Early the next morning.
Fang Xuan opened his eyes again. Seeing Ye Lingling sleeping soundly beside him, he couldn't help wearing a helpless smile.
This time, it hadn't been forced. It had been truly voluntary.
He hadn't expected to get an unexpected reward after Tang San beat him up.
Thinking back to what had happened last night, Fang Xuan felt a little emotional.
At that moment, he couldn't even tell whether he felt more guilty toward Ye Lingling, liked her more, or simply wanted to take responsibility as a man should.
"Forget it. Why am I thinking so much? I'll take things as they come. As long as I have a clear conscience, that's enough."
Ye Lingling was a good girl. If not for the limitations of her Martial Soul, she might have gone much further.
"Hmm? Why has my Soul Power gone up a level?"
Just then, Fang Xuan suddenly realized that his Soul Power had jumped from level fifty-two to level fifty-three.
He hadn't even reached a bottleneck yet. What was going on?
Could it be...
Fang Xuan turned to look at Ye Lingling, and the image of the Hypno-shroom suddenly appeared in his mind.
[There might be an unexpected effect after it's over ><]
"No way..."
Fang Xuan fell silent, but it seemed there was no other way to explain what had happened.
"This... I... sigh."
He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What in the world was going on?
Was this a Hypno-shroom or a Dual Cultivation Mushroom? How could its hidden effect be so strange?
"I wonder if Lingling's Soul Power went up too. Surely I'm not the only one who benefited."
The Hypno-shroom had affected both of them. There was no reason only he would gain something from it while Ye Lingling got nothing.
But she'd been thoroughly worn out last night, so he'd have to wait until she woke up to find out.
Fang Xuan carefully climbed out of the warm bed, got dressed, and went downstairs to the kitchen to make Ye Lingling a loving breakfast.
He'd only just finished cooking when an uninvited guest showed up.
"Hey, hey, Fang Xuan! Are you still alive? Why is there a stone blocking your doorway?"
Dugu Yan's voice came from outside, and Fang Xuan could only sigh helplessly.
Did this woman have nothing better to do? Why had she come all the way to his place so early in the morning?
He activated the power of Cai Wen and shifted the floor blocking the doorway back into place.
That revealed Dugu Yan's utterly baffled face. Yu Tianheng beside her looked just as confused.
Good grief, they were both equally dumbfounded. Was this what people meant by a married couple looking alike?
"Wait, you're that strong? Lingling won't be worn out by you, will she?"
Dugu Yan really would say anything. Ye Lingling was lucky to have a best friend like her.
And hadn't she been the one to dump Ye Lingling at his place yesterday? Now she was worried about something like that?
"Keep your voice down. Lingling's still asleep. Don't wake her."
"Oho, oho! It's only been a few days, and you're already calling her so affectionately."
"Honestly, my best friend is hopeless."
Dugu Yan looked terribly regretful, leaving Fang Xuan speechless.
Yu Tianheng stood awkwardly to the side. Dugu Yan had always been like this, after all.
"Lucky guy. Ye Lingling's the ice-cold beauty of our academy. I never thought you'd manage to win her over."
Ye Lingling had plenty of admirers, but Dugu Yan had turned most of them away at the door.
Ye Lingling was too reserved, and the nature of her Nine Star Begonia Martial Soul made it easy for people to take advantage of her.
Dugu Yan's presence had been the perfect counterbalance.
But now, Fang Xuan had taken over that role.
"What, do you want to try doing something to me like he did? I wouldn't mind, but I hope you can be just as tough as him."
Unlike Ye Lingling and Fang Xuan, Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan had been together for a long time. If he hadn't failed to win over his grandfather, she would probably have already given herself to him.
After all, people on the Douluo Continent generally married very young.
There were plenty of girls her age who already had children.
But Yu Tianheng was too useless to get his grandfather's approval even now. What a hopeless man.
If all else failed, he could do what Fang Xuan had done. She didn't believe her grandfather would beat Yu Tianheng to death.
At worst, she could protect him herself. But the guy had the desire and none of the guts—a complete waste.
At her words, both Yu Tianheng and Fang Xuan's mouths twitched.
Only Dugu Yan could get away with such a bold statement. Nobody else would dare say that.
"Mmm, smells good. I didn't know you could cook. Perfect, I haven't had breakfast yet. I'll taste-test it for Lingling."
Before Fang Xuan could stop her, she walked right over and wolfed down the loving breakfast he'd prepared for Ye Lingling.
"Wait, brother, your taste is a little unusual."
Fang Xuan couldn't take it anymore. He had to call her out today.
He couldn't stand Dugu Yan's personality, yet Yu Tianheng acted as if nothing was wrong.
Could he have some kind of masochism? Did he like being whipped?
"Haha, Yan Yan's usually fine. It's just that you went and stole... ahem, ran off with her best friend, and she hasn't adjusted yet. She'll be better after a while."
"..."
Fang Xuan was speechless. She'd been perfectly fine when she took the money yesterday, but today she was back to acting like this.
He was starting to wonder whether she'd take the money and not do what she promised.
"Forget it. Let's not talk about her. You two came by so early—was there something you needed?"
He didn't believe they'd come over just to visit. If they'd really come to see Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan could have come alone. Why bring Yu Tianheng?
Was he worried Fang Xuan would make a move on her? He really couldn't bring himself to do that.
"Ahem. Well, brother, I really did have something to ask you."
"We have a match at the Soto City Grand Spirit Arena today. It's very important, and we need Ye Lingling to take part as our support Soul Master."
After hearing Yu Tianheng out, Fang Xuan understood. So they'd come looking for a teammate.
But Ye Lingling wasn't exactly in a condition to take part in such a high-intensity battle.
Even if Yu Tianheng wanted her to, Dugu Yan wouldn't agree. So there was a good chance he'd come here hoping Fang Xuan would take her place.
"Brother Tianheng, let's not beat around the bush. If you want me to take Ye Lingling's place in the match, just say so. There's no need to dance around it."
Yu Tianheng saw through, and awkwardly smiled at, Fang Xuan's little guess. He didn't say anything more, but the way his eyes darted about suggested he was hiding something else.
"What? Is that not it? I thought..."
"No, it's not that. I have a personal matter and need a small favor from you, brother."
Yu Tianheng quickly explained, realizing Fang Xuan had misunderstood.
"A small favor? How small?"
Yu Tianheng was asking him for help? That was rare.
Fang Xuan was only a little stronger and had a few unusual abilities, while Yu Tianheng was a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. What could he possibly help him with?
He couldn't figure it out. Just then, Yu Tianheng's gaze darted toward Dugu Yan, who was still busy eating. Once he confirmed she wasn't paying attention, he leaned close and lowered his voice.
"Brother, do you have any more of those mushrooms? Could you get one for me too?"