The next morning, as the sky began to brighten with the first light of dawn.
Dai Chengfeng woke lazily in the gentle breeze.
Looking at the familiar ceiling, he turned his head to glance at Bibi Dong, who was still sleeping peacefully beside him. Her serene expression had shed all its usual authority and coldness, making her look like an ordinary beauty in need of care.
Her long lashes cast faint shadows on her eyelids, and the corners of her lips carried a barely perceptible arc of satisfaction.
He carefully got up without waking her, gently putting on his clothes.
Turning back, he tucked in the edges of her blanket before quietly leaving the bedchamber.
Walking back to his residence, the cool morning air invigorated Dai Chengfeng.
His mind kept replaying Bibi Dong's analysis of the Rakshasa divine power from last night.
"Tempering spiritual strength..."
Dai Chengfeng pondered. "I've never neglected the cultivation of spiritual strength, but I've been stuck at the peak of Soul Douluo level with no further progress... It's tough!"
Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about it and decided to continue seeking Liu Erlong.
However, shortly after leaving the Spirit Hall, suddenly, someone gently tugged at his sleeve from behind.
A voice that sounded both pitiful and slightly familiar rang out behind him:
"Please, kind sir... I just arrived in Spirit City yesterday and found my wallet stolen. I haven't eaten all night. Could you spare some money for a bun?"
Dai Chengfeng paused, frowning slightly.
He wasn't a stingy person, but such direct begging was rare within the Spirit Hall, despite the presence of many servants.
And this voice... why did it sound so familiar?
Instinctively, he turned around to look at the person pulling his sleeve.
First, he noticed a somewhat messy but still evidently smooth head of hair, shimmering faintly in the growing morning light.
She wore what appeared to be ordinary but was actually high-quality clothing, now slightly dusty and looking rather disheveled.
Her head was bowed, seemingly avoiding his gaze, her small chin almost touching her chest.
Despite her efforts to conceal herself, Dai Chengfeng's sharp eyes immediately recognized her—Ning Rongrong!
The little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, that mischievous girl.
"Ning Rongrong? How could it be you?"
Upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's words, Ning Rongrong, who had been holding onto his sleeve, looked up in disbelief.
When she saw Dai Chengfeng's face clearly, her body stiffened. "Dai... Dai Chengfeng?"
Ning Rongrong quickly let go of Dai Chengfeng, her whole body like a startled rabbit, swiftly turning her head to the side, leaving only the back of her head and instantly reddening ear tips facing him.
"You... you're mistaken... I'm not... not Ning Rongrong."
Ning Rongrong deliberately muffled her response, even attempting to shrink herself, as if doing so would make her disappear into thin air or convince Dai Chengfeng that he had mistaken her identity.
Dai Chengfeng was momentarily stunned, then a flicker of realization and a faint smile crossed his eyes.
He immediately understood the girl's predicament.
The young lady of the prestigious Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, one of the top three sects, had ended up begging at the gates of the Spirit Hall. If this were to spread, it would become the laughing stock of the soul master world for the next year.
Her current ostrich mentality was simply due to feeling too embarrassed, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to hide in.
For a moment, Dai Chengfeng found it amusing. Indeed, she was still an inexperienced little girl on her first outing, having her wallet stolen.
Feeling a bit mischievous, he didn't expose her and stood there calmly, arms crossed, with a hint of amusement in his gaze directed at Ning Rongrong's stiff back and ears red as if they might bleed.
He wanted to see how long this girl could keep up the act.
An awkward silence filled the air.
Only the early morning breeze swept through the streets, stirring up tiny specks of dust.
Ning Rongrong could distinctly feel the gaze behind her, calm yet carrying invisible pressure, making her feel as if thorns were pricking her back.
Time seemed to stretch, each second a torment.
Her heart was a jumble of regret, shame, and embarrassment: Why was she so unlucky to run into him?
He must have recognized me!
What should I do? Should I run?
But running would be even more embarrassing... and she was really hungry...
Ultimately, Ning Rongrong's fragile facade crumbled under the dual pressures of immense psychological stress and physical hunger.
She abruptly turned around, her previously feigned pitiful expression replaced by one of resigned shame, her cheeks flushed red, her Glazed Tile-colored eyes glistening with moisture, whether from anger or grievance.
"Alright, alright! What are you looking at! It's me! Ning Rongrong! So what?!"
"My wallet was stolen, I have no money to eat, I'm starving! Go ahead and laugh if you want!"
Seeing her fierce yet inwardly weak, pride-maintaining demeanor, Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Laugh! You really are laughing!" Ning Rongrong stomped her foot in frustration.
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng finally suppressed his laughter, though the mirth in his eyes hadn't completely vanished.
He shook his head. "Alright, Rongrong, the occurrence of such theft within Spirit City is a lapse in our security management at the Spirit Hall. I apologize for startling you."
With that, Dai Chengfeng naturally changed the subject. "Hungry?"
"Come on, I'll take you to get something to eat. There's a decent breakfast shop nearby with good food and a quiet atmosphere."
Ning Rongrong, who had prepared a barrage of retorts and self-deprecating remarks, was left speechless by Dai Chengfeng's unexpected response.
She stared blankly at him, seeing his calm expression and tranquil gaze, seemingly without any intention to mock her. The bravado she had mustered instantly deflated.
Instead, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her—relief, a tinge of inexplicable grievance, and more than anything...
A sense of being saved.
She pursed her lips, lowering her head, and gave a barely audible "Mm" in agreement.
At this moment, filling her growling stomach was more important than any sense of dignity.
Dai Chengfeng said no more and turned to lead the way.
Ning Rongrong followed obediently like a little shadow, keeping a step behind him. Occasionally, she stole glances at his upright figure, her heart a whirlpool of emotions.
The place Dai Chengfeng took her to was not some luxurious restaurant but a clean and tidy breakfast shop, emanating warm steam.
By this time, early-rising soul masters and residents were already dining here.
Dai Chengfeng was evidently a regular customer; the owner greeted him warmly, and he skillfully ordered several signature breakfast items.
The food was served quickly.
The enticing aroma instantly captivated Ning Rongrong's senses.
She hadn't eaten since the previous night and had spent the entire night hungry and anxious. Seeing the steaming hot food, where was there room for any thoughts of ladylike image or sect etiquette?
"Rongrong, why did you come to Spirit City?"
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