Wang Dong'er only felt that the man before her was incredibly handsome. A war to unite the world, the final war that would bring an end to all wars across the land.
"All right, it's rare for everyone to be gathered together. Stay and have a meal."
Xu Feng looked at the people who had yet to recover their senses and decided to keep them for dinner, while also discussing how they would handle the Soul Master Tournament.
However, the instant he finished speaking, Huo Yutong suddenly grabbed his hand and lightly scratched his palm. It was a signal only the two of them understood.
"But before that, there are some matters to deal with..."
Xu Feng raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. The next second, Yanqing appeared behind him. Several flying swords hung at the blond youth's waist. He said nothing, merely waved both hands, and the swords shot toward the darkest corner of the room with icy, piercing glints.
From the corner, which had seemed completely empty, came a sudden burst of hurried breathing. Then a black shadow sprang from the darkness, rolling away in a miserable scramble to evade the flying swords.
He was the Nether Douluo, one of the Holy Spirit Cult's Eight Elders. For this assassination, he had even used a Rank 9 Soul Tool specifically designed to conceal one's aura and form.
Logically, even a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse should never have been able to detect him so precisely. Yet Yanqing's flying swords seemed to have eyes, forcing him out with flawless accuracy.
"Impossible! How did you discover me?!"
The Nether Douluo glared fixedly at Xu Feng. He had suppressed his aura to the utmost limit and even used a Soul Tool to block every trace of Soul Power fluctuation. From the very beginning, Xu Feng had never once looked toward that corner. How could he possibly have known he was hiding there?
"Who knows..."
Xu Feng raised a hand and rubbed Huo Yutong's head. Yu Tong's passive ability was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
That man had only revealed the faintest hint of killing intent and had not even had time to gather Soul Power before she keenly detected it. This almost precognitive perception was simply made for the battlefield.
Knowing that his exposure meant the assassination was doomed to fail, the Nether Douluo immediately turned to flee. His body transformed into a stream of black smoke and sped toward the window.
Yet Yanqing appeared in front of the window the very next second. With a soft shhk, sword light flashed past, and the Nether Douluo's body was severed cleanly at the waist. Blood sprayed everywhere as both his upper and lower halves fell to the floor.
Yanqing recalled his flying swords and gave the remains on the floor a blank look. Then his figure faded away, as though he had never appeared.
"Come, let me see..."
Xu Feng had Meng Hongchen bring over the Soul Pistol and fired several consecutive shots at the two halves of the corpse. Only after confirming the man was thoroughly dead did he walk over.
"Such sinister Soul Power. Was he from the Holy Spirit Cult? I didn't expect them to be the first to lose their nerve."
Xu Feng had not expected the Holy Spirit Cult to be the first to send a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse to assassinate him.
Assassins had never stopped coming since he became Crown Prince, but this was the first time one at the Titled Douluo level had appeared. It seemed that this Evil Soul Master organization was also preparing to involve itself in the continent's shifting balance.
"This Soul Master Tournament probably won't be just a tournament anymore. Since even the Holy Spirit Cult has made its move, then we'll have a good time playing with them."
Although a small accident had occurred, the outcome had not changed. Everyone still ate and drank as they pleased.
After everyone finished their meal at the Crown Prince Mansion, the others left, while Huo Yutong and Wang Dong'er remained behind. Huo Yutong had something to discuss with Xu Feng, while Wang Dong'er was simply curious—and still hungry enough to want another serving.
"Yu Tong, don't tell me you want another serving too." Xu Feng looked at Huo Yutong with a half-joking smile, then his gaze fell on Wang Dong'er beside her, who was stuffing her face with her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster's.
"What? I'm an Assault System Soul Master. I use up a lot of energy, so what's wrong with eating more?" Noticing his gaze, Wang Dong'er's cheeks instantly flushed red, but she stubbornly lifted her head and retorted righteously while holding a piece of crispy meat in her chopsticks.
"Besides, the tournament takes so much out of us. How will I have the strength to fight if I don't eat more? Do you want to see me faint from hunger in the arena?"
"It's nothing. Eat as much as you want. As the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, I'm not short on money." Xu Feng waved a hand. He never minded the people around him enjoying food. Being able to eat was a blessing.
At that moment, the silent Huo Yutong suddenly raised her head. Her eyes had never been more resolute as she voiced her thoughts.
"Brother Feng, I want to win!"
Of course, Huo Yutong understood that in this carefully arranged game, the outcome of the Soul Master Tournament was one of the most important parts of their plan. Losing the tournament would give the Sun Moon Empire a perfectly legitimate excuse.
But at this moment, Huo Yutong did not want to rely on schemes and calculations. She did not want victory to become a political bargaining chip. She wanted to stand openly and honorably in the arena, prove herself with her strength, win glory through battle, and prove her existence to that man.
"Of course. Haven't I already said it? It would be best if you can take first place. Reasons can always be found whenever needed. If you want to win, then go win. I'm not going to break a girl's heart over something like this."
Xu Feng had no intention of letting his harem catch fire, and he knew how to raise affection. Huo Yutong's fixation on victory was probably because of the White Tiger Duke. Naturally, he would not let his little darling be sad.
"Besides, I'll fight this war sooner or later. Any reason will do. Even if it isn't because of this Soul Master Tournament, there will always be another opportunity. So don't worry too much. Just go do whatever you want."
Wang Dong'er wanted to say something, but she had forgotten her mouth was stuffed full of food and nearly choked. She hurriedly gulped down some soup and mumbled indistinctly, "Then it's settled! This young lady will beat them until they're crawling around looking for their teeth!"
"Yes, yes. Then we'll see what the young lady can do when the time comes."
Xu Feng could not help marveling at how easy girls on the Douluo Continent were to understand. Not only were they top-tier in looks and figure, but their personalities were top-tier as well.
Most importantly, they basically never beat around the bush when speaking, and they were especially easy to understand. Winning them over was particularly simple. Huo Yutong's weakness was the obsession in her heart, while Wang Dong'er's way of raising affection was food. As long as those conditions were met, their affection would rise on its own.
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