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In the end, Tang Luoya said nothing, remaining as silent as a quail.
However, Tang San did not press him further; he wasn't one to unjustly accuse others without reason.
After summoning Xiao Bai and Xiao Qing to escort them out, Gu Yuena asked, "You're from another world too, aren't you? Don't bother denying it—I've suspected it for a while."
"If you already guessed, why bother asking?"
Tang San slowly stood up, intending to continue his research on the body martial spirits collected by the Spirit Hall. But Gu Yuena called out to him, asking, "That rabbit..."
"Hmm?" Tang San's voice deepened.
"Does Xiao Wu know about this?" Gu Yuena quickly rephrased her question, her eyes filled with curiosity as she looked at Tang San.
"Not yet."
"Hehe, so I'm the first to know, huh?" Gu Yuena grinned mischievously.
"Yes, you're the first," Tang San confirmed, warning her not to spread the news, or else he'd "spank her little butt."
Gu Yuena blushed, exclaiming, "Pervert! You won't even spare me!"
"Hah, I'm not as bad as you. Back in my last life, I was clueless about everything. Unlike someone who even spied on Xiao Wu and me," Tang San chuckled, teasing the now embarrassed and slightly irritated Gu Yuena. The more he teased, the more amused he became.
He finally understood the purpose of children: to play.
Teasing kids was genuinely fun, and teasing this "little" Silver Dragon Gu Yuena was even more entertaining.
Gu Yuena's face flushed as she shouted, "I was studying the way of blood energy! Why wouldn't I watch? Besides, I've seen spirit beasts mating plenty of times!"
"Wow, how impressive," Tang San clapped his hands sarcastically, deliberately provoking her until she was both angry and embarrassed. Only then did he apologize.
Gu Yuena, despite her outburst, secretly enjoyed this dynamic, especially since she could "extort" some candied fruits from Tang San later. Sure, she had her own money, but using Tang San's money to buy treats made them taste even better.
"Tap, tap."
Footsteps echoed from the stairs as Zhu Zhuqing slowly descended, causing the playful banter between Tang San and Gu Yuena to come to an abrupt stop.
"Zhuqing, it seems you've gained a lot from the Spirit Beast Illusionary Space," Tang San observed her closely, noticing that she moved as silently as a ghostly spirit cat.
The experiences within the illusionary realm were also a form of training for the physical body in the real world.
"Yes, it went well. All six of my spirit rings have reached the ten-thousand-year level, especially the sixth ring, which is nearing the hundred-thousand-year mark. And—"
Zhu Zhuqing's lips curled slightly upward as she produced two ten-thousand-year-old spirit bones. "I also had some unexpected gains, though I haven't absorbed them yet."
Handing the spirit bones to Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment before saying, "I need to return. I've been away for a while, and my sister might be worried."
"You're right, you should go back. The Star Luo Empire hasn't been very stable lately."
This wasn't mere speculation. Star Luo's Crown Prince, Dai Weisi, had been pushing the boundaries in his research on weapon-type soul tools, causing significant discontent among many noble families. Some clan leaders had even chosen to switch their allegiance back to Dai Mubai of the Star Luo Empire.
The Dai family's internal competition was not their concern. However, if their family's status and legacy were threatened, they wouldn't necessarily adhere strictly to "ancestral laws."
This situation presented Zhu Zhuqing with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate her value and even gain real influence in the court. She looked deeply into Tang San's eyes, then suddenly stepped forward. Before he could react, she embraced him and kissed him.
Gu Yuena was stunned by the sight, her small fists clenched tightly as she blushed and exclaimed, "What are you two doing? I'm still a nine-year-old! Don't show me stuff like this!"
But Zhu Zhuqing ignored her, finally pulling away from Tang San after a long moment. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she said, "Don't tell Xiao Wu and the others, or they'll accuse me of stealing their man."
At that, Zhu Zhuqing covered her mouth but couldn't suppress a laugh.
Come to think of it, would Xiao Wu and the others really mind if she joined them? After all, Tang San once told her that love is mutual and that women should have their own careers—they shouldn't just be a man's accessory.
And her career was in the Star Luo Empire.
So, she couldn't indulge in this moment of warmth for too long...
Although, how could it be called indulging when she hadn't even been spoiled yet?
"I'll definitely tell Xiao Wu and the others!" Gu Yuena huffed like a sulking child, "I'll say you two were sneaking around!"
But still, no one paid her any mind.
Tang San offered, "Shall I escort you?"
Zhu Zhuqing replied, "Alright."
Outside Spirit City, Zhu Zhuqing waved goodbye to Tang San and then swiftly headed toward the Star Luo Empire. Her speed was so fast that she disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye.
"You're really going to let a girl who just gave you her first kiss run all the way back?" Gu Yuena walked beside Tang San, giving him a look that could only be described as disdainful.
"For a Spirit Master, traveling by foot is far better than riding a carriage," Tang San responded matter-of-factly. "Come on, let's head back. I still have a lot of work to do."
"Hmph, you're so busy, yet you still had time to kiss someone?" Gu Yuena pouted, then sprinted a few steps, leaped into the air, and landed on Tang San's shoulders. She perched there, pointing ahead and commanding, "Onward to Minshi Grain Capital! Consider this your punishment for offending me!"
"What did I do to offend you?" Tang San asked, genuinely puzzled.
"You let a little girl witness something she shouldn't have at her age, traumatizing her delicate psyche. Isn't that offense enough?" Gu Yuena grabbed hold of Tang San's hair, her righteous tone so fierce that the jade pieces she wore as hair ties trembled in fear. "It's only because of my mercy that you're still in one piece! Anyone else would have torn you limb from limb by now!"
"Yes, yes, my mistake. How could I have wronged the Silver Dragon Lord, who has witnessed countless spirit beasts mating?" Tang San teased as he started walking toward Minshi Grain Capital.
...
After buying Gu Yuena a mountain of candied hawthorns and other snacks, Tang San made his way to the Pope's Palace to discuss with Bibi Dong the research on body martial spirits and the method of converting spirit power into spiritual power or blood energy through spirit rings. They also talked about the matter of opening the Spirit Beast Illusionary Space.
"...Your Holiness, what are your thoughts on opening the Spirit Beast Illusionary Space?"
Opening the Spirit Beast Illusionary Space had numerous advantages.
First, anyone entering the space, existing within it, or hunting spirit beasts would have to expend a certain amount of spiritual energy. Absorbing "spiritual energy" to enhance the age of spirit rings would also require an exchange of spiritual energy.
For the entire starry sky and the Spirit Beast Illusionary Space, spiritual energy was an invaluable and indispensable resource.
Consequently, Spirit Masters who entered the space to hunt spirits would find their spiritual energy enhanced upon leaving the Spirit Beast Illusionary Space.
Additionally-