Doulou Dalu 45

Tang Yiran nodded politely and said, "Master Ning, you have worked hard. Please, take a seat quickly."

Ning Fengzhi nodded in acknowledgment and led Xue Ling'er, Sword Douluo, and others to the VIP section. Their seats were positioned near Emperor Xue Ye and quite close to the Spirit Hall's section.

As Lin Fan and Tang Yiran stepped onto the platform, all eyes in the Spirit Hall turned toward them. Lin Fan immediately sensed dozens of gazes locked onto him, their scrutiny pressing against his skin like an invisible force. When he glanced up slightly, his eyes met Bibi Dong's.

A flicker of surprise and joy shone in her enchanting eyes—yet just as quickly, he noticed Qian Xunji's murderous glare aimed at him.

Lin Fan instantly lowered his head, reminding himself that this was not the place to flirt with Bibi Dong. But fate seemed to have other plans.

The seats allocated for the Haotian Sect were situated unnervingly close to the Spirit Hall's, particularly the spot Tang Yiran had chosen. Lin Fan soon found himself just one seat away from the stunning Bibi Dong.

Dressed in a silver gauze robe that accentuated her ethereal beauty, Bibi Dong sat with a composed air, her long, flowing hair swaying gently. Lin Fan tried to maintain his composure, but his gaze betrayed him. From this angle, Qian Xunji couldn't see his expression, emboldening Lin Fan ever so slightly.

As he adjusted his seating, Lin Fan withdrew his hand from Tang Yiran's grasp. She followed his gaze and noticed Bibi Dong sitting just across from them. Her expression shifted briefly before she regained her usual calm demeanor.

"Yi Ran, why did you bring him to the VIP section? This is absurd," Tang Xiao muttered, his tone laced with disapproval.

Tang Yiran pursed her lips. "What's wrong with that? Xiaofan performed exceptionally well today. Why shouldn't he get to sit here and watch the competition? I just wanted him next to me."

Tang Xiao sighed but said nothing further.

Bibi Dong, however, had heard the exchange.

She turned her head slightly, her eyes falling on Lin Fan. The moment their gazes met, Lin Fan caught a flicker of something in her usually distant eyes—hesitation, curiosity, maybe even… affection?

The realization stunned him.

Rather than looking away awkwardly, Lin Fan offered her a soft, confident smile.

Bibi Dong's reaction was immediate—she averted her gaze, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and a faint flush bloomed across her porcelain cheeks.

Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat.

Oh my god.

Who would have thought that the infamous, cold, and untouchable Bibi Dong could look so breathtaking when she blushed?

The stark contrast between her usual domineering presence and the subtle bashfulness made her even more mesmerizing. The way she fiddled with the edges of her gauze dress only deepened the image of a woman caught in an unfamiliar emotion.

Lin Fan felt a surge of joy. In this world, he might be the only one who could make the powerful Bibi Dong react this way.

Just as he was about to say something, an elder seated next to Bibi Dong shot him a sharp look. "Boy, how dare you?"

Lin Fan instantly retracted his gaze, forcing himself to focus on the arena. He didn't dare push his luck too far, not with so many eyes watching.

Tang Yiran, noticing his momentary stiffness, leaned in slightly and whispered, "Don't worry. My elder brother and second brother are here. This is Douhun Mountain. Even if the Spirit Hall is arrogant, they won't dare make a move here."

Lin Fan exhaled quietly and nodded. "Thank you, Sister Yiran."

His gaze then landed on Xue Ling'er, who bore a striking resemblance to Ning Rongrong.

"Sister Yiran, who is she?" he asked curiously.

Tang Yiran glanced in Xue Ling'er's direction and said, "She's from the Tiandou Royal Family. A princess, actually. She was betrothed to the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in an arranged marriage to strengthen their alliance. That's why the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is fully supporting the Tiandou Royal Family against the Demon Sect and the internal rebellion."

"A marriage alliance?" Lin Fan mused. He remembered that in the original timeline, Xue Ling'er had vanished without a trace. Had she been killed?

If so, who would dare assassinate a princess of the Tiandou Royal Family and the wife of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's leader? If it had been the Spirit Hall, Ning Fengzhi wouldn't have taken it lying down.

His thoughts were interrupted when the young announcer on the floating platform declared the start of the next battle.

"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will now face off against the Spirit Hall! Participants, please step onto the stage."

Three disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect ascended to the platform—two men and one woman.

Bibi Dong, meanwhile, stood up from her seat. As she walked past Lin Fan, a faint fragrance lingered in the air. She didn't say a word, but Lin Fan felt the unspoken tension between them.

He watched her graceful figure as she made her way toward the arena.

"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has been recruiting highly talented soul masters these past years," Qian Xunji remarked. "If Sect Master Ning sends out his strongest lineup, my disciple might not stand a chance. Yet he's only sending three? Is he showing me respect?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Your Highness, you flatter me. The Spirit Hall's Saintess is the greatest prodigy of our generation. We, of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, recognize our limitations. Naturally, we must preserve our strength for the later rounds."

Qian Xunji's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "Sect Master Ning is indeed wise. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's rapid rise must be credited to your leadership. I look forward to future cooperation between our sects."

Lin Fan, uninterested in the political back-and-forth, turned his attention to the arena.

The battle had begun.

Bibi Dong stood alone on one side, facing the three disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Among them, only the female disciple possessed the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul. She was a Soul Sect, while her two male teammates were combat soul masters—one a Soul King, the other a Soul Lord.

As the battle commenced, the female disciple activated her martial soul.

"The Seven Treasures have names: first is strength, second is speed, third is soul…"

Brilliant light enveloped her allies as she enhanced them with her abilities.

The two combatants charged at Bibi Dong with frightening speed, their beast martial souls transforming them into werewolf-like figures.

"Third soul skill, Wolf Shadow Fist!"

"Fourth soul skill, Tearing Wolf Claw!"

Their strikes were precise, their movements enhanced by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's support.

But Bibi Dong did not flinch.

Lin Fan watched, fascinated.

He had seen her in action before, but this… this was different.

As the battle unfolded, he couldn't help but wonder—was it just his imagination, or did Bibi Dong sneak a glance at him before unleashing her attack.