Douluo: Martial Soul White Tiger, I am the White Emperor of Heaven

Chapter 484 High Priest, Hu Liena Knocking on the Door in the Middle of the Night
The night was as still as water, and the cool moonlight shone on the path back to Qingmu Town, casting long shadows of the four people.

Ning Rongrong remained excited the entire way, chattering excitedly around Dai Chengfeng, her big eyes gleaming with curiosity:

"Dai Chengfeng, what exactly is that ancient secret realm like?"

"Are there any particularly powerful inherited soul skills?"

"Your fifth spirit ring feels so special, it's rose gold..."

Faced with Ning Rongrong's barrage of questions, Dai Chengfeng could only maintain a smile and respond with half-truths and half-joking answers:

"It's quite complicated inside, with many ancient runes and trials. I can't really explain the specifics; my memories of it are a bit hazy."

"You'll know about soul skills when you have the chance to use them in actual combat."

Hu Liena followed Dai Chengfeng's side, mostly remaining silent.

Her alluring peach blossom eyes would occasionally glance at Dai Chengfeng's seemingly calm profile, her gaze filled with a hint of inquiry and doubt.

As a disciple of Pope Bibi Dong, her knowledge far surpasses that of Ning Rongrong, a little witch who almost never cares about cultivation.

She even dabbled in the records of various secret realms and ruins.

While Dai Chengfeng's explanation could account for the increase in soul power and the acquisition of soul rings, the intense, heart-pounding energy fluctuations, imbued with a sense of holiness and sacrifice, could not be explained by the opening and closing of ordinary secret realms.

The fleeting sense of sacrifice, in particular, left a lingering doubt in her heart.

But she's smart.

She could tell that Dai Chengfeng was unwilling to discuss it further, and with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing present, she suppressed her doubts...

The occasional glances he gave Dai Chengfeng carried a hint of 'I'll believe you for now, but don't try to fool me.'

Zhu Zhuqing was the quietest one.

Walking silently on the other side of Dai Chengfeng, her cool gaze fixed straight ahead, she seemed not particularly curious about Dai Chengfeng's "adventure".

But the quick glances she occasionally cast at Dai Chengfeng conveyed her concern more clearly than any words.

She confirmed that Dai Chengfeng was safe and sound. As for the details, she wouldn't ask further if he didn't want to talk about it.

However, her keen senses also caught a subtle, indescribable change in Dai Chengfeng's demeanor—a change that was deeper and carried an invisible air of authority…

This caused a faint trace of contemplation to flash deep within her cool eyes.

The four of them, each with their own thoughts, returned to the inn where they were staying.

At the entrance of the inn, a figure stood silently, seemingly blending into the shadows of the entrance.

It was Zhu Hongye, the high priest of the Star Luo Empire who was protecting them on this journey.

The high priest was still wearing his elaborate and mysterious priestly robes, his aloof and stunning face expressionless.

Her gaze swept lightly over the four people, pausing briefly on Dai Chengfeng. Her gaze was calm and serene, yet seemed to penetrate all illusions.

"came back."

Her voice was clear and cold, like a mountain stream, without the slightest hint of emotion.

"The energy surge outside the town just now was extraordinary. It's good that you're all alright."

Dai Chengfeng felt a chill run down his spine.

He was almost certain that this high priest, whose strength was that of a titled Douluo, had arrived at the forest clearing much earlier than Zhu Zhuqing and the others, and might even have glimpsed part of the truth behind Qiu'er's sacrifice and fusion.

However, her nonchalant tone at this moment seemed more like tacit approval and observation.

Dai Chengfeng composed himself and respectfully bowed in response: "I am sorry to trouble you, High Priest. It was just an unexpected opportunity. I was fortunate to have gained something and was not injured."

The high priest nodded slightly, said nothing more, turned and silently walked into the inn, leaving the four of them with his back turned. Ning Rongrong patted her chest and muttered, "That scared me to death. I thought the high priest was going to interrogate me in detail."

Zhu Zhuqing looked thoughtfully in the direction where the High Priest had disappeared, and whispered to Dai Chengfeng, "The High Priest probably already knew everything, but just didn't want to expose you."

Hu Liena nodded in agreement.

Dai Chengfeng smiled, easing the slightly tense atmosphere: "Alright, it was a false alarm. Thankfully, there was no real danger."

"It's getting late, everyone should go back and get some rest. We still have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

After the thrilling and tense evening, fatigue definitely crept in.

After saying goodnight to each other, they went to their respective rooms.

Dai Chengfeng's room was at the end of the corridor on the third floor of the inn.

He pushed open the carved wooden window, and the cool night air, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, rushed in, instantly invigorating him.

Outside the window, most of the lights in Qingmu Town had been extinguished, with only a few scattered halos of light flickering in the night. In the distance, the direction of the Starry Sky Forest was pitch black, like a lurking giant beast.

After closing the door and leaning against the cold door panel, Dai Chengfeng finally relaxed and slowly exhaled a long breath.

With a slight thought, a soft golden light emerged from his chest, condensing into a small, exquisite figure, its entire body like that cast from golden crystal. It was none other than Qiu'er, the three-eyed golden lion in spirit form.

She affectionately nuzzled Dai Chengfeng's cheek, conveying her dependence and joy through her thoughts.

"Qiu'er..."

Dai Chengfeng gently stroked her cool and smooth back with his fingers, his heart filled with immense joy at having regained what he had lost and an indescribable sense of peace.

However, just as Dai Chengfeng was about to say something...

Just then, there was a loud knocking on the door.

Dai Chengfeng raised an eyebrow slightly. This timing?
With a thought, Qiu'er transformed into a stream of light and merged back into his body.

He composed himself, walked to the door, and opened it.

Standing outside the door was Hu Liena.

She seemed to have come out in a hurry, wearing only a thin nightgown under her outer robe, which outlined her alluring curves.

Her alluring face appeared somewhat hazy in the dim light of the corridor, lacking some of her usual flamboyance and gaining a touch of gentle fragility.

When she saw Dai Chengfeng, her eyes flickered, and she awkwardly smoothed the strands of hair at her temples.

"Nana?"

Dai Chengfeng stepped aside to let her in, and asked with some surprise, "Is there something you need so late?"

He noticed that Hu Liena's fingertips were slightly curled, as if she was a little nervous.

Hu Liena walked into the room, her eyes quickly scanning the room as if to confirm something.

She seemed relieved after seeing that there was no one else besides Dai Chengfeng, then turned to Dai Chengfeng, her tone deliberately casual:

"Nothing important, just... checking if you've rested."

"After all that fuss this evening, I'm worried you might still be feeling unwell."

Dai Chengfeng closed the door, leaned against it, and watched her with a leisurely air.

Based on his understanding of Hu Liena, this Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall wouldn't randomly knock on a man's door in the middle of the night in her nightgown just to ask such a simple question as "Have you rested yet?"

(End of this chapter)