Don't Pretend, Ye Lingling, Your Ears Are Already Red

Before his words had even faded, an even stronger force pressed against their backs. Their speed surged once more, turning them into a streak of light as they shot toward Heaven Dou City!

"Ah—!"

Dugu Yan's cry was trapped in her throat as her entire body nearly sank into Li Yifei's embrace.

She felt like a stone flung from a catapult—no, far faster than that!

The scenery below had completely blurred into bands of color. The endless mountain ranges became undulating green lines in her vision. They pierced through the clouds with ease, leaving them far behind.

So this was what flying felt like?

No, this wasn't flying.

This was tearing through the sky!

She squeezed her eyes shut, her heart pounding as though it were about to burst. Strangely, aside from the initial sensation of weightlessness, she did not feel the slightest wind pressure.

An invisible barrier perfectly shut out the raging airflow outside.

All she could feel was the steadiness and strength of the arm around her waist, as well as the crisp, clean scent that belonged solely to this man.

Dugu Yan's cheeks were scorching hot.

In all her years, she had never had such intimate contact with any man.

Especially not in such an unbelievable manner.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly, yet it also seemed to pass in an instant.

When that terrifying pressure against her back gradually vanished, Dugu Yan finally felt her feet lightly touch solid ground.

Her legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed on the spot. Fortunately, Li Yifei's arm was still supporting her.

"We're here."

Those two calm words sounded above her head.

Only then did Dugu Yan dare to slowly open her eyes. Before her lay an unfamiliar stretch of woods, and in the distance, she could already see the towering outline of Heaven Dou City.

She looked up blankly at the man beside her.

His breathing was steady, his clothes immaculate, as though he had not just carried someone through the air at terrifying speed.

"We... we're already here?" Dugu Yan's throat was slightly dry.

Even the fastest Soul Beast carriage needed most of a day to travel from Sunset Forest to Heaven Dou City.

Yet they seemed to have taken less than the time it took to burn an incense stick.

"Mm. This was faster." Li Yifei released his arm and answered as though it were only natural.

Without his support, Dugu Yan swayed before managing to steady herself. She looked at Li Yifei, utterly at a loss for words.

Just how many secrets was this man still hiding?

Flying with his physical body, and even carrying someone at such terrifying speed.

This had completely surpassed everything she knew about Soul Masters.

Could a Titled Douluo do this?

Perhaps, but there was no way one could do it as effortlessly as he had.

"Let's go to the academy." Li Yifei did not give her much time to dwell on it and took the lead toward the city gates.

"Oh... okay!" Dugu Yan hurriedly followed, trailing behind him step by step like a little attendant.

After entering Heaven Dou City, the two headed straight for Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

With Dugu Yan, a local, leading the way, everything went smoothly. The guards respectfully saluted her and let them pass.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy truly deserved its reputation as the foremost elite academy of the two great empires. It occupied a vast area, with majestic and grand buildings everywhere, all exuding royal authority.

Dugu Yan led the way while dutifully introducing the place.

"Brother Yifei, let's go to the Education Committee first and submit Grandpa's letter of recommendation to the three chief committee members. They'll get you a library card with the highest level of access."

"Mm." Li Yifei nodded.

"Then I'll take you to the library. Our academy's library is one of the best-stocked on the entire continent!" There was a trace of pride in Dugu Yan's voice.

However, she soon discovered that the man beside her seemed completely uninterested in any of it. His reactions remained calm, as though sights that would amaze ordinary Soul Masters were beneath his notice.

The tiny spark of pride in Dugu Yan's heart was immediately extinguished.

Of course. A man who treated the Rakshasa God Trial as mere intelligence and could physically carry someone hundreds of miles through the sky would hardly care about a mere royal academy.

Before long, the two arrived at the administrative building where the Education Committee was located.

The process went even more smoothly than expected.

When Dugu Yan handed over the letter bearing Poison Douluo's seal, the three Spirit Douluo-level committee members, who normally held themselves in high regard, immediately became incredibly warm and respectful.

They did not even ask about Li Yifei's background before issuing him a pass and library card with the highest level of authorization on the spot.

"Mr. Li, you may enter and leave every area of the academy freely with this card, including the library's restricted section." The lead committee member respectfully handed Li Yifei a gold-trimmed card.

"Thank you." Li Yifei accepted the card and turned to leave.

Decisive and straightforward, without a single unnecessary word.

The three committee members exchanged looks, each seeing a trace of surprise in the others' eyes. This young man showed not the slightest hint of nervousness or restraint before three Spirit Douluo. That composure did not seem feigned.

As expected of someone recommended by His Excellency Dugu Bo.

After leaving the administrative building, Dugu Yan let out a long breath.

"Done! Brother Yifei, let's go to the library now!" she said excitedly.

The two walked along the academy's tree-lined avenues.

Just then, a figure slowly emerged from the corner of a path ahead.

It was a beautiful young woman.

Her neat silver-gray short hair gleamed with an unusual luster beneath the sunlight. She was tall and well-proportioned, and even the academy's standard long dress could not conceal her astonishing curves.

Her skin was fair, and her delicate features were as exquisite as a doll's.

Yet her entire being radiated a cool, distant aura that kept strangers away, as though everything around her had nothing to do with her.

Li Yifei's steps paused.

He recognized this girl.

The owner of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, the Imperial Fighting Team's only support-type Soul Master, Ye Lingling.

"Lingling!" Seeing her, Dugu Yan took the initiative to greet her.

The silver-gray-haired girl stopped and raised her head. Her beautiful eyes turned toward Dugu Yan. She merely gave a light nod without saying anything.

"Are you heading to class?" Dugu Yan seemed accustomed to her coldness and continued trying to make conversation.

"Mm." Ye Lingling's response was only a single syllable.

The atmosphere instantly became somewhat awkward.

Dugu Yan sensed it as well. She tugged at Li Yifei beside her and introduced him, "Lingling, this is my friend, Li Yifei."

Only then did Ye Lingling's gaze shift to Li Yifei.

She nodded again in greeting, then gave another one-word response.

"Mm."

Li Yifei said nothing, merely looking at her calmly.

To Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling was being typically aloof. When dealing with unfamiliar people, she could not even be bothered to say one extra word.

But in Li Yifei's perception, it was an entirely different matter.

The instant this girl named Ye Lingling looked at him, her body stiffened slightly.

Her hand at her side unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt.

Although there was little change in her expression, a faint blush had appeared on the lobes of her small, fair ears.

Moreover, the moment her eyes met his, she immediately lowered her gaze. She appeared to be looking at the ground, but in truth, she repeatedly stole quick, discreet glances at him from the corner of her eye.

From top to bottom, then from bottom to top.

Aloof?

How was this aloof?