"Xiaogang, if you didn't plagiarize Spirit Hall's theories, how do you explain the evidence that's surfaced these past few days?"
Sure enough, after Yu Xiaogang's performance, not only had Liu Erlong softened, but even Flender had begun to waver.
"I don't know what's going on."
Yu Xiaogang looked anguished. "But I know who's targeting us."
"Xiaogang, tell me. Who is it?"
Liu Erlong immediately added, "I'll go drag him here for you."
"It's no use. She's from Spirit Hall, and her position there is second only to the Supreme Pontiff. We can't touch her."
"You mean Bibi Dong?" Flender's pupils contracted. "Isn't she your..."
Flender didn't dare finish with the word "lover."
Over the past six months and more, he had already formed his suspicions. Bibi Dong had most likely dumped Yu Xiaogang for good. Otherwise, Yu Xiaogang wouldn't have become so dispirited before finally focusing on researching Soul Master theories again. Other than Bibi Dong dumping him, Flender could think of no other explanation.
Just as well.
He had never thought Yu Xiaogang was good enough for Bibi Dong anyway.
Yu Xiaogang getting dumped made him feel a little better, too.
Now, Bibi Dong had even reduced Yu Xiaogang to a homeless dog. Flender felt that fate truly toyed with people, and even found it somewhat funny. Still, he held back his laughter and buried that instinctive pleasure in another's misfortune deep inside.
"If we can't touch Bibi Dong, what should we do next?" Liu Erlong looked grave.
"We can only stay in hiding for now. We can show ourselves again once we find evidence proving my innocence."
Yu Xiaogang's expression was heavy as he added apologetically, "But you two will have to suffer for it. I'm afraid you'll have to keep hiding here and there with me, and there's no telling when it will end."
"Xiaogang, I don't mind. As long as I'm with you, I believe the day will come when your innocence is proven." Liu Erlong seemed bewitched, believing whatever he said without a shred of doubt.
Finally, Liu Erlong even waved a fist at Flender and gave him a look that said "good brother." "Boss Fu, don't you agree?"
"Ahem..."
Flender nodded helplessly. "Yes, yes, of course."
"See, Xiaogang? Boss Fu and I will always support you. Don't worry too much."
Liu Erlong moved closer to Yu Xiaogang and reached out, seemingly about to sling an arm around his shoulders to display her loyalty. In truth, she simply wanted to get close to him.
"All right, let me grill some fish for you."
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang hurriedly dodged away, then used grilling fish as an excuse to keep some distance from Liu Erlong. At the same time, he glanced at Flender out of the corner of his eye. Only when he saw nothing unusual in Flender's expression did he sigh in relief.
Over the past six months and more, Yu Xiaogang knew perfectly well that Liu Erlong had tried countless times to get close to him. He welcomed it, too, and wanted to take liberties with her-to wrap an arm around her slender waist, kiss those luscious lips, and touch that alluring, mysterious region of hers...
Unfortunately, he couldn't do that, because he could tell that Flender also liked Liu Erlong. If he rushed things and openly took liberties with her, Flender would certainly grow jealous. He might even leave the Golden Iron Triangle or turn against him altogether.
Thus, Yu Xiaogang could only keep Liu Erlong dangling while maintaining his brotherly relationship with Flender, afraid that one corner of the Golden Iron Triangle would crumble.
Night.
Inside the Saintess's Bedchamber.
"Ah..."
"It's finally over."
Xu Feng lay limp on the bed, utterly drained.
Three whole days. It was hard to imagine that he had actually swum over a hundred meters in the pool and walked more than two thousand meters.
Over two thousand meters!
What did that amount to? It was almost three months' worth of exercise for him, all crammed into these three days.
Even his cultivation had broken through to level 79 because of it, leaving him just a little short of becoming a Soul Douluo. Still, he would rather remain a Soul Saint than be this exhausted.
In Xu Feng's view, he needed ample rest to cultivate better. If he couldn't even get the bare minimum of twenty-three hours of rest each day, where would he find the energy to cultivate?
Was there a problem with that?
There was no problem.
Growl! Growl! Growl!
"Fuck, I haven't eaten all day."
Sensing his stomach beginning to rebel, Xu Feng was about to take some snacks out of his Soul Tool when he spotted a graceful figure emerging from the bathroom.
She still wore a short gauze dress that revealed her long, snow-white legs, with a jade sash wrapped around her waist to accentuate her willow-slender figure.
Her long, dark tresses cascaded like a waterfall. Together with her eyes, sparkling like stars upon a lake, and her flawless face, she constantly radiated a soul-stirring allure. If any other man had seen this sight, he would probably have drooled three feet, desperate to pounce on this woman and possess her before being swallowed by endless greed.
Xu Feng, however, had seen this sight many times. The instant he saw Bibi Dong, he burrowed beneath the covers, no longer even interested in eating, and simply... pretended to sleep!
[These past three days, Teacher has worn me out. I hope she'll let me off tonight.]
[Please, I'm really begging you. Show me some mercy and let me get a good night's sleep.]
Pfft-
"Is your teacher really that scary?"
As soon as Bibi Dong approached, she heard Bao'er's rather world-weary inner voice and couldn't help laughing.
Growl! Growl! Growl!
Bibi Dong moved closer to little Xu Feng and soon heard his stomach protesting. The corners of her lips curled into a sly smile.
Over these past three days, she had used "swimming lessons" as an excuse to do many things she had never done before and had been too embarrassed to do.
For example, she would blindfold Bao'er with a piece of cloth, then lie naked on her stomach and have him massage her. That electric sensation tickled, yet felt so comfortable.
Unfortunately, Bao'er was far too thin-skinned. No matter how Bibi Dong pleaded, he refused to do her front. He wouldn't allow anything even a little more excessive.
And all day today, Bibi Dong had deliberately watched Xu Feng and kept him from eating, all so she could complete the final two experiences she wanted.
One was that she had never embraced Bao'er naked and had never experienced the feeling of him belonging entirely to her. The other was...
Bibi Dong hardly dared to think any further, because she felt her ideas were too bold, too shameful, and too improper. The second idea in particular embarrassed her merely to think about. He was her disciple, after all. How could she do such a thing?
Yet, when she thought of how, after tonight, Bao'er would be freed from the Fairy Brew's side effects and return to his original adult appearance...
When that happened, she probably wouldn't be able to treat Xu Feng as a child anymore, nor could she keep him in the Saintess's Bedchamber.
"Whatever. I have to try it tonight, or I'll never get another chance." Steeling her heart, Bibi Dong immediately fetched the plain congee she had prepared earlier and brought it to Xu Feng's side.
"Bao'er~"
Bibi Dong quickly regained her composure and continued, "You've worked hard all day. Have some congee before you rest."
"..." Xu Feng said nothing and continued playing dead.
[Someone offering favors for no reason is either scheming or stealing. I won't fall for your tricks so easily. You must be trying to wake me up so you can do shameful things to me.]
Unfortunately, Bibi Dong already knew from his inner voice that Xu Feng was pretending to sleep.
(End of chapter)
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