The breeze was gentle, and the sky was as clear as a polished sapphire. It was the kind of weather that made one want to forget about responsibilities and simply enjoy the moment.
Doudou, the beautiful little announcer of the Spirit Arena, had done exactly that. She had boldly canceled all her work for the day and, showing a surprising amount of courage, had marched straight into the luxury private suite. Under the stunned gazes of the Tianshui Academy girls, she had practically whisked Fu Ye away for a date.
Back in the suite, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of vinegar and disbelief.
"So... she just took Brother Fu Ye away? Right in front of our faces?" Shui Bing'er asked, her voice trailing off as she stared at the empty doorway, her usual icy composure flickering with a hint of indignation.
"I knew it! I knew she wasn't a good person the moment I saw her on stage!" Shui Yue'er huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, her cheeks puffing out in frustration. "She's a wolf in sheep's clothing—or a hawk in dove's feathers!"
Yu Hairou bit her lip, looking genuinely worried. "What should we do? Brother Fu Ye is so kind and handsome... what if that little vixen charms him into forgetting about us?"
"Waaaaah! My Brother Fu Ye is being led astray by a professional!" Shen Liuyu wailed dramatically, clutching a silk pillow to her chest as if her heart were breaking.
Wang Ling turned to their teacher with a look of desperation. "Teacher, Brother Fu Ye he..."
Xiao Wu, however, seemed the most composed, though a mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes. She patted Wang Ling's shoulder with a cryptic smile. "Don't worry. Next time your teacher decides to 'settle scores' with your Master, I'll make sure to bring you along for the ride."
Indeed, Doudou had pulled off a feat no one expected. While the Tianshui beauties were still processing the audacity of the move, Fu Ye and Doudou were already walking through the bustling Food Street outside the Great Spirit Arena.
The street was alive with the aroma of grilled meats and sweet pastries. Doudou, whose face was currently flushed a deep shade of crimson, walked beside Fu Ye. Her heart was hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.
Up close, Fu Ye's appearance was simply divine—a level of handsomeness that felt otherworldly. Beyond that, she could sense the faint, rhythmic pulse of his cultivation. It was vast, like a hidden ocean beneath a calm surface. Like most girls in this world, Doudou admired the strong, and Fu Ye was the epitome of power and grace combined.
"I... I realized I forgot to properly introduce myself," she said, looking up at him with sparkling eyes. "My name is Doudou. I'm currently an announcer at the Soto City Great Spirit Arena."
Fu Ye looked down at her excited expression. To him, she looked exactly like a little fangirl who had finally met her idol. It was a refreshing change of pace from the intense battles and the constant training of the academy.
"It's a cute name. Hello, I'm Fu Ye, the leading teacher for the Tianshui Academy team," he replied, his voice smooth and welcoming.
Doudou truly was a top-tier beauty with perfect proportions. It was no wonder she was the "living billboard" of the Arena. After all, besides that proud, mysterious lady from the Spirit Hall who never showed her face, Doudou and her white dove spirit were the most famous winged beauties around.
"Hehe, so you're a teacher! My Martial Soul is a White Dove. I'm eighteen this year, and I'm a Level 31 Agility Attack System Spirit Elder," she chirped, her confidence returning as they chatted. "What about you? I can tell you're really strong, but I can't quite see through you."
She looked at him with pure curiosity. In her eyes, Fu Ye was the most perfect man she had ever encountered—gentle, stunningly handsome, and clearly powerful. As a gold-rated host, her standards were incredibly high, but Fu Ye didn't just meet them; he shattered them.
"Me?" Fu Ye chuckled, a playful glint in his golden eyes. "I'm doing alright. My Martial Soul is a Rainbow Dragon. As for my strength... well, I'm roughly at the Title Douluo level."
Doudou froze for a second, then covered her mouth and burst into a fit of giggles. Seeing her trying to suppress her laughter, Fu Ye felt a bit helpless. From his perspective, calling himself a Title Douluo was actually being quite modest, considering his true status.
"Hehe! Stop teasing me!" Doudou managed to say through her giggles. "Everyone knows Title Douluos are all old men with long white beards. You're so young and handsome—how could you be a Title Douluo?"
Fu Ye sighed inwardly. This little lady has some wit, but clearly not enough to grasp the reality of the situation.
"Fine, have it your way," he said, leaning in slightly with an amused smile. "What level do you think I am then?"
"Hmm..." Doudou looked at him, her eyes shining with a 'wise' light as she analyzed him. "I bet you're a Spirit Emperor. Or at the very least, a high-level Spirit King!"
Fu Ye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had already lowered his self-assessment significantly, but even the 'low' version was too high for her to believe.
"Alright, if you say so. I'm a Spirit Emperor," he conceded with a shrug.
"Hehe, I knew it! I'm pretty good at guessing, right?" Doudou beamed, looking like a kitten that had just caught a prize canary.
As they walked toward a cozy-looking restaurant, neither of them noticed a few figures dressed in black, wearing masks and hats, lurking in the shadows of a nearby alley.
"Sister... is this really okay? Spying on them?" a small voice whispered.
"Of course it is! We're protecting Brother Fu Ye from that vixen!" another voice replied sharply.
"But..."
"No buts! We stay close and watch her every move!"
A short while later, the dishes Doudou had ordered were served. She had invited him out specifically to thank him for his help back at the arena, and she hadn't held back.
"The pan-fried tuna here is amazing, and the spicy chicken is their signature dish!" Doudou said, already digging in. The professional, stiff persona she held as an announcer had completely vanished, replaced by a hungry, cheerful girl.
Fu Ye wasn't one for pretenses either. If there was food, he was going to eat. They sat across from each other, sharing a dozen signature dishes and chatting like old friends. The owner of the restaurant, a kind-looking woman named Auntie Qin, watched them from the counter with a knowing, motherly smile.
"Doudou, I haven't seen you in a few days, and now you bring a boyfriend to Auntie Qin's place?" the woman said, walking over to their table.
Doudou's face turned bright red instantly. "Auntie Qin! It's not like that! He helped me out, so I'm just treating him to a meal!"
She avoided Fu Ye's gaze, but Auntie Qin, who had known the girl since she was a child, knew exactly what that look meant. You don't order fifteen signature dishes just to say 'thank you.'
"Young man," Auntie Qin said, turning to Fu Ye with a serious but kind expression. "Our Doudou is a good girl. Don't you dare break her heart."
She emphasized the words "heart" heavily, looking at Doudou with pure affection.
"Auntie Qin~!" Doudou groaned, her face flaming. But the older woman ignored her, launching into stories about Doudou's childhood—how she used to stay with her when her parents were away hunting in the forest, and all the embarrassing things she did as a kid.
Fu Ye found himself genuinely interested, leaning back and listening to the stories while occasionally glancing at Doudou with his shimmering golden eyes.
By the end of the meal, Doudou felt like Fu Ye knew every single secret she had ever kept. It was as if she were standing there completely exposed to his gaze.
"Young man, I heard you're a teacher," Auntie Qin continued. "Even though Doudou works in a place as crowded and messy as the Arena, this is the first time she's ever gone out with a boy. Please take care of her. If it weren't for the need to make a living, she wouldn't be working in such a place..."
Fu Ye nodded sincerely. He didn't need the stories to know she was a good girl; his System had already scanned her the moment they met. He was a bit of a "playboy" with his harem, but his standards were incredibly high. For the girls who joined him, he provided everything—Immortal Herbs, Spirit Bones, Soul Rings, and even Godhood. Doudou was beautiful and pure enough to earn her place.
"Don't worry, Auntie Qin," Fu Ye smiled. "I'll pull some strings later and get her a better job. Maybe as a head announcer in Spirit City."
Just as the atmosphere reached a peak of warmth, a loud, arrogant voice erupted from the entrance of the restaurant.
"Where's the owner?! Is there no service here? Lord Fatty is hungry! Bring out every signature dish you've got, now!"