Element City, Inner Turmoil

Two hours later.

The three arrived at Element City. Soul Masters streamed endlessly in and out of the city gates.

Most of them wore uniforms from the various elemental academies.

Before even entering the city, Ji Xuan could already sense the active elemental energy in the air.

Feng Xiaotian introduced it, "Brother Ji, this is Element City."

Ji Xuan nodded lightly. "Brother Feng, let's go in."

The three then headed into the city. Golden Crocodile Douluo wore a black hood and silently followed behind them, looking like an ordinary old man.

Feng Xiaotian did not ask about Golden Crocodile Douluo's identity, simply assuming he was Ji Xuan's servant.

Once they passed through the gates, shops lined both sides of the broad streets.

Most of them sold cultivation supplies for Soul Masters.

After the three crossed a bustling street, Feng Xiaotian, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and stared fixedly into the distance.

Ji Xuan followed Feng Xiaotian's gaze.

In the distance, a young woman was walking side by side with a young man.

The young woman had fair skin and striking looks. What drew the most attention, however, was her vivid flame-red hair.

She wore a fiery red dress that perfectly outlined her graceful curves. She was like a blooming flame rose, radiating a scorching aura.

The man beside her had a resolute face and a burly build. His features bore some resemblance to the young woman's.

He wore a simple red martial outfit. His sturdy frame and well-defined muscles gave him a steady, dependable air.

At that moment, Feng Xiaotian immediately strode forward, plastering an enthusiastic smile on his face as he spoke in a flattering tone.

"Younger Sister Huo Wu, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to run into you here."

The young man and woman were Huo Wushuang and his Younger Sister Huo Wu from Blazing Fire Academy.

Huo Wu stopped and glanced at Feng Xiaotian. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her tone was clearly impatient. "Feng Xiaotian, why is it you again? What do you want?"

"N-No, it's nothing, Younger Sister Huo Wu. I just came over to say hello." Feng Xiaotian scratched his head and gave an awkward smile.

Huo Wu waved her hand impatiently. "If it's nothing, then move aside. I still want to go shopping!"

"Brother, let's go."

As she spoke, she grabbed Huo Wushuang's arm. Without sparing Feng Xiaotian another glance, she went around him and hurried away.

Before leaving, Huo Wushuang cast Feng Xiaotian a somewhat apologetic look, then obediently allowed his Younger Sister Huo Wu to pull him away.

Feng Xiaotian turned to watch their rapidly retreating backs, and the smile on his face immediately froze.

His hand slowly fell, and he stood there with a trace of dejection.

Over the years, he had lost count of how many times such a scene had played out.

No matter how he tried to please Huo Wu, her attitude toward him remained cold.

In the distance, Ji Xuan smiled helplessly to himself... This Love Brain Continent truly lived up to its reputation. Love Brains and simps were everywhere.

Ji Xuan did not go over either, simply standing quietly where he was.

After quite a while.

Feng Xiaotian finally forced himself to calm down. Returning to Ji Xuan's side, he gave an embarrassed smile. "Brother Ji, I must have made you laugh."

Pretending not to know, Ji Xuan asked, "Brother Feng, who was that young woman just now?"

"She is Huo Wu of Blazing Fire Academy. The one beside her was her brother, Huo Wushuang."

Ji Xuan deliberately revealed a meaningful smile. "Brother Feng, do you like Miss Huo Wu?"

Feng Xiaotian froze. He had not expected Ji Xuan to see through him at a glance.

After a moment of silence, he sighed, his tone full of deep helplessness.

"That's right. I've pursued Younger Sister Huo Wu for several years. I've tried every possible way to please her, but... every time she sees me, she is terribly impatient. She won't even spare me an extra glance."

Ji Xuan watched him silently. Only after Feng Xiaotian finished did he slowly say, "Perhaps you have been pursuing her the wrong way."

Feng Xiaotian was stunned. "What do you mean?"

"Miss Huo Wu has a fiery personality. She probably likes people who are more forceful than she is, not someone like you who humbles himself and only knows how to please her."

"R-Really?"

"Think about how you looked just now." Ji Xuan continued mercilessly. "You were all smiles, and even your tone was ingratiating. How could someone like that possibly win her affection?"

Feng Xiaotian fell silent...

He recalled every encounter he had had with Huo Wu over the past few years. It was indeed as Ji Xuan had said—he had always been overly enthusiastic, overly humble, as though even a single glance from her were some immense gift.

"Remember this." Ji Xuan patted Feng Xiaotian on the shoulder and sighed softly. "A true powerhouse should make the person he likes look up at him, not look down on him."

"What you need to do now is not keep pestering her, but improve yourself and become outstanding enough. When you stand high enough, you will naturally draw her gaze."

Ji Xuan paused, then smiled mysteriously. "Trust me. As long as you can defeat her with your strength, she will change her attitude toward you."

Feng Xiaotian stood there, hesitating for a long while. His resolve began to waver.

Watching his conflicted expression, Ji Xuan said calmly, "You're already failing as things stand. Why not try the method I suggested? At worst, the outcome will be no different from now."

Those words seemed to wake Feng Xiaotian up.

That was right—the worst outcome would be no worse than this.

But what if it actually worked?

Feng Xiaotian took a deep breath and finally made up his mind.

"I understand." Feng Xiaotian nodded heavily at last, though some unease still lingered in his heart. "Then... then I'll give it a try."

"Good." Ji Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject. "Now, let's go to Godwind Academy first."

"Mm, follow me." Feng Xiaotian nodded, gathering his thoughts.

The three of them headed east, where Godwind Academy was located.

As they walked, Feng Xiaotian introduced the sights along the way to Ji Xuan, but he was clearly distracted.

His gaze kept drifting toward Blazing Fire Academy, clearly still worrying whether he had made the right decision.

The corners of Ji Xuan's lips curled upward slightly. He knew that from this moment on, Feng Xiaotian would embark on a completely new path.

And that path would ultimately lead him to become a true powerhouse.

Along the way, Ji Xuan casually asked, "Brother Feng, do your five great academies hold exchange matches?"

"Of course." Feng Xiaotian nodded. "Inter-academy sparring competitions are held every month. The next one is in ten days."

"Then this is an opportunity to prove your strength to Huo Wu. Make sure you seize it."

Feng Xiaotian nodded in understanding, a hint of fighting spirit igniting in his eyes before it was quickly replaced by concern.

He was already imagining the expression Huo Wu would wear when he displayed his full strength in the arena and defeated her.

Would she be surprised? Would she still refuse to spare him a glance? Or would she truly change her opinion of him...?