"Ah, that's nice… Mengdi, keep going..." Qian Ran praised Yu Mengdi's skills with a satisfied tone as she continued her affectionate attentions.
Who would have thought Yu Mengdi could be so proficient?
"Turn around."
How could Qian Ran let Yan'er waste such a good learning opportunity? Seeing Yan'er keeping her back to him in embarrassment, he directly ordered her to turn around.
Blushing deeply, Yan'er could only comply. The sight of Qian Ran's strong, masculine physique stirred feelings of nervousness and desire within her. A part of her even entertained the rebellious thought of vying with Yu Mengdi for his full attention and affection.
But that was only a fleeting notion.
Yan'er understood the unspoken rule of precedence. Besides, Qian Ran hadn't shown any intention of making a move on her.
"All right, that's enough."
After some time had passed, Qian Ran finally had Yu Mengdi stop. In truth, since fusing with the Essence of Life and absorbing numerous rare treasures, Qian Ran's body had become a source of vitality more potent than most natural treasures.
Even his saliva now had minor rejuvenating and healing properties.
After Yu Mengdi's attentive efforts, Qian Ran didn't hesitate to reward her generously with a fortune worth billions.
"Qian Ran?"
Yu Mengdi gazed up at him, her eyes dreamy and filled with affection. Her gentle, longing expression stirred warmth in Qian Ran's heart.
"Don't overwork yourself," Qian Ran said softly, stroking her hair. Yu Mengdi's devotion to him sometimes made him feel guilty.
"I'm not tired," she replied tenderly, her face glowing with a shy smile. She had been prepared for the effort to be exhausting, but it wasn't the case at all.
After Qian Ran absorbed the Essence of Life, the vitality it radiated made everything feel nourishing.
Of course, that wasn't something Yu Mengdi could say out loud.
"Go freshen up. I have something to discuss with you afterward," Qian Ran said, patting her shapely hips lightly.
Yu Mengdi nodded and headed to wash up obediently.
"How much longer are you going to stand there?" Qian Ran asked Yan'er, chuckling. Ever since they entered the room, Yan'er had been standing there like a child caught doing something wrong, unmoving for over half an hour.
With a flick of his hand, Qian Ran pulled Yan'er to stand before him.
"Qian… Qian Ran… I'll do my best to learn," Yan'er stammered, her face flushed as she blurted out something bold.
Watching the intimacy between Qian Ran and Yu Mengdi had stirred a mix of embarrassment and defiance in her. After her initial shyness, she found herself unwilling to be left behind.
"Mm," Qian Ran responded, and Yan'er, emboldened, boldly sat on his lap. Facing him directly, she removed her outer jacket to reveal her inner blouse.
Through the thin fabric, Qian Ran could clearly see the outline of her undergarments. The subtle scent of milk and her natural fragrance filled the air. Yan'er showed off her figure with newfound confidence.
Thanks to Yu Mengdi's earlier actions serving as a form of "teaching," Yan'er wasn't as bold as her teammate but still made an effort to present herself attractively.
Qian Ran didn't hesitate, unbuttoning the top few buttons of Yan'er's pristine white blouse to reveal her figure more fully.
Yan'er's proportions were impressive, likely a solid D-cup.
For a girl of eighteen or nineteen, her figure was already quite developed and balanced. She had all the traits of a naturally stunning young woman.
As Qian Ran undid her buttons, Yan'er's cheeks grew even redder, her bashfulness extending to the tips of her ears. No matter how bold her outward actions seemed, she was still a young girl inexperienced in such matters.
Before things could escalate further, Yu Mengdi returned from the bathroom. Qian Ran shifted focus and began discussing the plans regarding the Spirit Hall with her.
The Spirit Hall was now collaborating with the Star Luo Empire and had become its state religion.
Qian Ran wanted Yu Mengdi's family to oversee the construction of the sect's base and assist with recruitment. This was an unimaginable honor for her family.
Yu Mengdi's clan was a small, insignificant force on the continent. To be entrusted with such a monumental task for the Spirit Hall was entirely due to her connection with Qian Ran.
This only deepened her devotion to him. She felt as though her very heart belonged to him, and she was willing to do anything for him.
After spending the evening with the two women, Qian Ran finally left. Since they were staying in the same hotel, he made sure to give them his room number, telling them they could visit if they missed him.
The moment Qian Ran returned to his room, the Shrek team came to drag him to a meeting. Wang Dong'er and the others, fully rested after a day off, were more energetic than ever.
They couldn't help but marvel at their improved state. Previously, spending intimate time with Qian Ran left them utterly exhausted, sometimes needing days to recover. Even with his help in healing their physical fatigue, the mental exhaustion lingered.
But this time, they felt better than ever after a single night's rest.
This was thanks to the Essence of Life.
Its infusion into Qian Ran's body allowed the women to absorb some of its vitality during their interactions with him. This brought great benefits to their bodies without any side effects.
Wang Yan was already waiting for everyone in the meeting room.
Once everyone had arrived, he spoke in a solemn tone.
"All right, let's begin."
"The final four teams have been decided, and tomorrow the semifinals will commence. We'll be in the first match, followed by the second semifinal later that day. Afterward, there will be a three-day break before the final match. Qian Ran, you must participate in these last two rounds."
The realization hit Qian Ran hard. As he met the disapproving stares of his teammates, he offered an awkward smile. He had been slacking off too much, and now wasn't the time to argue.
Earlier opponents had been too weak for Qian Ran to bother stepping in, but he couldn't afford to be absent now.
The teams that reached the semifinals represented the finest soul masters from each academy, the pinnacle of talent in this world. Qian Ran was eager to test their strength.
"The final four teams are as follows: the Shrek team, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy team from the Sun Moon Empire, the Star Luo National Academy team from the Star Luo Empire, and the Tianhun Imperial Academy team from the Heavenly Soul Empire."
The pre-battle strategy meeting lasted nearly three hours.
The decisive matches were about to begin.
This wasn't just a contest of honor for the four elite academies but also the most significant battles for the participating soul masters. Even with Shrek's confidence in victory, every member felt the weight of the coming fights.
This was their moment of glory. Even Qian Ran felt it.
After all, every team member who shone in the tournament would be highly sought after, no matter where they went. For those entering national service, titles of nobility awaited.
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament had long been a proving ground where nations competed to recruit the brightest talents.
For those who stood out, countless opportunities awaited.
(End of Chapter)