74 Chapter 74: Wanting to Return to Nuoding City

The next morning, as the warm rays of the sun filtered into the room, Lu Yuan slowly awoke, feeling a pair of slender arms firmly wrapped around his neck. Instantly, he recognized the familiar silky sensation pressing against his nose, infused with the musky scent he knew all too well.

When he half-opened his eyes, he found Hu Liena hugging him tightly, just as he had imagined. However, what was this peculiar sleeping position?

Hu Liena's body was turned to the other side, and her arms were stretched over his head, encircling his neck from behind, causing his nose to be pressed against her head. In addition, her waist was bent in a curve that allowed her legs to intertwine with his.

Seeing this scene, Lu Yuan's face couldn't help but darken. 'How can this girl sleep like this?'

He tried to gently free himself, but he quickly realized that the naughty girl wouldn't let go easily. So, with a mischievous smile, he slid his hand down to Hu Liena's smooth abdomen, covered in white pajamas, and began to tickle her.

"Hehe... Noo... Stop..." protested Hu Liena, wiggling back and forth while emitting giggles and mumbles. Despite her struggle, she stubbornly refused to release her grip on Lu Yuan's neck.

'Plan B,' Lu Yuan thought, before moving his hand to Hu Liena's armpits, causing her to let out a squeal and wake up with a start.

They both looked at each other, and Lu Yuan immediately burst into laughter, which caused Hu Liena to blush in embarrassment and look at him in mock aggravation.

"Stinky, I was having a good sleep, you know? You can't wake up a lady like that..."

"A lady wouldn't sleep like that in the first place, would she?" replied Lu Yuan shamelessly.

"...." Hu Liena rolled her eyes. They had bantered like this many times before, and she knew it was impossible to beat her younger brother's shamelessness.

In truth, this was a rather usual scene between them, as if what had happened yesterday had been just a dream forgotten by both of them. The only difference now was...

*Smooch*

Hu Liena shifted gently and proceeded to affectionately kiss Lu Yuan's lips. A sweet, shy voice emerged from her pink lips the next moment, "Good morning, Xiao Yuan~"

"Nana..." Lu Yuan caressed her cheeks tenderly before embracing her, this time holding her waist as she nestled her face in his chest.

...

Stretching lazily after a while, Hu Liena moaned, "I still don't want to get up... Xiao Yuan, let's sleep some more."

Lu Yuan heard her spoiled tone and replied, "You can keep sleeping if you want to."

The year was coming to an end, and Hu Liena wasn't required to attend the Spirit Academy during this period, although she still went regularly for her training at the Academy's Mimesis Training Ground.

There was no immediate response from Hu Liena, which made Lu Yuan glance at her and realize that she had already drifted back to sleep.

With a fond smile, he carefully tucked her in and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead before quietly leaving the room to tidy himself up in another room.

Now that he and Hu Liena were officially together, Lu Yuan felt that he should clear things up with Qian Renxue as soon as possible.

While his Pure Qi Sutra helped him resist his sexual desires, over time, he knew that his emotions could become more chaotic and challenging to control.

The influences Lu Yuan had to endure were indeed diverse. Starting with his Second Martial Soul, the God-slaying Dragon Spear. Despite not having used it again, the spear did not fail to affect him in subtle ways.

Normally, he could handle it, but under the temptation that was Hu Liena, the lustful thoughts emanating from the spear were instantly amplified, making it challenging to maintain self-control.

Furthermore, his Golden Dragon Martial Soul and the Golden Dragon bloodline also contributed to the mix. The inherent nature of dragons being lustful was a fact, and ever since obtaining the bloodline, Lu Yuan began to feel its influence more keenly.

Being bombarded by so many influences from different fronts, Lu Yuan knew that it was only a matter of time before he might falter.

What would happen if he slacked off for a moment and could not control himself in time, causing the fire burning inside him to become uncontrollable?

What Hu Liena had thought of earlier, Lu Yuan had naturally considered as well.

He knew that it was necessary to talk things over with Qian Renxue before advancing a step further with Hu Liena.

Otherwise, let alone whether Qian Renxue would accept it or not, it was hard to say that she would not attack Hu Liena on sight.

Lu Yuan understood that Hu Liena might think the only current problem was their relationship with him, but he was aware of Qian Renxue's deeper feelings about her.

Hu Liena had what she had always longed for – Bibi Dong's affection.

To say that Qian Renxue hated her for having what she did not was perhaps excessive, but it was certain that the feelings were not positive.

Now, what would happen if Hu Liena also messed with her man behind her back? The mere thought of this gave Lu Yuan chills.

He knew he had to handle this situation carefully; he didn't want things to get out of control by being reckless.

'I need to go out,' Lu Yuan resolved as he came out from taking a bath, his mind already devising a plan.

It was necessary for him to find Qian Renxue in the Heaven Dou Empire, but telling Bibi Dong directly might be too abrupt. He felt that his Teacher was not yet ready for him to touch that topic directly.

He had gotten to know Bibi Dong very well during this time, despite her cold and majestic demeanor to others, she was emotionally sensitive and, in some aspects, quite clumsy. If he mentioned that he intended to visit Qian Renxue, she might misconstrue it as dissatisfaction with his stay at the Supreme Pontiff Palace, even if that thought was unfounded.

Lu Yuan held Bibi Dong in high regard, considering her someone very special, and that made it even more crucial to handle the situation delicately and depart without filling her with bitterness in the process.

'How about I go back to my hometown first? Huh? That actually sounds like a good idea!' Lu Yuan nodded to himself as he thought about this plan. As long as he traveled to the Heaven Dou Empire, he could take a detour to visit Qian Renxue. Besides, he would have a chance to see his father and the mischievous bunny again, and in this way, he would avoid discomforting Bibi Dong.

He would kill many birds with one stone!

Having finished tidying up, Lu Yuan left the room and was about to head towards the Supreme Pontiff's Hall when he heard a voice from behind.

"Xiao Yuan, where are you going so early?" Hu Liena wiped the corners of her eyes as she asked him curiously. Why not stay cuddled up in bed instead?

"I'm just going to see Teacher," Lu Yuan replied with a warm smile, turning to look at her.

"To see Teacher? I'm coming with you!" Hu Liena sat up in bed immediately, as if her sleep had completely disappeared, though a yawn still came out of her mouth.

Lu Yuan was about to say something when his eyes strayed to Hu Liena's lips, causing him to change his words with a wry smile, "I don't think you should come with me to see Teacher…"

"Eh? I want to see Teacher too! Even if you don't want me to, I'll go!" Hu Liena was still half-asleep and didn't notice Lu Yuan's expression. Hearing that he didn't want her to go, her stubborn side surfaced.

She immediately got up and threw herself towards Lu Yuan's back, entwining her arms around his neck and wrapping her legs around his waist.

"Hehe..." A triumphant giggle escaped her lips as she playfully bit his shoulder.

'This girl... I clearly said it so she could avoid embarrassing herself in front of Teacher, now she can't blame me,' Lu Yuan thought with a twitching brow.

"As you wish, Nana. Then let's go," Lu Yuan said as he prepared to leave the room with Hu Liena, still in her pajamas, on his back. His hands gripped her legs tightly, preventing her from getting off even if she wanted to.

Realizing that she was still in her pajamas, Hu Liena quickly struggled and spoke in embarrassment.

"No, Xiao Yuan, wait, put me down! Let me change first, you smelly!"

...

Later on, in the Supreme Pontiff's Hall.

"Do you want to go back to Nuoding City?" Bibi Dong looked at the teenager in front of her with emotion in her eyes. Lu Yuan had quickly grown into a handsome, talented, and caring young man with wisdom that far surpassed others.

At her side, Hu Liena hugged Bibi Dong's arm, and upon hearing that Lu Yuan wanted to return to Nuoding City, she quickly raised her head to look him straight in the eyes.

If Lu Yuan knew Hu Liena the best, it could be said that she certainly knew him the best as well.

He wanted to return to his home just a day after confirming their relationship; how could she not know what he was planning?

'Silly, was this the reason you didn't want me to come? Do you want to arrange things on your own?' Hu Liena pouted slightly, but her heart was full of joy.

She was aware that Lu Yuan's haste to settle matters with Qian Renxue was partly due to her.

Seeing Hu Liena's look and pout, Lu Yuan knew that she had already guessed his plans, so he acted as if he hadn't noticed and replied to Bibi Dong, "Yes, Teacher, it's been about three years since I've seen my father, and I miss him in my heart."

"In that case, you can go; I'll have someone accompany you on the way," Bibi Dong said after a brief moment of thought. She knew Lu Yuan cared about his loved ones, so his desire to see his stepfather again wasn't strange to her.

"Thank you, Teacher!" Lu Yuan felt happy in his heart. It seemed that Bibi Dong didn't suspect anything.

'Now I just have to talk to Nana and explain-'

"Teacher, I'm also curious about Younger Brother's hometown. Can I go with him to see it?" Hu Liena's words cut through Lu Yuan's thoughts.

Bibi Dong pondered for a moment. Her disciple was currently on vacation, and the trip should not significantly affect her cultivation. Furthermore, it would be preferable for her to accompany her younger brother; otherwise, her disciple would be depressed all day, which would be counterproductive.

"Alright, then Nana will accompany Xiao Yuan on this trip," Bibi Dong agreed.

"Thank you, Teacher!" Hu Liena inwardly celebrated and then turned to look at Lu Yuan with a look that said, 'Don't even think of leaving me behind!'

Although she appreciated Lu Yuan's desire to settle things with Qian Renxue without involving her, she was not the type to hide and let him handle everything. She desired to face the situation alongside him.

Besides, meeting Lu Yuan's stepfather was a chance to leave a good impression on him. Hu Liena thought that she could also introduce herself as his woman!

She was ecstatic about this!

Lu Yuan's face stiffened slightly before a soft sigh escaped his lips. He had underestimated his Big Sister's reaction.

The reason he wanted to go alone was that he was certain Qian Renxue would not react well to Hu Liena's presence.

Hu Liena's reputation as a disciple of Bibi Dong was also well-known in high-ranking circles, so even if the risk was small, he did not want to endanger Qian Renxue's mission.

That's why he had thought of meeting Qian Renxue first and calming the waters before letting the two of them meet face to face.

But since things had gotten to this point, he would have to plan something along the way.

"You don't have a problem with bringing Nana, Xiao Yuan?" Bibi Dong asked, hearing his soft sigh.

"No, of course not. I'm very happy for my Big Sister to come and take a look at my hometown," Lu Yuan replied, though inwardly he knew that handling the matter with Qian Renxue would be better done alone. However, the thought of Hu Liena visiting his hometown with him still filled him with joy.

"Hehe, then I'll trouble Younger Brother," Hu Liena said with a chuckle.

"Xiao Yuan, when you return to Nuoding City, try to take your Big Sister to see many places. After all, you're more familiar there, and you also know that your Big Sister rarely goes out, so have fun together," Bibi Dong suggested with a faint smile.

"Yes, Teacher!" Lu Yuan replied. Hu Liena had not gone out anywhere other than the Academy and when she went hunting to obtain her Spirit Ring in the past few years. This fact erased any gloomy thoughts he had.

He had previously thought of traveling to Nuoding City as a cover for his true intention, so he had not given it much thought. Now, he saw the trip as an opportunity to spend quality time with his partner.

Hu Liena silently wrinkled her pretty nose at him and smiled, saying nothing but expressing her delight.

Lu Yuan noticed her gesture and couldn't help but fix his gaze on her lips for a moment. After clearing his throat, he politely bid Bibi Dong farewell, saying, "Ahem, Teacher, then I'll go back and make preparations first."

Since he would be returning to his hometown, he planned to meet with his former classmates and bring various things back. In addition, he intended to have his stepfather taste the specialties of Spirit City.

"Go ahead," Bibi Dong replied, waving her hand.

Before leaving, Lu Yuan shot one last glance at Hu Liena and almost burst out laughing. Then, he continued on his way.

Hu Liena was puzzled, why did her stinky younger brother seem to want to laugh at her after giving her a look?

Had she not washed her face properly as she hurriedly tidied herself?

'Come to think of it, I didn't see myself in the mirror before I went out, Ah! Now I'm anxious!' she thought in panic, 'I'd better go after Xiao Yuan and...'

Bibi Dong looked at Lu Yuan's back as he walked away, then turned her gaze to Hu Liena and asked curiously, "Nana, a while ago, I noticed that your lips were a little red and swollen, what happened to you?"

Hearing this, Hu Liena abruptly snapped out of her thoughts and instantly understood the reason behind Lu Yuan's gaze. She felt her face immediately turn bright red with embarrassment!