NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Picnic at East Sea Park
Jing Shaoyu's first Spirit Ascension Platform adventure ended successfully. His gains were modest but valuable—a newly advanced hundred-year-old Tusker Boar and a few ten-year-old spirit beasts, which increased Red Fei's cultivation by over a decade. If each visit to the platform yielded similar results, Red Fei would likely evolve into a thousand-year spirit beast within a year.
Instructor Cheng De escorted the seven students back to the academy, while a guest on the top floor of East Sea Spirit Transmission Tower prepared to depart.
"Farewell, Your Grace Tianfeng!" Ji Changming stood in his office, bowing respectfully.
Moments later, he straightened up, the red-haired beauty already gone, leaving him grinning with excitement.
Once back at the academy, Cheng De granted the seven students an early dismissal. After saying goodbye to Xu Xiaoyan, Jing Shaoyu hopped on his bike and headed home.
Jing Shaoyu's bike was a recent purchase by Jing Ziyuan for his school commute—a suggestion from N'er, actually. As for why she suggested it? It was simple: during the first few days of school, Jing Shaoyu was always riding home in Xu Xiaoyan's family car.
He chuckled to himself, wondering how he'd deal with N'er's jealousy as she grew older, seeing as she was already getting possessive at such a young age.
When Jing Shaoyu arrived home, he was surprised to find the city lord Ouyang Jian there.
"Lord City Master! What brings you here?" Jing Shaoyu asked in surprise.
"Haha! I came to see our little genius!" Ouyang Jian grinned, clearly pleased to see him. "So, how's school going? Making any friends?"
"School's great," Jing Shaoyu replied, standing beside Ouyang Jian. "And as for friends, I get along well with Xiaoyan."
"Oh, do you?" Ouyang Jian's eyes gleamed, and he laughed. "That's excellent! Xiaoyan's a good girl; I watched her grow up."
Ouyang Jian's visit had a simple purpose: to build goodwill with Jing Shaoyu by delivering resources to him—officially an academy reward for East Sea City's talented soul masters, though it was clearly Ouyang Jian's personal gesture.
It was a rare hundred-year-old whale balm.
East Sea City, as the second-largest port city along the coast, had a thriving fishing industry, making whale balm—a rare treasure inland—quite common here. While most available whale balm was only ten years old, hundred-year-old balm typically only appeared at auctions. The portion Ouyang Jian brought was of premium quality and quantity, worth no less than 100,000 Federation credits.
After leaving the whale balm and advising Jing Shaoyu to use it sparingly, Ouyang Jian took his leave.
"Brother!" As soon as he was gone, N'er—who'd been waiting impatiently—hurried into Jing Shaoyu's arms, pouting. "I don't like that old man from just now!"
"Huh?" Jing Shaoyu blinked, confused. "Why's that?"
N'er gave an answer that left him both amused and speechless. "Because I feel like he's trying to help Xu Xiaoyan steal you away!"
Speechless, Jing Shaoyu could only marvel at the sharpness of her intuition. From Ouyang Jian's attitude, it was clear he hoped that one day, Jing Shaoyu and Xu Xiaoyan would end up together, which would strengthen Jing Shaoyu's bond to East Sea City. Even if he left in the future, the connection would remain.
"N'er, how about a picnic at East Sea Park tomorrow?" Jing Shaoyu decided to change the subject, grinning.
"East Sea Park? What kind of place is that? Is it fun?" The curiosity in N'er's eyes sparkled.
"It's tons of fun!" Jing Shaoyu promised. "We can even fly kites there!"
"Yes, yes, let's go!" N'er cheered, immediately on board.
When Jing Shaoyu told Jing Ziyuan, she readily agreed.
So, the next morning, the family of four headed to East Sea Park.
East Sea Park, one of East Sea City's landmark attractions, was said to have been around for over a thousand years, predating the city itself. The park boasted a collection of rare and unique plants.
The family found a spot on the park's public lawn. While Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin set up the picnic, Jing Shaoyu took N'er to play.
They had a blast flying kites in the open square, running and laughing together.
"N'er, come catch me!" Jing Shaoyu called, running ahead. Though he slowed down, N'er struggled to keep up.
"Wait for me!" N'er cried, racing after him, her kite string forgotten.
Seeing this, Jing Shaoyu stopped, managing his kite with one hand as he turned to face her, slowly backing up.
"Little boy, walking backward like that is dangerous!" A gentle, slightly flirtatious voice called out as a delicate hand landed on his shoulder.
Jing Shaoyu froze, then took a few steps forward before looking back. Surprised, he realized he'd run into someone after all—though he had been careful to keep an eye out. But how had this person slipped past his senses?
He looked up and found himself captivated. The woman before him was a stunning beauty, with waterfall-like hair flowing down her shoulders. The sunlight cast a golden shimmer over her fiery red locks. Dressed in a form-fitting velvet red gown that accentuated her curves, her light heels lent her tall figure an almost ethereal elegance.
With an air of refined grace tinged with confidence, her eyes sparkled like stars, both bright and profound. Her rosy lips curved into a mesmerizing smile.
Amused by Jing Shaoyu's dazed look, the woman chuckled. "It's impolite to stare at a girl like that, you know."
"Oh, uh, sorry! I didn't mean to, pretty big sister." Jing Shaoyu quickly snapped out of it, apologizing.
Internally, he was on guard. This woman was indeed the most beautiful he'd ever seen in either of his lives, but the prettier the woman, the more cautious one had to be—especially on Douluo Continent.
"Not only are you handsome, but you have a sweet tongue, too." The woman leaned down, playfully pinching his cheek. "Alright, I'll forgive you this time."
"Brother, who's this lady?" Just then, N'er finally caught up, only to see the stunning woman pinching her brother's face. Unhappy, she pushed between them, her innocent eyes filled with curiosity.
"Auntie?" The woman's eyes twitched at N'er's greeting. Although she was indeed not young, being called "auntie" didn't sit well. But she didn't make a fuss, chuckling as she said, "Alright, have fun, kids. Until we meet again!"
With graceful steps, the woman walked away, her figure vanishing as if she'd melted into the sunlight—a sight that left Jing Shaoyu even more wary. Despite not sensing any soul power, the woman's abilities hinted at someone far from ordinary.
"Brother!" N'er, noticing he was still watching the woman leave, pouted in displeasure, her cheeks puffed adorably.
"What's up?" Jing Shaoyu turned, surprised to see her sulking. Smiling, he pinched her puffed-up cheeks, teasing, "Who upset my little N'er? Your cheeks are all puffed like a frog's!"
"I am not!" N'er quickly deflated her cheeks but still seemed upset. "Brother, do you think that 'auntie' was pretty?"
"Of course," Jing Shaoyu replied reflexively. But seeing her eyes begin to glimmer with tears, he quickly added, "But not as pretty as my little N'er! When you grow up, you'll be even more beautiful!"
"She's an 'auntie'!" N'er muttered, mollified but still a little grumpy.
"Yes, yes, an 'auntie'!" Jing Shaoyu laughed to himself. This little girl was so possessive at such a young age—he could only imagine how things would be when she grew up.
The little episode was quickly forgotten, and the family enjoyed a wonderful day at East Sea Park.