Hu Liena's voice was so sweet and alluring it could have been wrung like water from a cloth. Her foxlike eyes slanted toward Dugu Yan.
There was a faint provocation in her gaze.
Seeing this, Dugu Yan froze for a moment, then felt a little unwilling to lose.
The two women's gazes met in midair, crackling with hostility.
Feeling the astonishing sensation against his arm, Qin Feng couldn't help finding it amusing.
He calmly withdrew his hand and patted Hu Liena's hand lightly.
"We're done."
"Now that everything's settled, let's head back."
Qin Feng turned and walked toward the edge of Sunset Forest.
The two women glared at each other, then hurried after him.
On the way back, inside the carriage.
The carriage was spacious, but the atmosphere was rather heavy.
Qin Feng sat in the middle.
Hu Liena and Dugu Yan sat on either side, flanking him.
Dugu Bo drove the carriage himself. He didn't dare look into the cabin even once along the way.
Hu Liena sat close beside Qin Feng.
Her unique fragrance wafted through the cramped carriage.
"Junior Brother, are you tired from the journey?"
Hu Liena asked softly.
As she spoke, she extended her slender hand and gently massaged Qin Feng's shoulder, her touch full of concern.
"Would you like to rest your head on Senior Sister's lap for a while?"
She tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with tenderness and affection. The way she seemed to offer herself up for the taking was truly enticing.
Feeling the comfortable pressure on his shoulder, Qin Feng closed his eyes to rest.
"No need. I'm not tired."
His tone was indifferent, but he didn't stop Hu Liena from pampering him.
Seeing this, Hu Liena secretly rejoiced and shot Dugu Yan a smug little glance.
Sitting opposite them, Dugu Yan watched Hu Liena fawn over him and clenched her teeth in anger.
This Saintess of Spirit Hall always seemed so haughty. Why was she acting like a vixen now?
She was actually seducing Young Master right in front of her.
No, she couldn't lose.
Grandpa had told her to be more proactive.
Thinking of this, Dugu Yan took a deep breath and steeled herself.
She shifted over and sat beside Qin Feng.
She was so nervous that her body trembled slightly.
"Young Master..."
Dugu Yan called softly.
Qin Feng opened his eyes and looked at her in confusion.
Looking into Qin Feng's eyes, Dugu Yan felt her heart begin to race wildly.
She gritted her teeth and leaned toward him.
Smack!
A crisp sound rang through the carriage.
Dugu Yan's warm, soft lips landed on Qin Feng's cheek.
After kissing him, she hurriedly returned to her seat. Her pretty face was so red it looked ready to bleed, and she lowered her head, not even knowing where to put her hands.
"You!"
Hu Liena's eyes widened in shock, and she nearly lost her composure.
She had never expected the seemingly aloof Poison Fairy to make her move so decisively.
"Little Sister Yanzi, isn't that a little too forward?"
Hu Liena said through clenched teeth.
Dugu Yan looked up. Though her face was flushed, her eyes were full of defiance.
"I'm Young Master's maidservant. What's wrong with kissing him?"
"Saintess, you and Young Master are only senior and junior. You should still keep a little distance."
The carriage rolled steadily along the main road, its wheels grinding over the dirt in a dull, monotonous rhythm.
The air in the cabin seemed to freeze after that kiss.
Hu Liena stared at Dugu Yan.
Though Dugu Yan's cheeks were burning, she held her head high and met Hu Liena's gaze without backing down.
Caught between them, Qin Feng leaned calmly against the cushions.
Watching these two celebrated young women, both held in the highest regard wherever they went, acting like a pair of kittens guarding their food and vying for his attention, he couldn't help finding it amusing.
Qin Feng didn't try to stop them. Instead, he slowly closed his eyes and immersed his mind in the mysterious Chat Group in his head.
Meanwhile, at the Crown Prince's East Palace in the Heaven Dou Empire.
A faint sandalwood fragrance drifted through the spacious, luxurious study.
"Xue Qinghe," with golden hair cascading like a waterfall, stood by the window, gazing absently at the flowers blooming outside.
Her pale fingers tapped lightly against the windowsill, but the image of one person remained in her mind.
That person was Qin Feng.
The boy who had released his Golden Dragon and Ice Phoenix Spirits in the East Palace right in front of her, along with three astonishing black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings.
That scene had left an indelible mark on her heart.
But right now, she was living in the eyes of the world as Xue Qinghe.
She had been undercover in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace since childhood. Every day, she faced only deceit and power struggles, and had no experience with relationships at all.
When it came to romance, she was a blank slate.
"That guy... must have gotten his Soul Rings by now, right?"
"With Dugu Bo there, and that Saintess of Spirit Hall..."
At the thought, a sour feeling inexplicably welled up in her heart.
Annoyed, she rubbed her temples and opened the Chat Group in her mind.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally couldn't resist sending a message to the group.
[I Have No Mom]: "If... and I mean if, I had my eye on an exceptionally outstanding young man, but had no experience with this sort of thing, how should I approach him?"
[I Have No Mom]: "And what if he already seemed to have other girls around him? What should I do?"
After sending the two messages, her cheeks grew warm, and her heart began to pound.
At Spirit City, in Pope Palace.
Sunlight poured through the stained-glass windows of the lofty, magnificent hall, bathing it in dazzling colors.
Bibi Dong sat quietly upon the Pope's throne, the symbol of supreme authority.
She wore a luxurious black robe embroidered with gold, a Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown on her head, and the Pope Scepter in her hand.
Her flawless, beautiful face bore no trace of age. Instead, it radiated nobility, confidence, and supreme authority.
Just moments ago, she had received the latest secret report from Sunset Forest.
The report detailed how Qin Feng had revealed a miracle at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, summoned the phantom images of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings, and instantly advanced to level forty in Soul Power.
It even described how Dugu Bo had made Dugu Yan Qin Feng's maidservant, as well as the details of Hu Liena and Dugu Yan competing for his attention in the carriage.
"Ice and Fire Dragon Kings... level forty..."
Bibi Dong looked at the writing on the page, a glint flashing in her beautiful eyes.
She took a deep breath, her ample bosom rising and falling slightly.
Qin Feng's potential had already exceeded her expectations.
He was undoubtedly the most terrifying prodigy in the history of the Douluo Continent, surpassing even Qian Xunji in his prime—and herself as well.
Such a talent had to be kept firmly under her control. She absolutely couldn't let him lean toward the Worship Hall.
Bibi Dong tapped the scepter lightly with her fingers, her mind churning.
"That old Qian Daoliu has Qian Renxue."
"But I have Nana on my side."
"Nana is by Qin Feng's side every day now. I know that girl's feelings better than anyone."
At the thought, a confident smile appeared on Bibi Dong's refined face.
The one closest to the water gets the moon first.
With Hu Liena leading the charge, it was only a matter of time before Qin Feng joined her side.
Putting away the secret report, she opened the Chat Group.
She had been observing this mysterious Chat Group in secret all along.
She believed that if she followed the clues, she would eventually uncover the true identities of everyone in the group.
Especially the member with the nickname "I Have No Mom."
Every time she saw that nickname, an inexplicable feeling rose within her, leaving her vaguely irritated.
Now, seeing the pleas for help from "I Have No Mom," Bibi Dong gave a cold snort, her eyes flashing with disdain.
In her eyes, this sort of timidity and needless fretting over romance was utterly foolish.
So she replied directly in the group.
[Pope]: "How laughable. Outstanding people are only attracted to those who are truly strong."
[Pope]: "You're wallowing in self-pity because you aren't strong enough and lack the resolve to be ruthless. If you've set your sights on someone, then use your strength and status to conquer him. Why mope around here like some weakling?"
Inside Pope Palace, Bibi Dong looked at her message with a confident, icy smile.
But not long after she sent it, someone jumped in to challenge her.
At Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City.
Inside a quiet little wooden house, Liu Erlong sat in a wooden chair, idly reading the group messages.
The moment she saw the high-and-mighty lecture from "Pope," Liu Erlong burst out laughing.
She had never liked Spirit Hall, and she was even more prejudiced against its legendary Pope.
[Gentle Fire Dragon]: "Well, if it isn't the illustrious Pope. You start right off talking about conquering people and strength—what a fearsome display of authority."
[Gentle Fire Dragon]: "But I seem to remember that some people couldn't even hold on to the man they wanted back then, and ended up becoming a laughingstock across the whole continent. And now you have the nerve to lecture others on love? What a monumental joke!"
Her words were like a sharp dagger, stabbing straight into the pain Bibi Dong had buried for years.
Inside Pope Palace, Bibi Dong's once-calm expression darkened in an instant.
Her jade hand tightened around the scepter, her knuckles turning faintly white.
[Pope]: "What nonsense! What backwater girl are you, to dare discuss me in this group? You couldn't reach the tip of my toe. What gives you the right to criticize me?"
[Gentle Fire Dragon]: "I'm telling the truth! Someone was cruelly abandoned back then and is now a crazy woman nobody wants, clinging to power all day long. How pitiful and pathetic!"
[Pope]: "You're asking for death! If we were in the real world, I'd tear you limb from limb and feed you to Soul Beasts!"
[Gentle Fire Dragon]: "Who are you trying to scare? If you've got the guts, come beat me up through the screen right now! Come on! If you don't, you're a coward!"
The air in the group instantly grew thick with hostility.
Ning Rongrong, the Little Witch who loved nothing more than stirring up trouble, immediately jumped in.
[Little Witch]: "Wow, you two big sisters, don't fight! I think the most direct way for a girl to attract a boy is to show off her beauty!"
[Little Witch]: "What's the point of arguing with words here? How about we all post some pretty pictures and let Group Owner Brother decide who's more charming?"
The suggestion made the atmosphere in the group turn strange.
Once girls got competitive, it was hard to calm them down.
Especially when it came to people like Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing, who already had someone in mind.
Before long, a "rain of beautiful pictures" poured into the group.
[Fragrant Fox]: "I'll post one, then. This fox isn't afraid of anyone! [Picture]"
Hu Liena posted a selfie.
In the picture, she wore a close-fitting pink dress of sheer gauze, her perfect curves faintly visible. Her alluring, foxlike eyes were half-lidded, radiating endless temptation.
[Little Witch]: "Hmph, take a look at mine! [Picture]"
Ning Rongrong wasn't about to be outdone.
In her picture, she wore a luxurious blue outfit and sat on an elegant swing, her pale calves swaying gently in the air. She looked sweet and innocent, yet still carried the air of a young lady from a prestigious sect.
[My Cat Is White And Big]: "...[Picture]"
Even Zhu Zhuqing, usually cold as ice, quietly posted a picture.
She wore her signature tight black leather outfit, which showed off her stunning figure—far more mature than her age. Her cool, beautiful face paired with her outrageously ample chest made the picture devastatingly powerful.
Even Liu Erlong, in a fit of anger, posted a side-profile shot of herself practicing beneath a waterfall, dressed in a fiery red gown.
Her mature, voluptuous figure radiated a wild, forceful allure.
In the study at the East Palace in Heaven Dou City.
Watching the stream of beautiful pictures pop up in the group, Qian Renxue was utterly dumbfounded.
Especially after seeing Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong's furious argument in the group, she pressed a hand to her forehead, her face full of disgust.
"That's enough..."
Qian Renxue sighed and muttered to herself in exasperation.
"Could this Chat Group actually be a losers' convention?"
"Especially that Pope and that Gentle Fire Dragon. The two of them were bickering in the group like fishwives on the street. They'd completely thrown their dignity out the window."
"They couldn't even win over the men they liked, yet they're here acting like they know everything. What a pair of absolute losers."
Qian Renxue was in the middle of viciously roasting them in her head.
Ah Yin, who had been lurking in the group all this time, couldn't help popping up, either.
[My Son Is Not A Bastard]: "Watching you all compete for attention has given me some feelings."
[My Son Is Not A Bastard]: "Still, compared to all your unrequited longing, I suddenly feel like I was actually pretty happy back then."
[My Son Is Not A Bastard]: "At least my husband once was willing to stand against the entire Spirit Hall for my sake. I'm afraid you'll never know what it feels like to be so deeply loved."
Ah Yin's words were like a basin of cold water dumped straight over the heads of everyone who'd been arguing fiercely.
For a moment, the group fell into a brief, deathly silence.