Chapter 77: Passing Through the Heaven Dou Empire

"You're exaggerating, Grandpa Crocodile." Even with his thick skin, Lu Yuan couldn't help but feel embarrassed by Golden Crocodile's words.

"Come on, you deserve it! The old me would not have started spewing nonsense." Golden Crocodile Douluo laughed.

"Alright, then!" Bibi Dong's voice rang out, "Since everything is ready, it's time to go. I'll entrust Xiao Yuan and Nana to you, Second Worship."

"Leave them to me!" Golden Crocodile gave a nod.

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's worries eased. Golden Crocodile was a peak 98th-Ranked Super Douluo. Apart from the three Extreme Douluo and Bibi Dong herself, there were hardly any opponents who could match him. Even the current Tang Hao was no match for him.

Unless Tang Hao's injuries were completely healed, he might be able to put up a fight with the help of the Great Sumer Hammer and Exploding Ring. Otherwise, encountering Golden Crocodile would be equivalent to seeking death.

Thus, with Golden Crocodile as their guardian, Lu Yuan and Hu Liena's journey became as steady as a mountain.

Lu Yuan and Hu Liena boarded the carriage, and without arranging for a coachman, Golden Crocodile directly assumed the role.

Under Bibi Dong's watchful gaze, Lu Yuan and Hu Liena waved their goodbyes before the carriage started moving.

The carriage rolled out of Spirit City, and unlike his previous journey, Lu Yuan wasn't accompanied by Xu Fei's continuous chatter. This time, he wasn't in a hurry either.

This was because he had Hu Liena with him.

Speaking of Hu Liena, she had spent most of her life in Spirit City, rarely venturing out except for her time at the Genius Training Camp and Spirit Academy. Naturally, she was quite curious about the outside world.

Observing Hu Liena's restless manner, with a slightly pouted expression, Lu Yuan asked her in an innocent tone, "Big Sister, what's wrong? Are you already missing Teacher?"

Hu Liena let out an annoyed snort upon hearing his words.

Miss her Teacher? While it was true that she felt a bit sentimental about being away from her for so long for the first time, that was clearly not the source of her current discomfort.

The actual reason was something her younger brother was well aware of – the mark he had left on her lower half itched!

That rogue had shown no restraint at all!

Seeing her like this, Lu Yuan chuckled and reached out to pinch her cheek, "You silly girl, did you really think your younger brother wouldn't take care of you?"

"Come here..." Gently guiding her head, Lu Yuan positioned her on his lap, causing the discomfort to instantly subside.

Hu Liena felt her heart warm at her younger brother's actions, and her earlier foul mood seemed to dissipate as if it had never existed.

Discomfort? What discomfort? If that meant receiving special attention from her younger brother, she didn't mind enduring the itch a bit longer!

She wanted her younger brother to pamper her more, so a cunning thought crossed her mind. She turned to him, her eyes brimming with mist, giving her an utterly pitiful look, "Younger brother, younger brother, your big sister has never left home before. This time, I'll have to trouble you to tell me stories about the places you know. Will you do that for me?"

As Lu Yuan looked at her pitiful expression, the corner of his mouth twitched. 'This little fox is taking full advantage of me.'

But with those beautiful eyes looking at him expectantly, Lu Yuan resisted the urge to pinch her cheek again and began softly narrating various stories. Meanwhile, his hands gently stroked her short blonde hair.

Lu Yuan had been completely defeated. He couldn't bear Hu Liena's pitying gaze!

A trace of triumph glinted in Hu Liena's eyes, and she discreetly formed a victory sign with her fingers. Satisfied, she snuggled closer to him, adjusted herself on his lap, and prepared to listen to his stories.

They were soon on the well-paved road to the Heaven Dou Empire after leaving Spirit City.

Lu Yuan continued to tell stories from the time they set out in the early morning almost until the sun set, and by then, they had already reached the border of the Heaven Dou Empire.

From the border of the Heaven Dou Empire to Heaven Dou City would take just over a day's time.

...

Basking in the warm glow of the setting sun, a carriage sped along toward the border.

At the empire's border, there were restricted time periods for passage. Even though individuals of Lu Yuan's status could still enter even if they missed the designated time, it would undoubtedly cause quite a commotion, potentially exposing their identities.

The initial plan for Lu Yuan's group was to maintain a low profile.

After a full day of travel, Hu Liena succumbed to a deep slumber on Lu Yuan's lap.

Her delicate arms wrapped around his waist, while her pretty face nestled against his stomach, creating a soft, rhythmic pattern of quiet breathing.

A small droplet of saliva escaped from the corner of her lips, dampening a tiny section of Lu Yuan's clothing.

Having shared a bed for three years, no one knew Hu Liena's sleeping habits better than Lu Yuan.

It was typical for her to shift positions during the night, often assuming rather peculiar poses. Whenever Lu Yuan noticed this, he would gently readjust her and recover her with the blanket, although he frequently had to retrieve it from the floor first.

Sometimes, in her drowsy state after morning cultivation, her Martial Soul would unintentionally manifest, and her long fox tail might even coil around him.

However, her current sleeping position was relatively reserved. It seemed that she subconsciously understood that it wasn't just the two of them present.

While tenderly caressing her cheeks, Lu Yuan took his time to appreciate her features. Her graceful eyebrows and fair, jade-like complexion appeared even more exquisite in her slumber. When she didn't use her enchanting abilities, as she is now, she exuded an additional touch of innocence, enhancing her already captivating allure. Furthermore, her slightly tousled hair gave her a languid and appealing aura, making her truly beautiful at this moment.

Despite spending three years together and seeing each other every day, Lu Yuan had never grown tired of this view.

As the border of the Heaven Dou Empire drew closer, Golden Crocodile's head appeared inside the carriage. "Xiao Yuan, we're approaching the border of the Heaven Dou Empire."

As he spoke, his gaze briefly lingered on the sight of Hu Liena, nestled against Lu Yuan's waist in her slumber. Considering her coquettish behavior and pampered demeanor during the journey, combined with her current intimate posture, labeling it merely as "ambiguous" would be a vast understatement. A trace of distaste flickered in Golden Crocodile's eyes. In his perspective, his disciple and Xiao Xue were a match truly destined, a match made in heaven! While Hu Liena possessed decent talent, it fell far short of being comparable to Qian Renxue's.

His mind began to whirl with various thoughts…