I, Ye Qing, Am Not the Kind of Freak Who Gets Zapped to Death When Caught

The Clear Sky Sect, once a top-tier power that shook the continent with the title of the world's number one sect, has long since lost its former absolute transcendence and dominance amidst the shifting tides of the Douluo Continent.

Its past glory was less a result of the Clear Sky Sect's own profound foundation or the successive emergence of talented generations, and more a matter of being tied almost entirely to a single person.

That person was the peerlessly talented Tang Chen, who ascended to the realm of the ninety-nine-level Peerless Douluo with a mortal body.

It was Tang Chen who, by his own strength, wielded that Clear Sky Hammer to forge the illustrious reputation of the Clear Sky Sect as the world's number one sect, and the Clear Sky Hammer as the world's number one tool martial soul.

He made the Martial Soul Hall wary, and forced other top-tier powers like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to temporarily avoid his edge.

In that era, the Clear Sky Sect was not so much a powerful sect as it was a reflection of Tang Chen's personal brilliance illuminating the entire organization.

In short, it was because of Tang Chen that the Clear Sky Sect became the world's number one, rather than the world's number one sect cultivating Tang Chen.

The power-holders of the continent's top factions were well aware of this.

Therefore, after Tang Chen mysteriously vanished years ago without a trace, the Clear Sky Sect's status as the world's number one became a name without substance.

Today's Clear Sky Sect, while led by Sect Master Tang Zhen—who is also a Titled Douluo of respectable strength—is as different from his father Tang Chen as clouds are from mud.

Within the sect, there is no second peak powerhouse capable of truly shouldering the burden and deterring all directions.

Having lost its pillar of heaven, what remains is merely a dangerous building that looks magnificent but is hollow at its foundation.

This was precisely the source of confidence for Qian Xunji, who dared to charge straight to the Clear Sky Sect's mountain gate to demand accountability, bringing only the Titled Douluos Chrysanthemum and Ghost, along with a dozen Spirit Douluo experts.

Without Tang Chen, the Clear Sky Sect was no longer a match for the behemoth that is the Martial Soul Hall.

Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, known for its support-type spirits, could potentially bring the current Clear Sky Sect down if they were to exhaust all their resources and spare no cost.

It would simply result in far higher casualties than the Martial Soul Hall would suffer.

This was exactly why Ye Qing had used the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to pressure the Martial Soul Hall when he first mentioned taking revenge on the Clear Sky Sect.

To those with a discerning eye, the Clear Sky Sect, having lost Tang Chen, no longer possessed the deterrent power to make top-tier forces hesitate.

It had transformed from an unshakable mountain into a hard bone that was difficult, but not impossible, to gnaw through.

Just as Sea Dragon Douluo and Qian Xunji's party, carrying an air of grim slaughter, departed Martial Soul City and headed toward the Clear Sky Sect.

Deep within the Martial Soul Hall, in a quiet courtyard reserved for distinguished guests on the flank of the Pope Palace.

Ye Qing had just finished washing up and changed into a fresh, casual outfit.

The morning sun filtered through the window lattice, casting mottled light and shadow upon the smooth floor.

He was just pondering what to eat for lunch when he suddenly heard a gentle knock on the courtyard gate.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The sound was neither hurried nor slow, yet it rang clearly in his ears.

Ye Qing raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat puzzled.

At this hour, who would come looking for him?

Uncle Sea Dragon had already departed with Qian Xunji.

Qian Daoliu...

That Grand Pontiff looked preoccupied; he shouldn't have the time.

It couldn't be that woman, Bibi Dong, could it?

That shouldn't be the case.

Thinking this, he walked into the courtyard, filled with doubt, and pulled open the heavy wooden gate.

Two people stood outside.

The person in the lead was Qian Daoliu, dressed in plain white robes, his golden hair groomed meticulously, his majestic face carrying a hint of complex emotion.

And standing slightly behind Qian Daoliu was a little girl.

The girl appeared to be of a similar age to Ye Qing, perhaps slightly younger.

She had a striking head of brilliant golden hair that flowed like sunlight, shimmering with a soft luster in the morning light.

She wore a delicately crafted pale gold dress, simple in style yet exuding nobility.

Beneath the hem of her skirt, a pair of fair, jade-like calves were straight and slender.

Her eyes were a rare, deep violet that mirrored a galaxy, clear and bright.

At this moment, she was looking at him as he opened the door, her gaze filled with undisguised curiosity and inquiry.

The girl's features were as exquisite as a doll's, her skin fair and luminous; even at such a young age, one could already glimpse the prototype of a future beauty.

Ye Qing's gaze lingered on the little girl for a moment, and he understood immediately.

Although he had never met her, with such distinct features and the fact that she could appear beside Qian Daoliu at such an age—brought by him personally—her identity was obvious.

"Senior, are you looking for me?" Ye Qing withdrew his gaze and looked at Qian Daoliu, asking in a calm tone.

"Nothing special."

Qian Daoliu's tone was relaxed as he stepped aside, gesturing toward the little girl beside him: "I just thought that you might feel lonely staying in the Martial Soul Hall all by yourself. As it happens, Xiao Xue has nothing to do today, so I brought her over to keep you two little ones company, so you can get to know each other and have someone to talk and play with."

Ye Qing fell into a brief silence upon hearing this.

Company?

Getting to know each other?

He looked at Qian Daoliu, then at the little girl with golden hair and purple eyes who was staring at him with curiosity.

The intent behind Qian Daoliu's sudden act of providing company was practically written on his face.

It had only been three days since the proposal of a marriage alliance, and the Grand Pontiff had already begun creating opportunities for the two parties involved to interact early and cultivate feelings?

This efficiency was, frankly, a bit too high.

Thinking of this, Ye Qing sighed softly, his tone carrying a touch of genuine helplessness: "Senior, there is really no need. I am actually quite fine staying by myself; I can cultivate and reflect on things, and I don't feel lonely at all."

He was telling the truth.

In both his past and present lives, he had long been accustomed to solitude and contemplation.

Besides, what was he supposed to talk about with such a young child?

He wasn't some kind of pervert who would go out of his way to torment a kid.

Qian Daoliu, however, seemed to ignore the polite refusal in his words, instead putting on an expression that suggested he was doing this for Ye Qing's own good and that the hospitality of the Martial Soul Hall must be thorough, his tone filled with an indisputable enthusiasm:

"How could that be? You are the most distinguished guest of our Martial Soul Hall. If I were to leave a guest alone in the courtyard, wouldn't it look like our Martial Soul Hall is being neglectful?"

He patted Ye Qing on the shoulder, then looked at his granddaughter with affection and spoke quickly:

"Alright, you two are of similar age, so you surely have common ground. Xiao Xue, keep Brother Ye Qing company. Ye Qing, feel free to play around; if you need anything or want to go for a stroll, just come to the Worship Hall to find me, or have an attendant notify me."

Having said that, he didn't give Ye Qing any chance to refuse again.

Qian Daoliu nodded at the two of them, a satisfied smile on his face as if he had completed a mission, then took a step back and pulled the courtyard gate shut behind him.

"Click."

The faint sound of the latch falling was exceptionally clear in the quiet courtyard.

In the yard, only Ye Qing and Qian Renxue remained, standing a few paces apart, staring at each other with wide eyes.

A trace of faint awkwardness and silence permeated the air.