Yu Xiaogang climbed the steps, drawing closer to Bibi Dong one step at a time, faint sorrow on his face.
Bibi Dong should have sent him away, but she... didn't want to.
"Dong'er, thank you for trusting me so much."
Yu Xiaogang slowly took Bibi Dong's hand.
The softness of her skin sent his heart racing.
"Xiao Gang, you're hurting my hand."
Bibi Dong spoke in a sweet voice, her face full of grievance.
With her strength as a Limit Douluo, could a fifty-something Master stuck at level 29 really hurt her hand?
Yu Xiaogang scratched his head and let go, then cleared his throat.
It was time to get to the real reason he had come.
"Dong'er, my abilities aren't limited to scholarship."
Yu Xiaogang spoke with a straight face.
"I can make a major breakthrough as a Soul Master, too!"
Bibi Dong tilted her head.
That couldn't be right!
As far as her Limit Douluo senses could tell, Yu Xiaogang was still a level 29 Soul Grandmaster. He hadn't broken through in over thirty years. How could he possibly advance now?
"Xiao Gang, did you hit your head?"
Bibi Dong reached out and gently pressed her slender hand to Yu Xiaogang's forehead.
"You don't have a fever."
"Oh, Dong'er!"
Yu Xiaogang moved her hand aside, lowered his brows, and spoke with utter seriousness.
"Let me tell you!"
"Not long ago, I awakened a child's Martial Soul. You have no idea how overwhelming his aura was."
"Everyone felt as though they'd been plunged into the deep sea. Their organs were being crushed, and they couldn't breathe."
"And Luo Sanpao was terrified and excited at the same time. You know Sanpao has dragon blood flowing through him."
The more Yu Xiaogang said, the more excited he became. He nearly jumped to his feet.
"Sanpao was telling me that if he could obtain even a trace of that child's bloodline, he could evolve into a True Dragon."
"And the bottleneck holding back my cultivation would naturally break!"
Bibi Dong asked, "What's his Martial Soul? How much Innate Soul Power does he have?"
Yu Xiaogang said gravely, "A Golden Giant Dragon! I've studied most of the Martial Souls on the continent, but I've never seen one like his."
"A Golden Giant Dragon?"
"Yes!"
Yu Xiaogang continued.
"Because of certain circumstances, I didn't get the chance to test him. But based on my years of research and what I observed, he should have Innate Full Soul Power!"
"Innate Full Soul Power," Bibi Dong murmured. It was rare. Even her own direct disciple
had only started with a little over eight levels of Innate Soul Power!
"Xiao Gang, a child like that must be in high demand, right?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow. She knew this was why Yu Xiaogang had come to her, but she was still willing to help. After all, Xiao Gang had asked her.
Yu Xiaogang nodded, his expression grave.
The woman who had suddenly appeared to protect that child had driven back the Clear Sky Douluo in a head-on clash!
He didn't know her exact level, but she had to be at least a Super Douluo.
"Dong'er, you're the Pope of Spirit Hall now. How strong... are you?"
Yu Xiaogang had his doubts. If they failed to take the child and made an enemy of that woman instead, things could turn ugly.
Bibi Dong's crimson lips curved into a smile. She extended a hand toward Yu Xiaogang, pride written all over her face.
"No more than five people on this continent can compare to me."
Bibi Dong planted her staff against the floor. Countless spiderweb cracks spread through the marble.
"Even if I fought with everything I had and couldn't win, I could at least force a draw!"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up. He put both hands on Bibi Dong's shoulders and said excitedly,
"Really? That's wonderful!"
No matter how strong that woman was, she couldn't be certain of beating Bibi Dong. Even if taking the child by force didn't work,
Bibi Dong's protection would keep the woman from retaliating against him.
"What's wrong?"
Bibi Dong ran a finger down the crew-cut Yu Xiaogang's chest. Her figure was all curves, and the skin above her neckline was dazzlingly fair.
"Leaving already?"
Bibi Dong's voice was so seductive that Yu Xiaogang almost lost control. His wandering hand slid over her hip and settled at her waist.
Just as he was about to pull Bibi Dong tightly into his arms, she suddenly shoved him away.
Her cheeks flushed, loose strands of hair clinging to either side of her face as she breathed hard.
I'm not the pure, kind, gentle Bibi Dong I used to be. I... don't deserve Xiao Gang.
(Setting everything else aside, Yu Xiaogang was lucky beyond belief that Bibi Dong had fallen for him.)
"You should go. I still have things to take care of. It won't take long before I come to Notting City to see you."
With that, Bibi Dong turned away. She became a streak of purple light and vanished from the hall.
Yu Xiaogang walked away with heavy steps. How could he simply let go of the feelings that had begun when they first met?
At the gates of Spirit City, Yu Xiaogang hailed a carriage and left.
Atop one of Spirit City's tallest buildings, Bibi Dong stood straight against the wild, buffeting wind. Purple stockings covered her long, shapely legs, lending her an irresistible allure.
Her purple hair streamed in the wind. She stood alone above everyone else, yet felt no pleasure in it. The laughter rising from below only left her lost in thought.
Xiao Gang, I know you're using me, but I still... can't stop myself from wanting to help you!
You'll never know that every year after we parted, I secretly visited Yelin City.
Old friends, an old city, old stories. The city remained the same, but the people could no longer understand each other!
"Xiao Xiao, you're hugging me too tight~"
Lu Ming struggled free of Xiao Xiao's ample chest and finally managed to catch his breath.
"Oh? Does Little Lu not like his big sister anymore~?"
Lu Ming shook his head. He could hardly tell Xiao Xiao that her chest was so big he couldn't breathe!
"Xiao Xiao, I'm already level 16, and I'll be seven soon. I'm not a little kid anymore. Let's sleep separately from now on!"
Xiao Xiao slapped the bedding, glaring at him with a pout.
"No. I'm your protector. You can't leave my sight."
Her tone was commanding. It seemed she really was becoming an overprotective older sister.
"Fine, fine!"
Lu Ming had nothing to lose anyway. Even if he died in her sweet-scented embrace, his life in this world would have been worthwhile.
"Oh, right, Xiao Xiao. Do you still have any money?"
Lu Ming rubbed his stomach sheepishly.
"I really can't afford to feed you! If I'd known, I would've brought everything I had from home."
Xiao Xiao quickly dressed. Her skin was so well cared for that she looked eighteen.
"Yesterday, I pretended to be a rookie and went to the Soul Arena to crush some easy opponents. I fought three matches, and you ate through all the money I earned in a single day."
"Xiao Xiao, I know I eat a lot, but you can't abandon me!"
Lu Ming hugged Xiao Xiao's stocking-clad leg and rested his head against it.
Feeling his head against her thigh, Xiao Xiao smiled and gently rubbed his little head.
"And just a moment ago, you were complaining that I hugged you too tight."
"I was wrong, Xiao Xiao~"
Xiao Xiao smiled sweetly.
"All right, all right. As if I'd ever let you go hungry."
"I'll go earn some money for your living expenses!"
Before you continue