Dugu Bo was stunned for a moment, and his expression turned ugly. "Alas," he sighed. "That is a problem."
But the Titled Douluo's scheming mindset quickly returned. "You and Yan Yan are both cultivating at the same academy," he said, nudging Ye Yin. "There will be plenty of opportunities for you two to spend time together. You should interact more. Whether it works out or not depends on your effort, right? I'll even tell you what my granddaughter likes. If you cater to her preferences, won't the matter be settled?"
Ye Yin clicked his tongue. "I never would have thought a dignified Titled Douluo would actually scheme against his own granddaughter. Tsk tsk tsk…"
[Resentment from Dugu Bo +30!]
Dugu Bo gave Ye Yin a light kick on the backside. "Shut your mouth! I'm taking you back!" With that, he grabbed Ye Yin and shot off towards Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Upon their arrival, Dugu Bo immediately sought out Dugu Yan, dragging Ye Yin along with him.
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan cried excitedly, throwing herself into his arms the moment she saw him. "Why are you here?"
Dugu Bo laughed warmly. "Yan Yan, you've done well. Your strength has improved again. I came to bring you something, but you have him to thank for it."
Dugu Yan followed his gaze to Ye Yin and raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Him? Who is he?"
Ye Yin offered a slight smile. "My name is Ye Yin. Or, perhaps, you'd know me better as Sunny Happy Big Boy!"
The name instantly triggered her memories of the Soto Great Soul Arena. A blush crept onto her cheeks, and her beautiful eyes glared at Ye Yin. "It was you!"
Ye Yin nodded. "It's me. It seems my spirit ability left a deep impression on you."
Dugu Yan's face burned with a mixture of shame and anger.
[Resentment from Dugu Yan +50!]
"You're infuriating!" she seethed, turning to her grandfather. "Grandpa! I don't want anything from him! This little bastard!"
Dugu Bo, who had always doted on his granddaughter, showed a rare severity. "No! You must consume these things!"
His tone was so uncharacteristically firm that Dugu Yan was completely bewildered. "Ah?"
[Resentment from Dugu Yan +50!]
"What kind of bewitching potion did you feed my grandpa to make him trust you so much?" she demanded, turning her glare back to Ye Yin.
Ye Yin spread his hands innocently. "I don't know. I guess he just trusts me a lot?"
[Resentment from Dugu Yan +60!]
"You little bastard!" Dugu Yan fumed. "I'm not done with you!"
Dugu Bo watched them expressionlessly, but inwardly he was quite surprised. So, the two already had a history? A wide smile spread across his face.
"Oh dear," he groaned, suddenly clutching his stomach. "This old man suddenly has a stomach ache! I need to use the restroom!" He shoved the jade box containing the precious herbs into Ye Yin's hands and then quickly ran off, leaving the two teenagers alone.
Ye Yin and Dugu Yan watched his retreating figure, both completely bewildered. A Titled Douluo suddenly gets a stomach ache and needs to run to the restroom? It seemed a bit too convenient.
Dugu Yan planted her hands on her hips, staring daggers at Ye Yin. "Little bastard! The things you gave me? I will absolutely, positively, never eat them!"
Ye Yin's lips curved into a slow smile. "How about we find a more secluded place to talk? The methods I have in mind might not be suitable for others to see."
Dugu Yan's eyes narrowed. Perfect. She also didn't want anyone to witness her teaching this punk a lesson. "Alright. I'd like to see what methods you think you have! Are you, a mere support-type Spirit Master, planning on forcing me? Hmph!"
The two found a quiet, empty room. Dugu Yan stepped inside, then slammed the door shut and locked it. She leaned back against it with her arms crossed, exuding an air of confident intimidation. "Come on," she taunted, licking her lips. "Let's see your 'methods.' If you don't have any, then I'll have to use mine!"
In response, Ye Yin's three thousand-year purple spirit rings rose silently from his feet.
Instantly, Dugu Yan felt a chill run down her spine. How could she have forgotten about his absurd spirit rings? She spun around, fumbling with the lock to escape, but it was too late.
"Let me bless you!" Ye Yin said calmly. "First Spirit Ability, Blessing!"
A brilliant white light enveloped Dugu Yan. She didn't feel pleasure; she felt a sudden, crushing wave of vertigo and weakness. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, her face flushed from the disorienting sensation. The strength seemed to drain from her very bones.
"You… you bastard!" she stammered, trying to push herself up. "What did you do to me? Why do I feel so weak?"
Ye Yin chuckled, walking over to her. "Nothing much. I just want you to take these gifts from your grandfather." He opened the jade box, and the alluring fragrance of the Soul Cleansing Fruit filled the room.
"Impossible," she spat, her pride refusing to yield. "I will never eat it!"
"Blessing!"
Another white light descended, intensifying the feeling of helplessness.
"Ah… No… stop it!" Dugu Yan pleaded, her body trembling from the debilitating effect. "I can't… Stop!"
"Just eat it," Ye Yin said, his voice even. "As long as you eat what your grandfather wants you to have, I'll stop." He held the Soul Cleansing Fruit out, bringing it closer to her lips.
Dugu Yan's stubbornness was warring with the awful sensation from the curse. She hated him, but the feeling was unbearable. Finally, her pride broke. With a furious glare, she lunged forward, snatching the fruit from his hand and swallowing it in one angry bite.
The moment the fruit entered her mouth, its sweet and fragrant taste melted on her tongue, and a wave of pure, gentle energy spread through her body. But the relief did little to soothe her rage.
She looked at Ye Yin, who still had a calm expression on his face.
[Resentment from Dugu Yan +70!]
"Ye Yin!" she screamed, her voice filled with fury. "You bastard!"
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