What Do You Mean by a Surprise?

In the VIP room, Qian Renxue leaned back on the sofa, lifted her teacup and took a sip. A trace of appreciation flashed through her golden eyes.

Ning Fengzhi was also looking toward the contestants' passage. After pondering for a moment, he turned to Xue Qinghe beside him. "That young man is worth keeping an eye on."

Xue Qinghe nodded, a note of seriousness in his gentle voice. "You're right, teacher."

The little girl sitting beside Ning Fengzhi blinked her big eyes and asked curiously, "Dad, that big brother is amazing! He beat the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon with Blue Silver Grass!"

Ning Fengzhi smiled and stroked his daughter's head. "Rongrong, remember this: someone once said there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters."

Ning Rongrong nodded, half understanding, her face full of admiration.

In the backstage lounge, Tang San had barely sat down on the sofa when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Tang San said.

The door opened, and Supervisor Li walked in with a beaming smile, followed by two staff members carrying trays.

"Congratulations, young friend Cyberpunk!" Supervisor Li's voice was brimming with enthusiasm. "You've achieved thirty-one consecutive wins and advanced to the Gold Soul Fighting Badge."

Tang San rose to his feet. "You flatter me, Supervisor Li."

Supervisor Li laughed and waved a hand, then pointed to the card on the first tray. "These are Yu Tianheng's two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. As agreed, this Gold Soul Coin card now belongs to you."

He then pointed to the second tray, which held two Gold Soul Coin cards and a token:

"This card contains the prize money for this Soul Fight: fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"The other is for your own wager. Your stake and winnings come to a total of one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"This token is your Gold Soul Fighting Badge token."

Tang San nodded slightly. "Supervisor Li, thank you for your efforts."

Supervisor Li waved a hand, all smiles. "It was no trouble at all. It's my honor to serve you, young friend Cyberpunk. Please get some rest. I won't disturb you any longer."

The Great Soul Arena had probably earned over ten million Gold Soul Coins from ticket sales and betting on this match. After all, most people had favored the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon rather than Blue Silver Grass. Perhaps that was why Supervisor Li was being so attentive.

With that, Supervisor Li and the two staff members left the lounge.

Tang San put the Gold Soul Coin cards and token into the Oriental Pearl, sat back down on the sofa and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

Soul Power circulated slowly through his body as vitality flowed endlessly from the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone, repairing the damage from the battle.

Although the Blue Silver Grass had blocked most of Yu Tianheng's lightning-attribute attacks, a small amount of lightning force had traveled through the vines into Tang San's body, causing some minor numbness and burns.

About a quarter of an hour later, Tang San opened his eyes. All his injuries had healed, and his Soul Power had recovered to around sixty or seventy percent.

Tang San straightened his collar, then pushed open the lounge door.

Leaving the lounge, Tang San made his way to the Great Soul Arena's lobby.

People were still coming and going through the lobby. It was even livelier than it had been before the match.

Tang San swept his gaze across the lobby and was about to head for the entrance when he spotted a familiar figure not far away.

Ye Lingling stood quietly beside a pillar on one side of the lobby, waiting for something. She wore a light green dress, her long blue hair falling over her shoulders, and carried herself with a cool, otherworldly air.

Beside her stood a woman of a similar age, with purple hair and green eyes. Her arms were folded across her chest, and a faint smile played on her lips.

Tang San paused briefly, thinking that this had to be Dugu Yan, a super thigh.

Tang San quickened his pace a little and walked toward them.

Ye Lingling spotted Tang San too. Her blue eyes lit up at once, and her lips curved into a somewhat shy smile.

When Dugu Yan saw Tang San coming their way, she lowered her arms and said in a low, slightly excited voice, "Here he comes, here he comes."

"Sister Lingling, long time no see. What a coincidence, running into you here," Tang San called out while he was still a dozen or so steps away.

"Mm, long time no see." Ye Lingling nodded gently in reply.

"Hello, Cyberpunk." Dugu Yan acted as though they were already well acquainted, her tone direct and straightforward. "My name is Dugu Yan. Since you're Lingling's friend, you're my friend too. Thank you for helping me defeat Yu Tianheng."

Tang San's heart surged as he thought, A thigh! A real thigh! Right now I really want to drop to my knees and sing "Conquer."

But Tang San kept those thoughts to himself. His expression remained as calm as still water as he feigned confusion and asked, "What do you mean, Miss Dugu? I don't quite understand. What do you mean, I helped you defeat Yu Tianheng?"

Dugu Yan laughed and explained breezily, "I made a bet with Yu Tianheng. If he beat you, I'd be his girlfriend. If he lost, he had to stop bothering me. Hahaha, good thing you won, or I would've fallen into a pit."

Tang San nodded slightly, a look of sudden realization on his face. "I see. Then I must have offended Yu Tianheng badly. He won't turn his love into hate and take revenge on me, will he?"

Dugu Yan waved a hand. "Don't worry. I've got your back. You'll be fine."

"Besides, I have another idea." Dugu Yan changed the subject, a sly glint flashing in her eyes. "I want to fight you too. If you can beat me, I can give you a surprise."

Tang San was taken aback, wondering what act Dugu Yan was putting on.

Can someone translate that for me? What do you mean by a surprise?

"Why do you want to have a Soul Fight with me?"

Tang San's tone was cautiously probing.

"No particular reason. I just want to test your strength." Dugu Yan shrugged, her tone airy. "Yu Tianheng was too weak. He fought you for ages and couldn't even force you to use your second Soul Skill. I'd like to see whether you can withstand my poison."

Tang San quickly weighed things up. Hadn't an opportunity to get close to Dugu Yan just presented itself?

"All right," Tang San readily agreed. "But not today. Let's do it another day."

"Sure, then tomorrow, at Lingling's house." Dugu Yan agreed readily, a triumphant gleam flashing in her eyes. She turned to glance at Ye Lingling. "Lingling, you don't mind, do you?"

Ye Lingling's feelings were complicated. She merely nodded gently without speaking.

Dugu Yan turned back and fixed her gaze on Tang San again. Her green eyes stared straight at him, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

Her gaze was so direct that Tang San felt as though she was about to devour him.

"I'll be waiting for you," Dugu Yan said, her voice trailing off with a seductive lilt.

Tang San felt as though a feather had brushed lightly over the tip of his heart, leaving it tingling. He couldn't help thinking, What a bewitching little enchantress. He took a deep breath inwardly and told himself, Stay steady, stay steady.

The three chatted a little longer. Ye Lingling didn't say much; Dugu Yan and Tang San did most of the talking.

Dugu Yan spoke directly, saying whatever came to mind without beating around the bush or hiding anything. Her personality made Tang San feel very comfortable around her.

As they chatted, Ye Lingling suddenly asked, "Why did you come to Heaven Dou City?"

Ye Lingling's voice was soft, but Tang San heard a trace of nervousness and anticipation in it.

Tang San glanced at her, his heart tightening slightly.

"To help you find a way to resolve the defect in your Martial Soul." Countless answers flashed through Tang San's mind, and in the end he chose the most "correct" one.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Tang San cursed himself inwardly. Scumbag.

His real purpose in coming to Heaven Dou City was clearly the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and Dugu Yan was an even bigger fish he planned to hook.

Still, Tang San did intend to help Ye Lingling see whether there was a way to resolve the Nine Heart Begonia's inheritance problem after he found the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Hearing Tang San's words, Ye Lingling's eyes reddened slightly, and her heartbeat sped up wildly, a little deer charging about inside her chest.

Dugu Yan didn't notice anything unusual about Ye Lingling; her attention was entirely on Tang San. She was about to say something when a uniformed Great Soul Arena staff member suddenly approached and bowed slightly to Tang San.

"Mr. Cyberpunk, His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence. He is waiting for you in the reception room on the second floor."