Conflict: Tang Yuehua's Shame, Battle Against Yu Tianheng

No one knew how long had passed before the enchanting dream receded like the tide.

Lu Yan woke first, turning his head slightly as his gaze fell on the bed beside him.

Tang Yuehua was still asleep, her once elegant sleeping posture nowhere to be seen.

Beneath the Brocade Quilt, her long jade-like legs were unconsciously entwined tightly together. Her exquisite face was stained with an unusual flush, and her breathing had become rapid and scorching.

The effect was good.

Sensing that the dream was about to completely fade, Lu Yan closed his eyes again, his breathing even, as though he had never awakened.

"Mm..."

Tang Yuehua suddenly opened her eyes, her chest heaving violently as she stared blankly at the carved bed canopy. Her Beautiful Eyes were filled with confusion and chaos.

She instinctively turned her head toward the "sleeping" Youth on the couch a meter away.

Looking at the delicate profile of his face, those absurd and shameful scenes from the dream surged uncontrollably into her mind like a breached flood...

Her cheeks instantly turned Burning Hot, as though they were on fire.

How... how could she have dreamed something like that?!

She had always regarded Lu Yan as an exceptionally gifted junior, even vaguely doting on him as though he were her nephew...

Just as her thoughts became a tangled mess, she caught sight of Lu Yan's Eyelashes trembling lightly and knew that he was about to wake up.

Like a startled fawn, Tang Yuehua hurriedly lay back down and squeezed her eyes shut, somehow looking guilty.

Lu Yan "woke" at just the right moment. Seeing Tang Yuehua pretending to sleep, a smile curled at his lips.

He got up, walked to the Bed, and gently tucked in the corner of her blanket.

That meticulous care moved Tang Yuehua, yet also stirred a powerful sense of guilt within her.

Xiao Yan treated her with such sincerity, yet in her dream... she had nearly defiled that purity.

At that thought, her cheeks burned even hotter.

The next moment, warmth landed on her forehead.

Tang Yuehua froze.

Xiao Yan was...?

Before she could think further, Lu Yan's puzzled whisper sounded by her ear. "You don't have a fever... Why is Aunt Yue's face so red?"

Tang Yuehua could no longer keep pretending. Feigning that she had just awakened, she slowly opened her eyes.

The moment she did, she met Lu Yan's eyes, filled with "nervousness" and "concern," making her heart tremble sharply.

"Xiao Yan, what's wrong?"

"Aunt Yue, your face is so red. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Lu Yan pursued the question with "concern."

A flicker of panic passed through Tang Yuehua's Eyes. She instinctively turned away, not daring to meet his gaze. "Aunt Yue is fine. Perhaps... perhaps it's a little hot."

She tried to change the subject, her voice carrying a barely noticeable tremor. "Xiao Yan, you should head back first.

In the future, you must be careful at the Spirit Arena."

"Aunt Yue should take good care of yourself too. I'll be going, then."

"Mm."

Only after Lu Yan's footsteps faded beyond the door did Tang Yuehua collapse weakly onto the Bed.

How was she supposed to face Xiao Yan in the future?

He respected her as an aunt, yet she harbored such shameful thoughts toward him...

The more Tang Yuehua thought about it, the more vexed she became. She kicked her legs once, then froze. Drawing her legs up, she realized she had forgotten something most important.

She lifted the Brocade Quilt.

She sat frozen on the Bed, her eyes falling upon the dark stain, her face flushing as though she had a fever.

She... she... Tang Yuehua no longer knew how to face herself.

What happened in the dream had left its mark in reality as well.

Night fell, with a bright moon and sparse stars.

Lu Yan strolled toward the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.

"Lu Yan, Lu Yan." As soon as he approached, he heard someone calling out.

Lu Yan turned his head and saw two stunning figures running toward him. They were Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.

"It really is you. I knew I hadn't mistaken you." Dugu Yan smiled brightly, her expression carrying the joy of seeing a friend.

Since that day, she had visited "Heaven" twice more, and the two had become fairly familiar.

"But why are you here?"

"I'm here to participate in a Soul Fighting Competition."

"Huh?" Both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were stunned before realization dawned on them.

That was right. Though Lu Yan was the owner of "Heaven," he was also a Soul Master—a genius who had already become a Soul Grandmaster at such a young age.

His talent was likely even greater than theirs.

"Yan Yan, Ye Lingling, who is he?"

The other members of the Heaven Dou Team walked over from behind the two girls. Yu Tianheng, who led them, spoke up.

His gaze fell upon Lu Yan.

"Him?" Dugu Yan naturally placed a hand on Lu Yan's shoulder as she introduced him. "He's the owner of 'Heaven,' who has recently become famous throughout Heaven Dou City. He's also an incredibly gifted Soul Master."

Lu Yan paid no mind to her intimate gesture and nodded slightly to the group. "I am Lu Yan."

Yet Yu Tianheng's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. His gaze swept over Dugu Yan's hand on Lu Yan's shoulder. Because of that gesture, the two stood extremely close, nearly pressed together.

Both sides had come to participate in Soul Fighting, so they did not talk much and headed together toward the secondary Spirit Arena.

At that moment, the Heaven Dou Team's teacher, Qin Ming, spoke. "You must be careful. Recently, a genius has appeared in the Spirit Arena, codenamed 'Dream Master.'

Though he is young, he has already swept through opponents of the same level and has even defeated a Soul Elder across ranks.

If you encounter him, you must be cautious.

If you have the chance, you may also watch his battles."

Everyone revealed looks of astonishment.

Being invincible among those of the same rank was already rare. Fighting and winning across ranks was what truly displayed the caliber of a genius.

"I really want to see what kind of person this 'Dream Master' is."

Dugu Yan sighed in amazement, her tone carrying a hint of yearning.

Yu Tianheng's expression tightened slightly beside her. He too wanted to meet this so-called "Dream Master."

Lu Yan stood nearby, just about to speak, when a Spirit Arena staff member hurried over.

"Contestant Jade Dragon, and contestant Dream Master, please prepare to take the stage."

Yu Tianheng stepped forward in response, while the others looked at the staff member in confusion. "Dream Master isn't here."

The staff member froze, then instinctively looked toward Lu Yan. "Dream Master... isn't he standing right beside you?"

What?

Every member of the Heaven Dou Team turned to look at the only outsider.

"That's right. I'm Dream Master." Lu Yan calmly admitted it.

"Ah—?!"

Dugu Yan let out a brief cry of surprise, while the members of the Heaven Dou Team stared at him as though he were a monster.

"I never deliberately hid it." Lu Yan spread his hands at Dugu Yan, whose face clearly read I need an explanation. "I just didn't get the chance to mention it."

He never wore a mask when participating in Soul Fighting. He had never feared his identity being exposed, and besides, masks were meaningless before those who truly cared to investigate.

On the Soul Fighting Stage, Lu Yan and Yu Tianheng stood facing each other.

Yu Tianheng's eyes were Ice-Cold, Fighting Spirit rising around him. "Lu Yan, let me see your strength."

Crackle—!

Violent blue Electric Light erupted as Yu Tianheng activated Martial Soul Possession.

The phantom of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon condensed behind him. Lightning Snakes leaped and flickered across his body, and even his eyes took on the color of lightning.

Two Yellow Soul Rings floated at his side, their imposing aura pressing down on the surroundings.

Lu Yan could clearly sense that Yu Tianheng's Soul Power was far more abundant than his own, around rank twenty-eight or twenty-nine. He was only one step away from becoming a Soul Elder, making him a formidable Opponent.

But that was all.