The maiden's unique fragrance washed over him, and Yu Xiaotian froze slightly.
"Thank you... for holding back."
Liu Erlong's voice was low, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible tremor.
"And thank you... for seeking justice for me and my mother."
After letting go of him, Liu Erlong gathered her courage and haughtily raised her chin.
"But! Don't think this means I'll go back with you!"
"I will never return to that cold, heartless clan!"
"Even if he apologizes, I still won't go back!"
She was afraid Yu Xiaotian would forcibly take her away.
However, Yu Xiaotian merely smiled faintly.
"It doesn't matter."
"Even if you live outside the clan, you were born into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. No one can change that."
"As long as you're happy, it doesn't matter where you are."
Yu Xiaotian's words instantly shattered the last line of defense in Liu Erlong's heart.
"You..."
Liu Erlong gazed deeply at Yu Xiaotian.
Then, belated embarrassment surged into her heart.
"Ah!"
Only then did she realize that she had just hugged a boy in front of everyone.
Covering her face, she turned and ran, leaving everyone with nothing but her flustered, bashful silhouette.
As Liu Erlong departed, the entire arena's attention focused on Yu Xiaotian once more.
At that moment, the tide of public opinion completely shifted.
Originally, everyone had seen him as the "Villain Young Master" from the Upper Three Sects, someone who threw his weight around and bullied others.
But now, they watched him angrily rebuke an elder for the sake of his illegitimate cousin.
He had also displayed absolute strength and grace in the arena, even earning his opponent's gratitude and embrace.
"How is this a villain? He's clearly the Light of the Righteous Path holding the protagonist's script!"
"Strong, handsome, morally upright, and