MTLNOVEL Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Fontaine
Dan Heng prepared four dishes and a soup. Some ingredients were repeated—he hadn't expected Gu Yuena to return so early.
By all accounts, the distance between the small town and the Star Dou Forest was dozens of miles. She should have taken a few more days.
But since he had cooked the meal himself, it was still delicious.
Gu Yuena was still holding onto that bouquet of flowers, treating it like a precious treasure.
Leaning down slightly, she took a gentle sniff of the aroma of the dishes, a bright smile appearing on her face. She said, "Husband, if I go even a day without eating your food, I start missing it already."
Zhu Zhuqing, who was serving rice for them, also nodded slightly upon hearing this.
"Husband, you really guessed right. Zhuqing did absorb both of those spirit rings, and her third spirit ring reached six thousand years! At this rate, she'll probably be able to absorb a ten-thousand-year ring for her fourth!"
Gu Yuena looked at Dan Heng, her eyes filled with a hint of pride.
As expected of her husband—brilliant and unmatched!
Zhu Zhuqing then displayed her third spirit ring and explained her third spirit skill.
What she didn't mention was that both the age of her spirit ring and the effect of her third spirit skill had surpassed all records of her Zhu family's ancestors.
And all of it was thanks to the teachings of Dan Heng.
If Zhu Zhuqing's gratitude could be expressed in words, she might not be able to finish in three days and nights.
So, instead, she could only gaze at Dan Heng with eyes full of deep appreciation.
Dan Heng merely glanced at the spirit ring and gave a small nod. "Not bad. Just continue your cultivation step by step. After you reach Rank 35, I'll begin specialized training for you."
"Yes, Master!" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes immediately lit up.
Specialized training—since it was something personally taught by her teacher, it was bound to bring her tremendous improvement!
Having casually said this, Dan Heng started eating. His bowl already had a few pieces of food that Gu Yuena had picked for him.
Gu Yuena rested her chin on her hand, but, contrary to her usual self, she wasn't eating much.
Her eyes curved into crescents as she looked at Dan Heng and said, "Husband, don't forget! If I manage to train Zhuqing and raise her by three levels in about the same time as you, that means I win, and you have to agree to grant me one request!"
Gu Yue Na raised a slender finger, her expression serious.
Dan Heng gave a small acknowledgment. He was aware that Gu Yue Na had a slight advantage in this wager.
Absorbing spirit rings had already pushed Zhu Zhuqing up by one level, and since her spirit rings were of a high age, she was already close to Rank 32.
Even if Gu Yue Na did nothing, following Dan Heng's training methods alone would allow Zhu Zhuqing to break through to Rank 33 at a much faster rate.
Gu Yue Na radiated an aura of joy, her entire being brimming with happiness.
From time to time, she would glance at Dan Heng beside her. Although there were three people at the table, she was sitting so close to him that they were only about a fist's width apart. If she lifted her arm, they would touch.
"What wish should I make?"
"Come to think of it, Di Tian should be taking action now, right?"
Gu Yuena always kept in mind her plan to push her husband toward greater ambitions!
Because of an inexplicable sense of unease, Prince Zhu sped up as he left the town, wanting to return to the Star Luo Empire as quickly as possible.
About thirty miles from the small town, a figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the road.
It was a tall, black-haired man with a powerful build. Just by standing there, he seemed to become the center of the world.
In that instant, Prince Zhu realized that this person had come for him.
Moreover, he knew he was no match for this man!
Like a mouse encountering a cat, Prince Zhu turned and ran!
Seven spirit rings rose beneath him as he activated his Martial Soul—Netherworld Spirit Cat. His body transformed into a black lightning bolt, dashing toward the small town at incredible speed.
In the blink of an eye, he had already crossed over thirty meters. But at that moment, a powerful pressure descended from the sky, pinning him to the ground.
His strength as a Spirit Sage (Rank 70+) offered him no sense of security at all.
The speed he was so proud of had become meaningless—he was forced into a humiliating "大" (spread-eagle) posture on the ground.
His chin landed right on top of a small stone—it hurt.
But what concerned him even more was the identity of the black-haired man and why he had been intercepted.
Had he offended someone?
"Sir…"
Di Tian stepped forward, his eyes carrying a trace of hesitation.
His master's orders were to teach the man a small lesson and force him into establishing contact with them.
He was trying to determine how much force to apply…
After all, his master hadn't given him a specific description. And since his master had been holding a flower and looked quite happy at the time, Di Tian didn't want to ruin that mood.
"Boom…"
Di Tian flicked a finger, and a black energy blast struck Prince Zhu's back.
Prince Zhu couldn't help but let out a low groan—it was the same spot that had been injured on his way into the town.
Now that he had been hit again, the pain was so intense that tears welled up in his eyes!
It wasn't that he wanted to cry—it was simply a reaction his body couldn't control!
"…" Di Tian noticed his tears, and his expression twitched slightly.
This man was supposed to be a powerful human Soul Master, a noble of the Star Luo Empire.
Yet just one little hit—a mere flesh wound—was enough to make him cry?
What a disgrace to human Soul Masters!
Still, this should count as a small lesson.
Di Tian said, "Hold it in. I have something to discuss with you."
"…" Prince Zhu nearly choked on his anger. Did this powerhouse think he was crying on purpose?
And now he was telling him to hold it in? Did he think he was a three-year-old child?
Prince Zhu couldn't control it—his tears kept flowing.
He suddenly felt immense regret. If he had known this would happen, he never would have come to this small town!
Who had he even offended to suffer such misfortune?
Di Tian's forehead darkened with irritation. He raised his hand, intending to hit the coward a few more times, but then hesitated. If this man cried even harder, the conversation wouldn't be able to continue.
"Useless!"
"You are from the Zhu family of Star Luo. Every generation, your direct descendants must abide by the empire's rule—internal competition through bloodshed. I can change your family's future. Or rather, the force behind me can."
"Give me a token so I can contact you. In the future, we will have further dealings."
Di Tian's voice was cold.
His eyes grew even more disdainful as he looked at Prince Zhu. How could someone be so pathetic?!
Prince Zhu shuddered and hesitated before asking, "You… who are you affiliated with?"
Instinctively, he suspected that the other party was connected to the Spirit Hall.
"Fontaine."
Di Tian replied coldly. That was the name his master had given him.
Because he liked maple trees, he took "Feng" (Maple), and as for "Dan"… it was probably after that detestable person, wasn't it?
At the same time, a group of people arrived at the northern part of the small town.
A burly middle-aged man, six teenagers, and a carriage carrying a seductive woman.
It was the Shrek Academy group.
Leading at the front were Flender and Dai Mubai.
Flender threw an arm over Dai Mubai's shoulders, speaking harshly, "Mubai! Explain this to me—why is this woman following us?!"
Dai Mubai chuckled sheepishly and said, "Teacher Zhao, Zi Ji wanted to come. I couldn't refuse her. Once I win her over, I'll treat you to drinks! As many days as you like!"
"Now that's more like it…" Zhao Wuji finally nodded in satisfaction.
(End of Chapter)