Chapter 11: Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling
The short-haired girl gently placed her hand on the long-haired girl's head, softly stroking it—like a caring older sister doting on her younger sibling.
Seeing this, many people in the plaza couldn't help but glance over at the two beautiful girls.
Noticing the attention, the long-haired girl blushed. Slightly embarrassed, she swatted the short-haired girl's hand away.
"Yan Yan, stop it… people are watching."
The short-haired girl curled her lips in indifference.
"So what if they look? It's not like we'll lose a piece of flesh. What, are you going to gouge their eyes out?"
After speaking, the girl called Yan Yan leaned close to the long-haired girl's ear, blew lightly, and even brushed her tongue against her earlobe.
"Lingling… you're really easy to tease. Whoever marries you will be lucky."
Her sensitive spot touched, the long-haired girl trembled slightly. Her face flushed red as if it might drip blood.
"Ah—Dugu Yan, are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
That's right—the short-haired girl was Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
And the long-haired girl was the sole heir of the Nine Heart Begonia clan—Ye Lingling.
Ye Lingling leaned closer as well and whispered into Dugu Yan's ear:
"You little pervert…"
Dugu Yan smirked playfully.
"Well, you're just too lovable."
Seeing her like this, Ye Lingling sighed helplessly and changed the topic.
"Alright, stop messing around. The captain and the others have already left. Why hasn't your grandfather come to pick you up yet? Should I have someone send you home?"
Three years ago, Dugu Yan had been sent here by her grandfather and happened to join Ye Lingling's class, becoming her deskmate.
Ye Lingling was quiet and had few friends.
Dugu Yan was the only one she could talk to about anything.
Their relationship was very close.
Hearing that, Dugu Yan finally noticed how empty the plaza had become.
She puffed her cheeks and huffed:
"I wonder what that old man is doing… he's so late today. He's always been on time before…"
At that moment, a middle-aged man approached and bowed slightly.
"Miss, when shall we return? Madam will be worried."
Ye Lingling glanced at Dugu Yan.
"We'll leave after Yan Yan's grandfather arrives."
"But Madam—"
Before he could finish—
a hearty laugh echoed through the air:
"Hahaha! My precious granddaughter—come here and let Grandpa see if you've gotten thinner!"
Before the voice even faded, a figure silently appeared not far from the two girls.
A man in a black robe.
Dark green hair.
Rare green pupils.
Who else could it be but Dugu Bo?
He strode forward with a laugh, about to hug his granddaughter—
but Dugu Yan quickly dodged and hid behind Ye Lingling.
Ye Lingling couldn't help but smile slightly. She stepped forward and bowed.
"Ye Lingling greets Senior Dugu."
"No need for formalities, little Lingling."
Dugu Bo helped her up, then awkwardly rubbed his hands and looked at Dugu Yan hiding behind her.
"My little ancestor… who made you angry?"
Dugu Yan turned her head away.
"Hmph, who else but you?"
"Why are you so late today? Look—everyone else has already left! If Lingling hadn't stayed with me, I'd have been alone!"
"If you don't give me a good explanation, I'm ignoring you!"
Thinking of his recent breakthrough, Dugu Bo couldn't help but grin.
"Yan Yan, don't be angry. Grandpa has a reason for being late…"
"What could be more important than picking up your granddaughter?"
Dugu Bo puffed up proudly.
"I've broken through to Titled Douluo!"
"…That still doesn't—"
Dugu Yan froze mid-sentence.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she rushed forward.
"Grandpa… you said you reached Titled Douluo?!"
Beside her, Ye Lingling also turned sharply, her gaze filled with awe.
Titled Douluo—
that was the ultimate dream of every soul master.
Yet this old man, who looked so meek in front of his granddaughter, showed no trace of such overwhelming power.
Dugu Bo didn't answer.
Instead, he directly released his martial soul.
A massive jade-green serpent appeared, coiling through the plaza.
Its scales were thick and gleaming.
Two horns rose from its head, like a mythical flood dragon.
Around it—
soul rings rose one by one.
Seeing this, both girls' lips parted slightly, their faces filled with shock.
"Te… ten-thousand—no… a 100,000-year soul ring?!"
Satisfied, Dugu Bo stroked his chin—though there wasn't actually any beard there—and raised his head proudly.
"Well? Isn't your grandpa amazing?"
Dugu Yan snapped out of her daze and rushed forward excitedly, hugging his arm.
"Amazing! In my heart, Grandpa is always the strongest person in the world!"
Her earlier anger had completely vanished, replaced by pure admiration.
Though she often appeared willful and temperamental—
to Dugu Bo, it was simply the spice of his otherwise lonely life.
In the past, when he had no one around, his favorite thing was coaxing an angry Dugu Yan into smiling.
Seeing her smile again always gave him a sense of accomplishment—
one that even becoming a Titled Douluo couldn't match.
And sometimes, Dugu Yan would deliberately act angry just so he would comfort her—
only to quickly break into laughter again, making him laugh along with her.
Watching the two, Ye Lingling smiled softly.
But deep inside—
she felt a hint of envy.
With a grandfather like Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan never had to worry about much.
Unlike her…
After a while, Ye Lingling spoke:
"Yan Yan, since your grandfather is here, I'll head home first. See you when school starts."
Dugu Yan waved at her.
"Okay! Be careful on the way home—and thanks for staying with me!"
"Goodbye, Yan Yan. Goodbye, Grandpa Dugu!"
Ye Lingling waved and turned to leave.
But suddenly, Dugu Bo called out:
"Little Lingling, wait a moment."
"I have something I need help with from the Nine Heart Begonia clan. Since you're here, let's go together."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan looked at her grandfather in surprise.
What did he need from their clan?
Ye Lingling was also puzzled—
but neither of them asked.
They simply nodded.
"Alright. Then let's go together."
"Your Excellency, please."
"Misses, please."
The middle-aged man quickly brought the carriage over and respectfully invited them aboard.
Once they were seated—
he drove the carriage toward Heaven Dou City.
Because the Nine Heart Begonia clan was located there.