“Young Master Meng, what’s got you so delighted?” Chu Feng asked.
“Nothing special. I’m actually here to bid farewell to Young Master Shura,” Meng Rufei replied.
“You’re leaving?” Chu Feng asked.
“Yes, barring any surprises, I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“Though we haven’t known each other long, and we had some friction before, we’ve become acquaintances through our clashes.”
“So, before I go, I wanted to give Young Master Shura a heads-up about something, to spare you future heartache.”
Meng Rufei’s words dripped with sarcasm.
Chu Feng knew he came with ill intentions and wanted to know what he was hinting at. “What is it?”
“If I’m not mistaken, Young Master Shura has a soft spot for Miss Yin, doesn’t he?” Meng Rufei asked.
“What makes you think that?” Chu Feng replied.
“Intuition,” Meng Rufei said.
“And what kind of soft spot are you talking about?” Chu Feng asked.
“Naturally, the romantic kind,” Meng Rufei replied.
“I do have some rapport with Miss Yin, but if there’s any affection, it’s just friendship. I’m afraid it’s not what you’re imagining.”
“Seems your intuition isn’t very accurate, Young Master Meng,” Chu Feng said.
Hearing this, a mocking smirk curved Meng Rufei’s lips. “You know in your heart whether that’s true, Young Master Shura. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m telling you now—”
“You and Miss Yin are impossible, so you’d better let go of that hope to avoid getting hurt later.”
“And, as they say, a beauty pairs with a hero. If Miss Yin doesn’t choose you, there’s a reason. Perhaps Young Master Shura should reflect on what you’re lacking?”
“Of course, I mean no harm—just friendly advice.”
Meng Rufei grinned at Chu Feng, his words cloaked in goodwill but his expression clearly mocking.
“If that’s the case, I have some advice for you too, Young Master Meng,” Chu Feng said.
“Advice for me?” Meng Rufei looked puzzled. “What advice?”
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re quite smitten with Miss Yin yourself.”
“But if even I can’t catch her eye, you’d better drop your obsession. After all, in every way, I outshine you.”
“Of course, this is just friendly advice—no malice intended,” Chu Feng said with a grin.
At this, Meng Rufei’s smug smile vanished, his face darkening.
He wanted to retort but found himself at a loss—Chu Feng wasn’t exaggerating. In terms of cultivation or spirit formation techniques, Meng Rufei was indeed inferior.
“Hmph, Young Master Shura, I’ve said all I need to. Take care of yourself.”
Unable to outtalk Chu Feng, Meng Rufei flicked his sleeve and stormed off.
After Meng Rufei left, Chu Feng returned to his room.
When Xiao Xin had spoken to him earlier, he’d sensed something was off.
Meng Rufei’s deliberate mockery only confirmed it.
Chu Feng felt this must involve Yin Zhuanghong.
“Xiao Xin, has something happened? Just tell me,” Chu Feng said to Xiao Xin.
“Well…” Xiao Xin hesitated.
“You came to tell me about this, didn’t you? Since you’re here, why hesitate?” Chu Feng asked.
Biting her lip, Xiao Xin spilled everything.
The matter stemmed from why the Red-Dress Holy Land had invited Zhang Duotuo as a guest.
The leader of the Red-Dress Holy Land had made a bet with spiritists from other starfields, a contest of spirit formation techniques.
To win, the leader had immediately invited Zhang Duotuo.
But in truth, the leader’s true target was Master Yuan Shu.
This was why Yin Zhuanghong had gone to meet Master Yuan Shu.
However, Zhang Duotuo seemed to have learned he was only a backup choice, with Master Yuan Shu being the real target.
So, after learning the Red-Dress Holy Land failed to recruit Master Yuan Shu and had to rely on him, he made an outrageous demand.
He would continue helping, but only if the Red-Dress Holy Land betrothed Yin Zhuanghong to his disciple, Meng Rufei.
“Ridiculous! Such an outrageous demand—did your leader actually agree?” Chu Feng asked, his face tinged with anger.
By now, he was almost certain the leader had agreed, or Xiao Xin wouldn’t be so nervous, and Meng Rufei wouldn’t be so smug.
“The leader did agree,” Xiao Xin said.
“It was a desperate choice. The bet is today.”
“The other spiritists have already arrived, and Zhang Duotuo made his demand this morning.”
“At this point, the leader couldn’t find another spiritist in time, so she had no choice,” Xiao Xin explained.
“No choice? Just for a bet, she’d marry off her disciple to someone she doesn’t love?”
Chu Feng was furious. The situation was absurd.
No matter what, someone’s happiness shouldn’t be used as a bargaining chip.
This was the Red-Dress Holy Land’s bet—why drag Yin Zhuanghong into it?
“This bet seems very important, or the leader wouldn’t have done this. She truly cares for the Saintess,” Xiao Xin said.
“Cares? This is how she cares?”
“Is this what caring looks like? Utterly absurd,” Chu Feng sneered.
“What about Yin Zhuanghong? Did she just agree?” Chu Feng asked.
“The Saintess was raised by the leader and never disobeys her. She agreed, but everyone can see she’s unwilling.”
“That’s why I came to you. I think the Saintess feels differently about you,” Xiao Xin said.
“Differently?” Chu Feng’s brows furrowed.
Could that girl actually like him?
But that didn’t seem right—he hadn’t sensed any romantic affection from her.
Regardless, he couldn’t sit idly by.
“Xiao Xin, you said the bet starts today?” Chu Feng asked.
“It begins at noon,” Xiao Xin replied.
“There should be enough time.”
“Wait here for me.”
With that, Chu Feng entered his resting chamber and shut the door tightly.
Xiao Xin was baffled by this move.
At such a critical moment, why was Chu Feng retreating to his chamber?
Was he going to sleep?
Though confused, she stayed and waited.
At this point, she knew that in the entire Red-Dress Holy Land, only Chu Feng could help Yin Zhuanghong.
After all, everyone followed the leader’s orders without question. If even Yin Zhuanghong didn’t dare defy her, what could others do?
Though Xiao Xin wasn’t sure if Chu Feng could help, he was her only hope.
