A Chance Encounter with Two Academy Beauties at the Night Market

As the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City's night scenery and prosperity were clearly far beyond what a small city like Suotuo City could compare to.

Looking out, the entire broad, clean bluestone main road was packed with traffic beneath brilliant lanterns.

Large and small colored glass lanterns hung outside the shops on both sides of the street. The vendors' cries rose and fell, mingling with the enticing aromas of grilled meat and sweet brews, making the imperial capital's night as noisy and lively as could be.

"Wow! Brother Ning Ze, look! That little snack called Rainbow Spirit Honey Crisp is glowing!"

"And those grilled Spirit Sparrow skewers! They smell so, so good! Ning Ze, I want some!"

The moment they entered the night market, Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, the most lively of the group, completely let loose.

Each little girl clutched a handful of fragrant local snacks, their cheeks stuffed round like hamsters as their laughter trailed all the way down the street.

Zhu Zhuqing, walking beside them, also held a warm cup of sweet drink Ning Ze had thoughtfully bought for her, but her cool and composed nature made her far more restrained.

Still, the warm lights around them reflected in her beautiful eyes, and a soft, gentle smile lingered on her usually tense and lonely face.

She walked lightly at Ning Ze's side, savoring this rare peace and comfort.

Dressed in snow-white robes, Ning Ze strolled with his hands behind his back between the three girls, a warm, doting smile on his lips as he paid for things with effortless grace.

Every movement of his was like that of an immortal descended to earth, drawing frequent glances from the young women and married ladies on both sides of the street, their cheeks flushed and hearts racing.

However, just as the four of them chatted and laughed their way through the bustling central plaza, another group of familiar faces unexpectedly approached from the corner ahead.

There were three highly recognizable figures.

The cool and ethereal Ye Lingling, the bewitching and icy Dugu Yan, and Yu Tianheng.

At that moment, Yu Tianheng carried large and small packages in both hands, his face full of ingratiating, gentle smiles as he hovered attentively around Dugu Yan, fussing over her every need.

"Yan Yan, I just bought these pastries. Want to try some?"

Yet in the face of Yu Tianheng's attentive flattery, Dugu Yan merely turned slightly aside. An unconcealed trace of perfunctory impatience flashed through her beautiful eyes, and her tone was somewhat cold.

"No need. I'm not hungry. Keep them for yourself."

Ever since Dugu Yan's heart had been struck by Ning Ze's immortal-like appearance some time ago, the flattering image Yu Tianheng once held in her eyes had completely shattered!

She had not thought much of it before, but now that she had Ning Ze for comparison, the more she looked at Yu Tianheng, the more dull and uninteresting he seemed.

However, just as Dugu Yan was about to find an excuse to shake Yu Tianheng off—

The corner of her eye caught a familiar figure amid the bustling crowd!

Their eyes met!

Under the night market lanterns not far away, Ning Ze stood surrounded like the moon among stars by three stunningly beautiful young girls, each with her own distinct charm!

The four chatted and laughed. From time to time, Ning Ze affectionately rubbed one girl's head or handed another a piece of dessert, the intimate atmosphere perfectly measured.

Boom!

Seeing no fewer than three gorgeous girls surrounding Ning Ze, Dugu Yan's heart suddenly gave a fierce, inexplicable jolt. An indescribable sourness and intense competitive urge surged wildly from the depths of her heart!

Proud and arrogant as she was, her looks and figure were acknowledged as among the finest academy beauties in all of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. When had she ever lost to anyone?!

Yet ever since that brief encounter at the training grounds, this junior had not taken the initiative to seek her out even once!

"Lingling, look who that is!"

With a thought, Dugu Yan grabbed Ye Lingling's arm and strode straight toward Ning Ze and his group.

"What a coincidence, juniors. Good evening~"

The corners of Dugu Yan's lips rose as she revealed a poised yet slightly seductive, charming smile and waved to greet Ning Ze and the others.

The sudden greeting instantly startled the three girls, who had been immersed in the delights of eating and browsing!

Ning Rongrong's spoiled little alarm bells immediately rang at maximum alert—clang, clang, clang!

Before Ning Rongrong had even swallowed the meat skewer in her mouth, she darted in front of Ning Ze, puffing out her cheeks as she vigilantly glared at the two beautiful women before her.

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were also slightly stunned, looking at the two senior sisters who had approached them with some surprise.

Facing Dugu Yan's direct gaze, Ning Ze stopped calmly and smiled with elegant composure.

"Good evening, Senior Sisters."

When Ye Lingling saw Ning Ze's warm smile, she felt as if her heart had skipped a beat.

A blush like rouge quietly appeared on her fair, translucent earlobes. She looked away in flustered shyness, not even daring to return the greeting loudly.

Dugu Yan then broke into a smile and said with a touch of sincerity and teasing.

"I heard that a few days ago, you officially applied to register the God of Love Team with the Teaching Office?"

"For your first strength assessment in a month, you juniors should work hard. This big sister is really looking forward to seeing your performance from the stands."

Hearing Dugu Yan's gentle and friendly encouragement, the strong hostility in Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu's eyes immediately faded by more than half.

One could not strike a smiling face. Zhu Zhuqing was also slightly moved and nodded. "Thank you for the encouragement, Senior Sister. We will naturally give it our all."

The atmosphere immediately became much more harmonious.

However, the very next second—

"Hmph! What shameless boasting! You mere Soul Grandmasters think you deserve to apply for a team? You actually think you can pass the academy's harsh assessment? What an absolute joke!"

Accompanied by an exceptionally piercing, sarcastic snort full of jealousy and hostility, Yu Tianheng, who had just finished paying and hurried over from behind, shoved his way in with a dark expression!

Yu Tianheng held a pile of pastries in his hands, his eyes fixed fiercely on Ning Ze, filled with uncontrollable gloom and resentment!

The tender, alluring look in Dugu Yan's eyes when she had looked at Ning Ze was something he had never received, even after pursuing her for three whole years!

The intense possessiveness and humiliation completely shattered the composure of this once-arrogant young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!

Yu Tianheng sneered mockingly.

"Ning Ze, don't think I don't know how you got into Heaven Dou Royal Academy through special admission!"

"It was nothing more than relying on the influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind you and a letter of recommendation from Sect Master Ning Fengzhi!"

At this point, Yu Tianheng swept a disdainful gaze over Ning Rongrong and the others, then scoffed.

"But Heaven Dou Royal Academy is ultimately a place where real strength speaks, not the private backyard of your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

"The examiners sent by the Teaching Office for the assessment in a month will all be genuine elite senior students above rank thirty!"

"Once you suffer a crushing defeat in the assessment, your so-called useless God of Love Team will be forcibly disbanded on the spot!"

"Take my advice and withdraw your application at the Teaching Office while you still can, so you don't disgrace the Upper Three Sects before the entire academy's teachers and students!"