On the way back, Ye Tian naturally didn't need to be in as much of a hurry as when he came.
He strolled along the mountain path.
Looking at the blue sky and the white clouds, the thought of all those different kinds of Immortal Herbs filled Ye Tian's heart with excitement.
Soon, he would be the Holy Son of Spirit Hall! Soon, his talent would reach a new level! Soon, he would break through to Soul Venerable and obtain his third Spirit Ring!
It could be said that he hadn't waited all these years for nothing. His future was boundlessly bright!
Just thinking about it made Ye Tian's steps feel a little light and airy.
However, he hadn't taken many steps before his pace became steady again.
Wasn't his warning to Qian Renxue also a spur for himself?
It was just a breakthrough to Soul Venerable; the road ahead was still long. He couldn't stop thinking.
"Huu—"
Letting out a long breath, Ye Tian took out a Marrow Cleansing Pill and popped it into his mouth.
One after another, until his Soul Power was exhausted. Then, he started to run.
Ye Tian had long since made plans for his Pill Spirit's third Soul Skill; the Ring Fusion technique was prepared specifically for this third Soul Skill.
Soon, Ye Tian returned to Wisteria Residence. It was already noon.
The smoke from the kitchen chimney atop Wisteria Residence had just dissipated.
Hu Liena had already finished making lunch.
As soon as he reached the upper floor, Ye Tian saw Bi Bi Dong. She had already washed away her earlier disheveled appearance.
She sat at the table, propping up her cheek with one hand, staring out the large window, lost in thought.
Ye Tian's excitement hadn't faded yet, and he greeted her with a smile.
"Good noon, Teacher!"
"Given a little spit, and you're already overflowing?"
Bi Bi Dong didn't even turn her head. Just from the sound of Ye Tian's voice, she could picture his current expression.
"Wh-what?"
Ye Tian was a little dumbfounded by her words. What the hell was overflowing?
In a flash, he thought back to this morning.
It seemed...
Bi Bi Dong really had given him a little...
Could it be that this woman was about to playfully stick her tongue out and make a face at him again?
Gulp~
At this thought, Ye Tian couldn't help but swallow.
Of course, it wasn't out of desire, but out of fear and vigilance.
"..."
Bi Bi Dong also froze for a moment, realizing her slip of the tongue as her pretty face grew warm.
She had clearly recalled her impulsive action from the morning.
Unfortunately, her taste didn't seem to have left any impression on Ye Tian. If she hadn't brought it up by accident, this brat would have truly acted as if it never happened!
How hateful!
Bi Bi Dong secretly gritted her teeth but calmly lowered her hand.
She looked back at Ye Tian, who was like a frightened bird.
Squinting her eyes, she said faintly, "It's nothing."
"I just find your heartless and carefree look a bit of an eyesore."
"Heh..."
Ye Tian gave an awkward but polite smile.
"Teacher should understand me. This heartlessness is just a facade."
"Is that so? I hope so."
Bi Bi Dong raised an eyebrow and then looked away.
She remembered how Ye Tian had taken care of her last night.
Perhaps, she wasn't entirely without a place in his heart.
This was the only thing that brought Bi Bi Dong some comfort.
"Senior Brother? You're back!"
Just as Ye Tian was about to leave the top of the stairs, a crisp voice sounded from behind him.
"Perfect timing, lunch is about to be served!"
Hu Liena looked up at the youth above her with a smile, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
She tilted her head slightly, her short hair swaying.
She looked so gentle and well-behaved.
On the tray in her hands was a simple meal that had already been prepared—two dishes and a soup.
"Haha... I followed the smell back!"
In the corner of Bi Bi Dong's eye, Ye Tian quickly put on a smiling face and went to greet her.
"Nana, let me help you."
"Mhm!"
Hu Liena nodded with a beaming smile.
"Hmph! If you ask me, your Martial Soul should be a dog."
Bi Bi Dong couldn't help but mutter under her breath.
"I wish. It would be great if it had combat abilities someday..."
Ye Tian wasn't annoyed and continued the conversation with a smile.
Because, if nothing unexpected happened, he was about to get them.
Hu Liena didn't dare say much, just smiling foolishly.
Together with Ye Tian, she placed the food on the table and sat down.
"Isn't it good enough to be a proper support?"
Bi Bi Dong took the bowl and chopsticks Hu Liena handed her and glanced nonchalantly at Ye Tian.
If that day truly came, Bi Bi Dong would feel as if it were the day Ye Tian would escape her control.
"That's right, that's right! Support is great too!"
Hu Liena chewed on her chopsticks and said in agreement, "Teacher, my brother, Sister Xue, and I will all protect you, Senior Brother!"
"..."
Hearing this, Bi Bi Dong couldn't help but think of Qian Renxue, and she poked at the rice in her bowl.
"Haha... It's better to have it yourself than to rely on others~"
Ye Tian smiled.
What support-type didn't have the heart of a damage-dealer?
He was naturally no exception!
"By the way... you went over there. How is that child?"
Suddenly, Bi Bi Dong's tone became somber, causing the atmosphere at the dining table to turn a little downcast.
Hu Liena's eyes lit up slightly, full of curiosity!
"She's alright. After crying for a while, Little Xue is much better now."
Ye Tian's smile vanished, and he became serious.
"Does she hate me?"
Bi Bi Dong asked again. Ye Tian gently shook his head.
"I don't know. Little Xue didn't mention you, Teacher."
"Is that so."
Bi Bi Dong nodded slightly.
"It seems she won't be coming near here again in the future."
Her Purple Eyes drooped.
Bi Bi Dong didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
In a way, didn't this also increase the distance between Ye Tian and that child?
"???"
Hu Liena's expectant gaze turned gloomy.
What was all this about?!
It was all riddles!
Ye Tian forced a smile and put a piece of fish belly into Hu Liena's bowl.
He looked at Bi Bi Dong with deep meaning.
He was a little curious. What would she do next? Would she still choose to become the Pope and drag Spirit Hall into the abyss?
"What about you, Teacher? What are you thinking about?"
"Me?"
Bi Bi Dong looked up, propping her cheek with the hand holding her chopsticks.
She stared at Ye Tian, the danger in her gentle voice completely undisguised.
"I'm thinking, what should I do next? I'm thinking, would my most beloved disciple, my Holy Son, want to be the Pope?"
"What?!"
Hearing this, Ye Tian stared at Bi Bi Dong in horror.
Hu Liena's eyes also widened, and she looked back and forth between Bi Bi Dong and Ye Tian. What on earth had she missed!
"Teacher... cough cough!"
Ye Tian coughed from agitation and looked at Bi Bi Dong in confusion.
"Teacher, are these two questions related?"
"Of course they are."
Bi Bi Dong squinted at Ye Tian, revealing a smile so gentle it could even be called youthful and vibrant, as if she were proudly waiting for his praise.
"If my disciple isn't interested in being the Pope, then this Spirit Hall is only fit to be my consumable. After all, this was never mine to begin with, so I won't feel bad using it up... There's no need to put too much effort into managing it."
Gulp~
Ye Tian swallowed.
He could already predict what Bi Bi Dong was going to say next. He couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, are you serious?"