Chapter 71: Isn’t This Just to Give Mei a Bit of a Sense of Participation?

The rainy night was filled with the rhythmic chirping of insects.

Mei stood alone at the entrance of the school building, where the drifting rain had dampened half the steps. A moist, earthy scent mixed with the distinct dust of summer wafted through the air.

The girl's expression was tense, her delicate hand clutching a communicator pressed tightly to her ear. She held her breath slightly, listening intently to something.

There had indeed been an unusual sound on the other end of the call just now.

Running—but what kind of running would be accompanied by suppressed grunts?

Mei searched her mind for a similar scenario.

It sounded a lot like... the noise a magical girl would make when attacked by evil tentacle aliens.

Running?

Mei knew exactly how good Kiana's stamina was. Back when she had carried Mei through the entire city of Nagazora, she hadn't even been out of breath.

But now, her breathing was extremely uneven.

It sounded like she was in combat—at the very least, fighting a Herrscher-level Honkai beast!

Mei's heart instantly tightened.

"Ki—"

Before she could call out, a flash of cold light sliced through the air. Mei felt a sharp blade aura rushing toward her.

Her hand instinctively went to her sword. She pivoted at the waist, drawing her blade to block.

Clang!

The clash of steel sent sparks flying.

Their blades crossed in an X-shape, and a pink figure came into view.

"Yae Sakura?"

Mei exclaimed in surprise, her eyes filled with confusion.

Yae Sakura, along with Higokumaru and Yuno, had successfully enrolled at St. Freya Academy, so Mei naturally knew her.

She just didn't understand why Yae Sakura had suddenly attacked her.

"Lord instructed me to accompany you in a practical combat drill," Yae Sakura said, stepping back and leaping away, raising her blade in front of her.

Hearing this, Mei's heart instantly cleared, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the moon—Kiana's situation was probably something similar.

Last time she had entered, Kiana had been doing squats.

Ah, right—Kiana had mentioned she was undergoing special training here.

Being able to achieve second place in the rankings was all thanks to this world and Mr. Ye Feng.

Yes, it all made sense now!

Thinking this, the young lady of the Raiden family, raised with strict noble traditions, couldn't help but feel ashamed, silently scolding herself for her indecent thoughts.

Why had she been imagining such strange things these past few days?

Kiana had been working so hard all this time!

She needed to keep up with her pace!

Mei exhaled softly. When she opened her eyes again, her clear pupils shone with determination.

The girl gripped her sword, sinking slightly into the starting stance of the "North Star One Blade Style."

Her gaze was sharp as she stared at the shrine maiden before her.

"Menkyo Kaiden, North Star One Blade Style—Raiden Mei. Please guide me."

Hummm—

As Mei and Yae Sakura raised their blades, Kiana's side was also shaking intensely.

"Hiss—"

Kiana sucked in a sharp breath.

But all she inhaled was the thick, stuffy air.

The summer night, the enclosed gym, the smell of leather from the equipment, the dripping sweat, and some other indescribable scent all mingled together... It should have been a foul mix that made anyone frown.

But for someone in the middle of intense exercise, it was an unusual stimulant.

Ye Feng lightly licked the sweat from Kiana's back.

It really was just sweat.

The "worm" trembled all over, unable to lift the barbell any longer.

She had failed.

She couldn't escape the pull of gravity.

Kiana hadn't just given herself to Ye Feng—she had lost to universal gravitation!

Right now, Kiana truly looked like a snow-white caterpillar, wriggling weakly as she lay sprawled out.

Sweat trickled down like a small stream, soaking the black leather beneath her and dripping onto the tiled floor.

Kiana gasped like a fish out of water, her damp lips parting slightly as white steam escaped.

The gym was so quiet you could hear a pin drop—only the sound of breathing and intense vibrations remained.

Is... is that Mei's heartbeat?

Kiana immediately realized the source of the vibrations.

After linking the vibration source to Mei's heartbeat last time, Ye Feng had never removed it.

And since the rule of "not applying additional effects to Kiana" had been established afterward, this didn't count as breaking their agreement.

The clever "worm" figured this out and naturally didn't argue about it.

But still—

...Why is Mei's heartbeat so intense? What did you do to her?

Kiana couldn't help but recall that afternoon when Ye Feng and Mei had spent five whole hours in the library.

Five hours! The number on her abdomen had decreased five times in that span!

Kiana almost wanted to cry.

Ye Feng chuckled. "Isn't this just to give Mei a bit of a sense of participation? How do you feel now? Aren't you happy?"

Buzz buzz—

Kiana's eyes grew moist as she clenched her teeth, refusing to speak.

"Hah, this isn't enjoyable at all!"

"Oh? So compared to Mei, you still prefer me, huh?"

"?! What nonsense are you spouting?!"

"Worm, which is better—now or earlier?"

"I... you..."

Kiana turned her head away, refusing to answer.

If she said earlier, wouldn't that mean admitting this big jerk was better?

But if she said now, she had just claimed it wasn't enjoyable at all!

Ye Feng pressed his thumb against the soft flesh inside Kiana's mouth, pinching her cheek with his index finger as he turned her face back toward him.

"Why are you hiding? Look at me—which is better, worm?"

"Awoo—!"

Kiana, humiliated and furious, bit down hard.

...

...

The next day.

Ji Lin arrived in this world once more.

The body her consciousness inhabited... felt heavy, her shoulders sore.

After all, it had been "sculpted" by Ye Feng, a man who had "appraised" countless peerless beauties.

And recently, Ye Feng had developed a preference for ample proportions, fully embracing the aesthetic of Azur Lane.

Her figure could only be described as "heart-stopping," her exquisite curves like a masterpiece carved by the heavens themselves.

Today, she wasn't adorned with any strange silver accessories. Instead, she wore an elegant white palace dress, its pure feathered sleeves giving her an ethereal, fairy-like grace. Her long, dark hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

Even with her flowing skirt dragging along the ground, it couldn't conceal her breathtaking figure.

Her steps were light, swaying like a willow in the wind—utterly enchanting.

"This outfit really does suit you best."

Ye Feng had recently developed a fondness for classical styles.

Perhaps it was because of Jingliu's influence.

Ji Lin lowered her eyes slightly, greeting him politely.

"Come, let me show you around my world."

Ye Feng smiled.

Ji Lin gave a soft Mm, falling a step behind as she followed by his side.

Their first stop was the greenery beside the central fountain.

Amid the lush foliage stood a birdcage the size of a small house. Inside the gilded cage was a crimson silhouette.

When Ji Lin got a clear look at the person inside, her eyes widened in shock.

"F-Fu Hua?! You... you..."

"What about me?"

Ye Feng blinked innocently. "A phoenix should wear a collar and live in a cage, no? What's wrong with that, Ji Lin?"

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