Dugu Yan Visits to Express Gratitude, Yu Tianheng Jealous and Loses Composure? Huang Yan: A mere dragon dares to be so arrogant?

Shui Bing'er felt a slight tremor in her heart and instinctively tightened her grip on Huang Yan's arm. Meeting Qian Renxue's gaze, she said softly:

"Yan-ge's kindness is something Bing'er will cherish for the rest of her life.

As for Your Highness's favor, both Bing'er and Yan-ge will surely do our utmost to repay it."

Watching Shui Bing'er's gesture—which felt like a declaration of ownership—a faint trace of melancholy flickered in the depths of Qian Renxue's eyes before she broke into a smile:

"Very well.

Then this Palace shall await your 'utmost repayment.'

The medicinal ingredients are in hand; let us return to the residence first, lest complications arise from delay."

No sooner had the three returned to the Crown Prince's Palace than Qian Renxue turned to Shui Bing'er and said gently:

"Miss Bing'er, both the Ten-thousand-year Cold Marrow and the Ten-thousand-year Snow Silkworm are items of extreme cold with latent medicinal properties. The sooner they are refined, the better the efficacy can be locked in.

There is a very quiet secret chamber in the rear garden of this Palace with a perfect defensive array; you might as well go into seclusion to refine them now.

As for Huang Yan, he shall remain here; I have some details regarding the power-seizure plan that I need to discuss with him."

Shui Bing'er was slightly taken aback, casting a hesitant glance at Huang Yan.

Being exceptionally intelligent, she vaguely sensed Qian Renxue's intention to send her away so she could be alone with Huang Yan.

Before Shui Bing'er could respond, a series of hurried footsteps echoed from the direction of the front hall.

A man and a woman were seen walking rapidly toward them.

The man was tall with a composed expression.

The woman had short, deep purple hair and a pair of emerald green eyes.

Looking at the two approaching, a flicker of confusion crossed Shui Bing'er's beautiful eyes as she whispered:

"Yan-ge, who are these two?"

Huang Yan and Qian Renxue exchanged a look, a flash of realization passing through both their eyes simultaneously.

There was no need to guess; it certainly had to do with Dugu Bo!

Dugu Bo must have returned to inform Dugu Yan that Huang Yan had resolved the crisis of the Jade Phosphor Snake venom backlash, and that he had agreed to join Martial Soul Hall.

This time, when Azure Luan Douluo brought Huang Yan and Shui Bing'er to Heaven Dou, he likely went to find Dugu Bo.

That, in turn, led Dugu Yan to come looking for Huang Yan.

Perhaps she wanted to thank Huang Yan in person for resolving the Jade Phosphor Snake venom that had plagued her Dugu family for generations?

As long as the fundamental method for the Soul Core remained in his hands, bringing it out later would be more than enough to make the Dugu family...

Qian Renxue's lips moved slightly, a thin thread of soul power condensing into a line that transmitted directly into Huang Yan's ears:

"That is Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan.

When I went to inspect the Heaven Dou Royal Academy a while ago, I discovered that Yu Tianheng has been pursuing Dugu Yan frantically during this time.

However, Dugu Yan is proud and aloof; she has yet to fully accept him."

Huang Yan nodded slightly, his mind already made up.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Yu Tianheng pulled Dugu Yan to a stop before the three and bowed slightly in salute.

"Tianheng, Yan Yan, what brings you to my Palace?"

Qian Renxue smiled faintly, speaking with a gentle tone, as if she were merely a generous elder brother looking after his juniors.

Dugu Yan did not answer immediately; her pair of emerald green eyes were currently fixed intently on Huang Yan, who stood at Qian Renxue's side.

Her eyes were filled with undisguised astonishment and gratitude.

Dugu Yan took a step forward and took the initiative to cup her hands in a salute:

"Your Highness, we have come specifically to find someone.

This must be Young Master Huang Yan, correct?"

Huang Yan remained composed, returning a gentle smile:

"This Humble One is indeed Huang Yan.

I wonder, Miss Dugu, what business do you have with me?"

Dugu Yan took a deep breath, her naturally proud and aloof face now filled with sincerity and respect:

"Grandfather specifically instructed me earlier, saying that Young Master Huang Yan resolved the Jade Phosphor Snake venom that has plagued my Dugu family for generations, and that you have bestowed a grace of rebirth upon us.

Grandfather insisted that I come in person to thank you face-to-face.

For such great kindness and virtue, Dugu Yan will never forget it for the rest of her life!"

Standing to the side, Yu Tianheng watched this scene, his expression appearing somewhat stiff.

Today, he had set out with full confidence to accompany Dugu Yan back to her residence, hoping to use the opportunity of Dugu Bo's return to sound him out.

As long as Dugu Bo did not refuse, he would be able to pursue Dugu Yan openly and legitimately from then on.

Yet, he never expected that the moment they returned to the Dugu household, they would stumble upon Dugu Bo in conversation with Azure Luan Douluo.

In the presence of Azure Luan Douluo, the Poison Douluo—who was usually arrogant and dismissive even of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family—actually appeared somewhat humble.

That scene left Yu Tianheng deeply shaken.

Afterward, once Azure Luan Douluo had departed, Dugu Bo told Dugu Yan with a grave expression that their family had encountered a benefactor.

It was Azure Luan Douluo's disciple, Huang Yan, who had provided the Soul Core method to completely resolve the backlash of the Jade Phosphor Snake venom.

Dugu Bo even urged Dugu Yan to go to the Crown Prince's Residence immediately to thank Huang Yan in person.

This sudden turn of events not only completely disrupted the atmosphere Yu Tianheng had meticulously prepared for his confession, but it also stirred a deep sense of frustration and jealousy within him.

At this moment, watching Dugu Yan look at Huang Yan with eyes filled with near-worship and gratitude, Yu Tianheng took a deep breath to suppress the fire in his heart, stepped forward, and stared fixedly at Huang Yan.

"This Humble One is Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. I have heard that you are the prized disciple of His Excellency Azure Luan; seeing you today, you are indeed impressive. However, I am somewhat curious: the Jade Phosphor venom that even my grandfather and Senior Dugu were helpless against—what kind of divine skill did you, at such a young age, use to resolve it?"

Although Yu Tianheng's tone was polite, his words were laced with undisguised scrutiny and bitterness.

Before Huang Yan could speak, Shui Bing'er, standing to the side, frowned slightly and moved, quietly stepping in front of Huang Yan.

Shui Bing'er looked at Yu Tianheng coldly and said, "The method of detoxification is Brother Yan's exclusive secret. For Young Master Yu to interrogate him so aggressively upon meeting, isn't that a bit beneath the decorum of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

Yu Tianheng's breath hitched.

Looking at this ice-cold beauty before him—whose appearance and temperament were not even inferior to Dugu Yan's, yet who was so fiercely protective of Huang Yan—the fire of jealousy in Yu Tianheng's heart burned even brighter.

Why?

Seeing this, Dugu Yan was startled and quickly rebuked Yu Tianheng, saying, "Yu Tianheng, do not be rude to the benefactor of my Dugu family!"

Yu Tianheng lowered his head, clearly unconvinced.

Huang Yan watched with a playful expression.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon?

Just a mongrel pseudo-dragon.

To boast of being the 'Number One Beast Martial Soul on the Douluo Continent' and act arrogant in front of him?

What was he thinking?

In the face of Huang Yan's second martial soul, the Dark Sacred Dragon, the so-called Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was nothing more than a lowly creature.

Even though Huang Yan had not yet attached soul rings to the Dark Sacred Dragon, his 65th-level soul power and physical strength alone were enough to crush Yu Tianheng!

Afterward, Dugu Yan looked at Shui Bing'er and Huang Yan with an apologetic expression and explained, "My apologies, you two. Tianheng meant no harm; he was just overly surprised. May I ask who this young lady is?"

"Skywater Academy, Shui Bing'er."

Shui Bing'er responded indifferently, yet her hand, which was linked through Huang Yan's arm, did not loosen, the intent to declare her territory extremely obvious.