Bibi Dong Fed Him Dinner

Once they were outside, Qian Xunji asked, "You all saw that. What do you think?"

"We did." Bibi Dong sounded astonished. "That thing he called a phone could talk, almost like a voice transmitted straight into the ear, but I sensed no spiritual fluctuations."

Chrysanthemum Douluo said, "Your Holiness, I've met all sorts of people in my time. From the way he speaks and carries himself, I can tell he's different from us."

Qian Xunji thought for a moment. "Go on."

Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded. "I'm certain he either lived overseas or isn't from Douluo Continent."

"But from what he said, he thinks villagers deep in the mountains rescued him. Overseas doesn't fit that description. He must be from another continent beyond Douluo Continent."

"Another continent!" Bibi Dong exclaimed. "Are you that certain, Elder Chrysanthemum?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded. "Given what we know, it's the only possibility. Perhaps that continent doesn't even have the concept of Soul Masters. That would explain why he's reached adulthood without awakening his Martial Soul."

Qian Xunji smiled slowly. "A continent without Soul Masters. Interesting. I wonder how far it is from us. If it's close..."

"Then Spirit Hall could control the resources its Soul Masters need for cultivation."

"Yue Guan!" The thought prompted Qian Xunji to issue an order at once. "Find a healing Soul Master to treat him. We can't let him die yet."

"Oh, and he mentioned herbs. Once the soul skill has healed him, pretend to be a doctor and put some herbs on him for show."

Yue Guan cupped his fists. "Understood."

"Dong'er, fetch dinner and take it to Lin Fan."

"Yes, Master!"

Qian Xunji continued, "Elder Ghost, pass down an order. No one is to approach this courtyard for now. Don't station patrols nearby, either. Too many people would draw attention. For now, only we need to know."

Ghost Douluo accepted the order. "I'll see to it at once."

Lin Fan couldn't see the sky or tell what time it was. His head ached, and he drifted into a hazy sleep. He had no idea how long he slept.

A woman's voice woke him. It was pleasant, lively, and tinged with curiosity.

"Hey, Lin Fan, wake up. It's time for dinner," Bibi Dong called from beside the bed.

"Miss, who are you?" Lin Fan asked, curious about the unfamiliar voice.

"Me? I'm the village chief's student," Bibi Dong replied.

"The village chief? Is that the man who was here earlier?" Lin Fan asked.

"That's right. My teacher went to fetch the village doctor, so he asked me to bring you dinner first," Bibi Dong said quickly.

"Thank you both so much," Lin Fan said gratefully. "It's just that I can't see..."

"Then I might as well help you all the way. Shall I feed you?" Bibi Dong offered.

"I wouldn't want to impose," Lin Fan said, a little embarrassed.

He couldn't see her, but judging by her voice, the girl who had brought his dinner was probably lively, sweet, and younger than him.

He had heard that isolated villages still kept some unusual customs about things like touching someone's head or accepting something another person offered.

He didn't know whether this village had any such customs. If she fed him, would people gossip about her?

"It's fine," Bibi Dong replied readily. "You're injured and can't see. Eating on your own really would be difficult."

She sounded unconcerned, but she felt a little awkward. She had never fed anyone before, let alone a young man a few years older than her.

"Thank you. What should I call you?" Lin Fan asked politely.

"Bi... You can call me Dong'er." Remembering Qian Xunji's words, Bibi Dong changed course.

"All right, Miss Dong'er. Thank you. I can't see you, but I'm sure you're beautiful and kind."

"Let's eat, let's eat." Lin Fan's compliment left Bibi Dong a little flustered.

She sat beside the bed and began feeding him with a small spoon.

As Bibi Dong leaned closer, Lin Fan caught the faint, sweet scent of her skin.

No wonder she lives in the mountains. Her natural scent smells much better than all that perfume people wear.

About ten minutes later, Qian Xunji entered the bedroom with Chrysanthemum Douluo and an elderly man.

"Lin Fan, I see you're eating. I've brought the village doctor," Qian Xunji said.

"Sir—no, Village Chief..."

Qian Xunji cut him off. "No need to rush, Lin Fan. Keep eating. The doctor can treat you while you do."

Qian Xunji nodded to the elderly man, who understood. A flower appeared in his palm, and green light radiated from his body. Another beam of green light shot from the flower's center and entered Lin Fan's body.

As Lin Fan ate the food Bibi Dong fed him, his body felt lighter and lighter. Even the aches from his fall vanished.

Strange. Why do I feel so much better? Was I just hungry, and eating gave me back my strength?

At that moment, an androgynous voice interrupted his thoughts.

It was Yue Guan. "Young man, the herbs are ready. I'll put them on now. Don't worry, it won't hurt."

"Thank you, ma'am. Sorry for the trouble," Lin Fan said politely. "Don't worry, I'll pay you."

Bibi Dong, who was feeding him, burst out laughing at how he had addressed Yue Guan.

"M-Ma'am?!"

Yue Guan stopped in his tracks, his face darkening.

"What's wrong? Should I call you miss?" Lin Fan asked, puzzled. He couldn't see, but the voice had sounded rather old to him.

"Haha..." Bibi Dong could no longer hold it in. At the sight of Yue Guan's expression, she laughed outright.

"If that makes you happy!" Yue Guan strode forward through gritted teeth. If Qian Xunji hadn't been standing there, he would have slapped Lin Fan to death.

Holding the herbs he had prepared, Yue Guan slapped them hard against the wound on the back of Lin Fan's head.

"Hiss—that hurts. But I suppose medicine isn't meant to be pleasant!" Lin Fan sucked in a breath and endured it.

In truth, it was Yue Guan's slap that hurt. The elderly man's treatment had already closed the wound.

"All done." Yue Guan bandaged Lin Fan's head.

"Thank you, ma'am."

Qian Xunji spoke up at the right moment. "How do you feel, Lin Fan?"

"I feel great, Village Chief. You've all done so much for me today. Everyone here is so warm and down-to-earth," Lin Fan replied sincerely.

"You're too kind," Qian Xunji said. "With your eyesight as it is, stay here and rest without worrying."

"Thank you for the trouble, Village Chief. Once I recover, I'll be sure to pay for my room and meals," Lin Fan promised.

Then he sighed helplessly. "Too bad I can't see right now. I can't even use my phone. I'd just started watching an animated series, and I only had a few episodes left."

Bibi Dong set the bowl on the table. "An animated series? What's that?" she asked curiously.

"It's like watching television," Lin Fan explained. "The one I mean is adapted from a novel. Do you know what novels are?"

Bibi Dong shook her head. "Uh... no. I have read some stories people wrote, though."

Qian Xunji asked casually, "What's the story called?"

Lin Fan smiled. "Douluo Continent."

Qian Xunji was startled. "You know about Douluo Continent?!"

"Of course," Lin Fan replied with a smile. "Douluo Continent is hugely popular. I've read the novel several times and watched Tencent's animated adaptation all the way through. Now I'm watching Douluo Continent II: The Unrivaled Tang Clan."

Qian Xunji, Bibi Dong, and the others looked at one another.