Cohabitation

"Xiaotao, this dormitory was meant for couples, wasn't it?"

Lin Feng looked at the new dormitory. Its layout made the intent far too obvious.

Two large beds less than a meter apart, and a shared bathroom with transparent glass walls.

"Don't worry about it. The teacher told me to guide you properly, so of course we'd be staying like this. You're his precious disciple. If anything happens, I couldn't answer for it. Besides, he specially approved this dormitory."

"Xiaotao, aren't you worried people will gossip about us?"

"What's there to worry about? I reported that you'd advanced to Soul Elder to the teacher. In a few days, he'll announce that you're his personal disciple. Then everyone will know we're senior and junior disciples."

In the Soul Master World, Soul Power Levels had three major thresholds: Soul Elder, Soul Saint, and Titled Douluo. That was why Yan Shaozhe had chosen this moment to make the announcement.

The main reason Yan Shaozhe valued Lin Feng so highly was Ma Xiaotao. Both of them possessed top-grade Phoenix Martial Souls.

But Yan Shaozhe was already old, with no hope of breaking through to Limit Douluo. Creating another Phoenix Limit Douluo—or even a Phoenix God—was his lifelong wish.

As for Ma Xiaotao, she had long since made up her mind. She could easily wait two years.

Soul Masters lived far longer than ordinary people, so the age gap between the two of them was still within the normal range.

As the old saying went, "A woman three years older brings a chest of gold; six years older, a chest of even more gold..."

Over the next week, Ma Xiaotao used "helping him build up his strength" as an excuse to drag Lin Feng to Sea God Lake every day to enjoy the hot springs.

This left Lin Feng with a buildup of Phoenix Evil Fire inside him that he hadn't had time to absorb and digest.

He had to switch to loose pants before he could go to class in peace.

In the blink of an eye, Monday had rolled around again.

Ma Xiaotao got up early and started making breakfast in the kitchen.

In black pajamas and an apron, her tousled red hair seemed to rise on its own, making her look just like a housewife.

In the morning sunlight, the ample curves beneath her pajama neckline stood out clearly, not to mention the long, pale legs below her skirt...

When Lin Feng reached the kitchen doorway, he swallowed without thinking. Breakfast smelled incredible.

"Xiaotao, you don't have to make breakfast for me every day. I'm perfectly happy eating in the cafeteria."

"Are you saying your big sister's cooking isn't good enough?"

"Not at all. How could the cafeteria cooks compare to you?"

Lin Feng sat down and dug into breakfast.

"Xiao Feng, let's give you the month off. You've worked hard lately. About what happened in the bathroom just now... never mind. I'll pretend I didn't see anything."

Ma Xiaotao's face was flushed. It seemed she'd noticed something, and she spoke haltingly, as if she couldn't bring herself to finish.

At the mention of the bathroom, Lin Feng realized something was wrong. He turned to look at the bathroom's glass wall and noticed a small gap in the curtain. He had no idea when it had opened.

Oh no. She saw...

"Xiaotao, just now, I, uh... I'm sorry..." Lin Feng's mind went blank. He didn't know how to explain himself.

"It's fine. I told you, you've been working hard lately. It's all because of the Evil Fire. Besides, it's normal. Just don't do it too often. Your senior knows all about it."

Ma Xiaotao didn't seem angry. She calmly tried to reassure Lin Feng. After all, this had all happened because she'd rushed things.

"My body can take it. If you want to go to the hot springs, Xiaotao, just call me."

"Be good. Here, you like the egg yolks. Have some more, and don't choke."

Lin Feng nodded and opened his mouth for the egg yolk Ma Xiaotao usually didn't like. He swallowed it with a satisfied look.

After a few days living together, Ma Xiaotao had proved to be an excellent cook. She owed it to her precise control of the heat.

After all, she possessed a high-level fire-attribute Beast Martial Soul. Making three meals a day was a piece of cake.

"Take it slow on the way! Remember to come back for lunch."

"Got it, Xiaotao!"

It was hard for outsiders to imagine that Ma Xiaotao, who used to have such a fiery temper, could be so gentle.

It was all thanks to the Burning Technique.

After breakfast, Lin Feng hurried straight to the New Student Class Nine classroom.

He was usually just in time, but after wasting an extra five minutes in the bathroom today, he had nearly been late again.

Teacher Mu Jin was easygoing, but he still felt bad about being late so often.

"Everyone, I'm taking attendance now."

"Ning Tian."

"Here!"

"Lin Feng."

"Lin Feng?"

"Is Lin Feng in the classroom?"

"Hey, you little rascal, she's calling roll!"

"Don't shake me... Huh? Here, here!"

Lin Feng jolted awake as Wu Feng, sitting in front of him, shook him.

He'd fallen asleep during the five minutes before class, all because he'd activated Sage Mode.

"Lin Feng, are you feeling unwell? Why didn't you stand up and answer?"

"Teacher, I'm fine. I'm just... not in a good position to stand up..."

Faced with Teacher Mu Jin's question, Lin Feng stammered. He truly couldn't stand up.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Mu Jin looked puzzled, then walked over from the podium to Lin Feng.

"Teacher, I'm really fine."

"You're really fine? Stand up and let me see."

"I can't..."

"Stand up!"

Mu Jin was genuinely getting a little angry now. She wondered if she'd been too indulgent with her students.

At that moment, every eye in the classroom was fixed on the two of them.

He'd just have to take the plunge...

With a loud crash, the desk and chair were knocked over by an unidentified object.

"Sit down." Mu Jin's face darkened, but she still forced herself to speak calmly. She should have guessed this was what had happened.

The teacher had seen it. The whole class had seen it. This was social death, once and for all.

The classroom was silent for now, but Lin Feng could already imagine the pile of nicknames waiting for him after class...

Seeing Wu Feng struggle to stifle her laughter, his face flushed hot. He'd have to find a chance to give her a proper "reward."

There it was. Wu Feng had just reached level thirty. He could find an opportunity to invite her to get a Soul Ring, and then, hehe...

The agonizing class soon came to an end.

After class, the ridicule he'd expected never came. Lin Feng had misjudged things.

Class Nine was mostly made up of girls. Even in a situation like this, they still had to pretend to be demure.

As for the handful of boys, they didn't dare say much out of respect for Lin Feng.

But no wall could keep out every breeze. Sooner or later, the story would get around.

After a long day of classes, Lin Feng headed straight for the dormitory.

He really didn't want to go to the cafeteria, a place full of gossip and rumors.

"Xiao Feng? What happened in your classroom this morning... It's all my fault."

"Huh? Damn, the news traveled that fast!"

He'd avoided the gossip in the cafeteria, only to run into Ma Xiaotao's keen ears. Lin Feng was on the verge of tears.

"It's fine. Just let it out properly tonight. If you really can't manage, I... I can help you myself."

"Th-that's not necessary. I can handle it myself..."

Later that evening, a rich aroma drifted from Ma Xiaotao's kitchen.

Chicken soup with goji berries, steamed ribs with ginseng and astragalus, lamb stew with angelica...

"Xiaotao, are you treating medicinal dishes like everyday meals?"

Lin Feng stood by the table, staring at all the nourishing food spread across it. His scalp prickled.

Ma Xiaotao smiled as she ladled soup into his bowl. "You've been using up a lot of energy lately. You need to eat more."

Lin Feng chuckled.

How had he reached the point of needing this much "nourishment" at such a young age?

He took the bowl, and steam veiled his eyes.

Was this a blessing or a curse?

He'd downed it in one gulp before deciding.