"See that? Your cousin's the only one still in the dark."
Ning Rongrong pouted as she spoke.
Dugu Feng chuckled. Yu Tianheng really does know how to put on a show.
On stage, Dugu Yan was speaking with Ye Lingling. Suddenly, as if sensing something, she turned sharply toward the stands.
Thanks to Feng Ling and Feng Li grabbing prime seats close to the platform, the distance between them wasn't far.
Her eyes locked with Dugu Feng's.
Recognition flashed instantly.
Dugu Feng had been back at the academy for some time, always with Ning Rongrong at his side, and had already become a name on everyone's lips.
Even students in the Advanced Division had heard of him.
But this was Dugu Yan's first time seeing him in person.
Why? Why is he still alive?!?
Hadn't Grandfather said that his poison would erupt once he reached Spirit Grandmaster?
According to news from the Primary Academy, Dugu Feng's cultivation was nearly at Spirit Elder already. By all rights, the poison should have erupted long ago.
If it did… why hadn't he died?
And Dugu Feng's father, Dugu Shuo, how had he endured this long?
The thought made her deeply uncomfortable.
She didn't know why, but she found herself hoping they would die from poison.
She simply couldn't stand the Poison Path branch.
Perhaps it was tied to Grandfather's suffering and her father's death.
Since Grandfather said he would eventually succumb, she refused to believe otherwise.
Hatred churned in her heart.
Every look she gave him carried Dugu Bo's shadow.
If not for that influence, why would Dugu Yan treat him with such hostility?
Old Poison… you killed my grandfather. The grievances of the past are ours to settle. Yet you act like you're the wronged one?
Dugu Feng's gaze chilled. Seems it's time to give the old poison some trouble to keep him occupied.
While he thought this, the matches on stage began.
Yu Tianheng's spirit power was rank thirty-six. His opponents included Dugu Yan and Shi Mo at thirty-five, with Yu Feng and Oslo only at thirty-four.
One by one, they fell before him.
The only real challenge came from Shi Mo.
With his Black Tortoise martial soul, a beast spirit, he manifested two massive dark-red turtle shell shields.
These shields weren't just for defense, rather when spun, their edges became lethal weapons, both a wall and a blade!
The pressure they exuded even made Dugu Feng's heart stir.
Few weapon spirits could compare to these!
But even Shi Mo couldn't stop Yu Tianheng.
As for Oslo and Yu Feng, they had no chance at all.
"Yu Tianheng! Yu Tianheng! Yu Tianheng!"
The crowd roared his name, celebrating his championship victory.
"The real show's about to start!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit as she patted Dugu Feng's arm.
On the platform, Yu Tianheng raised both arms, basking in the cheers before gesturing for silence.
Then, a dazzling sight—
Ten black dots appeared in the sky. Dugu Feng's violet eyes flickered, instantly discerning them: ten flying-type spirit masters.
They soared above the arena, releasing cascades of rose petals.
Yu Tianheng leapt up, catching a bouquet midair as lightning arced across his body.
Each shower of roses landed perfectly in place, until together they formed a massive heart on the stage.
"Dugu Yan! Dugu Yan!"
"Dugu Yan!"
The spectators erupted with excitement.
"Go on, Yan," Ye Lingling urged softly beside her.
"Ah!"
Dugu Yan gasped, finally realizing what was happening.
She had long known of Yu Tianheng's persistence. She had planned to accept him eventually, just waiting for the right moment.
She hadn't expected such a grand gesture.
How could anyone not be moved?
Their statuses matched as well—he, the heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; she, granddaughter of the Jade Phosphor Douluo.
Today's scene would surely spread through every noble circle in Heaven Dou.
As the cheers grew deafening, Dugu Yan, moved, stepped onto the stage, standing before the heart of roses.
She lifted her head, just about to speak—
Then her eyes caught Dugu Feng smiling in the stands.
Her lips curved slightly as she said, "Yu Tianheng, I know you've pursued me for a long time. I'll agree, but only on one condition!"
Yu Tianheng froze. He had thought his victory, followed by this public confession, would move her to tears.
A condition?
"Yan, for you, I'd face fire and blades without hesitation!"
He recovered quickly, solemnly declaring his resolve.
In the stands, Dugu Feng felt a chill of foreboding.
Just now, had she glanced at him? She wouldn't…
Her clear voice rang out. "If you can defeat my cousin, Dugu Feng, then I'll be your girlfriend!"
Her finger pointed straight to the front row of the stands.
Yu Tianheng followed her gaze, and relief washed over him. So that's it?
For a moment, he'd feared something impossible.
But Dugu Feng? He knew his cultivation—merely near Spirit Elder.
He himself was a thirty-sixth rank Spirit Elder.
One whole rank higher. One entire ring stronger.
It was obvious—she just needed a way to save face. If she agreed too quickly, wouldn't it seem she lacked reserve?
Yu Tianheng was certain he had seen through her thoughts.
He turned and beckoned at Dugu Feng from the stage.
"Defeat him! Defeat him!"
"Defeat him! Defeat him!"
The crowd chanted again. A twist in the plot, wasn't that even better drama?
Ning Rongrong's eyes narrowed. Strange. Could it be that Dugu Yan and Dugu Feng… have some history?
Yu Tianheng might think it was just a pretext.
But she knew their relationship was poor.
This was no test. Dugu Yan simply wanted to humiliate him.
"Dugu Feng, what on earth did you do to your cousin to make her hate you this much?"
Ning Rongrong was baffled. She had come to watch a show, but suddenly the spotlight was on him.
"My cousin doesn't actually like Yu Tianheng," Dugu Feng said calmly. He glanced at Ning Rongrong, then at Feng Ling and Feng Li beside them.
"It's just that with his status as heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and his relentless pestering, it's hard for her to reject outright. So she pushed it onto me instead.
I suppose I'll just have to help my cousin out this once."
He sighed, then stood, walking toward the stage.
Cousin… you really shouldn't have provoked me.
Ning Rongrong was left dumbfounded.
If she hadn't been by his side all this time, she might actually have believed him!