Bibi Dong glanced first at Hu Liena—who looked like she wanted to disappear into her own collarbone—then at the bold cat-girl who had just claimed a kiss with surgical precision.
She smiled.
It was the kind of smile only a Pope could wear: calm, confident, and faintly condescending, as if observing two girls who had misjudged the scale of the game.
"What they can offer," she said evenly, "I can offer as well."
Her voice wasn't loud, yet it carried effortlessly across the pavilion.
Hu Liena's fingers stiffened.
Zhu Zhuyun's eyes narrowed.
Then Bibi Dong delivered the follow-up.
She stepped forward, released Lin Feng's hand for half a heartbeat—only to lace her fingers back through his, firm and unmistakable. Her amethyst eyes burned as they met his, fervor edging on madness.
"But what they cannot give," she continued softly, "I can give too."
"If you desire it, I will flatten the entire Douluo Continent for you."
Her words slowed, each one pressed into the air like a vow.
"Every mountain. Every river. Every living being."
"And even me, Bibi Dong."
"All of it—will belong to you alone."
Silence fell.
Hu Liena's flushed face drained pale.
Her earlier 'Master can do whatever he wants' suddenly felt… juvenile.
Zhu Zhuyun's thoughts short-circuited.
Her carefully calculated "double pleasure" suddenly resembled a discounted side dish placed next to an imperial banquet of continents and thrones.
This wasn't competition.
This was table-flipping.
In the skewer line, Gold Crocodile Douluo leaned forward, voice trembling with excitement.
"With the stakes this high… shouldn't we start mobilizing?"
Qian Daoliu took a long gulp of iced beer, the sound loud in the sudden quiet, as if hoping alcohol could reboot his brain.
"Mobilize what?"
"The forces, of course!" Gold Crocodile rubbed his hands, eyes shining. "This is the perfect excuse for Spirit Hall to unify the continent!"
Qian Daoliu glared at him like a furious supervisor.
"Are you out of your mind?!"
His voice dropped into a sharp whisper, scolding like a captain reprimanding an overeager rookie.
"Has Senior nodded yet?"
"All actions follow instructions! Do you understand the rules?!"
Gold Crocodile stiffened instantly.
Qian Daoliu exhaled, regaining his composure, eyes turning frighteningly professional.
"Act only on Senior's signal."
He set the empty glass down with a decisive clink.
"The moment he nods, I'll return to the Hall of Worship and draft the continent-conquest plan tonight."
The target of this absurd bidding war—Lin Feng—laughed.
"Hahaha…"
He released Bibi Dong's hand, spread his arms, and casually pulled all four women into his embrace.
Left. Right. Front. Back.
Perfect alignment.
Feeling the warmth, softness, and unmistakable tension surrounding him, Lin Feng felt clearer than ever.
"I've received all of your… sincerity," he murmured, voice low enough that only they could hear.
"I'm very satisfied."
Then he changed tone.
"But—"
He guided them to an empty table beside the grill and pressed them gently into their seats.
"Conquering the continent is too troublesome."
He picked up several prepared skewers and laid them on the grill with practiced ease.
"I don't have grand ambitions," he said lazily. "I just like living comfortably."
Fat dripped onto the charcoal with a sharp sizzle. Aroma bloomed instantly.
The suffocating tension evaporated with the rising smoke.
Lin Feng neither accepted nor rejected anyone.
He ended the matter the only way he ever did.
By eating.
Moments later, the first batch was ready—crispy outside, tender inside, golden with oil.
Lin Feng lifted a skewer, dusted it carefully with cumin and chili powder.
The scent peaked.
He raised it between the four women, smiling faintly.
"So," he asked, "who gets the first skewer?"
Four pairs of eyes locked onto it.
Breaths held.
This wasn't just food.
This was status. Recognition. A crown.
Whoever ate first was the undisputed winner of tonight's silent war.
Hu Liena leaned forward unconsciously.
Zhu Zhuyun tightened her grip on Zhu Zhuqing's hand.
Zhu Zhuqing shut her eyes, heart pounding.
The skewer stopped.
In front of Bibi Dong.
Victory blazed in her eyes.
She didn't even glance at the others.
The victor had no obligation to acknowledge the defeated.
With ritualistic elegance, she lifted the skewer, lips parting—
A breeze passed.
The skewer vanished.
Bibi Dong froze.
Her mouth remained slightly open.
Her mind emptied.
She turned slowly.
A figure stood beside her now, where none had been a moment ago.
Ah Yin.
The Blue Silver Emperor held the skewer, tilting her head as she examined it, blue eyes sparkling with innocent delight.
"Wow!"
She took a big bite.
"Mmm… delicious!"
Happiness radiated from her as she finished the skewer in a few neat bites, even licking the bamboo stick clean.
Then she looked at Lin Feng expectantly.
"Any more?"