Dai Yueheng

Just as Jiang Nannan was lost in her own thoughts, she felt herself being pulled into an embrace. She froze for a moment, her small hands resting against Xiao Yi's chest. She struggled slightly—a gesture that felt more like a coy refusal than a genuine one—and looked away, feeling somewhat unnatural when she met Xiao Yi's gaze.

"Sister Nannan, I'll find a time later to accompany you back to treat the auntie. Don't worry." Xiao Yi's voice rang out, filled with comfort.

A warmth spread through Jiang Nannan's heart. So, he was comforting her? Furthermore, she felt no repulsion toward him, so she simply let herself be held by Xiao Yi.

She let out a low, soft hum and stopped struggling, greedily soaking in this reassuring warmth.

Xiao Yi sighed inwardly, thinking that being a "character model" was just like this; these stat-monsters always thought they were pulling off some grand maneuver.

Tang Ya, meanwhile, wore a "plan succeeded" smile on the side. Hehe, Nannan, you might as well just join the Tang Sect obediently.

The three of them walked toward the cafeteria. With one man and two women, all of them outstanding in appearance, and the fact that Xiao Yi's one-shot victory over Dai Huabin had spread far and wide, Xiao Yi's reputation throughout the outer courtyard was quite high.

On the way, Tang Ya kept chattering away like a lark, chirping incessantly in Xiao Yi's ear. Although their relationship was still shallow, Tang Ya's lively, somewhat carefree nature meant she naturally didn't have any ulterior motives.

Since Xiao Yi had already agreed to become the Tang Sect Master, she just needed to fulfill her end of the bargain. Besides, she wasn't losing out at all; it was hard to say who was taking advantage of whom.

After some playful banter, the group arrived at the senior cafeteria. It was only then that Xiao Yi realized that only the freshman cafeteria lacked tables and chairs.

"Xiao Yi, you said you had a huge harvest this time—what exactly did you gain?" Tang Ya's mouth was stuffed full, making her speech slurred; she looked just like a pufferfish. Xiao Yi wiped the oil from the corner of her mouth and smiled.

"All of my soul rings have become ten-thousand-year soul rings," Xiao Yi said with a smile.

"Wow~~" Tang Ya's eyes widened, and she looked at Xiao Yi with a hint of infatuation. The joy and happiness in her eyes were impossible to hide, though a flicker of loneliness flashed in their depths.

Xiao Yi caught that trace of loneliness, but decided it was best not to bring it up in public. He patted Tang Ya's head to comfort her.

Jiang Nannan, standing to the side, was secretly shocked. All ten-thousand-year soul rings? With this kind of strength, let alone the outer courtyard freshmen, even the other senior students might not be able to take a few moves from Xiao Yi. What she didn't know, however, was that Xiao Yi's ten-thousand-year soul rings were merely for show and lacked actual soul skills.

Passing by the Soul Fighting Arena, they encountered a figure Xiao Yi hadn't expected.

The newcomer had a sturdy build without appearing bulky, and his red inner-courtyard uniform was highly conspicuous, drawing side-glances from the passing students.

He had a masculine and handsome face with golden hair draped over his shoulders. Most striking were his heterochromatic eyes—one red, one blue—which were particularly eye-catching.

The man locked onto Xiao Yi in the crowd instantly, clearly having come for him.

Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow. He recognized this person; his appearance was too iconic. Dai Yueheng, Dai Huabin's older brother and also Huo Yutong's brother. Judging by his demeanor, he was here specifically for Xiao Yi.

The facts were indeed as such. After the academy brought back those assassins, they had conducted interrogations. Even if the assassins were willing to die rather than talk, the academy possessed several spirit-type soul masters.

Under the influence of soul skills, it didn't take long for them to spill the truth, and the name Dai Huabin entered everyone's field of vision.

The person in charge of this matter was Yan Shaozhe. In Yan Shaozhe's eyes, Xiao Yi was already a precious treasure. Not to mention his value to the academy, just the fact that his disciple, Ma Xiaotao, needed him to help suppress her evil fire was enough to warrant his attention.

Upon learning that Dai Huabin was the one behind the attack, Yan Shaozhe was naturally furious. If Xiao Yi's strength hadn't far exceeded his peers, he might have been killed.

However, after careful consideration, Yan Shaozhe didn't take direct action against Dai Huabin. As a Super Douluo, he could naturally sense the measures Xiao Yi had taken against the other party, and he had vaguely guessed that there was bad blood between Dai Huabin and the girl named Huo Yutong who was by Xiao Yi's side.

Although the value Huo Yutong displayed wasn't quite on par with Xiao Yi's, she was still a rare wielder of a Body Martial Soul. Even setting that aside, just because of her relationship with Xiao Yi, he wouldn't choose to ruin things.

Therefore, Yan Shaozhe adopted a strategy of putting direct pressure on the White Tiger Duke Mansion. After all, the academy couldn't do nothing. As for Dai Huabin himself, he would leave it to Xiao Yi and his group to handle.

Watching the figure approach, Xiao Yi was curious about his intentions. He hadn't paid much attention to the aftermath of the Dai Huabin incident; to Xiao Yi, wiping out the White Tiger Duke Mansion wasn't a difficult task.

At worst, he could just conjure a fire lotus and run after throwing it.

Seeing the man walk toward them, Xiao Yi spoke first.

"Senior Dai, is there something you need?"

Dai Yueheng was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Xiao Yi to recognize him. He quickly stated his purpose.

"The junior actually knows me? I've come for that matter." Xiao Yi nodded slightly. The other party was showing goodwill, and he didn't point it out or make it explicit. This man was one of the more normal people in the original work—at least he hadn't done anything particularly explosive, though that might just be because his screen time was limited.

Seeing that Xiao Yi was still willing to listen, Dai Yueheng felt relieved. "I have come regarding my younger brother. Our White Tiger Duke Mansion will not interfere in this matter; Dai Huabin will be left for you to deal with, Junior."

Xiao Yi was a bit surprised now. He hadn't expected this attitude. He thought Dai Yueheng had come at most to apologize under pressure from Yan Shaozhe. Was he cutting ties with Dai Huabin just like that?

Seeing Xiao Yi's reaction, Dai Yueheng felt bitter inside.

Dai Huabin was his own brother, after all, but this time was different. Yan Shaozhe had personally visited the White Tiger Duke Mansion. Xiao Yi's importance went without saying; this wasn't just an ordinary genius, but one favored by a Limit Douluo.

Coupled with Xiao Yi's own strength and potential, based on the intelligence revealed, if the Duke Mansion didn't react, Xiao Yi wouldn't even need to become a Titled Douluo. Perhaps as soon as he advanced to Soul Emperor, the soul beasts under his command could flatten the Duke Mansion.

Xiao Yi: I'm not that weak.

"Also, this is the compensation from the Duke Mansion. This entire matter was the work of Dai Huabin alone and has nothing to do with the White Tiger Duke Mansion." As he spoke, Dai Yueheng took out a storage soul tool and handed it over. They had really bled for this one.

Xiao Yi took the storage ring and probed it slightly with his soul power, feeling surprised. The number of Gold Soul Coins alone was terrifying, and the rest consisted mostly of cultivation resources.

Xiao Yi understood clearly; this was likely the academy's doing, most likely Yan Shaozhe. It seemed he would have to express his gratitude later. His current potential was enough for Shrek to place a heavy bet on him, and Ma Xiaotao's influence was likely a factor as well.

"Understood. I acknowledge the White Tiger Duke Mansion's stance. Thank you, Senior Dai." Xiao Yi said to Dai Yueheng. He was indeed a person who repaid grievances, but his focus was primarily on Dai Huabin himself. As for the White Tiger Duke Mansion, given their sufficient sincerity, Xiao Yi wouldn't pursue it further.

He had already intended to collect some interest on Huo Yutong's behalf. As for Dai Huabin's later attempt to assassinate him, Xiao Yi wouldn't spare his life. Once Huo Yutong took her revenge personally, that would be the end of him.

Dai Yueheng breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Although it would be hard to explain to his mother, he had at least quelled Xiao Yi's anger. The pressure from the academy and the family had been weighing on him for this entire period. As for Dai Huabin, he would have to fend for himself.

At this moment, Dai Huabin was still wondering why the secret guards he had sent out had simply disappeared. He never considered the option that they had died at Xiao Yi's hands, and naturally, he had no way of knowing that he had already become a discarded pawn of the White Tiger Duke Mansion. This was also Yan Shaozhe's intention—not letting the news reach his ears.

Who said old Yan wasn't a good guy? He was actually very good at handling things.

Watching the man depart, Xiao Yi exchanged a look with Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan, and they headed toward the dormitory.