Chapter 62 That's It?
Half an inch apart.
Neither moved, their gazes locked without flinching. Neither seemed bothered by the closeness.
Mu Qingtong's long lashes trembled slightly as a cold voice echoed in Xia Feng's mind: "I've told you what I know. Now it's your turn."
"Me? What am I supposed to say?"
"The reason you can devour the Eri Sea."
"Huh?" Xia Feng tilted his head, feigning confusion. "That's strange—when did I say I'd tell you?"
He had only asked if she wanted to know, not that he would reveal it.
Mu Qingtong wasn't surprised by his scheming. She was used to it.
Calmly, she stared at him, the corners of her lips curling into a cold smirk. "Mr. Xia, it seems you only know how to 'slow three steps.' You don't actually know how to dance, do you?"
"Huh?" Before he could react, Mu Qingtong abruptly shifted to the lead, her hand firm on his waist.
"You—"
Xia Feng stumbled, struggling to match her pace. His combat skills didn't translate to dancing, and he was hopelessly outmatched.
Mu Qingtong accelerated, relentless. When he pressed against her shoulders to push away, a sudden drowsiness clouded his mind. His thoughts grew sluggish, his vision unfocused. Only the demon heart's violent pulse snapped him awake—but his body remained limp, entirely at her mercy.
"What's happening?!" Xia Feng's muscles refused to obey. Though strong, he soon panted heavily. "You—slow down!"
His hands gripped her bare shoulders as she forced him into the follower's role.
Mu Qingtong, however, seemed to relish this. Her lips curved faintly, her neck arched like a swan's as she sped up further.
[Spirit weapon attack detected. Copy target spirit weapon?]
Xia Feng's eyes widened. So this was her spirit weapon's ability!
"Copy it!"
[Copy failed—]
"…?"
His brief excitement died. If the copy failed, only one explanation existed:
Mu Qingtong's spirit weapon was Alpha-rank.
His God Realm Stage had only just awakened, limited to S-rank at most.
But it made sense. A villainess like the Witch of Destruction would be a joke without an Alpha-rank weapon.
Under the warm light, Mu Qingtong toyed with him mercilessly. Seeing him cling to consciousness, she leaned close, whispering in his ear: "Mr. Xia, why not beg for mercy? I might let you go."
"Beg?" Xia Feng scoffed between labored breaths. "Ms. Mu, I hate to say it, but your singing is terrible, and your dancing is mediocre. Give me a minute, and I'll surpass you."
Faster.
"Mediocre."
Faster still.
"That's it?"
At lightning speed—
[Despite recognizing your taunt, Mu Qingtong rarely feels irritation. Mid-dance, she refines her footwork, merging dance theory into her steps. Your comprehension of spirit attire deepens—C-rank Thunder Sky Step mastered.]
Xia Feng: "…?"
So this is how you learn C-rank spirit attire? His first fully grasped C-rank technique.
It dawned on him—was Mu Qingtong secretly a masochist? The more he belittled her, the more her mind raced, innovating and improving.
And since she'd blended dance into the Thunder Sky Step, he absorbed it naturally.
Quietly, he regained control. Smirking, he seized her slender waist, reclaiming the lead with blistering precision.
Mu Qingtong's gauze-clad hands instinctively gripped his shoulders.
Fingers intertwined, their steps wove through the music—light and shadow chasing as heels and boots met and parted.
Xia Feng's lips brushed her earlobe, his voice a teasing murmur: "That's it?"
Mu Qingtong's brows lifted. He hadn't been bluffing. He truly could surpass her in minutes.
…As expected of the one I've set my sights on.
Madness flickered in her golden eyes. This was the thrill of finding an equal—a rival who gave life meaning.
The dance slowed.
Applause erupted as the two bowed, retreating toward the corner where Mushroom waited.
"Goddess Mu! You were amazing!" Mushroom's eyes sparkled.
Mu Qingtong smiled faintly. "Thank you."
"What about me?" Xia Feng blinked.
"You?" Mushroom snorted, arms crossed. "Not even one-tenth as good as my Goddess Mu!"
"Tch."
Xia Feng turned to Mu Qingtong, dead serious. "Let me reiterate—she's a woman with ill intentions toward you."
Pausing, he added thoughtfully, "Then again, it's no surprise all three Wang siblings like you."
Mu Qingtong: "…"
"Doudou, come here." Li Siwen's voice cut through the chatter.
Mushroom shrank behind Xia Feng, muttering, "My eldest brother's done every evil deed imaginable. He's no good person."
"It's fine. We're here." Xia Feng patted her hand reassuringly as the trio approached the center.
Mushroom's birth name was Li Hongdou—Doudou a childhood nickname. After renouncing the Wang family, she'd taken her mother's surname: Mo.
"Mother, Hongdou is here," Li Siwen announced respectfully.
The crimson-gowned woman glanced over but said nothing.
Mushroom stayed silent.
Li Siwen's voice hardened. "Doudou, you promised to call her 'Mother' once you came of age. Will you break your word?"
"My eighteenth birthday is the day after tomorrow," Mushroom whispered, lips trembling.
"What was that?" Li Siwen frowned.
Mushroom flinched, retreating behind Xia Feng. That frown always brought back memories of being cornered and struck as a child.
Xia Feng stepped forward, tone low. "Your Highness, some things in life can't be forced, no?"
Li Siwen's eyes narrowed—then he smiled.
"True enough. For your friend's sake, little sister, I won't press you today."
A guard approached, bowing.
"Mr. Xia, the prince requests your presence."
Wei Shutong had mentioned this summons. Nodding, Xia Feng guided Mushroom to Mu Qingtong's side. "Ms. Mu, please watch over her. My apologies for the trouble."
Mu Qingtong eyed the small, round girl. Normally, she'd never bother with such a weak and useless ant—but for Xia Feng, she could pretend.
"Mm." A slight nod.
(End of Chapter)