Tang Hao

"U-Um… can you put me down now?"

Xiao Wu's face burned crimson, her heart pounding so hard she could barely speak. Her voice came out in a flustered whisper, almost pleading.

"Uh… you're the one holding my head and neck, you have to let go first…"

Lu Feng's face was just as red as he reminded her awkwardly.

Though embracing Xiao Wu's seemingly boneless body in this position felt intoxicatingly soft and delightful, filling him with blissful relaxation, they were still in the midst of battle, with countless eyes upon them, so he couldn't continue holding her like this.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu froze, suddenly realizing that when Lu Feng's face had collided with her lower abdomen, the sharp pain and loss of balance had instinctively driven her to clutch his head tightly, her legs clamping firmly around him.

It wasn't that he wouldn't let her down… she was the one gripping him tightly.

Her embarrassment deepened.

Hurriedly, she loosened her arms and legs and jumped down.

Due to the confined space within the root barrier, Xiao Wu could only face Lu Feng closely, their bodies pressed together in an intimate embrace, unavoidably rubbing and touching.

Her delicate face rested against his firm chest, a unique sense of security washing over her, stirring an inexplicable urge to trace the contours of his muscled frame.

She took several deep breaths, struggling to suppress the shameful impulse.

Meanwhile, Lu Feng was still relishing the exquisite sensation of Xiao Wu's flawless jade legs wrapped tightly around him.

The soft, strikingly pale expanse between her long legs, clad in cylindrical stockings and framed by her short skirt, had enveloped him in a way that felt almost divine. Sometimes, being entwined like this was its own kind of bliss or perhaps, being "ridden" by Xiao Wu was a blessing in itself, a tantalizing reversal of roles.

Just as he savored this moment, Xiao Wu's body began to tremble and struggle. "Xiao Wu, don't move," he murmured, "the more you squirm, the more…"

Her voice, shy and barely audible, quivered like a mosquito's hum. "You… you won't throw me… out, will you?"

Tang San was still relentlessly attacking with hidden weapons, the barrage like a storm. Logically, if Lu Feng tossed her out now, the pressure on him would ease, they wouldn't have to stay squeezed together like this.

"No. I'd never throw you away. If I could… I'd hold you like this for the rest of my life."

Her body—and heart—jolted at his words.

A feeling she'd never experienced before rose inside her.

She had always cared deeply for Tang San. She trusted him, and in some vague, unspoken way, she'd wondered if what she felt for him was that kind of love.

But now… she realized it wasn't the same.

What she felt for Tang San was more like family, the bond between siblings.

After losing her only relative, her heart had been consumed by vengeance for her mother, leaving her drowning in loneliness and desperate for warmth.

For a girl starved of love and care, even the smallest kindness from Tang San had felt like a lifeline.

But looking back on their years together, what had he really given her? Mostly just his presence.

And then there was the way he made her feel protected like a father would. That was something she'd craved, something that drew her in.

Yet Tang San had never actually confessed any feelings for her.

At most, he'd spouted those overused lines, "I'll protect you," or "Anyone who hurts you will have to step over my corpse first."

Just then,

The hidden weapon assault stopped.

Tang San had run out of ammunition.

And he hadn't so much as scratched Lu Feng.

Defeat weighed heavily on him.

Though Lu Feng had stayed inside the root barrier, his martial soul and connection to the surrounding plants had let him observe everything outside.

Seeing Tang San's frustrated expression as the attacks ceased, he finally dispersed the roots.

"Xiao Wu… can I keep holding you like this while we leave? Just to cover for me. It's not like we haven't already… and it'll be better for you too."

Lu Feng leaned close to her ear, his request tinged with awkwardness.

He'd rather not have certain… unpresentable parts of himself on display in front of everyone.

And if word got out about this scene, it wouldn't be good for Xiao Wu's reputation either.

"Mm…" Xiao Wu realized Lu Feng's suggestion was her only choice. Burying her face in his arms, she nodded shyly, allowing him to cradle her waist, her soft body yielding to his support.

The spectators, who had been holding their breaths, gaped in disbelief.

Not only was Lu Feng completely unharmed, but instead of immediately separating from Xiao Wu and facing Tang San…

He kept holding her without a care in the world, whispering intimately to her, as if Tang San didn't even exist.

What Kind of Disrespect Was This?

In the academy, many had assumed Tang San and Xiao Wu were a pair.

Just moments ago, Xiao Wu had rushed to help Tang San fight against Lu Feng, yet now, she was wrapped in Lu Feng's arms. And it didn't even look forced, because her slender arms were resting on his shoulders too.

Tang San's face turned sickly green. "You bastard! What underhanded trick did you use?! Let Xiao Wu go!"

"I'm fine. Don't worry about us."

Xiao Wu's words made Tang San stiffen in shock.

She didn't spare him another glance, instead turning to urge Lu Feng, "Let's get out of here."

"Alright." Lu Feng nodded.

Her kindness moved him deeply.

She was such a pure, good-hearted girl yet she had lost her mother, been manipulated by Tang San, and suffered the agony of sacrifice at such a young age.

But even after Tang San drained her soul power and took her soul bone, it wasn't enough. He still exploited her soul, turning her body into nothing more than his puppet.

Xiao Wu was too trusting. She never doubted Tang San.

But if she knew just one thing, it would shatter his most carefully hidden lie,

Humans could sacrifice themselves too.

Qian Daoliu had sacrificed himself for Qian Renxue!

Bo Saixi had sacrificed herself for Tang Chen!

If Tang Hao truly loved Ah yin as much as he claimed, if he was really willing to die for her, he could have sacrificed himself for her instead.

With her power boosted, Ah yin could have easily escaped with their child.

And if Tang San truly loved Xiao Wu, if he was really willing to die for her he could have sacrificed himself for her too.

The Star Dou Forest was her territory. A cunning rabbit always has multiple escape routes, how could she not have gotten away? Ju Douluo and Gui Douluo weren't even that strong, and with Da Ming and Er Ming there as well…

But in this life…

I'll be the one to protect you.

I won't let Xiao Wu be sacrificed not ever.

With a surge of soul power, Lu Feng swept Xiao Wu into his arms and leapt into the air.

"You're not getting away!"

Tang San, consumed by rage, unleashed his Blue Silver Grass's Entanglement, sending vines shooting toward Lu Feng.

"I've been going easy on you, and you still won't quit?"

With a mere thought, Lu Feng summoned a massive vine from beneath Tang San's feet. It erupted from the ground, coiled around his leg, and-

Wham!

It hurled him straight into a wall, smashing a gaping hole through the stone.

Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened.

He had always believed Tang San possessed the greatest talent for control-type spirit abilities, after all, Tang San had defeated countless opponents using his Blue Silver Grass's Entanglement.

Yet today, Lu Feng had used the very same control-type plant spirit ability, and Tang San couldn't withstand a single move. He was utterly helpless.

Both were control-type spirit masters. Both had plant-type martial souls.

But Lu Feng's talent completely eclipsed Tang San's.

And Yu Xiaogang knew, Lu Feng wasn't just a control-type spirit master. The Starwood Tree also granted him formidable healing and support abilities.

"Tang San, your father is Title Douluo Tang Hao—the same man who schemed to trick the Blue Silver Empress into sacrificing herself. But the truth is, humans can sacrifice themselves too. He deliberately made it seem like there was no other choice, playing the martyr to seize the greatest benefits. You're just as deceitful and vile as he is… but you're even better at pretending."

Lu Feng's words weren't just for Tang San.

They were a warning to Xiao Wu.

In the Douluo World, strength ruled above all. Cunning and ruthlessness weren't uncommon.

But what made Tang San truly despicable was how he cloaked himself in righteousness, playing the humble saint while deceiving the world.

"You little brat! You dare injure my son and spout such lies?! Do you even know how to write the word 'DEATH'?!"

A furious roar shook the air as Tang Hao finally revealed himself.

A monstrous wave of soul power thick enough to feel physical crashed toward Lu Feng like a tsunami.

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