The dean of studies recognized the visitor and hurried over excitedly to greet him:
"Young master, may I ask what brings you to Nuoding Academy?"
Jin Lingfeng smiled politely and asked:
"Hello, I'm here to see Xiao Wu."
"Where is she now?"
The dean of studies sighed and slowly said:
"Three days ago, Xiao Wu suddenly disappeared."
"I sent people to search all of Nuoding City, but there was still no sign of her..."
Jin Lingfeng's gaze tightened, and anxiety flooded his heart.
He coldly said, "Forgive me!"
"Soul Bone Skill, Devouring Heaven Erosion!"
A beam of light shot forth and entered the dean of studies' mind.
Jin Lingfeng searched through his memories and found no deception. Xiao Wu had truly gone missing...
After a long while, he helplessly returned to the carriage, his heart troubled and restless.
At that moment, Yue Guan could no longer stand by and spoke:
"Holy Son, I know you came to Nuoding Academy looking for that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit."
"However, three days ago, Demon Bear Douluo's grandson, Lu Zheng, came here and captured her, taking her back to Spirit City..."
"What? Xiao Wu was taken to Spirit City?!"
Jin Lingfeng was furious beyond measure and coldly demanded:
"Who leaked Xiao Wu's identity? Damn it!"
Stared at by the youth's icy gaze, Yue Guan hurriedly shook his head in explanation:
"Holy Son, I wasn't the one who leaked the information!"
"I'm willing to guarantee it with my life!"
"Lu Zheng captured that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit so his father, Lu Han, Demon Bear Douluo's son, could absorb her and break through to become a Titled Douluo!"
"They haven't returned to Spirit City yet. If we pursue them with all our strength, we should be able to intercept them!"
"Pursue them!"
"Soul Bone Skill, Demon Crocodile Transfer!"
With a low shout, Jin Lingfeng vanished from where he stood, using the Primal Chaos Bead to sense Xiao Wu's aura and track her down...
At that moment, the Holy Dragon Douluo, who had been hiding in the shadows, stepped out. With a bitter expression, he muttered helplessly to himself:
"If I'd known the Holy Son cared so much about that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit, I never should have told Demon Bear Douluo about it after informing the Great Priest."
On the third day, in the afternoon.
Within a dense forest, a carriage bearing the emblem of Spirit Hall sped along the road.
"Hyah!"
"Hyah!"
"Hyah!"
Lu Zheng cracked his whip, utterly exhilarated.
In one more day, they would arrive at Spirit City, where his father, Lu Han, could absorb the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and break through to become a Titled Douluo!
Suddenly, a fierce gale swept through the surroundings.
The horses were startled, rearing up with shrill neighs as the entire carriage nearly overturned.
When everything returned to normal, a white-robed youth was standing in the middle of the road ahead, endless fury flowing between his brows.
"Damn it, why did I have to run into him here?!"
Lu Zheng's expression changed drastically as he muttered in a low voice.
At that moment, Xiao Wu inside the carriage sensed Jin Lingfeng's aura and slammed her body against the surroundings, making sounds of distress.
Jin Lingfeng's eyes turned cold. At that instant, the rage in his heart reached its peak, like an erupting volcano!
"Lu Zheng, hand Xiao Wu over and get the hell out!"
The youth's domineering words carried an unmistakable command as he rapidly approached the carriage.
Lu Zheng snorted coldly, his expression ugly as he said:
"Jin Lingfeng, I captured this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. What do you think you're doing?!"
"Don't think I won't dare touch you just because you're the Second Worship's grandson!"
He released the Soul Power of a level 39 Soul Elder. Two yellow and one purple soul rings rose beneath his feet, and his gaze gleamed with menace!
Suddenly, Jin Lingfeng stopped.
A ruthless, merciless smile appeared on his lips as he rebuked him:
"Lu Zheng, I already gave you a chance."
"Since you refuse to leave, then leave your life behind!"
"Die!"
Jin Lingfeng's figure vanished from the spot like a ghost. When he reappeared, he was already before Lu Zheng, gripping his throat and lifting him into the air.
The Soul Power in Lu Zheng's body was suppressed. He struggled frantically in panic, but it was all useless. He stared fixedly at the terrifying person before him as if facing death itself, utterly despairing...
At last, a crisp sound rang out.
Lu Zheng's limbs drooped limply, his eyes still wide open in death.
He was tossed aside like a dead dog...
Jin Lingfeng was overjoyed. He hurriedly rushed onto the carriage and pulled back the curtain, finding Xiao Wu inside, tightly bound and crying streams of tears. She looked at him with delighted eyes...
"Brother Jin, thank you!"
Jin Lingfeng untied the ropes around Xiao Wu, and she threw herself into his arms in excitement, bursting into tears.
For a moment, the atmosphere within the cramped carriage became unbearably oppressive.
Jin Lingfeng's body instantly stiffened. He instinctively wanted to push Xiao Wu away, but seeing her delicate body trembling slightly in his arms and her reddened eyes, he could only suppress the impulse.
His hands hovered in the air and did not settle on Xiao Wu's body. Men and women should not touch so freely.
"Xiao Wu, don't be afraid. I'm here."
Jin Lingfeng comforted the girl beside her ear, trying to make his voice gentler.
Leaning against the man's solid embrace, Xiao Wu felt warm and secure, and her emotions gradually calmed.
Yet when she saw those hands hovering in midair, a deep sense of loss rose within her...
Seeing that the girl had stopped crying, Jin Lingfeng gently pushed her shoulders and said with a smile:
"Xiao Wu, I'll take you back to Nuoding Academy now..."
Before he could finish, Xiao Wu interrupted him. Her lips slightly pursed, she softly asked:
"Brother Jin, you already know Xiao Wu's true identity, don't you?"
Jin Lingfeng's gaze narrowed slightly, and he nodded with a smile.
Xiao Wu lightly clutched the hem of her clothes with her jade-like hands, lowering her head as she timidly asked:
"Brother Jin, since you know Xiao Wu's true identity..."
"Then why did you still help me?"
As she spoke, the girl's eyes reddened again, and two trails of tears rolled down her cheeks, making her look especially pitiful...
Jin Lingfeng could not bear it and coaxed her with a smile:
"Xiao Wu, I've always felt a natural affinity with you, which is why I couldn't help wanting to help you."
"Of course, I already have someone I love."
"The feelings between us run deep."
At once, Xiao Wu bit her lip tightly, her eyes trembling. It was impossible to imagine what the girl's heart was enduring.
Yet when she raised her head again, a happy smile hung on her face.
"Brother Jin, thank you."
"That sister is so fortunate to be able to become Brother Jin's lover."
"When Xiao Wu finds a boyfriend in the future, I'll definitely look for someone by Brother Jin's standards, hehe."
Xiao Wu spoke with a smile, though regret lingered deep within her eyes...
The girl's little thoughts could not escape Jin Lingfeng, but he could only smile faintly and step out of the carriage.
Some feelings should never be allowed to take root when one knew from the very beginning that they would bear no result...
However, at that very moment.
A sudden change erupted!
A terrifying wave of Soul Power enveloped the carriage, instantly crushing it apart as wooden splinters flew everywhere!
At the critical moment, Yue Guan's anxious voice rang out!
"Demon Bear Douluo, have you lost your mind?!"
"You actually dare attack the Holy Son!"
"Old Ghost, protect the Holy Son!"
The next instant, two waves of level 95 Soul Power erupted, barely managing to save Jin Lingfeng!
"Holy Son, forgive us!"
"Old Ghost and I arrived too late!"
Yue Guan and Gui Mei knelt before the white-robed youth and shouted solemnly.
Looking at the unconscious Xiao Wu in his arms, endless fury rose within Jin Lingfeng's heart!
Suddenly, violent winds howled around them, sending fallen leaves dancing through the air.
An immensely oppressive Soul Power spread through the area, causing even Yue Guan and Gui Mei's expressions to change slightly.
Then, within the distorted space.
A burly, heavily built old man appeared, staring at Jin Lingfeng with thick killing intent in his eyes.
Pointing at Demon Bear Douluo, Yue Guan snorted coldly:
"Demon Bear Douluo, do you know what you're doing?!"
"You dare attack the Holy Son? I think you're tired of living!"
Demon Bear Douluo glanced at his grandson's corpse nearby. Nine soul rings rose beneath his feet, and his aura surged violently as he roared like a crazed beast:
"Holy Son? What kind of bullshit is that?!"
"You dared to kill my grandson and cut off my Lu family's bloodline!"
"This hatred is irreconcilable! Today, I will kill Jin Lingfeng!"
"Demon Bear Douluo, you dare?!"
Nine soul rings rose beneath Yue Guan and Gui Mei's feet as they stood before Jin Lingfeng, their faces furious and grave.
Demon Bear Douluo sneered repeatedly and said disdainfully:
"Yue Guan, Gui Mei, you are no match for me!"
"Get out of my way if you know what's good for you, or I'll kill you both as well!"
At once, an enormous demonic bear form condensed behind him and bore down upon Yue Guan and Gui Mei, forcing them both to retreat in disarray.
Suddenly, the surrounding space grew unstable.
Then, before Demon Bear Douluo, a black-robed old man stepped out, shook his head, and sighed:
"Demon Bear, stop."
"Come back to Spirit City with me and apologize to the Great Priest. He will show mercy and forgive you."
Before you continue