"Ning Rongrong?"
The exposed Ning Rongrong froze instantly.
She slowly turned around, forcing an awkward yet ingratiating smile onto her face. "Dai... Dai Chengfeng..."
Dai Chengfeng looked at her with a hint of exasperation and asked: "I'm heading to the Great Star Forest to obtain a soul ring, not for some leisure trip. The journey ahead might be far from peaceful."
"And I remember your soul power level—it's not time for you to get your third soul ring yet, right?"
"So why are you packing and trying to board the carriage too?"
Caught red-handed, Ning Rongrong's face immediately fell, tinged with grievance and complaint as she stomped her foot:
"How dare you say that!"
"When we were in Tian Dou City, you clearly promised me that when I came to Spirit City, you'd show me around and have fun!"
"You promised again this time."
"And what happened?"
"I've been here for two days, and I've only seen you once! We barely even talked!"
"Now that I finally see you again, you're about to leave!"
"You heartbreaker! You don't keep your promises!"
"Do you think you don't need me anymore, so you just toss me aside?"
Her string of complaints rang out loud and clear, especially the word "heartbreaker," which distinctly reached everyone present.
Instantly, Dai Chengfeng felt several pairs of eyes focus on him all at once.
His mother, Zhu Hongxiu, had a teasing expression that said, "I understand," with a knowing smirk;
Hu Liena crossed her arms, half-smiling and half-skeptical, her eyes filled with scrutiny;
Even Zhu Zhuqing, who was usually cold, let out a faint snort, making the surrounding temperature drop a few degrees.
Dai Chengfeng immediately felt overwhelmed and hurriedly waved his hands to explain: "Hey hey hey! Rongrong! Don't go throwing around words like that!"
"What do you mean, 'heartbreaker'? There's nothing between us!"
"Nana, Zhuqing, don't listen to her nonsense!"
"Rongrong, your words are way too easy to misunderstand!"
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue, made a silly face, then clasped her hands together in a pitiful plea: "Dai Chengfeng, I'm sorry! That's not what I meant!"
"I'm just… so bored alone in Spirit City. Take me with you!"
"I promise I won't cause any trouble!"
"And I'm a disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect! My spirit is very useful—I might even help in critical moments!"
"Please, take me along to experience it!"
Seeing Ning Rongrong's teary-eyed, though mostly fake and pitiable expression, and feeling the increasingly "kind" gazes from Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing beside him, Dai Chengfeng could only feel utterly powerless.
He knew that if he didn't agree now, given Ning Rongrong's mischievous nature, there was no telling what more shocking things she might say.
By then, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't clear his name.
"Sigh…"
Dai Chengfeng let out a long sigh, rubbed his temples, and reluctantly conceded: "Alright, alright, I give up."
"I'll let you come along, but you must obey my rules. No independent actions—you follow my arrangements completely, or I'll send someone to escort you back to Spirit City immediately. Understood?"
Upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's agreement, Ning Rongrong's mood instantly brightened. A radiant smile bloomed on her face as she exclaimed joyfully:
"Understood!"
"Dai Chengfeng, you're the best! I promise to behave!"
With that, she eagerly dashed into the carriage first, fearful that Dai Chengfeng might change his mind.
Dai Chengfeng watched her retreating figure, shaking his head helplessly once more.
He turned to Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing, flashing a slightly ingratiating smile, only to receive ambiguous glances from both women before they elegantly boarded the carriage one after another.
The High Priest smiled and nodded at Dai Chengfeng, signaling that everything was ready.
Dai Chengfeng bid farewell to his mother one last time, took a deep breath, and stepped into the carriage.
The horned scale horses let out a low whinny, and the carriage slowly started moving, leaving the headquarters of the Spirit Hall behind. It traveled along a wide road, gradually heading toward the vast and mysterious Great Star Forest in the distance.
Inside the carriage.
Dai Chengfeng sat in the middle, with Hu Liena on his left, smiling coyly while occasionally shooting him questioning glances.
On his right was Zhu Zhuqing, expressionless but emanating a chilly aura.
Across from him sat Ning Rongrong, full of curiosity, glancing around restlessly.
In his arms lay Qiu'er, comfortably dozing off.
"Sigh, it seems this journey to obtain a soul ring was destined to be anything but calm from the very start."
Dai Chengfeng shook his head helplessly.
Meanwhile, at the highest window of the Spirit Hall's chambers.
A figure had quietly appeared, standing alone.
Bibi Dong stood there, her hair gently swaying in the morning breeze. Her gaze followed the carriage, now a small black dot, until it completely disappeared from sight.
...
After a full day of travel.
It wasn't until the sunset painted the horizon in brilliant shades of orange and red that Dai Chengfeng's carriage finally entered a town—Qingmu Town.
Though called a town, Qingmu Town's size and bustling atmosphere rivaled that of some small cities.
The streets were packed with carriages and people, and soul masters armed with weapons were everywhere. The air carried a unique blend of adventure, wildness, and commerce.
The group checked into the most luxurious inn in town, named "Breath of the Forest."
After a full day of travel, even soul masters couldn't avoid feeling a bit tired.
After unpacking their belongings and enjoying a hearty local dinner in the inn's restaurant, Ning Rongrong's lively eyes began to wander restlessly, eyeing the lively street scene outside the window, now illuminated by lanterns.
"Dai Chengfeng, Nana, Zhuqing,"
Ning Rongrong set down her utensils, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "We've been traveling all day, and my bones feel like they're falling apart!"
"Look how lively it is outside. Can we go out for a walk tonight?"
"It'll be a nice way to relax, won't it?"
Though her words were mainly directed at Dai Chengfeng, the clever little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect didn't forget to rope in Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing as allies.
Hearing this, Hu Liena's beautiful eyes also showed a flicker of interest.
Having grown up in Spirit City as the Pope's direct disciple, she rarely had opportunities to venture out. A relaxed stroll through a vibrant, exotic night market like this was a novel experience for her.
She dabbed her lips lightly with a napkin, her gaze shifting to Dai Chengfeng.
Though she didn't explicitly say anything, the slight upward curve of her lips already revealed her stance.
Zhu Zhuqing remained aloof, but perhaps the warmth of dinner had added a faint blush to her pale cheeks. She glanced at the bustling crowd outside and calmly said:
"I don't mind either way."
The pressure once again fell on Dai Chengfeng.
He looked at Ning Rongrong, whose face was full of expectation, then noticed the subtle excitement in Hu Liena's eyes, and sensed Zhu Zhuqing's "go with the flow" but not opposing attitude…
He knew that if he refused, Ning Rongrong would likely launch into another round of "accusations."
Moreover, he himself thought that letting everyone unwind a bit wouldn't be a bad thing.
"Alright," Dai Chengfeng smiled, standing up. "Since we're all tired, going out for a walk isn't a bad idea. Let's familiarize ourselves with the area."
"But let's agree: no wandering off, no causing trouble, and we must return to rest before the hour of Hai. We still have to rise early tomorrow to continue our journey."
"Got it!"
Ning Rongrong cheered, eagerly standing up and pulling Hu Liena, who was closest to her, out the door.
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