All It Took to Restore Energy Was Snuggling?

"So the way to deepen it is to snuggle up to people?"

Shi Meng nearly lost his composure.

Snuggling could deepen his bonds and restore energy?

Had this system come from some pink app?

If perks like this were on offer, please keep them coming. An SVIP unlimited-access package would be ideal. He would happily sign up or pay an annual subscription.

He discreetly narrowed his eyes and glanced upward.

Bibi Dong was looking down at him, the tenderness in her eyes so thick it could never melt away.

She was a completely different person from the woman who had looked ready to kill just moments ago.

The Death Spider Emperor one second, a gentle pope the next.

With a contrast like that, anyone who didn't know better might think she had been caught in some gal-game protagonist's movie theater domain.

"If you're awake, sit up. Why pretend to be asleep?"

Shi Meng jolted and promptly sat up, moving as smoothly as a student called on by his homeroom teacher.

"Um... Auntie, I..."

Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow. "What did you call me?"

The air temperature instantly dropped two and a half degrees.

"Then... big sister?"

Bibi Dong paused briefly, sighed, and reached out to stroke Shi Meng's head.

"Do you remember what happened before?"

Shi Meng frowned and lowered his head, feigning bewilderment and helplessness.

"I don't remember anything. I only remember that my name seems to be Shi Meng."

The acting skills he had honed while slacking off at his desk in his previous life finally came in handy.

What? You're asking why I said I don't remember?

Because the script calls for it, sis.

If I said I remembered, how could I give you the emotional satisfaction of raising me?

Sure enough, a trace of sorrowful resentment flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes.

Those beautiful memories of him holding her in his arms and calling her his darling Dong'er, those sweet moments they had shared together-he remembered none of them...

"How old are you?"

"Six."

The complicated emotion in Bibi Dong's eyes turned to heartache.

Six years old, with no memories at all.

It seemed her guess had been right. He really had been reincarnated.

Then how had he survived these past six years all alone?

Seeing the change in Bibi Dong's expression, Shi Meng was already banging gongs and beating drums in his heart.

Six years old, amnesia, utterly alone... every buff stacked. This one's in the bag.

Living off a woman, here I come!

"Since you don't remember anything, I'll take care of you from today onward. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you."

"Anything at all?"

"Of course."

Shi Meng lifted his head and met Bibi Dong's eyes, which gazed at him with such tenderness that they seemed ready to overflow.

It seemed choosing Herrscher Authority had indeed been the right decision.

"Then I want..."

[Ding, karmic bond deepening~]

[Energy +3]

"Thank you, big sister."

Another three points of energy in hand. Shi Meng was genuinely delighted.

Bibi Dong wiped her hands, her face faintly flushed.

"Call me Teacher from now on. To everyone else, you're my newly accepted disciple."

Shi Meng obediently nodded.

Inside, however, he couldn't help grumbling.

Teacher?

Don't tell me you want to raise me, then copy Qian Xunji and drag me into a secret chamber?

Still, I'd better cling tight to this powerful thigh first. Everything else can wait.

After all, refusing to cling to a powerful thigh when it's offered would be an outrage against heaven.

"Teacher, did you ask for me?"

The bedchamber door was pushed open.

A twelve-year-old girl poked her head inside, her black hair falling over her shoulders, her eyes large and bright, curiosity written all over her face.

It was Hu Liena.

"Nana, come here."

Bibi Dong beckoned to her.

Hu Liena trotted inside, only then noticing the extra person in the room.

"This is my newly accepted disciple, Shi Meng. He is also the future Holy Son of our Spirit Hall."

"From now on, he is your junior disciple."

Hu Liena froze for a moment.

A junior disciple?

How had Teacher taken on a junior disciple for her without saying a word?

She lowered her eyes for a look-just one-and froze.

This child... how could he be so beautiful?

His skin was like white jade, his features exquisitely delicate, yet his eyes were round and bright, brimming with an indescribable spark.

She suddenly felt her face grow warm and hurriedly looked away.

No, no, no~

He's only six. Hu Liena, what are you thinking...?

"H-hello, junior disciple."

Shi Meng hopped off the bed, tipped his little head back, and called out in a sweet, babyish voice.

"Hello, senior sister~"

Hu Liena's heart skipped another half beat.

How could his voice be so adorably babyish?

She reached out and pinched Shi Meng's cheeks.

So soft~

So cute!

Senior sister, pinch all you like, but don't drool.

This Holy Son may only be six, but mentally, I'm old enough to be your daddy.

Watching them, Bibi Dong couldn't help the slight upward curve of her lips.

"All right, Nana. Take him to get something to eat."

"The martial soul awakening ceremony happens to be tomorrow. Take him along then."

Hu Liena's eyes lit up. "Junior disciple, you haven't awakened your martial soul yet?"

"I don't know. Probably not."

Hu Liena gave an "Oh" and asked no more questions, taking Shi Meng's hand and heading outside.

"Come on, your senior sister will take you to get something yummy."

Shi Meng couldn't help marveling.

Who said the Spirit Hall was bad? The Spirit Hall was absolutely wonderful.

Oh my goodness. This was sweet.

The next day, at the Spirit Hall plaza.

The place was packed early in the morning, almost entirely with people attending the martial soul awakening ceremony.

Below the raised platform, thousands of people who had come for the awakening looked ahead, whispering among themselves.

However, the pope's seat on the platform was still empty.

Everyone's gazes first landed on the red-robed figure at the front of the plaza.

That was Cardinal Miles.

Beside him stood a six-year-old boy in luxurious clothes, his chin raised and arrogance plastered across his face.

That was his son, Raine.

The father and son had "I'm here to show off" written across their faces, as though terrified someone might not notice.

Miles surveyed the crowd, his face full of smug satisfaction.

"At today's awakening ceremony, my son Raine will surely astonish everyone with his debut."

His words prompted a chorus of agreement and admiration.

"The Miles family has passed down the Golden Flame Lion martial soul for generations. Young Master Raine's talent will surely surpass all his ancestors."

"Indeed, indeed. With such natural gifts, Young Master Raine is clearly born for greatness."

Miles thoroughly enjoyed the praise. He laughed loudly and proclaimed:

"My son Raine has the makings of a Holy Son!"

Raine lifted his big, fat head, his pig snout almost poking into the sky.

"Rest assured, Father. I'll definitely awaken a high-tier martial soul!"

"Look! The gates are opening! It's His Holiness the Pope!"

A commotion rose from the plaza's entrance.

Everyone turned toward the sound.

Bibi Dong walked slowly out through the gates, holding a little boy's hand, while Hu Liena walked beside them, chatting and laughing with him.

The sight immediately sent the crowd boiling over.

"Who's that child? Why is the pope holding his hand? Even the Holy Maiden is chatting and laughing with him!"

"I've never seen him before. Since when did the Spirit Hall have a child like that?"

"No idea. Could he be the pope's illegitimate son?"

"Shh, watch your words. Maybe he's some elder's child."

Miles glanced at Shi Meng, curling his lip, his eyes full of disdain.

"A little brat of unknown origins thinks he's worthy of walking beside the Holy Maiden?"

Raine folded his arms, his face even more scornful.

"Exactly, Father. He doesn't even look as big as me. He'll probably awaken some trash martial soul!"

Hearing the father and son's remarks, Hu Liena's expression darkened. She was about to snap at them, but a look from Bibi Dong stopped her.

Hu Liena glanced back at Bibi Dong.

Why let them run their mouths like this?

But Bibi Dong's expression remained calm, betraying neither joy nor anger.

What Hu Liena didn't know was that Bibi Dong had already silently written Miles and Raine into her little black book.

No rush. Let the bullets fly a little longer.

The more smug these prancing clowns became, the harder they would fall in a moment.

Because she knew Shi Meng's martial soul better than anyone.

It was an unparalleled martial soul that could stand supreme over the Douluo Continent throughout all eternity!