Douluo Continent: Dark Demon God Biao, inheriting the position of an evil god

During training breaks.

She crossed her arms and watched Tang Ya and Cui Yajie chatting and laughing with Zhu Yun'er in the pavilion not far away, occasionally peeling fruit for Zhu Yun'er herself. She couldn't help but purse her lips, her tone sour:
"No, look at the way they're acting... Are they here to seriously compete? We're here training hard, and these two are acting like they're half the princesses of the Duke's mansion. Everyone knows the Spirit Hall's intentions, but we're too embarrassed to call them out on it."

Ling Luochen remained her usual icy beauty, not even glancing at Liangting, and simply said, "If you're envious, you can go too. The Duchess seems quite kind."

"No, Ling Luochen, what do you mean?!"

Ma Xiaotao nearly jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, raising her voice several decibels and attracting curious glances from several reserve team members nearby.

She quickly lowered her voice and glared at him: "Do you think I'm the kind of person... the kind of person who would use underhanded tricks to please my future mother-in-law?!"

Ling Luochen then slowly turned his head and said matter-of-factly, "Isn't that right? Don't you like him? You'll have to get on good terms with the Duchess sooner or later, unless you just want to play around."

"Forehead……"

Ma Xiaotao choked, a rare, almost imperceptible blush rising on her healthy, wheat-colored skin. Her imposing manner instantly weakened, and her eyes began to dart around: "Wait, wait... what you said seems... to make some sense..."

"Isn't that settled then?"

Ling Luochen withdrew his gaze, his tone remaining calm: "Are you going or not? If not, I'll go."

"What?! Ling Luochen, you!"

Ma Xiaotao instantly bristled again, grabbing Ling Luochen's wrist and whispering, both anxious and angry, "Why are you going too? Aren't you always so cold to everyone? Why are you going too..."

Ling Luochen gently shook off her hand, straightened his not-so-disheveled sleeves, and finally his tone became slightly tense: "Is it any of your business?"

After saying that, before Ma Xiaotao could react, Ling Luochen actually turned around and walked towards the pavilion.

Ma Xiaotao stared in disbelief as Ling Luochen actually walked towards the pavilion. Then she saw Ling Luochen stop outside the pavilion, and his clear, cold voice faintly drifted over: "Auntie, I am Ling Luochen. I have heard that Madam has a slight back pain. I have a soothing ointment at home that might be worth a try..."

Ma Xiaotao: "..."

She felt like she was about to vomit blood.

It feels like someone is stealing my hometown right in front of me.

"Ling! Luo! Chen!"

Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth, silently clenched her fist at that aloof figure, and said angrily in a voice only she could hear, "I'm going to work at eight in the morning!"

Dai Yueheng watched all of this, but instead of mediating, he found it extremely amusing. Every now and then, he would sidle up to Zhu Yun'er and say with a grin, "Mom, look how thoughtful Tang Ya is, she's even giving you a shoulder massage! Cui Yajie's tea is so fragrant! Tsk, my brother is really lucky, he hasn't even come back yet and the house is already so lively!"

Zhu Yun'er knew perfectly well that her eldest son was teasing her, and she laughed as she patted him on the shoulder: "Go away, stop being so cheeky! I think you're just bored! You should spend your time giving the younger students some pointers on practical application!"

Even so, the smile in Zhu Yun'er's eyes deepened.

She could naturally sense the subtle undercurrents of thought among the girls, but to her, this was perfectly normal.

It's only natural that such an outstanding son would attract so many good girls!

She enjoyed it.

"I just wonder when that kid Yun Tian will arrive..."

Looking at the bustling streets outside the mansion gate, Zhu Yun'er's eyes flashed with pride: "When that brat comes back, this mansion will probably be even more lively."

...While undercurrents were swirling within the Duke's mansion, Zhu Yun'er happily watched the candidates for "future daughter-in-law" display their unique talents, while Dai Yueheng secretly enjoyed the spectacle.

But Dai, the culprit, Yun Tian himself, returned quietly tonight.

Without alerting anyone, and even avoiding the guards patrolling the manor, he quickly made his way back to his small courtyard deep within the Duke's manor.

Dai Yuntian pushed open the door to his bedroom, intending to change his clothes and rest for a while before giving them a surprise tomorrow.

However, as soon as he stepped into the room, he sensed that something was wrong.

There's someone in the room!
The scent was familiar—hot, fiery, and with a faint fragrance.

Dai Yuntian stopped in his tracks.

Using the dim moonlight filtering in through the window, his gaze was precisely fixed on the soft, large bed in the room.

A tall and slender figure came into view.

She was sprawled out on his bed, completely lacking any decorum, her two long, straight legs swinging aimlessly.

He rested his chin on one hand, while the other hand poked at the pillow on the headboard of his bed.

It poked little holes in the pillow, and seemed to be muttering something to itself.

Who else could it be but Ma Xiaotao?

Dai Yuntian: "..."

His lips twitched. What's wrong with this girl?
Why are you lying on his bed instead of going back to your own guest room?

And he still looks so resentful?
He cleared his throat, trying to get the other person's attention.

"cough."

The figure on the bed suddenly stiffened, then sprang up with a "whoosh," moving as fast as a startled rabbit.

When Ma Xiaotao turned her head and saw Dai Yuntian standing at the door, her beautiful phoenix eyes widened instantly, filled with the panic of being caught and a hint of embarrassment and anger.
"Yun Tian?"

Ma Xiaotao's voice sounded somewhat panicked, as if trying to cover up her embarrassment, but she quickly realized something and lowered her voice again. She jumped off the bed, rushed to Dai Yuntian, and glared at him with her head up.
"You, you, you... how come you came back without making a sound? You were like a ghost!"

Dai Yuntian crossed his arms speechlessly: "This seems to be my room, Sister Xiaotao? Do I have to announce my return to my own room with a bang? But you..."

His gaze swept meaningfully over the "ravaged" bed: "What are you doing on my bed? Sleepwalking?"

"Who...who's sleepwalking!"

Two barely perceptible blushes rose on Ma Xiaotao's wheat-colored cheeks. She stiffened her neck and tried to appear righteous: "I... I was just tired from training and looking for a place to rest. Who knew this was your room? Your Duke's mansion has so many guest rooms, it's not like I went to the wrong one."

"Oh--"

Dai Yuntian drawled out his words, a smile playing on his lips: "You went the wrong way, yet you managed to find the innermost, most secluded courtyard so precisely, and then lie down on the bed... Senior Ma, your technique for getting lost is quite unique."

"me……"

Ma Xiaotao was speechless, her face flushing even more, and she was about to explode in a fit of rage, even when she was in the wrong. (End of Chapter)