Do You Still Have That Mushroom, Brother

The next morning.

Fang Xuan opened his eyes again, looking at Ye Lingling sleeping soundly beside him, a helpless smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

This time, it hadn't been forced; it was truly of his own volition.

He hadn't expected that getting beaten up by Tang San would lead to such an unexpected harvest.

Recalling the scene from last night, Fang Xuan felt a sense of sentimentality.

Even now, he didn't understand whether he felt more guilt or affection for Ye Lingling, or if he simply wanted to take on the responsibilities a man should bear.

Forget it, why am I overthinking this? I'll just take it one step at a time. As long as my conscience is clear, that's enough.

Ye Lingling was a good girl; if not for the limitations of her martial soul, she might have reached even greater heights in the future.

"Hmm? How did my soul power increase by a level?"

Just then, Fang Xuan suddenly realized his soul power had jumped from level fifty-two to level fifty-three.

He hadn't even touched his bottleneck yet, so how could this be?

Could it be...

Fang Xuan turned to look at Ye Lingling, the image of the Hypno-shroom suddenly surfacing in his mind.

[There might be unexpected effects after it ends. ><]

"No way..."

Fang Xuan fell silent, but it seemed there was no other way to explain the situation.

"This... I... sigh."

He was left between laughter and tears; what kind of situation was this?

Was this a Hypno-shroom or a Dual Cultivation Mushroom? Why were its hidden effects so strange?

"I wonder if Lingling's soul power increased as well. It shouldn't be that only I benefited."

The Hypno-shroom affected two people; it made no sense for him to gain benefits while she did not.

However, she had been put through quite a lot last night, so he would have to wait for her to wake up to find out.

Fang Xuan climbed out of the warm covers on tiptoe, got dressed, and headed downstairs to the kitchen to prepare a breakfast of love for Ye Lingling.

Just as he finished cooking, uninvited guests arrived.

"Hey, hey, hey, Fang Xuan, are you still alive? Why is there a rock in front of your door?"

Dugu Yan's voice came from outside, and Fang Xuan wore a look of utter helplessness.

Did this woman have nothing better to do? Why was she running over to his place so early in the morning?

He activated the power of the Potato Mine to move the floor tile blocking the door back into its proper place.

It revealed Dugu Yan's stunned face, and Yu Tianheng beside her looked just as bewildered.

Good grief, they looked just as foolish as each other; was this what they called a couple's resemblance?

"Wait, you're that strong? You didn't break Lingling, did you?"

Dugu Yan really dared to say anything; Ye Lingling was truly lucky to have a best friend like her.

Besides, wasn't it she who had dumped the girl here yesterday? Now she was acting all concerned.

"Keep your voice down, Lingling is still sleeping. Don't wake her."

"Oh, oh, oh, it's only been a few days and you're already acting so intimate."

"Sigh, my best friend is beyond saving."

Dugu Yan put on a look of deep regret, leaving Fang Xuan speechless.

Yu Tianheng stood to the side, looking slightly awkward; after all, Dugu Yan had always been like this.

"Brother, you're a lucky man. Ye Lingling is the ice beauty of our academy; I never expected you to be the one to tame her."

Ye Lingling had many suitors, but Dugu Yan had blocked most of them at the door.

After all, Ye Lingling's personality was too reserved, and with the nature of the Nine Star Begonia martial soul, she was easily bullied.

Dugu Yan's presence had served as a direct complement to her.

But now, that role had to be filled by Fang Xuan.

"What, do you want to learn from him and do something to me? I wouldn't mind, though I hope you'd be as bold as he is when the time comes."

Unlike Ye Lingling and Fang Xuan, Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan had been together for a long time. If not for the fact that he hadn't managed to win over her grandfather, she would have long since given herself to him. One had to remember that people in the Douluo Continent generally married very young.

It wasn't uncommon to see people her age with children.

It was just a pity that Yu Tianheng was so disappointing; he still hadn't managed to handle her grandfather. What a useless man.

If all else failed, he could just do what Fang Xuan did. She didn't believe her grandfather would actually beat Yu Tianheng to death.

At worst, she could just protect him when the time came. But this guy had the heart for it without the guts; he was a total coward.

Hearing this, the corners of Yu Tianheng's and Fang Xuan's mouths twitched simultaneously.

Such a bold statement could only come from Dugu Yan; anyone else wouldn't dare say such a thing.

"Mmm, smells so good! I didn't expect you to know how to cook. It just so happens I haven't had breakfast yet, so I'll test for poison on Lingling's behalf first."

Before Fang Xuan could even refuse, she walked right over and devoured the loving breakfast he had prepared for Ye Lingling.

"Seriously? Brother, your taste is a bit unique, isn't it?"

Fang Xuan couldn't hold it in anymore; he had to vent.

He couldn't stand Dugu Yan's personality, yet Yu Tianheng acted as if nothing were wrong.

Could he have masochistic tendencies? Did he enjoy being dominated?

"Haha, actually, Yan-yan is usually fine. It's just that you, kid, arched... cough, swiped her best friend away, and she hasn't adjusted yet. She'll be fine after a while."

"..."

Fang Xuan was speechless. She was perfectly fine when she took the money yesterday, yet she had turned back into this today.

He was now highly suspicious that she might take the money and not deliver the goods.

"Forget it, let's stop talking about her. You two didn't come over this early in the morning just to chat, did you?"

He didn't believe they were just dropping by. If they were really here to see Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan could have come alone. Why bring Yu Tianheng?

Was she afraid he would lay a hand on her? He honestly couldn't bring himself to do that.

"Ahem, well, actually, brother, I do have something to ask of you."

"We have a match at the Soto City Grand Spirit Arena today, and it's a very important one. We need Ye Lingling, our support Spirit Master, to participate."

After hearing what Yu Tianheng had to say, Fang Xuan understood. So, they were here to scout a teammate.

However, given Ye Lingling's current state, she didn't seem fit for such high-intensity combat.

Even if Yu Tianheng had that idea, Dugu Yan wouldn't agree to it, which meant there was a high probability they were actually here for him.

"Brother Tianheng, let's not beat around the bush. If you want me to compete in Ye Lingling's place, just say so. There's no need for all this."

Seeing that Fang Xuan had seen through his little scheme, Yu Tianheng gave an awkward laugh but didn't say anything further. However, judging by his shifty gaze, it seemed he was hiding something else.

"What? Is that not it? I remember..."

"It's not that. It's just a small personal matter I need your help with, brother."

Seeing that Fang Xuan had misunderstood, Yu Tianheng quickly explained.

"A small matter? How small?"

Yu Tianheng asking him for a favor? That was a rare occurrence.

He was only a bit stronger and had some unique abilities, but Yu Tianheng was a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. What could he possibly help him with?

He couldn't figure it out, not at all. Just then, Yu Tianheng's eyes darted around. He glanced at Dugu Yan, who was busy eating, and after confirming she wasn't paying attention, he lowered his voice and whispered to Fang Xuan.

"Brother, do you still have any of those mushrooms? Could you get one for me too?"