Zhu Zhuqing's Affection

Just as Ye Guchen from the Dou II timeline was honing his skills in the Star Dou Great Forest, Ye Guchen from the Dou I timeline caught sight of Dai Mubai from the protagonist group.

In the spectator stands of the Suotuo City Great Soul Arena, Dai Mubai's hands were wandering over the inner thighs of a pair of twins, drawing a series of coquettish whimpers from the sisters.

"You're so annoying!"

"Haha, if you can't handle this much, you're going to suffer tonight."

As he spoke, he leaned his face toward the twins, demanding kisses with reckless abandon.

"Hate you!"

Though the sisters protested with their mouths, their bodies were honest enough; they cupped Dai Mubai's face and began to kiss him.

Every bit of this scene was taken in by Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Guchen from within the VIP box.

"Shameless!"

Zhu Zhuqing felt a wave of grievance wash over her. It wasn't just that he had abandoned her and fled alone; she had expected him to learn from his shame and strive for greatness, to work hard once he reached the Heaven Dou Empire. She never imagined he would sink into such debauchery!

Thinking of the storms she had weathered alone in Star Luo, and how the first thing she thought of after finally escaping was to come find him, she felt it was all a waste!

Although Zhu Zhuyun had already told her about Dai Mubai's current decadent state, seeing it with her own eyes was far more nauseating.

Ye Guchen noticed Zhu Zhuqing's low spirits. Instead of offering blind comfort, he slowly moved closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"It's alright, I'm here!"

Zhu Zhuqing leaned into Ye Guchen's embrace involuntarily, feeling enveloped by an unprecedented sense of security.

Yet, looking down at Dai Mubai, she couldn't help but remember that she was still betrothed to him. Though they had barely met, the engagement was like a shackle binding them together. A royal betrothal—to break it was to invite the wrath of the imperial family!

This was likely why, in the original story, Zhu Zhuqing had not left when she first arrived in Suotuo City, despite being utterly disappointed in Dai Mubai.

She slowly raised her head, seeing only a calm and confident expression on Ye Guchen's face.

Can I really enjoy his protection with a clear conscience, without worrying about dragging him into the royal struggle?

Zhu Zhuqing's heart was in turmoil. On one side was a certain death, and on the other was a benefactor who offered her peace but would likely be dragged into the mire by her!

Gritting her teeth, Zhu Zhuqing decided to follow her heart. She slowly looked up, her eyes firm and resolute.

"Ye Guchen, I think I don't need your protection anymore."

She paused.

"Thank you... for these past few days."

She had thought she would be strong enough to finish those words, but now, tears streamed down her face regardless.

Ye Guchen looked down at Dai Mubai, then shifted his gaze to the sobbing Zhu Zhuqing.

How could he not understand? This silly girl was clearly afraid of implicating him.

He pulled her closer, holding her even tighter.

"Are you afraid of dragging me down?"

Zhu Zhuqing didn't answer, only nodded.

Seeing this, Ye Guchen reached out and flicked Zhu Zhuqing's nose.

"Strength is the most weighty language, and the sword is the boundary that decides life and death. If they dare to come, I don't mind letting Shark Tooth drink its fill of blood!"

As he spoke, a biting killing intent radiated from his body, chilling the surrounding air.

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's grievances and reluctance were soothed. She looked up and met Ye Guchen's firm gaze, feeling as if she were already enveloped by something called safety. But was she truly worthy?

She couldn't help but ask herself, and her head lowered involuntarily.

"I am still betrothed to him. I don't want to deceive you!"

Once these words were out, it felt as if all her strength had been drained away.

One must know that people on the Douluo Continent valued reputation above all else, especially when she carried the burden of a betrothal!

She kept her head down, as if awaiting Ye Guchen's judgment. However, his next words undoubtedly granted her a new life.

"Heh, a betrothal?"

"Only the strong are qualified to discuss agreements. To the weak, a so-called betrothal can just as easily be a letter of divorce!"

Though a flame of hope had been briefly ignited, Ye Guchen, despite his extraordinary talent, was currently only a minor Soul King. Compared to the Star Luo imperial family, he was nothing more than a slightly larger ant!

"But..."

Before she could finish, Ye Guchen pressed his hand against her lips.

"There is no need for such a heavy psychological burden. In a few years, I will personally lead you to break through that imperial city. In front of the Star Luo Emperor, I will have you personally divorce that Dai Mubai!"

When these words left Ye Guchen's mouth, there was not a hint of exaggeration. A few years were enough for him to grow into a Soul Douluo or even a Titled Douluo—or perhaps, he might even have become a god by then.

Zhu Zhuqing stopped resisting and leaned into Ye Guchen, burying her head in his chest.

Ye Guchen felt a warmth on his chest, likely her tears, and he couldn't help but place his hand on her back, patting it gently.

After all, this woman who stood on her own in the world of Douluo would only be a middle school student in his past life.

The two walked hand in hand out of the Great Soul Arena VIP lounge, only to brush shoulders with Dai Mubai by pure coincidence.

Dai Mubai stopped in his tracks involuntarily.

I feel my Martial Soul throbbing, as if it has found its other half!

He cast his gaze toward the back that had triggered his Martial Soul's agitation, his eyes growing increasingly fervent.

What a figure!

If I can obtain her, not only will I boost my own strength, but I'll also gain a fine plaything!

With that, he shoved the twins beside him away.

"I've got business today, I'll find you two another time."

He tossed a bag of Gold Soul Coin to the sisters and accelerated in the direction Ye Guchen and the girl had departed.

"Little lady, I've taken a fancy to you. Would you care to go out with me?"

Dai Mubai leaned one hand against the wall, his other hand on his hip, blocking Ye Guchen and Zhu Zhuqing.

Dai Mubai's eyes flickered; he felt a vague sense of familiarity with the person before him, yet he couldn't quite place it.

Looking at the greasy Dai Mubai, Ye Guchen couldn't help but twitch his mouth. "Where'd you learn that?"

But there was no time for this now; Ye Guchen stepped forward, shielding Zhu Zhuqing behind him.

"Get lost!"

Dai Mubai remained arrogant, looking down his nose at others.

"Sorry, I'm talking to this beauty here. I didn't even notice some random stray cat or dog!"

As he spoke, two yellow and one purple soul rings emerged from beneath his feet.

"If you don't want to die, move aside yourself! You aren't capable of handling this beauty."

Although the man before him was slightly more handsome than himself, Dai Mubai believed he was inferior to no one among his peers.

Seeing this, Ye Guchen's temper flared; he couldn't be bothered with a war of words.

The Martial Soul Shark Tooth appeared quietly in his hand. He slashed down, severing the palm Dai Mubai had pressed against the wall. The strike was so swift that before Dai Mubai could even react, his hand had already fallen to the ground.

The sudden loss of balance caused his wound to scrape directly against the wall, and a bone-piercing, heart-wrenching pain instantly swept through his brain.

"You! How dare you!"

"That was just a lesson for your insolence earlier!"

But Dai Mubai was a proud man; he gritted his teeth against the pain and circulated his soul power to quickly staunch the bleeding.

"White Tiger Intense Light Wave!"

He opened his mouth, and a milky-white ball of light began to brew within. Just as he was about to unleash it, Ye Guchen lunged forward, raising his foot to strike him squarely in the chin.

Dai Mubai's chin took a heavy blow, sending him flying into the air until the back of his head slammed hard against the opposite wall with a dull thud.

"Cough—"

He slumped to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth. The unformed White Tiger Intense Light Wave detonated inside his mouth, leaving his lips a mangled, bloody mess.

Two consecutive failures finally forced him to face the reality.

Dai Mubai struggled to his feet, only to see a sight that would be etched into his memory for the rest of his life.

Beneath Ye Guchen's feet, five soul rings—yellow, purple, purple, black, and black—were spiraling.

"Soul... Soul King! How is this possible? This must be an illusion!"

"At this age, how could it be? And these soul rings, they look fake at a glance!"

Yet the pressure radiating from them constantly hammered at his nerves, telling him it was real!

Watching Ye Guchen slowly close in, Dai Mubai knew he had kicked a steel plate today.

"No... you can't kill me, I am the Third Prince of Star Luo!"

But Ye Guchen remained indifferent, ignoring him entirely.

It wasn't until a pungent, urinous odor reached his nose that he stopped and stepped back, covering his nose.

"Pissed yourself?"

Zhu Zhuqing watched the entire scene with cold eyes, unable to believe that a dignified Star Luo prince would stoop to such a pathetic act!

But if they really killed him, it would surely invite endless trouble.

Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and tugged on Ye Guchen's sleeve. "Forget it. Killing him isn't the issue, but the retaliation from the Star Luo royal family will bring us some trouble."

Ye Guchen looked back at Zhu Zhuqing; she was still young after all, and it wasn't appropriate for her to witness the carnage of murder so early. In the end, he retracted his Martial Soul.

"Consider yourself lucky. If there is a next time, you might as well become a girl!"

Seeing this, Dai Mubai bowed repeatedly to Zhu Zhuqing in gratitude.

"Thank you..."

In those few short minutes, every ounce of strength had been forcibly drained from Dai Mubai, leaving him slumped on the ground with a dazed expression.

Ye Guchen couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind; he was nothing more than a clown.

Ye Guchen took Zhu Zhuqing by the hand and walked past Dai Mubai, leaving him behind.

With nearly a month left before Shrek Academy opened its doors, waiting in Suotuo City just to catch a glimpse of the protagonist Tang San clearly wasn't worth the effort. Coupled with the mood-killing encounter with Dai Mubai, Ye Guchen had no desire to linger any longer. He decided to rest for the night and set off for Heaven Dou City first thing tomorrow morning.

Watching the two figures depart, Dai Mubai finally picked up his severed hand, casting a look of bitter resentment in the direction they had gone.

"Just you wait!"

He then stumbled unsteadily toward Shrek Academy.