The Truth of That Year, an Encounter with the Arrogant Xue Beng

Chu Chen and Ye Lingling found a pavilion and sat down. In response to Ye Lingling's earlier question, Chu Chen replied, "No, I came specifically to see you. As for helping out... I probably won't be needed for now."

"You... have already broken through to Soul Ancestor?"

Ye Lingling asked in surprise. Of course, she understood what Chu Chen meant. Years ago, Chu Chen had reached the Soul Grandmaster realm alongside her. After several years had passed, there was no way he could be weaker than her.

So the only explanation was that Chu Chen was now a four-ringed Soul Ancestor.

"Mm-hm. I was fortunate enough to break through to Soul Ancestor not long ago. I only came to find you after obtaining my Fourth Spirit Ring."

Chu Chen nodded with a smile. When Ye Lingling heard that he had come specifically to find her, something seemed to stir in her heart, and the corners of her lips rose unconsciously. Hearing him say that made her happy after all.

"Aren't you going to show me around Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Chu Chen stood and suggested.

"Ah... all right." Ye Lingling froze for a moment before getting to her feet.

The two wandered around Heaven Dou Royal Academy for a while, discussing their experiences after their separation and over the past few years.

"Actually, I've always been curious. When you hunted your second Spirit Ring back then, why didn't your family send anyone with you? Sister Ling and the others were only Soul Elders at the time, and Star Dou Forest was full of dangers."

Chu Chen casually voiced the doubt in his heart.

He did not mean anything else by it. It had simply occurred to him during their conversation, so he asked out of curiosity.

"Actually... I had argued with my family at the time. In a fit of anger, I went to Sister Ling and the others... But later, I learned that my family had secretly sent people to protect me."

Ye Lingling explained to Chu Chen.

At those words, Chu Chen's heart gave a faint jolt. So someone had been secretly protecting Ye Lingling all along. No wonder nothing had happened to her in the original story—because she had never truly been in danger.

Even if Chu Chen had not acted, her family would have.

"But that means her family learned my secret, about the special abilities I possess..." Chu Chen frowned slightly. This was clearly not what he wanted.

He had never revealed his current abilities to anyone. The person who knew the most was Ye Lingling, who knew that he possessed two Thousand-Year Spirit Rings. Usually, he hid himself very well.

Even at Nuoding Academy, he had rarely displayed his Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul, because he did not know whether Tang Hao was nearby.

"Even if you had argued with your family, rushing into Star Dou Forest like that was still very dangerous." Chu Chen came back to his senses and temporarily stopped dwelling on the matter.

There was nothing wrong with keeping his abilities completely hidden.

Even though he possessed ultimate Twin Martial Souls and the advantages of being a transmigrator, he was alone. Once he fell into danger, he would have no one to rely on!

"Later... I realized I was wrong too."

Ye Lingling spoke softly. When she recalled what had happened afterward, her heart still raced with fear. Sister Ling and the others had nearly died at the hands of the Ghost Tiger.

"So I still have to thank you for what happened back then."

Ye Lingling smiled softly. Her smile was obvious—her beautiful eyes curved slightly. Although she wore a veil, it only covered the part below her eyes.

"You look prettier when you smile." Chu Chen smiled.

Ye Lingling became somewhat flustered at his words and nervously clenched the corner of her clothes. Feeling her cheeks heat up, she shyly turned her head away. That reaction really was adorable.

But then, an unpleasant voice rang out.

"Where did this poor brat come from? You dare get close to a woman this prince has set his sights on? Are you tired of living?"

Chu Chen looked up and saw an arrogant-looking person standing before him. At the center of the group was a young man dressed in extravagant, luxurious clothing.

The moment Ye Lingling saw him, her expression turned cold.

"Fourth Prince, I already told you before. Stop pestering me." Ye Lingling's voice was indifferent, making her seem like an entirely different person from when she had been speaking with Chu Chen.

Xue Beng glared furiously at Chu Chen and ordered the people beside him, "Get him! Teach him a lesson!"

Boom!

Chu Chen raised a hand, gathering invisible Soul Power, and sent the two men flying with a single palm strike. Then he gathered Soul Power again and pretended to bring down a slap.

Xue Beng instinctively dodged, only to see Chu Chen and Ye Lingling pass right by him. His evasive movement had undoubtedly made him lose all face. He stared at Chu Chen and Ye Lingling with a livid expression, seemingly deep in thought.

After dismissing Xue Beng, Ye Lingling asked Chu Chen, "Chu Chen, what are your plans next... Do you want to join our Huangdou Team? I can speak to Teacher Qin."

"The Huangdou Team..."

Chu Chen pondered for a moment but did not refuse. He happened to have nowhere to go right now, and using the Huangdou Team to conceal himself was indeed a good choice.

Moreover, through Dugu Yan, he could get acquainted with Dugu Bo. He absolutely would not miss the greatest opportunity of this era on Douluo Continent: the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

The effects of Immortal Herbs needed no explanation, but what Chu Chen truly cared about were the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings that had fallen beneath the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. As members of the Dragon Tribe, they surely possessed similar bloodlines.

If my Destruction Ancient Dragon can receive energy tempering from the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, it will definitely become even stronger. I have to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

With that thought, he nodded and agreed to Ye Lingling's offer.

Ye Lingling was delighted, the joy in her eyes nearly impossible to suppress. Before long, the two arrived at the entrance of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Chu Chen did not plan to stay at Heaven Dou Royal Academy just yet. He wanted to visit the Great Soul Arena in Heaven Dou City. He had already become adept at using the Blue Silver Emperor's Ultimate Life.

But when it came to his own offensive power, close-quarters combat techniques, and bursts of power, Chu Chen felt that he was still lacking.

"Since I'm already in Heaven Dou City, I might as well go to the Great Soul Arena and get some practice. Without using Martial Soul abilities, how many opponents can I defeat?"

Chu Chen told Ye Lingling what he had in mind. After thinking it over, Ye Lingling decided to find Qin Ming and tell him about Chu Chen.

"Oh, right, Lingling. I'll come here again tomorrow." Chu Chen said to Ye Lingling. She nodded and agreed with a trace of anticipation.

After the two parted, Chu Chen headed toward Heaven Dou City. Meanwhile, Ye Lingling kept thinking about the change in how Chu Chen had addressed her. Suddenly, a hint of shyness appeared on the face of the usually withdrawn and aloof girl.