Feng Xiaotian looked at Dai Chengfeng with sincere eyes.
"Today's battle has truly opened my eyes to the saying that there are always greater talents beyond what we see."
"In the past, I often prided myself on my meager abilities. Now, looking back, it was like being a frog at the bottom of a well—laughable and arrogant."
"Brother Chengfeng's strength… I deeply admire and respect it."
Dai Chengfeng noticed Feng Xiaotian's fleeting complex expression and understood perfectly.
He wasn't one to boast, so he just humbly smiled and replied in an even tone, without a trace of arrogance:
"Feng, you flatter me too much."
"Your Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf is a top-tier variant martial soul with immense potential. Especially your self-created soul skill—it's ingeniously designed and quite formidable. Given time, your achievements will surely be limitless."
Seeing that Dai Chengfeng not only possessed extraordinary strength but was also so humble, even going out of his way to mention and praise his self-created soul skill…
The resentment Feng Xiaotian felt because of Huo Wu diminished somewhat, and his goodwill towards Dai Chengfeng increased.
He raised his water pouch as if toasting with wine, signaling to Dai Chengfeng silently. Everything was understood without words.
The reactions of the three girls sitting around Dai Chengfeng were varied.
Ning Rongrong heard Huo Wu's open admiration for Dai Chengfeng and slightly wrinkled her small nose. Instinctively, she leaned closer to Dai Chengfeng, as if asserting some sort of claim.
She lifted her delicate little face, her glass-like eyes filled with pride, as though she herself had been praised.
She muttered inwardly: "Hmph, now you know how amazing Brother Chengfeng is? But Brother Chengfeng belongs to us!"
Zhu Zhuqing remained as cold as ever, quietly sitting by Dai Chengfeng's side, seemingly unaffected by the surrounding commotion.
She just tilted her head slightly; most of the time, her gaze rested on Dai Chengfeng's profile. Her usually cold eyes seemed to have melted under the firelight, becoming extraordinarily soft.
As for Hu Liena, the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, a profound smile always lingered on her lips.
Her enchanting eyes roamed among Dai Chengfeng, Huo Wu, and Feng Xiaotian, carrying a knowing amusement.
She seemed to enjoy the subtle atmosphere that permeated the scene.
The casual conversation continued in an apparent harmony, though beneath the surface, subtle undercurrents flowed.
Huo Wu seemed endlessly curious about Dai Chengfeng, continuously asking questions about cultivation and combat.
Although Dai Chengfeng answered succinctly and maintained perfect decorum,
This evident attention still made Feng Xiaotian feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles. He could only occasionally drink some water or fiddle with the campfire to hide his discomfort.
Night deepened, and the chill in the forest grew stronger.
Feng Xiaotian finally found an opportunity, excusing himself to care for the injured Vice Dean, and stood up to take his leave.
Huo Wu seemed reluctant, but reminded by Feng Xiaotian, she reluctantly stood up, bid goodnight to Dai Chengfeng and others, and followed Feng Xiaotian away from the campfire.
But as she turned to leave, she couldn't help but glance back at Dai Chengfeng. The sparkle in her eyes was still clearly visible in the night.
Subsequently, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Hu Liena also rose one after another, returning to their makeshift tents to rest.
Dai Chengfeng shook his head and retreated to his tent.
"What's this all about? It's not like I'm Tang San, and Huo Wu still…"
---
The next morning, dawn broke, and a light mist enveloped the forest. Dewdrops hung crystal clear on the leaves and grasses.
After a night's rest, everyone's spirits had recovered significantly.
The Blazing Fire Academy team needed to return to the academy promptly for better treatment of the Vice Dean's serious injuries, so they had to leave the Great Star Dou Forest early.
The two groups bade farewell in the morning mist.
Before departing, Huo Wu hesitated for a moment. Finally, she mustered the courage and quickly walked alone to stand before Dai Chengfeng.
In the morning light, her lovely cheeks flushed with barely noticeable redness, her eyes showing a hint of girlish shyness but more of straightforward anticipation.
She extended her hand, revealing a delicately crafted red card with special material and flame-patterned edges lying in her palm.
"Dai Chengfeng," her voice was much softer than usual, "this time, I really… thank you very much. Without you, we probably…"
She paused, not continuing, but instead pushed the card forward a bit further.
"This is our Blazing Fire Academy's highest-level VIP pass. With this card, you can receive assistance from any Blazing Fire enterprise within the Tian Dou Empire."
"If… if you ever come to the Tian Dou Empire, especially to the Tian Dou Imperial City, please visit our Blazing Fire Academy! Let… let me, let us show our hospitality and properly thank you."
After speaking, she stared unblinkingly at Dai Chengfeng, waiting for a response.
This scene naturally caught the eyes of Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Hu Liena, who were preparing to depart.
Ning Rongrong immediately pouted slightly, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned subtly colder, and Hu Liena wore an expectant expression, her charming eyes twinkling with deeper amusement.
Dai Chengfeng gazed at the hopeful face before him and felt three pairs of gazes with different connotations fixed on his back. He couldn't help but feel somewhat helpless.
However, his face remained calm. He smiled gently and reached out to accept the card, still warm from the girl's touch, nodding:
"Miss Huo Wu, you're too kind. Helping you was my duty."
"I'll keep this card. If fate brings me to Tian Dou City, I'll definitely visit."
There was no explicit promise, but neither was there a direct refusal.
Yet, this was already enough to satisfy Huo Wu.
A radiant smile, like the morning sun, instantly bloomed on her face, and she nodded vigorously: "Mm! It's settled then! We'll meet again!"
With that, she turned around as if completing a great task, her steps light as she chased after the Blazing Fire Academy group that had already moved a few steps ahead.
Feng Xiaotian witnessed all of this, his heart a mixture of complex emotions.
He gave Dai Chengfeng one last deep look, his gaze complicated, and clasped his hands together:
"Brother Chengfeng, take care! Until we meet again!"
"Take care, Brother Feng." Dai Chengfeng returned the gesture.
Watching the figures of the Blazing Fire Academy members disappear into the dense forest, Dai Chengfeng turned around, ready to signal his team to continue deeper into the mixed zone…
He distinctly felt three gazes, each with a different intensity, landing solidly on his back.
Ning Rongrong was the first to approach, hugging one of his arms, tilting her little face up, her tone dripping with sarcasm, deliberately elongating her words. "Oh—Brother Chengfeng's charm is truly irresistible!"
"After just one meeting and less than a day together, he has captivated the high-and-mighty princess of Blazing Fire Academy, making her fall head over heels?"
"And even presented a token of affection—oh no, a VIP pass! And invited you to visit Tian Dou City~"
As she spoke, she glanced at the red card in Dai Chengfeng's hand.
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