In the heart of Tian Dou City, Ye Feng strolled leisurely down the street with his hands clasped behind his back.
Shortly after Dugu Bo had beaten up the three Education Committee members, Ye Feng received his Tian Dou Level Teacher badge.
Ye Feng hadn't expected that Dugu Bo would actually manage to secure such a position for him.
It directly elevated him from an outsider to a Tian Dou Level Teacher, granting him access to the academy's most elite privileges.
Qin Ming had toiled in Tian Dou Academy for who knows how many years to earn this title, yet Ye Feng had obtained it the moment he arrived.
If some of the academy's senior teachers heard about this, they'd probably be furious enough to spit blood.
"I just came here to blend in and get a status, but I didn't expect to gain something extra," Ye Feng chuckled wryly as he touched the badge in his hand.
He didn't even teach students, so aside from showing off, this thing was practically useless.
...
Tian Dou City was bustling with prosperity, surrounded by various commercial establishments, taverns, and shops. Luxurious carriages moved back and forth on the streets, each carrying noble figures of high status.
Most nobles were Soul Masters, though a small portion were not. After all, while Martial Souls could awaken, the probability of possessing Soul Power was not particularly high.
However, every heir and ruler of a noble family had to be a Soul Master.
In this world, where the strong preyed on the weak, without formidable strength and a solid foundation, it was impossible to maintain one's legacy—nobles were no exception.
Ye Feng arrived at a relatively secluded tavern and casually found a seat to sit down.
The tavern looked like it had been around for quite some time. It wasn't crowded, and the decor was modest, yet it was located in the most prosperous area of Tian Dou City.
Clearly, the owner of this tavern was no ordinary person.
The patrons here, though seemingly average, each exuded a unique aura, indicating their extraordinary status and background.
However, none of this concerned Ye Feng. He had come here simply to experience life.
Ye Feng took a sip of the fine wine in his cup and slightly smacked his lips.
Though he wasn't a connoisseur of wine, the rich aroma and lingering aftertaste made it quite enjoyable.
What's more, this stuff cost one Gold Soul Coin for just two cups. At such a high price, the quality must be exceptional.
Having lived in the Star Dou Great Forest for six years, he had nearly grown depressed. Now that he was out, he naturally wanted to savor all the delicacies and drinks the human world had to offer.
Of course, being alone was still a bit lonely…
He needed to focus on cultivating and growing stronger. With his blood and the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, he should be able to help the Silver Dragon King recover quickly.
Just as Ye Feng finished his cup of wine and was about to take a few jars to go, a woman dressed in a plain skirt suddenly appeared at the entrance.
The woman was strikingly beautiful, though her complexion was slightly pale. Her phoenix-like eyes were particularly captivating.
She appeared to be in her thirties, with faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes that were barely noticeable.
What stood out the most was her figure. Even dressed in a simple robe, her mature and voluptuous physique was impossible to conceal. Such a "colossal presence" was far beyond what an ordinary young girl could ever achieve.
The moment the woman entered, she immediately drew the attention of all the men in the tavern, including Ye Feng.
As soon as she stepped inside, her gaze seemed to lock onto Ye Feng as if on autopilot, and she walked straight toward him.
Without hesitation, she sat down directly across from Ye Feng.
"This... auntie, is there something you need?" Ye Feng was momentarily stunned when he saw that the woman seemed to be approaching him.
He had to admit that she had a certain charm, but that was about it—she couldn't compare to Zi Ji.
Moreover, he was certain he had never seen her before.
However, through his bloodline, Ye Feng could sense that she also had dragon blood within her, likely possessing a dragon-type Martial Soul.
"Auntie..." The woman's mouth twitched slightly at the term, but she didn't make an issue of it. Instead, she asked curiously, "Little guy, what's your name? You look unfamiliar. Why are you drinking alone here?"
"I'm a new student at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, living nearby," Ye Feng replied casually.
Showing off had its limits, and since Ye Feng didn't know who she was, he naturally wanted to end the conversation quickly, not wanting to waste words. He certainly wouldn't mention that he was a Tian Dou Level Teacher.
Besides, he had a feeling this woman had some ulterior motive toward him...
When the woman heard that Ye Feng was a student of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, a flicker of disappointment flashed in her eyes.
Still, she handed him a business card and smiled gently. "I'm the Dean of the Blue Tyrant Advanced Soul Master Academy. I feel a connection with you. If you have the chance, you should come visit Blue Tyrant Academy."
That's right, the woman was none other than Liu Erlong.
Due to emotional reasons, Liu Erlong had mostly confined herself to the academy, rarely stepping outside.
However, because of her heartbreak, she needed alcohol to drown her sorrows, so she came here to drink almost every day, sometimes sitting for an entire day.
But today, when she arrived, she saw an unfamiliar young man.
Although she had never met him before, the moment she laid eyes on him, she felt an inexplicable closeness, and even her Martial Soul seemed to stir, instinctively drawing her toward him.
Liu Erlong guessed that this young man might also possess a dragon-type Martial Soul, and possibly even a high-level bloodline, which was why she wanted to recruit him.
Unfortunately, he had already been recruited by the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy...
"You're Dean Liu of Blue Tyrant Academy?"
However, when Liu Erlong revealed her identity, it was Ye Feng's turn to be surprised.
He hadn't expected that a casual stroll and drink would lead him to run into Yu Xiaogang's old flame.
"Oh? You know me?"
Liu Erlong's eyes lit up with curiosity and surprise.
She had kept a low profile in recent years, and while the older generation might still remember her, the younger generation certainly wouldn't. She never imagined that this young man would have heard of her.
"I've heard a little about you," Ye Feng replied with a faint smile, feeling a sudden spark of interest.
Although Liu Erlong's looks and figure were above average, scoring at least an eight, she still didn't catch his eye.
Moreover, Liu Erlong was one of the rare ultimate "Love Brains" on the Douluo Continent, her heart already completely occupied by Yu Xiaogang. Naturally, Ye Feng had no intention of getting involved.
He never liked second-hand things.
But since they had crossed paths, it was fate.
Ye Feng directly assigned Liu Erlong a custom Lexical Trait—
[Love Stronger Than Gold (White): You are deeply devoted to love, and nothing can hinder your pursuit of it. Charm +1, Perseverance +1]
[...]
Perhaps the luck from last time had favored Dugu Bo, as this time all 10 Lexical Traits drawn were of the lowest white grade.
However, Liu Erlong's feelings for Yu Xiaogang were already quite strong; she just needed a catalyst to act on them.
Even though the Lexical Traits were only white, they should still be enough to push Liu Erlong to make up her mind and seek out Yu Xiaogang.
Hmm, I wonder how Yu Xiaogang's cultivation of the Sunflower Manual is progressing...
(End of Chapter)