Wu Ming

Wang Dong stood before him, her eyes red as she looked at Tian Chen, a trace of complicated emotion in her gaze.

"Wang Dong, what's wrong? What's gotten into you this time?" Tian Chen released her fist as he spoke.

Wang Dong took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm. "What exactly have you been doing these past few days?"

"I..." Tian Chen had barely opened his mouth before Wang Dong raised a hand to cut him off.

"Don't tell me you were cultivating. You've used that excuse more than a dozen times!" Wang Dong said indignantly.

Only heaven knew how she had endured those two months. Every day, a heavy stone hung over her heart. She feared Tian Chen was out chasing girls, yet had no one to confide her anxiety and fear to.

Over those two months, Tian Chen had always mysteriously slipped away right under her nose. Each time, he was gone for at least three or four hours, and he returned carrying a girl's scent-a different one every time.

Somewhat embarrassed, Tian Chen scratched his head. "Well, Wang Dong, I happened to... I happened to save a girl. Her family isn't well off, and she doesn't have any relatives, so I helped her take care of a few things. And you know I often go to the inner court to spar with Senior Xiaotao. After all, no one in the outer court is a match for me anymore."

Wang Dong's expression softened slightly, but suspicion lingered in her eyes. "Is that really all?"

"Really!" Tian Chen had simplified matters and said nothing about his relationship with Tang Ya.

Wang Dong fell silent for a moment, a complicated emotion flashing through her eyes.

"All right, I believe you. But if anything like this happens again, you have to explain it clearly. Don't leave me guessing blindly."

Tian Chen nodded. "I know. I'll be more careful from now on."

Having said that, Tian Chen lifted the lunchbox in his hand. "You haven't had lunch yet, have you? Have something to eat first."

Wang Dong took the lunchbox and nodded slightly.

"Wang Dong, there's actually something else I haven't told you." Tian Chen's voice was quiet.

Wang Dong raised her head, a hint of wariness in her eyes. "What else?"

Tian Chen took a deep breath. "Actually, Xiao Xiao and I recently started dating."

The lunchbox trembled in Wang Dong's hands and nearly fell to the floor.

Her eyes widened as she stared at Tian Chen in disbelief. "What did you say? You and Xiao Xiao?"

Tian Chen nodded and said helplessly, "Xiao Xiao is so cute, and she's been bringing us meals for almost a month. I've actually wanted to be with her for a long time."

Wang Dong's face instantly turned deathly pale. The world spun around her, as though her heart had taken a vicious blow.

She gripped the lunchbox tightly, her nails digging into the plastic. Her voice trembled despite herself. "You... when did you two start?"

"Uh, just today."

Only after hearing that did Wang Dong feel a little better.

"Why are you so worked up over me confessing to Xiao Xiao?"

Tian Chen asked slowly.

"I... it's just..." Wang Dong wrestled with herself. She desperately wanted to tell Tian Chen right then that she was a girl, then take out her little dress and put it on for him.

After all, she was quite confident in her looks. She believed that once Tian Chen saw her true appearance, he would be stunned by her beauty.

But the stubborn pride carved into her bones made it impossible for her to admit it so easily.

In the end, all she could say was, "Tian Chen, you're a complete idiot!"

Then she tossed away the lunchbox, pulled the quilt over herself, and refused to pay him any attention.

Tian Chen sighed helplessly at the sight. He sat on the edge of the bed, looked at the little mound beneath the quilt, and said gently, "Wang Dong, I know you're upset because I got a girlfriend before you, but don't be like this. You haven't had lunch yet. You'll starve yourself."

It would have been better if Tian Chen had said nothing. His words only made Wang Dong more agitated.

"Get out! I don't want to see you!"

Tian Chen could only shake his head helplessly. Of course he knew why Wang Dong was angry, but the time wasn't right yet. After all, he wanted her to tell him herself.

Although he was interested in Wang Dong too, he had no desire to become Tang San's dog, nor did he want to grovel at her feet.

In the end, Tian Chen returned to his own bed and began cultivating the Spirit Abyss True Art.

Wang Dong gritted her teeth, doing her best not to cry. That was the only pride she had left.

After a while, Wang Dong poked her head out and looked at Tian Chen, who was still cultivating. She cursed inwardly, That idiot!

She truly didn't want to give up just like that. Whenever she recalled all the little moments she had shared with Tian Chen these past days, and all the ways he had helped her, she couldn't suppress her affection for him.

Although Tian Chen had worn down much of her arrogance, she was still stubbornly proud at heart.

For a time, her stubborn pride and love fought fiercely within her, neither willing to yield.

She glanced at Tian Chen again and said, "I won't give up. You can only be my idiot."

Wang Dong had not given up. If anything, her feelings seemed to burn more fiercely than before.

So what if he's dating Xiao Xiao? As long as they haven't done that yet, I still have a chance.

Early the next morning,

Tian Chen emerged from his cultivation. Over the course of the night, he had reached the introductory stage of the Spirit Abyss True Art, and a trace of embryonic spirit power had formed within his soul power.

Looking at Wang Dong, who was still fast asleep beside him, Tian Chen smiled.

He got up alone, washed, and bought breakfast. Then he placed it beside her bed and left a little note.

"Wang Dong, I'm heading out first. Eat breakfast when you wake up. Don't let yourself go hungry."

Once everything was done, he quietly left the room.

By the time Wang Dong woke up, Tian Chen was already gone. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and noticed the breakfast and little note beside her bed.

She picked up the note and read it over and over, as though she could feel Tian Chen's concern through it.

"You big idiot. All you ever do is bully me," Wang Dong muttered, though her voice was full of sweetness.

After putting the little note away, she quickly washed, wolfed down her breakfast, and got dressed.

"Hmph, I'm not letting someone else snatch you away so easily." Determination flashed in Wang Dong's eyes.

"No matter what, I'll stay by your side until you truly belong to me."

While Wang Dong was still quietly making her vows in the dormitory, Tian Chen had already arrived at the inner court. After showing Ma Xiaotao's badge, he entered as usual.

At that moment, a fierce, exhilarating soul fight was underway in the inner court's Soul Fighting Zone.

A phoenix and a Golden Crow clashed fiercely in the air, neither gaining the upper hand.

Their figures traced dazzling arcs through the sky. Golden and fiery-red light intertwined, as though setting the entire sky above the Soul Fighting Zone ablaze.

The phoenix spread its wings, carrying powerful evil fire that seemed poised to devour its opponent.

The Golden Crow wielded its scorching golden flames, every attack as dazzling as the blazing sun.

The spectators watched without blinking, their cheers rising one after another. Some were inner court disciples, while others were teachers.

"Look! They're about to unleash their ultimate moves!" a disciple shouted, pointing at the sky.

"Fifth soul skill, Evil Flame Cloud-Piercing Strike!" A massive Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring encircled the phoenix as surging evil fire erupted continuously.

"Sixth soul skill, Golden Crow Sacred Flame Break!"

With a deafening roar, the Golden Crow's body was instantly enveloped in dazzling golden light. Like a burning sun, it released endless heat and radiance.

Boom! The Golden Crow and phoenix collided violently in midair, unleashing a powerful shock wave in an instant. The surrounding air ignited, forming distorted waves of heat that swept in every direction.

When the battle ended, the phoenix and Golden Crow transformed into Ma Xiaotao and another beautiful woman respectively.

The woman had rosy cheeks and a delicate face, her skin white as snow and her features so exquisite they seemed to have been drawn with a brush. She wore flowing red robes embroidered with golden patterns, as dazzling as burning flames. Her figure was voluptuous and sensual, its curves perfectly proportioned, and every movement exuded a distinctive charm.

Her bearing was equally distinctive, combining fiery passion with a trace of cool arrogance. Standing there, she seemed like the embodiment of the blazing sun and flames, making people afraid to look directly at her yet unable to tear their eyes away.

"Haha, Xiaotao, that was quite a fierce fight. I never imagined you'd be so strong after gaining control of your evil fire." The red-robed woman smiled, her voice clear as a bell. "Still, it looks like we're evenly matched."

Ma Xiaotao smiled too. "Yes, Sister Wu Ming, you really are strong. But I'm not that easy to defeat."

"Hmph, you little girl. You're always so stubborn." Wu Ming shook her head gently, though a hint of fondness filled her eyes. "Still, that suits my taste quite well."

Just then, Ma Xiaotao happened to glance toward a corner of the Soul Fighting Arena.

She immediately waved happily at the person there.

"Hey, Xiao Chen, over here, over here!"

Hearing her, Tian Chen smiled and streaked like lightning to Ma Xiaotao's side.

As soon as Ma Xiaotao saw Tian Chen, she threw herself at him and hugged him. "Xiao Chen, you haven't come to see your big sister in so long. Have you forgotten about me?"

Ma Xiaotao's sudden embrace caught Tian Chen off guard, but he quickly recovered. Smiling, he gently patted her back. "How could I? I've really missed you, Sister Xiaotao! Watching you fight was a real eye-opener."

"Oh? Really?" Ma Xiaotao smiled, a flicker of pride in her eyes. "Then what did you think of my performance?"

"You were incredible, of course!" Tian Chen said earnestly.

Every inner court disciple who saw them was left wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

Ma Xiaotao was notorious for her explosive temper in the inner court. Known as the Flame Maniac, she was one of its two active volcanoes. Yet here she was, chatting and laughing with a freshman.

Wu Ming strolled over, smiling teasingly. "Oh my, Xiaotao. There have been rumors all over the inner court that you're keeping a pretty-boy freshman in the outer court. Don't tell me he's the one!"

"No way, no way. The mighty Flame Maniac actually..."

Hearing Wu Ming's words, the surrounding inner court disciples exchanged surprised, teasing looks and began whispering among themselves.

Their gazes toward Ma Xiaotao and Tian Chen held a touch of amusement and curiosity.

"Xiaotao, this really is enough to make our eyes pop out," one inner court disciple couldn't help saying.

"You're usually so fierce that no one dares approach you. Who would've thought you'd be so gentle with an outer court freshman?"

"Exactly! What magic does this kid have to make our Flame Maniac, Ma Xiaotao, look after him like this?" another disciple chimed in, his tone teasing.

Ma Xiaotao's expression darkened. She fiercely glared at everyone around her and declared loudly, "Stop making wild guesses! Tian Chen and I are just like sister and brother."

"Ohhh, so that's how it is." Wu Ming deliberately drew out her words, amusement in her eyes. "Then I can rest easy. I thought someone had really stolen our Xiaotao away."

"By the way, Xiao Chen, this is Senior Wu Ming," Ma Xiaotao introduced with a smile. "She's one of the inner court's top disciples and incredibly strong. She was the one fighting me just now."

"Hello, Senior Wu Ming!" Tian Chen bowed to her.

Ding! Congratulations to the host for checking in with Douluo SSR-grade goddess Wu Ming. Reward: divine artifact, Eastern Emperor Bell (weakened version).

Seeing the reward, Tian Chen froze briefly before a wave of wild delight swept over him. This reward was actually a divine artifact. He had hit the jackpot.

"Your performance in that fight was excellent, Senior. Your control over flames, in particular, was simply divine."

"Haha, this kid certainly has a sweet tongue." Wu Ming smiled, a trace of appreciation flashing through her eyes. "Xiaotao, you really have good taste. This little junior knows how to talk."

Hearing Wu Ming's praise, Ma Xiaotao smiled proudly. "Of course. Tian Chen is a promising seedling. With proper nurturing, he'll definitely become one of the inner court's top disciples someday."

"Oh? Is that so?" Wu Ming smiled, interest in her eyes. "Then I'll have to take a good look at just how capable this 'promising seedling' is."

She turned to Tian Chen and smiled. "Little junior, how about sparring with your big sister? Don't worry, I'll go easy on you!"

Tian Chen felt this was a rare opportunity to hone his skills, so he said, "Senior Wu Ming, I'd be happy to."

"Haha, I like your straightforward nature." Wu Ming laughed, excitement flashing in her eyes. "Come on, let me see what you can do."