An Accident

Xue Qinghe, or rather Qian Renxue, had never been hugged before. If having her hand held just now had felt like an electric shock, this felt like being struck by lightning.

Xue Qinghe froze, at a loss for how to react. Her arms hung at her sides, and she didn't know whether to raise them and return the embrace or push him away. Feeling Tang San's body heat through their clothes and his steady, powerful heartbeat, Xue Qinghe actually blushed visibly.

Tang San held Xue Qinghe, breathing in her refreshing fragrance. Unable to resist savoring it a little longer, he held her for another moment.

Only after a long while did Tang San reluctantly release her. He stepped back and took the token from Xue Qinghe's hand, an embarrassed smile on his face and sincere apology in his voice. "Sorry, Brother Xue. I've been an orphan since I was little, and I'm used to being alone. Suddenly having a big brother who cares so much about me, I just couldn't help myself. That was rude of me, very rude."

Xue Qinghe suppressed the surging waves in her heart. Her expression remained as calm as still water, though an almost imperceptible tremor lingered in her voice. "It's all right. You can always think of me as your big brother."

Tang San nodded, then took his leave of Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi. "Brother Xue, Sect Master Ning, it's getting late, so I won't disturb you any longer."

Xue Qinghe nodded, and Ning Fengzhi gave a slight nod as well. Ning Rongrong poked her head out from the sofa and waved at Tang San. "Goodbye, big brother!"

Tang San smiled and waved back, then turned and walked out of the reception room.

In the corridor, Tang San raised his hand and brought it to his nose. The faint fragrance of Xue Qinghe still lingered on his fingertips.

Recalling the moment he had embraced Xue Qinghe, Tang San's smile widened. Then he headed for the exit of the Great Soul Arena.

By the time he returned to the hotel, night had deepened.

Tang San pushed open his door, walked to the bed, and flopped onto his back with his hands behind his head.

His excitement had yet to fully subside. Thinking of that embrace, Tang San's lips curved slightly upward.

Tang San rolled over, suppressed his rippling emotions, and forced his attention back to tomorrow's business.

Tomorrow he was going to Ye Lingling's home to fight Dugu Yan. The fight wasn't the point; given Dugu Yan's strength, there was no question he would beat her.

The point was, how could he reach Dugu Bo through Dugu Yan? How could he get Dugu Bo to take him to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well without giving himself away?

Tang San closed his eyes, his thoughts a tangled mess.

After thinking for ages, he still had no idea. He rolled over, buried his face in the pillow, and let out a muffled sigh.

When the cart reached the mountain, a road would appear; when the boat reached the bridge, it would straighten itself out. He could only take things one step at a time and get some sleep first.

Early the next morning, Tang San washed and dressed, made sure he looked sharp and presentable, and went out.

Following the address provided by the hotel, Tang San crossed several streets and arrived at the gates of the Ye residence.

Two household servants stood at the entrance. When they saw Tang San, one stepped forward and asked, "Are you Young Master Cyberpunk?"

"That's me." Tang San nodded.

"The young lady is waiting for you. Please follow me." The servant stepped aside to lead the way.

Tang San followed the servant through the front courtyard and into a spacious yard.

Ye Lingling was already standing there. Today she wore a pale cyan dress, and her long blue hair was tied behind her head with a silver ribbon, revealing her fair neck and delicate profile.

Ye Lingling had her head lowered, seemingly arranging something. When she heard footsteps, she looked up, a glimmer of light flashing in her blue eyes.

"Morning, Sister Lingling," Tang San greeted her with a smile.

"Morning." Ye Lingling spoke softly. Her gaze lingered on Tang San for a moment before she looked away. "Sister Yan isn't here yet. Sit down for a while."

Tang San sat on a stone stool. Ye Lingling picked up a teapot and poured him a cup, her movements graceful and unhurried.

"Thank you, Sister Lingling." Tang San picked up the cup, his gaze falling on Ye Lingling's face. "It's been a year and a half, and you've grown even prettier, Sister Lingling."

Ye Lingling's ears reddened slightly. She lowered her head and said nothing.

"Sister Lingling, what's your second Soul Ring?" Tang San looked for something to break the silence.

"Jade Spirit Flower," Ye Lingling said. "A healing-type plant Soul Beast. It increases the range and effectiveness of Nine Heart Begonia's healing."

"That's great," Tang San said. "Your healing ability must be much stronger than it was a year and a half ago, right?"

Ye Lingling nodded without saying much. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk; she just didn't know what to say.

She had never been good at chatting with people. At the moment, Tang San was the one chattering away nonstop, giving him the illusion that he was the master of the house.

Before long, however, footsteps sounded at the courtyard entrance. Dugu Yan had arrived.

"Cyberpunk, you're here pretty early." Dugu Yan strode over, her steps brisk and confident, her gaze fixed on Tang San.

"I haven't been here long. My real name is Tang San. You can just call me Xiao San from now on, Miss Dugu." Tang San stood up.

"Then call me Sister Yan." Dugu Yan stopped opposite Tang San and put her hands on her hips. "Are you ready? I won't go easy on you."

Tang San smiled. "Please go easy on me, Sister Yan."

Ye Lingling stood and retreated to the edge of the courtyard, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of her skirt.

Dugu Yan walked to the open space in the middle of the courtyard and turned to face Tang San.

She took a deep breath. "Jade Phosphorus Snake, possession!"

Dugu Yan used Martial Soul Possession. Two yellow Soul Rings appeared, her body became extraordinarily supple, and her legs fused into a snake's tail. She supported herself by swaying the tail.

Looking at Dugu Yan in that state, Tang San couldn't help letting his thoughts stray: How would you play with her in this Martial Soul Possession state?

Shaking his head, Tang San held out his right hand. Blue Silver Grass emerged from his palm, and two yellow Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.

"Let's begin," Dugu Yan said.

Dugu Yan's first Soul Skill, Jade Phosphorous Red Poison, and her second Soul Skill, Jade Phosphorous Blue Poison, were both purely enhancement-type Soul Skills. In other words, Dugu Yan's Soul Skills currently had no offensive power at all; only her innate Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison had any offensive potential.

But Dugu Yan didn't want to use her innate serpent poison. It was too potent, and she was afraid of accidentally hurting someone or damaging Ye Lingling's courtyard.

Dugu Yan simply kept attacking Tang San with her tail.

Tang San kept dodging while using his Blue Silver Grass to wrap around her serpentine body.

Soon, Tang San spotted an opening. Four strands of Blue Silver Grass wrapped around Dugu Yan from four directions at once. The vines tightened, leaving her completely unable to move.

Dugu Yan struggled, then realized she really couldn't move. She looked at Tang San, her purple eyes showing no resentment, only the satisfaction of a scheme that had succeeded.

"All right, I surrender!"

Hearing that, Tang San felt as though it wasn't quite real, as though there were a trap. Just as he was about to withdraw the Blue Silver Grass, an accident happened.

Dugu Yan twisted sharply and deliberately tipped to one side. A barb on a strand of Blue Silver Grass caught the hem of her skirt, and with a rip, it tore a gash in the fabric.

The purple fabric hung down from the hem, exposing a stretch of fair thigh underneath.

Tang San froze for a moment, then hurriedly released the Blue Silver Grass, stepped back, and raised both hands in surrender. "An accident, an accident. I didn't mean to."

Tang San looked innocent and flustered, like a child who had really done something wrong.