Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Late at night.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

In a luxurious room, Yu Tianheng sat by the window, his gaze quietly fixed on the brilliant starry sky.

"Yan Zi suddenly leaving Heaven Dou Royal Academy... I'm still not used to it."

Yu Tianheng murmured to himself, his voice carrying a hint of loneliness.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

After composing his thoughts, Yu Tianheng turned his gaze toward the door.

The door opened, and Ye Lingling stepped into the room.

"Lingling, is there something you need, coming here so late?"

Looking at Ye Lingling as she entered, Yu Tianheng asked softly.

"I'm leaving Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"So I came to tell you."

Ye Lingling stood by the doorway, her cool voice calm and clear.

"You're leaving too?"

Surprise appeared in Yu Tianheng's eyes as he heard her words.

Dugu Yan had told him during the day that she was leaving. Why was Ye Lingling now telling him that she, too, was leaving Heaven Dou Royal Academy?

"Yes."

"It's the family's arrangement, but it's also my own decision."

Ye Lingling nodded lightly, her tone unchanged.

Hearing this, Yu Tianheng frowned in thought and did not speak again for a while.

The room fell silent.

After a long while, Yu Tianheng looked at Ye Lingling again and asked tentatively, "Lingling, you wouldn't be leaving because of Ye Xi too, would you?"

Though he was asking, Yu Tianheng already had the answer in his heart. Otherwise, two people leaving one after another would be far too much of a coincidence.

"Yes."

Ye Lingling's answer was brief.

"So it really is because of Ye Xi."

"Since you've made up your mind, Lingling, then go back."

Yu Tianheng revealed a bitter smile and did not try to persuade her to stay.

After receiving Yu Tianheng's response, Ye Lingling said nothing. She simply left Yu Tianheng's room and headed toward the Nine Heart Begonia Family.

After Ye Lingling left, Yu Tianheng rested both hands behind his head, deep contemplation filling his eyes.

"Yan Zi and Lingling have both left."

"The Heaven Dou Royal Battle Team is now missing a control-type and a Support-type Soul Master. It seems I'll have to find two suitable substitutes from Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Yu Tianheng muttered to himself. Then he rose from his seat and walked straight out of the room.

The next morning.

As Ye Xi sat on her bed engaged in Meditative Cultivation, she suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Young Miss, there are guests at the residence."

"Young Miss Tian Yao asked me to invite you over."

Zhong Meng's voice drifted in from outside the door.

"I understand."

After answering, Ye Xi got out of bed and walked toward the door.

When the door opened, Zhong Meng looked at Ye Xi as she emerged and respectfully bowed to her.

"Zhong Meng, prepare some pastries and drinks for the guests."

With that, Ye Xi headed toward the hall.

After receiving Ye Xi's instructions, Zhong Meng immediately went to prepare the pastries and drinks.

The moment Ye Xi entered the hall, she saw Tian Yao, Ling Yuan, Ye Qingxue, Ye Lingling, and the others seated inside, waiting for her arrival.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

As Ye Xi spoke, she sat down across from Ye Qingxue.

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling, who was seated beside Ye Qingxue, was sizing up Ye Xi before her.

"No problem, we only arrived not long ago ourselves."

"Let me introduce you. This is my daughter, Ye Lingling. She is currently a level twenty-three Soul Grandmaster."

Ye Qingxue pointed at Ye Lingling beside her as she introduced her.

"Hello, I'm Ye Xi. You can call me Xiao Xi from now on."

Ye Xi smiled at Ye Lingling, her voice exceptionally gentle.

"Hello."

Ye Lingling gave a slight nod, her voice ethereal and cool.

Ye Xi and Ye Lingling kept sizing each other up. It was their first meeting, so both of them were somewhat curious about the other.

"My daughter is a little withdrawn. She is usually quiet and doesn't talk much, so please don't mind her."

Ye Qingxue smiled, then turned her gaze to Ye Lingling beside her. "Lingling, Xiao Xi and I discussed this yesterday."

"From now on, you will stay by Xiao Xi's side."

Hearing Ye Qingxue's words, Ye Lingling rose from her seat and walked straight over to Ye Xi.

"Please guide me from now on."

Ye Lingling's voice remained cool, but her eyes were filled with curiosity as she looked at Ye Xi.

"No need to be so polite."

Ye Xi extended a hand in invitation, gesturing for Ye Lingling to sit.

After receiving Ye Xi's gesture, Ye Lingling sat back down.

At that moment, Zhong Meng entered the great hall carrying pastries and drinks. After placing them on the table, she silently withdrew.

"Ye Family Head, I bought this mansion not long ago. Zhong Meng is the only maid here, so it can feel rather quiet most of the time. Please forgive me if there is anything lacking in my hospitality."

As Ye Xi spoke, she picked up a pastry and handed it to Tian Yao beside her.

"There is nothing lacking in your hospitality."

"Still, since there are so few people in your mansion, why not let Lingling move in and live with you?"

Ye Qingxue casually picked up a pastry to taste, asking with a faint smile.

"Of course."

"There are still plenty of empty rooms in this mansion. If Lingling is willing, she can choose one to stay in."

As Ye Xi spoke, she looked toward Ye Lingling, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Ye Qingxue likewise looked at Ye Lingling, seeking her opinion.

"Alright."

Faced with their gazes, Ye Lingling agreed without any hesitation.

"Sister Tian Yao, take Lingling to choose a room first."

Seeing Ye Lingling agree, Ye Xi turned to Tian Yao.

"Alright. Lingling, come with me. I'll take you to choose a room."

Tian Yao rose from her seat, made an inviting gesture to Ye Lingling, and led her out of the room.

Watching the two leave, Ye Qingxue wore a faint smile.

"Xiao Xi, you do not need to keep calling me Ye Family Head. If you do not mind, you may call me Aunt Ye."

Ye Qingxue picked up a drink and savored it unhurriedly.

"Aunt Ye, of course I do not mind."

Ye Xi clasped her hands together and naturally called her Aunt Ye.

"Mhm."

"If there is ever anything you need Aunt Ye's help with, just tell me."

"Although our Nine Heart Begonia Family cannot compare to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family that supports you, we can still be of help in certain matters."

Ye Qingxue looked at Ye Xi, her voice filled with sincerity.