One-Sided Encounter

After Chen Yan successfully advanced, Aunt Yang did not stay long before leaving, leaving Chen Yan alone in the cultivation room.

But that suited him perfectly. From the moment his Martial Soul had been decided, he should have begun planning his future.

Although he had not been this kind of person in his previous life, that was because he had been too mediocre back then, unable to take control of his own life.

But in this life, he, Chen Yan, had Innate Full Soul Power, all right?

Now, as long as he worked hard, he could reap rewards. Unlike in his previous life, where wave after wave of effort brought great sacrifice and meager gains.

"Since my Martial Soul is so high-grade, should I go to Shrek or not? If I join an organization, should it be the Tang Sect or the Spirit Pagoda?"

"Shrek would work, but what if they take a fancy to my talent and turn me into a Work-Study Student? What kind of grudge would that be? Besides, it gets blown up in the future. What am I supposed to do then? Not come back for those few days? Wouldn't that make me a sitting duck? With the way the Spirit Pagoda operates, they might even specifically call in the Holy Spirit Cult to assassinate me."

"Then should I join the Spirit Pagoda? This... I still can't quite let go of those Immortal Herbs, and Dragon Valley too. With this Martial Soul of mine, it'd be a huge loss not to go. But then again, would my soul power be enough to get in?"

Chen Yan pondered his future plans. After all, he only knew of two opportunities: Dragon Valley and the Immortal Herbs, and both were connected to the Tang Sect.

Ehh... forget it. Life and death are up to fate, wealth and honor are granted by heaven. I'll take a shot!

I refuse to believe that, as a descendant of Yanhuang, I'm not worth a single Immortal Herb from the Tang Sect. If they really won't give me one, then I'll just have to switch sides.

Having made up his mind, Chen Yan's thoughts began wandering again. What state was Tang Wulin in now? Was he the same age as him, older, or younger?

Sigh, I'm still too young. I can't investigate any information about Tang Wulin. And I'm a little jealous of that brat too. Heaven practically shoved a wife into his arms. Damn, having a grandfather who's basically heaven really is something!

Chen Yan grabbed a handful of his hair, feeling somewhat melancholy. Now that I've transmigrated, I should be able to marry a wife too, right?

He had been single for twenty years in his previous life. Even some elementary school kids had girlfriends, while he was still nowhere close, unable to see even a glimmer of hope.

Yeah, I'm so handsome in this life. I'll definitely find one! Chen Yan fed himself this motivational nonsense as he released his soul ring.

The dark yellow soul ring, paired with its dazzling patterns, looked somewhat like a Western magic circle. His hand could not touch it and simply passed straight through.

Then it was time to test the effects of his first Soul Skill.

Chen Yan activated his soul power. As the soul ring flashed, soul power surged into both his hands. Golden scales slowly emerged, extending from the backs of his hands all the way to his forearms, while his five fingers became thicker and sharper.

"Dragon Transformation?"

Chen Yan swung his arms, clearly hearing the sound of them cutting through the air.

"Hmm, scales growing on my arms should provide some defensive ability too. My speed and attack have both received a certain boost. I just don't have any long-range attacking ability. If I faced Gu Yuena, I'd probably die horribly."

Chen Yan stroked his chin as he thought.

And it consumed a lot of soul power too. It could not last very long. It was a flimsy build. If Gu Yuena kited me at this stage, I'd be completely finished!

Sigh, life is hard. I hope I won't become enemies with her in this life.

After composing himself, Chen Yan calmed down and began meditating. Damn it, time to grind! As long as grinding doesn't kill me, I'll grind myself to death!

So what if he's the Child of Destiny? I'll be the king of grinders in Douluo!

Three days after Chen Yan's Martial Soul Awakening

A luxury car slowly drove into Mingdu.

The car window gradually lowered, revealing a delicate little face. Though she appeared to be only a few years old, one could already see the unrivaled elegance she would possess when she grew up.

Her purple eyes quietly watched the pedestrians outside the window, yet a trace of unease and nostalgia showed in their depths.

At last, she let out a soft breath and turned back. The window slowly rose again.

The car traveled steadily onward, drawing closer and closer to Mingdu Children's Welfare Institute.

A few hundred meters away from the welfare institute, the little girl spoke.

"Stop."

"Yes, my lord."

"Call me Miss when we're outside. Understand?"

She gave the driver a cold glance. Though their eyes never even met, he felt as if he had plunged into an ice cellar, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.

"Yes! Miss!"

"Mm. Before I return, find a place to stay nearby."

"Understood."

The silver-haired girl nodded slightly. A flash of silver light appeared, and she vanished from the car.

"Phew, my lo... Miss is really terrifying!"

"Thump, thump."

In an inconspicuous corner, the girl looked at the boy before her, pressing a hand to her chest in confusion.

What's wrong with me? Why is my heart beating so fast!

Is this what human emotion feels like?

The girl lightly pursed her lips, her expression complicated, yet her eyes remained fixed unblinking on Chen Yan.

She knew this was him... yet she did not know whether he was the him from back then.

Meanwhile, Chen Yan kept reading, utterly unaware that he was being watched. Ever since awakening his Martial Soul, he had begun cultivating day and night without stopping. The result had been gratifying—he had been dragged out of the room by his ear.

Even now, he could still feel a faint ache in his ear. He had no idea that the person he most wanted and least wanted to see had just arrived.

Sigh, reading? To hell with reading! Do you know how amazing it feels when I can clearly sense myself growing stronger with every bit my soul power increases? It's a joy that reaches deep into the soul, the joy of becoming ever more perfect. Not the panic and unease of studying, where you have no idea what the hell you're reading or whether you're making any progress at all.

Chen Yan thought indignantly, At this rate, when will I ever stand atop the highest peak and look down upon all the mountains below? Don't let my grand endeavor collapse before it's even halfway done.

Don't you know? Tang Wulin's Body Sect master loved his robot wife in his youth, yet he never even became a Super Douluo.

So we should devote our limited time to our boundless love for cultivation!

Regardless of whether Chen Yan wanted to or not, he was ultimately not allowed to cultivate all day and night.

Night fell, and darkness gradually swallowed the city.

The silver-haired girl stood by the window, quietly watching the city slowly come alive beneath the night.

A figure silently appeared in the room and knelt on one knee.

"My lord."

Without turning around, the girl said, "Negotiate with them and bring him out."

"This..."

The shadow hesitated.

"What, do you doubt him, or do you doubt me?"

The girl turned around. Her purple eyes remained clearly visible in the pitch-black room, carrying an overwhelming sense of pressure.

"I would not dare."

The shadow lowered his head, swallowing the words he wanted to say.

"Then go do it."

"Yes."

The shadow flashed away. Light from outside spilled into the room, illuminating her silver hair with an otherworldly hue.

"This time, will you still help us?"