There was a huge amount of work to do, so he could only tackle it little by little. It was also a good way to build up his physique.
Before dawn, Yue Ling had already washed up, eaten, and gotten ready to work.
Sometimes he did it himself, and sometimes Bei Bei helped him out. It was his way of repaying Yue Ling for always mooching meals.
One morning.
Yue Ling saw that Zhang Lexuan looked unwell. After working out the timing, he made her some rose, red date, and tremella soup. He delivered it, then left at once without lingering.
After spending so much time together, Yue Ling knew that Zhang Lexuan was gentle on the outside but strong-willed within, and found it hard to accept kindness. So he had to take things step by step—and be decisive, giving her no chance to refuse.
Besides, he simply wanted to be good to Zhang Lexuan.
The next day, her complexion had indeed improved, and Yue Ling was pleased.
After keeping track of the dates, Yue Ling brought her different kinds of nourishing soup each month for a few days, hoping to ease blood stasis, uterine cold, and abdominal pain.
Zhang Lexuan's lovely eyes kept lighting up. She felt as though something in her heart had been stirred, and couldn't help thinking about Yue Ling, who was several years younger than her.
The days passed one by one.
Yue Ling turned ten.
His orange-yellow hair had grown out a little, and his features had become so delicate that he looked like a little girl to anyone who didn't know him.
Under Bei Bei's strange gaze, Yue Ling still worked up the nerve to go to Shrek City for a haircut, and picked up some nice new clothes while he was at it.
That was much better—neat and clean.
Xuan Zi came back once a month. Every time he examined Yue Ling, he nodded with satisfaction.
"You haven't been slacking off. Good, good."
Then the group would enjoy a delicious meal together.
Mu En was getting on in years and liked light dishes with a little meat. Xuan Zi was the opposite of Mu En; he liked big mouthfuls of meat and great gulps of wine. Zhang Lexuan wasn't quite like Mu En either, and would occasionally have a few bites of something roasted. Bei Bei was more like Xuan Zi, probably because he was still young.
Of course, Yue Ling couldn't do all that cooking by himself. Zhang Lexuan would help with the preparations and chat with him while she was at it.
They said that being loved made you grow flesh and blood at a wild pace.
Whenever Zhang Lexuan had her period, Yue Ling made her something nourishing and brought it over.
She'd put on a little weight, and her health had improved too. Yue Ling felt a great sense of accomplishment.
Meanwhile, Bei Bei sat awkwardly while the two elders chatted. Before long, he would wander into the kitchen and look around, only to be chased out. All he could do was glare at them resentfully.
Life was peaceful and fulfilling: planting crops, cooking, cultivating, and sleeping every day.
But he hadn't forgotten that towering hatred. He had only buried it deep in his heart.
In this world, where the strong preyed on the weak, only the powerful had the right to speak.
In his spare time.
Yue Ling also read through the Hundred Flowers Record to learn how to identify flowers, plants, and medicinal herbs. It truly was an heirloom handed down by his ancestors; it contained some unique insights into them.
It was fascinating.
Sea God Pavilion.
Spiritual energy swirled around this tranquil, comfortable place, and Yue Ling's arrival brought it a touch of warmth and life.
With the help of the flower garden and abundant Soul Power, his own level had reached twenty-six. His progress was a little slow, but his physique was exceptionally sturdy, and his temperament had grown more composed.
The little chrysanthemums around Xuan Zi's courtyard had all been planted, so Yue Ling began restocking. He spent money on seeds for other varieties and planted them elsewhere, of course, only after getting Mu En's permission.
The little chrysanthemums he'd planted earlier swayed in the breeze, their fresh, elegant fragrance occasionally drawing Zhang Lexuan to sit in Xuan Zi's courtyard and guide him in his cultivation.
Yue Ling was the sort of person who treated others well if they treated him well. Whenever someone came by, he prepared some light pastries, and if it was evening, he made soup as well.
When the other elders returned and saw this, they were all astonished.
There wasn't much to see inside the courtyard, but outside it looked as if flowers and plants had surrounded the whole place. It was beautiful.
After asking around, they learned that Xuan Zi had taken on a new personal disciple.
Once there was no hiding it, Xuan Zi practically bragged about it to everyone he met. The whole Inner Court grew curious about this little junior brother.
At the elders' small courtyard, Elder Zhuang gazed happily at the sea of flowers outside.
He'd wanted to plant something there for a long time. Whenever he went outside and saw the empty stretch, he always felt something was missing. But he was old and couldn't put himself through the trouble anymore, so he'd planned to give up on the idea.
Who would've thought...
Elder Zhuang sat in his reclining chair, and the knot in his heart loosened. His cultivation instantly advanced to level ninety-four.
The unique aura of life that rose from him left the other elders astonished. Σ(°ロ°)?
Mu En, who was nearby, sighed to Yue Ling,
"You really are a little lucky star."
The years passed, and Yue Ling had become a very different person.
At twelve, his Soul Power had reached level thirty-three, and he'd obtained his second Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
He had come to Xuan Zi's courtyard at eight. Four years had passed since then.
He cultivated amid the flowers, listened to Xuan Zi's nagging, cooked delicious food for Mu En, read quietly with Zhang Lexuan, and played with Bei Bei...
Mu En truly liked the boy, and taught him one of his own creations: Monarch Descends Upon the World.
Of course, teaching it was one thing; mastering it was another.
By merging Soul Power and spiritual power and channeling them through his fists and feet, he could make physical attacks carry spiritual force and defeat opponents from within. It was a trump card.
But... it was far too difficult.
His spiritual power was stronger than that of others his age, but it still couldn't compare to that of a Spirit Master with a spiritual-type Martial Soul.
Harder still was channeling his spiritual power and Soul Power into his fists. Controlling every detail, while enduring the tremendous expenditure of both, left him exhausted every day.
Xuan Zi also changed his training methods.
The best way to strengthen his body and improve his physique was to get beaten up.
When Xuan Zi was around, he was the one who beat Yue Ling. When he wasn't, Zhang Lexuan took over. Her friend Han Ruoruo always seemed to enjoy watching the commotion, much to Yue Ling's gritted-teeth frustration.
After getting beaten, he would soak in a medicinal bath and apply ointment. Zhang Lexuan's hands were gentle and soft, so over the years Yue Ling had suffered and enjoyed himself in equal measure.
Of course, it had worked. He was now extremely resistant to blows, and with his first Soul Skill, Heavenly Chrysanthemum Body Protection, he was practically a little turtle.
Whoa, getting carried away.
He could attack or defend, leaving his opponent no opening at all.
"Hehe, I'm really strong!"
Yue Ling ran a hand through his orange-yellow hair.
Hmm... it had gotten long. He'd have to get it cut sometime!
While he was daydreaming, Xuan Zi smacked him on the head.
"You little brat, today's your enrollment day. Did you forget? Hurry up and come with me to register at the academic affairs office!"
"Yes, yes, yes, Teacher, you're right, but the food in the pot..." Yue Ling hesitated.
Xuan Zi was so exasperated he didn't bother being polite. He grabbed Yue Ling by the arm with one hand.
"Hey, Teacher, what are you doing?"
"Off we go!"
"Waaah!"
The two figures shot into the sky and headed straight for the academic affairs office at Shrek Academy.
Before you continue