Ye Lingling Forced?

Several days later, Qin Yao and Qian Renxue landed in a forest ten miles outside the city, where Snake Lance Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo were already waiting.

Qian Renxue straightened her collar, her golden palace gown devoid of a single wrinkle, her expression restored to the gentle and aloof demeanor of the Crown Prince.

Qian Renxue looked at Qin Yao, "Xiao Yao, don't forget to come see me."

Qin Yao smiled, "I won't forget."

Qian Renxue gave a soft hum, then turned and led Snake Lance and Pufferfish toward Heaven Dou City. After a few steps, she paused, tilted her head to glance at Qin Yao, and gave him a look that said you know how to act, before finally leaving with peace of mind.

Qin Yao stood still, not moving until Qian Renxue's figure disappeared into the city gates. He turned, spread the Amethyst Bone Wings on his back, and flew toward the Sunset Forest.

Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

When Qin Yao landed, Dugu Yan was sitting cross-legged beside the extremely hot spring, cultivating. Pale purple soul power fluctuations swirled around her, her aura more solid than before.

Sensing the movement, Dugu Yan opened her eyes, "His Highness the Holy Son."

Qin Yao retracted his bone wings, "Mm, how has your cultivation been during this time?"

"I'm about to break through to level forty-three."

Dugu Yan stood up and brushed the dust off her clothes, "The soul power concentration at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well is very high; the cultivation speed is much faster than outside."

Qin Yao glanced at the soul power fluctuations on her body and nodded, "Keep up the good work."

Immediately, he walked to the side of the Yang Spring and sat down, "I will be in seclusion here for a while; if you need anything, you can come find me."

Dugu Yan looked at his back, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. She turned and returned to her original position to continue cultivating.

Time flew by, and over half a year passed.

Qin Yao sat cross-legged by the Yang Spring, his amethyst soul power circulating slowly through his meridians, his level fifty-three soul power fluctuations steady and solid.

During these past six months, he had spent most of his time in seclusion, venturing deep into the forest every few days to spar with soul beasts, battling opponents ranging from fifty thousand to seventy thousand years in age.

His combat experience had accumulated, and his soul power had successfully risen from level fifty-one to level fifty-three.

He opened his eyes, his gaze falling on another figure not far away.

Dugu Yan sat cross-legged near the Yin Spring, faint purple soul power swirling around her, her aura more than a notch stronger than it had been half a year ago.

Her soul power had reached level forty-five.

With the soul power concentration of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well combined with Qin Yao's occasional guidance, Dugu Yan had improved rapidly over these six months.

Standing up, Qin Yao brushed off his hem.

"It's time to go to Heaven Dou City."

Hearing this, Dugu Yan ceased her cultivation and stood up, "Is His Highness the Holy Son going to see the Young Master?"

Ever since Dugu Bo learned that Qian Renxue was Xue Qinghe, he had shared this information with Dugu Yan.

Of course, this was with Qin Yao's permission; Dugu Yan had not expected that Martial Soul Hall had actually reached such a point.

Dugu Yan had always felt fortunate about herself and her grandfather joining Martial Soul Hall.

Moreover, Dugu Yan's soul power had now reached level forty-five, something she wouldn't have dared to imagine in the past.

Qin Yao looked at Dugu Yan and nodded slightly.

Visiting Qian Renxue once a month was a rule he had set.

Over the past half year, he hadn't missed a single time.

Dugu Yan didn't ask further, silently following behind him as they walked out.

She was very self-aware; Qin Xiong had made it clear that she was the Holy Son's attendant.

Although Qin Yao had never used this status to constrain her, Dugu Yan kept it in mind herself.

Qin Yao had guided her cultivation many times over the past six months, and feeling grateful, she naturally wanted to do more for him.

Dugu Yan followed Qin Yao through the bustling main street of Heaven Dou City, her pace quickening.

"His Highness the Holy Son, I would like to go to the academy to see Lingling," Dugu Yan suddenly said.

She hadn't seen Ye Lingling for a long time and missed her dearly; after all, Ye Lingling was her only best friend.

Qin Yao tilted his head to look at her, "Go ahead, I'll go with you. It's a good chance to see how she has considered things."

Dugu Yan's eyes lit up, and her steps immediately became light.

The two walked along the stone path toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Dugu Yan telling Qin Yao about things that happened at the academy in the past as they walked.

Which teacher had a bad temper, which cafeteria had the best food, and which tree Ye Lingling usually liked to sit under to read.

Qin Yao listened, occasionally humming in response without interrupting her.

After walking for about two quarters of an hour, the spire-topped building complex of Heaven Dou Royal Academy appeared in their field of vision.

Two rows of silver-armored guards stood at the academy gate, and seeing the two approach, one of the guards stepped forward to block them.

"This is the restricted area of the Royal Academy; no idlers allowed."

Dugu Yan frowned and was about to speak when Qin Yao casually pulled a token from his robes and tossed it over. The guard caught it, took one look, and his expression changed instantly; he hurriedly bowed and returned the token with both hands.

"Please, both of you."

Dugu Yan tucked the token away and led Qin Yao into the academy.

The academy occupied a vast area, with neat rows of phoenix trees lining the roads and students walking about in twos and threes.

Qin Yao's height of 1.9 meters and his long, dark purple hair drew many curious gazes, but he couldn't be bothered to pay them any mind, following Dugu Yan as she wound through the paths until they reached a secluded little grove.

"Lingling usually reads here," Dugu Yan said, quickening her pace.

But before they could reach the depths of the grove, an arrogant voice drifted over from ahead.

"Ye Lingling, have you considered my offer? This Prince's patience is limited."

Dugu Yan's footsteps came to an abrupt halt. Qin Yao also stopped, tilting his head to look in the direction of the voice.

In a clearing among the trees, a youth wearing a brocade robe with gold-inlaid blue edges stood before Ye Lingling with his hands behind his back.

The youth was about eighteen or nineteen, with fluffy, neat, warm reddish-brown hair and light amber eyes filled with arrogance.

The swan emblem of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family was embroidered on his lapel, and a mutton-fat jade pendant hung from his waist, the entire person exuding the haughty air of a playboy.

This person was none other than Xue Beng.

Ye Lingling stood opposite him, dressed in black with her face veiled as usual, her long blue hair cascading down her back. Her body was slightly tense, and her hands were clenched at the corners of her clothes.

"Prince Xue Beng, please conduct yourself with dignity." Ye Lingling's voice was cold, yet carried a hint of suppressed anger.

Xue Beng let out a loud laugh that echoed through the grove: "I'll give you three more days to consider. I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer."

Xue Beng's words drifted through the trees, dripping with arrogance.

With his hands behind his back and the air of someone who had already won, he turned and walked away, the hem of his brocade robe brushing across the fallen leaves as his footsteps faded into the distance.

Only Ye Lingling remained in the grove. She stood where she was, her expression hidden behind the black veil, but her hands, clenched so tightly that her knuckles were turning white, betrayed the turmoil in her heart.

This Xue Beng was a notorious playboy at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Relying on the fact that he was the youngest son of Great Emperor Xueye, he had always acted without restraint.

In the past, with Dugu Yan around, although he coveted Ye Lingling's beauty, he dared not make any excessive moves. After all, no matter how much of a prince he was, he could not withstand the wrath of a Title Douluo.

But ever since Dugu Yan dropped out over half a year ago, Xue Beng's intentions had been stirred up once again.

The Nine Heart Begonia family was passed down through a single line, and their numbers were dwindling.

Now, only Ye Lingling and her mother, Ye Shutang, remained. Although Ye Shutang's soul power was not low, she was not worth mentioning in the face of the massive Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

In Xue Beng's eyes, this mother and daughter were like duckweed without roots; as long as he applied a little pressure, he could easily manipulate them.

Taking Ye Lingling would not only satisfy his lust, but more importantly, it would bind Ye Shutang, a powerful healing-type soul master, to his chariot.

Two birds with one stone—why wouldn't he do it?