ddv11

"Grandpa! Why are you being so rough? If Little Qiu gets hurt, I'll pull out all your beard hairs!"

Dugu Yan shouted at Dugu Bo, then quickly stepped forward to help, prying Ye Qiu out of the indentation in the ground.

Dugu Bo trembled slightly, stroking his beard. Fortunately, he had held back just in time and didn't smash Ye Qiu into pieces. Otherwise, his own granddaughter might've torn him apart.

"Ye Qiu, are you okay?"

Dugu Yan withdrew her martial spirit and freed Ye Qiu from the pit.

"I'm fine. Just used up some soul power."

Ye Qiu shook his head. The black aura on his body faded like the receding tide, and there was a flicker of lingering fear in his eyes.

Title Douluo… what terrifying power!

---

Sunset Forest

The violet haze in the sky gradually dispersed.

Above the valley of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, the figures of Ye Qiu and Dugu Yan cultivating were nowhere to be seen.

Right now, the two of them were lying on a bed, not yet risen.

Inside the room, on the bed—

Dugu Yan's pretty face was flushed red, a rosy hue blooming on her cheeks. She had just lifted her head from Ye Qiu's neck. Her jade-like hand gently stroked his chest, her gaze soft and affectionate as she looked at her little man.

Her entire being exuded alluring tenderness, her sparkling eyes still tinged with shyness.

"Phew~"

Ye Qiu was slightly out of breath from the soft massage and the cozy warmth of the bed.

His face and neck had been thoroughly kissed and marked by Dugu Yan, leaving crystal-like droplets behind.

He smacked his lips and calmed his breathing. Wrapping an arm around Dugu Yan's slender waist, he could feel her smooth skin through the silk pajamas.

In a soft voice, he said, "Sister Yanyan, it's time to get up, don't you think?"

Ye Qiu gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear as he spoke, preparing to sit up. It was time for him to leave this place and head to Soto City to reunite with the Soft Bunny.

"I don't want to!"

Dugu Yan gently pushed, making Ye Qiu lie back down.

Her snake tail had already emerged, wrapping affectionately around Ye Qiu's body.

She enjoyed the feeling of being enveloped by Ye Qiu's aura—it brought her joy from the bottom of her heart.

Her voice, husky with desire from her obsession with Ye Qiu, whispered into his ear.

"Xiao Qiu~ stay with me a little longer, okay?"

Supporting herself over him, her sleepy eyes shimmered faintly.

Seeing Ye Qiu hesitate, she smiled sweetly and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

After giving him her full affection, she clung to his waist, their cheeks pressed together. Her voice was soft and sticky, impossible to refuse.

"Alright then~"

Ye Qiu smiled helplessly, gently nodding as he pulled her delicate body into his arms.

Dugu Yan rested her head on his chest, gently nibbling at his neck, inhaling his scent as though intoxicated.

"Xiao Qiu~ you mustn't forget me!"

Her ruby lips parted as she bit his earlobe, her voice suddenly laced with overwhelming allure. Ye Qiu shivered, a warm sensation rushing through his lower abdomen.

She had long known about Xiao Wu.

And she also knew that Ye Qiu would never stay faithful. With a clingy spirit like his, and a martial soul with copying abilities, he was bound to attract other women.

Thinking of this, Dugu Yan couldn't help but feel resentful.

"How could I forget? I haven't even 'finished you off' yet."

Ye Qiu tightened his embrace.

His hand caressed the soft flesh around her waist as he kissed the fair skin of her neck.

"Good."

The heat in her breath swept over Ye Qiu's ears and cheeks.

Dugu Yan lifted her head.

Her face was rosy, and her slender pale fingers gently lifted Ye Qiu's chin.

Her green vertical pupils stared at him with an icy glint. She looked dangerous as she coldly said:

"If you abandon me because of another woman… I'll really go crazy. I'll poison you… and all those women!"

"Even that blade of grass won't be spared…"

Her nails, dyed emerald green, slowly slid across Ye Qiu's cheek. Her expression was pained, as if she had already been abandoned.

The cold, soft snake tail coiled tighter and tighter, making it harder for Ye Qiu to breathe.

He had to reach out and grab the slippery snake tail.

"Youngh~"

"You brute, don't grab so hard…"

In that instant, all the frost in Dugu Yan's eyes melted. She collapsed limply onto Ye Qiu.

"Sister Yanyan couldn't bear to poison me anyway."

Ye Qiu chuckled, resting his hand on the back of her head, biting her lips gently, his throat moving as he slowly stroked her snake tail.

After a while, Dugu Yan's face was flushed, her eyes like rippling water, soft and on the verge of tears.

A cold wind blew through the room.

Dugu Yan trembled all over.

She gave Ye Qiu a blazing, passionate farewell.

---

Inside Nuoding City

Today.

Was the graduation day for a new batch of students from Nuoding Academy.

In Dorm Seven—

Xiao Wu had already packed her things and was sitting by Ye Qiu's bed. She gently looked at the ring in her hand, her face filled with longing.

It had been two months since she last saw Ye Qiu.

She missed him dearly.

She missed sharing a bed, getting teased, bickering…

But just thinking about it—

While she was missing Ye Qiu…

He was probably off flirting with some other woman. Sweet-talking, touching, kissing—maybe even more.

Xiao Wu's fair cheeks puffed up in a pout, her eyes full of grievance.

She just wanted to see Ye Qiu even more!

"Hmph!"

Xiao Wu snorted and jumped off the bed, her eyes alert as she looked over at a nearby bed.

Hands on her hips, she scolded:

"Tang San, how much longer are you going to take packing?!"

"Hurry up! Sister Xiao Wu's been waiting for ages!"

Tang San, who had been packing his belongings, turned his head to look at the delicate, hands-on-hips Xiao Wu.

There was a flicker of sadness in his eyes.

He had thought that with Ye Qiu gone, he might get closer to Xiao Wu. But it turned out he was just fooling himself. Even with Ye Qiu off chasing other women, Xiao Wu still hung her entire heart on him.

Thinking of this, Tang San gave a bitter smile.

"Xiao Wu, I'm almost done."

At this time—

After being stimulated by two geniuses like Xiao Wu and Ye Qiu, Tang San had poured even more effort into cultivation. But his soul power had only just reached Level 30.

He hadn't had the chance to obtain his third soul ring yet.

Or more precisely—he wasn't planning to go hunt for one just yet.

This was something Yu Xiaogang had specifically instructed. The nearby spirit beast forests were artificial, with very limited options—not many were suitable for Tang San.

Moreover, Yu Xiaogang himself lacked strength.

So he told Tang San to first enroll in Shrek Academy. Once there, someone would naturally guide him in hunting for his third ring.

Yu Xiaogang had already laid out a plan for which soul beasts Tang San should seek.

Xiao Wu was currently missing Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu, as if in response to that longing, was in the midst of some shallow, just-at-the-threshold entanglement with Dugu Yan.

Inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well Valley—

In the room, Dugu Yan had collapsed on the bed, her snake tail transformed back into jade-like feet, tinged with a rosy glow — breathtakingly beautiful.

Ye Qiu stepped out of the room, stretched lazily in comfort, but as the corner of his eye swept over the nearby awning, his movements froze slightly.

Under that awning, Dugu Bo was sitting at a table sipping tea, face dark as he stared directly at him.

With Dugu Bo's cultivation level,

the little ruckus Dugu Yan had made was utterly impossible to hide from him.

"Haha… senior, good morning! Yan-yan is a bit tired, so she won't be coming out for breakfast."

Ye Qiu laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head with a raised hand, clearly embarrassed.

After all, he had just used a few tricks to make the old man's granddaughter lose something precious.

"Hmph!"

Dugu Bo snorted coldly.

As for young people's affairs, he didn't want to interfere too much. After all, it was just normal marital interaction between a couple. With a flick of his sleeve, he walked toward his own room.

"Call me when it's time to depart. I've prepared a few excellent concoctions for defense, offense, looting, corpse disposal — absolute essentials for travel and home use."

"Got it! Thanks for the hard work, senior."

Ye Qiu smiled in response.

Watching Dugu Bo enter his room, Ye Qiu lifted his feet and walked toward A Yin.

The Blue Silver Empress, a meter tall, shimmered gold under the sunlight. As Ye Qiu approached, her leaves affectionately wrapped around his wrist.

"A Yin… I'm going to dig you up now."

As the leaves were stained black, Ye Qiu transmitted his voice directly into A Yin's consciousness.

"Ah—! You—! Get away from me!"

"Don't touch me unless you wash your hands first!"

A Yin's voice rang out in shame and fury. Her leaves quickly shrank back, afraid of getting contaminated. Clearly, she had seen what Ye Qiu had just done with Dugu Yan.

Ye Qiu paused, then smirked at the Blue Silver Empress and ignored her complaint.

He was going to dig her up anyway.

There was no point in washing hands now — that could wait.

Having cultivated for a hundred years, A Yin could already sense familiar auras from the outside world. Detecting Ye Qiu's presence, her leaves twitched as if trying to slap him.

Unfortunately—

they didn't carry much force.

Ye Qiu brought out a larger basin and, after some effort, carefully transplanted A Yin. Then he placed her into a Ruyi Treasure Pouch that could store living beings.

As soon as she was placed inside—

One vine reached out, wrapping around Ye Qiu's waist, tugging at him insistently, as if trying to say something.

But Ye Qiu didn't really feel like cooperating.

Just as A Yin was about to give up, a beam of light shone down into the darkness she was in.

Ye Qiu's teasing voice echoed.

"What's with all the fuss? You've already seen worse, haven't you?"

"That was all in your filthy mind! And you didn't even wash your hands afterward!"

A Yin's face remained flushed red.

This brat's ability to bully girls—where the hell did he learn it?! Too outrageous! Who just stretches their hand like that?!

"Tch. I didn't mind you being dirty, and you're the one complaining?"

"What?! I'm not dirty!"

"Your roots. Full of mud."

"T-That's not the same!"

"Oh? Yeah, you're right. After digging you up, I had to wash up."

"Ye Qiu! If you think I'm dirty, then don't touch me!"

A Yin fumed and retracted her vine. This damn brat always had a way of irritating her — she needed to calm down.

Ye Qiu walked over to the table, still smiling.

A Yin was becoming more emotional lately — but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, her mood was completely tied to him. And what did that mean?

Without him—

Wouldn't her life be completely dull and flavorless?

---

The Balak Kingdom, adjacent to the Fasno Province, was one of the four major kingdoms under the Heaven Dou Empire.

Its southern border connected directly to the Star Luo Empire, and it wouldn't be wrong to call it the empire's gateway. Precisely because of this, its military strength was especially formidable.

Within it lay Soto City—

Aside from the capital Balak City, it was the most important city in the kingdom.

It was famously known as the Granary of Balak!

Even the Spirit Hall had established a Tier-3 Spirit Temple here.

By afternoon, the sun blazed fiercely in the sky.

At Soto City's west gate, the stream of pedestrians remained constant.

A black-haired, black-eyed youth dressed in black brocade robes stood before the towering city gate.

This was none other than Ye Qiu, who had just parted ways with Dugu Bo.

With a Titled Douluo-level transportation service, it was impossible not to travel fast.

"I wonder when Xiao Wu will arrive…"

As he passed through the city gate, Ye Qiu kept his Purple Demon Eyes open the entire time.

He had some shopping to do—

Like picking up that gold nugget at Flender's store.

Maybe, if he was lucky, he'd run into Zhu Zhuqing the Big Cat or Ning Rongrong the Little Witch — say hi ahead of time, which would make it easier to pursue them later.

"Ye Qiu, what wicked thoughts are you having again?"

A Yin's voice echoed in Ye Qiu's mind. She had completely read his thoughts. Even though she originally didn't want to talk to him anymore, she gave in quickly.

Back when he was eating breakfast, she had once again wrapped herself around his waist.

Ye Qiu rolled his eyes mentally.

"Can you not always assume the worst of me? I'm a good guy."

"Hmph! You big playboy! You already have Xiao Wu and that Dugu Yan, and you're still not satisfied."

"Pervert!"

A Yin snorted angrily, sounding wronged — though even she didn't want to admit that part.

"If you want me satisfied, that's simple. Just agree to what I asked, and that's that."

Ye Qiu stroked his chin, speaking with her mentally while scanning shops with his Purple Demon Eyes to avoid missing any important details.

"W-What nonsense are you spouting?!"

"Forget it! I'll never agree to your crazy ideas."

A Yin was flustered, face bright red, but her resistance wasn't as strong as before — even her tone held some shy indignation.

In her current state, it might take many years to recover. Even if she did agree to Ye Qiu… what could he even do to a plant?

Ah—!

A Yin, what are you even thinking?!

Realizing what had just crossed her mind, A Yin immediately squashed those inappropriate thoughts and sternly reminded herself — she was Ye Qiu's elder.

She must not cross the line!

"If you don't want to be with me, then stop worrying about what I do."

Ye Qiu curled his lips, ignoring A Yin's earlier thoughts entirely.

Hearing that—

A Yin was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say. Her mind a mess, she was about to retract her vine again—

But Ye Qiu's voice stopped her:

"Hmm? Found it!"

Hearing Ye Qiu's delighted voice—

A Yin, through his field of vision, saw the place Ye Qiu had been searching for.

It was a rather dilapidated shop.

On the sign outside, there was a circular symbol carved with three unique emblems: the Seven-Kill Sword, the Clear Sky Hammer, and a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—intertwined into a single design.

Just walking up to the storefront…

Ye Qiu's Purple Extreme Demon Pupil could already sense faint soul power fluctuations leaking out.

They all came from the soul tools inside the shop.

"Ye Qiu, what are you doing here?"

Ah Yin, seemingly having forgotten about earlier events, looked at the dim store with confusion. It didn't seem like a legitimate business—there weren't even any lights on.

"Because the owner is a cheapskate,"

Ye Qiu chuckled lightly and stepped forward, answering the question in Ah Yin's heart.

The door was open.

Ye Qiu walked straight in.

There was only one person inside. No counter, just three walls lined with items—long swords, shields, and the like, all of which appeared very old.

None of it looked valuable.

The only person there was lying on a wooden reclining chair, eyes closed, gently rocking back and forth.

He appeared to be in his fifties—older in age but with a sturdy build.

The chair, although sturdy-looking, creaked under his weight with every sway.

"Ye Qiu, why is this guy so ugly?"

Ah Yin had been lonely for too long.

She didn't have much to talk about with Ye Qiu, so she dropped a sharp comment now and then.

"He is pretty ugly."

Ye Qiu chuckled and silently agreed in his heart.

Flander had a particularly distinctive kind of ugliness.

His jaw jutted forward, cheekbones wide, his face flat, and he had a bit of a hooked nose. If you had to compare it to something, his face was kind of like a shoehorn.

If you had to compare him to a creature…

Ye Qiu thought a goblin fit well.

Flander wore a pair of black-rimmed crystal glasses with a stiff, square frame that made him look especially sly.

When Ye Qiu entered the shop…

Flander still kept his eyes closed, rocking on the chair.

Ye Qiu didn't disturb him.

He simply looked around, and soon, spotted his target.

It was a head-sized crystal—not very eye-catching, transparent, but with lots of dark yellow impurities inside.

It was hanging by the door.

"Ye Qiu, you came here just for that crystal? Its quality looks terrible. No shine, poor clarity, and no additional coloration either…"

"Stop talking!"

Ye Qiu cut off Ah Yin's nonstop chatter.

She froze, slightly annoyed, opening her mouth like she wanted to speak again—but held back.

Ye Qiu knew well—Flander was a true scammer. He couldn't expose his target too early, or Flander would definitely overcharge.

Even if money wasn't a problem—

It was still annoying to be treated like a sucker. If he could get something valuable at a cheaper price, why not?

Ye Qiu casually walked around the shop, pretending to look around.

Inwardly, he couldn't help but grumble.

Everything looked so old. Without trying them out, Ye Qiu couldn't even be sure they worked.

If Flander wasn't a somewhat reputable Soul Saint…

Ye Qiu would've suspected this stuff was all dug up from graves. Collecting so much junk couldn't have been easy.

"What?! That guy's a Soul Saint?!"

Ah Yin, who sensed Ye Qiu's thoughts, was stunned.

She stared wide-eyed at the man with the shoehorn face, who was peeking at Ye Qiu through half-lidded eyes.

She couldn't believe it. A Soul Saint… looking this sloppy?

Clearly, she'd already forgotten—

There was an even more ragged Titled Douluo, smelly and messy.

After browsing for a while, Ye Qiu took a halfway decent-looking dagger from the wall and weighed it in his hand.

Pretending to hesitate, he looked around again.

Then he grabbed the crystal hanging near the entrance.

He studied it for a moment.

As if making up his mind, he turned to Flander and asked:

"I'd like to buy this dagger and the crystal. How much for both?"

"Not much. Two hundred gold soul coins in total."

The answer came in a lazy, hoarse voice with a magnetic tone.

"What?! That junk costs two hundred gold soul coins?! Ye Qiu, that guy's totally ripping you off! Let's just leave."

Ah Yin said indignantly.

Ye Qiu rolled his eyes inwardly and continued his performance.

He put on a troubled expression:

"Can't you lower the price a bit?"

Flander finally opened his eyes, but didn't get up. He said casually:

"Two hundred gold soul coins is my bottom price."

"Buy it if you want. If not, leave."

After speaking, Flander shut his eyes again.

Ye Qiu paused for a moment.

Then nodded, waving the dagger in his hand, and said reluctantly:

"Alright. Then how much for just the dagger?"

"One hundred and fifty gold soul coins."

Flander answered flatly.

"Cheaper?"

Ye Qiu frowned.

"Buy it if you want. If not, leave."

Flander lifted his eyelids and glanced at Ye Qiu, repeating the same line.

This time—

Ye Qiu simply nodded and agreed.

"Fine, I'll buy it."

"Ye Qiu! That dagger's not worth it at all!"

Ah Yin couldn't help but protest.

But Ye Qiu ignored her fussing. He took out a pouch of coins from his soul tool and tossed it to Flander.

At the same time—

He walked back to the door and re-hung the dagger.

Plop!

Flander didn't even raise his eyelids. He caught the coin pouch in one go and weighed it twice—then frowned.

His eyes snapped open, and the room was already empty.

He looked toward the doorway—

Hanging there was the same dagger. The crystal, however, was already gone.

"…Heh."

Flander's shoehorn face curled into a surprised laugh.

He stared at the entrance with interest.

That kid really knew how he operated—pulling a move like that on him.

"What an interesting little guy."

"But… I'm sure we'll meet again."

A glint flashed in Flander's eyes.

Even though he hadn't seen through Ye Qiu's cultivation, as a Soul Saint, he could still sense Ye Qiu wasn't ordinary.

So young, yet already a soul master.

Shrek Academy was about to start…

And Flander had a gut feeling—Ye Qiu would be going there!

His half-closed eyes glinted with cunning.

---

…

"Ye Qiu, you're way too sly."

Ah Yin's voice was full of glee. She patted her ample chest, feeling a rush of relief.

Back then, she really thought Ye Qiu was going to be that sucker.

Until she saw him hang the dagger back up.

Then she realized—

Ye Qiu had known this place was a scam all along. He purposely picked the dagger first.

"Hmph! Could I ever be more cunning than him?!"

Ye Qiu snorted coldly, pouting as he tossed the crystal up and down in his hand.

"I just wanted to spend a little less. For all I know, he still made a good profit."

Fifty gold soul coins.

Ye Qiu still felt that was a bit too much.

But if he kept arguing, Flender, that miserly old rooster, would definitely catch on and start haggling sky-high prices.

Ye Qiu was already prepared for Flender to come chasing after him, so he quickly ducked into a side alley.

Seeing Ye Qiu get a good deal and still act innocent, Ah Yin snorted in annoyance but couldn't help asking curiously:

"Ye Qiu, where are we going next?"

"Next, we'll—ow!"

Thud!

Before Ye Qiu could finish, a dull thump echoed.

"Ah, what the heck?!"

Ye Qiu felt like he had slammed into a door.

The crystal in his hand dropped to the ground.

At the same time—

A pained cry rang out in front of him.

"Ah, that hurts~!"

The voice was sweet and pleasant, but clearly young.

Ye Qiu looked down and saw a very pretty girl.

She looked about the same age as him, wearing a simple white dress that gave off a clean and pure vibe. She had greenish-blue eyes, chestnut brown hair, smooth skin, and a delicate face with a soft, noble air.

She was sitting on the ground, rubbing her butt and her flat chest, eyes glistening with tears.

Without even lifting her head, she gritted her teeth and cursed:

"Damn it! Where did this wild brat come from, crashing into me, of all people?!"

Ye Qiu blinked in surprise.

How could someone who looked so delicate and ladylike speak like such a little brute?

When she finished yelling, the girl finally looked up—at Ye Qiu, the culprit who had knocked her down.

"What are you staring at?! Hurry up and help me up! If I'm injured, you can't afford to pay for it!"

Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow.

Pretty face, clearly from a wealthy background, but flat as a board, and talking with such arrogance.

She really reminded him of a certain little witch template.

As this thought crossed his mind, a flash of purple glimmered in Ye Qiu's eyes—

Purple Demon Eye!

Her soul power fluctuations were instantly laid bare.

She had soul power around level twenty-something.

That gave Ye Qiu a good idea of who she might be.

"Ye Qiu, Ye Qiu! Are you alright?!"

Voices echoed in Ye Qiu's mind.

Ah Yin had been calling him for a while, frowning. But Ye Qiu acted like he hadn't heard a thing—completely dazed by the girl in front of him.

"I'm fine."

Ye Qiu finally snapped back to reality and responded.

"Hmph! Pervert~"

Ah Yin huffed, relieved but also a little uncomfortable for reasons she couldn't explain.

She kept silently staring at the girl in Ye Qiu's view. For some reason, Ah Yin felt like Ye Qiu knew this girl.

"You're still staring?!"

"Keep staring and I'll gouge your eyes out, believe it or not!"

The girl was still sitting on the ground, her tone arrogant and fierce as she glared coldly at Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu just gave her a meaningful glance.

Then ignored her.

He calmly picked up the crystal he dropped.

But the girl wasn't letting it go.

"Hey! You! Didn't you hear what I said?!"

"Hurry up and help me up already!"

"Now! Move it!"

As she barked, a sly glint flashed in her eyes.

Behind her back, her hand had quietly reached for a thick wooden stick on the ground.

She narrowed her eyes, staring hard at Ye Qiu.

Waiting for the moment he crouched down, so she could crush his jewels and smash his head in.

Suddenly—

The crystal in Ye Qiu's hand vanished!

The girl's green eyes lit up in surprise.

"You're a soul master?!"

"Yeah."

Ye Qiu nodded, replying calmly.

The girl looked him up and down, raising her pretty brows and tilting her head.

"You can talk?!"

"I thought you were a mute."

Veins popped on Ye Qiu's forehead as he gave her an internal eye-roll.

He chuckled and asked kindly:

"And you? Are you okay?"

Upon confirming Ye Qiu was a soul master, the girl quietly set the stick down behind her.

With a cold snort, she stood up.

"Not dead, obviously!"

She brushed the dust off her dress and her backside.

Ye Qiu looked at her in surprise.

"You can stand?!"

"I thought you were crippled for sure."

"Idiot! What nonsense! I'm not crippled!"

"You're the blind one! You ran into me!"

At Ye Qiu's words, the girl's face turned red with anger, glaring fiercely. Honestly, it made her look even cuter.

Aside from her terrible figure, her face and posture were pretty flawless.

"Pfft—haha! Ye Qiu, you're so mean!"

Ah Yin laughed, clearly amused. Ye Qiu really never let anyone take advantage of him.

Ye Qiu also chuckled as he glanced at the stick on the ground.

That sneaky move didn't escape his sharp eyes.

Still, he hadn't been paying full attention either, since he was talking to Ah Yin.

So—

Ye Qiu acted like a gentleman and apologized.

"Really sorry about that."

"Since you're fine, I'll be going now."

With that, Ye Qiu turned to leave.

There was still time—even if this girl really was Ning Rongrong, this wasn't the right moment to talk about merging.

"Hey!"

Just as Ye Qiu tried to leave, the girl called out, clearly unhappy.

"You're a soul master! You crash into a weak girl like me and think just saying 'sorry' is enough?"

"I haven't even said I accept your apology!"

She stood in front of him, hands on her hips, clearly annoyed.

She wasn't calling herself this lady anymore, but her tone was still fiery.

"Weak girl?!"

Ye Qiu looked genuinely surprised.

Because at the corner of the alley, he could now see a dead-end.

Several people were lying in the alley, groaning and clutching their groins or heads, bawling in pain.

"Uhh… I don't think you count as a 'weak girl,' do you?"

Ye Qiu pointed toward the scene, staring oddly at her.

Sure, they were just regular people.

But for her to single-handedly beat them all down? That didn't look "weak" at all.

Ye Qiu then pointed at the stick on the ground.

And gave her a teasing smile.

"Also, weren't you just about to try the same trick on me?"

The girl's face turned slightly pink under his gaze, but she quickly composed herself.

And huffed angrily.

"Hmph! That's exactly why a weak girl like me gets targeted!"

"Those perverts got what they deserved—serves them right!"

The young girl snorted coldly.

One of her bare feet poked out from beneath her skirt. With a gentle swing of her pale ankle, she nudged aside the stick at her feet, displaying a rather clingy and unreasonable attitude.

> "I don't care! You bumped into me, so you have to compensate me!"

Ye Qiu shrugged, looking a bit helpless at this rather unreasonable girl.

> "Didn't I already apologize to you?"

The girl stood with her hands on her hips, quite overbearing.

> "What? A noble soul master just gives a verbal apology after bumping into someone? Not even a hint of sincerity?"

> "Sincerity?"

Ye Qiu couldn't help but laugh and asked,

> "Then what do you want? What would count as sincerity to you?"

> "Am I supposed to treat you to a meal or something?"

> "A meal?"

The girl's blue-green eyes suddenly lit up. They spun a few times as she scanned Ye Qiu's attire.

A sly expression bloomed on her pretty face. She clapped her hands together.

Clap!

> "Great!"

> "Since you're offering to treat me, I'll reluctantly accept!"

> "Huh?"

Ye Qiu stared at her, question marks all over his face.

When did he ever say he'd treat her to a meal?

> "Puhaha!"

Ah Yin's delicate laughter echoed nonstop.

She was finally witnessing someone who could give Ye Qiu a bit of a headache.

Though she figured…

This little girl probably wouldn't be able to outplay Ye Qiu in the end.

> Ye Qiu's mind is just too devious!

> "Hey! As long as you treat me to one meal, I'll forget about the whole bumping-into-me thing!"

The girl placed her hands behind her back and smiled sweetly at Ye Qiu.

Her vibrant teal eyes sparkled, and she twisted her body while pouting coyly.

> "Otherwise, I'll just keep pestering you!"

Ye Qiu let out a silent laugh.

He suspected that the few guys lying in the alley earlier…

Were probably lured here by this very trick.

Looking at her mischievous behavior, Ye Qiu didn't even have to think hard to figure out what kind of scam she was pulling.

In the sect, there were people willing to humor her.

But out here in the vast world of soul masters, her little pranks wouldn't always work.

As for those lying in the alley?

Ye Qiu could only say—they brought it on themselves. Thinking with their lower halves and ditching their brains!

Ye Qiu looked up at the sky—

It was getting late.

He'd only had breakfast the whole day anyway.

Rubbing his chin, Ye Qiu pondered for a moment.

Then smiled and nodded.

> "Alright then!"

> "As an apology, I'll treat you to a meal."

Hearing this, the girl immediately broke into a radiant smile.

> "It's a deal then! No take-backs. I get to choose where we eat!"

> "Sure, your call! Lead the way."

Ye Qiu nodded seriously, gazing at her with a smile in his eyes.

He was free anyway.

Might as well spend time playing along with this mischievous little girl.

> "Hmph! At least you know your place."

The girl in the white dress raised her chin proudly and strolled out of the alley.

> "Hurry up and follow! Don't even think about running!"

> "Don't worry, I'm not running."

Ye Qiu chuckled and walked beside her, shoulder to shoulder.

The white-dressed girl glanced sideways with her green eyes.

> "Hey, what's your name? I can't just keep calling you 'hey', right?"

Ye Qiu looked straight ahead.

> "Shouldn't you introduce yourself first before asking someone else's name?"

> "Hmph! I'm Ning Rongrong. And you?"

Ye Qiu internally muttered I knew it, smiling even more as he calmly replied:

> "I'm Ye Qiu. 'Ye' as in falling leaves, and 'Qiu' as in autumn."

> "Ye Qiu?"

Ning Rongrong asked curiously:

> "What's your martial soul? What's your current level?"

Ye Qiu didn't answer.

Instead, he asked back,

> "May I ask if you're a soul master?"

Ning Rongrong hesitated a bit, then shook her head.

> "No."

Ye Qiu raised his brow. So, this girl still had a bit of caution—though not much.

> "If you're not, then why are you asking so much?"

> "You—!"

Ning Rongrong bit her lip and glared hard at Ye Qiu.

> "What's the big deal? I don't care to know anyway!"

> "Hmph!"

She was fuming.

Inwardly, she swore: Just wait—I'm gonna make him spend big later!

Ye Qiu noticed the fierce look in her eyes and couldn't help but laugh.

> "W-what are you laughing at?"

Ning Rongrong furrowed her brows, her face filled with curiosity.

> "I'm laughing at how naïve and fearless you are."

Ye Qiu said, then casually placed his hand on her smooth shoulder.

> "You're just an ordinary person, and yet you dare threaten a soul master like me? Aren't you afraid I'll do something to you?"

> "Y-you take your hand off!"

Ning Rongrong trembled and quickly slapped his hand away.

Blushing, she warned him:

> "Don't scare me!"

> "I've never been afraid of anyone!"

> "You're the one who's naïve!"

> "Hmph! If you try anything, you'll die a horrible death!"

Ning Rongrong actually knew—

There were people secretly protecting her all the time. That's the only reason she dared to mess with Ye Qiu so much.

If it were an older soul master…

She might worry about whether her guards could handle it. But Ye Qiu was just a dumb teenager about her age.

This gave her the upper hand!

Ye Qiu shrugged.

He glanced at her petite frame with disdain.

> "Tsk~ I was just trying to scare you. After all, I don't like eating fried eggs with cheap mini raisins."

Ye Qiu laughed.

He really wasn't going to do anything.

Just earlier, he'd already used thermal imaging to scan the area. There were several Soul Emperors nearby.

> "You—! You jerk! What did you just say?!"

Ning Rongrong flushed red, covering her body in embarrassment and anger.

This dog of a man...

How dare he mock her like that! Calling her cheap raisins?! Mini ones at that?!

Unforgivable!

> "Don't underestimate people!"

> "Once I grow up, I'll squeeze your head until it pops!"

> "Ye Qiu, how can she say such things?!"

Even Ah Yin blushed at Ning Rongrong's words. That was… pretty fierce.

Even if she was indeed quite flat.

Ye Qiu was also a little speechless.

All he could say was—as expected of the little devil, Ning Rongrong.

They just met…

And she's already thinking about "rewarding" him in the future by squeezing him to death.

Before long—

Ye Qiu led Ning Rongrong out of the remote alley and back to the streets of Soto City.

Originally still a little cautious, Ning Rongrong was now bouncing with energy.

In a crowded place like this—

She knew Ye Qiu definitely wouldn't dare to do anything to her!

Her lively blue-green eyes scanned the surroundings for a good restaurant.

From time to time, she snuck glances at Ye Qiu, who hadn't said a word.

Seeing that he kept ignoring her, she pouted in dissatisfaction.

Nobody had ever treated her like that before.

Later—

She would make Ye Qiu bleed money, so he'd never forget her beauty!

Just thinking about Ye Qiu's soon-to-be miserable face—

Ning Rongrong felt thrilled. Her pink lips couldn't help but curve upward in anticipation.