Chapter 43: Spirit-Dev Physique

  Transtor: Krukist

  “Master Han, my brot something holding him up— we wait a bit?” Lin Ling’er said sheepishly, hefting a few bags. Han Ya lifted the carriage curtain, nodding with a faint smile grag her stunning face. “No rush. It’s rare I get out—fresh air’s a nice ge.”

  She figured Lin Yu wouldn’t take long.

  Perched at the driver’s seat, an old e with weathered skin eyed Lin Ling’er approvingly. Humble yet gifted, the girl warmed her heart—an old servant to Han Ya, she couldn’t ask for more.

  “Wonder what her brother’s like,” the used. “Picked by Puye for Vice Head of the Dining Pavilion—maybe not top-tier, but among the young, he’s elite. Sed-Grade strength, perhaps?” She tsked, nodding. “He’s barely five years older than Liwo or three shy of the young miss. If he’s sharp, I’d py matchmaker.” A perfect assist, if he proved worthy.

  Ihe spacious carriage—big enough fht, retooled with a table—Han Ya and Lin Ling’er sat across from each other. Han Ya listeo Lin Ling’er’s chatter, her brow creasing.

  “You’re saying your brother touched a Thunder Eel, and it lost its spark in moments? And you felt his spiritual ripples drop by half?”

  Lin Ling’er blinked, unguarded. Beyond Lin Yu and their father, Han Ya ranked highest in her world. “Yeah, the Thunder Eel barely feels like a spirit beast now…” She opened a sack, passing it over.

  Han Ya peeked inside—exactly as described, the eel’s vitality gutted. But she spotted it instantly: its spiritual essence had been siphoned off, not naturally faded. Shock hit her. Abs spirit stones’ energy was standard—Mystic Martialists and Body Fers thrived on it. But draining a livi? Unheard of. A term fshed in her mind: “Spirit-Dev Physique?”

  Only the fabled Spirit-Devourer could sap a spirit beast’s essence. Her hand trembled. Lin Yu’s rumors swirled—hesitating, she almost probed Lin Ling’er, but held back. Lin Ling’er’s bond with him was deep; asking about his physique might spark mistrust. Yet Han Ya buzzed with excitement—she knew what that rare gift meant.

  A quarter-hour passed.

  Lin Yu emerged, scrubbed . Pushing the Heavenly Cloud Body F Art to 20% had oozed impurities across his skin. When Han Ya arrived, he’d cut his training short, rushing to wash off the grime. Now fresh, he climbed aboard.

  B, he caught the e’s odd stare—disapproval? Unease prickled. “Situ ?” he wondered. “Or one of the Seve Houses?”

  Tension spiked. “No way— Shuitian said I’d be safe with him bag me. Not them—”

  Inside, even Han Ya’s look unnerved him. Gone was the m’s admiration—now it was a fevered gleam, like a shopper eyeing a gem. He’d seen that look ih’s dist-crazed aunties.

  “Does she covet me too? Shuitian trusts her—she’s on his side…” Lin Yu scratched his , a wild thought bubbling up. “Wait—is she into me? My looks?”

  He stole a gnce. Han Ya was geous, not much older—surely not *that* ied? Still, if she was…

  Oblivious to his spiraling thoughts, Han Ya wavered before handing him the eel sack, her gaze pierg. “Lin Yu, did you hahis Thunder Eel?”

  His heart jolted. The eel had exposed him—did she suspect his puter? Silence fell, the air growing heavy.

  Lin Ling’er froze, then paears welling as she grabbed Han Ya’s arm. “Master Han, what’s wrong with it? It’s my fault—not Brother’s—”

  Lin Yu shot her a look, f a smile at Han Ya. “Yeah, I touched it. You figured it out?”

  Han Ya nodded, her beauty dazzling. “hought it—Lin Yu, you’re *that* kind of person.”

  He braced. Secrets out—torture ? His mental puter baffled even him—how could he expin it? These Heavenly Sun folks wouldn’t grasp it. With a bitter smirk, he sighed, “I didn’t ask for this. Who’d choose a life adrift over peace?”

  He ruffled Lin Ling’er’s hair. “Master Han, she’s still a kid—you’ll spare her, right?”

  Han Ya blinked, startled. Then it clicked—Lin Yu misuood. Did he think she’d harm him? Realization dawned: he *knew* his own physique.

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