Beneath the dueling stage.
"Dugu Feng, don't get too proud of yourself! We haven't mastered Sword Flight yet. After some time training, we'll fight again!"
Feng Ling blocked his way, voice full of unwillingness.
Before the duel they had bragged shamelessly, yet even two against one they still lost. He had to spit out some harsh words to save face.
"Heh, next time I won't be merciful." Dugu Feng's gaze turned cold. Not convinced? Next time I'll make sure you pay the price.
"Hmph! We won't lose again!" Feng Li quickly added, as if afraid Dugu Feng might walk away.
The brothers believed that as their soul power grew, and as they mastered more sword techniques and formations, Dugu Feng wouldn't be able to withstand them. Wagers and consequences didn't matter in their eyes.
After that skirmish, it was mealtime.
Ge Ying led Dugu Feng and the other students to the dining hall.
The food was lavish, soul beast meat that nourished the body, fragrant soups that made one's mouth water.
Dugu Feng sighed inwardly. The Heaven Dou Empire does invest heavily in its academies. Pity that the royal family itself lacks true experts. That's why their governance is weak, even lax in school administration.
In truth, Heaven Dou's structure was one of shared power: the emperor ruled like a chairman of the board, while noble clans like the Ge family, the Dugu clan, the Wind Sword Sect, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect held seats like shareholders, each with great influence.
Without the protection of these powers, Emperor Xue Ye could not even maintain his throne.
The Star Luo Empire was another matter altogether. It was a centralized, iron-fisted royal family. Rumor had it they even had a Titled Douluo in their direct line. With the Dai royal family, the White Tiger Sect, and the Zhu clan bound by blood and marriage, their strength was woven into a single rope. That made their rule harsher, colder.
From Dugu Feng's perspective, he preferred Heaven Dou's looser atmosphere. It allowed families like his to grow freely.
Lost in thought, he suddenly felt a pair of eyes on him.
He looked up.
Two familiar figures.
They were girls, both of whom he had only met once before.
One wore black robes, her face veiled. She was instantly recognizable - Ye Lingling.
The other was strikingly different, with short violet hair, green eyes, even her fingernails tinted jade-green. Such an appearance was unique in the Academy of course belonged to Dugu Yan.
They were older than Ning Rongrong by several years, their bodies already beginning to bloom. Standing together, they were like twin lotuses, radiating a strange allure that drew every gaze in the cafeteria.
And their eyes were on him.
When Dugu Feng noticed, Dugu Yan's expression turned cold.
She strode over.
"First day of enrollment, and you're already causing trouble? Who do you think you are? If you provoke the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, even if your father kneels at my family's gates, my grandfather won't speak for you!"
The cafeteria went dead silent.
Ge Ying gave a bitter smile. He had thought the cousins were here to exchange pleasantries. Instead it was straight-up hostility.
Poor kid, he thought. First day of school and he's already clashed with the class's little princess Ning Rongrong, and now even senior student Dugu Yan is gunning for him.
And everyone knew: while most kept their distance from Dugu Yan, among the major clans many heirs were watching her closely. Especially Yu Tianheng, direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family who had already openly declared his pursuit. After all, marrying her meant marrying into a Titled Douluo's bloodline. Who wouldn't be tempted?
Ye Lingling herself looked startled. She hadn't expected her best friend to pick a fight, and felt apologetic toward Dugu Feng.
Just days ago, her grandfather had told her to look after him.
Now, being rebuked in front of everyone made her uncomfortable. She reached out to tug Dugu Yan back.
Meanwhile, Dugu Feng was dumbfounded. This girl sick in the head or what?
All he'd done was accept a duel. It had been Ning Rongrong who provoked him first.
And with the relationship between their families, what business was it of hers?
Of course, thinking so was one thing. Saying it out loud was another. He knew full well how unreasonable Dugu Bo could be.
Fine, Dugu Yan. One day, I'll make you kneel and admit defeat.
"Cousin," he said lightly, "I know you mean well, but I've grown up. The Seven Treasure Glazed Sect isn't so petty. You should focus on your own cultivation… or your romance. As for our class, I can handle it. Sister Ye, we just met the other day. Why not sit with me for lunch?"
He smiled smoothly, words as slippery as Old Snake's.
Dugu Yan's jaw dropped. "Who's your cousin? Shameless!"
Ye Lingling almost laughed out loud. Who's your senior? My grandfather asked you to call him uncle, that makes you a generation older than me! But she was too reserved to say it aloud.
"We're not eating here." Ye Lingling pulled Dugu Yan away.
Still, Dugu Yan fumed, glaring hard at Dugu Feng before following her friend upstairs to a private room.
Inside, she slammed her tray onto the table.
"Lingling, you know as well as I do...I have nothing to do with him. That's only the second time we've met. Who's 'looking out for him'? I just can't stand it. Their branch only leeches off my grandfather's reputation. Without him, what would they be? His father's just a Soul Saint, otherwise how could their family hold any power? And that Dugu Feng, arrogant on his very first day, picking fights with Ning Rongrong!"
Dugu Yan's prejudice ran deep. She truly believed Dugu Feng and Dugu Shuo lived off her grandfather's name.
Ye Lingling sighed softly. She knew her friend disliked that branch of the clan, but she hadn't expected such near-hatred.
"Let's not talk about him, Yanzi. I heard Yu Tianheng is pursuing you. What will you do? Will you accept him?"
The topic change worked.
Dugu Yan's anger softened.
"That little brat? Pretending to be a grown-up… My father just passed away two years ago. Grandfather's alone now. I need to spend more time with him. How could I have time to think about romance?"
Her face grew sorrowful.
The tragedy had forced her to grow up far too fast.