"Shi Mo! Are you alright?"
Yu Tianheng walked to the edge of the arena, a smug smile tugging at his lips as he looked down at the fallen brothers.
"We're fine!" Shi Mo grinned. "If your soul power wasn't higher than ours, the winner wouldn't be so certain!"
"That's right! My brother's correct!" the other added.
"Hehe." Yu Tianheng chuckled lightly. "Then next time, try winning by outnumbering me."
"You—! Hmph!" The two brothers snorted, unable to refute him.
"Alright, alright~ We're all teammates. Why argue over the outcome?" Yufeng stepped forward to smooth things over. With their mentor Qin Ming absent, someone had to play peacemaker.
The Shi brothers said nothing more and walked aside to recover their soul power.
Yu Tianheng ignored Yufeng, the smile still lingering on his face as he turned toward Dugu Yan.
"Cut. What's there to be proud of…" Yufeng muttered, clearly displeased with his attitude.
Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of a slender black figure at the edge of the clearing—and a young man standing beside her.
"Huh? Lingling? And you even brought such a handsome guy with you?"
His voice drew everyone's attention.
The moment they heard Ye Lingling had arrived—with a man, no less—curiosity surged. Even the Shi brothers stopped recovering to look over.
"Lingling!"
Dugu Yan immediately stood and walked toward her.
Yu Tianheng, who had just reached her side, was completely ignored. His expression stiffened as he followed after her.
Ye Lingling paid no attention to Yufeng's teasing. That was her usual style.
Beside her, Ye Qiu calmly observed the group, recognizing them one by one from memory.
But when his gaze fell on Dugu Yan, he was stunned.
In his memory, she had purple hair and green eyes.
Now, most of her hair had turned green.
Could it be… had the toxin in her body already begun to erupt?
Except for the Shi brothers, the rest of the team gathered around.
"Yo, Lingling~ Don't tell me this is your match?" Oslo stepped forward, openly sizing Ye Qiu up. Even he felt a flicker of jealousy at Ye Qiu's appearance.
"Oslo! What nonsense are you spouting? Do you want to taste my snake venom?" Dugu Yan snapped before Ye Lingling could respond.
She knew Ye Lingling's situation well. There was no way she would casually bring someone she fancied.
"Sister Yan, I'm just joking! I can't handle your poison~ Maybe Yufeng wants to try?" Oslo laughed, quickly dragging Yufeng into it.
"Oslo! Want to go one-on-one again?" Yufeng shot back.
"Hmph." Dugu Yan ignored them and linked arms with Ye Lingling. "Lingling, you're finally here. Aren't you going to introduce him?"
She glanced at Ye Qiu and frowned slightly.
This guy had been staring at her the entire time.
Still, out of respect for Ye Lingling, she held back her irritation.
Yu Tianheng naturally noticed Ye Qiu's gaze. Alarm bells rang in his mind.
'Who is this guy? Did he come to pursue Dugu Yan too?'
Ye Qiu's appearance alone was enough to make him wary. And the fact that he had arrived with Ye Lingling only made it worse.
"Yanzi, are you feeling alright?" Ye Lingling asked softly, though there was a hint of concern beneath her usual calm tone.
"I'm fine for now. But who is this?" Dugu Yan's voice cooled as she spoke.
Ye Lingling turned toward Ye Qiu, noticing his distracted expression, about to call his name—
But someone was faster.
"Boy. Watch your eyes."
Yu Tianheng's voice was sharp, laced with arrogance.
All eyes turned to Ye Qiu.
Only then did Ye Qiu return to himself. No matter what, if Dugu Yan's condition had truly worsened, it meant he could be even more certain.
Dugu Bo must already be anxious.
"Sorry," Ye Qiu said calmly, nodding slightly to Dugu Yan. "I was thinking about something just now."
But Yu Tianheng wasn't satisfied.
"Hmph. Keep your eyes in check. If you dare stare again, I won't let you off."
"Enough, Yu Tianheng!" Dugu Yan's voice cut through sharply. "He's Lingling's guest. Mind yourself."
Her words were effective.
After shooting Ye Qiu a cold glare, Yu Tianheng folded his arms and stood protectively beside Dugu Yan like a self-appointed guardian.
'As Lingling said… he really is domineering,' Ye Qiu thought darkly.
From Yu Tianheng's earlier attack, Ye Qiu could tell he had just broken through level thirty-five at most.
If necessary, Ye Qiu was confident he could make him lie in bed for a month.
Seeing that Ye Qiu had composed himself, Ye Lingling finally spoke.
"Yanzi, this is Ye Qiu. He came specifically to see you."
Her introduction was blunt and direct.
Name. Purpose. Nothing more.
"…!"
Ye Qiu stared at her in shock.
'Sister, couldn't you have said that in private?'
He preferred avoiding unnecessary trouble. Now it seemed impossible.
As expected, the atmosphere instantly shifted.
Yu Tianheng's eyes widened sharply.
'Which family is he from? Did he hear something and come because of it?'
Curiosity flickered in Dugu Yan's eyes—mixed with faint annoyance. When she glanced at Yu Tianheng beside her, that annoyance deepened.
Meanwhile, Yufeng and Oslo quietly took a few steps back, clearly anticipating drama.
Ye Lingling met Ye Qiu's gaze. In her calm eyes was a subtle hint of encouragement.
It was intentional.
Ye Qiu immediately understood. She had once mentioned wanting him to drive Yu Tianheng away.
Looking at Yu Tianheng now, he indeed seemed on edge. The warning in his eyes was unmistakable.
Since things had already reached this point, Ye Qiu stopped holding back.
"Miss Dugu Yan," he said evenly, meeting her gaze without hesitation, "I did come to see you. I wonder if we could speak alone?"
His tone was calm—neither humble nor arrogant.
He completely ignored Yu Tianheng's glare.
Before Dugu Yan could respond—
Yu Tianheng stepped forward.
"Boy! What do you think you're doing? Do you think you can see Yanzi whenever you want?"
Lightning crackled around his body as soul power surged.
One wrong word, and he would strike.
He hadn't even had the chance to be alone with Dugu Yan yet.
How could he allow some threatening "pretty boy" to take the lead?
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