Dugu Yan's Sense of Crisis

Ye Lingling took all of this in, and seeing Dugu Yan turn her head away with a look of utter defiance, she reached out a finger and poked her gently in the soft waist.

"Lingling, what are you doing!"

Dugu Yan turned back, looking shy and annoyed as she glared at Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling, clearly quite familiar with her temperament, was not the least bit bothered. Instead, she said softly, "Weren't you always curious about who helped me out at the city gate before?"

"You mean that time you were waiting for me at the gate?"

"He is standing right in front of you now."

Dugu Yan turned to look at Mo Li, the expression on her face instantly turning fascinating.

Jiang Zhu, meanwhile, was completely bewildered throughout the entire exchange.

Listening to the three of them chat, she couldn't help but feel like she was the odd one out.

However, given the current atmosphere, it was clear a fight was no longer on the cards, and she could naturally tell that Mo Li and Ye Lingling were acquainted.

"Senior, it seems we've gotten off on the wrong foot. My name is Mo Li, and this is my senior, Jiang Zhu," Mo Li introduced himself.

Dugu Yan looked at the mild-mannered Mo Li and pursed her lips slightly.

If she hadn't just witnessed Mo Li's bizarre flames and fierce attacks, she might have truly believed he was as gentle as his expression suggested.

After some introductions and clearing up the misunderstanding, Dugu Yan realized her error and offered a slightly awkward, quiet apology to the two of them.

Mo Li smiled and waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind.

After a brief plan, the group decided to leave the area.

The Royal Guard would be patrolling through soon, and while their identities would likely spare them from any real punishment, it would still inevitably lead to a heap of trouble.

Mo Li took the purple pouch from Jiang Zhu, glanced at it, and handed it back to Dugu Yan.

As for what was inside, Mo Li hadn't checked, nor did he have the time; he assumed there wasn't anything of great value in there anyway.

After all, truly precious items were usually kept in soul storage devices rather than carried on one's person, and Mo Li didn't believe that someone of Dugu Bo's capability would be unable to procure one.

The four of them walked down the street together.

Mo Li and Ye Lingling walked in the middle, while Jiang Zhu and Dugu Yan followed beside them respectively.

Ye Lingling's personality was indeed cold; they had been walking for quite a while, and she hadn't volunteered a single word.

To break the stalemate, Mo Li had to make small talk, "Sister Lingling, long time no see. You seem even more beautiful than before."

Ye Lingling turned her head to look at him, her voice tinged with a hint of confusion, "I'm curious, how can you tell with me looking like this?"

"I just have a feeling," Mo Li said.

Behind her veil, Ye Lingling's pretty face broke into a slight smile. Her nature had always been cold and distant; otherwise, she wouldn't have had only Dugu Yan as a friend for all these years.

Yet, toward the Mo Li before her, Ye Lingling felt something different.

Perhaps it was the kindness the boy had shown her when he reached out to help, which had inadvertently struck a chord in her heart.

Who could say for sure?

"By the way, Sister Lingling, are you and Senior Dugu out for a stroll as well?"

Ye Lingling remained silent, but Dugu Yan, perhaps still angry about losing to Mo Li earlier, replied with a sharp tone, "What's it to you?"

Mo Li looked at her helplessly upon hearing this.

"Senior Dugu, that really hurts my feelings. I was the one who helped you get your things back just a moment ago."

"I... you..."

The retort Dugu Yan wanted to make was stuck in her throat. Her face was full of annoyance, yet she stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

Seeing this, Mo Li couldn't help but laugh, suddenly wanting to tease her, "Senior Dugu, did I do something to upset you?"

"I just don't accept it."

"Accept what?" Mo Li asked with a blank expression.

"You!" Dugu Yan said, exasperated.

Dugu Yan didn't know what attitude to take toward Mo Li anymore.

Beside them, Ye Lingling couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

"I was actually hoping to spar with you more, Senior Dugu, but since you dislike me so much, I suppose we should just forget it," Mo Li said with a smile, shaking his head.

"We can't forget it!" Dugu Yan immediately caught the point of Mo Li's words, her eyes lighting up.

"Are you serious?"

A cute, expectant look appeared on Dugu Yan's face, as if asking, "You aren't lying to me, are you?"

Mo Li nodded.

"Good!" Dugu Yan exclaimed excitedly, causing passersby to turn and look.

Seeing the reaction of the pedestrians, Dugu Yan immediately realized her lack of composure and lowered her voice, "Mo Li, you have to keep your word. Where can I find you?"

"Just come directly to Blue Tyrant Academy when the time comes."

"Blue Tyrant Academy..."

Dugu Yan murmured the name softly.

"Is that the Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City that only recruits commoner students?" Dugu Yan asked.

"That is the one."

Having received the answer she wanted, Dugu Yan finally cast a satisfied look at Mo Li, her mood relaxing a little.

Although she had lost to Mo Li quite decisively this time, now that she knew where he was, it would be easy enough to wash away her shame once she had made full preparations.

Furthermore, if they were both students, she could rule out the possibility that they were people approaching them with ulterior motives.

"It seems Senior Dugu is still brooding over losing to me," Mo Li said with a grin.

"Hmph!" Dugu Yan decided to let this brat be smug for a while longer.

"We do indeed have other business on this trip," Ye Lingling said.

Mo Li looked at Ye Lingling, waiting to hear what would follow.

His original intention hadn't been to pry into their reasons for coming, just a casual question, but it now seemed clear that the two of them hadn't come to Heaven Dou City simply for sightseeing.

The veil on Ye Lingling's face stirred slightly as her cold, clear voice emerged: "It wouldn't hurt to tell you. I wonder if you would be willing to accompany us to an auction."

"Heaven Dou Auction House?"

"Mm."

Mo Li couldn't help but feel curious. Ye Lingling hadn't answered him directly; on one hand, it might be because the streets were crowded and noisy, but on the other, it was highly likely that the target of their trip was at the auction.

To be honest, Mo Li naturally didn't want to pass up this opportunity to deepen his connection with the two of them, so he had no objections to going to the auction.

He looked toward Jiang Zhu on his left.

Jiang Zhu understood that Mo Li was seeking her opinion and gave him a sweet smile, indicating: "I'll listen to Little Brother Mo Li, and besides, I've never been to an auction before!"

Having received Jiang Zhu's agreement, Mo Li looked at Ye Lingling and smiled: "Since Sister Lingling is willing to trust us, then let's go together!"

Dugu Yan looked at Mo Li and then at Ye Lingling with a look of surprise, an inexplicable sense of crisis welling up in her heart.

Immediately, she wedged herself between the two, hooking her right arm through Ye Lingling's while pushing Mo Li away with her other hand, much like a lioness defending her territory.

Pushed away so suddenly, Mo Li was a bit confused. He looked up, only to meet Dugu Yan's somewhat bewitching green eyes.

"What beautiful eyes."

Mo Li exclaimed subconsciously.

This was the first time he had observed Dugu Yan's eyes from such a close distance.

Her pupils had likely turned dark green due to the influence of the Jade Phosphor Snake, giving them a very unique quality. They were indeed beautiful, though being eroded by toxins to such a degree was clearly not a good thing.