Dugu Yan's Change of Heart, Falling for Gu Linyuan

"Who is Long Yuan?"

Ignoring everything else, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin both looked at Ning Rongrong curiously.

Only Gu Rong, who was drinking at the side, gave Ning Rongrong a complicated look.

"Long Yuan is naturally an exceptional genius I just met."

"He also has Twin Martial Souls and is a Soul Elder. Moreover, he withstood Teacher Zhao Wuji's full-force attack and only suffered minor injuries..."

Ning Rongrong recounted everything in detail.

When she spoke of Long Yuan, her eyes softened.

Twin Martial Souls? A Soul Elder who had absorbed a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring?

He could withstand an attack from a Soul Saint...

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin both felt as though Ning Rongrong was joking.

"Rongrong, are you telling the truth?"

Ning Fengzhi asked.

"Mm-hmm. Father, I've already decided that I won't marry anyone but him. Even if I have to become his concubine, I accept it."

Ning Rongrong took a deep breath and spoke boldly.

Before such an incomparable young man, she was willing to lower her standards.

Even if they could not be together for life, she could still accept it.

"You little girl, you're becoming more and more outrageous. But if he truly possesses such talent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to pay any price to win him over."

Ning Fengzhi said seriously.

Such talent was unmatched throughout history.

If they could win Long Yuan over, he could guarantee the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's future security.

He might even elevate the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's position among the Upper Three Sects.

"But what about Linyuan? Once his talent is revealed, his future is bound to be extraordinary." Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath. He looked at Gu Rong, his tone carrying a trace of hesitation.

"Father, I only see Gu Linyuan as an older brother, not a future husband. My heart belongs entirely to Long Yuan now. There is no room for any other man."

Ning Rongrong said solemnly.

Even if Gu Linyuan could cultivate again, having wasted six years meant his future potential would inevitably decline greatly.

For human Soul Masters, the twelve years from awakening their Martial Soul at six until turning eighteen were their foundational years. Generally speaking, the higher one advanced during this period and the more solid one's Soul Power became, the greater one's future achievements would be.

Making a late comeback was nearly impossible in the world of Soul Masters.

Once one reached adulthood, one's foundation had taken shape. Unless one obtained some supreme treasure capable of cleansing the meridians and marrow, no amount of effort afterward could lead to particularly great achievements.

And of those twelve foundational years, the first six were the most important.

Gu Linyuan had, in effect, wasted all six of those foundational years.

In Ning Rongrong's eyes,

even if Gu Linyuan possessed Twin Martial Souls, at most he could become an ordinary Title Douluo in the future.

But Long Yuan was an unparalleled, peerless monster.

He would suppress this entire era.

"Brother Long Yuan is the true genius. He is the one Rongrong loves most."

Ning Rongrong murmured.

Though she had never seen Long Yuan's face, she knew that no matter what he looked like, she would like him.

"Rongrong, you..."

"Enough, enough. Rongrong, you must be hungry. I'll have someone prepare a dinner banquet. We'll celebrate your return home first. As for these trivial matters, we'll discuss them later."

Ning Fengzhi waved his hand.

He had become curious about the Long Yuan Ning Rongrong had mentioned.

Both had Twin Martial Souls, yet Long Yuan was clearly much stronger.

In the courtyard,

Gu Linyuan lay sprawled on a wicker lounge chair, as lazy as a cat basking in the sun.

His head rested on Dugu Yan's thighs, the back of his head sensing the softness and warmth unique to a girl's legs.

Sunlight fell across his face, making his sharply defined features especially clear. His eyes were closed, his lashes casting fan-shaped shadows beneath his eyelids. The corners of his lips curved faintly upward, and he looked utterly content.

His left hand dangled over the side of the lounge chair, fingers holding a handful of sunflower seeds that he occasionally brought to his mouth with practiced laziness.

Dugu Yan sat beside the lounge chair, her back perfectly straight.

She lowered her eyes to look at Gu Linyuan, whose head rested on her lap.

The sharpness and fierceness in her violet eyes were gone, as were her earlier slyness and pride. In their place was an indescribable softness, almost indulgent.

Meng Yiran emerged from the kitchen carrying a pot of freshly brewed tea.

Her outfit today was completely different from the past two days. A moon-white chest-high ruqun made her resemble a quietly blooming white magnolia—gentle, graceful, and unobtrusively beautiful enough that no one could look away.

"The tea is ready."

Meng Yiran held the teacup in both hands and offered it to Gu Linyuan.

"Try it."

Gu Linyuan opened his eyes, accepted the cup, and held it beneath his nose for a sniff before taking a sip. The tea was cool and mellow upon entering his mouth, carrying a faint floral fragrance. It lingered on his tongue before sliding down his throat, leaving behind a warm, lingering aftertaste.

"Not bad." He nodded.

Meng Yiran's eyes curved into crescents, and a faint smile spread across her face.

"To steal half a day of leisure from a fleeting life... This kind of day isn't bad either."

Gu Linyuan narrowed his eyes.

His cultivation had progressed too quickly lately, and even his state of mind had grown restless along with it.

Now that he had broken through to Soul Elder, he was no longer in such a hurry to cultivate.

There was no point in rushing.

Even as a heaven-blessed genius, he would still need at least a year to break through to Soul Ancestor.

No rush.

Sometimes, moving too quickly was not necessarily a good thing. Sometimes, one needed to stop and admire the scenery by the roadside.

"Your outfit looks nice. Much better than before, and it suits your temperament."

Meng Yiran's temperament resembled an elegant white magnolia just beginning to bloom. She was not suited to excessively seductive clothing. It was not that she could never wear it; changing styles once in a while created a contrasting sort of beauty.

But a slightly more capable and neat style suited Meng Yiran best.

Dugu Yan, however, had a seductive temperament and could dress more sexily.

"I understand." Meng Yiran was delighted, and a smile bloomed on her face.

"What about me?"

"You look pretty good too." Gu Linyuan gave Dugu Yan's thigh a light squeeze. Dugu Yan wore ultra-short shorts that revealed a pair of long, striking legs. Even Gu Linyuan could not help taking a few more looks.

Dugu Yan was a snake, and her figure was naturally slender. The proportions of her legs were clearly different from those of other girls. Especially when she wore ultra-short shorts or a short skirt, they were exceptionally eye-catching.

"Then what do you think about what my grandfather said before?"

Dugu Yan blushed.

She thought Gu Linyuan was quite good too.

Her grandfather was right. Gu Linyuan had already done that to her—how could she have the nerve to marry another man afterward? In every respect, Gu Linyuan met her criteria for a partner.

Even if she had to share him with others, she did not care that much. Her personality had never been so rigid.

Besides, as she cultivated in the future, snake venom would probably accumulate in her body again. At that time, she would still need Gu Linyuan's help. If she married someone else and then sought out Gu Linyuan for help, would that not be even stranger?

"I don't think it's impossible. As long as you can accept that I'll have three wives and four concubines, I have no problem with it."

Gu Linyuan met Dugu Yan's gaze.

His body had developed too well.

He had already entered puberty. He truly needed a few considerate women by his side.

Otherwise, he would be stifled too.

Life was short, so one had to enjoy it while one could.