Rose Hotel, Dragon Might Subdues Tang

"I! Know! Brother! Yu!"

Ning Rongrong's aggrieved shout, thick with sobs, still echoed in the air when she was already stuffed into a plain black carriage. The curtains fell, shutting out Glazed City's dazzling multicolored glow and luxurious atmosphere.

Ning Fengzhi stood beside the carriage, looking at his daughter clinging to the window with a deadened expression, then at the purple-robed boy beside it, dressed in ordinary black training clothes yet still composed and steady. Yang Yu had changed back into casual clothes. Yue Guan stood nearby with an alluring smile on his face. Ning Fengzhi's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

"Young friend Yang, Rongrong... I'll leave her to you." Ning Fengzhi cupped his hands solemnly. Behind him, Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood in silence. His cold gaze lingered on Yang Yu for a moment before finally turning into an almost imperceptible sigh.

"Rest assured, Sect Master Ning." Yang Yu nodded without saying more, then turned and boarded the carriage.

Yue Guan sat in the driver's seat and lightly flicked the reins. The two black steeds pulling the carriage broke into a trot, carrying it steadily away from Glazed City's grand gates. The dreamlike city of glass was left behind as they traveled down the long official road toward Nuoding City in Fasnuo Province.

Inside the carriage, Ning Rongrong hugged her knees and curled up on the cushioned seat in the corner, her little face buried in her arms. Her shoulders trembled as she let out muffled sobs. The lace princess dress worth a fortune had disappeared, replaced by a plain light-blue cotton dress without any decorations. The tiny diamond crown on her head had also been removed, leaving her soft chestnut hair cascading loosely over her shoulders. At this moment, she was no longer the lofty Little Princess, but more like a wronged child whose beloved toy had been forcibly taken away before being thrown into an unfamiliar place.

Yang Yu sat opposite her with his eyes closed, seemingly not hearing her faint sobs at all. Soul Power circulated slowly through his body as he silently familiarized himself with the power of his first soul ring and sorted through his upcoming plans. Nuoding City... Xiao Wu should already have approached Tang San according to his instructions. Tang San... was probably still recovering somewhere in the Star Dou Great Forest, wasn't he? He wondered what Tang San's expression would be when he woke up and found that both his Hidden Weapons and the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record were gone.

At the thought of Tang San's possible reaction, a cold curve appeared on Yang Yu's lips.

Time passed with the turning wheels. Ning Rongrong cried herself to sleep, curling up unconsciously, tears still clinging to her long lashes. Yue Guan was an excellent driver, and the carriage traveled swiftly and smoothly.

Several days later, as the setting sun dyed Nuoding City's low walls a warm golden color, the plain black carriage finally entered this ordinary little city on the empire's border.

Compared to the dreamlike prosperity of Glazed City, Nuoding City seemed simple and even somewhat rundown. The streets were narrow, lined mostly with low buildings made of stone and wood. The pedestrians were dressed far more plainly as well. The air was filled with cooking smoke, the scent of livestock, and the bustle of everyday life. Everything here carried a real, rough, earthy atmosphere.

"Wow..." Ning Rongrong had woken up at some point. Leaning against the window, she examined the unfamiliar sights outside with curiosity mixed with a trace of disgust. This was where she had to stay for a year? So small... so shabby... There was even horse manure on the road! Her little face fell again.

The carriage did not head for the city lord's residence or the local branch of Spirit Hall. Instead, it went straight to the busiest street in the southern part of the city and stopped before a building called the Rose Hotel.

The Rose Hotel was the finest hotel in Nuoding City. Its decorations centered around passionate red and gold, while blooming roses filled the entrance with a rich fragrance. Though it could not compare to Glazed City's extravagance, it was still considered impressive in Nuoding City.

"Your Highness, we've arrived," Yue Guan's voice came from outside.

Yang Yu was the first to get out. Ning Rongrong reluctantly followed, her little leather shoes stepping onto the bluestone pavement. Looking at the hotel before her, which she deemed "barely livable," she curled her lips.

"Two of your best suites." Yang Yu walked to the front desk and spoke succinctly.

The receptionist was a middle-aged man in a red uniform with a professional smile on his face. He glanced at Yang Yu and Ning Rongrong. Two children? Their clothes were ordinary, though Ning Rongrong's dress was clearly made of fine material, but their bearing was extraordinary. Especially the boy—his gaze was far too calm for a child. Behind them stood a red-robed man with a somewhat alluring smile, his aura unfathomably deep.

"Certainly, honored guests." The receptionist did not dare neglect them. He hurriedly flipped through the register. "There happen to be two adjacent Red Rose Suites remaining..."

At that moment, a burst of clear laughter and conversation came with the sound of footsteps descending the stairs.

"Little San, hurry up! Is that grilled fish place really as delicious as you said?" "Yes, Xiao Wu, I promise. The flavor is very special."

A boy and a girl descended from the spiral staircase covered in red carpet.

The girl walked in front. Her pink hair was tied into a scorpion braid that swayed cheerfully with every step. She wore a simple pink cloth dress, yet it could not hide her lively figure and beautiful face. Her ruby-like eyes sparkled with vitality. It was Xiao Wu!

Behind her walked a Blue-Clad Youth with ordinary features and calm eyes. It was Tang San! However, his face was still somewhat pale, and his aura slightly unsteady. Clearly, his injuries had not fully healed.

The moment they reached the foot of the stairs, Xiao Wu casually swept her gaze across the lobby—and it instantly froze on the familiar upright figure beside the reception desk, dressed in black training clothes!

Yang Yu?!

The smile on Xiao Wu's face instantly stiffened. A flash of irrepressible fear and panic appeared in her ruby eyes! The cold contract mark deep within her soul seemed to have been touched, sending a stab of pain through her! He... why had he come to Nuoding City too?! So soon?!

Tang San saw Yang Yu as well. The moment that calm, unreadable face—the face that brought him endless memories of humiliation and pain—entered his sight, towering hatred erupted like a volcano! His eyes instantly turned bloodshot, and his body shook violently from overwhelming rage and hatred! It was him! This demon! He had stolen his Void Cicada! Taken his Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record! Forced Xiao Wu to acknowledge him as her master! And injured him! This hatred was irreconcilable!

"Yang! Yu!" Tang San squeezed the two words through clenched teeth, his voice hoarse and filled with bone-deep venom! He summoned his martial soul almost instantly. Mysterious Jade Hand activated, and with a sweep of his right hand across his waist, several Bone-Piercing Nails gleaming with eerie blue light were already held between his fingers! It was the opening stance of the Tang Sect's Hidden Weapon technique—Hand-Flinging Arrow!

Xiao Wu jolted in fright and hurriedly grabbed Tang San's arm. "Little San! Don't act rashly!" She knew all too well how terrifying the alluring man beside Yang Yu was! He was a Titled Douluo! If Tang San attacked, he would be courting death!

The receptionist and the scattered guests in the hotel lobby were stunned by the sudden turn of events, all casting uncertain, startled looks their way.

Yang Yu seemed to have only just noticed the two figures by the stairs. He slowly turned around, his calm gaze sweeping over the terrified Xiao Wu before settling on Tang San, who glared at him like a beast ready to devour its prey.

"Oh? Isn't this Tang San?" Yang Yu's tone was as indifferent as if he were greeting a stranger. "You're quite tough. You can walk already? It seems that old dog Tang Hao left you some scraps of life-saving medicine."

"Shut up! You're not allowed to insult my father!" Tang San flew into a rage like a cat whose tail had been stepped on! The vengeance for his mother's death! The hatred of having his treasures stolen! The insult to his father! Old and new grudges instantly crushed the last shred of his reason!

"Die!" Tang San let out a shriek, murderous intent flashing in his eyes! His wrist snapped violently!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three streaks of eerie blue light ripped through the air, carrying piercing whistles and a thick, fishy-sweet scent. They flew in a triangular formation toward Yang Yu's throat and heart like lightning! Their speed and angles were far more vicious than his ambush in the Star Dou Great Forest. Driven by hatred, Tang San had struck without holding anything back!

"Watch out!" Although Ning Rongrong disliked Yang Yu, the sudden vicious sneak attack still startled her into crying out instinctively!

Yet Yang Yu stood where he was without moving so much as a step. He had not even summoned his martial soul!

Just as the three poisoned Bone-Piercing Nails were about to strike him!

Buzz! An invisible, vast Dragon Might originating from the deepest part of the soul, towering above all things, erupted like an ancient beast awakening from slumber! This time, it was not a wide-area suppression, but an incomparably precise force locked onto Tang San's soul and crushed down upon it!

Roar—!!!

A majestic dragon's roar that only Tang San could "hear" crashed into his Sea of Consciousness like thunder from the ninth heaven!

"Argh—!!!"

Tang San was struck as though by lightning! He felt as if an invisible giant hand had seized and kneaded his soul! The Mysterious Heaven Skill instantly spiraled out of control! His vision went black! His mind turned blank! The murderous intent he had gathered and the Hidden Weapon techniques he had been controlling shattered like fragile glass beneath that soul-level dragon roar!

Thud! Tang San's legs gave out, and his entire body collapsed straight to his knees as if all the bones had been pulled from him! The Bone-Piercing Nails in his hand clattered across the floor! He clutched his head tightly with both hands and let out agonized howls, his body trembling violently like chaff in the wind. Faint streaks of blood seeped from his seven orifices! The bone-deep terror and soul-rending pain instantly robbed him of any ability to resist!

Just one invisible dragon's roar! No soul ring! No soul skill! Yet it had completely cowed Tang San, a Soul Grandmaster even if he was not in peak condition, into kneeling on the ground and howling in agony!

The entire hotel lobby fell silent enough to hear a pin drop! A deathly silence!

Everyone stared wide-eyed at this bizarre and terrifying scene! The Blue-Clothed Guy had fiercely flung out his Hidden Weapons, and then... he had simply dropped to his knees, clutching his head and screaming? What had the Black-Clad Boy done?! He clearly had not moved at all!

Xiao Wu's little face turned deathly pale. Seeing Tang San in such pain, she wanted to help him but did not dare. She could only stare at Yang Yu in terror, her body shaking uncontrollably. Again! That same silent, horrifying Dragon Might!

Ning Rongrong was completely dumbfounded! Her little mouth hung open, and her sapphire-like eyes widened round as she stared at the scene before her in disbelief! That detestable "Brother Yu"... what... what had he done?! There had been no Soul Power fluctuation! No martial soul manifestation! He had merely... stood there? And that Blue-Clothed Guy had knelt down on his own?! This... this was even more incredible than the Titled Douluo her father had told her about!

"Hmph! Trash is still trash." Yang Yu's voice broke the dead silence, filled with undisguised contempt. "Even your sneak attack is pathetic."

He no longer paid attention to Tang San, who was kneeling on the ground and convulsing in pain. Instead, he looked toward the receptionist, whose face had gone white and whose entire body trembled. "The room cards."

"Huh? Oh... oh!" The receptionist snapped out of his daze and fumbled out two metal cards inlaid with rubies. Even his voice shook. "Honored... honored guests... y-your room cards... Red... Red Rose Suites... third floor... on the left..."

Yang Yu took the room cards and casually tossed one to Ning Rongrong, who was still staring blankly. "Take it. It's yours."

Ning Rongrong caught the warm room card on instinct. Its surface felt cold, but it startled her back to her senses. She looked at Yang Yu's calm profile, then at Tang San writhing in pain on the floor. For the first time, she felt something indescribable toward the boy who had forcibly become her "senior brother"—a mixture of intense curiosity and a trace of awe.

At that moment, a magnetic male voice carrying clear displeasure came from the hotel entrance.

"What's going on? Causing trouble at the Rose Hotel? Don't you know the rules here?"

Everyone turned toward the sound.

An exceptionally tall Golden-Haired Youth was walking through the hotel entrance. He looked around seventeen or eighteen, with handsome features and long golden hair falling over his shoulders. His eyes had double pupils—one deep blue, the other an alluring purple—and every glance carried wild, unruly pride. He wore white training clothes with the collar open, revealing his muscular chest. His entire presence was like a lazy yet dangerous lion. Most eye-catching of all, he had a Twin Girls in each arm—both voluptuous, scantily dressed, and heavily made up!

Golden hair, double pupils, arrogance, twins... it was none other than the leader of the Shrek Seven Monsters, Evil-Eyed White Tiger Dai Mubai!

He had clearly been drawn over by the commotion at the entrance. His eyes swept over Tang San, who was kneeling on the ground and convulsing in pain, then over Xiao Wu beside him, whose face had gone pale with fright. Finally, they settled on Yang Yu, standing calmly at the front desk, and the unfamiliar little girl beside him, dressed in a plain blue skirt but unable to hide her beauty—Ning Rongrong. His brows furrowed slightly.

"Dai... Boss Dai!" Xiao Wu cried out as if she had seen a savior.

Dai Mubai ignored Xiao Wu. His gaze rested on Yang Yu for a moment, carrying scrutiny and a trace of barely noticeable surprise, mainly at Yang Yu's composure that did not match his age. But when his eyes landed on Ning Rongrong beside Yang Yu, who wore a plain blue dress yet remained as fresh and lovely as a lotus rising from water, his mismatched eyes immediately lit up!

What a beautiful little thing! She was still young, but the quality of innocence mixed with a hint of noble delicacy was far beyond the vulgar women at his side! A fierce possessiveness instantly rose in Dai Mubai's heart.

With the Twin Girls in his arms, he strode toward the front desk, completely ignoring Tang San, who was still kneeling on the ground. He stared intensely at Ning Rongrong, curling his lips into what he believed was a charming, wicked smile. "Little sister, are you new here? What's your name? I know Nuoding City well. Want big brother to show you around?"

As he spoke, his free hand, adorned with a jeweled ring, actually reached frivolously toward Ning Rongrong's soft cheek!

Ning Rongrong had never encountered anything like this before. Since childhood, she had been a princess cherished in everyone's palms. When had anyone ever dared tease her so crudely? Seeing that large hand reaching toward her, reeking of alcohol and women's perfume, her little face turned pale with fright. She instinctively stepped back, hid behind Yang Yu, and tightly clutched the hem of his clothes. Her sapphire-like eyes were filled with fear and a plea for help.

Dai Mubai's hand missed. The smile on his face stiffened slightly, and a trace of displeasure flashed through his eyes. His gaze finally settled on Yang Yu, who stood in front of Ning Rongrong.

"Kid, move aside." Dai Mubai's voice carried a commanding tone as he looked down arrogantly at Yang Yu. The Soul Power pressure of a Soul Elder burst forth without restraint, trying to force down this boy who looked only six or seven years old. "Don't get in the way while I'm talking to a beauty."

Yang Yu raised his head and calmly looked at the tall, handsome Golden-Haired Youth before him, reeking of alcohol and cosmetics. He recognized that face. Evil-Eyed White Tiger Dai Mubai. The leader of the Shrek Seven Monsters. In the original story, a spoiled young master who bullied men and harassed women. And now, he had added harassing his "junior sister" to the list.

"Take your filthy hand back." Yang Yu's voice was not loud, yet it reached every person's ears clearly, carrying an unquestionable chill. "Then take your trash and get out of my sight."

Boom! Yang Yu's words were like a spark thrown into a powder keg!

The entire hotel lobby erupted in an uproar! Everyone looked at Yang Yu as if he were insane! This kid... actually dared speak to Young Master Dai like that?! Did he know who Young Master Dai was?! The tyrant of Nuoding City! Backed by powerful connections! And one of the outstanding talents of the younger generation!

The wicked smile on Dai Mubai's face froze completely before twisting into savage fury! His mismatched eyes instantly became ice-cold, like those of a tiger ready to devour someone!

"You little bastard! You're courting death!" Dai Mubai laughed from extreme rage as Soul Power exploded around him! Three dazzling soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple—rose instantly from beneath his feet! Evil-Eyed White Tiger possession! His body suddenly grew taller, muscles bulging as his golden hair stood on end like burning flames! A violent, ferocious aura swept through the lobby like a storm!

"You dare insult me?! If I don't break your legs today, I'll write my name backwards!"