"My plan is to set off on a long-term journey of experience after competing in the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament," Lin Feng said frankly. It was a sensible, well-considered plan.
But he had another consideration he kept to himself. He needed to use this time to find a way to devour and successfully condense the Exotic Fire Origins unique to Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er, the two Super Douluos.
In particular, he still hadn't found an opportunity to devour Dean Xian Lin'er's Green Flame Dragon Fire, let alone condense its origin.
The biggest obstacle was the complicated romantic history between Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er. He'd witnessed it firsthand at the Sea God Pavilion Meeting and had made discreet inquiries afterward. The whole thing was more melodramatic than a soap opera.
As Yan Shaozhe's direct disciple, barging in would be no different from asking for trouble. And using the academy's name to pressure her was out of the question...
The dean of the Soul Tool Department was notorious for her fiery temper, perfectly fitting the stereotype of a high-level fire-attribute Soul Master.
"Very good." A look of satisfaction and approval flashed through Yan Shaozhe's eyes. He immediately added, "Before the tournament, if you need any resources for your cultivation, submit a request to the academy at any time. I'll approve it personally."
He knew that every bit the academy invested in Lin Feng would deepen the bond between this genius and Shrek. It was an investment worth making.
"Thank you, Teacher." Lin Feng bowed respectfully. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Go ahead." Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly, watching him leave with a thoughtful gaze.
Lin Feng withdrew in silence. Even with Yan Shaozhe backing him, he still didn't dare ask for the moon.
The Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue Ma Xiaotao had given him last time was already an enormous favor, even if it could be considered something she'd bought with her dowry money...
After leaving Bright Phoenix Courtyard, Lin Feng headed straight off the island and hurried toward Ma Xiaotao's dormitory.
Before setting out with Tang Ya for the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, he still had one crucial matter to take care of.
As soon as he reached the dormitory door, he pushed it open without even catching his breath.
The next moment, he froze in the doorway, barely daring to breathe.
Ma Xiaotao had her back to him, bent over the table as she set out plates.
She wore nothing but a loosely tied kitchen apron. Its thin straps were knotted behind her neck, leaving the broad expanse of her jade-white back completely bare. Beneath the apron was no different... The hem barely covered her knees, and her skin seemed dazzlingly white in the indoor light, her figure full...
Lin Feng's throat went dry. His eyes refused to obey him, unable to look away.
Ma Xiaotao sensed movement behind her and paused, but didn't turn around immediately.
She merely turned her face to the side. A flush spread over her ears, while her voice carried a deliberately drawn-out, heart-tickling lilt.
"...Can't take your eyes off me?"
"Big Sister Xiaotao, I have something important to discuss." Lin Feng steadied his voice and got straight to the point.
"Something important?" Ma Xiaotao chuckled softly and finally turned around.
Her eyes shimmered like rippling water as she approached him step by step. Her waist swayed ever so slightly with each movement. Her voice dropped, each word brushing his ear like a feather. "The opportunity's right in front of you... Isn't the most important thing you should be doing right now to step up and seize it?"
If Lin Feng still couldn't read the room, he might as well go to a temple and chant sutras. He immediately stepped forward and swept Ma Xiaotao into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting her whole body hang against him.
"Your hair smells like another woman..." She buried her face against his neck and sniffed lightly. Her voice was muffled by his ear, her warm breath brushing against it. "It's that old woman Wu Ming. You can't hide it from me."
"Forget it." She drew back a little, her eyes glistening with a hint of reproach and a concealed smile. "Just do your best today, and I'll let you off this time. Otherwise... you know what'll happen."
With that, Ma Xiaotao gave his earlobe a light bite.
"Ah—" Lin Feng shivered and sucked in a breath. He instinctively tried to explain, "I went to see her to devour..." He trailed off halfway through, realizing anything he said now would sound like an excuse. So he simply fell silent.
"It's been so many days..." Ma Xiaotao's lips moved close to his ear again, her warm breath entwining with his. Her voice was soft and sweet, like a feather teasing his heart. "You know what I mean..."
She said no more, only chuckled softly as her fingertips slipped into his collar and began to wander restlessly...
By then, Lin Feng was certain that Ma Xiaotao had caught the mixed scents on him as soon as he walked in, including Wu Ming's body odor...
This was called luring someone in by feigning indifference.
With his Soul Power nearly depleted after being with Wu Ming, Lin Feng had no choice but to take out a small piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue and put it in his mouth, replenishing his energy quickly with its rich essence.
"Being naughty, are you..." Ma Xiaotao noticed what he was doing and shot him a sidelong glance. Her cheeks were already flushed, but she deliberately furrowed her brows, her tone coquettish. "Sneaking a treat right in front of me? Come on, share some."
Lin Feng didn't answer. He simply turned to look at her. The Whale Glue he'd just put in his mouth had melted into a smooth, viscous liquid.
He gently lifted Ma Xiaotao's chin, lowered his head, and kissed her, passing the precious mouthful of Whale Glue between her lips...
Outside, a sudden thunderstorm poured down. The rushing rain soon drowned out every sound of play inside.
Time flowed with the rain, long yet fleeting. In the blink of an eye, the sun was already high in the sky.
Bright sunlight streamed through a hole in the broken window, making Lin Feng squint as he looked over.
Only then did he realize that the storm last night had broken a sizable hole in the middle of the windowpane.
The bed beside the window had inevitably been soaked by the rain, which had blown inside. A large orange-yellow stain had spread across the white bedding.
"Good thing there are two beds. One wet, one dry..." He chuckled under his breath, his voice tinged with post-indulgence languor.
Lin Feng slowly stretched, then sat up on the edge of the bed and bent down to put on his shoes.
He looked back. Ma Xiaotao was still deep in sleep, breathing evenly, her face rosy.
Then he leaned over and gently pulled the blanket back up over her waist, carefully tucking in the edges.
His gaze finally settled on the damp, disheveled strands of hair stuck to Ma Xiaotao's forehead. He reached out and carefully brushed them aside, his fingertips grazing her warm, fair skin.
Only after that did he straighten up and quietly step away.
Lin Feng didn't stop to wash up. Afraid of waking Ma Xiaotao, he simply closed the door softly and headed straight toward Tang Ya's shop.
The important business he'd planned with Ma Xiaotao last night had ultimately come to nothing.
The problem lay with him. The Evil Fire Origin he'd already refined inside his body remained dominant, so he couldn't condense an Exotic Fire Origin as smoothly as Wu Ming had.
As a result, he couldn't complete his original plan to gather five Exotic Fire Origins before heading to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Still, Lin Feng's Burning Technique had already advanced to the Earth Rank, which was enough to handle it.
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