City Return Turbulence, Arrogant Snake Woman and Aloof Begonia

Tiandou City, the most magnificent and prosperous imperial capital on the Douluo Continent, sprawls across a vast plain.

Twenty miles outside the city, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy stands quietly, cradled by a ring of mountains.

"Clop, clop, clop..."

The rhythmic sound of hooves approached from the distance as fifty members of the Heaven Dou Royal Knights, clad in heavy silver armor, escorted a noble youth riding a pure white steed to the main gate.

"Whoa--"

Xue Yao pulled gently on the reins, and the pure white steed let out a cheerful whinny, coming to a steady halt at the entrance.

"Viscount, now that we have escorted you safely to the academy, we shall return to camp to report." The knight captain dismounted, knelt on one knee, and spoke with heartfelt respect.

Throughout the journey, the composure and depth displayed by this young Viscount had long since won over these arrogant royal elites.

"Thank you for your hard work. Give my regards to His Majesty."

Xue Yao flicked his hand, and the Little Griffin that had been perched on his shoulder transformed into a wisp of cyan light, returning into his body.

As the Heaven Dou Royal Knights thundered away on horseback, the academy gate returned to its usual tranquility.

Xue Yao turned around and looked toward the top of the white marble steps.

Two figures with vastly different styles had been waiting there for a long time.

They were the two most dazzling pearls of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the peerless beauties whom countless noble youths flocked to but dared not even approach.

The girl standing on the left had a tall, slender figure. She wore a long black dress, and her long, azure hair cascaded down to her slender waist.

She stood there quietly, exuding an ethereal, lonely aura, as if she were untainted by the world of mortals.

She was none other than the support-type Spirit Master of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, Ye Lingling.

However, when Ye Lingling's cold, clear eyes caught sight of the handsome youth in moon-white brocade robes at the foot of the steps, the eternal ice in her gaze melted away in an instant.

In its place was an extreme tenderness and deep longing, as soft and inseparable as spring water.

Two years of time, countless nights of companionship, and fighting side by side.

The heart of the cold girl, who had originally been indifferent to everything in the world, had long since been tied without reservation to the youth before her, who shone as brightly as a god.

"Yao..."

Ye Lingling called out softly, her voice as crisp and pleasant as a mountain spring hitting stones.

She moved her long legs, like a blue butterfly returning to its nest, and walked quickly down the white marble steps to stand before Xue Yao.

The passing students who witnessed this scene all gasped in shock.

The ice beauty who wouldn't even give the Heaven Dou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe the time of day actually had such a girlish side?!

Xue Yao looked at Ye Lingling as she approached; the coldness in his eyes faded, replaced by a warm smile. He reached out naturally and gently took Ye Lingling's soft, boneless hand.

"I'm back." Xue Yao's voice was low and gentle.

Ye Lingling did not speak, merely nodding in a very obedient manner.

She stood slightly on tiptoe, her beautiful eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through one's heart, carefully examining Xue Yao's face. Only after confirming he was uninjured did she let out a long sigh of relief.

Due to the dust of the journey, the collar of Xue Yao's moon-white brocade robe was slightly disheveled.

Ye Lingling extended her fair, slender hands, which were like the finest mutton-fat jade, and placed them naturally on Xue Yao's chest. With gentle, meticulous movements, she straightened his slightly wrinkled collar, restoring his impeccable noble etiquette to its most perfect state.

The two stood very close, and the faint scent of begonia flowers from Ye Lingling lingered at the tip of Xue Yao's nose.

No extra words were needed; this tacit understanding, this warm interaction like that of an old married couple, had long since proven the fact that they were deeply in love.

However, this scene of tender affection made the other girl nearby grit her teeth.

"Hey, hey, hey! That's enough from you two! In public, at the academy gate no less, have some consideration for the atmosphere!"

A crisp voice, tinged with a bit of wilfulness and annoyance, rudely interrupted the pink atmosphere between them.

Following the sound, standing beside Ye Lingling was a girl with short, sharp, deep purple hair.

Unlike Ye Lingling's conservative and cold black dress, this girl's attire was extremely bold and fiery.

She wore a tight, emerald-green leather outfit that accentuated her hot, curvaceous figure, which was far beyond her years. Her long, straight legs, set off by a pair of black high boots, were full of wild, explosive power.

Most eye-catching were her emerald-green eyes, as clear as green gems, which revealed an innate arrogance, wildness, and a trace of undisguised jealousy.

The granddaughter of Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, and the vice-captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Team—Dugu Yan!

Dugu Yan stood with her hands on her slender waist, pouting her red lips, glaring at Xue Yao with unconcealed defiance.

"What? You go out to hunt a spirit beast, not only do you get the knights to escort you, but upon returning, you have Lingling personally fix your clothes? Young Master Xue Yao, your airs are getting bigger and bigger."

Dugu Yan's tone was sour, and her emerald eyes seemed to be spitting fire.

Although she wouldn't admit it, who in the entire academy didn't know that this proud "little viper" had a near-obsessive focus on Xue Yao? Two years ago, when Xue Yao first arrived at the academy, Dugu Yan, relying on her extraordinary talent, had challenged him many times. Except for the first time, she had been crushed and left looking miserable by Xue Yao's unreasonable speed every time thereafter.

But strangely, the more she lost, the more she persisted. Instead of harboring hatred, she developed an indescribable affection for this powerful and mysterious youth in her heart.

It was just that, hindered by her tsundere personality, she could never express it as gently as Ye Lingling.

Listening to Dugu Yan's sour tone, Xue Yao was not annoyed; instead, he found it somewhat amusing.

He patted the back of Ye Lingling's hand to signal her not to mind, then turned his head to look at Dugu Yan with a half-smile.

"What's this? Is Senior Dugu Yan jealous? If you're willing, I can let you tidy up my other collar as well," Xue Yao teased intentionally.

"Pah! Who's jealous of you! Stop being so full of yourself!"

Dugu Yan's ears turned bright red at Xue Yao's words, and she jumped up like a kitten that had its tail stepped on.

But she quickly suppressed the panic in her heart, forcing a stern face and putting on a provocative expression.

"I didn't wait here for you today just to watch you two show off your affection!"

Dugu Yan lifted her fair chin, her emerald eyes flashing with intense fighting spirit and confidence.

"Xue Yao, don't get too cocky! I haven't been idle these past two years. I've already found a way to break your elusive 'Flash Strike' tactic that relies purely on speed to overwhelm opponents!"

As she spoke, a faint layer of emerald poisonous miasma shimmered around Dugu Yan, and a powerful Soul Elder level soul power fluctuation swirled around her.

"I've been in secluded cultivation for these past three months, and Grandpa even taught me a secret technique to control poison formations. Now, I definitely won't be defeated by you again without even being able to touch the hem of your clothes like before!"

The more she spoke, the more excited Dugu Yan became, pointing her slender finger directly at the tip of Xue Yao's nose.

"This young lady now strongly demands a spar with you! The location will be the No. 1 Soul Fighting Arena at the academy. If you lose... if you lose, you have to listen to me obediently from now on!"

Watching Dugu Yan's baring-teeth-and-claws, yet somewhat cute and tsundere appearance, Xue Yao couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

Breaking his "Flash Strike"?

Just a moment ago outside the gates of Nuoding City, that self-proclaimed genius Tang San was just as confident, only to be one-shotted by the Little Griffin.

However, Dugu Yan was not some annoying piece of trash like Tang San; she was a companion he cherished.

"Are you sure you want to spar right now?"

Xue Yao raised an eyebrow slightly and sighed with feigned solemnity, "I've been traveling for days and nights, haven't even had a sip of water, and someone is already impatient to take advantage of my weakened state. Isn't that a bit of an unfair victory?"

"You... stop making excuses!"

Although Dugu Yan was stubborn, her fighting spirit softened involuntarily when she saw the slightly weary look in Xue Yao's eyes.

"Then... then I'll let you rest for half a day! This afternoon, see you at the Soul Fighting Arena! Don't even think about welching on the deal!"

"Fine, it's a deal." Xue Yao agreed with a smile.

Ye Lingling watched the two bickering from the side, a beautiful curve forming at the corners of her lips beneath her veil. She naturally took Xue Yao's arm and said softly, "Let's go, I've had the cafeteria prepare the snacks you like."

"Only Lingling cares about me." Xue Yao let Ye Lingling hold his arm, glancing sideways at Dugu Yan.

"Hey! Can you two give me some face!"

Amidst Dugu Yan's exasperated protests, the three walked side by side into the gates of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, leaving a crowd of male students standing in the wind, their eyes red with jealousy.