Douluo: Ma Hongjun The Ancestor Phoenix!

Under the moonlight, Dugu Yan stood by the sparkling lake, not entirely sure why she had agreed to come.

A gentle breeze drifted by.

The cool air did little to calm the restlessness in her heart. Her delicate brows remained furrowed.

When Ma Hongjun arrived, he saw the scene before him—the moonlight softly illuminating the girl's pale skin, making her glow faintly.

She wore a long white dress, its hem fluttering gently in the wind, adding to her ethereal beauty.

"Such beautiful scenery, paired with a beautiful person. Looks like I'm really lucky tonight."

The red-haired boy grinned and quickly walked over to Dugu Yan.

His laughter stirred her from her thoughts. The emotions in Dugu Yan's eyes vanished as she lifted her gaze toward him.

"I can tell you asked me here because you need something."

She raised her elegant face, glancing at the wine jars placed beside her.

"Drink first. I'll help you after."

She didn't bother asking what he wanted, laying down her conditions directly.

Ma Hongjun hadn't expected that Dugu Yan had called him out just to drink.

Before he could respond, Dugu Yan turned around, picked up a wine jar, and drank two large gulps.

Seeing her decisive manner, Ma Hongjun didn't hesitate. He sat down beside her.

"Are you still upset about what happened a few days ago?"

He took a sip of the strong wine, the burning liquid sliding down his throat.

Looking up at the moon, he asked casually.

The memory of Yu Tianheng attacking him without holding back came to mind. Ma Hongjun could vaguely guess the reason.

"Drink."

Dugu Yan's voice was flat.

She clearly didn't want to talk about it.

"Some things are better cleared up face-to-face. I can go to Yu Tianheng and explain it to him."

Ma Hongjun took a large gulp of wine and looked at Dugu Yan seriously.

Since he had something to ask of her, he didn't mind helping to resolve her situation.

Besides, it involved him too. Seeing her like this, he couldn't ignore it.

Dugu Yan smiled bitterly and shook her head.

It wasn't that she didn't want to explain.

She had explained many times, but each time only met with more doubt and rejection. She was simply exhausted.

"There's no misunderstanding in this world that can't be solved..."

Ma Hongjun opened his mouth, ready to persuade her again.

But the girl suddenly turned her head, her red eyes staring straight into his.

"Are you like them too? Do you hate my martial spirit? Do you think I'm just a girl filled with poison?"

Her voice trembled.

"Why would you think that?"

"Your martial spirit is powerful, and the poison in your body... that's not your fault."

Ma Hongjun was startled at first but quickly grew serious.

He knew the toxins in Dugu Yan's body came from her martial spirit and that it could eventually be resolved.

His gentle and earnest tone slowly melted the bitterness from Dugu Yan's expression.

"Besides, who says someone with poison can't have friends? Aren't we friends?"

The red-haired boy chuckled warmly.

He grabbed the wine jar from her hands.

"I told you, I have some resistance to toxins."

Without hesitation, he tilted the jar and drank from the same spot where Dugu Yan had just sipped.

Dugu Yan stared at him, stunned, her heart in chaos.

From childhood to now, anyone who knew her background had always kept their distance.

Even those forced to interact with her always did so cautiously, terrified of being accidentally poisoned.

She had never truly had a friend.

Even Yu Tianheng, despite caring for her, never dared to touch her because of the poison in her body.

Other than her grandfather, the red-haired boy in front of her was the first person to ever approach her so openly.

Thinking back to that night when they hugged tightly, her gaze grew dazed and slightly dreamy.

"You..."

She stammered.

She had always been alone. Countless rejections had forced her to learn indifference.

The fearful, disgusted looks from others had built a towering wall around her heart.

"Aren't you afraid of being poisoned?"

She lowered her head, trying to hide the emotions in her eyes.

"Some people are always special. Since you have such a unique body, naturally there will be someone equally special who wants to be your friend."

Ma Hongjun took another sip of wine, looking calmly at the moonlit lake ahead.

Suddenly, he felt something cool on his arm.

He looked up instinctively and saw a drop of water slide down Dugu Yan's cheek.

She was crying. Her head was tilted upward, but tears flowed silently.

"Why... why did you only show up now?"

Her voice was choked with sobs.

Then, unable to hold back any longer, she threw herself into Ma Hongjun's arms and burst into tears.

Because she was different, she had been forced to walk alone.

Because of her uniqueness, she could never get close to anyone.

For countless days and nights, she had asked herself—why did it have to be her?

Even so, she swallowed her sadness, never daring to let it show, afraid of making her grandfather worry.

But now... finally, there was someone she could lean on.

As her shoulders trembled, Ma Hongjun instinctively tightened his arms around her, gently patting her back.

He looked quietly at the lake, silently listening to her cry.

At this moment, he understood—Dugu Yan didn't need advice. She just needed someone to quietly listen, someone to share her burdens with.

The shadows flickered in the moonlight. After pouring out her sorrows, Dugu Yan gradually calmed down.

When she realized she was still lying against Ma Hongjun's chest, her cheeks flushed bright red.

Surrounded by the aura of the phoenix, her body felt a gentle numbness.

A soft moan escaped her lips.

The sound made the boy freeze, lowering his gaze to look at the girl in his arms.

There was a faint allure in Dugu Yan's tear-streaked eyes. Her gaze shimmered like autumn water, soft and enchanting. She raised her head and looked at him like a timid spirit deer pressing close.

The alcohol was making her dizzy. Her body lost all strength, collapsing softly in his embrace.

As she pressed against him, twisting her slim waist slightly, Ma Hongjun's body trembled.

Because of the competition, he hadn't been close to Xiao Wu or Gu Yuena for quite some time.

Even though his desires were mostly under control, some primal instinct remained.

Faced with the alluring scene before him, his breathing grew uneven. His hand unconsciously stroked the girl's smooth cheek.

Feeling the warmth of his palm, Dugu Yan let out a soft, gentle moan.

She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, her hot breath brushing against his skin.

Her face was filled with longing, her skin burning as though flames danced beneath it. Her eyes pleaded silently—just hoping for his gentleness.

Gradually, their lips moved closer in a soft kiss...

The quiet chirping of insects rose, blending with the whispers of the wind.

A melody that belonged only to the night.

"She went out?"

Hearing that Dugu Yan had already left, disappointment flashed across Yu Tianheng's face.

After calming down, he finally realized just how excessive his recent behavior had been.

"Captain, the vice-captain left with some wine... I think she went to the lake where we met last time," Ye Lingling blinked and said.

"I'm going to find her!"

Yu Tianheng stood up immediately and strode toward the door.

He had made up his mind—he would find Dugu Yan and sincerely apologize.