I Hate NTR the Most!

"Then I'll have to ask whether Na'er agrees." Nan Liujing pinched his chin, looking troubled.

Ye Xinglan's hand, which had been pounding Nan Liujing's chest, trembled slightly. Her azure eyes widened. Why had I never realized my childhood friend was such an idiot before?

Nan Liujing dropped his smile and looked at Ye Xinglan seriously. "Be careful around that fatty from now on, in case he tries some more sleazy tricks."

"You're so young. If you don't study properly, how will you contribute to the Federation in the future?"

Ye Xinglan froze. Seriously, bro?

Those words actually came out of your mouth?

Who was it just now who grabbed it and refined it on the spot?

"I know what to do." Having spent half the day without discussing anything important, Ye Xinglan could not help changing the subject. "By the way, what did you want to see me for?"

Nan Liujing smiled. "Teacher gave me a mission. I'll be leaving Shrek City for a while."

Hearing that her childhood friend was leaving, Ye Xinglan's lips quivered. She asked instinctively, "How long will you be gone?"

"Can't bear to part with me?" Nan Liujing asked with a smile.

"Tch." Ye Xinglan turned her head away awkwardly, her golden ponytail swaying lightly. With a soft snort, she said, "You complain about being tired every time we go shopping. Now it'll just be Na'er and me. That'll be more comfortable."

"Listen to you. I'm still the one paying, you know." Nan Liujing moved closer, his scent washing over her. "I'm leaving soon, and you're not even a little reluctant to see me go?"

Stared at by those dark-blue eyes, Ye Xinglan's pretty face flushed red. She turned slightly aside, then shot out her elbow and slammed it hard into Nan Liujing's stomach.

"Gasp!" Nan Liujing sucked in a breath at just the right moment. There weren't even basketball games on the Douluo Continent. Where had she learned that move?

Ye Xinglan had long since seen through him. Smiling with her eyes, she said, "Stop pretending. With your physical strength, even if I stabbed you with a sword, you'd be fine."

Nan Liujing gave a dry cough. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head, and he said cheerfully, "Come to think of it, I'm about to have a junior sister. That's kind of interesting."

"Junior sister?" The smile in Ye Xinglan's eyes instantly turned to vigilance.

She had not even dealt with Wu Sidu yet. Why was there another one now?

Nan Liujing nodded faintly, his gaze shifting toward Sea God Lake. "My junior sister comes from a remote area and hasn't seen much of the world. Teacher intends for me to go assess her, and it'll also help us become more familiar. That way, when she comes to Shrek City, she'll adapt to her new life more easily."

Ye Xinglan asked a question that surprised even herself. "What does this junior sister of yours look like?"

"Normally, you should be asking about her talent," Nan Liujing corrected.

Ye Xinglan pressed her lips together. "Then how is her cultivation talent?"

"I don't know." Nan Liujing shook his head.

Ye Xinglan swung her elbow at him again like lightning. With a smack, Nan Liujing caught it in advance. "She's not as pretty as you."

Ye Xinglan tried to find a flaw in Nan Liujing's expression, but it was terrifyingly natural. He did not even blush when lying.

The tension in her heart quietly eased, and then she heard Nan Liujing's gentle voice. "After I leave, I'll video call you every other day. All right?"

Ripples quietly spread through Ye Xinglan's heart.

Just as she was about to say something, Nan Liujing domineeringly pulled her into his arms. Her blood nearly froze at that instant.

Inhaling the elegant fragrance drifting from her golden hair, Nan Liujing looked at the blush gradually spreading across her snow-white neck and chuckled. "If you ever need help with something like this again, come find me anytime. I'll be happy to help."

"Get lost." Ye Xinglan shoved him away in embarrassment and anger, then turned her back to him with a huff.

Nan Liujing turned and walked toward a shared bicycle. As soon as he mounted it, he lightly rang the bell.

With a ding-ding, he smiled. "I'll get lost first, then."

Ye Xinglan froze, then hurriedly turned back, only to see her childhood friend's retreating figure growing farther away.

"Hey, remember what you said," she called out instinctively.

On the bike, Nan Liujing curled his lips into a smile and waved to show that he had heard her.

"Brother, I can't swallow this anger!"

Exhaling slowly, Xu Cang stared out the window with a grave expression. On the sofa behind him, Xu Lizhi's eyes were bloodshot, his breathing as heavy and rapid as an enraged bull's.

Ye Xinglan's actions were like a sharp carving knife, leaving an indelible and agonizing image in his heart.

As his older brother, Xu Cang sympathized with his younger brother's experience. If he saw a girl he liked making out with another guy, he would probably go dark and charge in to kill someone on the spot.

Damn it, I hate NTR the most.

No, wait! They seemed to be genuinely in love. His little brother was the one trying to be the NTR guy.

Xu Cang frowned. "Now that what you did has been exposed, Ye Xinglan is probably on guard against you. Listen to your brother's advice: cut your losses while you can. Besides, with the Xu Family's strength, pretty women are hardly impossible to find."

Thinking of how Silver Moon Douluo, who had close ties with the family, had suddenly been informed by the academy that she was entering seclusion, along with the incident of someone reporting them that day, it was difficult not to suspect that there was something unspeakable behind it all.

So keeping a low profile was what they needed to do right now.

Xu Lizhi said nothing. There were many extraordinarily beautiful women in this world, but women with that hint of heroism between their brows were rare. That was exactly the kind he liked.

Thinking of that bastard who had kissed his goddess, Xu Lizhi's breathing grew even more labored. He stood up and said hoarsely, "Brother, as long as you help me get rid of that guy, I'll fully support you in competing for the position of Family Head from now on."

Xu Cang's eyes lit up at once.

As a Food System Soul Master, his cousin could never inherit the position of Family Head, so he could not become a future rival. On the contrary, with Xu Lizhi's talent, he would likely go farther than Xu Cang at Shrek Academy in the future.

With this support, a great deal of trouble could certainly be avoided.

Xu Cang's expression turned solemn. "You're my closest brother in the family. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have helped you."

Xu Lizhi's eyes visibly brightened.

"Don't ask about this matter anymore. Your brother will find someone to help you. Remember, you and I have never discussed anything involving killing or fighting." Xu Cang warned.

Xu Lizhi shrank his neck. "Don't worry, Brother. I understand."

Ding-ding!

Suddenly, a phone rang.

The piercing sound startled both brothers, making their bodies jerk. After awkwardly rubbing his nose, Xu Lizhi took out his phone, answered it, and a cool female voice spoke. "Is this Xu Lizhi?"

Xu Lizhi and Xu Cang's expressions shifted slightly. They recognized the owner of the voice.

"Teacher Shen, it's me." Xu Lizhi composed himself.

"Come to my office immediately." On the other end, Shen Yi, known at Shrek Academy as the White-Haired Demoness, spoke calmly.

"Yes." The moment Xu Lizhi responded, the call ended.

"Brother, I'll leave it to you." Xu Lizhi put away his phone and hurried outside.

Xu Cang merely watched him, his expression unreadable.

He had heard a piece of gossip. The academy had been invited by the East Sea Alliance to participate in an exhibition match, and the teacher leading the team was Shen Yi, a senior student of the inner court.

Though it was only an exhibition match, media outlets from all over would report on it during the East Sea Alliance Competition. It was an excellent chance to make a name for oneself across the entire continent.

"Looks like the academy values Lizhi's talent even more than I thought. I need to handle this favor perfectly."

A trace of icy coldness surfaced in his eyes.

Sunlight slanted down from the sky, bathing the entire city in a hazy glow, as though it had stepped into an old film.

Heavy traffic flowed between clusters of skyscrapers, while office workers holding coffee cups hurried along the roadside.

A Soul Guidance Vehicle slowly came to a stop outside the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda.

The passenger got out, and the car left. Nan Liujing raised his head and looked at the towering structure, far smaller in scale than the Heavenly Spirit Tower. Its glass reflected the azure sky like crystal.

Two years had passed, yet the scenery nearby remained much the same. Nothing had changed.

On the way from Shrek City, Nan Liujing had already spoken in advance with Leng Yi, the master of the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda.

Following the surrounding office workers, he walked straight into the first-floor lobby and showed his identification to the front-desk staff.

After confirming the information on the computer, the eyes of the two receptionists instantly widened, as though they had seen something unbelievable.

Such a young inspector?

After taking back his identification, Nan Liujing thanked them politely. Under the astonished gazes of the two receptionists, he walked alone toward the tower master's private elevator and expertly pressed the floor where Leng Yi was located.

The instant the doors opened, he saw Leng Yi, the branch tower master whose status was equal to that of Eastsea City's governor.

"Greetings, Young Master." Leng Yi bowed.

As Leng Yaozhu's personal disciple, Nan Liujing held a higher status than nearly everyone in the Leng family branch. However, he had not publicized his identity before outsiders. Leng Yi was one of their own, so there was no need to hide it from him.

Nan Liujing smiled. "I'll have to trouble you for the coming period."

Leng Yi smiled. "Your arrival shows that the Family Head trusts me. This is a tremendous honor. Please."

The two entered the office, and Leng Yi took the initiative to make tea. What Nan Liujing did not expect, however, was that a light screen floated in the center of the office, displaying the world inside the Spirit Ascension Platform.

Suddenly, Nan Liujing's gaze sharpened and locked onto a black-haired girl.

With a pretty face four or five parts similar to Na'er's and an expression that warned strangers to stay away, who else could it be but Gu Yue? But now that she was showing her original face, why had she changed her hair color to black?

It was obvious that the area around Gu Yue was filled with webs glowing with deadly poison. Several other figures sat cross-legged nearby, absorbing the lingering Spiritual Energy left behind by the Soul Beasts killed by the webs.

Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi!

"Today is the day the Rampage Period Spirit Ascension Platform opens?" Remembering something, he asked Leng Yi without turning around.

"Yes." Leng Yi approached with a teapot in hand. "Speaking of which, I was just about to report this to you. That girl named Gu Yue came today with teachers and students from Eastsea Academy for their final assessment. Once it ends, I'll notify her to come see you."

Since Leng Yaozhu had not yet given orders for Gu Yue to become her disciple, Leng Yi's attitude toward Gu Yue was fairly ordinary, neither close nor distant.

Nan Liujing nodded and said nothing more, staring continuously at the light screen.

He keenly noticed a situation entirely different from the original timeline.

Gu Yue was also absorbing Spiritual Energy, but she had kept some distance from Tang Wulin and the others rather than sitting right beside them.

After the Spiritual Energy had been absorbed, the group rose and briefly discussed something.

Tang Wulin was clearly the core of the team. The other boys gathered around him to talk. Only after they had finished deciding which direction to head next did Tang Wulin ask Gu Yue for her opinion.

Gu Yue's expression remained icy. In response to Tang Wulin's question, she merely nodded coldly.

Just like in the original timeline, when they had encountered the Man Faced Demon Spider and fought it together, they cautiously left the web-covered area after absorbing the Spiritual Energy and headed deeper into the forest.

Let me guess. They'll soon run into the brother and sister, Xu Xiaoyu and Xu Xiaoyan.

Nan Liujing took the teacup Leng Yi handed him and took a light sip as he mused inwardly.

Sure enough, a Six-Armed Fire Serpent appeared in Tang Wulin's path and blocked their way. Just as they were about to attack, an ice wheel descended from the sky and cleaved it apart.

Then, one large and one small figure appeared on the screen.

The boy was seventeen or eighteen, with three Soul Rings—two yellow and one purple—floating beneath him. He was handsome enough, but the coldness at the corners of his lips gave him an arrogant, distant air.

Beside him stood a delicate little girl, following cautiously. Her soft hair was braided into two pigtails, pale blue in color.

Just as expected.

Xu Xiaoyu was drawn by the Spiritual Energy that had yet to fully merge into Gu Yue and the others, arrogantly demanding that they leave it behind and exit the Spirit Ascension Platform themselves.

But unexpectedly, after Xie Xie traded insults with him and Xu Xiaoyu frowned and launched an attack—

The one who should have attacked, Gu Yue, was replaced by Tang Wulin and Wang Jinxi at the forefront, with Xie Xie and Zhang Yangzi supporting them in a coordinated assault.

Gu Yue simply stood in place without moving.

A smile curled across Nan Liujing's lips. Turning to Leng Yi, he said, "I plan to enter the Spirit Ascension Platform. Are there any slots left?"

Leng Yi understood immediately. "Yes."

Nan Liujing nodded and walked straight out of the room. "Please position me near Gu Yue."

Since the timeline was correct, Tang Wulin and the others would soon encounter the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear and be instantly defeated.

He would reluctantly accept that soul bone first.

"Damn it!"

Xu Xiaoyu gritted his teeth. As his Ice Staff Martial Soul appeared, his long blue hair flew wildly amid the surge of Soul Power. At this moment, he was beginning to regret his arrogance and foolish choice.

Though the four youths before him appeared to be only around ten years old, and their cultivation levels were far below his, they coordinated as seamlessly as a pack of wolves. In only two exchanges, they had forced him into a desperate situation. Left with no choice, he could only tell his little sister to hide farther away.

Directly in front of Xu Xiaoyu, Tang Wulin held two Heavy Silver hammers. With each successive swing, cold light flashed. The Ice Wheel Slash did not even leave a white mark on the hammerheads.

Tang Wulin had not used the power of his bloodline or Martial Soul. With trustworthy teammates around him, it was easier to conserve his strength against sudden danger.

With Tang Wulin handling the threatening ice wheels head-on—

A black shadow flashed to Xu Xiaoyu's left, and bone claws tore through the air with a piercing shriek. Wang Jinxi's lean right arm had long since transformed into bone claws, faint toxic light coiling around the pale finger bones.

Caught off guard, Xu Xiaoyu continuously formed ice shields. The Bone Dragon Claws left deep gashes across them, while the poison they contained corroded the ice with hissing sounds. The ice shields, which had already consumed considerable Soul Power, visibly melted away.

"Dark Sky Curtain."

A sharp cry came from above.

Xu Xiaoyu had barely raised his head when he saw Zhang Yangzi, wings manifested behind him as he flew through the air, unleash his second Soul Skill.

In an instant, Xu Xiaoyu's entire field of vision plunged into darkness so complete that he could not see his hand before his face.

Alarmed, he suddenly heard footsteps slicing through the air beside him.

An invisible dagger stabbed out like lightning, driving straight into Xu Xiaoyu's kidney.

With a wet stab, Xu Xiaoyu immediately let out a scream.

"My kidney!

After the strike, Xie Xie withdrew from the battlefield with a wicked grin.

When the dark curtain faded, Xu Xiaoyu came into view, one hand clutching his Ice Staff and the other covering his kidney.

His face was deathly pale, sweat streaming continuously down his cheeks.

Xie Xie returned to Tang Wulin's side, and the boys laughed as they bumped fists to celebrate their successful battle.

Xu Xiaoyu's lips trembled violently. If looks could kill, Xie Xie would have died countless times already.

"Brother, save me!" A cry for help came from nearby.

Xu Xiaoyu turned his head, only to see that Gu Yue, who had been standing where she was, had used spatial teleportation to seize his little sister by the back of the neck.

Xu Xiaoyan's beautiful eyes brimmed with tears, and she looked pitiful and helpless.

Cold air gathered in Gu Yue's right hand, forming an ice blade that she aimed at Xu Xiaoyan's neck. Xu Xiaoyu hurriedly called out, "Let her go. I surrender."

Gu Yue calmly put away the ice blade. "Press your signal device first. Don't try anything."

Xu Xiaoyu's face darkened like the bottom of a pot. For his sister's sake, he could only obey. He pressed it at once, turning into a streak of light and vanishing.

"Pretty sister, can you let me go now?" Xu Xiaoyan turned back to look at Gu Yue. They said beautiful women were naturally drawn to one another. Looking at that exquisite, ethereal face that seemed too beautiful to belong to this world, she could not help freezing.

"You're so pretty."

"Press it yourself." Gu Yue's voice softened slightly.

"Okay!" Xu Xiaoyan immediately carried out the order and vanished with a whoosh.

"A Soul Elder isn't all that impressive." Xie Xie looked relaxed and pleased with himself.

"There are always stronger people out there, and greater heights beyond the sky. Eastsea City is, after all, a wasteland for Soul Masters. We haven't encountered any real experts yet." Tang Wulin spoke calmly. "We absolutely can't be as arrogantly blind as that Ice Staff guy just now. Otherwise, when we step into an unknown world, we'll only end up battered and bloodied."

Xie Xie's gaze grew restrained, and the smile vanished from his face.

Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi understood this well. Otherwise, they would not have been defeated by Tang Wulin's group despite being Class One.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Suddenly, violent tremors erupted from the ground, as though an earthquake had begun.

"A group of soul beasts is heading this way." Tang Wulin's expression changed as he looked toward the dense forest in the distance. "Go."

No one wasted any time.

Gu Yue traced patterns with her fingertips, and several streams of cyan light spread out.

With the wind element's support, everyone's running speed instantly increased by around thirty percent.

"This is bad. It's a Flame Lion Pack."

They had only run a hundred meters when Zhang Yangzi's expression changed. Relying on his soul spirit, Little Black Eagle, to scout the path ahead, he had spotted the danger.

"How many?" Tang Wulin remained calm.

"More than thirty," Zhang Yangzi answered quickly.

Xie Xie said, "The lion pack was probably drawn here by the spiritual energy on us. There's a river nearby. We can head there."

Tang Wulin said, "Lead the way."

Xie Xie pushed his speed to the limit and rushed to the front of the group.

Inside the Spirit Ascension Chamber, the view suddenly pulled back.

Wu Changkong and Eastsea Academy's dean of studies, Long Hengxu, who had been watching the battle, both changed expressions.

Several hundred meters from the direction Tang Wulin's group was racing toward, a terrifying dark-gold giant beast was sniffing the spiritual energy in the air, its cold beastly eyes turning in their direction.

"This is troublesome." Long Hengxu had been satisfied to see the children survive for so long in the Rampage Period Spirit Ascension Platform, but he also understood that if they went any farther, they would be walking straight into a bear's jaws.

That was a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, one of the most terrifying killers in the world of soul beasts.

Before it, a Man Faced Demon Spider was like a digestive tablet at most—only enough to whet its appetite.

"Prepare the tranquilizers!"

The staff inside the Spirit Ascension Chamber sprang into action as well.

"That is..." Wu Changkong's sharp gaze suddenly froze.