The Spirit of Jian'an!

Several days later, a carriage departing from Star Dou gradually made its way toward Heaven Dou City.

After bidding farewell to Da Ming and Er Ming in the forest, A Rou boarded the carriage bound for Heaven Dou City with Dugu Chen and Ah Yin.

The journey went smoothly. By the time they entered Heaven Dou City and arrived at Dugu Residence, the sky had already grown dark.

However, Dugu Chen was quite pleased. Given A Rou and Xiao Wu's particularly sensitive identities, the night was far less likely to draw attention than daytime.

He would first send them into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to cultivate for a while, then tell his father about their identities when the time was right.

Ah Yin alone was enough. If he brought back two more, he was truly afraid the old man's heart would not be able to take it!

Dugu Bo had sensed a carriage stopping outside the gates from within the residence. Calculating the time, it should be the day Dugu Chen returned, so he put down his work and went out to greet him.

When he saw that Dugu Chen and Ah Yin had both returned safely, a delighted smile immediately appeared on his face.

"You're back? Come inside and rest!"

"Father, why... did you come out to greet us?"

When Dugu Chen saw Dugu Bo emerge from the residence, his heart gave a sudden jump, and his gaze discreetly flicked toward the inside of the carriage.

He had already asked Sister Ah Yin to lend the Lovesick Heartbreak Red to A Rou and Xiao Wu. Their soul beast auras had been concealed well enough—he should not notice them, right?

"Uncle!"

Upon seeing Dugu Bo, Ah Yin's lovely face flushed slightly. Smiling, she clasped her hands and bowed to him.

"Good, good. Hm?"

Dugu Bo looked at the greatly changed Ah Yin, and an uncertain, startled expression immediately appeared on his face.

She had gone out once, and even her appearance had changed?

Seeming to notice Dugu Bo's confusion, Dugu Chen gave a faint smile and came to Ah Yin's rescue.

"Father, we encountered a great opportunity during this trip to Star Dou. Sister Ah Yin's martial soul underwent an evolution because of it, which also caused some changes to her appearance."

"Good, good, good! This is wonderful! Not only has your martial soul evolved, but you've become even prettier!"

At those words, delight instantly appeared on Dugu Bo's face, and the way he looked at Ah Yin increasingly resembled a father-in-law looking at his daughter-in-law.

Seeing Dugu Bo's warm gaze, a bashful look appeared on Ah Yin's face. Her eyes shimmered as she looped an arm through Dugu Chen's, a radiant smile blooming on her face.

Just then, A Rou and Xiao Wu also lifted the carriage curtain and jumped down, landing behind Dugu Chen and Ah Yin.

The moment Xiao Wu saw Dugu Bo, her body curled up slightly, and she nervously hid behind A Rou.

Unseen by anyone, a layer of red light enveloped the two of them, preventing their soul beast auras from being exposed.

As for Ah Yin, her cultivation had now neared the upper ranks of Soul Emperor. Combined with the concealing effects of the immortal herb and her Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, the soul beast aura around her had been suppressed to the utmost limit.

As long as no battle broke out, even a Title Douluo would find it difficult to detect the soul beast aura on her.

When Dugu Bo saw this beautiful mature woman and the exquisitely adorable little girl behind her, his gaze froze once again.

There was seven parts astonishment and three parts strangeness in the way he looked at Dugu Chen. After staring blankly for a long while, he slowly spoke.

"Chen'er, this lady is?" Dugu Bo gestured toward A Rou and asked doubtfully.

Dugu Chen smiled faintly and introduced her to Dugu Bo.

"Father, let me introduce you. This is Ah Yin's good friend, A Rou. A terrible accident befell her family years ago, leaving mother and daughter alone and destitute."

"Seeing how difficult their lives were, we brought them back. Afterward, I plan to have them live in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Oh~

Dugu Bo looked at A Rou, then at Dugu Chen's smiling face. His brows rose, and his eyes held a hint of something subtle.

Did he believe that himself?

"I see. Then... arrange it as you see fit. If the family can help with anything, just say the word."

Dugu Bo cleared his throat, grabbed Dugu Chen, and pulled him toward the residence.

Watching the two leave, Ah Yin said nothing. Smiling, she took A Rou and Xiao Wu's hands and led them toward the side rooms in the rear courtyard to find them a place to stay.

Elsewhere.

After dragging Dugu Chen into a secluded corner, the two lowered their heads and whispered in the dim shadows.

Dugu Bo asked in a low voice, "Chen'er, what exactly is your relationship with that beautiful woman?"

Dugu Chen's eyes looked somewhat innocent after hearing that.

"Father, what are you thinking? There really is nothing between us!"

"Sister Ah Yin merely saw that her friend was living a hard and lonely life when she went to visit her, so I suggested bringing them back for the family to look after."

"And surely you don't think... that after only half a year out of your sight, I could have a daughter that old?"

Seeing the expectant look in Dugu Bo's eyes, Dugu Chen sighed inwardly. Had the old man gone mad from wanting grandchildren?

Still, Xiao Wu did not seem entirely impossible. She could keep Yanyan company in the future.

"Really?"

"Really."

Dugu Chen sighed. Facing Dugu Bo's aggressive stare, he immediately raised his hands in surrender.

Seeing that his expression did not seem fake, Dugu Bo regretfully looked away. Once he had calmed down, he also felt it was unlikely.

Dugu Chen rubbed his nose and chuckled. "But if you really want a granddaughter, Xiao Wu isn't out of the question either!"

After saying that, he laughed softly, then slipped out of sight while the old man was not paying attention.

Dugu Bo's eyes widened, and his expression became extraordinarily vivid.

My son, you have the makings of Cao Cao!

When Dugu Chen returned to the room, he saw Ah Yin seated at the table, sipping tea as she waited.

This spirit tea came from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. When the two of them had returned from there back then, they had brought some with them.

Upon seeing Dugu Chen return, Ah Yin smiled and invited him to sit at the table.

She picked up a teacup from the table, poured him a cup, and pushed it in front of him. As the tea flowed into the cup, a faint spiritual aura drifted out, its refreshing fragrance filling the air.

This spirit tea, worth a fortune outside and capable of improving one's cultivation when consumed regularly, was merely an everyday drink in Dugu Residence.

Dugu Chen sat down beside Ah Yin, reached out, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.

The warm tea slid down his throat, leaving a fragrant taste on his lips and teeth. Spiritual energy spread through his limbs and bones, and even the blood and vitality within him seemed to churn along with it.

A bright smile appeared on Dugu Chen's face as he looked gently at Ah Yin. "Sister Ah Yin, your tea-making skills are truly getting better and better!"

That was the truth. In fact, he had drunk plenty of this spirit tea himself.

Yet whether it was brewed by his father or his elder brother, neither could compare to the clear, captivating fragrance of Ah Yin's tea.

Ah Yin's beautiful eyes brimmed with amusement. "This is my first time brewing it too. I'm just glad you like it!"

"I do!"

Dugu Chen smiled at Ah Yin, then seemed to remember something. "Right, Sister Ah Yin, have you settled Sister A Rou and Xiao Wu?"

Ah Yin nodded slightly. "Don't worry. I arranged for them to stay in the room next to ours."

A strange expression appeared on Dugu Chen's face. With a wicked smile, he stood up and swept Ah Yin into his arms.

Ah Yin was caught completely off guard. Her fair, lotus-like arms wrapped around Dugu Chen's neck, and as she breathed in his masculine scent, her breathing immediately grew hurried.

"What are you doing? You startled me!"

Ah Yin lightly patted his chest and coquettishly complained.

Dugu Chen lowered his head and whispered into her ear, "You put them in the room beside ours. Aren't you afraid they'll hear us being intimate through the wall?"

"That..."

Ah Yin's lovely face instantly flushed from her cheeks to the tips of her ears. How had she forgotten that?

"Then... should I move them to another room?"

Dugu Chen chuckled, his brows lifting slightly. "If they hear it, they hear it. They've had a tiring day, so let's not trouble the mother and daughter any further!"

Then, carrying Ah Yin in his arms, he slowly walked toward the bed.

The night was hazy, and springtime passion filled the air.

As the light in the room gradually went out, the amorous warmth in the air instantly blossomed.