On Douluo Continent, outside Suotuo City, a young man walked along the road, muttering, "Damn it, I'm clearly a transmigrator, so why haven't I awakened a system?"
The young man was named Ye Feiyang. He was a transmigrator, yet after arriving in Douluo Continent, he had received no golden finger whatsoever. Fortunately, his awakened martial soul was quite good: the Nine Leaf Sword Grass.
That was right—the very Nine Leaf Sword Grass from that pinnacle mystical novel.
This martial soul was incredibly miraculous. Every time he obtained a soul ring, it grew another leaf, and his strength and cultivation speed doubled as well.
With such heaven-defying talent, Ye Feiyang had cultivated his Soul Power to level 79 at the age of eighteen, making him extremely rare throughout the continent.
Yet he was still dissatisfied. If he could have a system, his strength would become even more heaven-defying.
[ Ding! Hello, host. Congratulations on awakening the Apprenticeship System! ]
A strange voice suddenly rang out.
Ye Feiyang was startled as well. He had not expected to awaken a system at this moment.
But he was practically a Soul Douluo already. What was the point of getting a system now?
Ye Feiyang suddenly curled his lips. "It only arrived now? But now... perhaps I no longer need to rely on you so much."
[ Host, please reconsider! You still possess immense potential for growth. This system can provide assistance beyond your imagination. ]
[ For example: increasing the age of your current soul rings! ]
[ You can obtain supreme secret manuals from high-martial worlds, unparalleled divine abilities from mystical planes, and Cultivation Methods from Immortal Civilization! ]
Ye Feiyang's eyes narrowed sharply, and he unconsciously took a deep breath.
Martial arts? Divine abilities? Immortal arts?
These words stirred towering waves within his heart!
Whether they were merely empty promises or not, their allure was simply impossible to resist!
In particular, increasing soul ring ages addressed his most urgent need at the moment!
His soul ring combination of yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black was standard enough, but paired with a martial soul like the Nine Leaf Sword Grass, it always felt somewhat lacking.
Now that the system had arrived, perhaps it was not entirely redundant after all?
Would this count as icing on the cake?
No! If it could truly add this final touch, it would surely bloom into a dazzling sea of flowers!
Ye Feiyang's tone softened, carrying a hint of probing.
"Is that so? Then explain carefully. What kind of system are you, exactly? What abilities do you possess?"
[ Host, this system's mission is to spread knowledge, teach disciples, and create the supreme immortal master! Its core function is: accepting disciples! ]
[ As for the delay, it was because this world's energy level is not high, which required more time... ]
"I see. Then how exactly does accepting disciples work?"
Ye Feiyang raised his brows slightly. He no longer had any intention of pursuing the matter of the delay. There was no point dwelling on it.
[ Each of your soul ring slots can be linked to one Personal Disciple you recognize! The final age of that soul ring will, in real time, equal the sum of all soul ring ages possessed by the bound disciple! ]
After hearing this, Ye Feiyang felt thunder roaring through his mind, shaking his very soul.
This ability was far more than extraordinary. For him, it was practically perfect.
It was undoubtedly a heaven-defying cheat.
Although the system itself was already a transcendent existence, this function was truly astonishing!
Earlier, he had felt some regret over his soul ring configuration. Who could have imagined such an unexpected turn of events?
Did that mean that as long as he accepted exceptionally gifted disciples, his soul ring ages could rapidly increase?
Why keep a low profile? He had to take the initiative!
Accept disciples! Accept them immediately!
And he could not do so carelessly. He had to screen them strictly and seek out those future Heaven's Chosen!
Excellent candidates... At this time and in this place, where would geniuses be?
Speaking of geniuses!
Ye Feiyang's gaze unconsciously shifted toward the distant Suotuo City.
"Ha! What a coincidence, isn't it?"
A meaningful smile appeared on his lips as the tracks of fate aligned perfectly at this moment.
"Isn't the timing just right?"
"System, do you have a status panel? And surely there should be some compensation, right? Something like a beginner's gift pack?"
[ Yes, host, there is. ]
[ Ding! You have received one Martial Arts Gift Pack. Charm has permanently increased by 99 points (already in effect)! Please receive it... ]
With a slight shift of thought, Ye Feiyang sensed the existence of the gift pack.
Charm increased by 99?
He lowered his head and examined himself. Seeing no obvious changes, he did not investigate further for now.
He focused on the Martial Arts Gift Pack, which contained martial arts essentials from worlds of all kinds.
Its highest level had reached the Grandmaster Realm.
After roughly assessing it, he felt that its standard was about comparable to Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.
These martial arts were numerous and varied, so he could study them slowly in the future.
With a thought, he silently summoned the system interface:
[ Name ]: Ye Feiyang [ Age ]: 18 [ Charm ]: 99+ [ Martial Soul ]: Nine Leaf Sword Grass [ Trait ]: The Nine Leaf Sword Grass martial soul provides the host with a constant boost to basic combat strength and cultivation speed. Current boost multiplier: 7x [ Level ]: Level 79, Power Attack Battle Soul Saint [ Soul Rings ]: Yellow (420 years), Yellow (750 years), Purple (2,000 years), Purple (6,000 years), Black (14,000 years), Black (40,000 years), Black (60,000 years) [ Soul Bones ]: None [ Soul Skills ]: First Soul Skill · Azure Edge Pierces the Sky: Grass leaves transform into sharp azure blades, releasing a bizarre sword aura with exceptionally powerful piercing force. It possesses armor-piercing and tearing effects against energy-defense soul skills. Second Soul Skill · Thousand Leaf Protection: Condenses phantom sword grass around the body, forming a leaf-blade barrier capable of both offense and defense. It can block attacks or launch attacks at will. Third Soul Skill · Life Recovery: Activates the life essence of the sword grass and releases it upon a designated target, rapidly healing injuries and restoring a portion of Soul Power. Fourth Soul Skill · Sword Rain Barrage: With the user as the point of origin, manifests countless dense sword auras. Wherever the mind directs, ten thousand swords fire at once, creating a large-scale blade storm. Fifth Soul Skill · Sword Domain Growth: Unfolds a unique sword domain. Within the domain, hard and sharp sword grass grows from the ground, while the air fills with invisible sword aura and pressure, continuously cutting, disrupting, and suppressing opponents. Sixth Soul Skill · Law Severance: Gathers the origin power of the Nine Leaf Sword Grass to unleash an ultimate strike containing a trace of the intent to 'sever laws,' possessing the following spell-breaking properties: It can forcibly sever the energy connection of a soul skill being cast by a target, forcibly interrupting the cast. It can tear apart defenses such as energy shields and barriers. It can ignore physical defense and inflict true damage. Seventh Soul Skill · Sword Grass True Form (Martial Soul Avatar): Transforms into the true body of the Nine Leaf Sword Grass, greatly enhancing all attributes and summoning vast torrents of sword aura with every movement.
Ye Feiyang quickly scanned the panel. Its contents were indeed exceptionally detailed.
"Mm, having this panel is indeed convenient. It allows me to grasp my own condition more directly," he silently acknowledged.
Although he had a clear understanding of his own strength, seeing it displayed as data was undoubtedly more intuitive.
His gaze turned once more toward Suotuo City, and intense anticipation surged within his heart.
With his current realm, so close to Soul Douluo, combined with the enhancement of the Nine Leaf Sword Grass and his many powerful soul skills, he should no longer need to fear that formidable enemy who had always lurked in the shadows.
Even though they had never fought head-on, he was confident he could handle it.
Besides, he vaguely sensed that the threshold to breaking through to Soul Douluo seemed close at hand!
In high spirits, Ye Feiyang strolled leisurely along a forest path.
Suddenly, a black figure fleeing in panic entered his field of vision.
The figure had graceful curves that became even more alluring in her rapid flight.
Even a brief glance was enough to make her unforgettable.
The black clothing on the woman's body was torn in many places, revealing glaring bloodstains underneath. She was clearly badly injured, and her steps were unsteady.
This distinctive attire and obvious characteristics instantly brought a name to Ye Feiyang's mind.
"Hmm? Could this be Zhu Zhuqing?"
A trace of amusement flashed through his eyes. "Judging by this ominous situation, it seems she has run into trouble."
"Did she just escape the Zhu Family? Crossing a thousand miles to the Heaven Dou Empire, she must be searching for that fiancé she has never met..."
Ye Feiyang had transmigrated six years before the protagonist group was born. Calculating the time, it was now exactly when they would be heading to Shrek.
As if to confirm his guess, the moment the thought arose, several figures brimming with killing intent chased after Zhu Zhuqing in the direction she had vanished.
After roughly confirming her identity, Ye Feiyang immediately made up his mind.
She truly was a suitable choice for his first disciple!
Now that she was in danger, was this not a gift from heaven?
Even though he knew that without his intervention, Zhu Zhuqing would still escape according to the original course of events and would face no mortal danger.
But since Ye Feiyang had taken an interest in her, how could he let her go?
"Hehe, you and I had no fate to begin with. It is all arranged by heaven. This first disciple can be none other than you!"
His figure flickered as he silently followed after her.
Zhu Zhuqing was indeed clever and knew how to make use of her martial soul's advantages.
During the pursuit, she had already darted into a dense forest.
Ancient trees towered overhead, and the terrain was complicated and tangled, making it an excellent natural cover that greatly obstructed the pursuers' vision and speed.
In her original fate, she might well have relied on this cover to escape successfully.
Ye Feiyang, however, followed behind at an unhurried pace, watching from the sidelines.
With his strength, dealing with those few Soul Elders and the Soul Ancestor leading them would be as easy as turning his hand.
But he was not some chivalrous hero. If he lent a hand, how could he expect nothing in return?
A sharp glint flashed through his eyes. He suddenly accelerated, sweeping past the group and silently appearing in Zhu Zhuqing's path, calmly blocking her way.
"Miss, why are you in such a panic?"
With a faint smile on his face, he continued, "Do you need help?"
This sudden voice exploded against Zhu Zhuqing's taut nerves!
She stopped abruptly, her chest heaving violently in a breathtaking sight.
Her hurried breaths revealed the turmoil in her heart.
Her beautiful eyes, filled with vigilance, locked tightly onto Ye Feiyang.
She was secretly horrified. She had not even noticed when this man had appeared!
Her heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably, not because she was moved, but purely from shock.
"Y-You... who are you? Why are you blocking my path?"
Ye Feiyang did not answer, merely casting an indifferent glance behind her.
In that brief delay, the footsteps and shouts of the pursuers had become clearly audible as they rapidly closed in.
Hearing them, Zhu Zhuqing turned around. When she saw those familiar faces, her complexion instantly turned ashen, and the last shred of hope in her heart was extinguished.
Then she looked at the composed man before her and nearly burst into tears.
She raised a hand and pointed at Ye Feiyang. Her lips trembled before she finally let out a long sigh.
"Ah!"
"Leave quickly! These people are after me. If you don't leave now, you'll be dragged into this too!"
Though she was irritated that he had delayed her escape, she did not want to implicate an innocent bystander.
Ye Feiyang merely said calmly, "I'm not leaving. Answer my question first."
Zhu Zhuqing's steps halted. Was this man out of his mind?
Had she not made herself clear enough?
Could he not see the murderous group behind her?
She shook her head, abandoning any thought of communicating with this fool.
She had already given her warning. Their fates would be their own!
Still, seeing that he was handsome, she gave him one more reminder.
"They came to capture me! Their leader is a Soul Ancestor!"
"If you don't want to die, leave at once!"
After saying that, she no longer looked at Ye Feiyang. Supporting her exhausted body, she prepared to fight to the death.
Her long flight had already depleted both her Soul Power and physical strength.
She had originally planned to use the forest's cover to flee into Suotuo City, where she would be safe.
But as she watched the figures ahead slowly close in around her, profound despair seized her.
"Must you really drive me to my death?" She leaned against an ancient tree, her voice filled with indignation and unwillingness.
The leading Soul Ancestor wore a complicated expression. Cupping his fists, he said, "Third Miss, why ask? We are acting under orders and have no choice. Please forgive us."
There was a measure of respect in his tone.
Throughout this pursuit, Zhu Zhuqing's resilience and cleverness had left a deep impression on him.
Since her identity had already been exposed, he simply addressed her as Third Miss.
In truth, they had not been pursuing her with all their strength and had even intentionally gone easy on her.
As long as she could escape into Suotuo City, they could consider their duty fulfilled.
Who would have thought that someone would suddenly appear midway and completely disrupt their plan?
In the grudges of great clans, subordinates like them could only obey orders.
"Enough talk. Make your move." The Soul Ancestor sighed and waved his hand helplessly.
"Boss, do we capture her alive, or...?" One of the Soul Elders licked his lips and asked.
"Leave her alive. Take her back to report!" the Soul Ancestor ordered in a deep voice.
The moment his words fell, the soul rings around several Soul Elders lit up one after another. Yellow and purple lights flashed together as they swiftly formed a fan-shaped encirclement around Zhu Zhuqing.
They had been so cautious in dealing with a Soul Grandmaster; clearly, they had suffered at Zhu Zhuqing's hands before.
Zhu Zhuqing clenched her silver teeth. Spirit Cat Possession activated, and two yellow rings rose beneath her feet.
Yet the gap in cultivation and her depleted stamina made her resistance seem futile.
After only a few exchanges, under their deliberate efforts to wear her down, she was blasted away by Soul Power and sent flying directly toward Ye Feiyang.
Ye Feiyang calmly spread his arms and steadily caught the flying girl. His movements flowed as naturally as clouds and water as he swept her light, delicate body into his embrace.
This woman had started fighting the moment she arrived. He had not even had time to say a word.
The pain of impact she had expected never came. Instead, she fell into a warm, solid embrace.
Zhu Zhuqing's mind went blank for a moment.
This sudden sense of protection.
She raised her eyes and fell into the depths of Ye Feiyang's gaze.
For a moment, her heart lost its guard.
How had she ended up in his arms?
After her brief confusion, embarrassment surged through her.
She instinctively tried to push away that solid chest, only to find his arms as immovable as forged iron.
Heavens! Why was this man's body so hard?
Feeling the strength and warmth radiating from his taut muscles, her heart pounded like a drum.
She sighed inwardly. It's over. This man has Peach Blossom Eyes that make him look affectionate no matter who he looks at, and he has such a sturdy build too. What a pity he's brainless. He wouldn't listen to my warning earlier, and now he'll probably be buried here with me.
Looking at his handsome face so close at hand, the anger in her chest inexplicably faded by more than half.
"Ah..." she sighed as though resigning herself to fate.
"Didn't I tell you to leave? Why didn't you listen? I wasn't joking..."
Unable to push him away, she truly had no strength left to struggle.
Her Soul Power was exhausted, her legs had gone weak, and even standing was a luxury.
Having someone to lean on at a time like this felt unexpectedly reassuring.
Ye Feiyang could clearly feel the slight trembling of the delicate body in his arms.
The corner of his lips lifted. "Become my disciple, and I'll get you out of this predicament. What do you say?"
Zhu Zhuqing froze, wondering whether she had begun hearing things from excessive blood loss.
Become his disciple?
At such a critical moment, he was still thinking of taking her as a disciple?
She did not know whether to laugh or cry.
But before she could respond—
"Brat! Hand over your life!"
A furious roar exploded through the air!
The leading Soul Ancestor's face was dark as water, murder blazing in his eyes!
They had come to capture Zhu Zhuqing, but she was still the third young lady of the family, of noble status!
And now she was being intimately held by some unknown man?
Four Soul Rings rose beneath his feet, and immense Soul Power instantly locked onto Ye Feiyang!
"We gave you a way to live, but you refused to take it. You insisted on courting death, so we'll send you on your way now."
The Soul Ancestor's voice was ice-cold. Killing an ordinary person was no more burdensome to him than crushing an ant.
His five fingers curled into claws as Soul Power gathered around them. With a sharp howl through the air, he lunged straight for Ye Feiyang's throat!
Ye Feiyang raised his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Just as the Soul Ancestor's ferocious expression fully emerged and his Soul Power was about to strike, in that instant of lightning speed—
Ye Feiyang did not even reveal his Soul Rings. He merely raised a hand casually and uttered four words:
"Azure Edge Pierces the Sky."
The instant his words fell, time itself seemed to freeze.
Before anyone could catch even the slightest trace of Soul Power, a faint yet deadly flash of emerald light had already vanished.
The imposing Soul Ancestor suddenly froze. The savage grin on his face stiffened, and his eyes filled with absolute terror.
He could not even make a sound. His lips opened and closed silently.
Then, an extremely thin line of blood quietly appeared across his neck.
Immediately after, blood sprayed forth like a fountain, dyeing the surrounding grass red.
Thud!
His heavy body fell straight to the ground, life extinguished, his eyes wide open in death.
Dead silence!
The vicious expressions on the faces of the accompanying Soul Elders were instantly replaced by terror. Every one of them trembled with fear!
Only now did they realize that this seemingly gentle young man was no lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
He was clearly a terrifying existence whose aura they could not even perceive!
Even a powerful Soul Ancestor had been instantly killed with a casual gesture!
He had not even been given a chance to struggle!
What did insignificant Soul Elders like them amount to in this man's eyes?
They absolutely could not provoke him! They must not offend him under any circumstances!
Was it still too late to kneel and beg for mercy?
Forget running; they no longer even had the courage to move an inch.
They stood stiffly in place, breathing with utmost caution as they waited pale-faced for their final judgment.
Zhu Zhuqing was also left dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events.
Watching that Soul Ancestor die and collapse in an instant, she turned to stare at Ye Feiyang, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"Y-you killed him?" Her voice trembled faintly.
Ye Feiyang felt helpless at her reaction. Was that not an obvious fact?
"Why not?"
"He was clearly trying to take my life just now."
"I have never shown mercy to enemies."
Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily speechless. That was not what she was worried about.
"Y-you'll bring great trouble upon yourself. After all, they are..."
Ye Feiyang cut her off directly, his gaze sweeping over the trembling Soul Elders.
"What should be done with these people? Should I deal with them too? I'm not trying to criticize you, but you really shouldn't be so indecisive in life."
"They came for you. Think carefully—why did you end up in this state? If they captured and took you back, what kind of fate would await you? You should know that better than anyone."
"What? Am I wrong? Or should I leave right now?"
Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts were in turmoil, her mind a complete mess.
For a moment, she could not refute Ye Feiyang's words. She even vaguely felt that he had a point.
Could I really have been wrong?
She struggled inwardly for a moment as she looked at those pale-faced Soul Elders. Throughout this pursuit, they had never truly tried to kill her.
With a Soul Ancestor leading several Soul Elders, how else could they have allowed a Soul Grandmaster like her to escape all the way here?
"Let them go. They were only following orders."
"For the time being, I do not intend to return to that place either."
"I will settle this grudge myself. Let them go back and deliver the message."
Ye Feiyang said nothing more. He merely shook his head slightly and respected Zhu Zhuqing's decision.
He turned to the Soul Elders. "Did you hear that? Consider yourselves fortunate that your lives are not meant to end today. Leave at once."
For some reason, Zhu Zhuqing's heart tightened, and she vaguely felt that she had made the wrong decision.
But then she grew secretly annoyed. I barely know him. Why should I care what he thinks?
When those Soul Elders heard the word "leave," it was like heavenly music to their ears!
Their extreme terror was instantly replaced by the wild joy of having escaped death.
They no longer cared about their dignity. They repeatedly kowtowed toward Ye Feiyang, babbling incoherently in gratitude:
"Thank you, sir, for sparing our lives! Thank you for not killing us!"
"Thank you for your mercy, sir!"
Who would willingly choose death if they could live?
Gratitude even appeared in their eyes as they scrambled to their feet and fled into the depths of the forest, terrified that Ye Feiyang might change his mind.
After sending away those eyesores, Ye Feiyang's attention returned to Zhu Zhuqing.
"All right, now you can answer my question."
"I want to take you as my disciple. Are you willing or not?"
The tension in Zhu Zhuqing's heart finally eased. The threat had temporarily passed.
She had just wanted to offer him her sincere thanks, only to be stopped again by Ye Feiyang's persistent question.
She truly could not understand him and even felt that this man was absurd to the extreme!
Why did he insist on taking her as his disciple?
Although she could not see through him, his method of instantly killing a Soul Ancestor had indeed shocked her. It was clear that his strength was unfathomable.
But he looked so young. No matter how strong he was, how high could his cultivation be?
A Soul King? Or a Soul Emperor?
No, this man definitely had ulterior motives. Otherwise, why was he holding her so tightly?
She bit her lower lip lightly and asked, "I-if I refuse? Could we just be ordinary friends?"
Ye Feiyang raised a brow. "Refuse? Then you're refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. I can only..."
Before he could finish, a powerful wave of exhaustion swept over her.
Zhu Zhuqing felt her vision go dark. Before she could say anything, she lost consciousness and went limp.
Ye Feiyang looked at the girl who had suddenly fainted in his arms, his expression filled with surprise and helplessness.
"Uh, she fainted just like that?"
"Did I scare her unconscious?"
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing covered in wounds, Ye Feiyang raised his hand and activated his Third Soul Skill: Life Recovery.
A gentle emerald glow enveloped her body.
He rarely used this healing Soul Skill, but its effects were surprisingly good.
He guessed that it might have something to do with the characteristics of his Martial Soul.
The crisscrossing wounds on Zhu Zhuqing's body healed at a visible speed beneath the light, revealing fresh new skin.
"Tsk, the effect is quite good."
Ye Feiyang nodded in satisfaction. Only after carefully checking and confirming that she had no other hidden injuries did he relax.
Without hesitation, he bent down and hoisted Zhu Zhuqing over his shoulder like a bundle, then strode swiftly toward Suotuo City.
The closer he got to Suotuo City, the more crowded the official road became.
Ye Feiyang tried his best to avoid the crowds, but traveling while carrying a living person was simply too conspicuous.
All kinds of astonished, doubtful, and even condemning looks kept falling on him.
A few self-proclaimed righteous passersby even tried to play the hero and save the beauty, but Ye Feiyang impatiently kicked every one of them aside.
"Too noisy."
He could not be bothered to explain. He might as well use that time to cover more ground.
With strength on his side, they had no choice but to swallow their objections.
After rushing along while carrying her for nearly two hours, the towering walls of Suotuo City finally came into view.
Ye Feiyang stopped and looked up at the lofty city gate and the walls stretching into the distance.
"Wow, it really is quite impressive!" he praised sincerely.
The buildings within the city had a strong exotic style, but Ye Feiyang was not particularly interested. After a brief glance, he paid them no more attention.
Not long after entering the city, the girl on his shoulder began to squirm restlessly—Zhu Zhuqing had woken up.
She had been shaken awake by that jolting position. Even while unconscious, she had not been allowed any peace.
"You! Put me down right now!"
She pounded Ye Feiyang's back hard, her voice filled with embarrassment and anger.
Thanks to Ye Feiyang's treatment, her injuries were no longer serious, though she still seemed mentally fatigued.
The instant her feet touched the ground, she steadied herself. Though her face remained pale, she was no longer as weak as before.
"Oh, you're finally awake! My good disciple."
Ye Feiyang dusted off his sleeves and looked at her with a smiling expression.
He had long since grown tired of the strange looks from passersby, so this was the perfect opportunity to put her down.
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. "I never agreed to become your disciple!"
Ye Feiyang shrugged indifferently. "Have you forgotten something? Does it matter whether you agree or not? The result won't change anyway..."
Then his tone shifted, carrying a hint of teasing. "You should be satisfied to become my disciple. Countless people would beg to take me as their master, and I might not even be willing to accept them."
Zhu Zhuqing grumbled inwardly. This man's skin is far too thick. His narcissism has no limits!
If he said he wanted to pursue her, that would at least sound more believable than wanting to take her as a disciple.
Wait, why had she even thought that?
She took a deep breath and explained again, "I came here to find someone, and I have many personal matters to handle. I truly cannot become your disciple. I'm sorry..."
Ye Feiyang chuckled softly, understanding everything.
Naturally, he knew whom she had come looking for, but it was inconvenient to say so outright.
"Oh? Don't tell me my disciple came all this way just to meet her lover?"
He looked her over teasingly. "At such a young age, instead of focusing on improving your strength, you're already thinking about romance?"
Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily speechless.
Though unpleasant to hear, his words seemed to make some sense.
No! She had indeed come looking for someone, but she was looking for her fiancé, not some lover.
And it was for survival and revenge, absolutely not for romance!
"Don't spout nonsense! I'm not!" she snapped angrily.
Ye Feiyang could not be bothered to argue with her. He waved a hand impatiently. "All right, all right, no need to explain. It's getting late, and after traveling for so long, I'm starving."
"Let's hurry up and find somewhere to eat, then find a place to rest for the night."
He added, "You brought money, right? You're treating me to this meal."
Zhu Zhuqing felt helpless again, as though her fist had struck cotton.
Speaking of treating him, she did have some Gold Coins left, but not many. This man was not going to eat her broke, was he?
Only then did she notice that the wound which had been unbearably painful before no longer hurt at all.
She instinctively lowered her head to inspect her arm and discovered that the injury had nearly vanished completely.
Surprise and gratitude flashed through her eyes as she looked at Ye Feiyang. "Um... you treated my injuries, didn't you? Thank you..."
"What are you thanking me for?"
Ye Feiyang waved a broad hand. "You're my disciple. Treating your injuries is only natural."
Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth, but in the end, she swallowed her retort.
Forget it. Arguing with this man would be a complete waste of breath. He simply would not listen.
"What do you want to eat? I'll treat you."
"Anything is fine. I'm not picky."
Ye Feiyang immediately replied, looking easy enough to satisfy. "I'll eat whatever you order, as long as it fills me up!"
Zhu Zhuqing silently nodded and said nothing more.
The two found a restaurant in the city that looked clean and elegant, then went inside.
They swept through the meal like a whirlwind and ate to their hearts' content.
Watching Ye Feiyang eat, Zhu Zhuqing could not see even a trace of how a master ought to behave.
And he wanted to take her as his disciple? No matter how she looked at it, he did not seem reliable.
Following their original plan, the two continued searching for somewhere to stay.
Perhaps it was fate, but as they wandered along, they somehow arrived at the entrance of the Rose Hotel.
Ye Feiyang's eyes lit up. The moment he saw the name, he made his decision—this was where they would stay!
He had long been curious about this hotel.
Over the years, he had devoted himself to cultivation, and this was also his first visit to Suotuo City.
Excitedly, he pointed at the uniquely decorated hotel. "This place looks pretty good. Let's stay here!"
Zhu Zhuqing followed where he pointed, then abruptly stopped in her tracks as a blush spread across her cheeks.
She fumed inwardly. Was this man doing it on purpose? Could he not tell this was a couples' hotel?
"No, let's change places. This is..." she tried to explain.
"Why change? What a hassle. This is fine!"
Ye Feiyang waved a hand, then seemed to remember something and added, "Right, you're paying too..."
At that, Zhu Zhuqing's catlike eyes instantly widened. Why was she the one paying again?
Only she knew how little travel money she had left. If she kept spending so freely, even her academy registration fee might be nearly gone.
Ye Feiyang walked a few steps ahead, then noticed she had not followed. He turned back and urged her on.
"Come on. What are you standing around for? What, reluctant to part with your Gold Coins?"
His eyes shifted as he deliberately sighed. "Ah, fine. You can find somewhere to stay yourself. As for me... I can make do for the night on some street corner."
There was a pitiful note in his voice.
His words made Zhu Zhuqing's face burn, as if she were some heartless person.
She bit her lower lip and clenched the flat coin pouch at her waist. This man was truly infuriating. What a waste of such a handsome face.
In the end, she still reached out, grabbed the corner of Ye Feiyang's clothes, and tugged him toward the hotel entrance with her head lowered.
Just as they reached the door, a conspicuous sign caught their eyes.
"Couples staying together receive a 20% discount!"
When Ye Feiyang saw it, he grinned and leaned close to Zhu Zhuqing, lowering his voice teasingly.
"See that? Couples get 20% off! How about we put on an act?"
The words "no way" nearly slipped out of Zhu Zhuqing's mouth, but when she thought of the few Gold Coins left in her pouch, her refusal circled at her lips before she swallowed it back down.
She even began seriously wondering whether this man had been plotting something improper from the very beginning.
"Hey!"
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly stopped, embarrassed and annoyed. "You... you still haven't told me your name!"
Ye Feiyang froze, only then realizing it.
That was right. He knew she was Zhu Zhuqing, but she knew absolutely nothing about him!
It was purely an oversight born from his subconscious familiarity with her.
"Look at this memory of mine!"
He slapped his forehead. "My name is Ye Feiyang."
"I... I'm Zhu Zhuqing," she replied softly.
"Oh, all right, disciple. Now that we've cleared that up, hurry and book the room!"
Ye Feiyang gave a huge yawn. "All I want right now is a good sleep. I'm so tired my whole body feels like it's falling apart."
That was not a lie. He truly had not slept in days.
The two walked to the front desk to check in, and only then did Zhu Zhuqing belatedly realize a problem.
Pretending to be a couple would indeed get them the discount, but they could only book one room!
Now she was truly caught between a rock and a hard place.
She turned her head and stared at Ye Feiyang with catlike eyes full of resentment.
Were they booking this room or not?
The receptionist wore a professionally sweet smile and spoke at just the right moment. "Are you two looking for a room? Couples currently receive a 20% discount. May I ask if you two are a couple?"
The receptionist was clearly used to this sort of situation, and the implication in her words could not have been more obvious.
Zhu Zhuqing was immediately at a loss for words, as though something had lodged in her throat. Her cheeks burned, and for a long while, she could not say anything.
Yet Ye Feiyang naturally reached out, wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and gently pulled her to his side.
Then he flashed the receptionist a bright smile. "Of course we're a couple!"
"She's injured and needs to recuperate here for a few days. Please arrange a room for us quickly."
Zhu Zhuqing's body went completely stiff from his sudden intimate gesture.
Before this, no man had ever been this close to her.
How many times had this happened today already?
Should she push this hand away?
But the warmth against her waist...
To her surprise, she discovered that she did not feel the resistance she had expected?
What was going on?
She had always considered herself someone who did not care about appearances, but at this moment, that belief seemed to waver faintly.
If Ye Feiyang knew what she was thinking, he would surely connect it to the hidden bonus from the system's ninety-nine points of charm.
He might even smugly think, This charm of mine has nowhere to go...
In the past, the system had deliberately pushed him to the margins. He had been a person with virtually no presence at all.
It would have been even more impossible for him to easily make others feel favorably toward him.
But with the bonus from those ninety-nine points of charm, his presence had been raised to the maximum.
Just as her thoughts were in turmoil, Ye Feiyang's hand around her waist gave a subtle, gentle squeeze.
"Mmm~~"
"What are you daydreaming about?"
He leaned close to her ear and urged her in a low voice, "Pay up..."
In that brief moment of distraction, the receptionist had already efficiently completed the procedures and handed over the room card with a smile.
"Dear guests, the total is three Gold Coins for three days. Thank you for choosing us!"
Zhu Zhuqing felt as though her heart were bleeding... Three Gold Coins for just three days?
This was daylight robbery!
But the room card was already held out before her. Clearly, she could not refuse to pay now.
She gritted her teeth and shot Ye Feiyang a fierce glare.
She had never seen such a stingy man!
Had he just pinched her waist?
She hated that kind of boundary-crossing contact most of all!
Were they even that close? Was her waist something he could casually hold? And he talked about taking her as his disciple—he clearly had ulterior motives.
She handed over three Gold Coins, accepted the room card, then, unable to contain her anger, fiercely pinched Ye Feiyang's waist.
"Hiss... that hurts!" Ye Feiyang sucked in a breath.
"Don't make trouble. Once we're back in the room, you can do whatever you want." He rubbed his waist and grinned mischievously.
Zhu Zhuqing was so angry her chest felt tight. She slapped away his hand as it tried to move closer again.
She quickly headed toward the room, wanting only to get farther away from this indecent fellow.
Her entire body was covered in blood and grime, sticky and uncomfortable. All she wanted was to bathe and change clothes as soon as possible.
The two entered the room one after the other.
Zhu Zhuqing did not even care about propriety between men and women as she rushed straight into the bathroom.
"Oh? In such a hurry?"
Ye Feiyang leaned against the doorframe and deliberately drawled out the tease.
Her only response was a glacial glare.
Zhu Zhuqing had always been cold and detached, but even she had been provoked into agitation by this man.
The rise and fall of her chest revealed just how angry she was.
She had always hated people with no sense of boundaries.
Bang!
The bathroom door slammed shut, making the frame tremble slightly as it vented her dissatisfaction.
Ye Feiyang shrugged, put away his teasing expression, and casually walked toward the large bed.
With a leap, he flopped onto it and contentedly rolled around in the soft bedding.
"So comfortable," he sighed in satisfaction.
His gaze casually swept across the room before finally settling on the frosted crystal wall of the bathroom.
After all, this was a couples' hotel. Certain designs naturally came standard.
Behind the translucent crystal glass, a graceful figure was vaguely undressing, her curves appearing and disappearing from view.
Ye Feiyang watched in a daze, and his body began to react beyond his control.
He had lived through two lifetimes and possessed ample experience. By all rights, he should have had enough self-control.
But the problem was that this eighteen-year-old body seemed to have a mind of its own!
He painfully tore his gaze away and stopped torturing himself.
Forcing himself to calm down, he began studying the various martial arts manuals rewarded by the system, using them to distract himself.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing had already removed all her clothes in the bathroom.
She did not immediately step into the bathtub. Instead, she stood before the mirror and carefully examined her body.
She had long felt that her injuries seemed completely healed, and now she wanted to confirm it.
"The wounds really disappeared completely? Not even scars were left behind?"
The skin in the mirror was smooth and flawless as before, without a single wound.
She clearly remembered having no fewer than dozens of large and small injuries across her body, yet now they had all vanished without a trace.
"This man's healing methods truly are extraordinary."
When she thought of Ye Feiyang silently killing a Soul Ancestor with a casual wave of his hand, doubt surfaced again.
"But if he's a healing-type Soul Master, how could he possess such a fierce killing move?"
This man who had suddenly appeared at her side quietly stirred a trace of curiosity within her.
"Mm, perhaps after bathing, I should ask him about it."
Warm water enveloped her body as Zhu Zhuqing slowly sank into the bathtub and let out a satisfied sigh.
She could not remember how long it had been since she had enjoyed such a comfortable bath.
The warm water soothed her fatigue and gradually sent her thoughts drifting farther away.
Unbidden, her mind replayed everything that had happened since she met Ye Feiyang.
Why had he happened to appear there and save her?
How did he possess such strength at such a young age?
Why had she been so inexplicably willing to follow his arrangements along the way?
And how had she somehow ended up sharing a room with this man?
He insisted on taking her as his disciple—was he truly sincere, or did he have another motive?
Zhu Zhuqing knew all too well that her beauty often invited trouble. Whenever she appeared in public, she inevitably drew ill-intentioned gazes.
After thinking it over and over, she still could not make sense of it.
"Forget it. I'll take it as repaying him for saving my life."
She silently repeated it to herself and made her decision.
She wondered whether she should find an excuse to leave after bathing.
After all, she and Ye Feiyang were not familiar with each other. A lone man and woman sharing a room—what sort of propriety was that?
She vaguely worried that things might get out of hand.
Meanwhile, Ye Feiyang, lying on the bed, naturally had no idea what Zhu Zhuqing was thinking.
He was communicating with the system.
He directly voiced the question that had been troubling him:
"System, what exactly counts as successfully taking on a disciple?"
Before you continue