Douluo Dalu 2: Way of Heaven

"Wu Feng seems a bit unsettled," remarked the boy with a smile as the girl opened her eyes to find him looking at her.

"Be careful. In this state, it's possible for an inner demon to manifest—the thing you least want to face in your heart."

"!" Wu Feng scrambled to her feet, her eyes darting around until they found the flash of golden hair. She rushed over in a single stride. "Young Mistress!"

"Feng?" Ning Tian slowly opened her eyes. As she started to rise, a sharp pain made her wince—she'd pinned her hair. "My hair?" She stared in confusion at the golden cascade now reaching her waist.

"Young Mistress, and our clothes too," Wu Feng added.

Ning Tian wore an ethereal white gauze dress that hugged her delicate figure. The lace hem brushed mid-thigh, revealing creamy skin. Her long, elegant legs were bare, and every movement exuded an air of untouchable grace. The fiery dragoness, Wu Feng, was transformed into an energetic sporty girl. Her white t-shirt strained against her ample chest, her slender waist exposed above black shorts that hugged her pert hips. Her toned, fair legs ended in black ankle socks.

"An Zhen!" Wu Feng positioned herself protectively in front of Ning Tian. "Did you do this?"

"The dream reflects reality. Your forms are projections from my heart," An Zhen replied, stepping closer, his dark eyes filled with appreciation. "So beautiful."

"Pervert," Wu Feng retorted with disdain.

"Feng." A slender hand rested on Wu Feng's shoulder as the refined young mistress stepped forward. Ning Tian lightly lifted a strand of her golden hair. "An Zhen, do you prefer long hair?"

"Yes. I like Ning Tian with long hair," An Zhen stated bluntly, his dark gaze capturing Ning Tian's deepening blush.

"Like hell you do!" Wu Feng bristled.

"I like Wu Feng full of vitality like this too," An Zhen added, his eyes drifting meaningfully to her black-stockinged feet.

"Hmph!" Wu Feng turned away. "Philandering jerk!"

Regaining her composure, Ning Tian surveyed the scene. They were in a classroom, but only the three of them were present, along with Teacher Mu Jing silently lecturing at the podium. "Is this your dream world? But... it seems only us and Teacher Mu Jing are here."

"I moved the others away." An Zhen's tone held a possessive edge. "Such beautiful versions of Ning Tian and Wu Feng... I didn't want others sharing the space." As he spoke, Mu Jing's voice suddenly became audible, filling the classroom.

Ning Tian's sapphire eyes turned to the handsome boy. Strangely... she found it hard to dislike him. She looked down at her attire. The sheer white gauze revealed nothing, yet paradoxically, its purity carried an indescribable sensuality, making her fair skin flush pink.

"An Zhen, does simply being in this dream count as cultivation?" Ning Tian asked, twirling a golden strand, deliberately shifting the topic.

"Mm," An Zhen confirmed. He'd already replicated two NPC puppets.

Ning Tian's feelings were complex. They'd known each other two months now. Desk mates—though An Zhen usually slept through class—and frequent dinner companions (always her treat). During this time, An Zhen and Wu Feng had grown closer. He'd compliment Wu Feng's black-stockinged legs almost daily, earning the predictable "Pervert!" retort. Yet, Wu Feng had taken to wearing them regularly, essentially for him. So he likes me with long hair... Feng was right. He is a pervert. Her gaze fell to her exposed legs. Too revealing. But she could feel the heat of his gaze almost physically clinging to them. Overwhelmed by shyness, she sat back down, instinctively wanting to adjust her posture to better display her legs. Yet, the slightest movement made the lace hem creep higher. Despite his earlier confession, maidenly modesty prevented her from allowing it to rise even an inch more.

"This outfit is way too embarrassing!" Wu Feng muttered, swallowing as she glanced at Ning Tian. The straightforward girl didn't find An Zhen's possessiveness odd—of course others shouldn't be allowed to see them like this, even if they were invisible. But you shouldn't be here either! She shot An Zhen a righteous glare. "Can't you change it?"

"I could," An Zhen conceded amiably. "But it might result in even shorter clothes~"

"Feng, let it go. It's fine like this," Ning Tian interjected, stopping Wu Feng's protest. "Let's just sit and listen to the lecture."

"Tch." Wu Feng shot An Zhen a fierce look—more cute than threatening—and plopped down directly into An Zhen's usual seat beside Ning Tian.

Pleasant to the eyes indeed. Ning Tian seemed to be considering the arrangement.

Though this little dragoness might need some extra... encouragement. An Zhen pulled up a chair and sat directly on Ning Tian's other side.

"If you dare lay a hand on the Young Mistress..." Wu Feng growled.

"What if I want to lay a hand on Wu Feng?" An Zhen leaned back slightly, his gaze fixed meaningfully on her perfectly shaped legs and stockinged feet.

"Just try it!" Wu Feng bared her little fangs.

"Alright," An Zhen replied, turning his attention studiously to the lecture.

"Pfft." Wu Feng scoffed.

Ning Tian sighed softly.

Suddenly, Ning Tian felt her hand being gently grasped. A shiver ran through her delicate frame at the unfamiliar sensation.

Just holding hands, An Zhen traced with his index finger on her palm.

She offered a token resistance, her sapphire eyes meeting his with a look of resigned tolerance as he feigned rapt attention to the lesson.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Blessed with a Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart and heir to the Nine Treasure Glazed Sect, Ning Tian was no starry-eyed romantic.

...

"Ugh." Wang Dong, his striking pink-blue hair disheveled, slumped despondently over his desk. He glanced at the petite girl beside him diligently taking notes, then stared at the words appearing magically on his own notebook:

Teacher Zhou Yi is strict. Focus on class now. We can hug and kiss later at home or during meditation.

"I don't want to," Wang Dong whispered under his breath. Big lecher! Who knows what other woman you're holding right now?!

...

"First Soul Skill: Reflection!"

Under the envious gazes of their classmates, Ning Tian and Wu Feng's soul power surged noticeably.

"So jealous!"

"Why aren't I on the Captain's team?"

"Captain! I'm a guy, but I'm available too!"

Cultivating while attending class? Pure envy was inevitable. What started as one overachiever had now spawned four (effectively).

"It feels like we cultivated for a whole day!" Ning Tian exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight. Wu Feng was equally thrilled, feeling her own progress.

"My third soul skill inherently boosts meditation speed," An Zhen explained softly, revealing his purpose. "It's like being in the most perfect simulated cultivation environment. If you wish... I can place a 'Mark of All Beings' on you. As long as I release my martial soul at night, you can enter this dream world via the mark." (Note: The Mark of All Beings retains its original passive function here, see context below).

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?" Ning Tian felt hesitant, yet the speed was undeniably tempting.

"Consider it thanks for all the meals," An Zhen replied, extending both hands... and then clasping them together.

A flush instantly crept up Ning Tian's slender neck.

"Young Mistress..." Wu Feng tugged at Ning Tian's sleeve, clearly unwilling for her to stay vulnerable like this in An Zhen's presence.

"Wu Feng should join too," An Zhen declared. Tonight's protagonist couldn't possibly miss out.

"No..."

"Feng!"

"...Fine." The little dragoness hung her head. She understood the "recruitment" Ning Tian spoke of. If she'd once harbored illusions it was purely resource-based... after witnessing Ning Tian willingly appear before An Zhen dressed like that... the truth she'd avoided confronting was undeniable.

"Before entering, keep your mind calm and free of distractions," An Zhen cautioned, applying a preventative measure. "I'm more confident now, but there's still a chance an inner demon could manifest. It won't cause harm, but it might give you a nightmare."

A purple soul ring lit up.

It lit up... to no visible effect.

To this day, not even Huo Yutong or Wang Dong knew the true scope of his virtual world's reach.

Freshman Class One:

Zhou Yi felt the noticeable surge in Huo Yutong and Wang Dong's soul power the moment An Zhen arrived and gave a satisfied nod.

Heading to the Cafeteria:

Halfway there, An Zhen abruptly stopped.

"I have something to attend to. Go ahead to the cafeteria. No stall tonight. Yutong, could you make some milk tea and leave it at the school gate for Elder Xuan?"

"An Zhen gege, are you okay?" Huo Yutong sensed something off in his expression.

"It's fine. An elder from the inner court."

"Don't disappear suddenly!" Wang Dong insisted sternly.

"Of course." After reassuring them, An Zhen hurried back to the dorm. His expression cooled as he pushed open the door.

A tall figure in a long black coat stood with her back to him, tidying his wardrobe.

Click. He shut the door.

"Zhang Lexuan. What are you doing?"

"Fulfilling my duties as a wife."

"I never said I'd marry you."

"But I said I would take responsibility."

The beautiful woman in the plain coat turned. Her face was still serene and gentle, her eyes brimming with tenderness. "I made some flatbreads, rice porridge, and side dishes for you." She retrieved six plates from an exquisite box on the table.

"Oh, and you probably don't like this style of coat, right?" The coat slid off, followed by her trousers, revealing the carefully chosen gift beneath.

The senior sister shyly averted her gaze; this attire felt excessively daring for her.

A full-body black catsuit.

An Zhen touched his nose. A smear of red appeared on his finger. Must have eaten something heating at lunch.

(Hmm... hard to resist a gentle yet seductive big sister. Wu Feng's "inner demon" arc is coming soon.)

(End of Chapter)