Dugu Yan's Alluring Temptation!

Tang Feng looked at her.

"Not today."

Only then did she rise and straighten her outer robe.

"Then let's go into the city."

"You're not going back?"

"I want to eat first."

Qian Renxue walked down the stone steps, then looked back at him.

"You said you were thanking me last night. It can't just be two words."

Tang Feng followed her.

"What do you want to eat?"

"We'll see when we get there."

The two returned to the city gate along the mountain road.

The streets were already bustling in the early morning.

Wooden carts piled with vegetables stood by the roadside, while white steam rose from breakfast stalls.

Qian Renxue stopped in front of one stall.

Tang Feng followed her gaze.

Inside a freshly uncovered steamer, neatly arranged squares of osmanthus cake sat in rows.

She looked at him.

"They didn't have any last night, but they do today."

Tang Feng walked up to the stall.

"Two portions of osmanthus cake."

He glanced at the pot of porridge simmering beside it.

"And two bowls of porridge."

The vendor agreed and led them to a window-side table.

The wooden table was small. A bamboo tube stood at one corner, filled with clean wooden chopsticks.

When Qian Renxue sat down, she first tucked her outer robe to her side so the hem would not touch the water stains by the table leg.

Tang Feng took out two pairs of wooden chopsticks and set one pair before her.

The hot porridge was brought over soon after.

She looked at the bowl in front of Tang Feng and reached out to push it farther inward.

"Your right hand hasn't healed yet. Don't leave it near the edge of the table."

Tang Feng switched to holding the spoon with his left hand.

"You've been watching my hand?"

"I don't want to have to help you back again."

He did not expose her.

When the osmanthus cakes were brought to the table, steam still rose from their surface.

Qian Renxue picked up a piece and took a small bite.

Tang Feng did not move right away.

She raised her eyes at him.

"What is it this time?"

"Is it hot?"

Qian Renxue put the cake back on the plate.

"It's hot."

Tang Feng picked up his spoon and continued drinking porridge.

She watched him for a moment before finally laughing.

"You were waiting for me to test it for you?"

"I was just about to warn you."

"You could have said it sooner."

"I'll remember next time."

She used her chopsticks to split the cake in half, letting the heat inside dissipate.

Tang Feng picked up a piece as well.

The osmanthus fragrance was faint. It was soft upon entering the mouth, not cloyingly sweet like last night's sugar figurine.

Qian Renxue watched him finish eating.

"Well?"

"This one can be finished."

"Looks like that Sugar Grass from last night really gave you a hard time."

Tang Feng looked at the remaining cakes on the plate.

"You're better at choosing food than choosing sugar figurines."

"The sugar figurine was a gift from the vendor."

"You handed it to me."

Qian Renxue put down her chopsticks.

"Tang Feng."

"Yeah?"

"Is this how you always talk when you thank someone?"

He pushed the plate of osmanthus cakes toward her.

"Have another piece."

She lowered her head to look at the plate, the amusement in her eyes still lingering.

"That's more like it."

Outside the window, someone passed by carrying bamboo baskets.

Morning light fell across the tabletop, and the steam from the two bowls of porridge gradually faded.

Tang Feng ate more slowly than usual.

Qian Renxue did not urge him either.

After she finished eating, she sat across from him and waited, occasionally lifting a hand to brush the golden hair that had fallen before her shoulder back behind it.

A corner of the thin black cord was exposed.

Tang Feng saw it and asked,

"Still getting used to it?"

She touched the end of her hair.

"This cord of yours?"

"Yeah."

"It's quite sturdy."

Qian Renxue withdrew her hand.

"Let me borrow it for now."

"It's yours."

"So your thanks are a breakfast, plus a cord for tying my sleeves?"

Tang Feng put down his spoon.

"Saving my life is a separate matter."

She looked at him, then nodded gently.

"Alright. I'll remember that."

Outside the breakfast stall.

Qian Renxue stopped at the street corner.

The left road led deeper into the city, while the right led toward the city gate.

After paying, Tang Feng walked out of the stall with a packet of osmanthus cakes in hand.

He handed the paper packet to her.

After accepting it, she lowered her head and glanced at it.

"I'm already full."

"Save it."

"You're not taking it back to the academy?"

"I finished my portion inside."

Qian Renxue pinched the folded edge of the paper packet to keep the cakes from spilling out.

Tang Feng looked at the handkerchief around her wrist.

"Change the medicine when you get back."

"You too."

She raised her other hand and pointed at his right leg.

"Having the bone set doesn't mean you can keep pushing yourself around today."

"I know."

Qian Renxue did not leave immediately.

She looked over Tang Feng's changed outer robe, only withdrawing her gaze after confirming that the cuffs covered his injuries.

"Next time, don't take those remote paths."

"The main road is farther."

"Then leave earlier."

Tang Feng nodded.

"Alright."

She carried the paper packet and walked several steps to the left before stopping again.

"Tang Feng."

He was still standing at the street corner.

Qian Renxue raised the osmanthus cakes in her hand.

"I'll remember this stall."

"You treat next time."

She smiled and glanced at him.

"Wait until your injuries heal."

Tang Feng did not follow her any farther.

She walked along the street lit by morning sunlight, her golden hair tied behind her as the black cord swayed softly with each step.

When she reached the corner, Qian Renxue turned back.

Tang Feng raised his left hand slightly.

She raised her hand to him as well, then turned around the corner.

Tang Feng withdrew his gaze and headed toward the city gate.

This time, he took the main road back to the academy.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

On the training grounds in the early morning, blue-gold grass blades covered the ground.

Yu Feng descended from midair, his green wings slowly folding away.

"Captain, I only used thirty percent of my Soul Power this time."

Tang Feng stood at the edge of the field.

Life Perception spread along the grass blades, and the circulation of Soul Power within Yu Feng's body immediately appeared in his awareness.

"When changing direction, your left wing folded too early."

"Too early?"

Yu Feng lowered his head to look at his wings.

"If I folded them any later, I would have hit the stone pillar."

"You could change direction before hitting it."

Yu Feng opened his mouth, but in the end, he merely nodded.

"Understood."

On the other side.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo simultaneously released Martial Soul Possession.

Four years had passed, and both of them had grown even more burly.

When the Black Tortoise Shell covered their bodies, their defensive range was twice what it had been before.

Dugu Yan stood behind them.

Emerald-green poisonous mist moved slowly along the Destruction Vines, without a single wisp drifting outward.

Tang Feng looked at her wrist.

"Slow the output a little more."

Dugu Yan withdrew her Soul Power.

"Is this still not fast enough?"

"Your poison can now last for half an hour."

Tang Feng raised his left hand.

The poisonous glow on the Dark Blue Vines gradually drew in, finally concentrating along the edges of the leaves.

"In actual combat, the more stable the poison, the longer it lasts."

Dugu Yan walked up to him.

She wore a silver-white training uniform today, her long emerald-green hair tied behind her head.

"Captain, every time, you only point out my problems."

"You have the most problems."

Dugu Yan looked up at him.

A moment later, she raised a hand and adjusted Tang Feng's collar.

"Then have I improved?"

"Yes."

"How much?"

"You can complete the poisoning within three breaths."

Dugu Yan's fingers paused at the edge of his collar.

"You even remembered the time?"

"I recorded it during training."

"I thought you only remembered how to find faults."

She smoothed Tang Feng's collar before withdrawing her hand.

Ye Lingling walked over from the edge of the training ground.

The Nine-Hearted Begonia bloomed in her palm, casting white light over everyone.

"Tang Feng, your Soul Power fluctuations are different from yesterday's."

"I'm leaving for a while."

Ye Lingling looked up.

"To obtain a Spirit Ring?"

"Mm."

Dugu Yan turned around.

"You're about to break through to level sixty?"

Tang Feng nodded.

Dugu Yan looked at him, a bright gleam appearing in her eyes.

"When are you leaving?"

"Today."

"I'm coming with you."

"You're staying here to train."

Dugu Yan immediately crossed her arms.

"You're going alone?"

"Someone is accompanying me."

"Who?"

Tang Feng did not answer.

Dugu Yan stepped forward and blocked his path.

"Tang Feng, you haven't let me follow you in a long time."

"This time is different."

"How is it different?"

"I need peace and quiet."

Dugu Yan looked at him for a moment.

She did not press further. She merely removed a jade pendant from her waist and held it out to him.

"Take it."

Tang Feng lowered his gaze.

The jade pendant was entirely emerald green, with a small coiled snake carved onto its surface.

"I don't need it."

"This is a gift from me."

Dugu Yan stuffed the jade pendant into his hand.

Her fingertips lingered in Tang Feng's palm for a moment before slowly withdrawing.

"Come back as soon as you break through."

"Mm."

"Don't just know how to agree."

"I'll come back."

Only then did Dugu Yan look away.

Ye Lingling stood nearby, the Nine-Hearted Begonia in her hand already put away.

"Be careful on the road."

Tang Feng looked at her.

"Your Soul Power is already at level forty-seven."

Ye Lingling nodded lightly.

"I'll keep cultivating."

"The next time we meet, you should be able to break through to level fifty."

"Then you have to remember to come back too."

Tang Feng put away the jade pendant.

"I'll remember."

He turned and left the training ground.

Dugu Yan remained where she was, watching his figure disappear at the end of the corridor.

She lowered her head and glanced at her palm.

The fingertips that had just touched Tang Feng still retained a lingering warmth.

"This person is still the same as before."

Ye Lingling walked to her side.

"How is he the same?"

"He doesn't talk much."

Dugu Yan looked toward the end of the corridor.

"But he always does what he promises."

Deep within Sunset Forest.

Tang Feng sat cross-legged inside a cave.

The cave entrance was concealed by Blue Silver Vines.

The Life Blue Silver Emperor grew along the stone walls, its blue-gold light slowly flowing through the cave.

Tang Feng closed his eyes.

Soul Power circulated through his meridians again and again.

After four years of cultivation, his Soul Power had reached the peak of level fifty-nine.

Only one step remained.

His level fifty-nine Soul Power compressed continuously within his meridians.

The power of Ruination and the power of life sank into his dantian at the same time.

The two attributes intertwined while maintaining clear boundaries.

Tang Feng did not rush to break through.

He guided every wisp of Soul Power back into his limbs and bones.

Flesh.

Meridians.

Bones.

The pressure his body endured continued to rise.

The Blue Silver Grass in the cave spread outward at the same time.

The Blue Silver Domain extended through underground roots, bringing every plant within several hundred meters into his perception.

No Spirit Beasts approached.

Only then did Tang Feng open his eyes.

His left hand pressed against the ground.

Dark blue Destruction Vines slowly grew from the cracks in the stone.

Blue-gold blades of grass emerged from his right hand at the same time.

Life force flowed along the vines before all of it poured into his body.

Boom!

Tang Feng's level fifty-nine Soul Power suddenly shattered its limit.

A muffled tremor sounded from within his body.

Soul Power surged from his dantian throughout his entire body.

Level sixty!

The Blue Silver Grass in the cave lit up at once.

Blue-gold and dark purple light flashed in alternating waves, illuminating the stone walls with clarity.

Tang Feng raised his left hand.

His first Spirit Ring rose from beneath his feet.

The black Spirit Ring slowly solidified.

The second Spirit Ring rose after it.

Black light flowed through it in tranquil currents.

The third Spirit Ring appeared immediately afterward.

Dark black patterns slowly moved along its surface.

The fourth Spirit Ring rose from beneath Tang Feng's feet.

It was black as well.

Four black Spirit Rings circled his body.

Tang Feng raised his right hand.

The Life Blue Silver Emperor bloomed in his palm.

A crimson Spirit Ring emerged above the blades of grass.

Crimson light illuminated the entire cave.

The fifth Spirit Ring.

One hundred thousand years.

The Spirit Bone in Tang Feng's right leg lit up along with it.

Blue-gold light spread from his leg bone throughout his body.

His Soul Power continued to rise.

Level sixty-one.

Level sixty-two.

Only upon reaching level sixty-two did the growth of his Soul Power gradually stop.

Tang Feng looked at the final empty position beneath his feet.

"The sixth Spirit Ring."

As his words fell.

All the plants outside the cave parted to both sides.

A dark blue vine rose from the ground, its body covered in dark purple star patterns.

Tang Feng raised his left hand.

The Ruination Blue Silver Emperor and that vine lit up at the same time.

Vast Soul Power flowed over through the Blue Silver Domain.

Crimson light rose from the vine's roots, traveling all the way upward along the blades of grass.

The light passed over the vine.

At last, it condensed into a crimson Spirit Ring.

The sixth Spirit Ring descended beneath Tang Feng's feet.

Two crimson Spirit Rings stood side by side beyond the five black Spirit Rings.

The arrangement of the Spirit Rings changed once more.

Black.

Black.

Black.

Black.

Red.

Red.

Six Spirit Rings rose at once.

Tang Feng opened his eyes.

Blue-gold and dark purple light flashed deep within his pupils.

His Soul Power had reached level sixty-two.

Soul Emperor.

The vines of the Ruination Blue Silver Emperor grew once more.

Dark Blue Grass leaves spread across the cave floor, their serrated edges clearer than before.

Tang Feng raised his right hand.

The blue-gold radiance of the Life Blue Silver Emperor covered the stone wall to his left.

The two Blue Silver Emperors intertwined, yet did not clash.

Tang Feng looked at the six Spirit Rings beneath his feet.

Four black Spirit Rings.

Two crimson-red Spirit Rings.

He slowly withdrew his Martial Soul.

The cave fell quiet once more.

The jade-green pendant Dugu Yan had given him rested against the inside of his collar.

Tang Feng reached out and touched it.

"It's time to go back."

He rose to his feet.

The Spirit Bone in his right leg lit up with blue-gold radiance.

His body left the ground, passed through the vines above the cave entrance, and flew toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Night fell over Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The lights on the training grounds had already gone out.

Tang Feng withdrew the Life Blue Silver Emperor. Blue-gold blades of grass receded from the ground, finally turning into motes of light that fell back into his palm.

Dugu Yan remained where she stood without moving.

Her silver-white training uniform clung to her figure, the sash around her waist drawn tight. She raised a hand to gather her long emerald-green hair, while a thin sheen of sweat from training still remained on her forehead.

"That's enough for today."

Tang Feng looked at her.

"Your poison infusion has stabilized. Tomorrow, we'll continue improving your speed."

"Tomorrow again."

Dugu Yan lifted her gaze.

"All you ever talk about every day is training."

"Training works."

"Of course I know it works."

She walked up to Tang Feng and reached out to touch his sleeve.

"But I'm already tired."

"Go back and rest."

Dugu Yan did not let go.

"I don't want to go back."

Tang Feng glanced at her.

"Then what do you want to do?"

"Go sit at your place for a while."

"There's no tea in my room."

"I never said I wanted tea."

She turned and walked ahead.

After taking a few steps, Dugu Yan looked back at him.

"Are you coming or not?"

Tang Feng did not answer. He merely lifted his foot and followed her.