Misfortune or Blessing

Heaven Dou Empire, Imperial Palace.

Emperor Xue Ye sat up abruptly from his dragon throne, an unprecedented brilliance erupting in his eyes!

"Level ninety-nine! A level ninety-nine in her early twenties!" His voice trembled. "Is... is this even human?"

Xue Ke muttered from the side, "Sister Lingling is so beautiful... even prettier than me..."

Emperor Xue Ye glared at her, but this time, he did not reprimand her.

Because even he was deeply shocked by the woman with water-blue hair on the Sky Screen.

"Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art... not the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique..." he murmured. "Does this mean she has no connection to that Brother Cao?"

Once this thought arose, it spread wildly like weeds.

If the top-ranked person had no connection to Brother Cao, could she not be recruited?

A level ninety-nine Limit Douluo in her early twenties! If she could be used for the Heaven Dou Empire...

Spirit Hall, Elder Hall.

Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back before the window, gazing at the stunning face on the Sky Screen, remaining silent for a long time.

Behind him, Golden Crocodile Douluo lay on a soft couch, his face still pale, but his eyes were wide open as he stared at the Sky Screen.

"Level ninety-nine... early twenties..." Golden Crocodile Douluo murmured, his voice full of bitterness. "I have cultivated for a lifetime and only reached level ninety-eight. This girl..."

Qian Daoliu spoke slowly:

"Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art... not the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique. She should have no connection to that Brother Cao."

Golden Crocodile Douluo was stunned. "Then how did she do it? Early twenties, level ninety-nine? How is this possible?"

Qian Daoliu shook his head and said nothing.

Lanba Academy.

Flender, Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji, and the others all stared blankly at the Sky Screen, unable to speak.

Level ninety-nine... early twenties...

This was even more outrageous than those girls who relied on Brother Cao!

Yu Xiaogang stroked his smooth chin, his eyes filled with fanaticism. "Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art... Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art... What kind of cultivation technique is this? Is it even more powerful than the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique? If I could learn it..."

He touched his smooth face, calculating secretly in his heart.

Ma Hongjun opened his mouth wide and muttered, "My god... are there such monsters in this world? Reaching level ninety-nine without cheating?"

Only Tang San stared fixedly at the Sky Screen, his eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.

Level ninety-nine... when would he reach such a realm?

That Brother Cao was already enough to make him despair, and now another genius had emerged...

He gritted his teeth, his fists clenching until they creaked.

Ye Family Fortress.

Xiao Cui was still chattering incessantly. "Miss, you are too amazing! Level ninety-nine! Even better than those who rely on Brother Cao! You are the true genius, Miss!"

The more she spoke, the more excited she became, completely failing to notice that her mistress's expression was growing increasingly complex.

When the golden light of the Sky Screen completely dissipated and those rewards fell into her hands, she carefully put them away.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

A portly middle-aged man rushed in; it was Father Ye.

There was no joy on his face, only anxiety and gravity.

Seeing this, Xiao Cui was puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Master, why aren't you happy that Miss made the list? This is a huge joyous occasion! The entire continent is talking about Miss!"

Father Ye waved his hand and sighed deeply. "Lingling making the list is not a good thing!"

Xiao Cui was stunned. "Master, why is that?"

Father Ye walked to the window, looking at the golden light gradually fading on the Sky Screen, his voice low. "The technique Lingling practices is different from the other girls. It is not the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique. At first glance, it seems there is no problem, and it is even more powerful than those girls."

He turned around and looked at his daughter, his eyes full of heartache. "However, that is exactly the problem. It is not the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Technique, which means she is not one of Brother Cao's people."

Xiao Cui's face changed instantly, and she finally realized. "In other words... Miss is different from the others; she has no Brother Cao to back her up?"

Father Ye nodded heavily. "Exactly. If this is handled poorly, our Ye Family Fortress may face the danger of annihilation!"

He took a deep breath and spoke slowly. "Who doesn't want the Sky Screen rewards? Which of those girls on the list doesn't have Brother Cao as their backing? That is why no one dares to touch them, but Lingling..."

"She reached this level through her own cultivation; she has no backing."

"What will those great sects and powerful factions think? A Title Douluo from a small family with no backing and no background. They will come to recruit, they will come to threaten, they will come to seize. The Sky Screen rewards, the Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art, and even Lingling herself... are all targets they covet."

Xiao Cui's face turned pale, finally realizing the severity of the situation.

The room was deathly silent.

Ye Lingling remained calm, her thoughts drifting.

Many years ago, she had accidentally found a jade pendant containing the Nine Turns Sacred Heart Art. Since then, her cultivation speed had been incredibly fast, especially after sharing a bed with her husband, where the speed had exceeded the heavens, allowing her to reach level ninety-nine in just a few short years.

Fearing that her husband might feel inferior, she did not tell anyone.

After a long silence, she slowly spoke, "Father, there is no need to worry. Your daughter is a level 99 Limit Douluo, after all; ordinary people pose no threat to me. With my current strength, there are very few on this entire continent who can surpass me."

She paused, a flicker of anxiety crossing her eyes, "It is just that you all might be in danger, especially my husband... he is merely an ordinary man."

Just then, a gentle voice drifted in from outside the door, "There is no need for concern, my lady. I am here."

Cao Xiyu was seen walking in slowly, carrying a cup of tea.

Ye Lingling looked at him, the worry in her eyes deepening.

She walked toward him slowly. Having been husband and wife for over a decade, this man, though lacking any great ability, had always been tender and considerate toward her, never letting her suffer the slightest grievance.

"Husband," her voice was soft, carrying a hint of a tremor, "We have been a couple since our youth, and it has been over ten years now. We have lived in harmony, like the music of the zither and flute; I truly cannot bear to part with you..."

Watching the tears welling in her eyes, a warmth surged through Cao Xiyu's heart. He set down the teacup and said solemnly, "My lady, actually, I really..."

Before he could finish, Ye Lingling reached out a finger and pressed it against his lips.

"You are my husband," her voice was soft yet firm, "In my heart, you are more important than my own life."

Cao Xiyu was stunned.

"I do not know that Brother Cao, so being on the list is a curse, not a blessing. Those girls have him to back them, so no one dares to touch them. But I... I can only rely on myself."

She reached out, gently wrapped her arms around Cao Xiyu's waist, and held him tightly.

"Therefore," her voice muffled against his chest, "please take refuge for now, husband. Once the problem is resolved, I will come to fetch you."

As she spoke, Ye Lingling pressed a Teleportation Talisman onto Cao Xiyu.

In an instant, a spatial passage formed.

"Take care, husband." Then, she let go.

The suction of the spatial passage swallowed Cao Xiyu in a flash.

Once the passage closed, the room returned to silence.

Ye Lingling stood where she was, staring in the direction where Cao Xiyu had vanished, not moving an inch.

After a long while, she gently raised her hand to wipe away the moisture from the corners of her eyes.