Douluo: Things You Live Long Enough to See

"She's not actually selling herself, so what's the big deal? A girlfriend isn't a wife. If things don't work out, just break up when they're adults!

For the sake of my disciple's mental and physical health, even if they wanted to, I wouldn't let them do anything overly intimate before they're sixteen," Cheng Ying waved his hand, signaling that whatever Chao Changkong said was pointless.

Chao Tianxiang felt slightly relieved. In Douluo, the distinction between girlfriend and wife wasn't very clear. She had initially thought this was some sort of child bride situation. But now it seemed like at most, she'd be wasting two years of her youth. When the time came, she'd just kick that pervy guy to the curb. As for liking him? That possibility never even crossed her mind.

Seeing that Chao Changkong still looked unwilling, Cheng Ying beckoned him to follow. Once they were a bit away from the others, Cheng Ying said in a low voice, "Do you really think someone at my level of cultivation would fall for your daughter at first sight?"

"Then what is this about?" Chao Changkong thought to himself, Even if you're not interested, your disciple clearly is—drooling like a dog. Don't think I didn't notice.

"That's because the two of them are a match made in heaven! If I'm not mistaken, their martial spirits are highly compatible. If they work together, they could easily use a Martial Spirit Fusion Technique!" Cheng Ying said seriously, catching Chao Changkong off guard.

"You're serious, senior?" If what Cheng Ying said was true, then even he would have to seriously consider pairing the two together. Martial Spirit Fusion Techniques weren't just powerful; people whose martial spirits were compatible usually had compatible personalities as well making them ideal partners.

"Of course I'm serious!" Cheng Ying, having seen the story's future, couldn't possibly be wrong. "Trust me once they use a Martial Spirit Fusion Technique, they won't be able to let go of that power.

If you have your daughter marry someone else, what then? Using the fusion technique would mean hugging and holding someone else—what kind of man would be okay with that?"

Chao Changkong: "…"

Cheng Ying's logic left him speechless. Though blunt and a bit crude, his reasoning was surprisingly realistic.

"If they really can use a Martial Spirit Fusion Technique, then it would indeed be a great thing. I hope senior isn't deceiving me. If it's true, I entrust my daughter to your care."

Cheng Ying nodded without hesitation. Ten years from now, he'd raise her into a democratic freedom fighter… or perhaps a feminist pioneer… Though both were dangerous paths—he might get assassinated. Still, his disciples were all gifted soul masters. With great strength in the future, there was little to fear.

When the two returned, Chao Changkong had changed into a new set of clothes, and his expression had softened. He squatted down and said to his daughter, "Follow your senior and learn well. Without Dad around, you have to take care of yourself. Don't be willful. Listen to him, and don't hold any grudges. I'll come visit when I can."

"Dad…" Chao Tianxiang bit her lip, but only managed to say that one word.

"It's okay. It's not like I'm abandoning you. Don't worry. If they really dare to bully you, your old man—sigh…" Chao Changkong let out a deep sigh. What father doesn't want to be omnipotent in front of his daughter? But he simply didn't have the power.

"I'll study hard under senior's guidance. Don't worry, Dad." She leaned forward and gave him a light kiss on the forehead. "Bye, Dad!"

The touching farewell between father and daughter made Cheng Ying feel a little like the bad guy, but he didn't regret it. Rather than letting Chao Tianxiang become just another mediocre soul master cynical and corrupted by reality, eventually becoming an irrelevant side character it was better to give her the strength to chase her dreams. Even if the road was hard, at least she could say at the end of her life that she had no regrets.

After Meng Shu finished absorbing the spirit ring, the group headed out of the forest. Along the way, Meng Shu's eyes never left Chao Tianxiang. But he didn't even dare speak to her, showing zero awareness that he was now supposedly her boyfriend. A perfect example of the classic "cowardly otaku with a crush."

Yes, I'm talking to you—the ones behind the screen who turn every pretty girl into "just a bro." Wake up! That's not how you pursue a girl!

(Witty aside)

It took a long while before Meng Shu finally mustered the courage to mumble, "Um, teacher, shouldn't we also help Sister Tianxiang hunt for a spirit beast?"

Cheng Ying paused. Finally figured it out, huh? Any later and we'd be out of the Star Dou Forest already.

Though he thought that inwardly, what he said was completely different:

"Chao Tianxiang is your girlfriend, not my disciple. Whether or not to help her hunt a spirit beast—that's your choice and her freedom. I won't assist.

If you want to help her, I'll approve your leave. The rest of us will return to Heaven Dou City without you."

No alone time, no love story. Cheng Ying had truly racked his brains—er, no! Expended every effort yes, that sounds better to create this opportunity.

"Uh…" Meng Shu hesitated. Seeing that his teacher wasn't joking, he clenched his teeth and nodded, "I'm willing to stay behind and help Tianxiang hunt a spirit beast!"

Upon hearing this, Chao Tianxiang's expression subtly changed. The way she looked at Meng Shu also shifted slightly. At the very least, he had the courage to act like a man—already better than many others.

"Good. One month of leave. Whether you find the spirit beast or not, you must return to Heaven Dou City after a month." Cheng Ying said sternly. Both his disciples knew this serious expression meant he wasn't kidding.

"Thank you, teacher!" Meng Shu watched Cheng Ying and the others depart, then turned to look at Chao Tianxiang. After a moment of internal struggle, he asked, "What kind of spirit beast do you want to hunt?"

"Up to you," Chao Tianxiang replied flatly. Along the way, she'd already gotten a sense of Meng Shu's personality. Though flirty and a bit goofy, he wasn't the type to be unfaithful. In front of her, he was even more reserved than Tang Chen or Dugu Bo. Since she'd left the choice to him, he would naturally try his best to find her the most suitable spirit beast.

Elsewhere, about two miles away, Cheng Ying suddenly stopped and called out toward the forest, "Bingbing! Come out already! Take us to watch the fun!"

Then—

Without a sound, the Ice Empress casually stepped out from the woods behind him. "Stop shouting. I'm right here."

Cheng Ying: "…"

Cough cough! "Uh… with your strength, bringing us along shouldn't be a problem, right? We won't be noticed, will we?" Cheng Ying asked awkwardly, clearly having failed his cool moment.

"Just two kids nothing complicated. I knew you wouldn't be able to rest easy." The Ice Empress giggled, and a bubble-like orb of ice enveloped the four of them, floating steadily into the sky above the forest.

The surface of the bubble blended in with the sky like optical camouflage completely invisible from the ground.