BTTH: The More Children I Have The Stronger I Become

Her last visit had likely been a moment of weakness. A single reckless night.

But it had left a fire in his heart that he couldn't extinguish.

That taste of intimacy… once experienced, it couldn't be forgotten.

Now, trying to return to calm cultivation felt almost torturous.

Restless, Ye Chen glanced at the portrait of Yun Yun on his bedside table.

Her lifelike image smiled at him, ethereal and pure.

But that only made his chest tighten more.

"No. I need to calm down."

He took a deep breath and sat back down.

"If I keep letting myself be distracted, I'll never make progress."

Then he thought of something: The Thunderbolt Spear Technique.

If anything could focus him—it was training.

He began visualizing the spear forms in his mind, step by step.

Stab. Slash. Spin. Charge.

Gradually, his mind cleared. After half an hour, he exhaled deeply, his body and thoughts finally at peace.

"Only with Teacher Yun Yun watching over me can I remain focused," he whispered, glancing once more at her portrait.

Then, he stood.

After a day of intense cultivation, his body was sticky and uncomfortable. He hated that feeling.

He left to take a hot bath. When he returned, clean and refreshed, he changed into new clothes and resumed cultivation—this time calmer, more composed.

He placed the half-absorbed magic core back in his palm and closed his eyes.

And once again, silence filled the room.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the room, Ye Chen sat cross-legged on a soft couch, tightly gripping a third-rank magic core.

Threads of energy slowly surged into his body, refining and merging into his dantian. The magic core in his hand had already shrunk significantly—it was the second one he had absorbed this week.

Boom!

Suddenly, a muffled sound echoed from within him. His aura surged dramatically.

Three-Star Dou Practitioner!

Ye Chen's eyes snapped open, gleaming with excitement.

"At this rate, I'll reach the Da Dou Shi level in no time."

In just seven days, he had broken through two minor levels. If anyone else knew, they'd be shocked speechless.

He stood up and looked toward the portrait of Yun Yun hanging beside his bed. A feeling of respect rose in his heart.

Without her silent presence… without her guidance… he wouldn't be here today.

In the past week, with her image watching over him, he had suppressed every stray thought and focused entirely on cultivation and spear practice. He bowed silently to the portrait.

Chen'er."

A soft voice called out.

"Huh?" Ye Chen blinked. "That sounded like... Teacher?"

He glanced at Yun Yun's portrait again and muttered, "Am I hearing things?"

Knock knock knock!

A few moments later, the door was knocked.

"Chen'er, open the door—it's me," Yun Yun's voice came clearly from outside.

Ye Chen's heart jumped. "It really is her!"

He quickly opened the door.

Yun Yun stood there, draped in white robes, her long black hair flowing like a waterfall down her waist.

She looked ethereal, serene, like a flower spirit untouched by the dust of the world.

"Teacher, I'm sorry. I was deep in cultivation and didn't hear you at first," Ye Chen apologized quickly. "Please, come inside."

Yun Yun nodded with a gentle smile and stepped into the room.

The moment she entered, her nose twitched slightly.

"Hmm? What's this smell?" She glanced around and then looked at Ye Chen suspiciously. "You haven't bathed in days, have you?"

Ye Chen flushed slightly. "Of course not! I bathe every day—sometimes even more than once!"

He scratched his head. "It's probably just from my training. I've been sweating a lot."

After awakening the power of the Dragon Elephant Body, he had a near-endless supply of energy.

To keep his mind from wandering—especially after what happened between him and Yanran—he'd trained constantly. Spear practice, sit-ups, anything to stay focused.

Yun Yun gave him a knowing look but didn't press further. She took out a small jade bottle from her ring and handed it to him.

"This is Purple Jade Spirit Liquid. It'll help with your next breakthrough."

"Thank you, Teacher." Ye Chen received it gratefully. "With this, I'm confident I can reach Dou Shi within the week."

She nodded, clearly pleased. Her smile warmed.

"You just focus on cultivating. I'll take care of the rest."

But as her gaze drifted around the room, her expression suddenly changed.

She had noticed something.

"…Chen'er, why is my portrait… hanging right above your bed?"

Her tone was odd, mixed with discomfort and confusion.

Ye Chen froze for a second, heart pounding. He quickly answered, "Teacher, ever since I put your portrait there, I feel like you're watching over me. It helps me focus. I don't dare slack off."

Yun Yun stared at him, eyes unreadable.

After a moment, she softened. "So... my presence helps you work harder, hm?"

He nodded seriously.

She chuckled and walked to the bedside, gently taking the portrait down.

But then—her fingers paused.

"Wait… what is this on the picture?"

There was a faint smudge… something sticky.

Ye Chen's face stiffened. "I-it must be… sweat! From when I was training too close to the bed. Let me clean it!"

He snatched the portrait and turned away awkwardly.

Yun Yun didn't say anything at first. After a brief pause, she simply said, "Alright. Just make sure you keep it safe."

She turned to leave.

---

But as her hand touched the door, Ye Chen called out behind her:

"Wait, Teacher…"

She paused. "What is it?"

Ye Chen hesitated, then took a breath. "I… I really can't take it anymore."

Yun Yun turned slightly. Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Can't take what?"

He gathered his courage and blurted out, "Can you… can you let Junior Sister come see me?"

The room fell into silence.

Yun Yun finally understood.

Her cheeks reddened slightly.

After everything that had happened—the two times she had walked in on them—she had deliberately kept Yanran away from him.

And now… the boy was asking again.

She didn't answer right away.

But there was a flicker in her eyes—an understanding of how deep Ye Chen and Yanran's feelings had grown.

And perhaps, for the first time, she realized… her role was no longer just a teacher.

She was becoming something more to them both.