...
Zeng Yi followed behind Hu Liena, walking through various smaller paths under her guidance.
Along the way, both of them remained quiet, not uttering a single word and not bothering with each other.
After all, it was quite awkward facing someone they had never met before, especially considering their paper marriage contract.
Both parties were highly dissatisfied with this engagement.
If it were under normal circumstances, Zeng Yi might have approached this seemingly aloof girl and started a conversation. They were both young and in such a serene moonlit scene, they should have had common topics to discuss.
However, Zeng Yi's mood was not good at the moment, so he was not in the mood to engage with her. He decided to focus on how to devise a perfect escape plan.
Since entering the Spirit Hall City until the Supreme Pontiff's Hall, Zeng Yi had been paying attention to the route and observing the guards' movements.
Based on the information he gathered, escaping from this Spirit Hall City with just his Spirit Ancestor cultivation would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Zeng Yi was well aware of this. As the headquarters of the Spirit Hall, he couldn't imagine the number of high-level Spirit Masters hidden here.
Even the members of the Silver Armor Knight Corps dressed in silver armor were at least at the Spirit Emperor level. Not to mention the Elders and Bishops who were at the level of the Spirit Douluo.
There were also more than ten formidable Titled Douluos hidden in this Spirit Hall City, which was truly horrifying.
Furthermore, this Spirit Hall City was filled with the eyes and ears of the Spirit Hall, making it heavily guarded. Escaping from here unnoticed would probably require the strength of a Titled Douluo.
Zeng Yi wanted to leave, but unless Qian Renxue intervened to help him, it wouldn't be easy for him to escape. He could sense that Qian Renxue didn't want him to leave.
Alternatively...
Zeng Yi's gaze fell on Hu Liena, who was leading the way ahead. His eyes followed the graceful sway of her plump buttocks, and a thought crept into his mind.
As the Saintess of the Spirit Hall, her position should be quite important, right? If he were to seize her and use her as a hostage, could he escape the Spirit Hall City?
Zeng Yi had assessed Hu Liena's spirit power level before: she was a Level 53 Spirit King. Although she was a few levels higher than him, Zeng Yi was confident that under the current circumstances, he could easily capture her by surprise.
However, this idea was quickly extinguished by Zeng Yi.
Zeng Yi realized that this idea was incredibly foolish. While he might be able to capture Hu Liena, threatening a hostage against a Titled Douluo would be suicidal with his current strength.
As a Titled Douluo, the Supreme Pontiff had the ability to take back the hostage even before Zeng Yi could react and even capture Zeng Yi in the process.
In that case, coming to the Spirit Hall wouldn't serve any purpose for Zeng Yi. He wouldn't be able to escape the Spirit Hall City, and even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be implicated.
Therefore, the safest method would be to wait quietly for an opportunity and find a chance to escape.
Zeng Yi believed that, based on how Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong had treated him earlier, at least he would be treated well here. He can relax for a while and see what happens. Nobody would be suspicious of a friendly and amiable person like him, and his likelihood of gaining good favor would increase while their guard and vigilance would decrease.
When the time came, he could undertake an assignment outside, and then he could soar freely under the vast sky.
Zeng Yi wasn't a rigid person; he understood flexibility which was the mark of an intelligent individual. While it was difficult to leave the Spirit Hall City, it was also easy. He hoped to leave behind his attachment to the Spirit Hall City.
With all these ploys, wasn't dealing with it simple? Zeng Yi thought to himself, all he had to do was agree to join the Spirit Hall. After getting on good terms with everyone and spending some time together, they would naturally understand that he was an affable and amicable person. Their vigilance towards him would decrease, and their goodwill and friendship would increase, becoming lifelong brothers!
By then, he could take on an assignment outside, and at that point in time, he would be free to fly as high and far as he wished.
Zeng Yi wasn't a stubborn person; he understood adaptability, which was the sign of an intelligent individual. If he wanted to leave the Spirit Hall City, it was simple to say and difficult to do.
He was afraid that the Supreme Pontiff would forcefully make him marry the Saintess of the Spirit Hall and then drug him, igniting a passionate spark and confusing him. It would be difficult to leave even if he wanted to.
Looking at Hu Liena's graceful figure, who wasn't bad-looking herself, marrying a Saintess as a wife seemed pretty good on the surface.
If Zeng Yi didn't know the plot, he might even accept such a fate. After all, she was a wealthy woman and the future successor to the Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall.
However, the Spirit Hall was going to be overthrown eventually!
So, it was better to choose escape.
Zeng Yi remembered that the final stages of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament would be held in the Spirit Hall City. There would be many foreign participants, making the city more lively.
However, with that, there would be more people flowing into the city, causing congestion. As a result, there would naturally be flaws in the Spirit Hall's monitoring, and there might be opportunities to slip away unnoticed.
Half a month's time, he could wait!
Walking behind Hu Liena, Zeng Yi couldn't help but appreciate the richness and complexity of his inner thoughts. But she didn't need to know that. At this moment, all she wanted was to compete against this person to make up for her last embarrassing defeat.
Zeng Yi observed Hu Liena as she led the way, and when she suddenly stopped, he couldn't help but feel regretful.
"Are you planning to make me camp here?" Standing in the open space, Zeng Yi shook his head and observed the surroundings.
If he guessed correctly, this should be a training ground.
With these thoughts in mind, Zeng Yi turned his gaze to Hu Liena, who was facing away from him. He jokingly said, "Actually, I don't mind staying here, but at least give me a tent."
Upon hearing his words, Hu Liena's eyes twitched. She wondered if this person was pretending to be foolish or if he was truly foolish to not understand such an obvious meaning.
"Don't talk nonsense, fight me! This time, I will definitely defeat you!"
Hu Liena turned around to face Zeng Yi, and simultaneously, her spirit power released from her body, displaying 2 Yellow, 2 Purple and Black hues. Five spirit rings revolved around her body, radiating a dazzling light.
Her powerful spirit power at the Spirit King level exerted pressure on the surrounding space, creating a strong air current that surged toward Zeng Yi.
The howling air wave hit Zeng Yi's face, causing his loose clothes to flutter and his long hair to sway.
A fragrant scent mixed within the air current and entered Zeng Yi's nostrils, making his nose itch. He couldn't help but yawn.
Zeng Yi stretched out his hand to rub his nose and looked at Hu Liena, who was in a battle-ready posture, furrowing his brow.
Even though you might not have a good impression of me, is it necessary to fight me just as we meet?
I don't want to be your fiancé either! Even if you're dissatisfied, don't blame it on me. Go talk to the Supreme Pontiff, cancel this marriage!
Furthermore, am I really mistreating you as your fiancé? As an outstanding man like me, countless women covet my body. Having a fiancé like me, they must be secretly envious. It's even worse for you?
Facing Hu Liena's aggressive stance, Zeng Yi couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark in his mind according to the plot he had read before.
With her strength at the Spirit King level, which was a rare talent at her age, her pride and self-esteem were justified. Zeng Yi could understand that.
But a Level 53 Spirit King, the Martial Spirit being a Charming Fox and following the control path... she was just average, definitely not his opponent.
However, what did she mean by this fight? Why did it seem like we've met before? Aren't we meeting for the first time?
Facing Hu Liena's imposing manner, Zeng Yi didn't draw his sword because he didn't want to fight. What benefit would fighting her bring him? If he loses to her intentionally, it would seem like he was looking down on her. What would happen to his life in the Spirit Hall afterward, with people targeting and tormenting him at every turn? After all, he was unfamiliar with this place and had no reliable backing. If he were bullied, he could only swallow his pride.
However, if he really defeated her, considering the girl's character, she wouldn't be someone who easily accepted defeat. What would happen if she kept pestering and seeking revenge? As a Saintess, there must be many people in this vast Spirit Hall who would support her. What would happen if those people came to pester him?
So, Zeng Yi found it really difficult to handle.
Looking at Hu Liena, Zeng Yi rubbed his nose with one finger and awkwardly smiled.
"Um, let's forget about fighting, alright? After all, it's late at night, and there might be people sleeping soundly. It wouldn't be good if we disturbed them."