Everything is on me and Martial Soul Hall to back you up!

After all, the letter Qian Daoliu sent her made no mention of Qin Yao's whereabouts. It was only natural for Qian Renxue to have such doubts.

A moment later, a series of hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Your Highness!" The black-clad guard from before returned, dropping to one knee before the desk.

"We have received confirmed news from Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Qian Renxue set down the dossier. "Speak."

The guard kept his head bowed, speaking with rapid urgency:

"Not long ago, Dugu Yan had a conflict with Yu Tianheng on the street, but there was a strange youth present as well. According to eyewitnesses, the youth was nearly one point nine meters tall with long, dark purple hair. He was extremely handsome, but his aura was terrifying."

Qian Renxue's fingers, which had been flipping through the files, froze in mid-air.

Long, dark purple hair? One point nine meters tall?

The guard continued his report:

"Yu Tianheng released his martial soul at the time and even used his soul skills. Yet, that purple-haired youth didn't even activate his martial soul. With just one move, he condensed a purple flaming lion head, knocking Yu Tianheng unconscious on the spot and even fracturing his right arm."

The study fell so silent that only the sound of breathing could be heard.

Qian Renxue leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly against the tabletop.

One-shotting a level thirty-seven Yu Tianheng.

A purple flaming lion head.

Long, dark purple hair.

Who else could it be but Qin Yao, with this combination of traits?

"You may withdraw." Qian Renxue waved her hand.

The guard acknowledged the order and retreated, closing the study door behind him.

Qian Renxue was left alone in the room.

She rubbed her temples and let out a long sigh.

This brat actually ran all the way to Heaven Dou City!

Was he sent by Grandfather to assist her?

Or did he have his own agenda?

Regardless, she would have to find an opportunity to meet this "fiancé" of hers in name, in person.

Heaven Dou City, Dugu Manor.

In the spacious reception hall, Qin Yao sat in the main seat, holding a cup of freshly brewed tea.

Dugu Bo stood to the side, his posture humble and low.

"Your Highness, Holy Son, Yanyan has already withdrawn from Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"However, I owe Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire a significant favor from years ago. To avoid trouble, I have not yet publicly announced that Yanyan has joined Martial Soul Hall. I have only claimed that I intend to instruct her personally."

Qin Yao paused his tea-drinking.

"Hide your identity? There is no need for that."

Dugu Bo was stunned. "Your Highness, this is Heaven Dou City after all, and as for Prince Xue Xing..."

"A mere prince, what does he amount to?"

Qin Yao cut him off.

"Does someone from my Martial Soul Hall need to look at the expression of a Heaven Dou Empire prince to do things? Is he worthy?"

Dugu Bo remained silent upon hearing this.

Qin Yao's voice remained unhurried:

"Since you have submitted to me, from this day forward, you and your granddaughter only need to concern yourselves with my expression.

As for the favor you owe Xue Xing, pay it back when you find the chance. There is no need to demean yourself to accommodate him."

Hearing these words, Dugu Bo felt every pore in his body relax.

How domineering!

Dugu Bo had been arrogant his entire life, and what he hated most were those convoluted social obligations.

Now that he had the backing of the Martial Soul Hall Holy Son, what was there to fear?

"This old man understands!"

Dugu Bo's voice was resonant. "Everything shall be decided by the Holy Son!"

In the quiet guest room of the Dugu Manor's backyard.

Ye Lingling held Dugu Yan's hand, looking her up and down, her face hidden behind a black veil filled with disbelief.

"Yanyan, what on earth... was going on with you today?" Ye Lingling's tone carried a hint of urgency.

She had known Dugu Yan for so many years and understood her best friend's temper all too well.

In the past, even if Yu Tianheng had only drawn slightly closer, Dugu Yan would have considered the face of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and rarely spoken so ruthlessly.

Yet today, not only did Dugu Yan withdraw from the academy, but she also tore off the mask of civility with Yu Tianheng in the middle of the street.

What was even more outrageous was that purple-haired youth.

He had defeated the thirty-seventh-level Yu Tianheng in a single move and dared to declare in public, "If he's crippled, he's crippled; I'll take responsibility for whatever happens."

Dugu Yan pulled Ye Lingling to sit on the edge of the bed, her slender fingers gently stroking the Amethyst Bracelet on her wrist.

"Lingling, do you remember that strange illness I used to have, where my ribs would go numb every time it rained?"

Ye Lingling nodded.

Of course she remembered; every time the illness flared up, Dugu Yan would turn deathly pale from the pain, and no matter how she used her Nine Heart Begonia to treat it, it never got better.

"That wasn't some strange illness at all."

Dugu Yan took a deep breath.

"That was a sign of poisoning. Our Dugu family has inherited the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul for generations; its toxicity is too potent, harming the enemy a thousand times while damaging ourselves eight hundred. If left unchecked, I might not have lived past thirty."

Ye Lingling covered her mouth abruptly, her blue eyes wide with shock.

"But I'm fine now."

A bright, vivid flush appeared on Dugu Yan's fair cheeks.

"His Highness the Holy Son not only cured the poison in both my grandfather and me, but he also allowed my Martial Soul to evolve into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. I am already a forty-second-level Soul Ancestor."

Forty-second level!

Ye Lingling gasped.

She remembered that just a few days ago, Dugu Yan had only just broken through to the thirty-seventh level.

In just a few short days, she had crossed a major realm, and her Martial Soul had even evolved?

That youth's methods were simply unheard of!

Wait, His Highness?

"Who... who exactly is he?" Ye Lingling asked, stuttering.

"Martial Soul Hall, Holy Son," Dugu Yan said, enunciating every word.

Ye Lingling felt a buzzing in her brain.

The Holy Son of Martial Soul Hall?

That behemoth which stood above the two great empires and possessed countless Titled Douluo—they had actually appointed such a young Holy Son?

No wonder he didn't even hold the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in his eyes.

Just then, Dugu Bo's deep voice came from outside the door.

"Yanyan, come out for a moment."

Dugu Yan stood up and pushed the door open to see her grandfather standing in the courtyard, his face glowing with health.

Ever since the poison was purged, Dugu Bo's sickly green hair had returned to a natural ink-black, and he looked at least ten years younger.

"Grandfather, does His Highness have instructions?"

Dugu Bo laughed heartily.

"His Highness has just given the word. From now on, we two grandfather and granddaughter need only follow his lead. Your withdrawal from the academy and the news of us joining Martial Soul Hall need not be hidden or kept quiet. If anyone is dissatisfied, tell them to come find His Highness directly!"

Dugu Yan felt a warmth spread through her heart.

No need to hide, no need to worry about the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and certainly no need to look at Prince Xue Xing's face.

This feeling of being protected by someone without reservation was truly addictive.

"Come, bring your little friend and let's go to the front hall to see His Highness," Dugu Bo urged.

Inside the front hall.

Qin Yao leaned back in a wide sandalwood chair, resting his chin on one hand. His long, slender fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest.

Dugu Yan led Ye Lingling inside and bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness."

Qin Yao raised his head, his gaze landing on Dugu Yan.

The nineteen-year-old girl had a graceful figure, and her purple-black combat suit outlined her curves to perfection. That cold, arrogant temperament was indeed impressive.

"Dugu Yan," Qin Yao said slowly, his voice low. "From now on, I'll call you Yanyan."

Dugu Yan's heart raced, and a faint red blush quickly stained her fair cheeks. She lowered her head slightly, her hands folded in front of her.

"Whatever pleases Your Highness the Holy Son."

Qin Yao stood up and walked over to her. His height of one meter ninety brought with it an intense sense of oppression.

"Since you've already withdrawn from Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Qin Yao looked down at her, "What are your plans now? Are you willing to go to the Martial Soul Hall Academy in Martial Soul City to study?"

With Dugu Yan's current talent, coupled with the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor spirit, she would be a good genius seedling in the Martial Soul Hall Academy.

Dugu Yan didn't hesitate at all, she suddenly raised her head and looked directly at Qin Yao.

"I'm not going to the Martial Soul Hall Academy."

Dugu Bo next to her was startled and was about to scold her when he heard Dugu Yan continue:

"Dugu Yan is willing to stay by His Highness the Holy Son's side forever and be your personal guard."

She knew very well that no matter how good the resources of the Martial Soul Hall Academy were, they couldn't compare to His Highness the Holy Son in front of her.

In just a few days, he had detoxified her, gifted her immortal herbs to evolve her spirit, and even a spirit bone.

Following him was the true path to the heavens.

Dugu Bo stroked his beard as he listened from the side, his heart blooming with joy.

This girl has finally come to her senses.

She knows who the real power is.

As long as they can hold onto His Highness the Holy Son, the Dugu family's position in the Martial Soul Hall will be as stable as Mount Tai in the future.

Qin Yao looked at the stubborn girl in front of him and snorted.

He suddenly reached out, his slender fingers lifting Dugu Yan's chin, very domineeringly.

"You want to stay by my side? You can't be too useless."

Dugu Yan was forced to tilt her head back, looking at Qin Yao's dark purple pupils, her heart pounding like a drum. They were so close, she could even see Qin Yao's long eyelashes.

"Today on the street, you were forced by a level thirty-seven trash and didn't dare to fight back. I don't want to see this happen a second time."

Qin Yao let go and walked back to the main seat.

Dugu Yan touched her burning chin, took a deep breath, and replied loudly:

"Yanzi understands! I will never disappoint Your Highness!"

Qin Yao nodded slightly, then shifted his gaze to Ye Lingling, who had been in the corner the whole time.

To be honest, Qin Yao was more interested in Ye Lingling.

In the original Douluo Dalu I, the Nine Heart Begonia was known as the strongest healing spirit. No matter how severe the injury, as long as there was still a breath of life, the Nine Heart Begonia could pull someone back from the brink of death.

He wondered how this pure healing ability compared to the Emerald Swan with hundreds of thousands of years of cultivation in the Star Dou Great Forest.

If the Nine Heart Begonia could also be brought into the Martial Soul Hall, it wouldn't be bad.