510. Tang San Fainted

"Ah—! Teacher, it stinks!"

In the cramped dormitory, yellow mist seeped out through the cracks of the door and windows.

Tang San clutched his throat, his face pale and green.

Luo San Pao, perched on his face, was wagging its rear while Tang San rolled his eyes in disbelief.

His hair stood on end like a bird's nest, and eventually, he couldn’t hold on any longer, collapsing straight onto the wooden bed.

Yu Xiaogang, already wearing a mask, looked down at the unconscious Tang San, the fury in his single eye gradually subsiding.

"San Pao, get off Little San's face."

At his words, Luo San Pao let out a few pig-like grunts, wriggled its rear against Tang San twice more, and then disappeared.

"Little San, we’ll talk when you wake up."

Yu Xiaogang shook his head, covered the chicken soup to protect it from the fumes, and picked it up before heading out.

Creak!

As the door opened, more of the toxic gas billowed out.

Yu Xiaogang remained unbothered, leaning on his cane as he slowly walked toward Flender’s office, deep in thought.

"Zhu Zhuqing…?"

"What’s her spirit ring configuration? How is it even possible?"

"Could it be that my theories need updating? Is the true limit for spirit rings actually a thousand years?"

Yu Xiaogang had no idea about the chaos that would follow.

When Oscar returned from foraging, he nearly passed out from the stench, mistaking it for Tang San having an accident on the bed.

The entire room reeked so badly it left him dizzy and nauseous.


---

Near Noon

In the Soto Great Spirit Arena, the Nine-Colored Enchanted Rabbit team claimed yet another victory, while the Netherworld Spirit Cat team also dominated their battles.

Zhu Zhuqing was busy honing her Sluggish Field technique through actual combat.

After her fight, she headed to the exit, where Xiao Wu waved at her excitedly, hopping up and down.

"Zhuqing! Over here!"

"Xiao Wu, Rongrong, are you two alright?"

Zhu Zhuqing walked up quickly, concern evident on her face.

"Hmph~ What could possibly happen to us?"

Ning Rongrong stood with her hands on her hips, looking as proud as a victorious rooster.

"By the way, did you think of any good ideas?"

Zhu Zhuqing remained silent and shook her head.

"I did!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, raising her hand with a mischievous grin.

"Really? What’s the plan? Hopefully, it’s something untraceable," Ning Rongrong asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Of course, it’s untraceable!"

Xiao Wu revealed her fist to the two girls and slowly opened it to reveal a small, green pill lying in her palm.

"Haha, my plan is to drug him!"

"Drug him?"

A flicker of interest crossed Zhu Zhuqing’s eyes. She seemed to think she could manage such a task with some finesse.

"Yep!"

Xiao Wu nodded proudly, explaining, "I bought this from a villager. It’s usually fed to farm cattle. This morning, I added some to the green turtle and mung bean soup I sent to Tang San."

"What’s it supposed to do?"

Ning Rongrong scrunched her nose and pushed Xiao Wu’s hand away, clearly unimpressed.

"The old man said it gives cows more energy, but if they eat too much, they get mad cow disease."

Xiao Wu tossed the pill away and wiped her hands on her clothes.

"Mad cow disease?"

Ning Rongrong blinked, her expression full of intrigue.

"Yep! But Tang San is pretty skilled with poisons, so we need to be careful."

Xiao Wu nodded solemnly as she cautioned the others.

"That’s no problem. If he knows it, so do I. We just have to avoid using lethal toxins."

Zhu Zhuqing smiled faintly.

Coincidentally, Qian Renjue had already prepared plenty of materials for her to craft poisons when needed.

"Zhuqing is right!"

Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled mischievously as she made the final decision.

"Let’s add a little 'spice' from time to time. I'll take care of the purchasing, Zhuqing will handle the preparation, and Xiao Wu will handle the delivery."

"No problem!"

Xiao Wu eagerly nodded. Delivering the goods was undoubtedly her specialty.

Anything sent to Tang San would be consumed to the last drop. As for Yu Xiaogang, she could let Tang San deliver it for her!

"Haha, it's settled then. Let’s grab a meal first and then buy some high-quality croton seeds."

Ning Rongrong giggled, thoroughly enjoying her penchant for pranks.

"Alright."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, allowing Xiao Wu to hook her arm as they strolled out of the Spirit Arena.


---

Heaven Dou City

Ye Lingling arrived at the entrance of the Dugu Residence right at mealtime, stepping down from her carriage.

At this moment, another carriage bearing the Dugu family's insignia was already parked there.

As Ye Lingling alighted, Dugu Yan poked her head out from the window, waving.

"Lingling, we’re here! Hurry up!"

"Yan?"

Ye Lingling furrowed her elegant brows slightly as she noticed Dugu Yan’s disheveled attire and flushed face.

The curtain of the Dugu family's carriage lifted, revealing Ling Yuan stepping out.

She called to Ye Lingling softly, "Miss Lingling, please come aboard. His Highness has suggested we take a trip outside the city."

"Alright."

Ye Lingling nodded, gave a few instructions to her servants, and quickly climbed into the carriage.

Ling Yuan respectfully held the curtain open, and as Ye Lingling entered, her bright eyes lit up upon seeing the young man sitting inside.

Her delicate face flushed, and a soft smile graced her lips as she stepped in with excitement.

"Lingling."

Qian Renjue called her name gently, extending a hand.

Ye Lingling took it without hesitation, allowing him to pull her into his arms.

Seated on Qian Renjue's lap, her veil fell away, revealing her moist, rosy lips as she looked up at him with adoration.

"Jue, Mmm..."

Her slender neck arched as she clung to him, responding with soft, hesitant movements.

Qian Renjue's hands roamed freely, her eyelashes fluttering as she complied with his every move.

"Hyah!"

Ling Yuan, acting as the coachman, expertly drove the carriage through the streets of Heaven Dou City, ensuring a smooth ride.

Meanwhile, Dugu Yan sat to the side, watching Ye Lingling’s flushed face, disheveled clothing, and tense posture with a mix of astonishment and envy.

As expected, His Highness favored Lingling more.

Or perhaps, she mused bitterly, she had been too forward, not leaving him any opportunity to take the initiative.

Under Dugu Yan’s gaze, the carriage's warm lighting illuminated the interior.

Ye Lingling’s lips glistened with moisture, her strength nearly drained as she struggled to regain composure.

"Ahh…"

Finally, Qian Renjue released her, a satisfied smirk on his face as he watched her trembling lips.

He habitually reached out with his refined fingertips, gently tucking her tongue back.

"Mm…"

Ye Lingling quickly pressed her lips together, droplets of moisture falling onto her clothes as her flushed face deepened in color.

She playfully pounded Qian Renhue's chest twice with her small fists, a mixture of shyness and frustration.

"Haha."

Qian Renjue laughed, pulling her soft, jade-like body into his embrace.

Gently stroking her back and arms, he asked tenderly, "Lingling, what gift would you like tomorrow?"

"We already agreed, didn’t we? I… I want you."

Ye Lingling buried her face in his chest, her shyness barely concealing her determination.

It had taken her a long time to gather the courage to make this request.

"I meant something else."

Qian Renjue lifted her chin, his thumb brushing her lips, wiping away the lingering moisture.