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#61
Chapter 61: Dragon and Tang Duo vs. Wind Leopard Duo
Chu Xinghe stepped off the stage and found Ye Lingling waiting quietly in a corner of the rest area.
She seemed to blend into the shadows, and if it weren't for that signature black veil, she would almost be overlooked.
"Let's go sign up for the two-person Soul Battle." Chu Xinghe held out his hand to her.
Ye Lingling nodded slightly, but froze the moment Chu Xinghe suddenly grabbed her hand.
Her fair cheeks flushed visibly, and her fingers instinctively tried to pull back.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Chu Xinghe tilted his head, feigning confusion, but secretly tightened his grip on her hand, preventing her from breaking free.
Ye Lingling bit her lower lip and hesitated for a moment before finally shaking her head gently.
She silently convinced herself: It's normal for good friends to hold hands, right?
However, even after arriving at the registration area, Chu Xinghe still showed no sign of letting go.
"Please arrange a two-person Soul Battle for us." He spoke casually, as if holding a girl's hand with his left hand was the most ordinary thing in the world.
The staff quickly completed the registration: "Your opponents are the 'Wind Leopard Duo'. The match will begin in half an hour. Please wait in the preparation area."
On the double sofa in the preparation area, Chu Xinghe finally let go of her hand.
Ye Lingling felt a sudden sense of loss. She looked down at her empty palms, feeling somewhat at a loss.
When she realized that the two of them were sitting too close together, she instinctively moved to the side.
To everyone's surprise, Chu Xinghe immediately moved closer, saying innocently, "Lingling is so considerate, knowing that I'm not comfortable sitting here."
Ye Lingling's face turned red again.
Chu Xinghe feigned surprise: "Huh? Why are you blushing again? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No...no." Ye Lingling's voice was barely audible.
Chu Xinghe took her hand again, this time with a gentle but firm touch: "If you feel unwell, you must tell me. We are good friends."
Ye Lingling did not resist anymore, but nodded seriously.
Unbeknownst to her, Chu Xinghe was currently plotting how to gradually break down the shy girl's defenses.
A moment later, the broadcast in the preparation area sounded:
"The fourth two-person Soul Battle is about to begin. Please proceed to the Ninth Soul Arena within ten minutes, 'Dragon Tang Duo' and 'Wind Leopard Duo'."
Chu Xinghe naturally took Ye Lingling's hand and said, "Let's go."
His movements were fluid and graceful, as if he had repeated this action hundreds of times.
As they entered the players' tunnel, the host's voice resounded throughout the venue:
"Now taking the stage are two newly formed duos! Interestingly, they both come from the highest institution of learning in our Heaven Dou Empire—the Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
The audience erupted in deafening cheers.
As a sacred place that countless soul masters of the Heaven Dou Empire yearn for, the name of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy can always ignite the enthusiasm of the audience.
"Let's welcome the two genius Soul Masters of the 'Wind Leopard Duo'!"
Yu Feng and Oslo strode confidently onto the arena.
Both are level 28 agility-type Soul Masters. One possesses the Wind Chime Bird Martial Soul, and the other possesses the Ghost Leopard Martial Soul. They are a well-known duo in the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Their martial spirits and spirit rings are of quite good quality. In theory, they should be able to sweep through opponents in a two-person spirit battle.
However, when they saw their opponents clearly, the confidence on their faces froze instantly.
"And their opponents, the 'Long-Tang Duo'!"
As the host's voice rang out, Chu Xinghe led Ye Lingling onto the stage.
Yu Feng's lips twitched, and he lowered his voice to say to Oslo, "This is just too unlucky!"
Oslo's expression was equally grim: "A freak who can suppress the boss, a healing soul master with the Nine Heart Begonia... how are we supposed to fight this?"
The cheers from the audience grew even louder, as everyone eagerly anticipated this thrilling clash between fraternal rivals.
Chu Xinghe released Ye Lingling's hand and smiled slightly at her: "Are you ready?"
Ye Lingling took a deep breath and nodded gently.
"Both contestants are ready. Please unleash your Martial Souls!" The host's booming voice echoed across the Soul Arena.
"Wind Chime Bird, possess me!"
Yu Feng was the first to complete the Martial Soul Possession, his arms transforming into a pair of brownish-yellow wings, the hard feathers gleaming with a metallic luster under the lights of the Great Soul Arena.
He took flight, drawing a graceful arc in the air.
"Ghost Leopard, possess me!"
Oslo's possession by the ghost leopard was more restrained. His already slender figure became even more agile, his short black hair transformed into smooth leopard fur, and several elegant black stripes appeared on his pale face.
He was like a drawn blade, exuding a dangerous aura.
"Agumon, possess me!"
Chu Xinghe's arms were instantly covered with orange dragon scale patterns, and his sharp dragon claws gleamed with a cold light.
In contrast, Ye Lingling's martial soul was the most gentle, with a pink nine-heart begonia slowly blooming in her palm, radiating a soft light.
"start!"
At the host's command, Oslo stomped his left foot on the ground and shot out like an arrow, his sharp leopard claws aimed straight for Chu Xinghe's face.
At the same time, the wind-riding creature swooped down, its target Ye Lingling behind it.
"Take care of the wet nurse first!" This was the unspoken tactic between the two.
A glint flashed in Chu Xinghe's eyes, and he ignored Oslo's attack, turning around to go back to help Ye Lingling.
"Don't even think about it!"
Oslo increased his speed by another three points and caught up with Chu Xinghe in the blink of an eye.
"Get out of my way!"
Chu Xinghe roared, and his first spirit ring suddenly lit up: "Crimson Dragon Claw!"
The dragon claw, burning with raging flames and accompanied by a howling wind, slammed hard into Oslo's chest.
Oslo grunted and flew backward, crashing heavily to the edge of the field.
The strike was clean and decisive, and the audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
However, in that split second, Yu Feng's first spirit ring lit up. The leading edges of his wings gleamed with a metallic cold light, and his wing blades cut through the air with a sharp whistling sound, swooping down like an arrow towards Ye Lingling, who stood frozen in place.
The wind-riding wings tore through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound.
Ye Lingling's pupils suddenly contracted, and the Nine-Heart Begonia trembled violently in her palm. This was the first time she had ever felt the threat of death so acutely.
The sparring matches we used to have on the training field seemed so distant now, and a chilling fear washed over me like a tide.
This is why Qin Ming required her to participate in the two-person Soul Battle. As a healing-type Soul Master, she would inevitably be targeted in team battles.
"Oh no!" Chu Xinghe's pupils shrank sharply.
At this distance, if he releases a small fire attack using the wind, it is very likely that it will affect Ye Lingling.
At the critical moment, he did not hesitate to leap towards Ye Lingling.
"Bang!"
Chu Xinghe shielded Ye Lingling firmly beneath him, using his own back to take the wing blades of Yu Feng.
The sharp feathers cut deep into the flesh, and blood instantly soaked through the pale yellow school uniform.
"laugh--"
Fresh blood spurted out, and a few warm drops of blood splashed onto Ye Lingling's face, which was covered by a black veil, spreading out like a few glaring red plum blossoms.
"No!"
Ye Lingling let out a gasp for the first time, breaking her usual soft whispers.
Almost instinctively, she activated her martial spirit, and the Nine Heart Begonia blossomed with an unprecedentedly brilliant light.
Pink healing ripples spread like waves, and she could clearly feel the trembling of Chu Xinghe's back muscles. The deep wound that revealed the bone was healing rapidly under the nourishment of her soul power.
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#62
Chapter 62 Leng Leng is a good girl
"This is the consequence of not dealing with the healing Soul Master first!"
Yu Feng roared in exasperation in the air, watching helplessly as Chu Xinghe's back wound healed rapidly under the treatment of the Nine-Heart Begonia.
He flapped his wings sharply, his feathers standing on end in anger: "Leopard! You can't even hold out for three seconds?!"
Osro, lying on the ground, shook his burned right arm, a hint of fear flashing in his leopard eyes.
In the brief moment of their clash, his Ghost Leopard Martial Soul trembled before the Agumon. This trembling, stemming from the instinct of his Martial Soul, was something he had never experienced even when facing Yu Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex.
"Do you think I didn't want to stop you?" Osro replied with a bitter smile, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
Ye Lingling's slender fingers gently traced the remaining bloodstains on Chu Xinghe's back, the lingering warmth emanating from her fingertips. "It must... hurt a lot, right?"
"It's just a minor injury," Chu Xinghe grinned.
Having experienced hundreds of life-or-death battles, he was already numb to this level of pain.
Moreover, with the treatment from the Nine-Heart Begonia, the wound is healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Although the soft touch of the girl in his arms was unforgettable, Chu Xinghe quickly regained his composure. A fighting spirit ignited in his eyes, and a dazzling crimson flame suddenly erupted around him.
"Dragon's Wrath!"
Blazing flames coiled around his body like living things, making him appear like a god of fire. This was the eruption state of Agumon's martial spirit; he had to end the battle within thirty seconds.
"Bang!"
The arena floor cracked under Chu Xinghe's stomping, and his figure vanished from the spot in an instant.
Oslo felt a blur before his eyes, and Chu Xinghe's burning figure was already close at hand.
"Dinosaur Buster: I See You Are the Dragon!"
A strange mental shock erupted from Chu Xinghe, causing Oslo's martial spirit to tremble once more, resulting in a fatal slowdown in his movements.
"Second Soul Skill, Small Flame!"
A concentrated fireball struck Osro precisely in the chest, and the shockwave from the explosion burned his black robes to shreds.
Before Oslo could even land, Chu Xinghe's dragon claw, wreathed in flames, attacked:
"First Soul Skill, Crimson Dragon Claw!"
"boom!"
Oslo flew out of the ring like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the railing of the stands.
If this weren't a strategic battle, those two deadly moves would have been enough to kill him.
The entire room fell silent.
The audience stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the figure wreathed in flames in the arena. Was this really a level 25 Great Soul Master?
...
In the sky, Yu Feng swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
In his rage, Chu Xinghe was like a demon god descending to earth, and his burning dragon eyes sent chills down my spine.
"Luckily I'm in the sky..." He secretly rejoiced, his wings unconsciously flapping a few more meters higher.
However, his luck was completely shattered the next second.
"Bang! Bang!"
Chu Xinghe used the bizarre method of stepping on his right foot with his left to gain momentum in mid-air, shooting straight into the sky like a cannonball!
The agile figure drew a crimson trail under the lights of the Great Soul Arena, rapidly approaching the Wind Chaser in the air.
I surrender!
Yu Feng's soul was scattered, and he swooped down and landed directly outside the arena, his voice distorted.
He'd rather fall flat on his face than face that jinx.
"snort."
Chu Xinghe crashed heavily back to the ground, sending up a spray of pebbles.
Looking at the still-shaken Yu Feng in the distance, he had to admit that he was not a flying soul master after all, and aerial pursuit was indeed not so easy.
As Chu Xinghe retracted his Dragon's Fury form and turned to walk towards Ye Lingling, the ferocity in his eyes had transformed into a gentle warmth like spring water.
He gently wiped the blood from the girl's face, his fingertips carefully avoiding the black veil: "Were you frightened?"
Ye Lingling suddenly threw herself into his arms, her slender shoulders trembling slightly. Tears soaked Chu Xinghe's clothes, but she remained silent.
Below the stage, Yu Feng helped the battered and bruised Oslo up.
Looking at his companion's charred panel, he lowered his voice and asked, "Should we tell the boss?"
Oslo followed the gaze and saw Ye Lingling nestled in Chu Xinghe's arms. Recalling the earth-shattering dragon flame just now, he shook his head with a wry smile: "We can't afford to get involved in this mess."
"Agreed." Yu Feng nodded with lingering fear; the oppressive feeling brought by Chu Xinghe soaring into the sky still made his legs weak.
"Hurry up!" Seeing Chu Xinghe leading Ye Lingling towards them, Yu Feng was so anxious that he broke out in a cold sweat, wishing he could pick up Oslo and run away.
"Wait a minute." Chu Xinghe's voice made the two of them freeze instantly. "Lingling wants to treat Oslo."
Pink light emanated from Ye Lingling's fingertips, and the healing power of the Nine-Heart Begonia enveloped Oslo's entire body. The charred dead skin peeled off, and new skin regenerated at a visible speed.
After treating Oslo, Chu Xinghe took Ye Lingling's hand and left.
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Oslo suddenly whispered, "Lingling is a good girl."
Yu Feng quickly covered his mouth: "Shh! Are you looking for death?"
"Don't worry." Oslo smiled wryly and pulled his hand away. "I just suddenly felt that a girl like her deserves someone better."
Yu Feng was so frightened that she covered his mouth again: "Are you crazy? Do you want to be roasted into leopard jerky?"
"Don't worry." Osro watched the two figures disappear into the distance, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips. "I know my own limitations."
He touched his arm, which was now completely healed, where the warm aftertaste of the Nine-Heart Begonia still lingered.
...
Chu Xinghe led Ye Lingling out of the Great Soul Arena; it was lunchtime.
He rubbed his stomach and said with a smile, "I'm starving after a fight. Shall we go get something to eat?"
Ye Lingling nodded gently, the black veil swaying slightly with her movements.
"Don't just nod all the time," Chu Xinghe teased her deliberately. "Talk more, okay?"
Ye Lingling twisted her fingers, and after a long while, she finally managed to squeeze out a single word: "Okay..."
"What would you like to eat?" Chu Xinghe slowed his pace and patiently guided the conversation.
"I'll listen to you." Ye Lingling lowered her head, as if answering this question had taken all her courage.
"Let's go eat spicy rabbit heads!" Chu Xinghe's eyes lit up. "My good brother in Hope City took me to eat them before. They were so spicy and numbing, it was really satisfying!"
Thinking of the scene when Zhao Tiezhu led him on his first attempt, Chu Xinghe couldn't help but swallow hard.
Although the meals at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy are exquisite, they always feel like something is missing compared to the lively, down-to-earth food stalls on the streets.
...
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan returned alone to her luxurious mansion in the center of Tiandou City.
This magnificent mansion, bestowed upon Poison Douluo by the royal family, was exceptionally desolate due to its owner's eccentricity; not a single servant could be seen in the vast courtyard.
"grandfather!"
She pushed open the wooden gate to the herb garden, her clear voice ringing out loudly in the silence.
Deep within the herb garden, an old man in a gray robe was bending over tending to several rare herbs. Hearing the call, he immediately straightened up, a loving smile appearing on his face: "Yanyan is back? After being away from the academy for so long, you finally remembered your grandfather?"
Dugu Yan jogged over and affectionately took his arm: "I missed you!"
She shook the old man's arm. "Today the academy organized a trip to the Great Soul Arena, so I made a special detour to come back and see you."
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes: "On purpose? Could it be that you've gotten yourself into trouble again?"
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan puffed out her cheeks. "Can't I just think of you?"
The old man chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair.
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#63
Chapter 63 Shura Field
(Romance scenes are really hard to write. I can't keep writing, so I'm going to resort to deus ex machina. Please bear with me.)
The smile on Dugu Bo's face gradually faded, and his gray eyebrows furrowed slightly.
He put down the medicine spatula in his hand and straightened up: "Tell me, what are you planning to do this time?"
Dugu Yan stuck out her tongue: "Grandpa, you really can't hide anything from you."
She took a few steps closer and lowered her voice mysteriously: "I've met that boy who interests you a lot."
"Who?" Dugu Bo didn't react for a moment.
"It's the one we met in Sunset Forest!" Dugu Yan stamped her foot, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted slightly: "Chu Xinghe?"
Seeing his granddaughter nodding vigorously, Poison Douluo immediately realized something: "He got into your academy?"
He remembered clearly that when they met in Sunset Forest half a year ago, the kid had just broken through to level 20, and now the Heaven Dou Royal Academy had only recently started recruiting new students, so Chu Xinghe had most likely become a new student at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"That's right!" Dugu Yan put her hands behind her back, her body swaying slightly involuntarily. "And you would never guess that he's already at level twenty-five in soul power!"
"What?" The medicinal leaves in Dugu Bo's hand instantly turned into dust.
Promoted five ranks in less than six months?
This speed of cultivation was something he had never heard of before.
"How old is he again this year?"
Dugu Bo's voice unconsciously became serious.
"Ten and a half years old, not even eleven yet!" Dugu Yan proudly raised her chin, as if showing off some rare treasure.
Dugu Bo's sharp gaze lingered on his granddaughter's flushed cheeks for a moment before he suddenly asked in a deep voice, "Yanyan, do you like that boy?"
"Ah!" Dugu Yan was struck as if by lightning, and a few strands of her purple hair stood on end in shock.
She twisted the hem of her clothes helplessly, and after a long while, she whispered, "Is it...is it that obvious?"
"Heh..." Dugu Bo laughed in extreme anger, his gray beard trembling slightly.
He had only been away from the academy for a few days, and yet someone had already set their sights on his carefully cultivated little cabbage?
The poisonous plants in the herb garden seemed to sense their master's anger, rustling softly even without wind.
Dugu Bo snorted coldly, his gray eyebrows twitching slightly: "Tell me the whole story about this kid."
Dugu Yan's eyes shone brightly as she recounted Chu Xinghe's experiences in great detail, as if they were her most cherished possessions.
He awakened his martial soul at the age of six, with only level three innate soul power. He entered Notting Academy with the help of the entire village, then trained hard at the Battle Maniac Academy, and finally entered the Heaven Dou Royal Academy with excellent grades.
When she got emotional, her voice unconsciously softened a bit.
"Hmph, if what he said is true, he is indeed an inspiring young man." Dugu Bo stroked his beard, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by wariness.
"Xinghe not only cultivates diligently, but his combat talent is also astonishing!" Dugu Yan added excitedly, "Even Yu Tianheng is no match for him!"
In her eyes, Chu Xinghe's brief suppression of Yu Tianheng had been romanticized into a complete victory.
Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow: "Is that kid Yu Tianheng really that weak? A Soul Master can't even beat a Grand Soul Master?"
"It's not that Yu Tianheng is weak!" Dugu Yan immediately retorted, her purple hair swaying gently as she shook her head. "It's that Xinghe is too powerful!"
"Heh..." Dugu Bo sneered, his gray robe fluttering even without wind. "Then I'll go to your academy and meet this Chu Xinghe to see what level he really is."
"No!" Dugu Yan hurriedly grabbed her grandfather's sleeve, her pretty face filled with nervousness.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo's eyes flashed with a hint of amusement: "Don't worry, Grandpa won't make things difficult for him."
He deliberately dragged out the words, "I just wanted to see if he was qualified to be my granddaughter's husband..."
"What grandson-in-law?!" Dugu Yan's face flushed instantly, even the tips of her ears turning crimson. "We...we haven't even started dating yet!"
"Hmm?" A cold glint flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes, and his aura suddenly became sharp. "Does that brat dare to look down on my granddaughter, Dugu Bo?"
Dugu Yan hurriedly shook her head, her voice softening unconsciously: "No... Xinghe said he wants to wait until he breaks through to the Soul Venerable realm before formally confessing his feelings to me..."
"Heh, you do have some self-awareness." Dugu Bo snorted coldly, but the anger in his eyes had already dissipated somewhat.
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan stomped her foot angrily, "You're not allowed to say anything bad about Xinghe!"
Dugu Bo suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.
He looked at his granddaughter, whom he had cherished since childhood, now arguing with him over a mere boy, and couldn't help but sigh.
This sweet little cotton-padded jacket is probably going to be taken by someone else.
...
On the other side, inside a long-established restaurant in Tiandou City.
"Here it comes!" the waiter called out, bringing out the last dish, and the table was immediately filled with delicious rabbit meat dishes that looked and smelled wonderful.
Spicy rabbit heads are bright red and glistening with oil, spicy rabbit with green peppers is fragrant and irresistible, and braised rabbit meat has an enticing sauce color...
It looked like a sumptuous whole rabbit feast.
Chu Xinghe rubbed his hands together, his eyes shining: "Let's eat!"
Ye Lingling also showed a rare look of anticipation.
She hesitated for a moment, then gently untied the ribbons of her veil with her slender fingers.
Chu Xinghe was stunned.
Beneath the veil was a breathtakingly beautiful face. Her skin was as white as snow, her lips as red as cinnabar, and her peach blossom eyes were brimming with moisture.
At this moment, she lowered her eyes shyly, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows under the light, adding to her charming and delicate beauty.
"You..." Chu Xinghe was speechless for a moment, and it took him a while to find his voice, "Why do you always wear a veil? And why are you always standing alone in a corner?"
Ye Lingling's fingers twisted nervously together, and her face turned even redder.
"Can't even I know?" Chu Xinghe deliberately put on a stern face, but his eyes held a gentle smile.
"Grandma said..." Ye Lingling's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, "that I'm too... too beautiful, and she doesn't want me to show my face much..."
By the end, her voice had almost disappeared into the conversations of the other diners.
Chu Xinghe suddenly realized.
In this dog-eat-dog world, Ye Lingling's beauty and the rare Nine-Heart Begonia Martial Soul would indeed make her a target for some ill-intentioned people.
Looking at the delicate, porcelain-doll-like girl before him, a strong urge to protect her welled up within him.
"I'll be here for you from now on." Chu Xinghe solemnly picked up a piece of the tenderest rabbit meat and placed it in her bowl. "No one can bully you."
Ye Lingling raised her head, her eyes gleaming with an unusual light.
She took a small bite of the rabbit meat, her tongue sticking out from the spiciness, but she still managed a sweet smile.
...
The afternoon sun shone on the bustling streets of Tiandou City as Chu Xinghe led Ye Lingling by the hand through the crowd.
Having just enjoyed a delicious meal, Ye Lingling was unusually relaxed, and the corners of her mouth slightly turned up under her veil.
"That dessert shop over there looks delicious, want to try it?" Chu Xinghe asked, pointing to a shop not far away.
Ye Lingling was about to nod when she suddenly froze.
Following her gaze, Chu Xinghe saw Dugu Yan walking towards him.
In the sunlight, Dugu Yan's purple hair shimmered, but her pretty face was as cold as ice.
"Is this how you 'take care' of Lingling?" Dugu Yan's gaze fell on the less than one foot between the two of them, her voice carrying a clear questioning tone.
Ye Lingling pulled her hand back as if she had been electrocuted, and explained seriously, "Yanzi, Xinghe and I are just good friends. We just came out for a walk after dinner."
Dugu Yan sneered, "Chu Xinghe, do you have anything to say?"
Chu Xinghe smiled bitterly to himself.
He was ultimately not a seasoned player in love, and could not, like the legendary Chen Hansheng, effortlessly juggle two girls.
If it were Chen Hansheng, he would surely have been able to defuse the crisis with his silver tongue.
But at this moment, he decided to be honest with him.
He believed that he could achieve godhood even without the immortal herbs from the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire.
"Sister Yan Yan." He looked directly into Dugu Yan's eyes, "I approached you before because of your family background. But now…"
He glanced at Ye Lingling, who looked confused beside him, and said, "I've realized that I really like Lingling, but she only sees me as a friend."
The sunlight shone on Dugu Yan's face, which had turned pale instantly.
"Okay..." She forced her chin up, her voice trembling with barely perceptible sobs, "I wish you...eternal happiness."
After saying that, she turned around abruptly, her purple hair drawing a resolute arc in the air.
The moment she turned away, a tear fell silently to the ground. This was the first time she had ever felt love, but also the first time she had tasted heartbreak. In the end, she couldn't bear to blame him, and could only swallow all the pain deep inside.
Chu Xinghe watched Dugu Yan's departing figure, a dull pain rising in his chest. He knew that he had ultimately let down a good girl who had truly cared for him.
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#64
Chapter 64 Giving Tang San a Black Pot
Before Dugu Yan had taken more than a few steps, a figure in a gray robe suddenly appeared before her.
She looked up and her face turned deathly pale. It was her grandfather, Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo originally planned to secretly follow his granddaughter to the academy to observe the boy who had captured Yan'er's heart.
Unexpectedly, he witnessed this scene on the street, and his old face immediately turned ashen.
"Hmph, a mere brat dares to toy with my granddaughter Dugu Bo's feelings?" His eyes flashed with cold light, and he exuded a dangerous aura. "Looks like he's tired of living."
Dugu Yan hurriedly grabbed her grandfather's sleeve, her voice trembling with tears: "Grandpa, I don't like him anymore, please don't go looking for trouble with him."
But Dugu Bo was in a fit of anger and wouldn't listen to advice.
He strode towards Chu Xinghe, his gray robe fluttering in the wind.
Chu Xinghe saw the person who had arrived and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.
He gently shielded Ye Lingling behind him and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty Bilin, this matter has nothing to do with Lingling. May she leave first?"
Chu Xinghe looked directly into Dugu Bo's eyes, "I will take full responsibility for my actions and will definitely give you an explanation."
"Ha!" Dugu Bo sneered repeatedly, "What a fine display of deep affection and loyalty!"
He looked around and noticed more and more passersby stopping to watch. He lowered his voice and said, "Both of you, come with me."
Ye Lingling was completely stunned, her slender fingers unconsciously clenching Chu Xinghe's sleeve.
She never imagined that simply wanting to make a friend would get her involved in such a storm.
Sensing her unease, Chu Xinghe gently squeezed her hand back and whispered, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
...
The Dugu Mansion.
The heavy, vermilion-lacquered gate slammed shut with a loud bang.
Inside the courtyard, Dugu Bo's gray robes fluttered without wind, and a vast, ocean-like pressure of soul power suddenly descended, as if the entire space had frozen.
"Well!"
Chu Xinghe groaned, his legs trembling uncontrollably under the oppressive aura of a Title Douluo-level expert.
The Agumon Martial Soul automatically possessed him, and the orange dragon scale patterns that had just covered his arms were pressed down and made a creaking sound.
His face turned deathly pale instantly, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
Dugu Bo's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and his emerald green pupils seemed to be churning with deadly poison.
How could he tolerate his precious daughter, whom he had painstakingly nurtured, being treated so disrespectfully by a mere young boy?
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan stamped her feet anxiously and quickly explained, "It's just my wishful thinking that I like him, it has nothing to do with him!"
"Your Majesty, Bilin!" Ye Lingling also mustered her courage to speak, her voice soft yet extremely firm, "Xinghe and I are truly just friends. If you mind, I will never approach him again…"
"Shut up!" Dugu Bo roared, his oppressive aura intensifying threefold.
Chu Xinghe's knees buckled, and he slammed one knee heavily onto the floor, causing the bluestone bricks to crack in a spiderweb-like pattern.
Chu Xinghe was inwardly groaning; the more these two silly girls pleaded, the angrier Dugu Bo became.
If this continues, he's afraid he'll be crushed into a meat patty!
"Your Majesty, Bilin!" He forced himself to raise his head, his voice hoarse but clear, "I can cure the deadly poison in you and Sister Yanyan!"
Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted sharply, and the oppressive aura pressing down on Chu Xinghe momentarily froze.
He slowly withdrew his soul power pressure, but his emerald green eyes grew even colder and sharper: "How did you know that Yan Yan and I were poisoned?"
Chu Xinghe took a deep breath to calm his disordered breathing: "I had a feeling when I first met Sister Yanyan."
He looked directly into Dugu Bo's eyes. "Her unique purple hair and blue eyes are the characteristics of someone who has been poisoned."
"Oh?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow. "It seems you have quite a bit of knowledge about poisons?"
"No." Chu Xinghe shook his head frankly, "I know nothing about using poison."
A cold glint flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes: "Then what makes you think I can believe that you can cure this deadly poison that even I am helpless against?"
Chu Xinghe remained unfazed: "When I was at Notting Academy, I had a classmate named Tang San, who was an expert in toxicology. He once explained in detail how to deal with this type of toxin."
Without hesitation, he shifted the blame to Tang San, who was far away in Notting City.
"Tang San?" Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes. "Where is he?"
He clearly wouldn't easily believe Chu Xinghe's words and planned to verify them himself.
Chu Xinghe's lips curled slightly: "He's still at Notting Junior Soul Master Academy. However..."
He paused meaningfully, then said, "I advise Your Majesty Bilin not to set your sights on him. The person behind him is someone you probably can't afford to offend."
"What a joke!" Dugu Bo laughed angrily. "Is there anyone in this world that I, Dugu Bo, cannot afford to offend?"
"His surname is Tang," Chu Xinghe said, emphasizing each word.
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted sharply, and his expression instantly turned serious: "You mean... he's that person's son?"
"Exactly." Chu Xinghe pressed his advantage. "I think you wouldn't want Sister Yanyan to be all alone, would you?"
Dugu Bo remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a cold snort.
If Tang San is truly Tang Hao's son, he certainly wouldn't dare to act rashly. That fiend who dared to kill even the Pope of the Spirit Hall is not someone to be trifled with.
Dugu Bo's sharp gaze swept over Chu Xinghe like a knife, and he suddenly asked in a cold voice, "Tang Hao has been in seclusion for many years, and even the Spirit Hall cannot find his whereabouts. How do you, a country bumpkin, know their true identities?"
Chu Xinghe remained unfazed and made up a story: "To tell you the truth, His Majesty Haotian saw my exceptional talent and secretly accepted me as a disciple."
"Bullshit!" Dugu Bo laughed angrily, his gray beard trembling with rage. "With your talent back then, you thought you were worthy of Tang Hao's attention?"
Caught red-handed, Chu Xinghe awkwardly touched his nose and decided to play the rogue: "Don't delve into the specifics. The important thing is that I do know the antidote."
Seeing this, Dugu Yan quickly took her grandfather's arm and gently shook it: "Grandpa, Xinghe wouldn't lie to us about something like this, please believe him this once."
Dugu Bo sighed helplessly and affectionately ruffled his granddaughter's hair.
When she looked at Chu Xinghe again, her eyes suddenly sharpened: "Boy, it's your good fortune that my granddaughter has taken a liking to you. From now on, you must treat her with utmost devotion!"
Dugu Yan quickly gave Chu Xinghe a wink, signaling him to agree first.
However, this time Chu Xinghe was unwilling to go against his true feelings again.
He straightened his back and looked at Dugu Bo with a firm gaze: "I'm sorry, but I truly love Lingling."
A murderous intent surged in Dugu Bo's eyes, and his withered hand instantly gripped Ye Lingling's slender neck: "Then I'll send her on her way right now!"
"Don't you want to get rid of the poison?" Chu Xinghe asked urgently.
"Hahaha!" Dugu Bo laughed wildly, his long gray hair moving without wind. "I have roamed the world my whole life and have never been threatened by anyone!"
As his fingers tightened, an unnatural flush gradually rose on Ye Lingling's fair face.
Surprisingly, there was no fear in her eyes; instead, a relieved smile appeared.
"Star River…" she began with difficulty, her voice as light as a feather, "Thank you… for letting me experience… what it feels like to be cherished…"
Every word seemed to be spoken with all his might, "The time I spent with you... I was so happy..."
Chu Xinghe felt a chill run through him. He had never heard Ye Lingling speak so much in one breath before, especially at such a critical moment of life and death.
"After I... die..." Ye Lingling's breathing became rapid, yet she still gazed at him tenderly, "Please... treat Yanzi well... she deserves it..."
Dugu Yan was already in tears, desperately pulling at her grandfather's arm: "Grandpa! Stop!"
Chu Xinghe clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms.
He had never hated his own weakness so much, watching helplessly as his beloved was about to wither away before his eyes.
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#65
Chapter 65 Choice
The promise he made to Ye Lingling flashed through Chu Xinghe's mind, and his eyes suddenly hardened: "Lingling, I said I would protect you!"
"Dragon's Wrath!"
A raging crimson flame shot into the sky, and Chu Xinghe, completely disregarding the difference in strength, charged headlong towards Dugu Bo.
In the flames, his figure was as resolute as a moth drawn to a flame.
"Overestimating yourself." Dugu Bo snorted coldly, his withered hand casually pressing down on Chu Xinghe's shoulder.
A bone-chilling cold instantly invaded his meridians, making Chu Xinghe feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave. The flames of Dragon's Wrath were extinguished in an instant, and his soul power solidified like iron.
The pressure from the titled Douluo rendered him unable to move even a finger, and the terrifying killing intent made him tremble instinctively.
"I'll ask you one last time." Dugu Bo's voice seemed to come from the depths of hell, "Choose Yanyan, or die?"
At this critical moment of life and death, the Agumon Martial Soul within Chu Xinghe suddenly trembled violently. An ancient and majestic thought resounded in his mind:
True courage is knowing you're afraid but still going forward!
The next moment, Chu Xinghe's trembling body suddenly straightened, and an indomitable flame ignited in his eyes.
"Um?!"
Dugu Bo suddenly cried out in pain and pulled his hand back as if he had been electrocuted. His palm was charred black.
Even more astonishing changes are taking place in Chu Xinghe.
The phantom of the Agumon spirit behind him twisted violently, its scales turning an eerie crimson.
Countless golden runes emerged from the void, binding the Martial Soul like chains. The surrounding fire elements converged wildly, forming a blazing energy vortex.
"This is... Martial Soul Evolution?!" Dugu Bo's pupils shrank, staring at the scene before him in disbelief.
With a deafening dragon roar, the vortex of scorching energy exploded!
A towering, five-meter-tall, orange-red dragon appeared proudly, its head covered in knightly-like metal armor, its three-toed claws wreathed in eerie blue flames, and its fin-like protrusions on its back spewing out scorching steam.
This is Agumon's evolved form, Greymon!
To everyone's astonishment, the Tyrannosaurus Beast transformed into a torrent of crimson energy, surging into Chu Xinghe's seven orifices. His body then underwent an astonishing transformation:
With a cracking sound, an orange dragon-horned helmet covered his forehead, and his pupils contracted into dangerous vertical pupils. His arms transformed into enormous dinosaur claws, and his legs exhibited a reverse joint structure, becoming completely dragon-like below the ankles.
The Azure Phosphorous Serpent Emperor martial soul within Dugu Bo suddenly surged violently, sending him instinctive signals of fear. The titled Douluo's expression changed drastically as he stared incredulously at the dragon-transformed youth before him.
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan suddenly stepped in front of Chu Xinghe, a dagger appearing in her hand and pressed against her throat. "Let them go, or I'll die right here in front of you!"
Her purple hair flew in the wind, and her blue eyes were filled with determination.
Dugu Bo felt a sharp pain in his chest.
The apple of her eye, whom she had raised for over a decade, threatened to kill herself over a man!
His aged face instantly dimmed a bit.
Chu Xinghe gazed at Dugu Yan's stubborn back, his heart filled with mixed emotions. To say he felt nothing for this beautiful and devoted girl would be self-deception.
A girl who is willing to give her life for you would move anyone's heart.
"In the end... I'm still too weak." Chu Xinghe clenched his dragon-transformed claws, thinking bitterly to himself. If he had enough strength, how could he have fallen into such a dilemma?
After a moment, Dugu Bo sighed and stared at Chu Xinghe with his deep gaze: "Boy, I'm giving you one last chance to choose."
He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable authority, "From now on, I will marry Yanyan. As for other women..."
Dugu Bo glanced at Ye Lingling, "No matter how many you have, you must respect Yan Yan above all others."
Chu Xinghe was stunned for a moment, never expecting that this unpredictable Poison Douluo would take the initiative to propose such an option.
Dugu Bo's concession was naturally based on his own considerations:
First, it's common for powerful Soul Masters to have multiple wives and concubines, let alone the astonishing potential Chu Xinghe has shown.
Secondly, Dugu Yan was deeply in love with Chu Xinghe, even willing to die to protect him.
Third, the pressure brought by Chu Xinghe's second evolution of his martial soul made even his Azure Phosphorous Serpent Emperor tremble. Coupled with his cultivation speed of reaching level 25 soul power before the age of eleven, becoming a titled Douluo in the future is almost a certainty.
Fourth, his courage to protect a woman even when facing a titled Douluo proves that he would protect her with his life.
Fifth, if they could subdue the successor of the Nine-Heart Begonia, it would greatly benefit the Dugu family.
Sixth, Chu Xinghe possesses a method to neutralize the backlash from the poison passed down through generations of the Dugu family.
"Girl, are you willing?" Dugu Bo released Ye Lingling and asked in a deep voice.
Chu Xinghe looked nervously at Ye Lingling, only to see the black veil tremble slightly and the girl nod almost imperceptibly.
When his gaze turned to Dugu Yan, he was met with a sharp look: "If you dare to treat me and Lingling badly..."
The purple-haired girl made a scissor gesture, her eyes flashing with cold light.
Ye Lingling walked towards Dugu Yan, her voice barely audible: "I'm sorry..."
"Silly girl," Dugu Yan grabbed her cold little hand, "the one who should apologize is that lecherous scoundrel!"
Listening to the conversation between the two women, Chu Xinghe's lips unconsciously curled up.
Although they were called "perverts", seeing how well they got along, what did it matter if they were scolded a few times?
As Chu Xinghe calmed down, the Tyrannomon form on his body gradually faded, and he reverted to his Agumon form.
The dragon scales disappeared, and the reversed joints in the legs returned to normal.
Dugu Bo frowned: "Kid, what's wrong with your martial spirit?"
"Grandpa," Chu Xinghe said, changing his form of address as he explained, "My martial spirit was supposed to evolve at level 30. It only evolved ahead of schedule because of the life-or-death crisis. Now that the crisis is over, it has naturally returned to its original state."
"Your martial spirit is quite interesting." Dugu Bo nodded slightly, then snorted coldly, "But isn't it a bit too early to call me grandpa now?"
Chu Xinghe glanced at Dugu Yan and said with a shameless smile, "Isn't this just a matter of time?"
"Shameless!" Dugu Yan blushed slightly and said earnestly, holding Ye Lingling's hand, "Leng Leng, we have to unite and not let him succeed too easily. Otherwise, this guy might go and provoke some other women."
Ye Lingling nodded with her lips slightly pursed, her cheeks already burning hot under the black veil.
Everything that happened today was too dreamlike for her, as if she were in a dream.
"I'm not that kind of person," Chu Xinghe quickly retorted.
Dugu Yan arrogantly raised her chin: "If it weren't for what happened today, I might still believe you. Now your trust level is zero!"
Although Ye Lingling didn't speak, she silently nodded in agreement. They had clearly agreed to be good friends, but she never expected that this guy had ulterior motives.
Seeing the atmosphere ease, Chu Xinghe looked at Dugu Bo seriously: "Grandpa was able to become a Title Douluo by using poison, so his mastery of poison skills is naturally unparalleled. But the higher the cultivation level, the stronger the backlash from the toxins accumulated in the body."
He looked directly into Dugu Bo's eyes. "You must often suffer the pain of being bitten by deadly poison, right?"
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted slightly. This kid even knows such a secret?
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