The roar of the crowd still echoed in Ye Feng's ears as he exited the Crimson Duel Ring, blood crusting along his knuckles and fire still simmering beneath his calm expression.
But as he turned toward the stone staircase to leave—
A soft voice called out, hidden behind the shadowed pillars:
"Ye Feng… you're bleeding."
He paused.
Out from the flickering darkness stepped Mu Yunniang—the silent, sharp-eyed girl who had observed him during the Sect Challenge. The same girl whose presence he'd felt again and again… but never addressed.
Tonight, she wore a midnight-blue robe embroidered with plum blossoms. A stark contrast to the iron and blood of this underground arena.
[System: Alert! Hidden Affection Value Detected]Mu Yunniang – Affection: 22/100
Ye Feng gave her a glance. "What are you doing here? This place isn't safe for someone like you."
She raised an eyebrow. "You're calling me weak? After what you just did?"
Silence.
"…Point taken," he admitted.
She stepped closer, pulling a silk cloth from her sleeve and, without asking, took his hand. Carefully, deliberately, she began wiping away the blood.
"I've seen men fight before," she said softly, her fingers cool against his skin. "But not like you. You don't fight to win."
Ye Feng tilted his head. "No?"
She met his gaze.
"You fight to humiliate."
A beat.
"…Is that a bad thing?" he asked.
She smirked, and the candlelight caught the hint of mischief in her expression.
"No. It's what makes you dangerous."
[System: ALERT – Potential Romantic Subplot Initiated]New Trait Gained: Yin BloomEffect: Increases charm during interactions with intelligent or icy female characters by 10%. Duration: Until you say something idiotic.
Outside the Duel Ring – Cherry Garden Path
As they walked together, Mu Yunniang slowed her steps and looked up at the moonlit canopy.
"Everyone sees you as the boy who got slapped down… but now slaps back. But I wonder…"
She turned to him, her voice quieter now.
"…Do you still feel it?"
"Feel what?"
"The betrayal. The shame. The pain," she said. "You hide it well. But you don't smile. Not even when you win."
Ye Feng's gaze darkened for a moment. He remembered Lin Ruyan's mocking smirk. The mud. The badge. The slap that wasn't his.
"…What I feel doesn't matter. I'll repay it all. That's enough."
But then he felt her fingers brush his arm again—so light, so uncharacteristically gentle for someone always distant.
"Maybe," she whispered, "it matters more than you think."
[New Side Quest Unlocked: "Crack the Ice Flower"]
Objective: Deepen your relationship with Mu YunniangBonus: +Special Technique Access | +Unique Companion Bonus (Locked)Challenge: Surpass her affection threshold before the Shadow Trial begins
[System: Oho. Now this is content. Forget slapping—let's get shipping.]
Ye Feng chuckled under his breath. For the first time in days, he didn't feel like the only sane man in a madhouse.
Perhaps… not entirely alone.