"Esteemed Elder, could you perhaps make an exception? I truly wish to join their group. I am close friends with Bai Yunfei and the others. Being together would benefit our training more."
At that moment, Tang Yixiu was pestering the presiding elder of the Supreme Villa. Since Zi Ling was not in their group, and he had special thoughts about her, he strongly requested to be moved to the team she was in.
However, his request was mercilessly denied by the elder. It was the rule. If everyone demanded to be in Zi Ling's group, how could the training proceed?
"Look! Isn't that Lady Zi Ling?" "Wow, it really is her! Could she be joining our team?"
Just then, someone in the crowd suddenly exclaimed. Looking closely, they saw Zi Ling was indeed walking in their direction.
Upon seeing this, the presiding elder hurried forward, asking with a rather humble smile, "Lady Zi Ling, is something the matter?"
"Elder Xu, I would like to ask for one person." Zi Ling's voice was exceptionally sweet, especially when she spoke these words in that soft, delicate tone; it was enchanting to hear. As for the breathtakingly beautiful smile on her face, it made everyone present tense up, their hearts nearly leaping out of their chests.
"This... I wonder, Lady Zi Ling, who do you want?" The elder understood the implication in her words and looked troubled, but he didn't refuse, asking curiously instead.
"Him." Zi Ling pointed in the direction of Chu Feng and his companions.
At that moment, all the men around Chu Feng felt their hearts beat faster and their breathing grow heavier. Even Xu Zhongyu, standing beside Chu Feng, and Jie Qingming behind him, were secretly stirred.
Zi Ling personally inviting someone over meant she was interested in that person. Everyone hoped to receive this special honor.
"This is bad." But unlike the others, Chu Feng inwardly groaned. That other group didn't have someone like Xu Zhongyu looking out for him. Being called over there would be far too dangerous. Setting aside everyone else, even Zi Ling herself harbored murderous intent towards him.
"Lady Zi Ling, you... you mean me?" At that moment, a man standing in front of Chu Feng stood up, incredulous and incredibly excited.
"Not you. The one behind you." Zi Ling's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she pointed to Chu Feng standing behind the man.
Seeing this, Chu Feng's expression changed slightly. He quickly turned and tried to hide behind Gu Bo.
"Chu Feng, she's talking about you! Where do you think you're going?" But who would have thought that Chu Feng's attempt to hide only prompted Zi Ling to directly call out his name.
"What? Chu Feng?!"
This was a disaster. Almost everyone present, regardless of gender or age, turned their gaze to Chu Feng. The women's eyes were filled with surprise, the men's with jealousy, and some even displayed naked killing intent.
What made Chu Feng feel most speechless was that, as he stood there with a look of helpless resignation, Zi Ling actually strode briskly into the crowd, reached out her fair, jade-like hand, grabbed the sleeve of his robe, and under everyone's watchful eyes, forcefully dragged him out.
After pulling Chu Feng over to the presiding elder, Zi Ling simply said, "Elder, it's him." Without looking back, she directly dragged Chu Feng towards another team.
"..."
Watching the retreating figures of Chu Feng and Zi Ling, Gu Bo and Xu Zhongyu exchanged glances. Even though they had a decent relationship with Chu Feng, a hint of jealousy still couldn't help but appear in their eyes.
Xu Zhongyu was the first to recover, smiling and saying, "Brother Chu Feng, you're quite fortunate."
Gu Bo nodded in agreement, "Come to think of it, they are quite a match."
However, compared to Gu Bo and Xu Zhongyu, those unrelated to Chu Feng were filled with pure envy. Especially people like Jie Qingming and Tang Yixiu, their eyes were practically shooting fire, and their teeth itched with hatred.
To see their beloved right before their eyes, dragging away someone they deeply disliked, even hated, and striding off together... This feeling truly made these men, who were usually surrounded by beauties, taste a rare and bitter sorrow.
As for the men in Zi Ling's original team, they were even more furious. Especially Bai Yunfei, Song Qingfeng, and Liu Xiaoyao, their faces had turned pale with rage, and the glares they directed at Chu Feng were filled with cold light, wishing they could strangle him on the spot.
They had thought that being assigned to the same team as Zi Ling meant their chance to pursue her had arrived. But now, what was this situation? Had Zi Ling already secretly chosen that brat from Qingzhou in her heart?
Yet, no matter how unhappy they felt, they could only endure it for now, because after all, the presiding elder of the Supreme Villa was still present.
As Zi Ling led Chu Feng closer, a figure quickly stepped forward—it was Liu Zhizun.
Although Liu Zhizun was not a participant in this matchmaking gathering, as the Supreme Villa's first disciple, he was also participating in this training. Like the others, he felt extremely displeased upon seeing Zi Ling's actions.
Now, he blocked the path of Chu Feng and Zi Ling, saying to Zi Ling with a smile, "Junior Sister Zi Ling, the distribution of these two teams was arranged in advance by the elder. Your actions seem a bit inappropriate, don't they?"
"Heh~" In response to Liu Zhizun's obstruction, Zi Ling gave a sweet smile and said, "The elder has already agreed, so there's no need for Senior Brother Liu to worry." With that, she ignored Liu Zhizun and directly dragged Chu Feng into the crowd.
Seeing this, a cold glint flashed in Liu Zhizun's eyes, though it was not directed at Zi Ling, but at Chu Feng.
"It's over, it's over. This time I've been completely set up by this girl." As a Spirit World Master, Chu Feng could naturally sense those gazes filled with undisguised murderous intent now converging upon him.
He felt that this time, Zi Ling had truly set him up, pushing him into a desperate situation, making him the enemy of every man present.
But he had no choice. Facing such a beautiful young lady, how could he refuse? Besides, even the presiding elder had agreed. How could he say no?
However, after a moment's thought, Chu Feng figured that since things were already like this, he might as well take this opportunity to get closer to Zi Ling. With a flick of his sleeve, he broke free from her grasp, then reached out and actually caught her delicate, fair hand in his own.
"You..."
Feeling her small hand firmly held, Zi Ling's expression changed. She quickly withdrew her hand and shot Chu Feng a fierce glare, whispering, "Don't get any ideas, this lady isn't interested in you. I'm just afraid that if you're with others, you won't be able to keep your mouth shut."