Impatient

Should I do something with the Sky Dream Ice Worm?

But this thought existed for only a moment before he suppressed it.

The Sky Dream Ice Worm was certainly a massive treasure, but using it to consume that single tear would be far too extravagant; it wasn't worth it.

While he pondered, Yue Shen stood quietly to the side, her hands elegantly folded in front of her abdomen. With her head slightly bowed, she revealed a gentleness reminiscent of a young girl, a stark contrast to her usual cold and arrogant demeanor.

Only the occasional gaze she stole toward Zhao Linchuan betrayed the turmoil within her heart.

Zhao Linchuan raised his eyes to look at her and asked directly, "Yue Shen, what you said in the main hall earlier—that you would be my woman from now on—was that true?"

A flush instantly spread across Yue Shen's cheeks, reaching all the way to her earlobes.

She bit her lower lip, then nodded firmly. "Every word Yue Shen... spoke came from the heart."

"Since I have chosen to follow the Young Master in this life, my body and soul belong to you."

"If... if the Young Master finds me unworthy and rejects me, then Yue Shen would rather live out the rest of her life in solitude than serve another."

By the time she finished, her voice trembled with a hint of resolute sorrow.

Zhao Linchuan stared into her eyes.

On the system panel, Yue Shen's loyalty stat flickered clearly: [Yue Shen, Loyalty: 79].

Seventy-nine points of loyalty... he understood.

This value meant that as long as he didn't cross her ultimate bottom line, she would do almost anything for him in other respects.

"Good." Zhao Linchuan no longer hesitated, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Since your mind is made up, I naturally cannot be stingy with you."

As he spoke, he moved his thoughts.

On the tabletop, soft, precious light flashed in succession!

First came four golden skeletal remains of various shapes, radiating immense energy—a Head Soul Bone, a Left Arm Bone, a Left Leg Bone, and a Right Leg Bone!

Immediately following, nine golden points of light appeared out of thin air, hovering above the four soul bones.

In an instant, the entire room was filled with pure soul power so dense it felt tangible. The light of the candles was suppressed until it dimmed, and the air seemed to turn into a viscous liquid of soul power; with every breath, one could feel their soul power subtly increasing!

Yue Shen's breathing stopped instantly. Her pupils dilated as she stared blankly at the pile of treasures on the table—enough to drive the entire Douluo Continent into a frenzy. Her red lips parted slightly, and she swallowed subconsciously, feeling her throat go dry.

She could even hear her own heart pounding frantically against her ribcage.

"These four Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bones and these nine God-Bestowed Soul Rings are yours." Zhao Linchuan's voice pulled her back from her shock. "I am leaving the right arm bone slot empty for now; I have other plans for it, perhaps something even better for you."

Yue Shen snapped back to reality and hurriedly reined in her loss of composure, though the wild joy in her eyes was nearly overflowing.

She nodded vigorously, her voice trembling with excitement. "Yes! Everything is at the Young Master's discretion! Yue Shen... Yue Shen will certainly not fail the Young Master's high expectations!"

She carefully gathered the soul bones and soul rings one by one into her white jade storage ring, her movements gentle.

Watching her eager expression, as if she couldn't wait to go into seclusion and absorb them immediately, Zhao Linchuan chuckled inwardly, though he remained calm on the surface.

"Cultivate well. I look forward to seeing your transformation. I'll be going now."

"Young Master, let me see you out!" Yue Shen immediately suppressed her inner craving and hurried to say.

"No need, I can find my own way."

Zhao Linchuan waved his hand. As he reached the door, he paused, turned his back to her, and added earnestly:

"Yue Shen, remember, in this completely unfamiliar world, Yan Fei might be one of the people you know best and were once closest to."

"She is the only one who comes from the same world as you and shares your past."

"If something were to happen to her, you would truly have no one left here who could speak your 'hometown tongue'."

He tilted his head slightly, his voice softening.

"Your vision should be set on a broader world, on the path to reaching the pinnacle in the future."

"Those childish bouts of spite and competition—it is time to let them go."

The meaning behind his words was clear enough—he did not want Yue Shen to do anything extreme to Yan Fei out of jealousy or a desire for favor.

Upon hearing this, Yue Shen bit her lip tightly.

She knew this was the Young Master's warning and advice, yet the inexplicable fire of competition toward Yan Fei was difficult to extinguish immediately.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked in a small, reluctant voice, "Young Master... then... may Yue Shen... teach her a small lesson?"

"Just a tiny one, just enough to let her know who is superior..." She raised her finger, gesturing a small amount.

Zhao Linchuan was silent for a moment before pushing the door open. "Mind your boundaries."

The door closed softly.

Yue Shen stood where she was, looking at the shut door, then down at her storage ring. A flicker of light danced in her eyes, eventually settling into a complex smile.

"Mind my boundaries? I understand..."

Zhao Linchuan had only walked a few steps from Yue Shen's room when a slender figure quietly emerged from the shadows of a nearby pillar.

She pressed a slender finger to her lips in a "hush" gesture, and at the same time, a faint telepathic message reached Zhao Linchuan's ears: Young Master, please follow me.

Zhao Linchuan paused, glanced at her, and nodded before following Yan Fei silently into her room.

Yan Fei's room was furnished in a simple yet elegant style, much like her own temperament, exuding a restrained luxury amidst its gentleness.

She invited Zhao Linchuan to sit, skillfully brewed a cup of fragrant tea at the perfect temperature, placed it respectfully by his side, and then stepped aside to stand with her hands lowered.

Zhao Linchuan picked up the teacup, blew away the foam, took a sip, and looked up at her. "Yan Fei, there is no one else here. If you have something to say, you might as well speak plainly."

Yan Fei looked up at Zhao Linchuan, her beautiful eyes revealing a hint of hesitation and struggle.

She seemed to be organizing her thoughts, and after a moment, she asked cautiously, "Young Master, the relationship between you and Yue Shen...?"

Zhao Linchuan set down his teacup, his tone indifferent. "Nothing special. It was just back in the Hunting Soul Forest; I kissed her on a whim."

"So... that is how it is." Yan Fei's gaze drifted for a moment, her long lashes lowering to hide the complex thoughts in her eyes.

Following that, Yan Fei took a deep breath, as if having made a decision, and gritted her teeth. "Young Master, Yan Fei can offer the same loyalty."

"Whatever Yue Shen can do, Yan Fei can do as well, and... I will certainly not do it any worse than her."

Zhao Linchuan watched her quietly. After a moment, he spoke slowly, "You are a smart person; you should be able to see that I am actually more appreciative and lenient toward you."

Yan Fei was slightly stunned.

"What Yue Shen received today was the reward I gave her after she took the initiative to work for me and reveal her heart."

"As for you, even if you haven't asked for anything or gone out of your way to do anything, I have already given you the same starting resources as her."

"This counts as my 'favoritism' and 'investment' in you."

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