Three months later.
Soto Great Soul Arena.
"Brother! You're amazing!"
"Your Second Martial Soul is this powerful, so why didn't you bring it out to train sooner?"
The seven-person team battle had ended. Under Lin Yan's leadership, Shrek Team had defeated Mad Battle Team with overwhelming superiority.
Dai Mubai hooked an arm around Lin Yan's shoulder, genuinely happy for him. Even the others looked at him with admiration.
Lin Yan merely nodded. "Well, I had Evil Fire before~"
At that, Dai Mubai froze. Then, as if he'd instantly caught on, his eyes grew increasingly teasing.
"So you didn't have a girlfriend before, but now you do, huh?"
"You little..."
"Hahaha~ Come on, I'm treating today! Pick any restaurant in all of Suotuo City. I'm taking you all out for a proper meal."
As he spoke, he affectionately patted Lin Yan's shoulder and strode toward the Soul Fighting Field's entrance, putting on the airs of the team's big boss.
The others followed behind them, wearing more or less the same cheerful smiles. Only Tang San, at the rear, secretly clenched his fists as he watched Lin Yan's back.
Over these three months, Lin Yan had been the center of attention in front of everyone.
Not only had he raised his Soul Power Level from 36 to 38 through dual cultivation with Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, he'd also shone in the Soul Fighting Field, transforming from a minor support to the team's main damage dealer.
He'd become the very soul of the team.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong had both broken through Level 30 thanks to their dual cultivation technique. The former had fused with the Eight Spider Lances and was now Level 33.
The latter had just broken through Level 30 a couple of days ago and had returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to find someone to help her hunt a Soul Ring.
As for Tang San, he had ultimately followed Yu Xiaogang's advice and absorbed a Soul Ring from a Man Faced Demon Spider.
Perhaps he really was a child of fortune, or maybe the Asura God was manipulating things behind the scenes. Whatever the case, Tang San had actually obtained a Soul Bone while absorbing the Soul Ring.
It was a torso bone just over a thousand years old. Afraid someone might snatch his opportunity, the guy hadn't hesitated for even half a second after obtaining it before fusing with it.
Lin Yan didn't know whether he ought to laugh or burst out laughing...
Before long...
Lin Yan and Zhu Zhuqing reached the private room ahead of the others. While everyone else was still downstairs ordering food, the two of them quickly tangled together.
Lin Yan sat in a chair, while Zhu Zhuqing straddled his lap.
As the girl's sweet tongue savored his, a pair of large hands suddenly squeezed her until she ached all over. A string of suggestive sounds filled the quiet room.
Outside, birds chirped, white clouds drifted lazily across the sky, and downstairs, Dai Mubai and the others laughed merrily...
Inside the room, the girl finally got a chance to breathe, but Lin Yan had already found a new target.
A sudden pain made Zhu Zhuqing let out a muffled groan. Her jade hands kept pushing at Lin Yan's head, trying to shove him away from her.
"No, they'll be here any moment. There's no time."
But Lin Yan didn't respond. He simply kept savoring her.
Zhu Zhuqing grew more and more panicked, glancing at the door again and again.
"Please, can't we wait until tonight..."
The girl looked both angry and flushed with embarrassment, but the large hand behind her still wouldn't let her break free.
It wasn't until footsteps sounded in the hallway that Lin Yan finally looked up. He licked his lips and grinned mischievously. "I've thought of a great idea."
Looking at the ill-intentioned glint in Lin Yan's eyes, Zhu Zhuqing felt a wave of inexplicable fear and excitement well up inside her.
But before she could figure out what he meant, a pair of large hands roughly pushed her beneath the table.
The moment the tablecloth covered her entire body, the room's door swung open.
The door clicked, followed by the sound of everyone's footsteps.
In the dim space under the table, Zhu Zhuqing hardly dared to breathe. She could only curl herself up as much as possible to avoid being bumped when the others sat down.
The private dining room was high-end, with a long, rectangular table. Lin Yan's seat was at one corner, with a wall on his left and Xiao Wu on his right.
The tablecloth was long enough to cover the diners' laps, keeping food from falling and dirtying their clothes.
With conditions like these, Lin Yan held Zhu Zhuqing's head down, making her duck low...
"Huh? Where's Zhu Zhuqing?"
Once everyone had taken their seats, Xiao Wu noticed Zhu Zhuqing was missing and asked casually.
Lin Yan adjusted his posture, leaning back slightly in his chair and pretending to look exhausted as he replied,
"She said she wasn't feeling well and went back to rest."
"I figured Rongrong wasn't here either, so we weren't all together anyway. I didn't try to persuade her to stay."
Dai Mubai didn't pay it any mind.
"No big deal. We can get together again once everyone's here."
The little interruption soon passed. Under the table, Zhu Zhuqing secretly relaxed and, understanding what to do, slowly opened the packaging and tasted the food.
Before long, the servers brought out all the dishes, and everyone began to feast. That included Zhu Zhuqing beneath the table...
Cups clinked, and after three rounds of drinks, everyone was a little tipsy.
Seizing the opportunity, Ma Hongjun looked at Dai Mubai. "Boss, you and Zhu Zhuqing..."
"Forget it. There's been no progress at all. She's even been deliberately avoiding me."
Dai Mubai sounded and looked thoroughly annoyed.
"Tell me, all I did was visit a few brothels. How many men in this world haven't?"
At that, Zhu Zhuqing, who was swallowing beneath the table, grew so angry that she suddenly lost control of her strength, making Lin Yan's body jolt.
Dai Mubai noticed Lin Yan's odd reaction and raised his glass.
"Brother, let's have a drink together, just the two of us!"
"You've worked hard in the team battles these past few days."
Lin Yan gave an awkward smile and raised his glass too, tapping it against the table in respect.
The two drank it down at the same time.
Dai Mubai grimaced and let out a long breath before looking at Lin Yan.
"I'm talking about you, too."
"Ning Rongrong is certainly beautiful, but you need to change things up once in a while."
"I'm treating today. Come with me after dinner, and I'll show you what the world has to offer."
Lin Yan chuckled. "I'll pass. Rongrong is from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect..."
His words carried weight. He had said almost nothing, and yet, to everyone listening, he had said everything.
Once Dai Mubai understood what he meant, he let out a sigh, his face darkening.
"Haah~"
"See? What did I tell you? Women are nothing but trouble!"
"Whatever, I don't care anymore. Zhu Zhuqing can think whatever she wants. She'll be my woman in the end anyway. With pressure from the Star Luo Royal Family, she'll submit sooner or later."
His tone sounded like he'd given up, yet also like everything was under his control.
After all, in everyone's eyes, the rules of the Star Luo Royal Family could never be broken. Zhu Zhuqing would eventually become Dai Mubai's woman.
Beneath the table, Zhu Zhuqing was so furious she wanted to pull away and confront Dai Mubai face-to-face, but Lin Yan's large hand once again pressed her head firmly down.
Before you continue