The noble youth quickly chased after her, cutting off Zhu Zhuqing's path once more. "Zhuqing, please accept my feelings! I'll inherit the throne next year, and you'll be my queen!" he declared loudly.
A few Zhu family members nearby chimed in, backing him up. "Cousin Zhuqing, just accept Prince Xu Wei. He's the sole heir to the Nanwo Duchy, one of our own. Meanwhile, Lu Feng is just an outsider, a commoner with no standing."
"Yeah, and Lu Feng even abandoned you for so long."
"Prince Xu Wei is true nobility. His Star Crown martial soul makes him a top-tier genius, second only to His Highness Dai Weis!"
"Prince Xu Wei just broke through to the 40th rank, becoming a Spirit Ancestor! His future is limitless. Meanwhile, Lu Feng awakened too late and still relies on the Zhu family's resources. Who knows if he'll even amount to anything?"
The Xu family originated from the reclusive Star Crown Sect, and Xu Wei's branch had inherited the Nanwo Duchy's title, their territory bordering the southern marshes.
The Star Crown martial soul could function as both support and combat, its support abilities were slightly inferior to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's, but its offensive power far surpassed it.
Right now, several of the Zhu family's promising young talents stood on Xu Wei's side.
The Star Luo Empire's Dai, Zhu, and Xu families had a long history of intermarriage.
One of Zhu Yan's favored concubines was a woman from the Xu family, Xu Wei's aunt, Xu Ruyun.
That was why the Zhu family members considered Xu Wei "one of their own."
Meanwhile, Lu Feng had appeared out of nowhere. His godly talent earned him immense favor, which naturally bred jealousy.
Lu Feng had never displayed his strength in front of the Zhu family.
And Zhu Yan, the family head, remained ambiguous, he hadn't stopped Xu Wei from pursuing Zhu Zhuqing.
The Star Luo Empire worshipped strength above all else. Power, wealth, even women, everything could be seized through fierce competition.
Before, Zhu Zhuqing had been engaged to Prince Dai Mubai, dragged into the brutal struggle for the throne. Back then, Xu Wei had lusted after her beauty but didn't dare approach her, let alone pursue her.
But now? Her engagement to Dai Mubai was broken, and Xu Wei was convinced his status and power far outmatched Lu Feng's. So, he finally made his move.
"Scram."
Zhu Zhuqing's face darkened. A single word made her stance crystal clear.
She shot Xu Wei a disgusted glance, as if looking at a persistent fly.
Then, she swiftly walked over to Lu Feng.
Without hesitation, she reached out and wrapped her arm around his, clinging to him intimately.
"Some people here are insufferable. Let's go spar over there."
Her actions made it obvious, she was Lu Feng's woman now.
The onlookers froze, stunned by the scene.
Xu Wei's face stiffened instantly, his eye twitching as his expression shifted between green and pale.
He was a prince, accustomed to being the center of attention, hailed as the Star Crown Sect's genius of the century.
When had he ever been treated like this?
Especially when he'd been so close to getting Zhu Zhuqing to yield.
"Hold it! You're Lu Feng?"
Xu Wei couldn't lash out at Zhu Zhuqing but he could take his anger out on his rival.
Sensing the thick hostility, Lu Feng turned calmly. "That's me. Can I help you?"
Xu Wei adopted the arrogant demeanor of the privileged. "I heard you awakened a godly martial soul, the Starry Sky Tree. Show it to me."
Lu Feng replied indifferently, "Sorry, but my martial soul is for fighting, not performing."
Xu Wei sneered. "You've only had your martial soul for two months. What kind of fighting can you even do?"
Lu Feng's tone was light, almost amused. "Want to test that theory?"
When a rival came looking for a fight, backing down wasn't an option.
In a world where strength ruled, he had to stand firm when challenged.
He'd seen Xu Wei harassing Zhu Zhuqing earlier.
Now was the time to make sure it never happened again.
The fact that Zhu Yan allowed this in his own family already left a sour taste in Lu Feng's mouth.
And now, this Xu Wei had delivered himself right to his doorstep.
'Guess there's no shortage of villains anywhere… Wait, if I beat up the so-called 'chosen one,' does that make me the villain?'
"You said it yourself." Xu Wei exchanged glances with those around him.
He wouldn't let this chance slip, if he could overpower Lu Feng, not only would he vent his anger, but Zhu Zhuqing might even see him in a new light.
After all, this was a world where the strong ruled. And with his noble status on top of that…
"I did. What are you going to do about it?" Lu Feng smirked.
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, but not because she was worried about Lu Feng, she knew exactly how strong he was. What concerned her was that he might go too far and accidentally cripple Xu Wei, which would sour relations between the Zhu and Xu families.
But Xu Wei's next words put her at ease.
"I won't take advantage of you. Let's fight without using spirit power. How about that?"
As a 40th-ranked Spirit Ancestor, he couldn't bring himself to openly bully someone who had just awakened their martial soul.
"Fine."
Lu Feng exchanged a glance with Zhu Zhuqing.
Understanding his silent message, she obediently stepped aside.
Lu Feng walked up to Xu Wei. "Ready when you are."
"Then let's—"
Before Xu Wei could even finish speaking—
BAM!
The sole of Lu Feng's shoe suddenly filled Xu Wei's vision, expanding rapidly as it hurtled toward his face.
"Huh?!" Xu Wei's pupils shrank.
He didn't even have time to react.
CRACK!
Lu Feng's foot connected squarely with Xu Wei's face, sending him flying like he'd been struck by lightning.
The prince's body soared several meters backward before he barely managed to twist midair and land on his feet, only to skid another meter across the ground from sheer momentum.
The training ground fell dead silent.
Everyone stood frozen, jaws slack in shock.
Even Zhu Zhuqing was stunned.
'He's gotten even stronger since I last saw him...'
His speed was so fast she couldn't even track it and that was pure physical strength, no spirit power involved. To send a 40th-ranked Spirit Ancestor flying like that was unbelievable.
What she didn't know was what Lu Feng had been through these past weeks.
The Dragon God Spirit Bone.
After absorbing it, he'd mastered the legendary Dragon Shadow Step, a movement technique so advanced it made the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track look sluggish. In an instant, it multiplied his speed and agility several times over.
But that wasn't all.
The Dragon God Spirit Bone had also bestowed upon him the strongest bloodline in the spirit beast realm, Dragon God's Bloodline. It had reforged his body, elevating his physical power to monstrous levels.
Dragons dominated through raw strength. A single dragon's might surpassed that of a thousand bulls or tigers.
And the Dragon God? It stood at the very pinnacle of draconic divinity.
On top of that, his battle with Tang Hao had granted him insights into the combat experience of a Title Douluo, further refining his skills. His newly awakened Golden-Winged Great Peng martial soul had only added to his growing arsenal.
....
High in the western tower,
Zhu Yan, Xu Ruyun, Zhu Zhuyun, Dai Weis, and several family elders watched the fight from a distance.
Their faces mirrored the same stunned disbelief.
'What... just happened?'
They knew exactly how strong Xu Wei was.
He wasn't far behind Dai Weis, a top talent among the younger generation, barely past twenty.
Zhu Yan had always encouraged fierce competition among the youths. It was their family's tradition ruthless, but undeniably effective in forging strength.
This was also why he'd delayed announcing Zhu Zhuqing's engagement to Lu Feng.
The Starry Sky Tree was a legend from ancient times. None of them had ever encountered such a martial soul before, and no one could predict how it would develop. A scheming old fox like Zhu Yan wanted more time to observe.
Just moments ago, he'd even considered stepping in if Lu Feng suffered too humiliating a defeat.
After all, Lu Feng had only awakened his martial soul two months ago, while Xu Wei had trained for over a decade—reaching the Spirit Ancestor rank. The mismatch was obvious.
But who could've imagined the one utterly humiliated would be Xu Wei?
Lu Feng had needed one kick.
Xu Wei hadn't even managed to lift a finger before his face met Lu Feng's foot.
Instant victory.
To a Title Douluo like Zhu Yan, a single move revealed everything.
Speed, power, technique, everything was flawless.
His agility rivaled that of an Agility Attack system soul master.
His raw strength could go toe-to-toe with the Evil Eye White Tiger.
It was as if he combined the traits of both Agility and Power Attack systems, on top of his martial soul's innate Control and Support capabilities…
Zhu Yan sucked in a sharp breath. The man, usually unshakably composed, couldn't stop the grin splitting his face.
'I've struck gold. No, this is a peerless treasure!'
Nearby, Zhu Zhuyun's peach-blossom eyes flickered with complicated emotions.
She barely held back a cheer.
With Xu Ruyun and Dai Weis present, she couldn't afford to react.
Only now did she realize, Lu Feng had gone easy on her yesterday.
If Lu Feng had actually slapped her hard yesterday, her backside would've been red and stinging by now.
Being bound and spanked in the bamboo forest, then stuck in the bathroom all night, listening to him and Zhu Zhuqing… Even now, thinking about it sent waves of heat through her, her cheeks flushing.
Hold on, shouldn't I hate him? Why don't I?
Deep down, it seemed she still harbored feelings for him…
Recalling last night, she couldn't help but imagine herself in Zhu Zhuqing's place, as if it were her and Lu Feng…
Zhu Zhuyun stole a glance at her fiancé, Davis, beside her, and quickly steadied her breathing, pushing down the fantasies swirling in her heart.