Beneath the Soul Duel Stage.
"Dugu Feng, don't get cocky. We haven't mastered Sword Flight yet. Give us some time to train, and we'll challenge you again!" Feng Ling blocked Dugu Feng's path, his tone filled with resentment.
Before the duel, they had boasted loudly, yet even with two against one, they still lost. At the very least, they had to throw out some tough words to save face.
"Heh, next time I won't hold back in a Soul Duel!"Still not convinced?" Next time, I'll make sure you leave with some souvenirs. Dugu Feng's voice was icy.
"Hmph, we won't lose again!" Feng Li quickly added, as if afraid Dugu Feng might change his mind.
Both believed that as their Soul Power grew and they mastered more sword techniques and Sword Formations, Dugu Feng would be no match for them. They didn't care at all about any so-called "souvenirs."
After the commotion in the Soul Duel Arena, it was finally time for dinner.
Ge Ying led Dugu Feng and their classmates to the cafeteria.
The meal was lavish, entirely buffet-style.
Nourishing Soul Beast Meat and fragrant, steaming soups made Dugu Feng sigh in admiration—the Heaven Dou Empire certainly didn't skimp on investments. However, the lack of strong figures in the royal family led to weak governance.
This was also reflected in the academy's management, which was remarkably lax.
Overall, the Heaven Dou Empire was a shared domain between the royal family and various factions.
Xue Ye the Great was the chairman, while the Ge Family, Dugu Family, Wind Sword Sect, and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School—all core powers based in Heaven Dou City—acted as shareholders with significant influence.
Without the protection of these factions' strong ones, Xue Ye the Great wouldn't even be able to maintain his rule.
The Star Luo Empire, however, was entirely different—a powerful royal family.
Rumors said the Star Luo royal family had a Titled Douluo.
Aside from the royal Dai, there was also the White Tiger Sect, one of the Lower Four Sects, which shared the surname Dai and had deep ties to the royal family.
Additionally, the Zhu Family, which controlled one of the Great Soul Arenas, had generations of intermarriage with the royal family, maintaining an intimate relationship.
In essence, the high-end power of the Star Luo Soul Master world was tightly bound around the royal family, making its rule far more rigid and cold.
Of course, from Dugu Feng's perspective, he much preferred the atmosphere of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Family factions could develop freely.
Unconsciously, his thoughts had wandered far.
Suddenly, Dugu Feng felt someone's gaze on him.
He followed the direction and looked over.
Indeed, two familiar faces—both of whom he had only met once.
Two young women.
One was slender, dressed in black, with a black veil covering her face. Dugu Feng recognized her instantly from this signature attire—Ye Lingling.
The other girl beside her was far more striking—short, deep purple hair, green eyes, and even her nails were green upon closer inspection. This unique appearance was undoubtedly one-of-a-kind in Heaven Dou Academy—Dugu Yan.
Both girls were several years older than Ning Rongrong, their figures beginning to mature.
Standing side by side, they exuded an unusual charm, like twin lotus blossoms.
They had drawn the attention of nearly everyone in the cafeteria.
Both were staring at Dugu Feng.
Noticing he had spotted them, Dugu Yan's expression turned cold.
She walked over. "Causing trouble on your very first day—who do you think you are? If you anger the strong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, even if your father kneels at my family's doorstep, my grandfather won't lift a finger to help you!"
The surroundings fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Sitting nearby, Ge Ying gave a bitter smile. He had originally thought Dugu Yan and Dugu Feng were cousins coming to greet each other.
Instead, it turned into a verbal confrontation right off the bat.
This Dugu Feng really seemed to be having a streak of bad luck. Not only had he just offended the academy's little devil on his first day, but even Dugu Yan, who was about to graduate, didn't get along with him.
Ge Ying knew very well that while most people didn't dare approach Dugu Yan, the heirs of several major families had their eyes on her.
Especially the direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, who had already made his intentions clear—he was pursuing Dugu Yan.
After all, winning her over meant gaining a Titled Douluo as a grandfather.
Who wouldn't be tempted?
Ye Lingling was also taken aback. Her best friend had actually come looking for trouble, which made her glance apologetically at Dugu Feng.
A few days ago at the Dugu family estate, her grandfather had specifically told them to look out for each other.
Moreover, Dugu Yan's public scolding had instantly drawn everyone's attention.
The feeling of being watched made Ye Lingling extremely uncomfortable.
She reached out and tugged at Dugu Yan, trying to pull her away.
Dugu Feng was also stunned. What's wrong with Dugu Yan?
He had merely participated in a Soul Duel, and without even understanding the situation, she came over to berate him. It was Ning Rongrong who provoked me first!
Besides, given the relationship between their families, what he did was none of her business!
That's what he thought, but he still had to play it safe with his words—Dugu Bo was not a man who cared for reason.
Just you wait, Dugu Yan. One day, I'll make you kneel and sing surrender.
"Cousin, I know you mean well, but I'm grown up now. You don't need to worry about me. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School isn't that petty. You should focus on your love life and cultivation."
"I can handle things in our class just fine."
"Senior Ye, we just met the other day. Why don't you join us?" Dugu Feng said with a smile.
He couldn't afford to openly clash with Dugu Yan, nor could he air the Dugu family's dirty laundry in public. So, he resorted to Old Snake's tactic—rambling.
Dugu Yan's mouth fell open slightly. "Who's your cousin? How shameless can you be?"
Who's your senior? My grandfather told you to call him uncle—that makes you a generation above me! Ye Lingling thought to herself, though her reserved nature kept her from voicing it.
"We won't be eating here!" Ye Lingling said, pulling Dugu Yan away.
Dugu Yan was still fuming.
But seeing the firmness in Ye Lingling's eyes, she thought to herself, This Dugu Feng is truly cunning. He's trying to act chummy with me in public when our two branches are actually at odds!
She knew Ye Lingling didn't want to cause a scene with Dugu Feng in front of everyone.
And she couldn't disregard Ye Lingling's feelings either.
With a final glare at Dugu Feng, she turned and headed to a private room on the second floor of the cafeteria.
Slamming her tray onto the table, Dugu Yan vented, "Lingling, you know we have no real connection. This is only the second time I've seen him. Who said I was doing this for his sake?"
"I just can't stand how his family exploits my grandfather's reputation."
"If not for my grandfather's strength, his father—only a Soul Saint—would never be able to maintain the family's influence."
"If not for my grandfather, would Dugu Feng dare act so arrogantly in the academy? Provoking Ning Rongrong on his very first day?"
Dugu Yan held deep prejudice against Dugu Feng's branch of the family. She was convinced that Dugu Feng and Dugu Shuo were taking advantage of her grandfather's status as a Titled Douluo.
Ye Lingling gave a bitter smile. She and Dugu Yan were close friends, and from Dugu Yan's usual attitude, she knew that Dugu Yan didn't like Dugu Shuo's branch of the family.
But she hadn't expected it to reach almost a level of hatred.
"Let's not talk about him, Yanzi. I actually think what he said was reasonable. That Yu Tianheng seems to be pursuing you! What are you going to do? Will you accept him?" Ye Lingling understood Dugu Yan well and quickly changed the subject.
Sure enough, Dugu Yan's mood softened a little.
"Yu Tianheng is just a little brat pretending to be an adult.
It's only been a little over two years since my father passed away, and Grandpa has been so lonely at home all by himself. I want to spend more time with him—how could I have the heart for romance?"
Dugu Yan looked heartbroken.
The sudden tragedy had made her much more mature than her peers.
(End of Chapter)