No sooner had Lu Feng left Star Luo City than another visitor arrived at its gates.
Hu Liena stepped into the city, her carriage rolling straight to the Zhu family's estate. Flanked by the local Spirit Hall branch's bishop, she requested an audience with Lu Feng, in the name of Pope Bibi Dong herself.
Under the weight of the Spirit Hall's authority, Zhu Yan didn't dare delay. He greeted her personally.
"Lu Feng has already left Star Luo City for training," he explained. "As for his exact direction even I'm not certain."
"He's gone?" A flicker of disappointment crossed Hu Liena's alluring fox-like eyes.
If the Zhu family patriarch said so, she had little choice but to believe him. His vague answer felt like a polite dismissal, but she couldn't press further.
The Spirit Hall's influence was vast, but not enough to force obedience from the second-greatest family of the Star Luo Empire. Outward respect had to be maintained.
Hu Liena had rushed here the moment she received Bibi Dong's handwritten letter.
The pope's orders were clear: Use any means necessary to recruit Lu Feng.
Even if it meant offering herself to him, even if it meant sharing him with Zhu Zhuqing.
The thought made Hu Liena bristle.
A twelve-year-old kid who'd just awakened his martial soul? Even if it was god-tier, his current strength was nowhere near hers. Who could guarantee how far he'd grow?
Meanwhile, she was the top genius of the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, her pride as sharp as her wit. Her innate charm, a side effect of her fox spirit, left men fawning wherever she went, yet she scorned every last one. In her eyes, men were pathetic.
And after learning of her teacher Bibi Dong's past…? She was convinced no decent man existed. They were distractions at best, obstacles to true power. Her sole focus was leading the Golden Generation to dominate the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, to bring glory to the Spirit Hall.
That was how she'd prove her worth. That was how she'd repay Bibi Dong's years of guidance.
If she had to be paired with a man, he'd damn well be stronger than her.
Yet defiance wasn't an option.
Then the branch bishop shared new details: In just two months, Lu Feng's soul power had skyrocketed from nothing to rank 33—Soul Elder level. He'd even crushed Xu Wei, the Star Crown Sect's proud genius Soul Ancestor, in a single move.
A spark of curiosity ignited in Hu Liena.
Just as she began genuinely wanting to meet him, to see what made him so extraordinary,
He was gone.
"If the envoy has a message," Zhu Yan offered smoothly, "I'd be happy to relay it next time I see my son-in-law. Ah, yes, Lu Feng is now betrothed to my daughter, Zhu Zhuqing. We're practically family."
The unspoken jab was clear: Try to steal him? Too late.
The smugness in Zhu Yan's eyes set Hu Liena's pride ablaze.
'Mission failed? No. I never fail.' Her fingers curled into fists. 'Lu Feng, I will find you. The pope's orders will be fulfilled.'
With a sharp exhale, she clasped her hands in a stiff salute. "Since that's the case, I'll take my leave."
She turned on her heel and strode away.
———
Two days later.
A new arrival graced Star Luo City: Xue Qinghe, crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire or rather, Qian Renxue in disguise leading a diplomatic envoy.
The main purpose of her visit, naturally, was to make contact with Lu Feng.
But she also had another task, one given to her by Emperor Xue Ye: to secretly negotiate with the Star Luo Empire regarding the growing threat of the Spirit Hall.
Thanks to their shared wariness of the Spirit Hall, the relationship between the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires had eased slightly.
Of course, Qian Renxue had no intention of letting the two empires truly unite. She was just going through the motions.
Inside her carriage, she glanced back at the fading silhouette of Star Luo City and sighed.
"What a shame. I arrived too late and missed him."
"You have a god-tier martial soul… and so do I. I'd love to see how yours compares to mine."
"But a genius like you? Wherever you go, you'll shine too brightly to stay hidden for long. I'm sure we'll meet soon enough."
She wasn't discouraged. Instead, her phoenix-like eyes gleamed with quiet confidence.
This trip hadn't been entirely fruitless.
She'd met with Bai He, an elder of the Pan-Continental Merchant Alliance, and secured a massive order of weapons, equipment, and military supplies all at a steeply discounted price, personally approved by the Alliance's leader.
As the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, she couldn't personally inspect the goods in Gengxin City (which was under Star Luo's territory). But after years of flawless dealings, she trusted the Merchant Alliance's quality implicitly.
Meanwhile, in Suotuo City…
Lu Feng and Zhu Zhuqing's carriage finally rolled to a stop in front of the Rose Hotel, one of the key "destiny checkpoints" on his journey.
"Finally. Tonight, I'm making sure the sisters don't share a room."
Lu Feng had made up his mind.
During their travels, the bond between Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun had deepened. They were practically inseparable, and that meant Zhu Zhuqing kept choosing to sleep in the same room as her sister.
He'd thought this trip would be the start of his legendary romantic conquest, double the fun, double the joy.
Instead?
He'd been reduced to sneaking the occasional "banana break" when no one was looking.
The worst part? He knew Zhu Zhuyun had feelings for him. But she refused to admit it, burying her emotions deep inside.
He guessed she had her reasons, so he didn't push. There was no rush.
But her presence meant Zhu Zhuqing, his sweet, passionate fiancee, was constantly holding back.
Lu Feng and Zhu Zhuqing were wrapped up in a sweet, fiery romance. After their first night, they should've been all over each other, lost in passion.
But with Zhu Zhuyun around, Zhu Zhuqing got shy, sticking to just hugs and kisses. At night, she even shared a room with Zhu Zhuyun, leaving Lu Feng to sleep alone.
Now, they'd finally arrived in Soto City.
Rumor had it the front desk clerk at the Soto City Rose Hotel was a sharp young guy.
Leading the two sisters to the counter, Lu Feng slid over a membership card and flashed the clerk a meaningful smile.
"Hello. Do you have any rooms available?"
Before he could say more, Zhu Zhuqing chimed in: "Two rooms, please."
The clerk's eyes nearly popped out of his skull as he took in the two stunning beauties standing beside Lu Feng.
Only two words echoed in his mind:
Absolute legend.
Even the infamous "Flower-Tiger of Suotuo," Young Master Dai, couldn't compare to this guy.
Sure, Young Master Dai had brought two women to the hotel before, even sisters once. But in terms of looks, figure, or sheer presence? The two stunning girls in front of him now were on a completely different level.
This was what real goddesses looked like, the kind that could topple empires with a glance.
Most men would count themselves lucky to win one girl like this. But two at once? That was the stuff of legends.
Zhu Zhuqing's voice snapped the clerk back to reality. Catching the sly grin on Lu Feng's face, he immediately understood.
"Ah, my apologies, we only have one room left."
"Just one?" Zhu Zhuqing's brows furrowed slightly.
"O-One room…?" Zhu Zhuyun's gaze flickered with something unreadable.
"Maybe we should try another hotel," Zhu Zhuqing suggested.
The clerk normally wouldn't meddle, but then he saw the card Lu Feng had handed him, and froze.
It was a Merchant Alliance Black Card.
The color and insignia meant only elders or higher held this. This young man wasn't just an ally, he was high-ranking.
In a small city like Suotuo, Merchant Alliance elders were rare visitors.
The Alliance promoted based on merit alone. Rumor had it some elders were shockingly young.
This was serious. He'd need to report this to the manager immediately.
But first, help the elder.
Putting on his most professional smile, the clerk announced loudly:
"With tomorrow's Shrek Academy admissions, every hotel in the city is packed. If you leave now, this last room will be gone in minutes!"
Smart kid.
Promotion and raise. Immediately.
Lu Feng mentally applauded.
Zhu Zhuqing paused. "How big is the room?"
"Our finest luxury suite! Spacious, fully equipped, even has a separate partition, more than enough for three. Guaranteed satisfaction! Would you like to see it first?" The clerk poured on the charm, his enthusiasm hitting record levels.
"A partition… That's better." Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Zhu Zhuyun.
A slight nod.
Then back to Lu Feng. "Let's check the room first. If it's no good, we'll look elsewhere."
"Of course. Whatever my wife says."
Lu Feng beamed, reaching for the key—
When a cold, arrogant voice cut in.
"Hold it. That room is mine."
Dai Mubai stood in the doorway, arms slung around two girls.