Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

Huang Xiaoman spoke up, as boisterous as ever.

Her best friend immediately shot her a look of disdain, and the two quickly started to roughhouse.

"I'll teach you to steal my man!" Huang Xiaoman said menacingly.

"Oh, Ling Fei, look how savage Xiaoman is!" Gu Xiaomi immediately took the opportunity to exclaim, laughing again and again.

This made Huang Xiaoman extremely frustrated.

'These girls are such a headache!'

'This crazy girl... she's talking as if we're actually a couple.' Seeing this, Ling Fei rolled his eyes repeatedly.

"Ling Fei, congratulations on coming out on top in the new student competition!" Just then, Mu Xue strode over on her long legs.

"Thank you!" Ling Fei said with a smile.

"Ling Fei, are you free today? We'd like to celebrate your victory," another upperclassman girl said with a smile as she approached.

"That's right! I've heard so much about you. Would you be willing to have dinner with us?"

...

"The moon will surely be beautiful tonight. Ling Fei, would you be willing to admire it with me and perhaps chat about life?" One beautiful upperclassman after another came over, all smiles as they spoke softly to Ling Fei. This scene made Wu Dapang and Huang Liang, who were standing nearby, green with envy.

...

"Um..." Ling Fei was caught off guard.

'These upperclassmen are way too enthusiastic!'

"Young Master Ling, let's all celebrate together today!" Just then, a pleasant voice, like the chime of a silver bell, rang out.

Ling Fei turned his head and saw Shangguan Yurou, Zhou Qingshui, Shangguan Piaoyu, and the others walking over.

"Congratulations on taking first place among the new students!" Shangguan Qingmu also walked over to congratulate Ling Fei.

"Since everyone is so excited, let's all get together today!" Ling Fei said with a smile.

He had been at the academy for so long, but he'd been focused on cultivating and hadn't gathered with everyone yet. It was a good time for a get-together!

'After all, even cultivators need to relax once in a while.'

"Alright, let's all get together today!" Hearing this, Huang Xiaoman nodded.

"How about we go to Fengyue Lake next to the academy?" Mu Xue suggested.

"Okay!"

Then, dozens of people crowded together and joyfully headed out of the grounds.

...

The group departed, leaving behind only envious gazes.

Many people wanted to take this opportunity to get to know Ling Fei.

But seeing Ling Fei surrounded by so many upperclassman girls, they knew it would be difficult for them to get close to this genius.

'Those upperclassmen won't let this opportunity slip by!'

"This Ling Fei has clearly become a celebrity in the academy!" many said, their faces full of envy.

Around Ling Fei, there were now not only upperclassmen but also underclassmen girls flocking to him.

Apparently, all the women in the academy were full of interest in this young genius.

Liu Yuan's gaze was fixed ahead, his eyes filled with gloom.

He had pursued Huang Xiaoman bitterly for two years, and she had always been cold and aloof. Yet now, for this Ling Fei, she was baring her fangs and claws, fighting with other women over one man.

This made him incredibly jealous.

However, his gaze shifted, and his eyes fell upon a young man beside him.

This young man was none other than Liu Ming.

At this moment, Liu Ming's eyes were also locked onto Ling Fei in the crowd ahead. His gaze was incredibly sinister, like a venomous snake lying in wait.

Shangguan Yurou was with Ling Fei.

This displeased him greatly.

He and Shangguan Yurou had known each other since they were young. Logically, after his defeat, she should have been the one to comfort him.

But instead, Shangguan Yurou was laughing and chatting with Ling Fei, completely ignoring Liu Ming.

'Does she think I'm invisible?' Liu Ming's gaze was incomparably sinister. He clenched his jaw, his fists tightening so hard that his knuckles cracked.

'Brother Ming has been proud since he was a child, but he's always had a soft spot for Miss Yurou. Now that Miss Yurou is so close to Ling Fei, he must be furious—especially since he just lost to Ling Fei.' Seeing this, the corners of Liu Yuan's mouth curled into a wicked smirk.

'Brother Ming is the prodigy of our clan. With him around, dealing with Ling Fei won't be difficult.'

At this thought, the jealousy in his heart began to dissipate bit by bit.

Then, he walked over to Liu Ming's side.

"Brother Ming, there's no need to be discouraged. That Ling Fei is just a disciple from a Humble Family. You are a champion of our Liu Clan. How could he possibly take what is yours?" Liu Yuan said with a raised brow. "Even if he can take it for a moment, how could something a Liu Clan disciple has their eye on ever truly be his to possess?"

When these words reached his ears, the sinister light in Liu Ming's eyes began to fade.

Then, the corners of his mouth curled into a cold, sharp smile.

"That's right. Even if he's stronger than me right now, he's just some kid from a Humble Family. How far can he really go?" Liu Ming's gaze was cold as he spoke, enunciating every word. "With the Liu Clan's power, dealing with him will be easy. No one can take what belongs to me, Liu Ming—not my dignity, and not my woman!"

"Brother Ming, you don't need to be distracted by this. Right now, you should adjust your mood and enter the Sword Tomb in your best condition to comprehend the Celestial River Sword Technique," Liu Yuan said.

"Mm." Liu Ming nodded, then raised an eyebrow and said, "Don't worry, Brother Yuan. A small setback like this isn't enough to affect my state of mind."

"Excellent." Liu Yuan smiled, a smirk playing on his lips.

He knew that his cousin would take care of dealing with Ling Fei for him.

...

「Fengyue Lake」

This was a lake just outside Celestial River Academy.

The scenery here was beautiful, with shady trees, and many young students liked to come here to relax.

Ling Fei, Huang Xiaoman, and the others arrived at a lakeside tavern.

Fine tea was served, and everyone sat on the floor, gathered together.

Huang Xiaoman sat next to Ling Fei, the two of them sitting cross-legged at a low table.

"Ling Fei, are you and Xiaoman really a couple?" an upperclassman asked, arching an eyebrow.

This upperclassman was none other than Gu Xiaomi.

She was very pretty, with an oval face, long legs, and fair skin as smooth as polished jade.

But right now, her gaze toward Ling Fei held a daring confidence.

She looked for all the world like she was ready to make a move if Ling Fei and Huang Xiaoman weren't a couple.

Instantly, all the upperclassmen and underclassmen in the tavern's private room turned to look at Ling Fei.

Even Shangguan Yurou couldn't help but cast a half-smiling glance his way.

'Looks like everyone is quite interested in this question!'

"It's over, my sister is done for. There are a total of thirty-seven beauties here, all staring at Brother Fei like a pack of wolves. With my sister's terrible temper, can she really hold on to Brother Fei?" Seeing this, Huang Liang shook his head repeatedly with an expression of mourning for his sister. Then, he looked toward Ling Fei.

At this moment, Huang Xiaoman also sensed the intense crisis.

Seeing Gu Xiaomi's question, Ling Fei opened his mouth to speak.

But unexpectedly, Huang Xiaoman saw that things were taking a bad turn and quickly reached out to secretly pinch Ling Fei's thigh.

This surprise attack made Ling Fei's expression shift again and again.

Then, his gaze shifted, and he looked at Huang Xiaoman, his eyes full of accusation.

'This girl has no respect at all! I've already entered the Innate Realm, you know!'

'Does she think she can still bully me like before?'

Ling Fei's gaze was sharp.

Seeing this, Huang Xiaoman raised an eyebrow and glared fiercely at Ling Fei.

Her glare seemed to say, 'Oh, you little punk, are you really trying to defy me?'

But this time, Ling Fei was firm.

'You've got to be kidding me!'

'After being oppressed for years, I finally have a chance to turn the tables and be the boss. How could I back down now?'

Seeing this, Huang Xiaoman deflated.

She knew her cover was about to be blown.

After seeing the surrender in Huang Xiaoman's eyes, Ling Fei finally retracted his gaze, a smile returning to his face as he looked at the crowd.

"Xiaoman and I did indeed grow up together," Ling Fei said with a smile.

"Oh!" Hearing this, the girls' gazes intensified as they stared at Ling Fei, waiting for him to continue.

Because it seemed Ling Fei hadn't directly admitted to his relationship with Huang Xiaoman.

"Her parents once betrothed her to me, but I'm still young. Besides, I have unfinished business to attend to, so I don't want to be distracted by romance. For me right now, cultivating hard and improving my strength is the most important thing," Ling Fei said, his gaze flickering.

In the past, he had been somewhat aimless.

But ever since being attacked by Qin Hui, Ling Fei had become firm in his goal.

That was to cultivate diligently and protect his loved ones.

If his strength was insufficient, how could he protect them?

Therefore, increasing his strength was the most important thing at present.

Besides, healing his adoptive father was not a simple matter either.

For him, the future held too many uncertainties.

"I see." Hearing this, Gu Xiaomi nodded slightly, then gave a radiant smile. "Young Master Ling Fei is exceptionally talented, so it's normal for him to be devoted to Martial Arts. However, it would also be nice to have a beautiful companion by your side. I'm very understanding, you know, and would never disturb your cultivation."

"We'll have to let nature take its course on that," Ling Fei said with a smile.

Beside him, Huang Xiaoman looked slightly embarrassed.

'This bad boy isn't a complete blockhead after all; he knew how to give me a way out.' But thinking about what Ling Fei had said, she felt a little relieved.

If her parents had mentioned these things, it would be understandable for Huang Xiaoman to claim Ling Fei was her lover.

After all, they were childhood sweethearts, so now that it was out in the open, Huang Xiaoman wouldn't lose face.

"Hehe, Young Master Ling is a dragon among men. His future is limitless. He might even step into the world of Sects, touch upon the vastness of Martial Arts, and attain immortality. At that point, the distance between us and him will only grow wider. If you little ladies want to capture Young Master Ling's heart, you'll have to cultivate hard too!" Mu Xue said with a laugh.

At this point, she also understood the meaning behind Ling Fei's words.

Hearing this, the other girls nodded slightly.

Although their own talents were good, the gap between them and Ling Fei was truly too vast.

"Why think so much about the future?" Gu Xiaomi laughed. "Young Master Ling, the path of cultivation is long. Don't wear yourself out."

...

The tavern was very lively.

Even though Ling Fei had made his stance clear, the girls were still full of enthusiasm.

To them, just getting to know a genius like him was one of life's great pleasures.

Besides, they had even gotten to tease this genius. In the future, that would be a great story to tell!

However, from beginning to end, Shangguan Yurou remained very calm.

'Young Master Ling's talent is good, and he has a chance to enter a Sect. But... I'm not bad either.' A smile touched her lips, full of confidence in herself.