Almost the moment Dai Chengfeng stepped into the courtyard, both women noticed him.
And immediately, they picked up on his unusually "radiant" demeanor today.
Zhu Zhuqing closed the scroll in her hands, and a flicker of confusion passed through her lively, cat-like eyes. She tilted her head slightly, her cold gaze falling on Dai Chengfeng's almost overflowing smile.
Hu Liena also stopped her movements and walked over to Zhu Zhuqing with a charming smile.
Her peach-blossom eyes swept over Dai Chengfeng, filled with curiosity and amusement.
"Oh, did you find a golden soul coin? Or did some pretty girl confess to you on the way? You're smiling so… smitten?"
Hu Liena was the first to speak, her tone laced with her characteristic coquettishness and teasing.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say a word, but the slight arch of her eyebrows and the clear question in her eyes conveyed the same sentiment.
"Is it that obvious? Am I really showing it that much?"
Dai Chengfeng asked, his eyes still brimming with laughter.
Zhu Zhuqing's voice was icy. "Obvious? The only thing missing is you writing 'I'm happy' in big letters across your face."
"Not just four words," Hu Liena giggled behind her hand. "I think he wants to bang drums and tell the entire Spirit Hall how great he's feeling today."
Dai Chengfeng, teased by the two women back and forth, didn't get annoyed. Instead, he chuckled heartily, too pleased to care about their banter.
He stopped trying to manage his expression and straightforwardly admitted that he was in an excellent mood.
As for the specific reason, naturally, it was a secret not to be revealed.
"It seems nothing can escape the sharp eyes of the two heroines."
Dai Chengfeng strode forward, extending his arms naturally and skillfully, ready to pull the two beauties of contrasting styles into his embrace. He said, "Since you've figured it out, let's share my good mood!"
"Let's go to the Great Spirit Arena and stretch our muscles!"
However, his "claws" didn't succeed.
Before Dai Chengfeng's arm could touch her, Zhu Zhuqing had already deftly sidestepped, avoiding him entirely. At the same time, she shot him a frosty glare.
Hu Liena simply raised her hand and slapped away his wandering one, chiding him playfully:
"Talk is fine, but don't get handsy! You jerk!"
Dai Chengfeng retracted his hand, but his face remained cheerful, showing no trace of awkwardness.
"Alright, alright, no hands." He readily complied. "Then, might the two beautiful ladies do me the honor of accompanying me to the Great Spirit Arena for a battle?"
Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena exchanged glances, seeing the familiar hints of resignation and exasperation in each other's eyes.
They seemed somewhat immune to Dai Chengfeng's occasional eccentric behavior.
"Let's go," Hu Liena adjusted her already neat collar. "I feel like I've made some progress today and want to test it out."
Zhu Zhuqing gave a slight nod.
"Then let's go!"
Dai Chengfeng led the way out of the courtyard, his steps light and brisk.
Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena followed behind him, watching his noticeably different demeanor—his very silhouette radiating joy—and couldn't help whispering again in hushed tones.
"What's gotten into him today?"
Hu Liena leaned closer to Zhu Zhuqing, lowering her voice. "He's been like this ever since returning from the Pope's Hall… What did the teacher say to him?"
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, her icy eyes reflecting her bewilderment. "I don't know."
"But it's definitely not something ordinary."
She paused, then added, "And it's certainly something he's been longing for."
"How strange…"
Hu Liena muttered under her breath, her gaze once again landing on the whistling, wind-swept figure ahead of them. Her curiosity was piqued to the highest degree.
They speculated on various possibilities—perhaps he'd made a breakthrough in cultivation?
Or maybe he'd received some kind of reward?
Or perhaps he'd devised some interesting plan?
However, no matter how clever or perceptive they were, they could never have guessed what had made Dai Chengfeng so elated and triumphant…
It was the fact that the noble and awe-inspiring powerhouse they revered, within the solemn halls of the Pope's Hall, had been reduced to blushing and flustered embarrassment by this "bastard" before their very eyes.
And ultimately, she had made an unprecedented promise.
...
The Great Spirit Arena in Spirit City was always bustling with noise.
Soul Masters yearned to prove themselves here, hone their skills, or earn hefty rewards.
And when Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Zhuqing, and Hu Liena entered the grand gates side by side, they immediately drew quite a few glances.
The receptionist at the front desk was a young girl with delicate features. Seeing the trio approach from afar, she quickly stopped what she was doing and plastered a respectful and warm smile on her face.
When the three approached, she bowed slightly, her tone familiar yet polite:
"Mr. Dai, Miss Zhu, Miss Hu, good afternoon."
"Shall I arrange a team battle for you three as usual?"
Dai Chengfeng nodded, smiling. "That's right, the usual!"
"Very well, please wait a moment while I find suitable opponents for you."
The receptionist quickly operated the soul-guiding screen beside her, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
It wasn't her fault for treating them specially—the trio of Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Zhuqing, and Hu Liena had become a legend in the Great Spirit Arena of Spirit City over the past period.
Or rather, an extremely eye-catching phenomenon.
They came almost every day without fail.
And despite being only three people, they directly participated in team battles.
They often challenged opponents far above their level. Their opponents' soul power levels were generally at least ten ranks higher—or sometimes even two whole stages higher.
But what was most astonishing was…
Despite these harsh conditions, their win rate was still frighteningly high—they won far more than they lost!
Such rule-defying records were impossible not to cause a stir.
By now, the name "Netherworld Fox" had become well-known throughout the Great Spirit Arena of Spirit City.
They even attracted large crowds of spectators who came specifically to watch their matches.
Soon, the receptionist finished processing the paperwork and respectfully handed over a match token: "Mr. Dai, everything has been arranged. Please proceed to Arena Three."
Dai Chengfeng took the match token and laughed loudly. "Let's go, ladies! Time to warm up!"
The three headed toward the competitor's corridor.
As they walked, Hu Liena curiously speculated, "I wonder who our first opponent will be today."
Zhu Zhuqing, cool as ever, replied, "If you want to know, why not ask that receptionist?"
"And ruin the surprise? No thanks." Hu Liena winked her right eye, her voice flirtatious.
"Then don't ask."
"Heh? You little wildcat, I'll ask if I want to. Come bite me if you dare."
"Hmph! I don't bite dogs."
"Zhu! Zhu! Qing!"
Amidst their habitual bickering, Dai Chengfeng and the two women soon stepped onto the arena stage.
When they saw their opponents, Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Zhuqing, and Hu Liena exchanged glances, their eyes full of playful recognition—"It's old friends!"
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