Amused giggles filled the air coming from the adorable little girl with the heart of an imp. Bibi Dong had a large grin on her face very amused. Tang Yuan as the source of that amusement glared at the little mischievous devil. That seemed only to make her laugh harder if possible.
Honestly, upon meeting her he had associated her slightly with her older self. An incredibly serious and regal woman with ruthless intelligence. Though one with a great deal of trauma and sadness. Now he could barely associate this girl with that woman.
The Bibi Dong he had come to know in these short few days was a total difference. She lacked that seriousness or ruthless nature. Instead, she was a girl seeking fun and mischief playing little pranks like the one from moments ago. He had heard how she tries to escape her studies.
Honestly, the girl was like a spoiled fun-loving princess at this point. One filled with a fairy-like innocence, but also the mischief of a fairy. She was a spoiled girl that much was certain. She had sought him out many times by now.
Perhaps she saw him as an ideal source for amusement. Unfortunately, she tended to do so when he was trying to study. Luckily she was respectful of his meditation and cultivation. She was a mischief-maker, but not a mean-spirited girl by any measure.
Suddenly Tang Chen felt his head being poked slightly. He looked to see the girl in question pokeing him to get his attention. "Yes, can I help you with something?"
Bibi Dong puffed up slightly with annoyance "You were staring off into space lost in thought. It's not nice to ignore a girl when in front of you. " she says in a lecturing tone a serious look on her face. Though her eyes shone with a certain light revealing planned mischief.
Tang Yuan could only smile at her words. Honestly, she was a girl who was hard to dislike, or even be annoyed at such was the power of cuteness he supposed. "Very well I apologize dear lady." Tang Yuan says with some sarcasm in his voice.
Bibi Dong simply nods her head seriously. Either missing the slight sarcasm or treating it as a real statement. "Good that you know better than, but now you must properly compensate me, so play with me," she said her face changing to a large smile at the end.
"Totally showing your true purpose right there aren't you?" Tang Yuan couldn't help saying wryly at her words. He had expected it though, either that or hide her from Chrysantheum if he came by. Yet he would rather not play another game of tag or hide-and-seek. So "can I choose what we do this time around perhaps?"
Bibi Dong claps her hands happy that her new playmate was so willing. She crossed her arms thinking about his request closely. "Maybe I can consider that if what you choose is entertaining enough. Otherwise, we shall return to hide and seek." The little girl pointed her finger at Tang Yuan dramatically.
Tang Yuan could only smile at that, he would need to think of something then. He thought about what could be used to grab her attention, and that he would enjoy. There was something that he made through woodcarving a boardgame. Placing the board on the table with a leather bag of the pieces.
Bibi Dong curiously watched as he set up the board. It was a relatively small board divided into a number of squares light brown and dark brown alternatively. Then he placed circles of wood on the black squares in three rows. The circles seemed to be light or dark brown on two sides.
Tang Yuan smiles "This is checkers a game I heard about in a book. Want to try playing, and see if it's fun?" he wondered if she would accept this option. Otherwise, she would get him to play another game.
He considered simply not playing with her again, but she was stubborn. If he simply refused her, then either she would try to act cute. That or just bother him until he said yes to playing with her. She was a very stubborn person and could hold on for hours. That was almost a game to her as well which she seemed to find fun.
Bibi Dong looked at the board with an appraising eye as if deciding if it would be fun. Finally, she plopped down on one of the two chairs. "Alrighty lets see how to play." She was still unsure about this game, but she would see.
Tang Yuan smiles at that answer perhaps he would be safe from the Hide and Seek. "The pieces move like this. Then you can take another piece like this." he begins to explain the rules to her slowly.
Afterwards, the two of them begin playing the game. Despite a measure of uncertainty Bibi Dong quickly begins to enjoy it. What she enjoyed much less was losing quite a bit. Yet that only made her want to play more and more determine to get a win.
Seems someone not only had a stubborn streak, but also a sense of competition. Tang Yuan muses as he continues to play with her. "I win again." Tang Yuan says with the soft joy of victory. Bibi Dong's pout grew greater at another loss on her part, but fire burned in her eyes.
At another location in that same building, Tang Nuan sat in meditation on her own cultivation. She was already at level 87, but she felt she was only a few steps from the next level. Yet she knew that she would not rise in level today or even the next month. It frustrated her to be so close, and yet also so far from that advancement.
Despite that frustration, she ended her cultivation feeling she had reached her saturation. She began her form of mental check of her Mental Palace as he son called it. It was such an interesting technique making her remember so much. It was a very useful ability no doubt, but it also fueled the anger in her soul.
As a Soul Douluo, her mind was already powerful with high memory and comprehension. Yet to her, the Mental Palace painted such vivid pictures of her memories for better and for the worse. She could remember her most heartfelt memories with ease. The happy times she shared with her family decades ago, and the new memories as well.
Though that vividness also lent itself to her worst memories that haunted her nightmares. She didn't do it consciously the technique just increased the details she recalled. Thankfully those memories weren't as clear as her happy memories.
It was strange in a certain way this technique of her sons. Her memories of the worst day in her life had become clearer. Yet her hatred that had always made her blood boil had not grown more fiery. Instead, it felt colder more chilled if still hot, and not at all reduced. Her hatred was more focused cleaner and sharper in a way.
"What are you thinking of Xiao Nuan?" a voice suddenly spoke out though not out of nowhere. Golden Crocodile watched his granddaughter sensing her thoughts were deep. Once more the slightest measure of bloodlust had leaked from her.
"My thoughts wandered to that day grandfather the day I lost my parents. I don't feel quite like I did on that day. My mind is clearer and I don't feel quite the same unthinking hatred anymore." she said her face kept blank not letting herself be overwhelmed by the torrent of emotion. She could still feel the cold instincts of her blood and martial soul.
"I see that makes me feel happy that you are not driven solely by a need for revenge," he said softly his sadness hidden at long-held memories. He remembered when she was such a carefree innocent child. Then the deaths of his son and daughter-in-law filled her with grief like his own.
"I can't afford to die that would mean leaving my husband and son behind. Still, I want vengeance on them, those Lords of the swamp." Her face was happy with memories of her family. Yet she would never forget her desire for vengeance on the Golden Crocodiles.
The grandfather nodded his head after all he could not let go of vengeance either. He had simply become more patient and controlled. "It seems that Tang Yuan's choice of cultivating his hammer first may be fortuitous. When he starts cultivating our family's martial soul it will be filled with at least black rings." The thought of such vengeance would be a particular one.
Tang Nuan, as a mother would hate to use her child as a method of her vengeance. At the same time, the idea of using stronger members of their numbers to fill his spirit rings would be nice. Especially the older ones in direct relation to the kings. "Yes, that would be quite nice, almost as nice as their direct deaths."
Golden Crocodile shook his head at that "We might see such a thing in fact. If Xiao Yuan continues his current pace he will likely have a red ring as his ninth. If so, then his second martial soul might also have red rings." he wondered if her was getting ahead of himself now. They still weren't certain how long Tang Yuan would need to reach that point.
Still, he thought of his own bad memories involving the Golden Crocodile Kings. He had taken his own pound of flesh in vengeance. Their soul bones had strengthened him greatly in his quest for vengeance. This grudge of blood had only grown greater since its inception. He had no intention of letting it rest, and neither did they.
Golden Crocodile turned to his granddaughter "though I say that we can not impose our own vengeance on Tang Yuan. Let him live a while as a child, or at least until he reaches Soul King. Then he can decide for himself if he wishes to step into this old feud, if there is a choice."
Tang Nuan could not find anything wrong with such a choice. She doubted that he wouldn't choose to enter this conflict. Yet part of her didn't want him to she had lost her parents to it. Along with the rest of her family long before that.
"I will continue to work to become a Titled Douluo then." Only then could she actually effectively enter this feud. Then she could fight the Golden Crocodile Kings, who were their enemies. Right now she could only face their younger kin if necessary.
"Do not rush into matters take time this feud will go on for years yet. We still don't know how many such crocodile kings there are." That was a fact that irked him even now. How proud he was of his ninth ring at first, only to learn there were so many of them.
Then he turned to her "Once more you should begin to consider your choice for the ninth ring. Even if it is years from now, I can not lightly step into their territory. If I do they will scatter and hide from me to prevent me from hunting them. At worst, they will rampage causing other species to rampage cultimating in a massive beast tide."
Tang Nuan could only sigh at the horrible possibility. The amount of devastation a beast tide could bring was catastrophic. "Then I can hunt with the help of another. My husband, or one of the worships perhaps," she said aware of the possible concerns he might have.
Yet the man simply shook his head to her statement. Informing her with a knowing tone of how they would act. "If you seek to hunt a Golden Crocodile King it might be impossible. If a Limit Douluo enters the Thousand Swamps all of them will hide. I once had the thought of having Big Brother help me." The last part was said as she looked at him questionably.
Tang Nuan narrowed her eyes at that statement. "That implies that one of them can sense a Limit Douluo though. Also that they are rather well organised together" That was a frightening prospect to consider implying an incredible presence in the region. She wonders what exactly her grandfather knew.
Golden Crocodile nodded at her implied question. "Golden Crocodiles are beings with some amount of dragon blood. At Ten-thousand-years they become tyrants, at one hundred-thousand-years they become kings. Amongst the Golden Crocodile Kings their is one much older than their ruler or alpha. That beast is at least level 98 perhaps even stronger than that." Golden Crocodile's voice was harsh in talking about the creature his face scrunched slightly in dislike.
Tang Nuan could understand why it was so difficult to deal with the Golden Crocodiles. She could only wonder how large that beast's cultivation was. Beasts were often stronger at set levels than humanity.
Tang Chen sighed as their ship moved along the waves. His hammer was at the ready though he had not mobilized his soul power. This was not a battle he really needed his energy for. His opponent had asked for a spar, and it would be worth a few minutes.
His opponent had hefted his axe with a boisterous smile. The captain of the ship smiled as his soul rings floated around him. He was already worse off since the beginning of the match. He had expected as much against a Limit Douluo even one holding back so much. Yet he wanted to see the mountain that was the pinnacle of the world.
Ash smiled as he moved forward quickly jumping up as he swung his axe down. The swing carried by weight and gravity could easily cut a man in half. Even without his spirit power being used to enhance himself. He grinned as his axe came sailing down at high speed.
Tang Chen casually moves his hammer to counter the axe. The weapons impact one another as the captain remains in his jump. Than Tang Chen casually puts a fraction of his force on the exchange.
Ash finds enough time to have a stunned expression on his face. Then he was flung away from the exchange at high speed. The force was such that the air left his body in a choking cough. He suddenly felt the sound of wood cracking as he stopped. "Ow." The sound leaves his mouth as he feels pain from the impact.
Tang Chen watches the man haul himself up with his axe. The battle was over he determined immediately. The man was not so much a novice with an axe, but not an expert either. "You rely too much on your spirit skills for attacking even when not using them. Once more your physical body could use further training."
Ash couldn't help smiling wryly at that assessment. He had been seen through with a single engagement. Though the advice would certainly help him in the future.
"You seem to have gotten better at holding back. Possibly from spars with younger clan members." Qian Daoliu says with a smile a measure of reminder in his tone.
Tang Chen quirked his lips at that statement. His friend would never let him forget those embarrassments more than likely. It wasn't his fault that those bandits were so squishy or soaked in blood.
Qian Daoliu summons a sword from his storage device. It would serve well enough for a mock battle. "Let's have a small match of our own why not?" he held the sword before his body at the ready. It had been a while since they only used weapon skills in a spar.
Tang Chen smiled this time he hefted his hammer with much more seriousness. The captain had served as a small warm-up for him. He stood at the ready, but with patience not moving just yet.
Qian Daoliu held himself at the ready as he began to inch closer. It was rare that he got to enjoy a direct battle of weapons. Only his Son could duel him, but he had one too many mental holdups. This would be fun he thought as he moved closer.
Tang Chen began his own movement forward. Then he moved fast rushing his hammer swinging fast at his head.
Qian Daoliu moved away from the swing dodging by only a smidge. The hammer sailed past him the wind of the swing blowing his hair. A small opening he responds with a shallow half-hearted probing attack.
Tang Chen immediately reoriented himself responding with a hammer swing. Only to hit empty air as his rival immediately pulled back. Another slash was coming from another location, he realized. He used the momentum to step back a single step. As he does the blade passes by his face.
As he reaches the end of his current swing Qian Daoliu can only smile. He had halted Tang Chen's momentum in that strike. He stepped back from the exchange a few steps.
The two returned to the battle as spectators watched on. Several more exchanges as they slowly sped up. Half a dozen exchanges pass by in less than a few minutes. Neither side gains an advantage as the two merely enjoy the battle.
Tang Chen swings his hammer as Qian Daoliu parries the blow. The latter takes care to allow as little contact as possible. Even as he felt a slight shake in the weapon from the short impact.
Qian Daoliu's smile was calm and controlled he decided it was time to end it. He thrust his sword forward one final time in this battle. The sword whistles through the air as it approaches his foe's head. A silvery shine to the blade as it approached its target in fact it was almost surrounding the blade.
Tang Chen though knocked off balance avoids the blow with ease, at least he should have. He moves his head to the side as the blade passes centimeters from his face. As he avoids the thrust he jumps back preparing his swing, only to pause mid-action. His eye moves to look at something he can't quite see, but can feel.
A drop of blood lands on the deck of the moving ship, the first blood of the match. It was also the end of the match as both sides relaxed their guards. Those watching let out an exhale as the tension relaxes.
Tang Chen places a finger where the small slash was on his cheek. It had already stopped bleeding and had already visibly healed. "Sword Intent I see that was how you did it. I didn't even sense when you started using it. No you only started using it just before it approached my face." Tang Chen immediately came to understand how the wound occurred.
Qian Daoliu smiled at his victory it was a good little duel. He even managed to get such an easy wound on his friend. "Fairly right I started using my Sword Intent at the thrust. I knew you would dodge, but not enough to avoid my intent," he said with a subtle sense of self-satisfaction barely noticeable.
Tang Chen looked at his friend with a small glint in his eyes. He could totally see through his smugness at the moment. Qian Daoliu never exposed a hint of killing or cutting intent putting him at a disadvantage. "Next time we can have a battle of domains and see who wins."
Qian Daoliu smiled at his friend sensing the slightest hint of dissatisfaction at his loss. His smile became slightly wider. "We can have as many matches as you want my Angellic Domain won't lose out to your Deathgod Domain."
Tang Chen couldn't help but smile wryly at that statement. His Deathgod domain was directly restricted by his friends' Angelic Domain purifying properties. Still, it was effective in restricting and limiting Qian Daoliu's own domain. It still boosted his own abilities as well by a good amount.
"Sure if you want to lose." he felt confident under such a situation as much as any other really. For now, he would need to meditate on their latest match. For possible insight into his own improvement.
Tang Yuan placed his piece on the board as he took the last two of Bibi Dong's pieces. With a smile "That is another win for me" he knew his tone was somewhat smug. He couldn't help himself with the number of wins he had accumulated.
Bibi Dong couldn't help a annoyed frown as she suffered another loss. She hasn't won even a single game, and it was annoying. Yet "I refuse to give up, another game this time I will win." Her eyes were metaphorically blazing with the fire of competitiveness.
Tang Yuan smiled his face full of confidence. "We can play as many games as you want, but I won't make it easy for you." Despite his words, he knew he could not underestimate her. From a ameteur, she had grown into a novice player in the span of hours. She would not win against him today, if he didn't let his guard down, but the coming days were less certain.
Bibi Dong focused on the game intensely she was determined to win. This annoying guy was so smug at his wins. If she gave up that would be admitting absolute defeat. She moved one of her pieces taking one of his, her eyes on the board's end she wanted a crown.
Tang Yuan showed no reaction to the move. Taking a piece of his own he takes that piece that took one of his own. That was already the fourth piece he had taken of hers. He could only smile as realization struck her at the opening she gave.
The two children ensnared in their game, were having quite a bit of fun. Perhaps it was because it was the first time they played with another child. Even Tang Yuan found himself happily embroiled in the game. Both were so ensnared in their fun that they did not notice another had entered the room.
"Well that seems a most fun game indeed." the voice rang out with a childish tint to it, and a slight feminine aspect to it.
The voice was soft to the two children not truly attention-grabbing. Thus Bibi Dong did not really turn immediately to the speaker. "Yes, it's fun I suppose. It will be even more fun when I beat this meanie," she said absentmindedly not quite taking the final step of realization.
"I guess so." the voice says in response to that matter. The unknown voice said with consideration.
Suddenly Bibi Dong has a look of confusion cross her face. She still looks at the board for a moment before looking across at Tang Yuan.
She realized he didn't say something, and once more the tone was familiar. Her face changed to a stiff realization as she just as stiffly turned her head to look.
Their standing close was the smiling Yue Guan the future Chrysantheim Douluo. He was just standing there out of seemingly nowhere having just appeared. He waved at Bibi Dong with a soft smile "hello little Dongdong, time to return to books."
Bibi Dong's stiff face could only turn into a slightly down expression. She had been caught, and would now be forced back to those boring books. That pout returned to her face at the thought of all those thick tomes. "Uncle Chrysanthemum can't I play some more games though?" she said in a slightly pitiful tone as if so sad.
Tang Yuan watched as this girl tried to use her charm. He had fallen victim to it himself several times already. He wondered whether Chrysanthemum would manage to resist this girl's manipulation.
Chrysanthemum merely clapped his hands together with a wide joyful smile. "But little Dongdong you can return to playing once done." There was no threat, or authority in the words, and yet it felt difficult to counter. The effeminate man had a finger to his lips as he said that.
Bibi Dong realized that her normal trick had no effect. Once more the counter words were super effective. She tried to come up with a viable reason for not studying. Her gaze looked around the room for something to help her. Suddenly her gaze turned to Tang Yuan, who was just idly smiling.
Bibi Dong obtained a mischievous glint in her eyes for a second. Then she turned to Chrysanthemum with a sad smile. "But if I go study who will play with Tang Yuan. He would be all alone here with no one to play with. Wouldn't he be so lonely without my excellent company?" she said without a shred of remorse in weaving this trick.
Tang Yuan's smile changed into a look of surprise. He had been enjoying seeing her normal antics fail her. Now somehow he was being used as an excuse for slacking. With a wry smile, he tried to speak "well actually…Ow!!" Only to stop as a sharp pain came from his foot.
This little devil girl had stepped on his foot under the table. As he turned to look at her she had the most innocent angelic smile on her face. Like a saint who could do nothing bad or mischievous. He caught her eye which subtly said "shut up idiot." At least that was his translation.
Bibi Dong continued to smile at Chysantheum as she sneakily crushed Tang Yuan's foot. Absolutely certain that she would be convincing to her uncle. So long as the meanie across from her stayed quiet. She placed more pressure on his foot for emphasis.
Chrysanthemum tapped his head thoughtfully on the matter. "I suppose that is a problem to consider." his tone showed consideration.
Bibi Dong's smile only grew wider at that "yes of course I must play with lonely Tang Yuan here." she said as if doing the biggest favor to him.
Suddenly Yue Guan clapped his hands together with a wide happy smile. A look of realization on his face at an idea. "Then why doesn't Tang Yuan join us in the library. While you study he and I can play this game," he said with the thought of it being the most brilliant of ideas.
Bibi Dong's smile turned to surprise as her ploy backfired. She tried to come up with a counterargument. Only to slump as she comes up with nothing.
Thus Tang Yuan walks out of the room with an amused smile. Chrysanthemum leads them through the halls towards the library. Bibi Dong walked with an invisible cloud of dread over her head. Yet she did not try to run away from them lest she be embarrassed. Bibi Dong would suffer several hours of studying all the while listening as the two meanies played games.
Bibi Dong could only pout saying "It's not fair, not fair." All the while she continues her studies with uncharacteristic fire. She would finish then kick Chrysanthemum off the game. Then who would have to suffer boredom, the thought causes her to cackle evilly in her mind.