Wanting to Play with Fire, Dugu Yan!

In the living room.

Ye Qingyi saw the gleam that burst from Xiao Yin's eyes and smiled faintly.

"This was obtained by Lingling's grandfather by chance from the body of a fallen ten-thousand-year Deep Sea Demonic Whale King while traveling the East Sea. If it is useful to you, take it."

"This... is far too precious!" Even with Xiao Yin's composure, it felt too hot to handle.

Although the Ye Clan did not know Whale Rubber's true use, Whale Rubber from a ten-thousand-year Deep Sea Demonic Whale King was still immeasurably valuable!

This favor from the Ye Clan was simply too great!

"Even the most precious thing only has value when placed in the right hands."

Ye Qingyi waved her hand, her tone gentle yet impossible to refuse.

"You have shown kindness to Lingling and have a connection with the Ye Clan. More importantly, you are pure-hearted and possess boundless potential. Only in your hands can this item display its true worth. Accept it as a small token from Aunt Ye."

"Big Brother Xiao Yin, just take it! It would only go to waste in our home!" Ye Lingling also urged softly from the side, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Xiao Yin.

Seeing the sincerity in Ye Qingyi's eyes and the expectation in Ye Lingling's gaze, warmth surged through Xiao Yin's heart.

He no longer declined. Solemnly, he accepted the rosewood box containing the Whale Rubber with both hands.

"Aunt Ye, Lingling, I will remember this kindness forever! If you ever need anything in the future, I, Xiao Yin, will never refuse!"

"You're making too much of it." Ye Qingyi smiled gently. Watching Xiao Yin carefully put away the wooden box, she asked, "By the way, Xiao Yin, where are you staying now? Do you have a permanent residence?"

"This junior is currently staying temporarily at Blue Tyrant Academy," Xiao Yin answered truthfully.

"Blue Tyrant Academy?" A look of understanding flashed through Ye Qingyi's eyes, and she smiled. "So it is Dean Liu Erlong's territory. That is a good place as well. Dean Liu may have a fiery temper, but she is upright and fiercely protective of her own. You should do quite well there."

She paused, then looked at Xiao Yin with a hint of teasing in her eyes. "Since it is nearby, come visit often when you have time. Lingling talks about you quite a lot too."

She deliberately emphasized the words "talks about," making Ye Lingling's little face flush as she shot her mother a reproachful glance.

In truth, it was not just Ye Lingling. She herself did not know why, but whenever she saw Xiao Yin, she felt an inexplicable closeness... as though...

Ye Lingling also gathered her courage and said softly to Xiao Yin, "Big Brother Xiao Yin, can I... can I go to Blue Tyrant Academy to see you in the future? I will not disturb your cultivation!"

Seeing the undisguised affection and expectation in the girl's eyes, Xiao Yin smiled and nodded. "Of course. You are welcome anytime."

After sitting a while longer at the Ye residence and tasting the Clear Heart Tea personally brewed by Ye Qingyi, night had already fallen.

Xiao Yin rose to take his leave.

Ye Qingyi personally escorted Xiao Yin to the gate of the residence. At parting, she looked at him and smiled meaningfully.

"Xiao Yin, treat this place as your own home from now on. Come back often, talk with Aunt Ye, and keep Lingling company too. Young people should spend more time together. It is a good thing."

The implication behind her words left even Xiao Yin somewhat unable to cope, and he could only give a vague agreement.

Ye Lingling lowered her head in embarrassment, her ears flushed red. She only dared to say softly, "Big Brother Xiao Yin, be careful on the way."

All Xiao Yin could say was, I really did not initiate this!

System: Pah! You got the advantage and still act innocent!

Meanwhile, at an elegant estate on the outskirts of the city.

Deep within the estate, the fragrance of medicinal herbs filled the air, while strange flowers and rare plants emitted a faint glow beneath the moonlight.

Dugu Yan swayed her seductive figure as she returned to a stone house deep within the estate.

The room was simply furnished, yet it was filled with all kinds of bottles and jars, as well as strange medicinal ingredients that emitted bizarre auras.

A thin, lanky old man in a dark green robe was carefully adding something into a medicinal cauldron.

His hair was dark green, his face lean and weathered, and his eyes glimmered with the eerie jade-green light of a venomous serpent.

"Grandfather, I'm back." Dugu Yan's voice carried a hint of laziness.

This man was Dugu Yan's grandfather, an honored advisor of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, Poison Douluo—Dugu Bo.

"Mm."

Without turning his head, Dugu Bo said hoarsely, "Why are you back so late today? Were you getting cozy with that boy from the Yu Clan again?"

"Don't mention him!"

Dugu Yan walked over and sat down, crossing her long legs as undisguised disappointment flashed through her green eyes.

"I really watched quite a show at the Heaven Dou Auction House today."

"Oh?"

Dugu Bo finally stopped what he was doing and turned around, his jade-green eyes looking at his granddaughter with interest.

For the arrogant Dugu Yan to reveal such an expression, this matter was certainly not simple.

"Tell me. What sort of show could make my precious granddaughter care so much?"

Dugu Yan lounged against the back of her chair, winding a lock of hair around her fingertip. A bewitching smile curved her lips as she began recounting the conflict on the first floor of the auction house.

She focused on how Xiao Yin had shattered Yu Tianheng's momentum with a single glance, how he had ignored her invitation, and how Ye Lingling had taken the initiative to defend him...

Finally, she emphasized Yu Tianheng's furious and disgraceful loss of composure.

"The young master of the mighty Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, looking so pathetic because he could not accept defeat. It was truly ugly."

Dugu Yan's tone was mercilessly mocking. "Grandfather, tell me, is someone like that worthy of me?"

Dugu Bo listened quietly, a sharp glint flashing in his jade-green eyes. Especially when he heard that Xiao Yin had intimidated Yu Tianheng's martial soul with a single glance, a trace of surprise crossed his gaze.

"One look was enough to cow the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul?" Dugu Bo's hoarse voice carried amusement. "Interesting. What is that boy called? What is his background? What is his martial soul?"

"His name is Xiao Yin."

The interest in Dugu Yan's green eyes deepened. "His background is unclear. As for his martial soul... I did not see him summon it, but that aura... was extremely fierce. Even my Jade Phosphorous Serpent instinctively felt somewhat wary of it."

"Xiao Yin?" Dugu Bo stroked his dark green beard, his eyes gleaming.

Seeing the obvious interest in his granddaughter's eyes—especially the flicker of reluctance that passed through their depths when she mentioned Xiao Yin ignoring her—a knowing smile appeared on Dugu Bo's lean face.

"Hehehe..."

Dugu Bo let out a low, hoarse laugh, his jade-green eyes teasing as they looked at Dugu Yan.

"I say, Yan Yan, you have said so much. You praised that boy for being mysterious and powerful, then belittled Yu Tianheng... Could it be that you have taken a liking to that Xiao Yin fellow?"

"Grandfather!"

As though her thoughts had been exposed, two faint blushes instantly rose on Dugu Yan's seductive face!

She glared at Dugu Bo in embarrassment and annoyance, reproaching him, "What nonsense are you saying? I just find him interesting! He is just... just rather intriguing, that is all!"

"Oh? You merely find him interesting?"

Dugu Bo smiled like an old fox and deliberately dragged out his words. "For my precious granddaughter to find someone interesting, that is a first!

What is it? Shall Grandfather help you 'invite' him back? Soak him in the new batch of Thousand Day Drunk I brewed, and I guarantee he will obediently listen to you!"

Dugu Bo made a grabbing gesture, his tone half-serious and half-joking, wicked and eccentric.

"Grandfather!"

Dugu Yan was both embarrassed and angry. A wisp of dark green poisonous mist escaped uncontrollably from her fingertips, instantly corroding and withering an ornamental plant beside her.

"If you keep talking nonsense, I will poison that Seven Absolute Soul-Devouring Grass you just cultivated!"

"Hahaha! All right, all right! I will stop, I will stop!"

Dugu Bo laughed heartily and raised his hands in surrender, though his eyes were full of teasing. "Young people are thin-skinned. Grandfather understands! But..."

His tone shifted, and a hint of deeper meaning appeared in his eyes. "Yan Yan, Grandfather has a reminder for you. You can play with fire, but be careful... do not set yourself ablaze."

The embarrassment and annoyance faded from Dugu Yan's face.

"It would be better if I did catch fire... The fiercer the flames, the more interesting they are when they burn, aren't they? Grandfather, just wait and see."

Seeing his granddaughter like this, Dugu Bo shook his head helplessly. Yet there was not much opposition in his eyes; instead, there was a trace of indulgence.

As long as Yan Yan was happy, who cared whether it was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan or some mysterious boy...

Still, that little fellow called Xiao Yin had truly piqued his interest.

Perhaps he could find an opportunity to go and "see" this young man his granddaughter could not stop thinking about?