Chapter 530: I'm Just Asking You to Help

"Music!"

At the sound of Xia Yi's voice, everyone in the milk tea shop—both staff and customers—instinctively turned to look at him.

"Master Xia Yi! What are you doing?" A waiter from earlier quickly ran over to ask.

Xia Yi extended his hand, and the fire axe from the emergency rack in the corner flew into his grasp. He swung it a couple of times and, finding it comfortable in his hand, nodded in satisfaction before turning to the server. "Can you play the Axe Dance music? Turn it up all the way! I'll give you a live performance—free of charge. Let you all see what a true Federation Dance King looks like!"

"Axe Dance?" The waiter was stunned. Soul Masters these days… were they all this dramatic?

"Get down from there! I was joking! I'll wash your clothes for the rest of my life—just don't embarrass yourself." Seeing Xia Yi so full of confidence, Mu Xi covered her face, mortified.

She had underestimated just how shameless Xia Yi could be.

Looking at him now, she felt she couldn't even face the public.

Federation Dance King!

How could he say something like that with a straight face?

Even just standing beside him made Mu Xi want to curl her toes with secondhand embarrassment.

And yet, Xia Yi remained completely unfazed.

"If someone offers to wash your clothes for life, isn't that worth celebrating? All the more reason to dance!" Xia Yi laughed heartily. At that moment, the shop's speakers started playing the Axe Dance track.

Since the staff had already seen the viral video of Xia Yi's pole dance, they had naturally come across the one featuring the Axe Dance too.

Xia Yi had seen it as well. The moment the music started, he jumped onto a table, holding the axe, and began dancing in rhythm. Though it was his first time doing the Axe Dance, he nailed it pretty well.

"Nice! It doesn't have the full intensity of the original video, but among all the imitators online, Master Xia Yi definitely ranks up there!"

Someone clapped and started recording with their soul communicator.

The original Axe Dance video had been posted anonymously in the comments section under Xia Yi's pole dance video.

It didn't feature just one dancer, but a whole group—all dressed in black suits, under dramatic lighting and camera angles, making the performance far more striking than Xia Yi's solo version.

Especially the aura—it was something one person simply couldn't recreate.

When the dance ended, Xia Yi chuckled and returned the axe to its original spot, then walked over to Mu Xi, who was still in shock. "So? How did the Federation Dance King do? Want to give it a try yourself?"

"Just kill me now!" Mu Xi bit hard on her straw and shook her head like a rattle drum, handing the other cup of milk tea to Xia Yi.

For her to show off like Xia Yi? Better to die.

Forget Xia Yi—even people with a little status wouldn't act like him.

Well… except for Leng Yulai.

"Heh, you just don't know how to enjoy life. We only live once—all that pretense is just a burden. Living freely and fully each day is what really matters." Xia Yi grinned, then sat next to Mu Xi, took a sip of milk tea, and said softly, "Take you for example—you should learn more from Yulai. Learn how to express yourself, embrace your individuality. We're husband and wife. You and the others are like sisters. We're all equals. No one's above the rest. You don't need to tread so carefully. Do what you want."

"Xia Yi, I…" Mu Xi's eyes turned red, her head bowed so she couldn't look at him.

She truly felt the pressure when around Leng Yaozhu and Gu Yue.

"Alright, you don't have to say anything—I understand." Xia Yi gently pulled her into his arms, kissed her golden hair, and said, "Take your time. Everyone has their strengths. I still believe you're the proud Flame Queen of East Sea City."

"Mm!" Mu Xi nodded hard. She could feel it—not just Xia Yi, even Leng Yaozhu and Gu Yue were kind to her, always trying to make her feel comfortable.

And yet, she still felt the pressure.

She didn't have Leng Yulai's mindset. Back then, Yulai had followed Xia Yi like a stubborn servant, never once feeling inferior about her status.

On the contrary, her attitude was even more carefree than Xia Yi's.

She could even joke around with Leng Yaozhu, her older sister.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Yulai played a major role in helping Leng Yaozhu reach her current mental state.

"Let's go! I'll take you somewhere and fulfill one of your wishes." Xia Yi laughed, then disappeared from the milk tea shop with Mu Xi in his arms.

When they reappeared, they were standing in front of Holy Spirit Hospital.

"This is Holy Spirit Hospital. Why are we here? Don't tell me you want to…" Mu Xi stared blankly at Xia Yi, shocked at what he meant by fulfilling her wish.

"Heh, want to?" Xia Yi asked with a smirk.

"No, Xia Yi, absolutely not! Let's leave." Mu Xi pleaded with her eyes. Though she knew there was something between Xia Yi and Ya Li, just thinking about it was enough.

In her heart, Ya Li was still the pure, untouchable Holy Spirit Douluo.

She couldn't bring herself to defile that image.

"Heh, you're just too uptight." Xia Yi chuckled. "With Ya Li's cultivation, she noticed us the moment we got close. If we leave now, isn't that just admitting defeat? She'll mock us to death inside."

Grinning, Xia Yi took Mu Xi directly into the hospital. He knew she needed to go wild a few more times.

He'd originally wanted to drag her into a dance on the spot.

But on second thought, that would be too much for her first time.

Some things are better done step by step.

Start with something easier for her to accept.

"Xia Yi, are you here to see Her Holiness the Holy Spirit?" Yuanen Yehui asked as soon as they entered.

"That's right. Is she in?" Xia Yi asked seriously.

"She just went to check on a patient. Should I take you to her?" Yuanen Yehui offered.

"No need. If she went to the wards, it must be urgent. We won't bother her. We'll just wait in her office." Xia Yi shook his head. He could tell Ya Li was avoiding him.

He wanted to see how long she could keep that up.

"Alright then." Yuanen Yehui nodded.

"By the way, you've stayed at Holy Spirit Hospital this whole time? Aren't you a combat-type Soul Master?" Xia Yi asked curiously. He'd thought Yuanen Yehui and Ye Xinglan would leave after getting their two-word battle armor to find stronger training grounds.

They were both training fanatics, after all.

Holy Spirit Hospital was a great place, but not ideal for cultivation.

"Since we need to stay in Shrek City for the Star Battle Network competition anyway, and the hospital's still short on staff, Xinglan and I are helping out for now—moving medicine and patients, setting up equipment. Some machines are too heavy for normal people to install. We're just lending a hand. As for cultivation, we'll focus on that after the tournament." Yuanen Yehui smiled, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.

Her grandfather was an Ultimate Douluo.

If she wanted to return to the Yuanen Clan and seek justice for her mother, she'd need at least level 97 or 98—Super Douluo with four-word armor.

But with Shrek Academy gone, she didn't know where to go to keep improving.

She glanced at Mu Xi. Back in the outer court, they were classmates. She had even been Mu Xi's class leader.

At the time, Mu Xi's talent didn't compare to hers.

But now, Mu Xi's cultivation far surpassed her own.

Eight-ring Soul Douluo!

For someone Mu Xi's age, that was legendary.

Yuanen Yehui and Ye Xinglan had spent years in the Eight Kings Domain, training hard and encountering some lucky opportunities, but even now they were only Soul Emperors.

Which, for their age, was already impressive.

But in front of Gu Yue and Mu Xi, it wasn't worth mentioning.

"Heh, if you don't know where to go, consider joining the Spirit Transmitting Tower," Xia Yi chuckled. "With your talent, you'd go far."

"I'll think about it later." Yuanen Yehui shook her head. The Tower was a national organization—it was easy to join, hard to leave.

If she had a choice, she'd prefer her freedom.

Even Leng Yaozhu, after joining, spent most of her time stuck in an office.

She even had to apply for leave.

That kind of life didn't appeal to Yuanen Yehui.

"If not the Tower, how about the Blacksmith Association?" Mu Xi suddenly said. "Blacksmiths usually aren't strong fighters. After a god-tier smith was kidnapped, we decided to train a group of internal protectors—like the Douluo guards of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."

Mu Xi smiled warmly. "The Blacksmith Association has plenty of resources, but fewer restrictions than the Tower. Your job would simply be to protect blacksmiths at public events."

"Let me think about it?" Yuanen Yehui still didn't immediately agree. She knew the Association was rich in resources—and battle armor was never in short supply.

But the idea of being a bodyguard?

Not appealing.

"These days the continent is unified, and the Holy Spirit Sect has been wiped out. Few would dare target blacksmiths now. The job is very relaxed," Mu Xi smiled knowingly, seeing her hesitation. "Yes, the role is technically that of a bodyguard. But you'd also be a protector and a symbol. The Association will treat its protectors with great respect. Think of it like the relationship between the War God Temple and the Federation. In short: the Association won't mistreat anyone."

"Really?" Yuanen Yehui nodded slowly. "Give me some time. If I really have nowhere else to go, I'll seriously consider it."

"Alright. If you ever want to join either, I'll refer you." Xia Yi smiled. Even though he wasn't part of the Spirit Tower himself, making a recommendation wouldn't be a problem.

As for the Blacksmith Association—well, that was even easier.

"Thanks. I'll remember that." Yuanen Yehui nodded. "I have something to do, so I'll be off. Won't see you to the office."

"Go ahead." Xia Yi waved her off and continued walking with Mu Xi to Ya Li's office.

Once there, Xia Yi casually found her treasured tea stash, brewed two cups, one for each—and sipped as they waited.

"Not bad, huh? Trying to recruit her?" Xia Yi grinned at Mu Xi.

"Hehe, with talent like Yuanen Yehui's, having her join would make the Association much safer. The Spirit Tower's already overflowing with people—one more or less doesn't matter." Mu Xi giggled.

"Mhm. You're a future god-tier smith. Whatever's good for the Association is fine by me," Xia Yi said with a smile.

He didn't mind Mu Xi recruiting people. Like Gu Yue and Leng Yaozhu, he wanted them all to pursue their paths.

He didn't want to hold them back, make them forget who they were or their missions in life.

He didn't want them to just be his little women.

He wanted them to have dreams, goals, and a life without regrets.

Even if he became their follower, he'd be willing.

"If you support me, then I'm relieved." Mu Xi smiled and leaned into his arms. The two of them chatted idly.

Realizing Xia Yi wouldn't leave without seeing her, Ya Li had no choice. After finishing with a patient, she returned the rest to another doctor and returned to her office.

"Didn't I tell you? After that day, we're even. We promised not to disturb each other again. You agreed!" Ya Li's face turned cold the moment she entered.

"Even so, we can still be friends, right?" Xia Yi smiled. "Ya Li, your mind is too dirty. What? You think I only came to see you for that?"

"My mind is dirty?" Ya Li ground her teeth in frustration. Xia Yi had some nerve.

"I just need your support. Nothing more," Xia Yi laughed.