"Yu Tianheng! I told you before—don't call me Yanzi!"
Before Ye Qiu could react, an impatient voice rang out.
Dugu Yan had already walked out of the room. She looked even paler now, likely from using her martial soul again. Her cold gaze swept over Yu Tianheng before she moved to Ye Lingling's side.
"Yanzi, are you alright?"
"Lingling, I'm fine."
Facing Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan's tone softened. "I'm not in a hurry. I was just worried about you."
Yu Tianheng forced a stiff smile, resentment obvious in his eyes. As the dignified heir of the Blue Lightning Overlord Dragon Clan, he never imagined he would come here only to suffer humiliation like this.
Ye Qiu looked at him curiously.
"Worried about me?"
A sudden smile bloomed on Dugu Yan's face as she turned her emerald eyes toward Ye Qiu.
Under everyone's gaze—especially Yu Tianheng's shocked, jealous stare—Dugu Yan suddenly stepped closer.
Before Ye Qiu could react, she wrapped herself around his arm, hugging it tightly against her chest. Her entire body leaned against him.
The warmth and softness at his side made Ye Qiu momentarily dazed.
Compared to the girls he had met before, her figure was undoubtedly the best. At sixteen or seventeen, she had already matured beautifully.
Dugu Yan herself wasn't calm either. Clinging to Ye Qiu's arm, she felt his presence clearly. A faint fragrance drifted between them, and the slight flush on her pale face deepened.
Seeing Yu Tianheng's stunned expression, a mysterious smile appeared on her lips.
"You don't need to worry about me."
"Yanzi! You—" Ye Lingling blinked in confusion.
"Can't you tell?" Dugu Yan explained calmly. "He's already agreed to pursue me."
As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Ye Qiu's arm, not allowing him to pull away.
Ye Qiu instinctively tried to withdraw, but the movement only made Dugu Yan's face flush deeper. She squeezed harder and shot him a warning glance filled with embarrassment and irritation.
"Ahem…"
The sudden pressure made Ye Qiu uncomfortable. He stopped struggling immediately.
He still didn't understand her intention—until Yu Tianheng roared.
"Yanzi! How is that possible?!"
Yu Tianheng stared at Ye Qiu's trapped arm, his eyes blazing with jealousy. He looked ready to chop it off and replace it with his own.
"Yanzi, are you lying to me?"
He clung to that possibility, hope flickering in his eyes.
"Lying to you?"
Dugu Yan leaned her head lightly against Ye Qiu's shoulder, her purple-green hair cascading down over him.
"We just agreed. Now I'm taking him to meet my grandfather."
"Meet Senior Dugu? Impossible!"
Yu Tianheng's face turned green.
He had tried for months without success—yet this boy had appeared for such a short time and was already meeting her grandfather?
Murderous intent flickered in his eyes as he stared at Ye Qiu.
If this brat dared block his path, he would eliminate him.
Dugu Yan turned toward Ye Qiu's ear, her voice completely different from her usual indifference.
"Right, Ye Qiu~?"
"Er… Dugu—hiss!"
Before he could finish speaking, he gasped. She had squeezed his arm harder in warning.
Then, in a voice only he could hear, she whispered:
"Drive him away for me. I'll take you to see my grandfather immediately."
Warm breath brushed against his ear.
Ye Qiu smiled wryly.
To obtain the immortal herbs sooner, he had no choice but to deal with Yu Tianheng.
He gave a subtle nod.
From within his heart, the power of the Blue Silver Emperor flowed outward, warm and gentle, coursing through his limbs. The unnatural heat in his body gradually faded.
Even Dugu Yan seemed affected by the aura leaking from him. Her complexion improved slightly, and she unconsciously leaned closer.
Seeing them nearly glued together, Yu Tianheng ground his teeth.
After steadying himself, Ye Qiu's expression became calm and noble.
"Yanyan is right. We're going to meet the parents."
He smiled gently at Dugu Yan. The refined, warm expression caused her heart to tremble slightly, and she averted her gaze.
Yu Tianheng clearly noticed the subtle change in her expression.
Fury surged within him.
Taking advantage of the moment, Ye Qiu slipped his arm free and instead intertwined his fingers with Dugu Yan's hand. He lifted their clasped hands before Yu Tianheng.
"See? Nothing is impossible. Yanyan has already agreed to be with me. If you have nothing else to do, don't bother my Yanyan anymore."
Listening to him call her "Yanyan" again and again, Dugu Yan's face flushed red. Her other hand clenched tightly.
Crack!
Lightning crackled around Yu Tianheng's body. He was on the verge of exploding.
"Yu Tianheng, right?" Ye Qiu continued calmly. "I advise you to leave. Yanyan is mine. You're not worthy of her."
Sweat formed on Ye Qiu's back—Dugu Yan was squeezing his hand painfully hard.
"Yanyan, let's go."
Suppressing the pain, he pulled her away.
They had barely turned around when Yu Tianheng finally snapped.
Lightning burst from his body as his martial soul possessed him. His right hand transformed into a dragon claw.
"Brat! You're courting death!"
His first yellow soul ring flashed.
A massive lightning dragon claw shot toward Ye Qiu's back.
"Yu Tianheng, are you crazy?! Ye Qiu, be careful!" Ye Lingling shouted.
But it was too late.
The lightning dragon claw was already upon them.
"Not good!" Dugu Yan cried out. She hadn't expected him to actually attack.
Boom!
The dragon claw struck.
A deafening explosion rang out as smoke and dust filled the air.
Ye Lingling's scream was drowned out. Yufeng, Shi Mo, and the others finally turned toward the commotion.
"What happened?!"
"Hehe…"
Yu Tianheng sneered coldly.
Within the swirling smoke, a sharp, blood-red light suddenly flashed.
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