Jiang Nannan raised her head. A glimmer unlike any she had ever shown appeared in her eyes, usually filled with timidity and low self-esteem.
"Doudou, thank you."
On the Douluo Continent, the nobility reigned supreme. People took pride in their birth, while commoners had always been considered inferior and treated with disdain.
Though Jiang Nannan possessed Innate Full Soul Power, her status as a work-study student had earned her no shortage of scornful looks and cold shoulders at her former academy.
This was the first time anyone had told her that being born into humble circumstances was nothing to be ashamed of.
Watching this scene, Bibi Dong stood not far away, the corner of her mouth twitching again and again.
Wait, why was this nothing like the scene she'd imagined?!
Weren't these noble scions supposed to rush over, point at Chen Doudou's worn-out clothes and mock him, then arrogantly kick him out?
How could they let good looks fool them like this?
What a bunch of shallow people!
Pah!
I, Bibi Dong, look down on you!
Just then, the noisy crowd at the academy entrance suddenly parted like the tide. A grand procession of carriages rolled slowly toward them, drawing everyone's attention.
Eight pure-white, exceptionally fine horses pulled the carriages. A dark green plaque bearing a little turtle hung from one of them, gleaming in the sunlight.
"Look, look! Isn't that the Xu family's carriage from the Mysterious Underworld Sect? What a spectacle. Tsk, it's practically a moving castle!"
"The Xu family? Who are they? Why such a grand display?"
"You don't even know the Xu family? Well, I suppose that's normal. The Mysterious Underworld Sect is a reclusive sect, after all. I hear its master is a Titled Douluo!"
To outsiders, reclusive sects were indeed mysterious. But to the noble scions, no matter how secluded they were, they couldn't avoid dealing with the nobility.
Unless they didn't do business and had no need for resources.
Amid the crowd's whispers, a hand wearing a jadeite thumb ring lifted the curtain at the front of the luxurious carriage.
A young man jumped down from it.
He wore a dark green brocade robe embroidered with elaborate patterns, and held an inscribed folding fan from a renowned calligrapher. With a flourish, he snapped it open and gave it a practiced, refined wave. His whole getup screamed flashy.
"Young Master Sanshi, would you like this old servant to accompany you inside to register?"
The gray-haired Soul Emperor sitting in the coachman's seat asked respectfully.
"No need. You'd only embarrass me."
Xu Sanshi impatiently waved the old man away, shooing him off like a fly.
Just as he was about to step into the academy, he casually swept his gaze across the crowd.
Suddenly, he froze.
His eyes passed over the layers of people and landed on a young girl nearby, wearing a cloth dress washed so many times it had faded white.
In that moment, the world seemed to fall silent.
All that remained was the frantic pounding of his heart inside his chest.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
"What... what a cute girl..."
Xu Sanshi stared dumbly at Jiang Nannan, his gaze instantly fixed.
Because of his family, he had seen countless noble young ladies growing up. Every one of them seemed affected and artificial. How could any of them compare to this country girl's fresh, natural charm?
Those clear, wide eyes held no scheming or flattery, only pure innocence.
And there were two girls like her?
The purple-haired one beside her looked cute, too—and she even had short hair!
"Young Master, what's wrong?" one of his guards murmured.
"Shut up!"
Xu Sanshi snapped back to his senses, his little face reddening. Yet his eyes stayed glued to Jiang Nannan and Chen Doudou, unable to look away.
He instinctively tried to strike what he thought was his most handsome pose, but his feet tangled, and he nearly took a nosedive.
He hurriedly steadied himself, then gave his fan another graceful wave and strolled toward Jiang Nannan and Chen Doudou with what he imagined was a dashing, debonair stride.
"Ahem!"
Xu Sanshi stopped in front of them and tried to suppress his wildly beating heart. "Um... little ladies, what are your names? Which class are you in? How come I've never seen you before?"
Startled by the sudden appearance of this rich young master, Jiang Nannan instinctively shrank behind Chen Doudou and timidly said, "Doudou, this person is so weird. Why does he keep staring at us?"
Chen Doudou furrowed his brows and stepped forward half a pace, shielding Jiang Nannan.
Just then, a glimmer of anticipation finally flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. She had been watching from the shadows all along.
Here it comes. At last.
This was the arrogance of the nobility!
This was oppression!
Doudou, now!
Let him mock your humble origins, let him insult your shabby appearance, then explode with rage and use your strength to teach this spoiled young master a harsh lesson. Make him kneel and beg for mercy!
Bibi Dong was already cheering Chen Doudou on in her heart.
But Chen Doudou merely looked at Xu Sanshi calmly and said, "We're leaving. Please move aside."
Xu Sanshi froze, then became even more enthusiastic.
He had never been treated so coldly by a girl before.
He hurriedly stepped aside, but still blocked their path, grinning as he said, "Don't rush off. Let's be friends. My name's Xu Sanshi. From now on, if anyone in Qingfeng City dares to bully you, just give them my name!"
"No need."
Hearing that name, Chen Doudou's tone immediately turned cold.
Rejected once again, Xu Sanshi's expression darkened.
After all, he was the young master of the Mysterious Underworld Sect, a person of noble standing.
He'd taken the initiative to be nice to two commoners, and they actually had the nerve to give him the cold shoulder?
He deliberately blocked their way and shamelessly said, "Tell me your names, and I'll let you go."
"You sure about that?"
Chen Doudou's gaze darkened.
"So what?"
Xu Sanshi raised his chin haughtily. His brazen, devil-may-care attitude made his intentions clear.
Jiang Nannan hurriedly tugged at Chen Doudou's sleeve and timidly said, "Doudou, why don't we just tell him our names? I heard people around us say his family seems to have a lot of influence."
Chen Doudou remained unruffled. "No need. I'd like to see what he can do to me."
Could his family really have more influence than his own?
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Doudou struck before Xu Sanshi could even react.
He raised his hand and punched Xu Sanshi in the eye.
Xu Sanshi clutched his eye in pain. "Ow! Y-you... How dare you ambush me!"
He immediately shouted, "Mysterious Underworld Turtle, poss—"
"Do you think I'd give you the chance?"
Before Xu Sanshi could finish his Martial Soul Possession, Chen Doudou struck again.
His fists fell like raindrops.
Bolstered by Chen Doudou's powerful physique, Xu Sanshi couldn't withstand the blows, even as a defensive-type Soul Master.
Before long, his face was battered and swollen, and he was running around with his arms over his head.
The guard beside him immediately paled and started to move.
A voice, cold as frost, suddenly rang in his ear. "If you don't want to die, don't move!"
In an instant, the guard felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. He didn't dare move a muscle.
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