This... Is crucial to the path ahead of me.

Boom--!

The impact of these words on Dugu Yan, who was in a state of shock and whose worldview had just been overturned, was far greater than the combined effects of the previous "poisoning" and "Martial Soul Evolution"!

Her mind went completely blank!

Her face turned bright red in an instant, like a ripe peach, and the redness spread all the way to her ears and neck!

My heart felt like it had been squeezed tightly by an invisible little hand, and then it suddenly started beating faster, Tackle against my chest like a drum.

She! Dugu Yan! The granddaughter of Poison Douluo! A genius of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy!

She is usually aloof and disdainful of suitors!

Now... now I've actually been flirted with by a seven-year-old kid?!

And this happened after discussing such serious topics as life and death, the path of Martial Soul, and the survival of the family?!

This stark contrast, coupled with the sudden, innocent praise, left her completely flustered.

A strong sense of shame mixed with an indescribable, absurd thrill instantly overwhelmed her.

"You... you..."

Dugu Yan pointed at Lin Xia, so ashamed she could barely speak. Her purple eyes glistened with tears, all traces of her usual aloofness gone.

"Xiao Xia... you're bad!"

This coquettish retort, tinged with extreme embarrassment and annoyance, almost slipped out of her mouth.

Having said that, Dugu Yan could no longer stay in front of this little devil who was making her flustered. She turned around abruptly, like a startled purple butterfly, and staggered out of the Quiet Room, not even caring about etiquette. Her figure quickly disappeared into the depths of the secluded bamboo forest path, leaving only a faint fragrance carrying an air of panic.

The Quiet Room returned to tranquility.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm dappled patterns on the floor.

The spilled tea on the small table was half-dry, leaving dark stains.

The air still seemed to linger with the girl's panicked and embarrassed state.

The innocent smile on Lin Xia's face gradually faded, replaced by a profound calm that was completely out of character for his age.

Lin Xia picked up her cup of unsplashed Spirit Tea, sipped it slowly, and gazed thoughtfully in the direction where Dugu Yan had disappeared.

"Tsk tsk..."

A soft laugh, tinged with seven parts elegance and three parts languor, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, suddenly rang out behind Lin Xia.

The sound wasn't loud, but it carried a majesty and Charm that could freeze the entire space.

A graceful and elegant figure appeared silently in the shadows of the Quiet Room, as if she had always been there, only the light had just been willing to outline her silhouette.

The pale gold Pope hugged her shapely figure, a purple-gold scepter rested casually on her arm, and her exquisite face held a half-smile. Her deep purple eyes were fixed on Lin Xia's small figure, full of amusement.

"Xiao Xia, you're truly amazing!"

Bibi Dong moved gracefully to Lin Xia's side and sat down elegantly in the spot where Dugu Yan had just been sitting.

Bibi Dong extended her slender fingers and gently brushed away the water stains left by the teacup on the small table. Her movements were nonchalant and lazy, yet they exuded an invisible Pressure.

"And this has only been two short days..."

Bibi Dong's voice was like a fine wine, with an intoxicating magnetism, and the nuances in her tone were almost overflowing.

"You managed to provoke that arrogant and haughty young granddaughter of the Poison Douluo family, leaving her flustered and fleeing in embarrassment. Your skill back then, at your age, was far beyond my reach."

Bibi Dong leaned slightly closer to Lin Xia, bringing with her a faint, pure fragrance as refreshing as a snow lotus and as noble as a deity. Her smile deepened, even carrying a hint of mischief.

"Tsk tsk, calling Sister Yanyan so beautiful all the time, little guy, where did you learn such sweet talk? You're truly a self-taught genius."

"I wonder how many noble ladies and proud daughters of heaven on the continent will fall into your hands, heartbroken and obsessed with you, when you grow up and your little mouth is paired with your face and status?"

Bibi Dong's tone was half-serious and half-joking, as if she was teasing her beloved disciple's "romantic affairs," as if she was marveling at his natural charm, and at a deeper level, she was praising Lin Xia for his precise grasp of Dugu Yan's thoughts and methods.

Lin Xia put down her teacup, turned around, and faced her teacher, her face immediately displaying her signature bright smile, full of filial piety and obedience.

"Oh dear, Master!"

Lin Xia's voice was drawn out, carrying a childlike Charm tone, and a perfectly timed blush of "shyness" appeared on her little face.

"Please don't tease your disciple! I'm doing this all for you, Master, and for the great cause of our Spirit Hall!"

Lin Xia blinked her big eyes, her innocent and sincere gaze capable of melting anyone's heart.

"Look..."

Lin Xia counted on her tiny fingers and Analytic the d1 seriously, like a little adult.

"That old poisoner, Dugu Bo, is eccentric and unpredictable, his only weakness is his precious granddaughter, Dugu Yan. Winning over Dugu Yan is tantamount to holding Dugu Bo's life in one's hands."

"My approach to her, my help to her, and my giving her hope—wasn't my ultimate goal to lure Dugu Bo into a trap and add another Titled Douluo- level fighter to our Spirit Hall?"

"Moreover, he is skilled in using poison, which can be extremely effective in certain situations! This would be of great benefit to your grand ambitions, Master!"

Lin Xia paused, a sly look appearing on her face.

"Besides, the backlash from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison is a real problem. By helping Dugu Yan remove the poison, I am not only doing a favor, but also eliminating a potential destabilizing factor for the Spirit Hall in advance."

"As for the Martial Soul Evolution... hehe, if it succeeds, Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo will owe our Spirit Hall a huge favor for the rest of their lives. This bond is much stronger than Sheer Force recruited them!"

Bibi Dong listened quietly, watching her precious disciple analyze his "scheme" clearly and logically, distinguishing between advantages and disadvantages. The look in her eyes was gradually replaced by a deep, complex light, filled with pride and doting affection.

Bibi Dong reached out and gently stroked Lin Xia's Limber black hair with boundless affection.

"You..."

Bibi Dong's voice softened, carrying a hint of barely Frisk sigh.

"His meticulous thinking and shrewd methods sometimes even make his teacher admire him. He's only seven years old, yet he's like a little fox who's lived for hundreds of years."

Bibi Dong abruptly changed the subject, a sharp glint flashing in her purple eyes.

"However, were your last words to Dugu Yan, 'I will still help you if I can,' sincere? Even if Dugu Bo ultimately refuses to join the Spirit Hall?"

Lin Xia's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes became incredibly clear and resolute.

Lin Xia did not answer directly. Instead, she tilted her head slightly and looked at the bamboo forest outside the window of the Quiet Room, which was dyed golden by the sunlight. Her voice was very soft, but it carried a kind of openness that seemed to come from the depths of her soul and transcended the mundane world.

"Master, you know that the path I seek is not merely about power struggles in this corner of the continent. The method of Martial Soul Evolution and the ability to detoxify are all evolutions of the 'Dao'."

"This... is crucial to my future path."

"I helped her to verify my own beliefs!"

"At the same time, I believe that after I've given you help, you won't forget the favor!"

"If the other party really is an ingrate, Master, have you forgotten that we are the Spirit Hall!"