"That guy seems even stronger than Dugu Yan!"
"No wonder she turned down Yu Tianheng. So this is who she was waiting for."
"Hey, hey—Yu Tianheng's not dead, right? He hasn't moved a muscle."
The silence shattered as murmurs and chatter rose among the onlookers.
A support-type soul master, usually seen following Yu Tianheng around, hurried forward with a worried face to heal him.
Moments later—
"Cough… cough… Where's Lin Feng?"
Yu Tianheng had barely come to when he asked, voice filled with suppressed rage.
"He… he left," one of his lackeys answered nervously, clearly shaken.
"Boss, don't be mad! I mean, we may have lost the fight, but you totally roasted them with your words!"
"Honestly, I never knew your trash talk was that good till today!"
The flunky scratched his head, flashing a sheepish smile and giving him a thumbs-up—desperate to find something positive to say.
Yu Tianheng's face darkened like storm clouds. His lips pressed into a thin line as he clenched his fist and—bam!—punched the guy square in the face.
"If you don't know how to talk, then shut your damn mouth. Maybe donate it to someone who needs it."
He wobbled to his feet, staggering toward the edge of the mountain path.
The lackey quickly caught up to help support him.
"Wait, is he seriously going to start trouble again?"
"Did you even see what happened? He can't beat Lin Feng even if he tried."
"Being strong isn't everything. It's all about background and connections. What family does Lin Feng even come from?"
"Yu Tianheng is a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Do you even understand what being enemies from one of the Three Upper Clans means?"
As they watched Yu Tianheng limp away, the crowd launched into a series of speculative debates, praising, doubting, and mocking all at once.
"Is he really gonna call his parents just because he lost a fight?"
Everyone remembered his earlier arrogance—before he even knew Lin Feng's true soul power.
They all responded in perfect unison:
"Yes!"
"As the saying goes: a true gentleman should have poise and grace. But did you hear him earlier? The way he talked was all bark and no bite."
"Wouldn't be surprised if he's heading home to call for backup right now!"
Everyone nodded, quietly agreeing they'd think twice before messing with Yu Tianheng again.
---
Meanwhile, Lin Feng and the others were making their way back down the path.
"Lin Feng, that was so awesome!"
"I've been sick of Yu Tianheng's face for ages. Always strutting around like he owns the place."
"If you hadn't beaten him, I was ready to do it myself!"
Shi Mo was practically glowing with excitement—happier than if he'd done it himself.
Dugu Yan, still flushed from the excitement, suddenly threw her arms around Lin Feng.
After all, he'd just fought that battle for her.
He deserved a reward.
She leaned in, gently bit his ear, and whispered something... suggestive.
"Don't forget tonight."
With that, she let go, face red and lips curved in a coy smile.
Lin Feng chuckled and glanced past her—locking eyes with Ye Lingling.
Their gazes met.
"So jealous of you two, Lin Feng," Ye Lingling said with a soft smile. "You get to be in the same class as Dugu Yan now…"
"Unlike me—I'll be stuck in Reaching Heaven Class with Shi Mo and Shi Mo for half a year or more."
Though she kept her voice gentle, her eyes carried a trace of disappointment.
"Hey, Lingling, you're already at Rank 28. I'm still only Rank 25."
"You'll reach Heaven Dou level in a few months, tops. I'm at least two years away."
"Before long, the three of you will be together in Heaven Dou Class."
Shi Mo said it earnestly, not noticing Ye Lingling's jealousy or tone at all.
"Exactly! Lingling, Shi Mo's right."
"We'll all be in the same class soon."
Lin Feng smiled, glancing at Shi Mo and giving him a meaningful look.
Bro, help me out here.
Shi Mo simply grinned, refusing to intervene.
I'll take a blade for a brother, he thought. But dealing with your girls? That's your mess.
He thumped his chest and silently gave Lin Feng a "Good luck, buddy" gesture.
Lin Feng sighed.
The reason Ye Lingling's cultivation was faster than Shi Mo's was because Lin Feng had refreshed her trait to Innate Soul Power Rank 9.
As for the Shi brothers, he hadn't given them any purple-tier soul power traits yet.
Although golden trait upgrades had shown up occasionally, Lin Feng always chose to hold off. Those effects were just too hard to explain with herbs or treasures.
He didn't want to risk exposing himself.
Before heading to class, the group helped Lin Feng set up his dorm room.
Compared to primary academies, Heaven Dou Academy's rules were much more relaxed.
Boys and girls could freely visit each other's rooms, and like before, everyone had a private single room.
Just then, the bell rang.
"Crap! Class is starting!"
Shi Mo waved them on.
Lin Feng and Dugu Yan waved goodbye to the others in front of the teaching building.
Once the Shi brothers were gone, Ye Lingling quickly turned back, ran up to Lin Feng, and planted a kiss on his lips before dashing off.
The surprise kiss left Lin Feng frozen in place, eyes following her retreating figure.
"Damn… she's even tastier after two months."
He smacked his lips and relished the lingering warmth.
"Hey!"
"Stop staring already! You'll get more later during class!"
Dugu Yan pulled him by the hand toward the classroom, grumbling as she did.
One kiss and he's completely hooked? Ugh. Men.
Just as they reached the door, they ran right into their instructor.
"Good morning, Teacher Qin!"
Dugu Yan quickly dropped Lin Feng's hand and gave a polite, slightly awkward smile.
"Qin Ming?!"
Lin Feng was shocked—it was the same Qin Ming who had come to recruit him back at the junior academy.
What a coincidence.
Qin Ming returned Dugu Yan's greeting with a polite smile, then turned to Lin Feng.
"Lin Feng, so you've finally arrived."
"I thought after a few days of no-show, you'd changed your mind about attending."
His tone was gentle, his eyes practically glowing.
Lin Feng was the most talented student he'd encountered this year.
And after learning about his relationship with Dugu Yan?
He wasn't worried at all. After all, his lover was already here. Where else could Lin Feng go?
"Alright, Dugu Yan, go take your seat. I'll make a quick announcement."
Dugu Yan ducked her head, cheeks flushed, and hurried into the classroom.
Qin Ming gave Lin Feng a knowing look—no need to pretend anymore, I know what's going on.
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