Using Up the Daughter, Then the Son

"It was worthy of being a cultivation method left behind by a senior of the dragon race. Just one night of cultivation had produced such astonishing results." Xu Mengqing marveled inwardly, a flicker of fervor passing through his eyes.

He knew that with this cultivation method, his progress on the path of a Spirit Master would surely far surpass that of others.

Just then, light footsteps came from the front courtyard, accompanied by Na'er's soft call. "Big Brother, are you done cultivating?"

Xu Mengqing smiled faintly and quickly walked out of the backyard. Na'er wore a light pink dress, her hair neatly combed as she looked at him. Meng Ling'er followed behind her with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with affection as she watched the two children.

"Na'er, why are you up so early?" Xu Mengqing stepped forward and gently rubbed the top of Na'er's head, his tone exceptionally warm.

Na'er immediately wrapped her arms around his arm, her little face brimming with excitement. "I woke up ages ago! Big Brother, did you cultivate all night yesterday? Mom said you were in the backyard and wouldn't let me disturb you."

"I only cultivated for a little while. It didn't take too long." Xu Mengqing replied with a smile, then looked toward Meng Ling'er. "Morning, Mom."

"Xiaoqing, come eat breakfast. I made the rice porridge you like, and there are freshly steamed wheat buns too." Meng Ling'er beckoned to him gently. Though there was still a trace of fatigue in her son's eyes, his aura had become increasingly steady and refined, filling her heart with relief.

She knew her son had always been more sensible and hardworking than other children.

The family of three walked over to the dining table, where Xu Zhan was already seated. Steaming rice porridge, crispy pickles, and several soft wheat buns sat on the table—simple fare, yet full of the warmth of home.

Xu Zhan looked at Xu Mengqing and spoke first, his voice hearty. "Xiaoqing, I've already contacted that friend of mine. He agreed to teach you and will come over this afternoon to personally teach you the basics of spear techniques. He's a rank 46 Soul Ancestor who has cultivated a spear Martial Soul for many years. His spearwork is very solid, so you can learn from him."

At those words, Xu Mengqing's eyes instantly lit up. The joy in his heart could no longer be concealed. He hurriedly stood and gave Xu Zhan a deep bow. "Thank you, Dad! I'll definitely study hard."

"Silly child, why be so polite with your father?" Xu Zhan waved his hand, his eyes full of expectation. "I'm happy that you have such ambition. But learning spear techniques isn't easy. It requires endurance, strength, and skill. You'll inevitably suffer hardships in the future, so you must not give up halfway."

"I know, Dad. I'm not afraid of hardship." Xu Mengqing nodded heavily, his tone firm.

He understood that on the Douluo Continent, strength was the foundation for survival. If he wanted to protect his family, establish himself amid the dangers to come, and keep them safe, he had to put in more effort than others. This little bit of hardship was nothing.

Na'er sat beside him, sipping her rice porridge in small mouthfuls. Hearing that her brother was going to learn spear techniques, her little face filled with admiration and envy. Swinging her short legs, she said, "Big Brother is amazing! Too bad Na'er can't become a Spirit Master!"

"If I could become a Spirit Master like Big Brother... then I could practice spear techniques with him and protect him too."

Xu Mengqing's heart clenched sharply, as though something soft had gripped it. He put down his chopsticks and gently covered Na'er's small hand with his own. His smile was tender, but his tone carried unquestionable seriousness. "Silly Na'er, even if you're an ordinary person, Big Brother will still protect you."

Na'er nodded.

After that, the four of them continued chatting and laughing together.

After breakfast,

Xu Mengqing packed his schoolbag, took Na'er's little hand, and the two headed out together toward Red Mountain Academy.

On the way to school, Na'er held Xu Mengqing's hand and walked in front. This had become her habit ever since she began attending school.

"Huh? Mengqing, Na'er, what a coincidence."

As they walked, Tang Wulin's voice came from behind them. Turning around, they saw him rounding a fork in the road from afar and hurrying toward them.

When Tang Wulin reached them, Xu Mengqing asked with some confusion, "Why are you so late today? You usually walk ahead of us." Na'er also waited curiously for Tang Wulin's answer.

Yet after stopping, Tang Wulin's breathing remained even, and he did not look like someone who had just been sprinting at full speed. "Teacher Mang Tian taught me something new yesterday. I practiced too late, so..."

Xu Mengqing nodded.

Na'er looked at Tang Wulin. Ever since their first meeting, she had somehow been able to sense a familiar aura from him, and it seemed to hold a powerful attraction for her. Yet every time she met Tang Wulin, she also felt an inexplicable unease in her heart, as if something were warning her to stay away from him.

Naturally, Tang Wulin also felt an inexplicable attraction coming from Na'er.

However, he did not show it.

"By the way, Mengqing, how did it go? Did you obtain a Spirit Soul and break through to become a Spirit Master?" Tang Wulin asked curiously.

At Tang Wulin's question, a faint smile flickered through Xu Mengqing's eyes. He neither deliberately concealed anything nor spoke of the secrets of his Martial Soul's transformation and the Holy Dragon Pearl. He merely nodded lightly. "Yes. I got lucky, successfully fused with a Spirit Soul, and broke through to become a rank 11 Spirit Master."

"Rank 11 already?"

His heart was full of envy. He was still working hard to temper himself and had not even touched the threshold of becoming a Spirit Master, while Xu Mengqing had already become a rank 11 Spirit Master. The enormous gap made him secretly clench his fists, yet he felt no jealousy—only greater motivation to catch up.

After all, Xu Mengqing had always been his friend. Seeing his friend grow stronger, he was sincerely happy for him.

Xu Mengqing smiled and patted his shoulder. "You don't need to rush either." He knew Tang Wulin well. With the Golden Dragon King Bloodline within him, his future achievements would be limitless. There was no need for him to worry about his current progress.

As for taking the Golden Dragon King Bloodline for himself, Xu Mengqing had no great interest in it. Besides, the risk was simply too great.

With Tang God King and Tang Hao's family around, he would have no chance at all. Even if he did have the chance, he would not do such a thing.

Over these years of getting along, his relationship with Tang Wulin had been quite good. Besides, he genuinely sympathized with Tang Wulin.

Fortunately, Tang Wulin had been adopted by Tang Ziran and his wife and had enjoyed a good childhood. Tang Ziran had raised him quite well.

Tang Buddha really wasn't human. After using up his daughter, he used his son; after using up his son, he used his grandson.

The perfectly fine Tang Wutong had been turned into some stitched-together monstrosity. Was the current Tang Wutong still the original Tang Wutong?

No one could say for sure!

But the most pitiful one was still the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, a complete and utter tool.

To tie down the Child of Fortune, he truly would stop at nothing!

Na'er tilted up her little face to look at Tang Wulin, pride written across her features as she added brightly, "Of course! My brother is the best. He'll become even stronger in the future!" As she spoke, her little hand tightly gripped Xu Mengqing's sleeve, the admiration in her eyes completely undisguised.