Dugu Yan frowned slightly, a complex look flashing in her eyes.
"Lu Feng, do you know her true identity?"
"She is the fourth young lady of the Zhu family of Xingluo, and a contender for the next Xingluo throne."
"The succession to the Xingluo throne is extremely cruel. Two pairs of men and women must be chosen to form teams. Only one pair will survive and inherit the positions of emperor and empress."
After leaving Soto City, Dugu Yan had someone investigate Zhu Zhuqing.
A small city like Soto, an ordinary intermediate academy, simultaneously possessing both the White Tiger Martial Soul and the Netherworld Cat Martial Soul—it was hard not to attract attention.
The investigation results shocked Dugu Yan. Zhu Zhuqing's background was not her powerful support; instead, it represented endless trouble.
Lu Feng going to provoke such a woman, putting a green hat on the future emperor?
Wouldn't that be a slap in the face to the Xingluo royal family?
Most importantly, Zhu Zhuqing was only twelve or thirteen years old, yet her soul power level exceeded that of a Soul Venerable. Such amazing talent made Dugu Yan feel inferior.
This also meant that countless eyes were undoubtedly watching Zhu Zhuqing. And Lu Feng had probably already become a thorn in the side of the Star Luo royal family.
Dugu Yan leaned forward slightly, her eyes flashing with anger, her bright red lips parting slightly: "Lu Feng, that woman is dangerous. You're playing with fire."
Lu Feng listened, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
Dugu Yan's first reaction was concern for him, not unwarranted jealousy; this kindness touched him deeply. Anyone else might have been crying and making a scene.
However, Lu Feng wasn't worried about what she said.
The specific details of the Star Luo royal succession system were unknown to outsiders, so Dugu Yan's concern wasn't surprising.
Besides, Zhu Zhuqing's talent only became apparent after she arrived in Soto City. In Davis and Zhu Zhuyun's eyes, she was merely a 'weakling' with plenty of effort but lacking in talent.
Otherwise, Lu Feng and Zhu Zhuqing would have been confronted the moment the Netherworld White Tiger appeared.
Lu Feng took a deep breath, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke, "Regarding Zhu Zhuqing, I've actually been wanting to find an opportunity to talk to you about it."
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at him, her tone carrying a hint of stubbornness and nonchalance: "I'm not unreasonable. If you're going to talk about the supreme power of the strong and the three wives and four concubines, then there's no need to say anything."
Although she said this, Dugu Yan's heart was not so calm.
If it weren't for Zhu Zhuqing's outstanding talent and some beauty, how could she tolerate just any woman trying to steal her man?
However, seeing that Lu Feng was willing to take the initiative to talk about this matter, she still forced herself to suppress her emotions, calmed her mind, and quietly waited for his explanation.
Lu Feng smiled slightly. Since things had come to this point, he could only tell her the truth. Whether he sticks his neck out or hides, he would have to take the knife anyway.
He carefully chose his words and recounted Zhu Zhuqing's background, her marital entanglement with Dai Mubai, and her experiences of breaking with her sisters and escaping the Star Luo Empire.
"Yan Yan, you were born into a noble family, protected by your grandfather, a titled Douluo. You were pampered and spoiled from a young age."
Lu Feng's gaze softened as he looked into Dugu Yan's eyes. "You don't need to experience the suffering Zhu Qing endured. You two are different, but in my heart, you are equally important."
Lu Feng's tone carried a hint of candid confession: "I admit, I might have been a little greedy, fantasizing about having both. Just as I did my best to help you and Senior Dugu treat the snake venom, in my eyes, Zhu Qing also suffered greatly from her family, and I also wanted to help her escape her suffering."
"I went to great lengths for you. Similarly, I would do anything for Zhu Qing."
Dugu Yan's expression softened slightly, but a hint of suspicion remained: "Hmph, then why couldn't you tell me beforehand? Why did you have to wait until I caught them cheating before telling me all this?"
"Is there anyone else? I heard you stayed at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School for a month. How was it? Were you blinded by the allure of the world?"
Lu Feng quickly waved his hand, his expression serious and his tone firm: "Absolutely not. Others, like Ning Rongrong, she's just my friend."
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"They are exceptionally talented and may become our help in the future; they'll always be useful someday."
Lu Feng's words weren't untrue. Although he had traveled to many places and met all sorts of people, most of it was just playing along.
Especially when interacting with Ning Fengzhi, he always maintained his distance.
Having lived two lives, Lu Feng had one principle: when discussing money, he would never let any emotion get in the way.
Dugu Yan crossed her arms, a slight smile playing on her lips, a hint of playfulness and smugness in her expression: "Hmph, seeing how sincerely you explained, I'll mercifully forgive you. Little Feng, this queen is hungry, go prepare some food."
Upon hearing this, several black lines instantly appeared on Lu Feng's forehead.
This little girl really was pushing her luck.
No way, tonight I had to reassert my husbandly authority.
His eyes darted around, a mischievous smile appearing on his face: "Yan Yan, I have a big treasure, do you want to see it?"
"What?" Dugu Yan glanced at him sideways, snorting coldly, full of vigilance.
"A long and thick treasure, I guarantee you'll love it at first sight." Lu Feng's smile grew even more sly, deliberately keeping her in suspense.
Dugu Yan was taken aback at first, then reacted, her face instantly turning crimson.
She wasn't an naive young girl; seeing Lu Feng's mischievous grin, she instinctively took a step back.
But quickly, her expression hardened, she licked her luscious red lips, a hint of provocation flashing in her eyes: "Fine, take out your treasure and let me see, watch this queen bite it off in one bite."
"Oh? So, Yan Yan, you like this?" Lu Feng's lips curled into an even deeper smile, becoming increasingly mischievous.
The next second, a soul bone with an earthy yellow sheen appeared in his hand. "Yan Yan, please begin your performance."
"Huh?" Dugu Yan was stunned, looking at the soul bone in front of her with a face full of doubt. "What is this?"
Lu Feng chuckled and explained, "A soul bone, look how long and round it is. This is the external soul bone of an eight-thousand-year-old pangolin. Its skill is probably soul power storage, and it can also cause explosions."
"This... an external soul bone!" Dugu Yan covered her mouth and couldn't help but exclaim.
As the granddaughter of a titled Douluo, she naturally knew the value of soul bones.
Every soul bone was priceless, especially those at the ten-thousand-year level. And external soul bones were even more priceless, and would never be circulated on the market.
An eight-thousand-year-old external soul bone was enough to trigger a war between duchies.
"That's right, your body has been strengthened enough by the pills. Besides transferring to weapons, it's not difficult to transfer snake venom to soul bones, especially external soul bones."
Before Lu Feng could finish speaking, suddenly his vision blurred, and two soft lips sealed his mouth.
After a long while, the two slowly separated.
Dugu Yan gazed at Lu Feng before her, her eyes sparkling with admiration, and said coquettishly, "Little Feng, this is a reward from this queen."
The night deepened, the starlight shimmering like tiny diamonds scattered across the night sky.
Lu Feng looked at Dugu Yan, who sat cross-legged in the moonlight, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Just then, a slightly aged yet powerful voice drifted over: "Boy, how is Yan Yan?"
(End of Chapter)