After leaving the bustling, fervent Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, the streets outside were indeed much quieter.
Most people had flocked to watch that rare Spirit Master spectacle, making the Imperial City Main Road, usually packed with crowds, seem somewhat empty at this moment, with only scattered pedestrians and vendors remaining.
Jiang Zhen strolled along the broad, clean stone-paved road with Bi Ji and Zi Ji.
Sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, coating the magnificent city in a warm golden hue.
Zi Ji walked slightly behind them, her deep purple eyes uncontrollably settling on Jiang Zhen's upright back ahead.
For some reason, ever since he had gripped her throat in the Star Dou Great Forest and she had experienced that complex sensation of fear, humiliation, and secret stirring all mixed together, her heart had never been calm again.
During this time, she had even sought Bi Ji out privately several times, awkwardly asking Bi Ji to "pinch" her neck with her hand as well.
Though Bi Ji was filled with confusion and could not understand why the ever-proud Hell Demon Dragon King would make such a strange request, her gentle nature and concern for her companion led her to try lightly pinching Zi Ji's neck.
Yet Zi Ji discovered in disappointment that Bi Ji's gentle touch, imbued with Life Aura, simply could not bring her that strange sensation that made even her soul tremble.
That only made her more agitated and more confused by her contradictory feelings toward Jiang Zhen.
Naturally, Jiang Zhen had no idea of the turmoil churning within Zi Ji behind him.
His gaze was drawn to a lavishly decorated shop with a broad storefront by the roadside.
The shop's sign bore the gilded words "Cloud Dress Pavilion." Well-dressed, jewel-adorned noble ladies and young misses constantly emerged from