š If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon! I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/Veni_V
---------------
Xiao Wu really had to thank him for everything he had done. She felt a strange mix of emotions as she looked at Su Yan. Could it be that she was the one with the lowest intelligence in their entire group? Was she the IQ gatekeeper of the group chat? No, she told herself, that was simply impossible! It was absolutely impossible for her to be the least clever one there. She felt certain that there would definitely be someone dumber than her joining their ranks in the future.
Su Yan looked at the emotional girl and gently patted Xiao Wu's shoulder to comfort her. Feeling his warmth, Xiao Wu obediently stood up and wiped away her tears with a happy smile.
Hmm? Dugu Yan watched this and felt a little confused. This is even worse than before, she said with a tilt of her head. Xiao Wu cried so much that Su Yan's clothes are completely wet now. Are you actually made of water, little rabbit?
Su Yan just chuckled at the teasing. He then reached back into his storage and took out two more incredible treasures: the Narcissus Jade Marrow Bone and the Moon Shadow Immortal Lotus. He turned his attention to the quiet girl standing nearby and called out to Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhuqing, these two Immortal Herbs belong to you, he said softly.
Mm! Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward without hesitation. She didn't say many words, but she leaned in and gently kissed him. In that moment, everything they felt was understood in the unspoken silence between them.
Dugu Yan watched this and found herself speechless. Each one of these girls was more excessive than the last, she thought. Now, no matter what happened next, she was going to have to taste their saliva if she wanted a kiss of her own.
Rongrong, Su Yan said, calling out to Ning Rongrong after he and Zhu Zhuqing separated.
Mm, Su Yan Gege, Ning Rongrong replied, nodding her head obediently like a well-behaved child.
Su Yan wanted to make sure they all understood his heart. He explained, Although it is very hard to keep things perfectly balanced between everyone, I want you to know that each of you is unique and special in my heart. I gave Xiao Wu two Immortal Herbs because she needs them to help her conceal her spirit beast aura from the world.
I gave Zhuqing two Immortal Herbs because she previously received the Narcissus Jade Marrow Bone as a reward in the group chat, but instead of using it for herself, she gave it to me.
Mm! Ning Rongrong nodded her head heavily, her eyes full of love. Su Yan Gege has already given me the best gift I could ever ask for. No matter what happens, I will always trust Su Yan Gege with all my heart.
Su Yan smiled at her loyalty and then looked over at Dugu Yan. Little Wild Goose, he called out.
Mm. Dugu Yan didn't wait to be asked twice. She had already snuggled deep into Su Yan's arms the moment Zhu Zhuqing moved away.
Ye Lingling and the others each received one Immortal Herb from me, Su Yan explained as he held her. But the reason I wanted to give you an Immortal Herb was different. However, I have used up all the Immortal Herbs I had. How do you want me to compensate you for that?
Hearing Su Yan's words, Dugu Yan leaned her head comfortably against Su Yan's chest. She looked up at him and said with a playful smile, Well, in that case, I will have to think about it very carefully.
Ning Rongrong gave her a side-eye and muttered under her breath, You better not be plotting anything bad or naughty!
Su Yan laughed and then looked at his core group. Zhuqing, the three of you should use your Immortal Herbs first, he instructed. I will stay right here and watch over all of you while you process the power.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu. The three of them nodded in unison, finding their spots in the room. They sat down on the floor and began to cultivate, drawing in the massive energy from the Immortal Herbs. Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling didn't go back to their own rooms. Instead, they sat on the sofa with Su Yan, quietly waiting for the others to finish their transformation.
While the room was quiet, the group chat was starting to get lively again.
Liu Erlong: The group chat is so quiet tonight. What is everyone busy with?
Ah Yin: Yes, it suddenly feels like there is no one here at all.
Tang Yuehua: Well, the Little Princess and the others are currently with Su Yan. Bo Saixi and Bibi Dong are probably too ashamed to show their faces right now. Ah Yin, you are not exactly a person either, so there really aren't many people left to talk.
Ah Yin: ???
I Am an Orphan: Bibi Dong, oh Bibi Dong. Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Your insatiable greed is like trying to eat the moon itself.
Bibi Dong: Orphan, this is none of your business!
Liu Erlong: Look, the old woman is finally here. Tell us, how is your foot-washing and your studying going?
Bibi Dong: Get lost.
Liu Erlong: Hahahaha!! Go ahead and curse me all you want. It doesn't matter. You can curse me, and I will still be happy. Just thinking of the high and mighty Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall squatting on the ground to wash and massage a man's feet makes me genuinely happy and excited!
Tang Yuehua: I am also very excited about it. We must ask Su Yan to take pictures as a souvenir when it happens.
Ah Yin: I am just glad I am not dying today. I am so happy.
Inside the Pope's Bedchamber back at Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong was absolutely furious. With a loud bang, she smashed a beautiful jade mirror directly onto the ground.
Teacher, Hu Liena said, sounding somewhat exasperated by her teacher's temper.
Bibi Dong's expression turned ice-cold. Sleep! she commanded. Do not pay any more attention to those scoundrels in the chat.
Oh, okay, Hu Liena replied, shrinking her head back. she helped Bibi Dong pick up the pieces of the jade mirror and then climbed into bed with her teacher to rest for the night.
After a long while had passed back at the inn, Zhu Zhuqing and the other two girls finished absorbing the energy from their Immortal Herbs. They gradually rose from the ground, their faces filled with joy and excitement.
Xiao Wu was the first to speak happily. My spirit power is already at level thirty-five now! Su Yan, you are so good to me. The little rabbit's face was flushed pink as she looked at him.
Ning Rongrong spoke up next, her voice full of pride. My spirit power is now at level thirty-three, but more importantly, my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda has successfully advanced to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda! To prove it, she released her brand new spirit, showing off the beautiful nine-layered pagoda to everyone in the room.
Wow! everyone exclaimed. It really worked? Rongrong, you are amazing now. The number one auxiliary spirit in the world has finally evolved. Congratulations!
After they finished celebrating with Rongrong, everyone's gaze finally fell on Zhu Zhuqing. She had a calm smile on her face as she reported her progress. My spirit power is now level forty-three, and my spirit has also evolved.
What! Dugu Yan suddenly sat up straight, her face full of disbelief. Zhuqing, you... you are already at the same level as me?
Ye Lingling also looked at Zhu Zhuqing in complete surprise. Zhu Zhuqing was several years younger than both of them!
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly to confirm. I previously extracted the Nine Yin Manual, and my spirit power increased to level thirty because of it. These two Immortal Herbs increased it by another thirteen levels.
Wow! Xiao Wu said, her eyes wide with surprise. That means, Zhuqing, you still have two spirit rings to acquire since you are a Spirit Ancestor now. If you use the system's optimal age limit for your spirit rings, each ring could give you at least four more levels of spirit power, right?
Dugu Yan felt a little dazed. This means that Zhuqing is actually four levels higher in spirit power than I am?
Ye Lingling smiled and nodded at her friend. That is exactly right, Little Wild Goose!
Dugu Yan's face showed a bit of bitterness. She suddenly felt a little disheartened compared to Zhu Zhuqing's rapid growth.
Su Yan then stood up and addressed the group. It is getting very late, he said. Zhuqing and the other two ran all the way here today, and everyone has been tired from the long day. Let's all go back to our rooms and get some rest early.
Mm! Ning Rongrong nodded heavily. Her heart was so excited that she probably wouldn't be able to sleep a wink tonight.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling also nodded gently. They stepped forward together and each kissed Su Yan's cheek. Then we are going back to rest now, they said. Are you living with Zhuqing tonight?
Su Yan nodded and spoke with a very serious face. Today I need to learn the Nine Yin Manual with Zhuqing. It is a very powerful self-created spirit ability. Later on, I can teach it to you as well. After you master it, if we find more Immortal Herbs, you can use them to directly increase your spirit power even more.
Mm! Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan didn't say anything else. They took one last glance at the group chat and then left the room along with Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu. The Little Monkey also silently slipped away, heading to an empty room to find a place to sleep.
Zhu Zhuqing really thought Su Yan was going to spend the night strictly learning the Nine Yin Manual. However, she was suddenly caught off guard by him.
Su Yan~ she gasped. She found herself ambushed by him, and as he moved, her voice instantly became weak and shaky. I... I have something to say, just wait a moment...
Su Yan didn't stop. It's okay, he whispered playfully. You can say whatever you want to say... and I will just eat what I want to eat.