Douluo: Ma Hongjun The Ancestor Phoenix!

Dugu Yan's eyes widened in shock as she watched Ma Hongjun's sudden actions.

Then, she exhaled deeply.

A flicker of panic appeared in Ye Lingling's eyes. After all, someone had unexpectedly covered her mouth—she couldn't deny that she was frightened.

Her gaze locked tightly onto the person in front of her.

Seeing the girl's cold expression and the way she looked at him, Ma Hongjun offered a slightly apologetic smile.

Dugu Yan noticed the expression on Ye Lingling's face and instinctively looked uneasy.

"Lingling, listen to me. It's not what you think. I have nothing to do with him," she said quickly.

Dugu Yan tried to explain, but when she opened her mouth again, no words came out.

After all, the current situation was indeed too difficult to explain clearly.

Maybe because of Dugu Yan's presence, Ye Lingling's panic gradually faded.

Then, a trace of curiosity crept into her gaze.

Far away,

The group of students who had originally walked off suddenly turned around and slowly made their way back.

"Strange… Captain, we can't find the vice-captain. Now Lingling's missing too?"

Oslo frowned, clearly confused.

"We just saw Lingling following us earlier. She couldn't have gone far."

Yu Tianheng also realized Ye Lingling was gone and quickly ordered the group to head back and look for her.

"Where could the vice-captain have gone at this hour?"

They discussed as they walked. Everyone knew Dugu Yan never acted like this—today really was strange.

"We clearly followed the vice-captain's tracks here. Why did the trail just stop?"

"A Spirit Master of her level should be fine in a remote area like this. Even if she were in danger, she could at least call for help."

"And if she encountered a strong opponent, anyone would recognize her martial spirit. There's no way…"

As the voices and footsteps drew nearer,

Dugu Yan's expression grew more and more uneasy.

She really didn't want Tianheng or the others to see her like this—flustered and embarrassed.

Ma Hongjun glanced at the girl beside him, then removed his coat.

"It's chilly tonight," he said simply.

Hearing the footsteps get closer and closer,

Just as Ma Hongjun tensed up, ready to act in case of danger—

The girl beside him suddenly spoke in a soft voice.

"I'm just taking a break here. Please search elsewhere."

Her voice was gentle and slightly shy.

The students in the distance breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Ye Lingling's voice.

"Let's go check somewhere else,"

Yu Tianheng said calmly.

As the footsteps faded away, Dugu Yan finally let out a long breath.

Her chest rose and fell heavily as she clutched Ma Hongjun's coat tightly.

Ye Lingling's icy gaze shifted to Dugu Yan's robe, which was disheveled and partially burned.

Curiosity, and even a hint of surprise, flashed in her eyes.

Why was the vice-captain in such a state?

And why was this red-haired boy here?

Dugu Yan raised her head and immediately guessed what Ye Lingling was thinking.

By now, she had regained some strength and forced herself to sit up from the ground.

"Let's go."

Ye Lingling nodded and helped her out from behind the bushes.

Under the moonlight,

Dugu Yan looked back at Ma Hongjun, her eyes filled with complicated emotions.

If she once felt nothing but disdain for him, after tonight, her feelings had shifted into something more confusing.

She never imagined she would end up in such a vulnerable position, lying in the arms of a stranger.

And during the moment they were alone, her heart had even skipped a beat.

Thinking of this made Dugu Yan feel guilty, as if she had betrayed Yu Tianheng somehow.

She clenched her fists tightly, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Lingling, can you lend me one of your coats?"

Dugu Yan asked, taking off Ma Hongjun's coat and handing it back to him.

"I'm sorry about everything tonight."

Ye Lingling looked up at the red-haired boy with curiosity but said nothing.

Without asking any more questions, the two girls turned and walked away.

Far in the distance,

Yu Tianheng stood concealed behind a patch of tall weeds.

He had returned out of worry for Lingling's safety.

But what he saw shocked him—three people emerging from the bushes together.

Realizing something was wrong, Yu Tianheng quickly hid himself.

Looking at Dugu Yan's messy appearance, and then at the red-haired boy standing nearby,

Yu Tianheng never expected that Ye Lingling would lie—for them.

Seeing Dugu Yan awkwardly wrapped in Ye Lingling's coat, a flash of lightning passed through Yu Tianheng's eyes.

His fingers curled slightly, and faint sparks of thunder appeared.

He wanted to rush forward and ask Dugu Yan what exactly had happened.

But after a few deep breaths, Yu Tianheng forcibly calmed himself.

He trusted Dugu Yan—he believed she would never betray him.

He decided to ask her directly about everything that had happened tonight.

Back at the lake, Ma Hongjun shook his head with a helpless smile.

What a night this had been!

He had come to meet Zhu Zhuqing by the lake—only to find her missing.

Instead, he had unexpectedly run into Dugu Yan, and so many things had happened.

Ma Hongjun looked up at the moon, silent and speechless.

Elsewhere—

Zhu Zhuqing stood under the moonlight in a black, form-fitting long dress, her graceful figure highlighted in the soft glow.

The breeze stirred her long hair, making her look like a fairy born of the night.

"Why hasn't Brother Hongjun arrived yet?"

She murmured to herself, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

The shimmer in her eyes made her quiet beauty even more captivating.

Ever since Rongrong and the others learned she was going on a date with Ma Hongjun, they had dragged her off and forced her to dress up.

Zhu Zhuqing hadn't said anything, but deep down, she was quite pleased.

Tonight, she was determined to leave a lasting impression in Brother Hongjun's heart.

"Hmph, I wonder if Brother Hongjun will be so stunned he forgets how to walk,"

Xiao Wu teased with a playful smile, her voice tinged with jealousy.

Ning Rongrong pouted.

"You're too sneaky. You actually wrote him a note in secret! And the worst part is, he actually agreed!"

As she said this, she pinched Zhu Zhuqing's waist gently, pretending to scold her.

Zhu Zhuqing blushed and quickly dodged out of the way.

The silver-haired girl standing nearby looked at the three of them with curiosity.

But then, as if recalling something, a blush slowly crept up her normally expressionless face.