Introduced by Yun Yibai's intermediary, Feng Xiaotian and Dugu Yan finally met.
Feng Xiaotian (earnestly): "Brother, how could you already have a girlfriend?"
Dugu Yan bristled—why shouldn't Yun Yibai? Before she could retort, Feng Xiaotian's tone grew mournful:
"How could you succeed so quickly? You found a girlfriend and left me behind—I'm still single!"
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes dramatically. Even Yun Yibai shook his head at Feng's emotional outburst.
Feng Xiaotian (imploring): "Brother, teach me your ways!"
Yun Yibai (pushing him aside, wrapping his arm around Dugu Yan): "No! She's with me because she wants to be, not because of some trick."
Feng's jaw dropped warily—he'd just been served "relationship repellent."
Yun Yibai continued:
"But hey, it's been almost four years. You still haven't won over Fire Dance at Fiery Academy—what have you been doing?"
Feng sheepishly recounted his futile attempts. Dugu Yan burst out laughing:
"That's how you swept her off her feet? No wonder she's annoyed!"
Feng turned hopeful:
"Sister Dugu, teach me!"
Yun Yibai (sternly): "Call her 'Sister'?!"
Feng: "Yes, Sister Dugu!"
Dugu Yan instructed calmly:
"You can be kind and memorable, but not clingy."
"Don't pursue her for now; if you meet, act like casual friends."
"She'll begin to miss you when life feels incomplete without you—that's half the battle."
"But never be a flunky—stop following her around!"
Feng's eyes lit up:
"A true mentor!"
Then he eyed Yun Yibai:
"And a loyal friend!"
When it came to Fire Dance, Feng transformed—no longer aloof, but openly eager. Still, both kept training hard to honor their pact.
Now rested and ready, Feng and Yun Yibai met outside Wensky City.
Feng Xiaotian (smiling): "Nearly four years… you've reached Soul Lord rank, right?"
With confidence, he introduced himself:
"Feng Xiaotian, Soul Lord at level 44, Wind-Offense type, Spirit Beast: Gale Twin-Headed Devil Wolf. Please enlighten me!" His four spirit rings—two yellow, two purple—glowed, wind swirling around him.
He taunted Yun Yibai:
"Last time, I underestimated you. Join me at Feng Academy—you deserve a golden ticket!"
Feng's confidence wasn't from empty boasting: his self-created abilities improved under months of training in the Hurricane Gorge and discussions with Yun Yibai.
Yun Yibai smirked, returning the challenge:
"Yun Yibai, level 48 Soul Lord—Offense type, Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus. Please accept my challenge!" His rings glowed—two yellow, one purple, one black.
Feng's eyes widened in disbelief:
"A ten-thousand-year spirit ring at level four?!"
Even so, he remained undaunted—victory hadn't been decided yet.
Yun Yibai: "Begin!"
Feng activated his spirit form: wings of wind appeared, and he lunged at Yun Yibai.
Yun Yibai: First ring radiated lightning, releasing thunderbolts along Feng's path. Feng dodged adeptly.
Feng then unleashed his second ring skill—Wind-Blade Formation—keeping distance, avoiding close combat where Yun Yibai excelled.
Yun Yibai: Shrouded in golden lightning, he neutralized every wind-blade threat.
Feng thought:
"His lightning control rivals my mastery of wind!"
They had prepared extensively: Yun Yibai's explosive power, Feng's wind-agility.
Feng's Strategy: "Hard clash isn't smart—wear him down with hit-and-run wind strikes."
Several rounds followed: Feng harried Yun Yibai to drain his spirit energy. Yun Yibai, however, felt no fear—his confidence anchored by the ten-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor femur bone.
Then Yun Yibai's first and second rings glowed again, surging lightning around him.
With precision, Yun Yibai unleashed his third-ring skill:
"Five Thunder Heart Strike!"