Douluo's Soul Power increases by two levels every year

Chapter 291 Return to Heaven

Han Feng wasn't in a hurry to return to the Heavenly Dou Empire. It wasn't that he didn't miss home, but rather that he really didn't know how to face Zhang Lingling in his current state.

The hundred-day journey across the ice plains, coupled with the eighty-one-day volcanic trial, and the brutal training that lasted for more than half a year, had left Han Feng haggard. The eighty-one-day volcanic trial, in particular, had left Han Feng emaciated and showing no trace of his former glory!

A year ago, Han Feng could make half of the female students at Shrek Academy go crazy for him. Now...

He still had his basic physique, but he had become much thinner, and his skin had become extremely pale and even looked sickly because he hadn't seen the sun for more than half a year. The far north was naturally a place of constant wind and snow, where the sun never shone. During the volcanic trial, Han Feng was immersed in lava, and the toxic gas in the crater effectively blocked out the sunlight. Apart from the firelight, there was no distinction between day and night!

Han Feng now looks like a stick; he could be blown away with a single breath!

Although Han Feng wasn't one to judge by appearances, he decided to make a change so as not to worry Zhang Lingling. Han Feng didn't need to worry about Han Dang; there wasn't much pretense between men. As long as Han Feng displayed his soul power, Han Dang naturally wouldn't ask too many questions.

But Zhang Lingling is different. For Zhang Lingling, soul power, strength, and cultivation are all trivial matters. As long as she sees that she has lost weight, she will definitely give her a long lecture.

Therefore, Han Feng did not return to Tiandou City until two months later.

Inside Tiandou City, no one recognized Han Feng. Firstly, the city was so large that not everyone had seen him before. Secondly, Han Feng himself had changed a lot. He had obviously grown taller, was wearing a large trench coat that covered half of his face, and his hair was curled up by the lava. He was a completely different person from when he left!

Han Feng did not return to his Earl's mansion immediately.

In fact, the Earl's mansion that Xueye gave him was never lived in. Han Dang and his family of three did not like to use servants. The huge Earl's mansion would seem a bit lonely if only three people lived there, so they simply lived in Shrek Academy. Although it was much smaller, it had the feel of home.

It wasn't just Han Feng; Ma Hongjun and Oscar were in the same situation. Their once-prosperous Earl's Mansion had been turned into one of the three most famous haunted houses in Tiandou City.

Han Feng went directly to Shrek Academy.

Shrek Academy remained unchanged. More than two hundred days in half a year were not enough to change the popularity of this student in Tiandou City. Han Feng also saw many familiar faces among the students who passed by.

However, they did not recognize Han Feng. This was due not only to the change in Han Feng's appearance but also to the influence of his overall demeanor.

For over two hundred days, Han Feng had been mostly alone. Even the most optimistic person would develop some solitary habits from prolonged solitude. Han Feng now subtly exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay, causing the other students to subconsciously stay away from him.

Fortunately, someone eventually recognized Han Feng.

"Han Feng!?" The master's distinctive voice rang out behind Han Feng, tentatively asking, "Is that you?"

Han Feng turned around and saw that the master was still the same as before, simple, clean and low-key. However, the bitter and resentful look between his brows had dissipated a lot. He didn't know if it was because his relationship with Liu Erlong had progressed or because his ambition had been realized.

"Who else could it be but me!?" Han Feng chuckled and retorted, then teased, "Master, you're still so carefree! I bet the Dean is getting tired of paying you a salary, isn't he?"

That's right!

As long as Tang San isn't around, Grandmaster is a bit too leisurely. He spends his days either doing research or wandering around aimlessly. Grandmaster hasn't become the National Preceptor of the Heaven Dou Empire yet, and ordinary students can't withstand his training, nor are they worth his training. Grandmaster himself doesn't need to cultivate, so he's naturally very relaxed!

Poor Flanders, that miser, still has to pay the master a salary; it's absolutely cruel!

Hearing Han Feng's teasing, the master gave a stiff smile, glanced at Han Feng, and then, without trying to keep him any longer, said, "Since you're back, go home and visit your family!"

"Absolutely! I'll visit you and Teacher Erlong again later!" Han Feng grinned, waved goodbye to the master, and ran excitedly towards the inner courtyard.

As the saying goes, the closer one gets to home, the more timid one becomes. After rushing into the inner courtyard, Han Feng became nervous, especially when he approached Zhang Lingling and Han Dang's residence. With his Soul King-level blood energy and keen hearing, he clearly heard Zhang Lingling and Han Dang talking about him!

Like a thief, Han Feng silently climbed onto his own wall and peered furtively into the house. He even activated his Supreme Isolation Domain to block out any unusual activity around him.

Good heavens, if the God of Defense knew that Han Feng was using his Supreme Defense Isolation Domain to eavesdrop on his parents, I wonder what he would think.

Han Dang and Zhang Lingling were eating. Han Dang was enjoying his meal, but Zhang Lingling looked worried. Seeing Han Dang eating so heartily, she glared at him and scolded, "Eat, eat, eat! All you ever think about is eating! I wonder how Xiao Feng is doing out there training!"

Han Dang's movements visibly stiffened; he wanted to persuade Zhang Lingling, but dared not speak.

This has become a daily occurrence. Every time she eats, Zhang Lingling thinks of Han Feng, fearing that he might not be well-fed or warmly dressed while he's away from home.

Han Dangdang was also worried about that brat, but Han Dang knew that as a man, he should have ambitions beyond his hometown, but he didn't dare to say that to Zhang Lingling.

If Han Feng were here, it would be fine, but without him, Han Dang's family status clearly wouldn't give him enough courage to stand up to Zhang Lingling.

Thinking of this, Han Dang felt a pang of sorrow in his heart—less than a year had passed, and if Han Feng didn't come back in two more years, Zhang Lingling would probably kick him out!

"You men are really something! What's so good about cultivation? If you ask me, the important thing is for Xiaofeng to marry Rongrong and give me two good grandsons!" Zhang Lingling said with a worried look in her eyes.

"Cough cough!" Han Feng coughed violently twice on the wall. Luckily, he used the Supreme Defense Isolation Domain, otherwise he would have been exposed by now!

Zhang Lingling would never say such things to Han Feng's face. In front of Han Feng, if he wanted to cultivate, Zhang Lingling always supported him. It was only in front of Han Dang that Zhang Lingling would complain a little.

Therefore, Han Feng only realized now that his own mother was so eager for him to get married!

Han Dang seemed taken aback by Zhang Lingling's words; his eye twitched, and he said awkwardly, "They're still young!"

"Heh!" Zhang Lingling chuckled coldly, staring intently at Han Dang. Her face, though nearing fifty, was still wrinkle-free, and filled with a mocking expression. She said meaningfully, "Rongrong is already fifteen! Not a child anymore! I was only seventeen back then, and you still went for it!"

"Ahem! This happened so many years ago, why bring it up!" After Zhang Lingling finished speaking, Han Dang blushed, coughed awkwardly twice, and said in a tone that was tough on the outside but weak on the inside.

It's just that Han Dang is afraid of his wife; otherwise, he would definitely say that it's hard to say who laid a hand on whom back then!

Han Feng, standing outside, widened his eyes, silently jumped down, and returned to his front door. Instead of going in directly, he shut down his senses and waited quietly.

Han Feng realized that the elderly couple's next conversation was probably not something he could overhear.

About fifteen minutes later, Han Feng carefully unsealed his hearing and breathed a sigh of relief after learning that the conversation inside the house had returned to normal. He then knocked on his own door.

"Coming!" Zhang Lingling heard a knock at the door, and a sudden flutter of emotion stirred within her. Without giving it much thought, she opened the door as usual. But the figure before her made her tremble. She stood frozen for two breaths before joy welled up in her eyes, tears streaming down her face. She hugged the person tightly, her voice trembling, "Xiao Feng! You're back!"

Hearing the noise at the door, Han Dang frowned. When he walked to the door and saw Han Feng, a stern look flashed across his face, but he didn't react because Zhang Lingling was there.

On the other side, Zhang Lingling frowned, glared at Han Feng reproachfully, and scolded, "How come you've lost so much weight?! I've told you, even when you're traveling, you can't neglect yourself..."

Zhang Lingling kept talking, while Han Feng listened with a forced smile, secretly feeling lucky.

Luckily, I was smart enough not to rush back, and at least I managed to recover some of my losses. If Zhang Lingling saw me two months ago, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to get past her without a long lecture.

After a long pause, Zhang Lingling realized that Han Feng didn't like hearing this, so she quickly said, "Xiao Feng, wait a moment, Mom will go and prepare something to eat for you!"

Zhang Lingling also felt that Han Feng must be starving outside, so she turned around and ran into the kitchen to get busy.

After Zhang Lingling left, Han Dang didn't let Han Feng into the house. Instead, he stared at Han Feng with an extremely sharp gaze and asked, word by word, "Why are you back so soon!?"

Han Dang and Zhang Lingling are a typical pair of loving mother and strict father. It's just that Han Dang can't show his strictness in front of Zhang Lingling. Now that Zhang Lingling is not around, Han Dang naturally has to seize the time to urge Han Feng on.

Han Dang asked this question because he was worried that Han Feng would not be able to withstand the storms outside, lose his composure, and want to hide at home like a coward.

Han Feng knew exactly what his father was thinking. He gave a wry smile and said nothing more. He simply revealed his five extraordinary soul rings, displaying his level 55 soul power, and then said, "Dad! Don't worry! I'm not that fragile. I'm only back to take care of some things!"

Upon seeing the five terrifying spirit rings behind Han Feng, Han Dang was startled, and all traces of fierceness vanished from his face!

Han Feng didn't want to frighten his elderly father, so he quickly withdrew his aura, and his five soul rings disappeared in an instant.

Zhang Lingling sensed the power fluctuations emanating from Han Feng and rushed out nervously. When she saw Han Feng and Han Dang standing facing each other, she immediately knew what had happened between the father and son, and couldn't help but glare at Han Dang.

But Zhang Lingling didn't say anything. Regarding Han Feng's cultivation, Zhang Lingling always followed Han Dang's opinion.

Zhang Lingling has a clear understanding of herself. At most, she might complain a little to Han Dang, but she would never affect Han Feng's future and ambitions!

(End of this chapter)