As the words fell.
Li Yifei's figure disappeared from Qian Renxue's sight.
Qian Renxue stood rooted to the spot in a daze.
She raised a hand, gently touching the cheek that had just been kissed.
The lingering warmth of the touch still remained there.
"Strength, huh..."
Qian Renxue murmured to herself.
"I understand. I won't disappoint your expectations."
Her gaze grew resolute.
Golden spirit power surged within her.
The Angel God's Legacy was something she began to take seriously again at this moment.
---
The night was deep.
Li Yifei's figure appeared outside the mansion in the Sunset Forest.
He walked to the door of the room he was temporarily staying in, his brow slightly furrowed.
There was someone in the room.
Li Yifei pushed the door open.
On the bed, which should have been empty, lay a beautiful and captivating young woman.
It was Dugu Yan.
The sound of the door opening startled her awake.
Dugu Yan rubbed her eyes and sat up groggily.
When she saw clearly that the person at the door was Li Yifei, she instantly became fully alert.
"You... you're back?"
Her voice held clear panic.
Li Yifei stood in the doorway, not entering.
"This room is supposed to be for my temporary stay, right?"
His tone was calm, revealing no emotion.
Dugu Yan's cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
She lowered her head, hands tightly clutching the quilt.
"I... I thought you weren't coming back tonight."
Her voice was as small as a mosquito's hum.
"That's not a very good reason, is it?"
Li Yifei walked into the room and closed the door.
Dugu Yan lowered her head, her hands tightly clutching the quilt.
She couldn't speak.
Her heart was pounding so fast it felt like it would explode.
Li Yifei walked towards the bed.
The sound of his footsteps was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
"Aren't you going back?"
He stood by the bed, looking down at Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan bit her lip.
She raised her head, a hint of stubbornness in her eyes.
"I... can I stay?"
Her voice was very soft, yet carried a desperate, all-or-nothing courage.
Grandfather had gone to great lengths to create this opportunity.
She didn't want to waste it.
Li Yifei sized her up.
Dugu Yan wore a thin nightgown.
Her perfect body curves were faintly visible in the candlelight.
"It seems you've had enough sleep, then?"
A hint of a playful smile tugged at the corner of Li Yifei's mouth.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Dugu Yan was taken aback, not understanding his meaning.
Li Yifei didn't answer.
He reached out and picked Dugu Yan up from the bed.
"I mean,"
He looked down at the flustered young woman in his arms.
"Are you mentally prepared for a battle that lasts all night?"
Dugu Yan's eyes widened instantly.
Her cheeks flushed red as if about to catch fire.
"W-Wait..."
Her voice was filled with obvious panic.
But Li Yifei had already placed her back on the bed.
The candle flame flickered.
The temperature in the room began to rise.
Dugu Yan's breathing became rapid.
She looked at Li Yifei, her heart pounding as if trying to leap out of her chest.
Grandfather had said to seize the opportunity.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
"I... I'm ready."
Her voice was light, but her tone was firm.
Li Yifei turned his head to look at her.
Dugu Yan's eyes held nervousness, but even more so, anticipation.
Li Yifei lowered his head.
"Then don't regret it."
---
The night grew even deeper.
From the forest outside the mansion, occasional low roars of Spirit Beasts could be heard.
At a certain moment, the candlelight in the room went out.
Only moonlight remained, streaming through the window lattice, spilling onto the bed.
Dugu Yan's voice sounded in the darkness.
Carrying a sob, a tremble, and a certain indescribable emotion.
"Yi Fei... be gentler..."
Li Yifei didn't answer.
He only told her through his actions.
Tonight would be very long.
---
At the same time.
Heaven Water Academy.
Shui Binger sat on the bed, holding the god-bestowed spirit ring in her hand.
Golden light swirled in her palm.
Her gaze was firm.
"After I absorb this spirit ring, I'll go to Heaven Dou City."
She murmured to herself.
"Big Brother Yi Fei, I won't disappoint you."
---
Behind the mountain in Nuoding City.
Xiao Wu stood at the edge of the cliff, looking at the distant sky.
The night wind stirred her long hair.
"Mother..."
Her voice was very soft.
"I will go find him."
"No matter the cost, I will bring you back."
She turned and walked down the mountain.
Her steps were firm, without a trace of hesitation.
---
Star Luo Empire border.
Zhu Zhuqing sat in the carriage.
She held a map in her hand.
It marked the route to Heaven Dou City.
"Dai Mubai..."
She murmured.
"I'm sorry, I can't wait any longer."
The carriage started moving.
Its wheels rolled over the ground, heading in the direction of Heaven Dou City.
---
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
In Ning Rongrong's room.
Various clothes and jewelry were scattered on the floor.
She was frantically stuffing things into a suitcase.
"So infuriating!"
She gnashed her teeth.
"That??? actually dares to steal my Yi Fei Gege!"
"I'm going to Heaven Dou City right now!"
"Just see if I don't beat her to a pulp!"
She forcefully zipped up the suitcase.
Then she pushed open the window and climbed out.
In the night, a petite figure disappeared outside the walls of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
---
In the Spirit Hall carriage.
Bibi Dong had her eyes closed.
In her mind, she replayed the information from the Chat Group.
"Li Yifei..."
She murmured.
"Just who are you?"
Hu Liena sat opposite, looking at her teacher cautiously.
"Teacher, how much longer until we reach Heaven Dou City?"
"Soon."
Bibi Dong opened her eyes.
A flash of sharp light passed through her purple phoenix eyes.
"Nana, be prepared."
"This trip to Heaven Dou City might change the entire continent's landscape."
Hu Liena nodded.
Her heart was filled with anticipation.
---
Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
In the library.
Ye Lingling sat in her original spot, the book in her hands having been open for a long time.
But her eyes weren't focused on the words at all.
Her mind was filled with everything that had happened today.
Your Highness the Crown Prince personally coming to find Li Yifei.
Yan Yan being so intimate with him.
And that mysterious Chat Group.
"What should I do?"
She murmured to herself.
"Should I... take the initiative?"
She bit her lip.
Finally, she closed the book and stood up.
"Forget it, I'll go back and sleep for now."
"I'll think about it tomorrow."
She walked out of the library.
The night wind blew past, carrying away a trace of the restlessness in her heart.
---
In the mansion in the Sunset Forest.
The commotion in the room finally ceased.
Dugu Yan lay on the bed, her body limp like a puddle of water.
Tear stains still marked her face.
Li Yifei sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her.
"Are you alright?"
Dugu Yan nodded weakly.
"I... I'm fine..."
Her voice was terribly hoarse.
Li Yifei reached out, gently stroking her hair.
"Rest well."
Dugu Yan closed her eyes.
But a satisfied smile curled at the corner of her mouth.
"Yi Fei..."
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
Li Yifei didn't answer.
He simply continued stroking her hair.
Until her breathing became steady.