Chapter Thirty-Three: Meeting Ye Lengleng Again

Tian Dou City.

This was the capital of the Tian Dou Empire, one of the largest and most prosperous cities on the entire Douluo Continent.

The city walls soared to a hundred meters in height, constructed entirely from the hardest granite. The main city gate stood ten meters tall and just as wide—wide enough for six riders to pass through abreast. On either side, two auxiliary gates, each five meters high and wide, provided additional passage.

On and beneath the walls, patrolling soldiers stood watch, every one of them clad in full armor and gripping long spears. The air of severity and discipline that emanated from them was proof of their skill and training.

Within the city, the streets and alleys teemed with people, bustling with life and energy.

A graceful young woman stood at a street corner, gazing into the distance as if awaiting someone.

She wore a pale dress, her figure slender and elegant. A cascade of blue hair flowed down her back like a waterfall, and her bright, lively eyes gleamed with anticipation. She resembled a flower bud about to bloom, shy yet pure, her entire being exuding a refreshing, ethereal charm.

Her striking presence and beauty drew glances from passersby, who could not help but look again, some casting admiring stares her way.

Behind the young woman stood two burly bodyguards, scanning the surroundings with intimidating expressions.

At the foot of the royal city, most people understood the ways of the world. Clearly, she was of noble or wealthy birth—no one would risk inviting trouble upon themselves.

"Isn't that Lingling?"

At that moment, a slightly frivolous voice rang out.

Upon hearing it, Ye Lengling’s delicate features immediately tightened into a frown. She turned and saw a slightly plump young man sauntering over with a sly grin. Her two family guards moved to intercept him, but the newcomer was flanked by his own guards, who brusquely shoved the Ye family protectors aside.

"Liu Lang, what do you think you’re doing?"

Ye Lengling’s brow, already creased, drew tighter still as she spoke to him, displeasure clear in her voice.

The young man, Liu Lang, was also a student at Tian Dou Royal Academy—two years her senior. From the moment she enrolled, he had hounded her relentlessly. Even though Ye Lengling had rejected him outright, he simply refused to give up. Students at the Royal Academy were all from influential families; Liu Lang himself had royal blood, so Ye Lengling could not afford to offend him openly and could only do her best to keep her distance.

"Lingling, meeting by chance is destiny."

Liu Lang’s smile grew even broader as he stepped forward, reaching out as if to take Ye Lengling’s hand. "Although we attend the same academy, it’s been more than ten days since I last saw you. Since we’ve met today, let me show you around Tian Dou City!"

Seeing Liu Lang attempting to touch her, Ye Lengling recoiled several steps in alarm. "Senior Liu, please have some self-respect!"

"Lingling, is that really necessary?"

Liu Lang’s smile remained, but a hint of malice crept into his expression. "You’re a clever girl. Don’t you know why your grandfather sent you to study at the remote Sylvia Kingdom’s Primary Soul Master Academy, only to call you back to Tian Dou Academy in the end? Don’t tell me you truly don’t understand."

Ye Lengling’s expression instantly turned uneasy. She was clever beyond her years. At six years old, she had not understood why her family sent her to so distant a place, but upon her return to learn of her family’s situation in Tian Dou City, everything became clear.

The Nine-Hearted Begonia was a miracle in the world of soul masters. How could the Tian Dou royal family not covet such a martial soul? In the past, her family had an elder at the Soul Douluo level, which made the royal family wary. But that elder had passed away when she was three. Though her grandfather also possessed Soul Douluo cultivation, his martial soul, like hers, was the Nine-Hearted Begonia—entirely lacking offensive power.

Even so, thanks to the powerful healing abilities of her grandfather’s martial soul, many strong figures across the continent had benefited from his aid, and even the Tian Dou royalty dared not act too brazenly.

But such protectors could not guard them at all times. Outwardly, the royal family feigned respect for the Nine-Hearted Begonia family, while in secret they constantly applied pressure, using every means to force her grandfather’s submission. This reached its peak when she awakened her martial soul at six.

The Nine-Hearted Begonia could only exist in two individuals at a time. If she, the inheritor of the Begonia, were to marry into the royal family, then any future soul master awakening the Begonia would carry royal blood. In effect, the martial soul would become a possession of the royal house.

Her grandfather and father did not want her entangled in the royal family’s schemes, so after her martial soul awakened, they arranged to send her far away to the Sylvia Kingdom. But they could not withstand the unrelenting pressure from the royals forever, and eventually yielded—she returned to Tian Dou City to attend the Royal Soul Master Academy after graduating from the primary academy.

Seeing Ye Lengling remain silent, Liu Lang grew bolder, stepping closer and reaching for her hand once more. "Lingling, trust me, I will truly cherish you. My mother is a royal princess. If you marry me, the royal family will spare no effort to support your clan."

"And where did this toad come from, dreaming of marrying a swan!"

Just then, a voice Ye Lengling knew well sounded by her ear. A hand gently took hers, pulling her behind, and a familiar figure stepped protectively before her.

"Brother Xiao Yu!"

At last, the person she had been waiting for had arrived. The shadow that had been pressing on Ye Lengling’s heart vanished, and even her voice brimmed with joy.

"Little one, have you been waiting long?"

Xiao Yu smiled. "It’s my fault for being late and letting a few pesky flies bother you."

"You brat, who are you calling a fly!"

Liu Lang, stung by the insult, flushed with rage. More importantly, he saw a look in Ye Lengling’s eyes that could not be hidden—a look of affection. Furious, he rushed forward, swinging his fist.

With a snap, Xiao Yu caught Liu Lang’s fist effortlessly, and with a swift motion, slapped him hard across his plump face. The force of the blow sent Liu Lang spinning in place.

He twirled around three times before finally staggering to a halt, nearly collapsing, only to be caught by his quick-witted guards.

"You lot, get him! Beat this insolent cur to death!"

Barely steady on his feet, Liu Lang shouted at his guards, pointing furiously at Xiao Yu.

The guards stepped forward at once, but Xiao Yu merely sneered. They were nothing more than high-ranking Soul Masters—he had no need for Aiolia and Milo, who were secretly shadowing him. He could handle them himself.

With a boom, his soul power surged to the fortieth level, an overwhelming aura instantly suppressing the guards where they stood. As for Liu Lang, a lazy scion despite his Soul Master rank, his power was nothing but an empty shell—he trained little and lacked any real foundation. Under Xiao Yu’s soul pressure, he collapsed to his knees on the spot.