**Chapter 301: Dugu Yan Pits Her Best Friend**

**Chapter 301: Dugu Yan Pits Her Best Friend**

"Yanyan, Yanyan..."

Seeing Dugu Yan laughing so hard her eyes were nearly closed, Ye Lingling couldn't help but feel ignored.

She grabbed Dugu Yan's shoulders and called her name several times to snap her out of it.

"Look at you, as happy as if you've eaten honey! It's just that you advanced two realms in a row—can you calm down a little? You look like you've never seen the world before."

Ye Lingling's dissatisfaction was evident. The happier Dugu Yan seemed, the more foolish she felt about her earlier thoughts.

'Why did I say those things against my will?' she thought. 'What if I had approached him and expressed my admiration for the Demon Suppression Douluo? Maybe he would've given me something for Yanyan's sake...'

But it was too late now. What if the Demon Suppression Douluo hated her? How could he give her such a precious elixir after what she had said?

Ye Lingling felt a sudden discomfort in her chest, tight enough to make it hard to breathe.

"Hehe, Lingling, are you envious and jealous? If you want it, you can definitely get it, but..." Dugu Yan teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "Lingling, you should show off a bit. Brother Ling is very philanthropic, and in terms of pure looks, you're just a little smal than me. There's no reason for Brother Ling not to be jealous of you."

Ye Lingling sighed, feeling even more down. "Don't joke like that. I'm not the kind of woman who'd sell herself for two realms."

She glanced at Dugu Yan, her face setting into an expression of determination. "No matter how handsome your Brother Ling is, he has to be devoted to me before I could like him. Otherwise..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling regained some composure, but inside she wondered if she had said too much; she didn't want to offend the Demon Suppression Douluo.

"Hey... Lingling," Dugu Yan teased, "I didn't think you were the type to refuse a little silver. I wanted to ask Brother Ling for a pill for you, but now… forget it."

Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow in mock disappointment, exaggerating her expression.

"Don't give me that. If I agree, you'll probably want me to sell my body. I don't want to resort to that just to get a couple of realms."

Ye Lingling huffed in dissatisfaction, reiterating her position.

This made Dugu Yan frown slightly. "Alright, alright... You're so noble, not the type to sell yourself for a few small realms. I, Dugu Yan, am just a shallow woman."

With that, Dugu Yan turned away, clearly signaling she didn't want to continue the conversation.

Ye Lingling, now feeling the weight of her words, panicked. She hadn't meant to imply that Dugu Yan had used any illicit means to advance.

But didn't her earlier comment inadvertently suggest that? No wonder her best friend was upset.

"Yanyan, I didn't mean to mock you. I just want to say—"

Ye Lingling tried to explain, but Dugu Yan, still angry, ignored her completely, making it impossible to fix the situation.

She pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then added, "Yanyan, don't be mad. I promise, isn't that enough? I want to advance two small realms too..."

"Really?" Dugu Yan replied coolly. "I don't believe you. You're just trying to smooth things over. Don't talk to me now. I don't want to bother with you."

Ye Lingling's anxiety deepened. She had few friends at Lanba Academy, and Dugu Yan was her closest one. If Dugu Yan stopped speaking to her, who would she befriend?

"Yanyan, I really know I was wrong. Can't I agree to whatever you say?"

Her voice trembled as if she might burst into tears.

Dugu Yan turned around, her expression softening slightly. She reached out and gently patted Ye Lingling's head.

"Lingling, this is what you said. I didn't force you. But you won't lose anything if you marry Brother Ling in the future. He's so handsome that any normal woman would like him, right?"

Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow. "If you don't like him, you must be abnormal. You don't like women, do you? Lingling, the person you like is not me, right?"

Ye Lingling choked on her words. 'I never said I liked women!' she thought, but couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.

"Yanyan… are you done yet?" Ye Lingling frowned, her voice laced with irritation. "If you keep this up, I'll stop talking to you."

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more. Tomorrow, I'll take you to Brother Ling's house to ask for the elixir."

Dugu Yan winked playfully at Ye Lingling.

"But what if... he's not interested in me? What if it's just one-sided?"

Ye Lingling's worries grew. She and Dugu Yan had already spoken so much nonsense in front of the Demon Suppression Douluo. What if he remembered and embarrassed them tomorrow, refusing to give the elixir?

'What if he thinks I'm cheap and hates me more?' Ye Lingling thought, anxiety settling in her stomach.

"Don't worry," Dugu Yan reassured her. "Brother Ling won't be stingy. He has no resistance to beautiful women, especially someone as pretty as you. How could he not like you?"

Dugu Yan's words made Ye Lingling's worries dissipate a little. "Alright, Yanyan, I'll go with you tomorrow. If he doesn't dislike me, then I…"

She hesitated, feeling embarrassed to continue. She was still just a girl, after all.

"Don't worry. Brother Ling will never dislike you," Dugu Yan smiled. "You're beautiful, and you have the Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul. Which sect or force wouldn't treat you like a treasure?"

Ye Lingling nodded, her confidence slowly returning. 'I do have the Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul…'

She thought of how much value her martial soul carried and smiled inwardly. No matter how powerful the Demon Suppression Douluo is, her martial soul will be a great asset to him.

With renewed determination, Ye Lingling prepared herself for the encounter with the Demon Suppression Douluo the next day, hoping to undo the awkwardness from earlier.

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