Yan Yan's Male Companion? Can He Do It?

(Beautiful image of Ye Lingling from the manga)

Then this pretty boy...

Ye Lingling's face flushed bright red.

Could it be... the legendary... boy toy??? her mind screamed.

Dugu Yan noticed Ye Lingling's gaze darting between her own neck and Lin Jiang, causing her face to turn even redder. She wanted nothing more than to pull the blanket over her head.

"Lingling, you... don't get the wrong idea! It's not what you're thinking!"

Ye Lingling kept her head down, her ears burning as she whispered, "I, I'm not thinking anything..."

But the expression on her face betrayed everything.

Dugu Yan: "..."

It was over. She couldn't wash this off even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

Ye Lingling cleared her throat, trying her best to look normal.

"Ahem... so, Yanyan, you..."

Dugu Yan pulled the blanket up, leaving only her eyes visible.

"Um... I think I'll take the day off."

Ye Lingling nodded, but her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she had something on her mind.

"Alright."

Dugu Yan noticed something was off and poked her head out. "What's wrong, Lingling? You look troubled."

Ye Lingling lowered her head, her voice even quieter.

"It's nothing... I'll just team up with Osler then..."

Dugu Yan froze, then suddenly remembered—

Both she and Ye Lingling were members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team.

Every month, each member was required to complete a certain number of victories at the Soul Fighting Arena.

The seven-man team battles were fine, but the two-on-two soul fights...

Ye Lingling had an introverted personality and disliked socializing; she had only ever participated in two-on-two soul fights with her.

She had never accepted invitations from anyone else.

And there were only a few days left in the month.

Dugu Yan had been so focused on Lin Jiang these past few days that she hadn't even been to school, having completely forgotten about this.

Ye Lingling was still far short of her required victory count for the month.

Dugu Yan's heart tightened, and she threw off the blanket, ready to get out of bed.

"Lingling, it was my negligence. How could I have forgotten about this!"

The moment her feet touched the floor, her knees went weak, and she collapsed toward the ground.

Ye Lingling was quick to react, catching her in time.

"Yanyan, don't push yourself."

Dugu Yan braced herself against the edge of the bed, her legs trembling as she gritted her teeth in frustration.

"This useless body of mine..."

Ye Lingling helped her sit back on the bed and said softly, "It's alright, Yanyan. Osler and Yu Feng invited me to join them..."

As she spoke, there wasn't a hint of happiness in her tone.

Dugu Yan looked at her forced composure and felt even more guilty.

Lingling was naturally introverted; aside from her, she barely spoke to anyone else.

Asking her to team up with those two cowards, Osler and Yu Feng, wasn't that just making things difficult for her?

"No." Dugu Yan shook her head. "I won't let you be wronged."

She turned her head toward the living room.

Lin Jiang was sitting there drinking tea, legs crossed, looking perfectly at ease.

Dugu Yan's eyes lit up.

"Lin Jiang!"

Lin Jiang's hand, holding the teacup, paused as he turned to look over.

"Hm?"

Dugu Yan pointed at Ye Lingling and said righteously, "You go with Lingling to the Soul Fighting Arena!"

Lin Jiang: "..."

Ye Lingling was also stunned. She looked at Dugu Yan, then at Lin Jiang, and her face turned red all over again.

"Yan, Yanyan? How can that be..."

Dugu Yan waved her hand dismissively. "Why not? He's incredibly capable!"

She turned her head to look at Lin Jiang, her eyes clearly saying, Just try saying no.

Lin Jiang set down his teacup, looked at Dugu Yan, and then at Ye Lingling, who stood by the bed looking completely at a loss.

So, I'm just a brick, to be moved wherever I'm needed?

Just as he was about to speak, Ye Lingling beat him to it.

"N-no, there's no need... I can manage on my own..."

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's. She twisted the corner of her clothes, snuck a glance at Lin Jiang, and then quickly lowered her head.

Internal monologue: This pretty boy looks even younger than us; can he really do it?

She was a healing-type Spirit Master. For a two-on-two soul duel, her teammate had to have actual combat power.

But this pretty boy...

It was hard to say if he was even level thirty.

Dugu Yan grabbed Ye Lingling's hand and said with a beaming smile, "Lingling, don't be polite. This guy is bored out of his mind; let him go."

Ye Lingling wanted to decline, but Dugu Yan had already blocked every exit.

"Besides, look at him. It's quite a face to show off when you take him out."

Ye Lingling: "..."

She snuck another glance at Lin Jiang.

He was indeed quite a sight.

But—

What use is a pretty face? If he lacks strength, going up there just means getting beaten up!

Dugu Yan seemed to sense her worry, patting the back of her hand with a confident tone.

"Don't you trust me? He's definitely stronger than I am, so just set your heart at ease!"

"Ah?"

Ye Lingling widened her large blue eyes, her face full of disbelief.

Stronger than Dugu Yan?

Among their peers, there were hardly a handful of people in the entire world stronger than Dugu Yan, right?

This person named Lin Jiang... could he really do it?

Dugu Yan had already made the decision with an air of finality: "Lin Jiang, go!"

Lin Jiang leaned against the doorframe and raised an eyebrow.

"Did you two even ask for my opinion?"

Dugu Yan glared at him, righteous and indignant: "You brat! Don't act coy after getting such a bargain!"

Lin Jiang's gaze landed on the red marks on Dugu Yan's neck and collarbone, and he remained silent for two seconds.

"...Fine."

He straightened his posture and nodded at Ye Lingling.

"Let's go now, then."

Ye Lingling lowered her head, whispered a "thank you," and followed him outside.

Reaching the door, she looked back at Dugu Yan one last time.

Dugu Yan gave her a thumbs-up, then flopped back onto her pillow to continue playing dead.

Ye Lingling withdrew her gaze, looking at the steady, unhurried back in front of her.

She suddenly felt a bit nervous.

Going out with Yanyan's... boy toy, it all felt so strange.

What if he loses?

What if he loses in an embarrassing way?

If that happens, Osler, Yu Feng, and those other guys will definitely be insufferable again.

She gripped the corner of her clothes tightly, silently following behind Lin Jiang.

The figure in front walked at a steady, measured pace, showing no signs of nervousness at all.

Ye Lingling bit her lip.

Is this guy... actually reliable or not?

Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.

Lin Jiang and Ye Lingling walked through the main gate one after the other.

The two remained silent the entire way.

Ye Lingling simply kept her head down, face flushed, following silently behind Lin Jiang like a little tail.

Upon entering the lobby, they were met with a bustling, noisy crowd.

There were soul masters registering, spectators there to watch the excitement, and staff members in uniform weaving back and forth.

Lin Jiang took a look around and headed straight for the registration counter.

After a simple registration process.

"Martial Soul?"

"Golden..." Lin Jiang paused, "Golden Scale."

The staff member behind the counter glanced up at him before lowering their head to continue writing.

"Name?"

Lin Jiang thought for a moment.

Better not be too flashy; he should come up with a code name.

How about "Dragon King"?

That would be even flashier.

"Golden Scale," he said.

Golden Scale sounded low-key, yet had a certain ring to it.

The staff member scribbled a few lines and handed over an iron badge.

"Alright, Mr. Golden Scale, this is your registration badge. Initial rank: Iron Soul Fighter. You may advance after accumulating wins."

Lin Jiang took the badge, turned it over in his hands, and casually tucked it into his pocket.

Just at that moment—