Mom, I'm stepping out for a moment.
Seeing Tang Feng leave, Jiang Nannan gave Tang Ya a look before quickly following him.
With Tang Ya staying behind to keep her mother company, Jiang Nannan had nothing to worry about.
"That girl…"
Jiang's mother sighed softly.
As her mother, she understood her daughter all too well.
To cure her illness, Jiang Nannan would have given up anything. She was an exceptionally filial child.
"Auntie, don't worry. She can handle it."
Tang Ya seemed thoughtful.
Although Tang Feng had treated Jiang's mother partly for her sake, Jiang Nannan still needed to express her gratitude personally.
"Xiao Ya, how old is your brother this year?"
Jiang's mother began inquiring about Tang Feng.
Tang Ya selectively shared only what was publicly known.
The more Jiang's mother listened, the more satisfied she became.
It was the classic look of a mother-in-law evaluating a potential son-in-law.
Unfortunately for her, she was bound to be disappointed.
If she thought carefully about it, she would realize where Tang Feng lived—this was the Princess Manor of the Star Luo Empire.
Tang Feng resided here permanently, which already spoke volumes.
Not to mention that by his side stood Gu Yuena—the Sovereign of Soul Beasts, a true divine existence.
Outside the Guest Quarters
Tang Feng had not gone far before Jiang Nannan caught up.
"Xiao Feng, wait!"
She hurried toward him in quick steps.
"Sister Nannan, shouldn't you be with Auntie?"
Tang Feng asked, somewhat surprised.
By all logic, Jiang Nannan should still be inside, embracing her mother in tears of joy.
"Thank you… for healing my mother."
She stepped closer.
Jiang Nannan was tall and gracefully proportioned. Her long golden hair cascaded down her back in large waves. Her skin was like snow, and her eyes were as clear as autumn water. When she glanced about, she carried a refined and elegant aura.
Her beauty was like jade beneath moonlight, like blossoms laden with snow—tender and graceful, captivating beyond compare.
Now that her mother's illness had been cured, a sweet smile had blossomed on her face, making her even more radiant.
"It was just a small effort."
Tang Feng paused slightly.
Today, Jiang Nannan seemed different—like someone reborn.
Much like when Zhang Lexuan cast off the burdens of Sea God Pavilion and finally felt light again.
"For you, it may be nothing. For me, it's a life-recreating kindness."
Jiang Nannan suddenly rose onto her toes and wrapped her arms around Tang Feng's neck.
Blushing deeply, she gently kissed his cheek.
"You're the first boy I've ever kissed. That should count as my first kiss, right?"
"No matter what happens in the future, I'll always be your retreat. And if you like me… I could even give up Xiao Ya for you."
A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.
After kissing him, she immediately turned and ran off.
It was purely gratitude.
Of course—if Tang Feng truly liked her, she wouldn't mind becoming a gentle and virtuous wife.
"Give up my sister?"
Tang Feng inhaled sharply.
He suddenly felt like he had uncovered something extraordinary.
No wonder Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan sometimes seemed… unusually close.
"Calling him 'Xiao Feng' so sweetly, aren't we?"
At that moment, a voice sounded nearby.
Xu Jiujiu.
"Jiujiu-jie… you saw that?"
Tang Feng's lips twitched.
It was the first time he had heard sarcasm in the Star Luo princess's voice.
Where had her imperial elegance gone?
"Of course I did."
Xu Jiujiu stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Her face drew close.
"I can't compete with Sister Na'er… but do you think I can't compete with her?"
She pressed her lips directly against his.
Her gaze lingered intensely.
Originally, she thought Tang Feng would remain at Shrek Academy for six years before returning.
She had been overjoyed when he came back early—
But he had brought many people with him.
Among them were the peerless Gu Yuena… and the cross-dressing Wang Dong.
She admitted she couldn't surpass Gu Yuena.
Whether in beauty, temperament, or strength, she fell slightly short.
And that had awakened a strong sense of vigilance in her heart.
"There's no one to blame but yourself."
Tang Feng lifted her into his arms.
Night had already fallen. He carried her straight into the main hall.
He felt only sibling affection toward Jiang Nannan—
But toward Xu Jiujiu, it was different.
They were childhood companions. Mutual affection had long grown between them.
As long as Xu Jiujiu was by his side, Tang Feng never needed to worry about anything besides cultivation.
"So what if I did?"
Xu Jiujiu teased him deliberately.
She bore no hostility toward Jiang Nannan.
She simply disliked seeing someone else take advantage of him.
So she would reclaim more than enough herself.
"Jiujiu-jie, don't regret it."
A faintly wicked smile curved on Tang Feng's lips.
The next moment—
Xu Jiujiu trembled, her cheeks flushing red enough to bleed.
The hazy state lasted the entire night.
The Next Morning
Tang Feng rose refreshed and energized.
Xu Jiujiu, however, remained tightly wrapped in the blankets, glaring at him.
If not for Tang Feng still being young, she suspected she would have been devoured whole.
"Jiujiu-jie, Sister Na'er, and I are heading to the Extreme North to hunt a soul beast."
He pinched her cheek playfully.
Truthfully, Xu Jiujiu was no inferior to Jiang Nannan in any aspect—
Only slightly less dazzling than Douluo's number one beauty, Gu Yuena.
"Go already, go already."
She only poked her head out.
After he left, she carefully got up and searched for long-sleeved clothes and trousers to cover herself completely.
Her pretty skirts would have to wait a few days.
That little rascal had deliberately infused Destruction power into his kiss marks.
Her soul power couldn't erase it at all.
The Extreme North
Tang Feng and Gu Yuena arrived once more in the frozen wilderness.
At their side were the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress.
Such a breathtaking lineup—
Yet no one was there to witness it.
"You humans actually enjoy… that sort of thing?"
The Ice Empress looked at him strangely.
Ever since witnessing Tang Feng's endless "methods" the previous night, she had become unusually obedient.
Compared to how he used to tease her, last night's display was on another level entirely.
"Ice Empress… surely you wouldn't want—"
Before Tang Feng could finish speaking—
The Ice Empress immediately stepped closer and hugged his arm obediently.
"Xiao Feng, we can discuss this calmly."
She knew when to yield.
Better to consciously accept a small loss than be controlled by mysterious Concept-Level power.
"Ice Empress, so I can still handle you."
Tang Feng nodded in satisfaction.
An obedient Ice Empress was far cuter than one controlled by traits.
"Enough of you two."
The Snow Empress spoke calmly.
"That nearly hundred-thousand-year Devouring Soul Evil Ice Scorpion is nearby."
This was their target.
Although it had not yet reached one hundred thousand years, Tang Feng only needed to complete one or two divine trials to elevate the soul ring to the hundred-thousand-year level.
For his current stage—
It was more than sufficient.