Chapter 85: Lie (Patreon)

Two Hours Later...

Lu Feng carried Xiao Wu on his back as they returned to their temporary campsite.

Most of the group had already gone to sleep.

From Zhao Wuji's tent, loud snores rumbled out.

The only one still awake was Ning Rongrong, sitting alone by the crackling campfire.

Her elbows rested on her snow-white thighs, her delicate hands cupping her face as she stared blankly into the flames, lost in thought.

Tang San had earlier tried to stay behind and talk to her, but she had sharply scolded him away.

How could she let someone who had scared her so badly—someone so filthy—get close to her?

Besides, his father was Tang Hao, a man infamous for his despicable behavior, even toward his own wife.

Hearing footsteps, Ning Rongrong glanced up.

Her eyes landed on Lu Feng, carrying Xiao Wu on his back as they walked over, whispering and laughing softly, their affection for each other palpable. Just looking at them made her feel their overwhelming sweetness and happiness.

She couldn't help but feel a pang of envy—no, jealousy—toward Xiao Wu.

Ning Rongrong had a feeling Lu Feng wasn't entirely uninterested in her either. That night when she'd been doing yoga poses on his bed, he hadn't exactly been well-behaved.

"Okay, you can put me down now."

Xiao Wu, noticing Ning Rongrong watching, felt a little embarrassed. Her fair face was still flushed, though the extra tinge of pink wasn't too noticeable.

Lu Feng, hungry from their activities, tore off a large roasted lamb leg from the half-eaten carcass by the fire and took a big bite. He didn't forget to hand Xiao Wu a couple of carrots, too.

After all, they'd overexerted themselves a bit—they needed to replenish their energy.

Still, no matter how delicious the roasted lamb was, it couldn't compare to Xiao Wu's intoxicating scent.

Ning Rongrong teased, "Seems like your 'walk' was pretty exhausting, huh?"

Lu Feng chewed loudly, answering without shame, "Well, it wasn't just a walk. You know how it is."

No way was he going to let some little girl outmatch him in boldness.

Ning Rongrong pretended to shake her head. "I don't know what you mean."

Lu Feng replied casually, "If you don't know, should I describe it to you in detail?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Ning Rongrong was instantly at a disadvantage.

She frantically waved her hands. "N-no! That's not necessary!"

She was a noble young lady, the young mistress of the world's second-greatest sect—how could she openly listen to such indecent talk?

Unable to outwit Lu Feng, she instead leaned toward Xiao Wu and playfully whispered, "So… how was it?"

Two whole hours missing—even an idiot could tell it wasn't just a simple walk.

Xiao Wu's face still carried an unusual flush, and she'd needed Lu Feng to carry her back.

Though Ning Rongrong had no personal experience in such matters, she was well-educated and worldly. She knew exactly what Xiao Wu and Lu Feng must have been up to.

"What... what taste?" Xiao Wu was still lost in Lu Feng's gaze and answered without thinking.

"The taste of banana," Ning Rongrong whispered, suddenly remembering that she had also eaten Lu Feng's banana (fruit), and her face also turned a little red.

Xiao Wu's breathing hitched, even if she was a bit simple-minded, she could still understand Ning Rongrong's implication.

Her face burning, she blurted out, "I—I was absorbing a soul ring just now!"

"Absorbing a soul ring?"

Ning Rongrong was confused.

"Look."

Rather than explain, Xiao Wu simply summoned her soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple—rising from her feet.

"Huh…? It's true!" Ning Rongrong's eyes widened. "Xiao Wu, congrats on getting a thousand-year soul ring! But… how?"

"We were walking… and saw a spirit beast that had fainted. Maybe it got knocked out by the Titan Giant Ape? It was just right for me, so I absorbed it."

Xiao Wu did blush a little when lying, but right now, her face was already as red as it could get.

Her soul ring was self-generated and didn't take long to form, but she needed a believable excuse to avoid raising suspicions. Having Lu Feng back her up was perfect.

"A fainted thousand-year spirit beast… that just happened to suit you? That's some insane luck!"

Ning Rongrong was skeptical.

"Yep, just that lucky," Lu Feng chimed in with a faint smirk.

But in his mind, he didn't picture Xiao Wu absorbing the soul ring, but another kind of dynamic scene.

Two big white fish, mating in the clear river water.

The second half was transferred to a flowerbed full of blooming flowers.

Indulging in entanglement.

Xiao Wu's best skill in physical arts was jujutsu.

A seemingly boneless body.

Brought him another huge satisfaction.

Of course, he also dedicated an unforgettable beautiful first night to Xiao Wu.

Pickup Artist rule #8:

"When flowers bloom, pluck them without delay—don't wait till branches bare bring regret your way."

This verse, written by a female poet, applies equally to men and women.

Youth fades fast. When the moment is right and the opportunity arises—don't hesitate. Seize it.

Too many people, shackled by rigid rules drilled into them since childhood, hesitate when faced with something beautiful. They overthink, worry about this and that, too afraid to reach out… even when the other person is giving them clear signals.

But the truth? Those fears? They're just someone else's rules.

And if you let the chance slip away—the loss is yours.

Often, forever.

Of course, once you've plucked the flower, you must cherish and protect it—taking responsibility to the very end.

Xiao Wu's gaze met Lu Feng's, her eyes brimming with affection.

She couldn't help but replay those vivid memories in her mind—

The river had soaked their bodies, yet it couldn't extinguish the wildfire raging in their hearts.

And somehow, Lu Feng had worked his magic, making flowers bloom instantly around them, transforming the grassy bank into a sea of blossoms.

So they slowly rolled in the flowerbed by the river again.

Afterwards, Lu Feng gently helped her put on her socks and skirt.

"Ugh, I can't take this anymore! I'm going to sleep!" Ning Rongrong huffed, nearly drowning in their disgustingly sweet atmosphere as she stormed off to her tent.

Lately, she, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing had grown closer, sharing a large tent together.

With one last shy, sugary smile, Xiao Wu blew Lu Feng a kiss and slipped inside after her.

The Next Day

The strengthened team ventured deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.

The forest was vast—traveling from the outskirts to the central Life Spring Lake would take hundreds of miles, and the terrain was treacherous. Thick mist often blanketed the area, making it easy to lose your way. Even if no spirit beasts blocked their path, ordinary soul masters would struggle to locate the forest's heart.

Mindful of the younger generation's safety, Meng Shu didn't dare lead them too far in. They advanced just a few more miles beyond the periphery, then began scouting along the edges.

Here, spirit beasts were more numerous—and more powerful. That meant better options for Meng Yiran and Tang San.

Two Days Later

"Careful—purple mist ahead, to the right!"

Zhu Zhuqing, perched high in a tree as their lookout, spotted something unusual.

A strange, creeping fog—thick and violet—was rolling toward them.

"Qing'er, get back here."

Lu Feng called out to her.

Thanks to his shared perception with plants, he could detect threats within a 500-600 meter radius. He didn't need Zhu Zhuqing leaping between branches to scout.

But the little cat spirit loved climbing trees, and it was good training for her. So he'd never stopped her—until now.

Real danger demanded real caution.

Just like when the Titan Giant Ape appeared, he'd immediately pulled her close. If that beast had attacked, he wouldn't have hesitated to use his Supreme Douluo Experience Card.

With the plot shifting unpredictably, he had to guarantee the safety of those he cared about.

And now, if his guess was right…

The purple mist meant the real prize had arrived.

The Thousand-Year Man-Faced Demon Spider—carrying its external soul bone—was coming.