!"Yanyan, I did make a mistake in this respect."
Dai Yao said apologetically.
During his five years at the Spirit Hall, Dai Yao never had the time to visit Dugu Yan.
He either had to undergo rigorous training or go through trials, especially since he was in the zombie world and the killing city. Dai Yao was unable to contact the outside world, let alone see Dugu Yan.
Before Dai Yao could explain, Dugu Yan threw herself into his arms again, tilting her head back, her eyes fixed on Dai Yao. She placed her jade-like finger on Dai Yao's lips and said with a smile:
"I forgive you. Actually, Zhu Qingxin told me about everything you've been through these past few years. There's a reason why you haven't come to see me."
"Oh, so you were just messing with me again!"
Dai Yao suddenly realized what was going on, and tickled Dugu Yan's slender waist, eliciting a string of silvery laughter.
After a short while, the fighting stopped.
The woman in his arms had eyes as clear as water, a mature figure that made her tight cheongsam bulge, and hot breath from her red lips. Her alluring body ignited a seductive fire within Dai Yao, yet at this moment, he felt no lust.
He simply held Dugu Yan in his arms, inhaling her fragrance, and enjoying the joy of their long-awaited reunion.
Dugu Yan stopped being naughty, hugged Dai Yao tightly, closed her eyes, and said affectionately:
"Yao, I miss you so much..."
Looking at Dugu Yan, who was radiating happiness in Dai Yao's arms, Ye Lingling's expression was complicated. She hadn't expected that Dugu Yan, who appeared so intellectual and elegant in front of outsiders, would be so playful in front of Dai Yao.
Could this be Dugu Yan's true personality?
Hidden beneath that cold exterior, enveloped in ruthless and vicious poison skills, is such an innocent and mischievous girl?
The radiant smile on Dugu Yan's face moved her deeply. It was a smile she had never seen on Dugu Yan's face before.
"Yanyan, aren't you going to introduce this lady to me?"
After a long while, the two parted ways. Dai Yao looked at the woman wearing a black veil and asked Dugu Yan beside him a question.
Dugu Yan smiled slightly:
"Actually, you know her too."
"I know him?"
Dai Yao asked in surprise.
"Back when I was still on the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team, do you remember that support-type girl?"
Dugu Yan explained.
Dai Yao pondered for a moment, then suddenly his gaze sharpened as he looked at the woman wearing a black veil and exclaimed in surprise:
"You are—Ye Lingling?!"
The woman in the black veil slowly removed it, revealing a delicate face. She tossed her long blue hair, looked at Dai Yao, and smiled, saying:
"I never imagined that I would be remembered by the peerless genius who defeated the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall. I am truly fortunate."
When Dai Yao first arrived in the Heaven Dou Empire, his first battle was against the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team. He punched Ye Lingling right in front of her, a moment she could never forget.
Unexpectedly, this man ultimately achieved an astonishing feat, defeating the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation and winning the final championship.
What she didn't expect was that her sister, Dugu Yan, had fallen in love with him and left the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy.
His gift to Dugu Yan was beyond her imagination; he gave her the most precious head soul bone of the tournament champion.
"Lingling, you're too kind. Your Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul is a top-tier Martial Soul that is no less powerful than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul. For us Soul Masters, it's as well-known as thunder in our ears."
Dai Yao said with a smile.
However, he also had some doubts in his mind: why would Ye Lingling appear here?
Dugu Yan immediately answered his question, and said somewhat apologetically:
"Yao, I'm sorry, but I had no choice but to bring Lingling here."
"What's wrong?"
Dai Yao asked in confusion. Ye Lingling is the owner of the Nine-Core Begonia Martial Soul, and no force would dare to offend her easily. Why would Dugu Yan use "forced" to describe it?
Moreover, the Dugu Yan family is a top-tier power in the Heaven Dou Empire. The Poison Douluo is renowned throughout the world. The only forces that can make Dugu Yan feel wary are those that are also at the Title Douluo level.
Just as Dugu Yan was about to explain, Ye Lingling interrupted her, sighed, and explained:
"This is also a family scandal."
"As everyone knows, only one person in our family can possess the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul in one generation, and only two people can be alive at the same time. The rest of the family are ordinary people."
"My father's branch inherited the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, therefore, my other uncles and aunts are all ordinary people."
"Although they are all ordinary people, it doesn't mean they will be abandoned by the family. Instead, they are given generous conditions to live well. If my father or I perish, the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul will be randomly inherited by them."
Dai Yao frowned and asked:
"Won't this lead to a brutal internal power struggle within the family?"
Once the owner of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul dies, the Martial Soul will be randomly inherited by the family disciples. Wouldn't everyone then hope that the owner dies? They might even use all sorts of scheming methods to kill the owner.
Ye Lingling nodded and forced a smile:
"That's right. When the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul is inherited, it will inexplicably reject those who harm their relatives. Moreover, the owner of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul is not someone to be trifled with. There are quite a few people around who want to protect him, making him owe favors."
"But now, my father has discovered that there are fewer and fewer relatives in the family, as if they have all been recruited by a certain force. As long as we die, there is a high probability that they will inherit the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul. Until now, my father has not been able to find out who that force is."
"Although our family are support-type Soul Masters, we are quite powerful. Despite our best efforts, we still couldn't find any trace of that power. On the entire continent, there are only a few powers with this kind of ability."
"My father was worried about my safety, so he sent me to Sister Yan's place. With Her Majesty Bilin's protection, they would never dare to make a move."
Ye Lingling's mournful voice was filled with deep sorrow, making one's heart tremble upon hearing it.
The Nine-Heart Begonia Martial Soul endowed her with top-notch talent, but also brought her a bumpy journey.
Because of this martial spirit, he lost his family at a young age, and now his family is torn apart. This is both a blessing and a curse from heaven.
"I'm sorry, I brought up something that upset you."
Dai Yao said apologetically.
"It's not your fault, it's what I deserve. I just hope you can agree to let me stay here."
After a brief moment of calm, Ye Lingling spoke frankly.
"Yao, just agree to Lingling's request. To be honest, she has nowhere else to go."
Dugu Yan held Dai Yao's arm and tried to persuade him.
Currently, there are only a handful of forces capable of leaving the Nine Heart Begonia family without a trace. To drive Ye Lingling out would be tantamount to killing her.
Ye Lingling's decision not to seek protection from the Heavenly Dou Royal Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon School clearly indicates that she suspects these three forces as the masterminds behind the plot against her family, and thus seeks protection from the second-best of the Bi Lin lineage.
Moreover, Ye Lingling's open and honest attitude prevented Dai Yao from having any intention of forcing her away.
Moreover, keeping Ye Lingling here was just a matter of a word from him, without any cost whatsoever.
After a moment of contemplation, Dai Yao smiled and said:
"Lingling, since you are Yanyan's friend, I naturally can't send you away. If you need any help, please feel free to tell me."
Although he wouldn't take on all the affairs of Ye Lingling's family, he couldn't stay out of it since it involved the three major powers of the Heavenly Dou Empire.
He didn't care about the Heavenly Dou royal family, but if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School got involved, he would have to have a good talk with Ning Fengzhi.
Moreover, he didn't believe Ning Fengzhi would do such a thing.
Finally, the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family goes without saying; the memory of what happened to them during the tournament is still fresh.
He has never forgotten this grudge.
Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes swept suspiciously over Dai Yao and Ye Lingling, wondering if Dai Yao had developed feelings for Ye Lingling.
"Thank you, Dai Yao."
Ye Lingling stared blankly at Dai Yao, her lips trembling, and after a long while, she said gratefully.
The voice remained as cold as ever, but Dugu Yan sensed a different emotion within it.
After living in constant fear for so many days, Ye Lingling had become somewhat indifferent to her own life and death, but she was still just a woman in her twenties.
"Don't be so polite. After all, you're Yanyan's friend, aren't you? Besides, I also have to apologize to you. I mistook you for someone else just now."
Thinking about how he had mistaken Ye Lingling for someone else and had put his arm around her waist, Dai Yao felt he needed to apologize to her.
Although he did nothing wrong and even took advantage of someone, in the Douluo Continent where women value their chastity more than their lives, touching someone's waist is an extremely intimate act.
Therefore, Dai Yao felt he still had to apologize to Ye Lingling.
Thinking of the misunderstanding just now, two blushes instantly rose on Ye Lingling's pretty face. She looked at Dai Yao with some embarrassment and annoyance, and quickly turned her head away, completely unlike the calm and composed woman from before.
"I...I know, it's just a misunderstanding, you don't need to worry about it."
Ye Lingling spoke haltingly.
Dugu Yan glanced suspiciously between Dai Yao and Ye Lingling again, then suddenly stepped between them. Under their questioning gazes, Dugu Yan took Ye Lingling's hand, placed it in Dai Yao's hand, and smiled:
"Lingling, why don't you just marry Dai Yao with me? We'll be family, and I can protect you more legitimately. Besides, with Dai Yao by your side, those people who want to harm you will have to think twice about Dai Yao's revenge."
Although Dai Yao's achievements in the Clear Sky Sect will not be made public, it is a fact that he fought against the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation alone and won. Under the protection of the Spirit Hall, he is destined to become a giant in the world of spirit masters!
Moreover, with the Spirit Hall backing him, Dai Yao will have to carefully consider whether it's worth it to make a move against Ye Lingling.
Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling, whose pretty face had only shown a faint blush, now blushed deeply and hurriedly pulled her hand away from Dai Yao's, saying in a voice barely audible:
"Sister Yan, you're not joking with me!"
"Hey, I'm not joking at all..."
Before Dugu Yan could finish speaking, Dai Yao pulled her into his arms, staring at her stunningly beautiful face, and said fiercely:
"Stop being naughty! Or you'll face the family rules!"
Dugu Yan's eyes darted around, and she pulled Dai Yao aside, leaning close to his ear and whispering:
"Anyway, Lingling is all alone now, so letting her marry you is for your own good. Besides, Lingling possesses the Nine-Heart Begonia Martial Soul, which will be of great benefit to you. Moreover, with such a beautiful woman as Lingling, how could you not be tempted?"
That cunning look... how could she be the intellectual and elegant icy queen that most people see? She's just a mischievous teenage girl!
Dai Yao also knew that Dugu Yan had suppressed her poison skills for many years and would only reveal her true colors in front of him.
He smiled and patted her head, saying:
"You're worrying too much. I do like beautiful women, just like those other men. But I'm not the kind of person who takes advantage of others in distress."
"If I were that kind of person, I would have taken you down the moment you came into my life. Why would I have waited so long?"
Looking into Dugu Yan's emerald green eyes, which were like agate, Dai Yao said gently:
"Most importantly, this is not fair to you."
He did indeed have a fondness for beautiful women, and in his previous life, he even had the idea that if he could travel to the Douluo Continent, he would definitely take all the women in the original story.
But once he arrived in Douluo Continent and truly met these women, he knew he couldn't betray their affection for him because of his own selfish desires.
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan's heart seemed to melt, her eyes filled with spring, and she saw only Dai Yao.
If Dai Yao had taken advantage of her vulnerability and threatened her with the ability to neutralize the poison, she might have actually agreed to be a gentle and virtuous wife, as taught by the nobility, given her disappointment in Yu Tianheng.
However, that would inevitably lead to infighting within the harem, just like in the Xingluo Imperial Palace, where other women were treated as enemies.
But Dai Yao didn't reciprocate; instead, he ignored her. Yet, through a series of coincidences, they eventually came together.
Open the door to her heart and face him with sincerity.
Dugu Yan kissed Dai Yao with her red lips, a passionate kiss that lasted until she was breathless before their lips parted. She still said, unwillingly:
"If Lingling weren't here, I would definitely pin you down!"
Dai Yao was stunned for a moment, then slapped hard on the pert buttocks, causing them to ripple, and laughed and cursed:
"What a fierce woman! How come I didn't realize you were this kind of person before?"
"Hehe, it's too late for you to regret it now. You've already taken me, so you have to take responsibility! Don't even think about abandoning me. With my current strength, I can catch up with you no matter where you are."
Dugu Yan suddenly jumped onto Dai Yao's back, wrapped her legs tightly around Dai Yao's waist, and said with a smug look on her face.
After a brief moment of tenderness, Dugu Yan refused to get off Dai Yao's back. Helpless, Dai Yao carried Dugu Yan to Ye Lingling and said:
"I'm sorry, Lingling, Yanyan was just joking with you, don't mind her."
"I knew, but I never expected Sister Yan to have this side to her."
Ye Lingling looked at Dugu Yan, who was carrying Dai Yao on his back and beaming with happiness, with considerable surprise. However, for some reason, when Dai Yao said it was just a joke, she felt a faint sense of disappointment.
"Alright, let's get down to business. Yan Yan, come down here."
After chatting for a while longer, Dai Yao said helplessly.
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan quickly jumped off Dai Yao, her face serious and her dignified and elegant appearance made Dai Yao wonder if the woman from before was still her.
"Yao, just say it. Whatever you want, even if it's Lingling, I'll tie her to the bed for you."
Dugu Yan said in a serious tone.
Dai Yao couldn't help but flick Dugu Yan's forehead, saying with a headache:
"Can't you be serious for once?"
Looking at Ye Lingling, who was blushing again, Dugu Yan chuckled and said seriously, "Yao, you speak."
Seeing that Dugu Yan was no longer mischievous, Dai Yao finally felt relieved and said in a deep voice:
"Yanyan, I want to establish a sect."