"Done."
The single word flashed in her mind, making Wang Dong'er shudder uncontrollably as if she had suddenly glimpsed the embarrassing and miserable fate awaiting her. She locked eyes with Huo Yuhao, whose gaze held an inexplicable hint of amusement. Wang Dong'er quickly decided to make one final attempt at resistance.
Swallowing nervously, she lowered her voice and said, "You've got the wrong person. I'm not a member of the Clear Sky Clan."
As soon as she finished, she tried to retract her wings, but found that Huo Yuhao's hand had already locked onto the edge of one of them like a steel clamp. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn't break free.
"Really?"
Huo Yuhao's smile widened, clearly amused by her cautious expression. In the next moment, before she could react, she felt an overwhelming force pulling her toward him, and she stumbled helplessly into his embrace.
"Yet from your reaction, it seems I was right?"
Hearing Huo Yuhao's teasing words, Wang Dong'er's body shivered in his arms. As the precious princess of the Clear Sky Clan, she had never been this close to a boy. She had even requested a private dorm when enrolling, proving her distaste for close interactions. Yet here she was, caught in his arms, with his warmth pressing against her. A fierce, almost explosive sense of shame swelled up in her heart, making her body weaken.
His cool scent filled her nose, jolting her back to her senses. Was this normal interaction or something else? Embarrassed and angry, she tried to push him away, glaring at him.
"So now that you know, what do you plan to do? Threaten me? Force me to surrender?"
"I haven't decided yet what to do with this knowledge, but..."
At that, Huo Yuhao's expression turned even more amused, not saying the rest aloud but clearly implying that he didn't need to resort to tricks to beat her. Without giving her a chance to talk back, his fingers moved to her waist, pressing against the soft spot there.
"What… What are you doing… Don't…"
At the light touch, Wang Dong'er jolted as though struck by lightning. Her body instinctively twisted and turned in his arms, trying to evade his mischievous fingers.
"Stop… Stop tickling… I give up!"
Wang Dong'er felt herself on the verge of madness. If he hadn't suddenly attacked, she wouldn't have even known she was this ticklish. How did he find out?
Did he just stumble upon it by accident? No, impossible!
Reflecting on how he had immediately recognized her Clear Sky Clan background and his tickling tactics, it was obvious that Huo Yuhao was well-prepared.
Meanwhile, Tang San, the reincarnated God King, was far from amused. Watching Huo Yuhao teasing Wang Dong'er to the point of incoherence, he trembled with rage. How could he not recognize Huo Yuhao's technique—the Tang Sect's Mysterious Jade Hand?
That damned Huo Yuhao was actually using his own technique to torment his daughter right in front of him! Bloodshot eyes blazing with rage, Tang San clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, feeling the pain fuel his anger.
This guy reincarnated like me, and now he's shamelessly using my techniques on my daughter? What's next, going after her mother too? Wait and see, Huo Yuhao. When the freshman assessment comes, it'll be time to settle this score!
After whispering his vow, Tang San cast one last glance at Huo Yuhao before storming off, too angry to keep watching. He knew all too well that Huo Yuhao harbored several powerful spirit beasts within him, which was the only reason he hadn't struck yet. He couldn't risk a private confrontation; Huo Yuhao was simply too strong. But during the freshman assessment, with so many eyes watching, Huo Yuhao wouldn't dare rely on those beasts. Though killing him wouldn't be possible, he'd certainly make him regret it.
Tang San had even thought about competing for those spirit beasts but gave up due to the requirements being too specialized. The Iceworm required a spiritual attribute martial spirit, which neither his Blue Silver Grass nor Clear Sky Hammer could provide. He could only grit his teeth and endure, hating that he couldn't do anything but wait for his chance.
Once Tang San had left, Wang Yan finally seemed to have enough of the scene before him. Clearing his throat, he called out awkwardly, "Ahem, Huo Yuhao, I think your opponent has admitted defeat several times by now. You should let her go."
He was genuinely afraid Wang Dong'er would pass out from laughing.
"Of course, Teacher Wang."
Huo Yuhao nodded obediently, though he looked down at Wang Dong'er, whose face was flushed, and breath ragged. Reluctantly, he removed his hand from her waist.
Released from her ordeal, Wang Dong'er barely had the strength to stand and leaned against Huo Yuhao for support. After a few breaths, she managed to glare at him.
"The match is over, so how long do you plan to hold onto me?"
It's not like he did anything wrong, she thought. Yet, as embarrassing as it was, she hadn't truly suffered a loss.
Amused, Huo Yuhao released her fully, letting her stumble back. Just as she was about to fall, his hand caught her in time.
"Now you understand why I was holding onto you?"
As his teasing voice reached her ears, his fingers tickled her waist again for emphasis.
"Ah…!"
Wang Dong'er trembled, a soft gasp escaping her lips. Surrounded by strange looks from everyone, her face reddened to the point of almost glowing. Anger and shame welled up in her chest, and her voice came out gritted.
"Despicable… Remember this, Huo Yuhao. Just wait…!"
Before she could finish her sentence, his fingers gave her another quick jab at her side, making her shiver once more.
"Do you admit defeat now?"
"."
Wang Dong'er bit her pink lower lip tightly with her teeth, looking at Huo Yuhao who seemed to be ready to continue scratching her if she didn't obey. Finally, a sound as thin as a mosquito's hum came out from between her teeth with difficulty.
"I accept. I accept."
(End of this chapter)