First Meeting with Ye Lingling

Xiao Wu's expression was sorrowful. "I want to defeat them and avenge... my mother!"

Watching the little girl grit her teeth, Chu Men was momentarily at a loss for words, not knowing how to persuade her.

Should he try to convince her to abandon her hatred, like Chen Xiang trying to persuade Xiao Yu?

That wasn't realistic.

Xiao Wu's voice rose in intensity. "So I must become a god! Only by becoming a god can I defeat Spirit Hall and avenge my mother!"

Chu Men hurriedly lowered her volume, covering her mouth. "My little ancestor, keep your voice down~"

The audience in the neighboring boxes and the lobby downstairs were currently cheering for the glorious deeds of the Angel Family.

If you... if you cause a scene like that, there's no guarantee we'll even be able to walk out of this theater.

Some things can be done, but they cannot be spoken of...

However, Chu Men could also see that this resentment had been weighing on Xiao Wu's heart for so many years; the little girl was likely about to burst.

The viewers in the livestream, who loved a good spectacle, faithfully offered their encouragement:

[Xiao Wu is fierce! Become a god, you must become a god!]

[Watch how my Xiao Wu leads Da Ming and Er Ming... to sweep across the world and conquer the eight wildernesses...]

[Xiao Wu is the perfect protagonist template! As for the streamer, you can barely serve as... the bard singing of my Xiao Wu's great deeds.]

Chu Men rummaged through Xiao Wu's food basket, pulled out a piece of pear paste, and skillfully stuffed it into her little mouth.

At the same time, he covered her small hand with his large one, a steady warmth flowing from his palm.

The light in Xiao Wu's eyes grew more determined, and the temperature she felt on her small fist became increasingly "healing."

Until her emotions gradually returned to calm.

On stage, the play had reached the part where the angel slays the demon.

Just as the plot reached its climax, a faint sound of footsteps came from the aisle.

Chu Men looked back subconsciously, his gaze meeting a pair of emerald-green eyes.

Dugu Yan!

She was walking down the aisle, carrying a plate of dried meat. When she saw Chu Men, her eyes widened instantly.

A look of pleasant surprise curled the corners of her lips.

Behind her followed Ye Lingling, dressed in a pale blue long dress, holding a white cloth bag and trailing quietly behind Dugu Yan.

The two had clearly just arrived and were following an attendant to find their box.

The livestream camera happened to shift to Chu Men's perspective, and the viewers naturally caught sight of these two "uninvited guests"!

[Holy crap, great beauties! And two of them!]

[Prize quiz: the one in front is Dugu Yan, but who is the one behind?]

[Is this a Shura field? This has to be a Shura field!]

[Run, Xiao Wu, the little snake is here!]

[Three women make a play; the streamer better hold on, we support you in spirit!]

Before Chu Men could even react, the "Xiao Wu Faction" and the "Dugu Yan Faction" were already at war in the comments.

Four gazes collided gently in the air, and the noise in the theater seemed to be blocked out by an invisible force.

The smile on Chu Men's face didn't fade, though his brows arched slightly, a flicker of imperceptible surprise crossing his eyes.

He didn't stand up, merely raising his hand in a welcoming gesture, casual yet polite.

Dugu Yan was the first to break the silence of the encounter, pushing open the small wooden door that didn't even reach her waist and stepping into Chu Men's box.

Beneath her charming smile, her pupils contracted slightly, like a green snake that had discovered its prey, locking onto Chu Men with a flick of her tongue:

"Teacher Chu? What a coincidence, you're here to watch the play too!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for those nearby to hear.

Especially Ye Lingling, who stood behind Dugu Yan, peering in with curiosity.

After an afternoon of publicity, Chu Men's skill with Soul-Guided Devices was already recognized as top-tier within the academy circles.

It was far beyond what ordinary Soul-Guided Device repairmen could compare to.

In particular, the lightning-type offensive Soul-Guided Devices held a massive temptation for a support-type soul master like her.

She felt great regret that she hadn't been able to witness the legendary Golden Snake Dancing Wildly with her own eyes.

Fortunately, while out shopping with her best friend, she had run into the man himself.

A pleasant surprise!

Judging by his age, he was at most seventeen or eighteen, with a handsome face, a tall and straight figure, and an air of scholarly refinement that couldn't be shaken off.

Yet, looking at his bone structure, he clearly possessed a robust physique; he was evidently a powerful battle soul master.

Versed in both literature and martial arts, he was indeed the best choice for an introverted support-type soul master like her.

At this thought, a flush of crimson rose to Ye Lingling's cheeks, and her small head lowered quietly.

At this moment, the one who reacted even more strongly than Ye Lingling was Xiao Wu!

The moment Xiao Wu saw Dugu Yan, she nearly bristled with agitation!

She abruptly ducked behind Chu Men, revealing only half of her head, her pink-and-white rabbit ears standing up like two taut little antennas.

Her small hands gripped Chu Men's sleeve tightly, her eyes fixed on Dugu Yan with extreme vigilance.

It was as if a little white rabbit were feeling an instinctual, bone-deep fear of a giant python!

And so, she watched this Jade Phosphor beauty snake approaching, feeling both fearful and furious.

The next second, she saw Dugu Yan walk right up to Chu Men without the slightest hesitation, her posture intimate, and the fear in her heart was instantly washed away by the urge to protect her territory!

Even the threat of Poison Douluo, which Chu Men had mentioned earlier, was cast to the back of her mind.

Xiao Wu let out a cold snort and sat back down with a haughty air, though her hands remained wrapped around Chu Men's right arm like an octopus.

She puffed out her cheeks and glared fiercely at Dugu Yan, looking for all the world like a little hamster guarding its cheese.

Consequently, she also cast a wary glance at the quiet girl in the blue dress behind Dugu Yan.

Ye Lingling had followed Dugu Yan over; she gave a slight nod, her voice as soft as a feather:

"Hello, Teacher Chu."

After offering the simplest of greetings, her gaze fell upon Xiao Wu.

She curiously sized up this exquisitely carved little girl.

Xiao Wu's dodging just moments ago had left her somewhat puzzled.

And Dugu Yan's behavior was even more baffling to her.

Xiao Wu felt thoroughly uncomfortable under the gaze of this healing-type soul master, whose eyes felt like scalpels.

Thinking that the other girl had come with Dugu Yan, that Jade Phosphor snake, the little white rabbit—hating the house and its crow—quietly glared at this Nine-Heart Begonia flower.

Chu Men did not notice the "clash" between Xiao Wu and Ye Lingling, focusing only on nodding in greeting to Dugu Yan:

"Please, have a seat, both of you. Don't be formal. May I ask who this young lady is?"

Dugu Yan naturally pulled Ye Lingling along to sit in the empty seats to Chu Men's left, set down the dried meat she was holding, and offered Xiao Wu a friendly smile.

Ye Lingling seemed somewhat shy, so Dugu Yan introduced her instead:

"This is my classmate and my best friend, Ye Lingling. A level 24 Great Soul Master, and her martial soul is the Nine-Heart Begonia!"

"The Nine-Heart Begonia of absolute healing? A top-tier support-type martial soul. Your Heaven Dou Royal Academy is truly full of talent!"

Chu Men feigned ignorance and offered a compliment, nodding at the shy young girl to show his appreciation.

Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling lowered her head even further, her face turning even redder.

Fortunately, everyone's focus remained on Dugu Yan.

Dugu Yan was wearing a purple fitted outfit tonight, accented with green snake patterns that outlined her graceful and slender figure.

She wore a pair of silver snake-shaped earrings that she hadn't worn during the day; they swayed gently with her movements, looking quite beautiful.

Xiao Wu pursed her small lips and hugged Chu Men's right arm tightly, pressing her entire body against him as she looked at Dugu Yan in a show of defiance.

Chu Men sighed helplessly.

He could clearly feel the burning gaze of Dugu Yan on his left and the tense body of Xiao Wu on his right.

As for the envy, jealousy, and hatred in the livestream chat, that went without saying!

[Left and right, enjoying the blessings of both... Host, what is that expression? Trying to humble-brag, are we!]

[If I had this treatment, I'd die a happy man! I advise the host to watch his back!]

[Sister Xiao Wu's will is the direction of our Wu Sect's banner. All troops, listen up: march on Yan Gate!]