Bibi Dong's Recruitment!

Hu Liena stopped in her tracks.

Bibi Dong continued,

"Slaughter City is not an ordinary place for training."

"Martial skills cannot be used there. Spirit Masters can only survive by relying on their Martial Souls, Soul Power, and combat experience."

"You possess the Blue Silver Domain, as well as powerful sensory abilities."

"With you, Hu Liena will be able to adapt to its rules more quickly."

Tang Feng looked at Hu Liena.

She had already walked beneath Bibi Dong.

Her dark red hair draped over her shoulders. She had changed out of the combat uniform she wore during the competition and into a black long dress.

The dress hugged her waist, and its cuffs were drawn in tightly.

She stood there without avoiding Tang Feng's gaze.

"I won't hold you back."

Hu Liena raised her eyes.

"You said the same thing on the arena."

"And you were the first one to step out of bounds."

"That was because you saw through my position beforehand."

"In Slaughter City, you won't be able to see the changes in my Soul Power."

Hu Liena looked at him.

"And you won't be able to see mine."

"So we need to work together."

"Are you willing to take me?"

"What are the terms?"

Bibi Dong looked at Tang Feng.

"Spirit Hall will provide the exact location of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast."

"Besides that, you may enter the third floor of Spirit Hall's library."

"The records of Slaughter City are kept there."

"You may also choose three items from Spirit Hall's treasury."

Tang Feng fell silent for a moment.

Bibi Dong did not urge him.

"I need detailed information on two Spirit Bones."

"Agreed."

"I need a complete map of Slaughter City."

"Agreed."

"The others on the team cannot come with me."

Dugu Yan's gaze fell on Tang Feng.

She said nothing.

Bibi Dong nodded.

"This time, it will only be you and Hu Liena."

"I need one more promise."

Tang Feng looked at her.

"What promise?"

"After Hu Liena enters Slaughter City, you must ensure that she comes out alive."

Tang Feng looked at Hu Liena.

"She has to follow orders too."

Hu Liena raised her chin.

"I will."

"You can't act on your own."

"I will."

"You can't leave my range during battle."

Hu Liena paused.

"I will."

Tang Feng looked at Bibi Dong.

"I agree."

Hu Liena's gaze lingered on his face.

She had not expected Tang Feng to agree so readily.

Bibi Dong raised a hand.

An attendant delivered a black token before Tang Feng.

The front of the token bore the insignia of Spirit Hall, while the back was engraved with the character "Teaching."

"With this token, you may enter the third floor of Spirit Hall's library."

Bibi Dong then took out a scroll.

"This contains the method of entering Slaughter City."

Tang Feng accepted the scroll.

"When do we leave?"

"You may return to the academy first and settle matters with your team."

Bibi Dong looked at Hu Liena.

"In seven days, Hu Liena will wait for you in Spirit City."

"Seven days."

Tang Feng nodded.

"That works."

Bibi Dong raised her hand, signaling for the attendants to withdraw.

She looked at the champion's trophy in Tang Feng's hand.

"Tang Feng."

"Mm?"

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy cannot hold you back."

"Spirit Hall will not force you to stay either."

"But remember this: a true powerhouse should not remain fixated on victory or defeat in a single competition."

Tang Feng put away the token and scroll.

"I know."

"I hope that the next time I see you, you will have gone even farther."

Tang Feng did not reply.

He turned and walked down from the platform.

Dugu Yan immediately came forward.

"What did you discuss?"

"Going to Slaughter City."

Her steps halted.

Ye Lingling also looked at Tang Feng.

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know."

Dugu Yan raised a hand and grabbed Tang Feng's sleeve.

"Hu Liena is going with you?"

"Mm."

"Just the two of you?"

"Mm."

Dugu Yan glanced at Hu Liena, who followed behind them.

Hu Liena did not avoid her gaze.

She walked to Tang Feng's other side.

"His Holiness the Pope only told me to follow him."

Dugu Yan's fingers tightened slightly.

"I was asking Tang Feng."

Tang Feng looked at her.

"I'll come back."

"You said that last time too."

"And I came back last time."

"This time, it's Slaughter City."

Dugu Yan's gaze landed on the black token in his hand.

"I've heard of that place."

"Once you go in, it's hard to get out."

"So I'll return as soon as possible."

Dugu Yan raised a hand and adjusted his collar.

She wore a silver-white uniform today, with the emblem of Heaven Dou Royal Academy embroidered along its collar.

When her fingers rested against Tang Feng's chest, she did not pull them back immediately.

"You haven't looked at the champion's reward yet."

"We'll look at it after we return."

"Look at the jade pendant first."

Tang Feng lowered his head.

The Emerald Green Jade Pendant rested against his waist, its surface made translucent by the golden light.

"It isn't damaged."

"That's not what I'm asking."

Dugu Yan looked up at him.

"You have to keep it with you."

"I will."

"Take it with you into Slaughter City too."

"Mm."

Only then did Dugu Yan withdraw her hand.

She looked at Hu Liena.

"Before I leave him to you, let me make one thing clear."

Hu Liena stopped two steps away.

"What?"

"Tang Feng doesn't like people changing plans without permission."

Hu Liena looked at Tang Feng.

"I know."

"He won't say anything when he's injured."

"I know that too."

Dugu Yan's gaze darkened.

"You certainly know him well."

Hu Liena stepped forward.

Her dark red hair slipped from before her shoulder, and she raised a hand to tuck it behind her ear.

"I saw it clearly during the competition."

"After he blocked that attack, his left arm moved half a beat slower."

"He wasn't injured."

"That wasn't an injury. He had simply consumed too much Soul Power."

Hu Liena looked at Tang Feng.

"But he wouldn't stop on his own."

Tang Feng said, "There's no need to discuss this."

Dugu Yan turned to look at him.

"See? She understands you better than I do."

"She was observing an opponent."

"Then I can observe too."

Dugu Yan looked at Hu Liena again.

"In Slaughter City, keep an eye on him."

Hu Liena did not answer immediately.

After a moment, she nodded.

"I will."

Tang Feng looked at the two of them.

"Back to the academy."

Dugu Yan released his sleeve.

"You go first."

"Why?"

"I have something to say to Lingling."

Ye Lingling stood nearby.

Dugu Yan linked arms with her and pulled her aside.

Tang Feng did not ask any further questions.

Hu Liena walked over to his side.

Her gaze fell on the champion's trophy in Tang Feng's hand.

"You're not happy?"

"The champion's reward is acceptable."

"Just acceptable?"

"The Spirit Bone's attributes have not been confirmed yet."

Hu Liena lifted her eyes to him.

"Do you judge every reward like that?"

"The result depends on its actual use."

"What about me?"

"Are you a reward too?"

Hu Liena stopped walking.

She looked up at Tang Feng.

Tang Feng had already walked two steps ahead.

Hu Liena quickly caught up, the hem of her black dress brushing over the stone steps.

"I am the task His Holiness the Pope assigned to you."

"A task needs its value confirmed."

"How are you planning to confirm it?"

"We'll see after entering Slaughter City."

Hu Liena looked at his profile.

"Do you always talk like this?"

"Like what?"

"Every sentence makes people want to keep asking."

"Then keep asking."

Hu Liena pressed her lips together.

She raised a hand and lightly touched Tang Feng's arm.

"I'm asking now."

"You agreed to take me to Slaughter City. Was it really only because of the terms?"

"The terms were sufficient."

"No other reason?"

"You're a control-type Spirit Master."

"Only that?"

"You can use Charm."

Hu Liena's fingers paused on his sleeve.

"You remember my soul skill."

"You used it during the competition."

"You remember my Soul Power Level too?"

"Level fifty-six."

"You remember my Martial Soul?"

"Demon Fox."

Hu Liena looked at him.

"Then do you remember my name?"

Tang Feng turned to look at her.

"Hu Liena."

The tension in her eyes eased.

"It's good that you remember."

The two of them walked out of the competition grounds.

The long streets of Spirit City were bathed in sunlight.

The gazes of passing Spirit Masters landed on the champion's trophy, then shifted to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team behind Tang Feng.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling caught up from behind.

Dugu Yan returned to Tang Feng's left side.

Hu Liena did not move away.

She stood on Tang Feng's right, her black sleeve lightly brushing against his uniform.

Dugu Yan glanced at their sleeves.

"Miss Hu, aren't you returning to the Spirit Hall Team?"

"Tang Feng and I still have something to do."

"What is it?"

"Discussing the journey seven days from now."

"You're starting the discussion now?"

"Preparing in advance is better than preparing at the last minute."

Dugu Yan looked at Tang Feng.

"How are you planning to discuss it?"

"She isn't familiar with Slaughter City."

"Then I can listen too."

Hu Liena raised her eyes.

"You want to go too?"

"I never said I was going."

"Then why do you want to listen?"

"Because he is my captain."

Hu Liena looked at Dugu Yan.

"Do you only see him as your captain?"

Dugu Yan did not answer immediately.

She raised a hand and adjusted the knot of the jade pendant at Tang Feng's waist.

"He is also my friend."

Hu Liena's gaze fell on that jade pendant.

"Just a friend?"

Dugu Yan's fingers paused.

Tang Feng looked at her.

Dugu Yan withdrew her hand and turned forward.

"Ask him."

Hu Liena caught up with Tang Feng.

She walked very close, the side of her shoulder nearly pressed against his arm.

"She didn't answer."

"She doesn't want to."

"What about you?"

"What?"

"What do you see her as?"

Tang Feng looked ahead.

"A teammate."

Hu Liena nodded lightly.

"Then I'm a teammate too."

"For now."

"What about after entering Slaughter City?"

"We'll talk if we make it out alive."

Hu Liena stopped walking.

Tang Feng took two steps forward. When he noticed no movement beside him, he turned to look at her.

Sunlight fell over Hu Liena's dark red hair.

She lifted her face.

"If you get out first, you can't leave me in there."

"I won't."

"If you get hurt, you can't hide it from me either."

"I won't get hurt."

"You're doing it again."

Hu Liena returned to his side.

She hooked her hand around Tang Feng's sleeve, her fingertips lightly gripping through the fabric.

"Then I'll make a different request."

Tang Feng looked at her hand.

"What?"

"In Slaughter City, you are not allowed to leave me behind."

"I won't."

"And you're not allowed to just say you can."

"I won't leave you behind."

Only then did Hu Liena let go.

Yet her fingertips still rested at the edge of Tang Feng's sleeve, not completely pulling away.

"I'll remember those words."

Not far away.

Dugu Yan looked back.

She saw Hu Liena leaning against Tang Feng's side, and she also saw that Tang Feng had not moved that hand away.

Dugu Yan withdrew her gaze.

Ye Lingling asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You don't look very happy."

"I'm not."

Dugu Yan quickened her pace by half a step.

"After we return to the academy, I'm going to inspect Tang Feng's Spirit Bone."

Ye Lingling nodded.

"I'll help treat him too."

"Then I'll keep an eye on him."

"He won't run around."

"He won't before Slaughter City either."

Ye Lingling raised her eyes to look at her.

Dugu Yan paused.

"I'm just reminding him in advance."

Ahead of them.

Tang Feng was still examining the scroll in his hand.

Hu Liena turned her head to look at his fingers illuminated by the sun.

"Are you going to read it now?"

"I'll read it after we get back."

"Then tell me first, what should I wear seven days from now?"

"Something suitable for fighting."

"A black long dress won't do?"

"It would hinder your movements."

Hu Liena lowered her head and glanced at her skirt hem.

"Then what color do you like?"

"Anything that suits you."

"What color do you think suits me?"

Tang Feng looked at her.

"Red."

Hu Liena paused for a moment.

She raised a hand and gathered the long hair draped over her shoulder.

"You remember that I wore red during the competition."

"Mm."

"Is that why you said it?"

"Red suits your Martial Soul."

"Not because it looks good?"

"It looks good too."

Hu Liena looked at Tang Feng's calm expression.

She did not press him further.

She merely shifted her sleeve a little closer to his.

Their arms touched again.

"Then I'll wear red seven days from now."

"Fine."

Hu Liena tilted her head to look at him.

"This time, it isn't a mission requirement."

"It's your own decision."

"Then remember it."

"Remember what?"

"I'll wear red and wait for you."

Tang Feng put away the scroll.

"I'll be there on time."

Hu Liena nodded lightly.

She released Tang Feng's sleeve, but placed the back of her hand beside his.

The two walked side by side along the long streets of Spirit City.

The championship trophy gleamed gold beneath the sunlight.

The Emerald Green Jade Pendant at his waist lightly bumped against the black token.

The championship trophy fell into Tang Feng's hands.

Sunlight reflected off the golden cup, and the pattern of the Six-Winged Angel was clearly visible on its surface.

Bibi Dong watched him.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy deserves this reward."

Tang Feng put away the trophy.

"Thank you."

Bibi Dong's gaze lingered at his waist for a moment.

The Emerald Green Jade Pendant bumped against the black token, making a faint sound.

"Seven days from now, you will still be heading to Slaughter City."

"I know."

"Hu Liena will wait for you in Spirit City."

"Mm."

Bibi Dong gave no further instructions.

Tang Feng turned and walked down from the platform.

Dugu Yan was the first to come forward.

She raised a hand to take the championship trophy, glanced at it, then handed it back to Tang Feng.

"It's so heavy. Aren't you bothered carrying it?"

"You can carry it for me."

"You wish."

Dugu Yan stood at his side, her fingertips landing near the edge of his collar.

Today's match had not injured Tang Feng, but his uniform had still been slashed open at the shoulder by the Moon Blade.

She smoothed down the torn fabric.

"Your clothes are torn."

"I'll change when we get back."

"I'm talking about the clothes."

"I know."

Dugu Yan raised her eyes to him.

"You know, yet you still aren't going to explain?"

"There's nothing to explain."

"You said the same thing when Huo Wu kissed you."

Tang Feng looked at her.

"That was a competition reward."

Dugu Yan's fingers stopped at his collar.

"This time, it's a champion's reward."