Nonsense! How could my adopted son be a villain?

The little incident involving Dongyang Li was quickly resolved, and in the end, Xu Lingguang hugged Amei and Muyun together.

Mu Yun was very satisfied and squeezed next to it, chattering away as she introduced it to her best friend, Xu Lingguang.

Have you ever eaten lychee cake?

"It's fragrant, sweet, soft, and fluffy; you can't find it anywhere else. Only Xu Lingguang knows how to make it!"

"There's also lychee rice wine, which tastes sweet, and if you drink too much, you'll feel a little dizzy, but you'll sleep very soundly."

"And fried dried fish! It's perfect for chewing on your teeth, crispy and crumbly."

He listed a whole bunch of delicious food and drinks, and Amei, perhaps tempted, slowly wriggled a little.

Dongyang Li, who was walking behind, kept peeking out and finally couldn't help but ask Xu Lingguang, "You're such a good cook!"

He hesitated, wanting to ask what lychee cake was, but then worried that he might look like Mu Yun, who was also greedy. So, he rolled his eyes and pointed at Chai Feng, saying, "He's been wanting to cook lately. If you have time, teach him how to make lychee cake!"

Xu Lingguang looked at Chai Feng: "Huh?"

Chai Feng glanced at Dongyang Li expressionlessly, his eyes cold.

Dongyang shrank back, but quickly regained his confidence and put his arm around Xu Lingguang's shoulder: "After the matter in Fengling City is resolved, you can go to Lihuo City for a few days. I'll treat you, and you can also teach Chai Feng. He's always wanted to learn to cook, but he's too embarrassed to ask others to teach him. You don't have to be a stranger to him."

Hearing how clearly he had arranged things for Chai Feng, Xu Lingguang couldn't help but glance at Chai Feng again and again: "Really?"

Chai Feng remained silent.

Dongyang Li glared at him intently.

Chai Feng nodded reluctantly: "If it won't be too much trouble for you."

Xu Lingguang shook his head: "No trouble at all."

Dongyang Li was overjoyed at his successful scheme. He put his arm around Xu Lingguang's shoulder and chatted intimately with him about his special skills.

As he got into the conversation, he suddenly felt a chill run through his body. He paused for a moment, his eyes darting around, and then he met Lan Jian's icy gaze.

Lan Jian stared at him coldly, her light-colored eyes filled with an overwhelming frost that sent a shiver down Dong Yangli's spine.

He thought about it and realized that he hadn't offended this person at the moment, so why should he look at him so closely?

So he pretended not to notice and casually looked away to continue talking to Xu Lingguang.

Lan Jian: "..."

He pursed his lips and glanced at Xu Lingguang again.

This was the first time he had ever seen Xu Lingguang be so lively when interacting with strangers.

Why wasn't he this energetic when we were in the Ailao Mountains?

No, Xu Lingguang seems to be just as relaxed and lively when he's with the cubs, but he's more reserved and polite when he's with me.

Lan Jian remembered that he had just called her "senior".

He frowned in confusion, wondering if he was really that old.

Perhaps it was his resentful gaze that finally caught Xu Lingguang's attention, who had been pestering Dongyang Li with endless chatter. Out of politeness, he asked, "Is there anything you need me to do, Senior?"

Lan Jian: "..."

He pursed his lips and said, "My name is Chongxue."

This was the clan name he used when he was young, just like Yu Rong and Yun Feng, a nickname given to him by his relatives.

Once they reach adulthood, if they are not satisfied with their clan name, they can choose a formal name for themselves.

His original intention was for Xu Lingguang to call him by his name.

Xu Lingguang responded with an "Oh," and said, "So it's Senior Chongxue."

"Is there anything I can help you with, Senior Chongxue?"

Lan Jian: "……………………"

He pursed his lips, a hint of displeasure in his voice, and said coldly, "Where are you going next? I want to take A...Mei away as soon as possible. When can we see Qin Long?"

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Dongyang Li: "This is not a place for idle chatter. If you don't have any other plans, it would be better to get going as soon as possible."

Xu Lingguang understood; the big boss thought they were talking too much.

He adopted a serious expression, not revealing his entire plan, but only saying cryptically, "As long as the barrier around Fengling City remains in place, we will be trapped here. Although our cultivation is low, we don't want to sit and wait for our deaths. So we plan to search for the source of these strange vines; perhaps we can find something. As for Qin Long, he has returned to the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor and will probably not join us for a while."

"If you are in a hurry, we can return to the Beast Manor to find him after we have finished exploring this place."

Xu Lingguang organized his thoughts, but seeing that Chongxue remained silent with a cold face, he mustered his courage and tentatively asked, "Senior Chongxue's cultivation is profound. Do you have any clues about breaking the barrier?"

Lan Jian sensed his probing and became even more displeased.

But seeing Xu Lingguang's cautious expression, she felt that she couldn't blame him.

He doesn't even know who he is.

I wish I hadn't used this identity!

Lan Jian was a little annoyed, but now he was in a bind, so he could only say, "I haven't figured out this barrier yet, but I do know something about the origin of these vines."

Xu Lingguang was delighted: "Do you know Senior Chongxue?"

Lan Jian said, "If I'm not mistaken, this should be a flowering vine."

what?

Xu Lingguang blinked, and the expectant look on his face unconsciously faded a little.

They already know that.

Lan Jian pursed her lips and said, "This flowering vine is quite special. As far as I know, it was planted by a Qilin. The flowering vine has a long lifespan. It neither flowers nor bears fruit, but it can continue to grow as long as the environment is suitable."

"But there is a legend that says the blood of a Qilin can help the Flower-Turning Vine bloom. When it blooms, the Flower-Turning Vine turns snow-white, and its branches are covered with small yellow flowers. The flowers bloom for seven days and then fall like shattered stars. After the flowers wither, the Flower-Turning Vine will bear a fruit called Shattered Star. Shattered Star has no other effect, but it does not decay and can last for millions of years. If spiritual power is infused into it, the magnificent scene of the Flower-Turning Vine blooming can be recreated."

Xu Lingguang was somewhat surprised: "It sounds like a very beautiful plant."

The unicorn that planted this flowering vine must have harbored a beautiful vision in its heart.

"It's a pity it's turned out like this."

Xu Lingguang sighed and asked, "Since it was planted by the Qilin, how did it end up in Fengling City and turn into this state?"

Lan Jian's expression fell slightly. He glanced at Amei, who was now very quiet in his arms, and said in a light tone, "All things have a spirit. Perhaps this flowering vine came to follow its owner."