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Chapter 19: Six Phoenixes Gather
The early morning sunlight filtered through the exquisite carved window lattices, spilling into the spacious front hall of the Mo Mansion. This was the inner-city residence in Heaven Dou City gifted to Mo Bai by Ning Fengzhi. Located in a secluded corner of the noble district, the estate occupied a vast area with pavilions and terraces arranged in an elegant, staggered layout. Throughout the mansion, traces of sophisticated soul tool formations were visible, capable of both isolating the interior from outside prying eyes and gathering the essence of heaven and earth—making it a supreme location for both cultivation and daily life.
Liu Erlong stood at the entrance of the front hall, her mature and curvaceous figure outlined by a deep purple combat suit. Her red hair was tied into a sharp ponytail. Her face held less of its former volatility and detachment, replaced by a calmness born of settled emotions, yet deep within those still-sharp eyes hid a trace of hard-to-detect complexity—it was both a farewell to the past and a vague anticipation of a blurred future.
Behind her sat a simply packed travel bag. Just yesterday, she had formally transferred the management of Blue Dragon Academy to Flender, moving into Mo Bai's new mansion under the pretext that her "cultivation had reached a bottleneck and required quiet meditation."
"Erlong, have you really thought this through?" Flender pushed the crystal glasses on the bridge of his nose, his eyes behind the lenses full of worry and reluctance. "That Mo Bai... though his methods are indeed heaven-reaching, he always gives off an unfathomable vibe. And Xiao Gang..."
"Don't mention him." Liu Erlong interrupted Flender, her voice calm but brook no argument. "Between Yu Xiao Gang and me, it's over. Twenty years was long enough. Flender, I trust you with Blue Dragon Academy."
Flender opened his mouth to speak, but seeing the resolution in Liu Erlong's eyes, he ultimately sighed and ceased his persuasion. He knew his sworn sister's temperament; once she made a decision, not even ten dragons could pull her back. Moreover, the aura on Liu Erlong was indeed much more stable and powerful than before; her inner demons seemed truly resolved. Perhaps following this mysterious "Soul-Forging Douluo" really was a new path for her.
"Then... take care of yourself." Flender patted Liu Erlong's shoulder. "Come back and visit when you have time. The academy will always have a place for you."
Liu Erlong nodded, picked up her bag, stepped into the gates of the Mo Mansion, and never looked back.
At the same time, Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling arrived at the mansion under the escort of a team of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan guards. Ning Rongrong had swapped her usual ornate court attire for a light pink combat suit suited for movement, her long hair tied in twin tails. Her face still bore a hint of a young mistress's pride, but deep in her eyes was an mix of anticipation and trepidation for the "new life" ahead. Ye Lingling, as usual, wore a plain white dress, serene and quiet like an ethereal fairy, though a fleeting softness and submissiveness flashed in her glazed eyes as she looked at the mansion gates.
The two girls met at the entrance. Ning Rongrong sized up Ye Lingling, curious about this cold girl who had also been "treated" by the Master. Ye Lingling gave a slight nod to Ning Rongrong in greeting.
"Miss Rongrong, Miss Lingling, the Master is waiting inside." Xiao Wu walked out from the gates with a beaming smile. She wore a bright yellow ruqun today, looking lively and charming, her pink eyes curving into crescents as she assumed the natural air of a mistress of the house. "Please follow me; Sister Erlong has just arrived as well."
Seeing Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong's face flushed slightly as she recalled the "lessons" in the hot spring and the basement, as well as that absurd yet dreamlike "five girls serving together" from a few days ago. She subconsciously pressed her legs together, nodded, and followed Xiao Wu inside. Ye Lingling remained silent and followed wordlessly.
Passing through several corridors, they reached a wide courtyard. In the center stood an exquisite octagonal pavilion where clear tea and snacks were already laid out on a stone table. Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan were already waiting there.
Zhu Zhuqing was still in her black combat suit, standing tall and cold. She gave a faint nod as she saw Liu Erlong, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling arrive. Dugu Yan, in a dark green dress, looked bewitching and lithe. Her green eyes flickered over Liu Erlong before scanning Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling, finally landing on Xiao Wu with a meaningful curve at the corner of her mouth.
Liu Erlong stepped into the courtyard, her gaze sweeping over the four girls present. Xiao Wu's spirited charm, Zhu Zhuqing's cold arrogance, Dugu Yan's exotic allure, Ning Rongrong's pampered nobility, and Ye Lingling's pure serenity... five girls with distinct temperaments, yet they all shared one thing in common—the varying degrees of attachment and submission in their eyes as they looked at the figure standing with his back to them in the pavilion.
Mo Bai turned around, still dressed in simple black clothes, his face calm and his eyes profound. His gaze slowly drifted over the three newcomers before settling on Liu Erlong.
"Is everything settled?" Mo Bai's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of control.
Liu Erlong took a deep breath, suppressing the strange flutter in her heart, and nodded. "The affairs at Blue Dragon Academy have been cleared up. From now on... I will live here." She paused, then added, "However, if the academy needs me, I can go back to help."
Mo Bai remained noncommittal and turned to Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling. "Rongrong, Lingling, from today onwards, you will formally reside in the Mo Mansion. There aren't many rules here, but one must be remembered—absolute loyalty and obedience. Everything of yours, including your bodies, souls, and power, belongs to me."
Ning Rongrong's body trembled slightly and her cheeks flushed, but her eyes were exceptionally firm as she nodded vigorously. "Rongrong understands, Master." She had completely accepted this identity, even finding an unprecedented sense of security and... belonging within it.
Ye Lingling merely gave a soft "Mm" and lowered her eyes.
"Very well." Mo Bai sat down at the stone table in the pavilion. "Sit. Now that everyone is here, there are some matters to clarify."
The six girls sat in a circle as instructed. The atmosphere was momentarily delicate. Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan were the "veterans" and were relatively relaxed; Zhu Zhuqing remained cold as ever; Liu Erlong sat upright, carrying the habitual dignity of a principal, though her eyes frequently drifted toward Mo Bai; Ning Rongrong was nervous, hands on her knees; and Ye Lingling was as quiet as a painting.
Mo Bai picked up a teacup, took a sip, and spoke slowly. "From this day on, you six are my core followers and each other's closest companions. The past need not be mentioned again. In the future, you will take me as the center, growing together and sharing glory and disgrace."
His gaze moved across the six girls one by one. "Xiao Wu, who has followed me the longest and has a spirited nature, will be responsible for daily attendance and assisting in managing mansion affairs."
"Yes, Master," Xiao Wu replied sweetly, her eyes full of joy.
"Zhu Zhuqing, Agility Attack system, meticulous in thought, responsible for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly. "Understood."
"Dugu Yan, dual-focus on Poison and Control, versatile in methods, responsible for external negotiations and certain special missions."
Dugu Yan smiled bewitchingly. "Yan'er accepts the command."
"Ning Rongrong, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Tower Support system, backed by the resources of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, responsible for finances and resource allocation."
Ning Rongrong puffed out her chest. "Rest assured, Master, Rongrong will do it well."
"Ye Lingling, Healing system, possessing unique abilities, responsible for team healing and logistical support."
Ye Lingling said softly, "Lingling understands."