held the Jade Bottle containing the Elixir Pill, which still carried Lin Hai's scent, and pouted aggrievedly.

"Teacher... just wait a little longer. Once... Xiaohai's scent has faded from the pill, it won't be too late for your disciple to take it."

Bibi Dong raised her phoenix-like eyes slightly, an inexplicable irritation in her voice.

"The very day he left, you couldn't wait to move into his room."

"What? Is the whole room full of that smelly man's scent still not enough for you to smell?"

How is Xiaohai smelly? He smells perfectly fresh! Hu Liena protested inwardly.

But she did not dare argue aloud and merely muttered softly.

"Teacher, your disciple had no choice..."

"Once Xiaohai left, that fellow Yan started pestering me all day again."

"At the academy, it's one thing. Sometimes I'm already about to sleep, and he comes knocking at my door with a late-night snack... I just want somewhere quiet!"

Though she did not say it outright, the implication was obvious—

You only arranged for Xiaohai to stay in a side hall of the Saintess Hall. You never gave me my own room in the hall...

Bibi Dong rubbed her forehead.

She truly had not considered the matter carefully at the time, merely arranging for Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan to stay in the same courtyard.

After all, Xie Yue was her older brother, and the three of them had grown up together since childhood.

Who could have expected Yan to be so disappointing? While Lin Hai was around, he could restrain himself somewhat. The moment Lin Hai left, those thoughts of his could no longer be suppressed.

Yan is useless too... After being with Nana day and night for so many years, he still hasn't managed to enter her heart at all, Bibi Dong sighed inwardly.

How could she not know that Hu Liena's feelings for Lin Hai had been deeply rooted since childhood, and that sooner or later, they would have to be fulfilled?

Yet whenever such thoughts arose, an invisible wall quietly erected itself deep within her heart, making her faintly feel that something was wrong.

Even though... from every perspective, the two of them were an excellent match.

She did not dare delve into that thought. The hurdle in her heart had always been difficult to cross.

A calm voice spoke in her mind.

He's still too young.

Another impulsive voice immediately retorted.

He'll grow up.

The calm voice reminded her.

He is your disciple.

The impulsive voice produced its "evidence."

Have you forgotten The Return of the Condor Heroes he told Nana about? Wasn't that hint obvious enough?

Thus, even the calm voice ceased to remain calm.

The two thoughts battled day and night within her, rising and falling against one another, leaving her exhausted in body and mind.

That little bastard only knows how to deceive people. What use is it to delegate the minor matters of government? Who am I supposed to hand this sort of thing to?!

It had to be said that the Dust Cleansing Nirvana Technique had quietly changed her in many ways.

Her malicious thoughts had been swept away, and her obsessions soothed, but it had also made her somewhat more indecisive than before.

The sharp edge of that iron-blooded Pope seemed to have diminished as well.

Seeing Bibi Dong fall silent, Hu Liena mistakenly thought her complaints had worked and tentatively suggested, "Teacher, how about... your disciple goes out to lie low for a while? The Star Dou Great Forest would be quite nice..."

Lin Hai had written in his letter that he might enter the Star Dou Great Forest for some time next, making contact impossible.

Hearing this, Bibi Dong shot her an annoyed glare.

"Put away those little schemes of yours! Have you forgotten what he agreed upon with you before leaving?"

Hu Liena immediately fell silent.

She knew that if she continued, she would probably be dragged off for "extra training" again.

On the day Lin Hai left, Hu Liena had already flaunted Lin Hai's whispered words from that night all over the rooftop.

Naturally, that included his promise of a surprise if their levels did not grow too far apart, as well as the sweet vows that were practically a private betrothal between the two little brats.

Complex emotions churned within Bibi Dong's heart.

That little bastard! Eating from his bowl while eyeing the pot—he even has designs on both master and disciple!

He's even bolder and more reckless than Yang Guo. At least that man had a Divine Condor. What do you, a little brat, have?

In truth, she knew perfectly well that her youngest disciple's talent, brilliance, looks, temperament, character, lustfulness, and that skin impervious to blades and spears...

All meant that his future world was destined to be surrounded by beautiful women, filled with singing orioles and dancing swallows.