Bibi Dong's Visit (Seeking Comments and Follow-ups!)

After staring at each other for a long time, the lingering sense of absurdity and disbelief in Lin Ze'an's heart was finally replaced by a novel emotion.

He reached out cautiously and gave Little Sprout's soft, chubby cheek a gentle pinch.

Little Sprout didn't seem to mind the touch; instead, it nudged its little head forward and rubbed affectionately against Lin Ze'an's finger. "Dou~~~"

Lin Ze'an's finger tickled from the contact, and his heart felt as if it had been poked by that soft, sweet sound, causing him to burst into a laugh.

In this moment, all his confusion and astonishment vanished into thin air.

Regardless of its origins or how it came to be, it was now his responsibility.

"Alright, from now on, you'll stay with me and be my spirit pet."

Little Sprout seemed to understand his words, tilting its little head up and chirping, "Dou-dou!"

Just then, a clear knocking sound came from the entrance of the small courtyard.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Lin Ze'an and Little Sprout looked toward the courtyard gate almost simultaneously.

He gently patted Little Sprout on the head and whispered, "Shh~ I'll go see who it is."

Little Sprout nodded and immediately quieted down, its large eyes gazing curiously at the door.

Lin Ze'an walked quickly to the gate, raised his hand slightly, and focused his mind—

The vines wrapped around the gate seemed to come alive, silently retreating to both sides to clear the way.

Only then did he reach out and slowly pull the gate open.

However, the person standing outside left Lin Ze'an stunned.

Bibi Dong? Why would this person come to see him? Surely she wasn't here to settle a score for Hu Liena?

Though he thought this to himself, he didn't show it on his face, bowing respectfully toward her. "Your Holiness."

Bibi Dong's gaze swept over Lin Ze'an indifferently, and she gave a slight nod. "Rise."

With that, she walked straight into the courtyard, looking around.

"You've set up this little courtyard quite well. For you, the effects of cultivating at home should be comparable to a mimicry cultivation ground."

Before Lin Ze'an could respond, Bibi Dong's eyes landed on Little Sprout.

After a moment of silence, Bibi Dong asked hesitantly, "This is... a spirit beast?"

Seeing this, Lin Ze'an hurried over and scooped Little Sprout into his arms.

He looked up at Bibi Dong and explained, "Your Holiness, this is a spirit pet I've raised. It is harmless and will not have any negative impact on Spirit Hall."

To his surprise, however, Bibi Dong merely raised her eyes, glanced at him, and waved her hand dismissively. "It is merely a weak little spirit beast."

"Even a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast would not dare to act recklessly in Spirit Hall. Keep it if you like."

Lin Ze'an blinked, not expecting Bibi Dong to let the matter go so easily, and the heavy stone weighing on his heart dropped away.

Though, it made sense; setting aside the fact that Little Sprout wasn't truly a spirit beast, even if it were, she wouldn't leave a bad impression on him over such a trivial creature.

Bibi Dong glanced sideways, her gaze returning to Little Sprout. "This appearance... is truly unprecedented."

She was well-traveled and knowledgeable, yet she had never seen such a spirit beast, nor was there any record of it in the ancient texts of Spirit Hall. Could it be a new species?

She didn't dwell on the question, however. Bibi Dong turned slightly, looking past Little Sprout to fix her gaze back on Lin Ze'an.

"How have you been faring in Spirit Hall during this time? Is there anything you lack?"

Hearing Bibi Dong's inquiry, Lin Ze'an looked at her in confusion, but replied, "Thanks to your care, Your Holiness, my current needs are well met."

She nodded slightly. "Your master, Chrysanthemum Douluo, is one of the pillars of Spirit Hall and my right-hand man."

"It is your good fortune that he is teaching you personally."

"But you must also remember, the glory of Spirit Hall is not granted as a gift; it is earned through strength and contribution."

Hearing this, the corner of Lin Ze'an's mouth twitched. He was indeed a right-hand man, but it felt more like he was being treated like a slave...

"I understand, Your Holiness. I will cultivate diligently and not let your or my master's expectations go to waste."

At these words, Bibi Dong said nothing more, instead slowly raising her hand.

Immediately, a bundle of herbs wrapped in silk and several books with antique covers appeared out of thin air on the stone table nearby.

"Cultivate as quickly as you can. I hold high hopes for both you and Hu Liena."

"Once your spirit power reaches level 30, you will join Nana and the others to become the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall."

"These," Bibi Dong said, gesturing to the herbs and books on the table, "are herbs beneficial to cultivation, along with some books on the subject."

Looking at the items on the table, Lin Ze'an was taken aback.

So, after all that, she had essentially come here to urge him to cultivate?

"I respectfully see you off, Your Holiness."

Not until Bibi Dong's back had completely disappeared did Lin Ze'an finally let out a sigh of relief, lock the courtyard gate, and sit back down at the table.

Lin Ze'an turned his head, originally intending to study the bundle of herbs and books Bibi Dong had left behind.

But the next second, his gaze froze—

He saw Little Sprout squatting beside the bundle of herbs, happily munching away.

"...You like eating these?" Lin Ze'an was stunned, then asked curiously.

Little Sprout looked up, half a herb still dangling from its mouth, and nodded vigorously, letting out a muffled, "Dou!"

Watching Little Sprout eat with such relish, Lin Ze'an helplessly rubbed its head.

Little Sprout, hailing from the Seer Universe, was naturally very strong compared to those on the Douluo Continent, but he wondered how strong this Little Sprout, born on the Douluo Continent, actually was.

He pondered for a moment, then stood up and said to Little Sprout, "You go ahead and eat. I'm going out for a bit, so be a good boy and stay home."

Hearing this, Little Sprout looked up, blinked its eyes, nodded at Lin Ze'an, and then went back to burying its head in its dinner.

After closing the courtyard gate and ensuring Little Sprout wouldn't sneak out, Lin Ze'an turned and walked toward the cluster of palaces that remained grand and imposing even in the twilight.

He intended to find his master first; on one hand, to report what had happened today, including the appearance of Little Sprout and Bibi Dong's visit.

On the other hand... his master had forgotten to give him his allowance, and without a single cent to his name, he couldn't even go out to grab a meal.

However, the awkward part was...

Lin Ze'an soon discovered that he was lost.

He scratched his head, his face full of confusion. It hadn't seemed like much from a distance, but now that he was walking through, he realized just how many palaces there were.

But which one did his master live in?

He looked around, trying to find someone he could ask for directions.

Fortunately, he didn't have to walk far before he saw two guards standing not too far ahead.

Lin Ze'an's eyes lit up, and he immediately ran over.

"Hello!" He tilted his little face up, greeted the guards politely, and then pulled his token from his waist.

Come to think of it, this token had been given to him by Bibi Dong earlier. Given his talent, even though he was Chrysanthemum Douluo's disciple, he was only one rank below the elders.

When the guards saw Lin Ze'an approaching, their originally stern expressions softened slightly.

Upon seeing the token in his hand, they immediately straightened up respectfully and saluted him, saying, "Greetings, My Lord!"

Lin Ze'an waved his hand and asked them, "You two, which palace is Chrysanthemum Douluo's residence?"