Dugu Feng tentatively extended his spiritual power outward.
Gradually, it probed beyond the room.
This was both spiritual energy and Azure Phosphorus Scarlet Venom.
Whether to attack or not was entirely at his discretion.
After experimenting for a while, he found it incredibly smooth and concealed.
Earlier, he had placed Azure Phosphorus Violet Venom around Shi Nian.
Yet Shi Nian hadn't noticed at all.
One must know that Shi Nian was a Soul Master specializing in illusion techniques, with formidable spiritual power.
If even he failed to detect it, the amplification from this Head Soul Bone of Spiritual Wisdom was truly remarkable.
Suddenly, Dugu Feng noticed Ye Lingling pacing in the hotel lobby.
She wanted to come up but hesitated.
After observing for a while, Dugu Feng attempted to transmit his voice using spiritual energy—compressing sound into a line.
"If you're here to see me, come on up!"
In the lobby, Ye Lingling startled, looking around but seeing no sign of Dugu Feng.
Yet she was certain it was his voice.
"I'm using sound compression to speak to you!"
Ye Lingling was shocked—had Dugu Feng grown so strong already?
He could already use sound compression?
Since she'd been discovered, Ye Lingling hesitated no longer. She turned and ascended to the hotel's third floor, arriving at Dugu Feng's door.
The moment she reached it, the door swung open.
Ye Lingling stepped inside slowly.
"You were looking for me?" Dugu Feng asked.
"You didn't attend Gem Academy's celebration event. I came to congratulate you on your victory."
Ye Lingling spoke calmly.
"Thank you, senior. By the way, when I return to Heaven Dou City, I have a gift for you."
Dugu Feng thought for a moment.
It was time to give Ye Lingling an Immortal Herb. He hadn't given her one earlier because she was participating in the Soul Master Competition. A sudden surge in Soul Power would have been hard to explain.
Now that the competition was over, Ye Lingling could absorb the herb and quietly cultivate for a while without drawing attention.
Seeing Dugu Feng's serious tone, Ye Lingling couldn't help but ask, "What gift?"
"You'll find out then."
Ye Lingling's heart fluttered.
She already knew about Dugu Feng's relationship with Ning Rongrong.
Coming to see him, she had intended to confirm things.
But upon reflection, she and Dugu Feng had no defined relationship.
Their closeness was merely an arrangement between their families.
Perhaps the Dugu Family had changed their mind—who could say?
After all, compared to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the Ye family was like heaven and earth.
Yet once inside the room, she ended up offering congratulations.
Now that Dugu Feng mentioned a gift, her imagination ran wild.
"In a few days, would you like to travel the continent with me?" Dugu Feng added.
"Mm."
Ye Lingling agreed.
Immediately, she felt dissatisfied with herself.
She hadn't even asked how he intended to treat her before agreeing?
Ye Lingling felt she was sinking.
When had it started?
Probably during Dugu Feng's training at Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, when she had to treat him periodically.
His determination, diligence, calmness, and steadiness had drawn her in.
Until that time Dugu Feng took her to absorb a Spirit Ring.
When he had seen her body completely.
At that time, her heart already belonged to none other than Dugu Feng.
Ye Lingling's heart quickly calmed down.
Since she had made up her mind, she wouldn't give up.
After a while, Ye Lingling left Dugu Feng's room and returned to the hotel where the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was staying.
The first person she saw was Dugu Yan, who had been waiting for her.
"So? What did he say? What did he say?" Dugu Yan asked eagerly, full of gossip.
"What do you mean?" Ye Lingling pretended not to understand.
"Weren't you going to confront him about his relationship with Ning Rongrong?" Dugu Yan pressed.
Ye Lingling glanced around and quickly pulled Dugu Yan into their room.
"I didn't ask!"
"Lingling, how can you be so naive? I told you long ago that Dugu Feng is cunning. When he first enrolled at six, he was already Ning Rongrong's desk mate. To win her over, he played hard to get—acting aloof so Ning Rongrong would bring Feng Ling and Feng Li to challenge him in Soul Duels. And you saw the result: he defeated Ning Rongrong twice in a row, leaving a deep impression on the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. That's how he outshone all his rivals and won her over. While pursuing Ning Rongrong, he kept you at arm's length, and last time, he even kindly took you to absorb a Spirit Ring. Look at you now—completely smitten! And you don't even dare to question him!" Dugu Yan said, exasperated.
Ye Lingling's face turned cold. "Yan Yan, if you keep talking like that, I won't speak to you anymore. Dugu Feng isn't the kind of person you describe. He's completely devoted to his training. It must have been Ning Rongrong who took the initiative—with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's influence, he couldn't refuse!" she insisted firmly.
Admittedly, she had guessed correctly. It really had been Ning Rongrong who pursued Dugu Feng first.
Dugu Yan was already used to Ye Lingling's attitude. She sighed helplessly and flopped onto the bed.
Hopeless! Sooner or later, you'll realize how venomous Dugu Feng is—he's a snake, and one day, he'll strike.
Seeing her best friend's expression, Ye Lingling felt a surge of anger.
"Hmph, just you wait."
What could the gift be? It must be something heartfelt from Dugu Feng. Ye Lingling couldn't help but look forward to it.
In the blink of an eye, another day passed.
After Dugu Feng, Little Snake, and Zhang Jingyang had fully absorbed their Soul Bones and stabilized their Soul Power, the Heaven Dou convoy finally departed from Spirit City. They couldn't wait to return to the Heaven Dou Empire to celebrate—after all, they had defeated the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation and claimed the championship.
Their return to Heaven Dou City was sure to cause a sensation.
Meanwhile, in the Pope Palace.
Hu Liena and Bibi Dong, master and disciple, faced each other.
"Teacher, I've made up my mind. I must go to Slaughter City and obtain the Slaughter God Domain. Through this battle, I realized how fragile my willpower is. Every time I trained, I had strong protectors watching over me, so I never truly experienced the breath of death. That's why the opponent's illusion was able to exploit my fears and shatter my will. I want to go to Slaughter City to face real death and gain the Slaughter God Domain. Only then can I become a true powerhouse like you!"
Hu Liena had already moved past the defeat in the tournament, but the memory of the finals lingered in her mind.
If she were to face the Seven Shura Illusion Realm again, if she were once more overwhelmed by the fear of losing her External Soul Bone and the sensation of death...
Could she hold on?
After much deliberation, Hu Liena concluded that she would still fall for it if she faced it again.
With this thought in mind, she lost all motivation to cultivate.
Instead, she now desired to obtain the Slaughter God Domain.
Dugu Feng had acquired the Slaughter God Domain when he was just a Great Soul Master or Soul Expert.
She refused to believe that, as a Soul King, she couldn't make it out of Slaughter City.
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