Feeling Looked Down Upon by Feng Xiaotian

The night deepened, and the streetlights on both sides of the road cast a soft glow, stretching the shadows of pedestrians into ever-changing lengths.

Yang Teng was in no rush to return to the hotel arranged by Tianshui Academy; instead, he took Gu Yena for an aimless stroll through the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City.

With his hands tucked into his pockets and a leisurely pace, his gaze swept over the brightly lit shops and the food stalls overflowing with savory aromas.

"Tsk, human life—it's quite varied and colorful, isn't it?"

Yang Teng remarked casually, as if talking to himself or perhaps speaking to Gu Yena beside him.

Gu Yena followed quietly half a step behind him, her silver hair shimmering with a faint luster under the streetlights.

To her, this noisy, bustling "human world" was strange and complex, harboring a sense of repulsion and tension she had no desire to explore.

As they passed a clothing store, Yang Teng's footsteps faltered.

His eyes swept over the light, flowing summer dresses, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, his gaze snapped back to Gu Yena, scanning her from head to toe—taking in the simple, silver-white dress she seemed to wear for eternity.

Gu Yena felt uncomfortable under his unabashed scrutiny, her brows knitting together. Just as she was about to speak, Yang Teng stepped into the shop.

"Hey, you..."

Gu Yena instinctively tried to call him back, but his figure had already vanished inside.

Before long, Yang Teng emerged with two exquisite shopping bags in hand. He walked straight up to Gu Yena and held them out.

"What is this?"

Gu Yena didn't take them, her purple eyes fixed on him with wariness.

"Something to change into."

Yang Teng answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world, gesturing with his chin toward her outfit.

"You wear this same thing every day; I'm getting visually fatigued. I bought you two sets that suit the current weather."

Gu Yena froze, and then an inexplicable emotion surged in her heart, causing a faint, imperceptible blush to bloom across her stunning face.

She pursed her lips, revealing a pout of dissatisfaction, and her voice turned a few degrees colder.

"What does this have to do with you? I like wearing this; it's comfortable."

"Hey!"

Yang Teng raised an eyebrow. Far from being intimidated by her cold expression, he stepped closer, his tone righteous and even a bit roguish.

"How does it not concern me? You're my bodyguard now! You should look the part."

"You..."

Seeing her reaction, Yang Teng chuckled and shoved the bags into her hands.

"Take them, try them on back at the hotel. If they don't fit... well, you can probably still wear them."

He clearly lacked confidence in his own taste for picking out clothes.

The two continued walking, the atmosphere lingering in a subtle, stagnant state.

As they neared the hotel, Yang Teng suddenly pulled a small, cute strawberry cream cake, encased in a transparent box, from his Storage Soul Tool and held it out to Gu Yena.

"Here, take this."

His tone returned to its previous casualness. "Walking around burns energy; replenish a bit."

Gu Yena looked at the cake, adorned with a bright red strawberry and looking sweet and delicious, then looked at Yang Teng's face, which held a hint of a roguish smile. She fell silent for a moment before finally reaching out to take it.

Watching her cold, elegant back, Yang Teng rubbed his nose and sauntered along behind her.

The second round of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament was unfolding in full swing.

Following the draw, Tianshui Academy's opponent was the "Shenfeng Academy," a veteran powerhouse among the Four Elements Academies known for their swift attacks and fierce style.

Shenfeng Academy had consistently ranked at the top of the Four Elements for years, and their strength was not to be underestimated. Their captain, Feng Xiaotian, even possessed the mutated martial soul, the "Gale Twin-Headed Wolf."

A team member leaned toward the frowning Feng Xiaotian and asked in a low voice.

"Boss, the Tianshui Academy team across from us... how are we supposed to fight them? That newcomer of theirs, Yang Teng, is incredibly bizarre! And then there's that Spirit King, Gu Yena!"

"Damn it, how would I know!"

Feng Xiaotian ruffled his hair in frustration.

He knew that Tianshui Academy's captain, Shui Bing'er, and vice-captain, Xue Wu, possessed a powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill, which had originally been the primary focus of their research and defense.

But just a short while ago, he had received news that made his scalp tingle: that Yang Teng, who had been admitted under special circumstances, had once single-handedly shattered the Martial Soul Fusion Skill of Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu while only a Spirit Grandmaster!

And then there was Gu Yena, the Spirit King on their team who had suppressed six Shrek Spirit Ancestors single-handedly in the previous match—her strength was unfathomable!

One Yang Teng was troublesome enough, but adding a Gu Yena... Feng Xiaotian felt the world go dark; his chances of victory were slim.

Just as Feng Xiaotian was waiting for his opponents to enter with a heavy heart and almost no hope, the Tianshui Academy team finally emerged from the tunnel.

Feng Xiaotian instinctively focused his gaze, sweeping quickly across the opposing lineup. Captain Shui Bing'er was there, Xue Wu was there, and the other familiar female team members were present.

That brat Yang Teng was standing in the ranks with a lazy expression... Wait!

Feng Xiaotian's eyes widened, and he checked again.

No! That silver-haired, purple-eyed Gu Yena, who had exerted such immense pressure on him, was not on the field! Her original position had been replaced by another female student who was only at the Soul Venerable level!

"This...?"

Feng Xiaotian was stunned for a moment, and then an indescribable rage surged into his heart!

The heaviness and anxiety he had felt because of his opponent's strength were instantly replaced by the anger of being slighted and insulted!

Even if his Shenfeng Academy didn't possess freaks with ten-thousand-year fourth soul rings or a luxurious lineup of six Soul Ancestors like Shrek, they were still the undisputed head of the Four Elements Academies!

This was blatant contempt! Did they think Shenfeng Academy wasn't worthy of Gu Yena taking the field?!

"Tianshui Academy! What is the meaning of this? Are you looking down on my Shenfeng Academy?!"

The Shenfeng team members behind him also wore angry expressions, feeling deeply slighted.

Facing Feng Xiaotian's questioning, Shui Bing'er of Tianshui Academy frowned slightly, just about to explain that this was a tactical arrangement and a rotation of members, not contempt.

But Yang Teng had already spoken up lazily, one step ahead.

He picked at his ear with the look of someone who hadn't woken up yet, his tone so casual it was infuriating.

"Brother Feng, don't get excited. We treat every academy fairly, and it will be the same for the matches that follow."

"You...!"

Feng Xiaotian was so angry he almost couldn't catch his breath, spitting fiercely in his heart.

Since you dare to be so arrogant as to swap out your strongest, then don't blame us for seizing the opportunity!

"Good! Very good!"

Feng Xiaotian laughed in his extreme rage. "I hope you can still be this relaxed in a moment!"

The referee confirmed that both sides were ready and announced loudly.

"The match—begins!"

"Shenfeng team, follow me and attack!"

Feng Xiaotian let out a roar as two yellow and two purple soul rings rose instantly beneath his feet, his third soul ring suddenly shining bright!

"Third Soul Skill: Gale Wings!"

A pair of massive cyan wings unfurled violently from his back, and he shot forward like an arrow from a bow, carrying an unstoppable momentum as he charged first toward the Tianshui Academy formation.

His target was none other than that infuriating-looking Yang Teng!

Cyan wind blades condensed around Feng Xiaotian's body. His speed was incredibly fast, tearing through the air with a sharp whistle; his Gale Demon Wolf martial soul granted him unparalleled speed and powerful cutting attack strength.

However, facing this gale-like offensive, Yang Teng, who stood in place, didn't even have a ripple of emotion on his face.

"Gale Demon Wolf, is it?"

Yang Teng watched Feng Xiaotian's figure rapidly enlarging in his pupils. "Speed and attack combined, not a bad martial soul, but what a pity..."

He stepped forward lightly.

"...It's useless against me."

The moment his words fell, a deep purple soul ring rose from beneath his feet!

Yang Teng extended his right hand, his palm turning into a fist.

"First Soul Skill: Space Strangling."

PS: The author's other book, "Douluo: Martial Artist Cui Cheng, Establishing Luo Po Mountain," is available for your perusal!