Getting to Know Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling

The next day.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Lin Chen's figure appeared here, but he didn't choose to stake out at the academy gate, as that might invite trouble.

The spot Lin Chen picked was the street corner opposite Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

From here, observing the students leaving school was most convenient, and it wouldn't catch the gate guards' attention.

After school.

One graceful figure after another emerged from Heaven Dou Royal Academy's entrance. Lin Chen held his breath, focusing intently on the people at the gate.

At that moment.

Dugu Yan was strolling along, holding Ye Lingling's little hand, looking utterly at ease.

But as she walked past the academy gate, Dugu Yan's pace began to slow, her eyes darting around, scanning every direction near the entrance.

Seeing this, Ye Lingling beside her desperately suppressed her own lips, afraid to let out a laugh, terrified that her good friend might notice something off about her.

She still wanted to keep the fact that she had a Diary Copy a secret, so naturally, she couldn't slip up.

"Mm, got it."

"There's a sneaky little brat at the street corner across the way. That should be the Diary Owner, Lin Chen."

After careful observation, Dugu Yan spotted Lin Chen's figure.

At the same time.

Lin Chen also found his target.

"Emerald green hair, striking features, shoulder-length hair, and a silver-haired girl beside her—that must be Dugu Yan."

Having located his target, Lin Chen planned to execute his scheme, starting by drawing Dugu Yan's attention.

With that in mind, Lin Chen stepped forward.

Ye Lingling watched Dugu Yan's pace, which had slowed to a crawl, and though she knew exactly what was going on, she pretended to look puzzled, wanting to tease Dugu Yan.

"Yanzi, why are you walking so slowly today?"

Dugu Yan was startled by Ye Lingling's sudden question.

She'd been concentrating hard, and then Ye Lingling interrupted her.

"Ah, really?"

"Lingling, I'm walking pretty fast."

Hearing this, Ye Lingling winked at Dugu Yan, putting on a gossipy expression.

"Hmph, I don't think so."

"Yanzi, your eyes were practically glued to that street corner just now. Don't tell me you've taken a fancy to that little brat over there?"

At that, Dugu Yan's face flushed slightly, and she immediately shook her head in denial.

Just as Dugu Yan was about to come up with an excuse to explain herself.

Lin Chen's figure had already arrived before her.

Seeing Lin Chen approach, Dugu Yan swallowed the words she was about to say and began to scrutinize the cute, handsome little loli before her.

"Mm, not bad-looking."

Just like Bibi Dong, a glint of light sparked in Dugu Yan's eyes, and she was instantly captivated by Lin Chen's looks.

Fair and tender, chubby cheeks, golden eyes, the aura of a young master...

Every girl who saw Lin Chen, this little loli, felt a urge to tease him, more or less.

Ye Lingling, watching from the side, also brightened up. This Diary Owner, Lin Chen, really had a fine appearance.

Seeing the look in Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's eyes, like they were sizing up prey, Lin Chen felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

These two women—why were they just like Bibi Dong?

Shaking off the thought, Lin Chen took a deep breath and slowly spoke:

"Um, you're Dugu Yan, right?"

"I want to tell you, your Martial Soul has a flaw. You won't live past thirty."

"And I can fix your Martial Soul's defect."

As soon as he finished, Lin Chen stared intently at Dugu Yan, waiting to see her reaction.

At the same time.

Lin Chen's body tensed, ready to summon his Martial Soul, the Golden Dragon, at any moment.

Though he had three Spatial Jade Slips, unless he obtained other life-saving treasures, it was best not to use them.

Hearing this, Dugu Yan slipped into performance mode. Her gaze turned cold, her emerald green eyes fixed icily on Lin Chen.

"Little Brother, some things shouldn't be said carelessly, or you'll have to pay the price."

Seeing Dugu Yan's increasingly icy gaze, Lin Chen felt she was actually acting pretty normal.

Could it be that Dugu Yan hadn't obtained a Diary Copy?

His mind only mulled it over for a moment before Lin Chen cast aside his doubts.

The most important thing now wasn't to dwell on that question, but to get to know Dugu Yan and earn her trust.

Meeting Dugu Yan's frigid stare, Lin Chen showed no fear.

"I'm not talking nonsense. If you don't believe me, you can take what I'm about to say to your grandfather. I'm sure he'll understand once he hears it."

Just as Lin Chen was about to tell Dugu Yan the Celestial Herb redemption code—

Dugu Yan's Delicate Hand shot straight toward Lin Chen, her gaze freezing to the extreme.

"Ridiculous. How could our Jade Phosphorus Clan's Martial Soul have a flaw?"

"Little Brat, looks like you're asking for a beating. Let me knock some sense into you."

Seeing Dugu Yan's Delicate Hand reaching out, Lin Chen hurriedly dodged, completely stunned.

This Dugu Yan had no martial honor—he hadn't even finished what he was saying, and she was already cutting him off with an attack.

You can't just interrupt a spell like that!

Not far away, Ye Lingling watched the scene, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. Her Good Friend had already gotten too deep into character to pull herself out.

At times like this, she had to step in.

Otherwise, if Dugu Yan actually beat Lin Chen up, it would sour their relationship.

Then trying to get Lin Chen to help Dugu Yan solve her severe poison problem later would be a real hassle.

"Yanzi, hold on a second."

"This Little Brother might actually have some basis for what he's saying. Hear him out first before you decide what to do."

Ye Lingling grabbed Dugu Yan's arm, afraid she'd charge in and start pounding Lin Chen.

"Fine. Little Brat, why did you just say my Martial Soul has a flaw?"

"And that I'm doomed to not live past thirty—are you cursing me to die?"

After being persuaded by Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan temporarily shelved the idea of bullying Lin Chen.

Now the most important thing was to keep Lin Chen hooked; otherwise, if he really ran off, Dugu Yan wouldn't be happy.

"Well..."

"Let's find a quieter place to talk, or you'll flare up again."

Seeing Dugu Yan back off, Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief, then glanced at the students around them heading home from school—his meaning was obvious.

"Fine."

With that, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling led Lin Chen into Heaven Dou Royal Academy, eventually stopping by a small grove.

"No one around here. Little Brat, you'd better give me a satisfactory explanation, or else..."

Dugu Yan shot Lin Chen a glance, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes.

"Dugu Yan, do your soles itch every late night, and on Rainy Days, does your body feel worse than usual?"

Having absorbed the knowledge from the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, Lin Chen could judge Dugu Yan's physical condition—she had severe poison in her body, but not yet accumulated in large amounts.

Her situation was far better than Dugu Bo's, but as her cultivation grew and her age increased, the poison from her Martial Soul's flaw would eventually claim her life.