Whether You're Worthy or Not Isn't Up to You

Realizing that her dear friend had likely been bullied, Dugu Yan was instantly consumed by a burning rage.

She charged straight toward Fang Xuan, who stood behind the counter looking completely bewildered.

Yu Tianheng, standing to the side, hadn't even grasped what was happening before Dugu Yan had already rushed out.

"Yanyan, don't..."

Ye Lingling tried to stop her, but it was clearly too late.

Facing Dugu Yan's attack, Fang Xuan merely sighed softly, and a yellow spirit ring immediately lit up.

Bang—!

A sound like metal colliding rang out as the poisoned dagger in Dugu Yan's hand came to a halt against Fang Xuan's neck.

The sharp blade did not pierce his skin; it didn't even leave a scratch.

"I'll pretend this didn't happen this time, and I hope there won't be a next time."

As he spoke, Fang Xuan grabbed Dugu Yan's wrist and applied force. Dugu Yan winced in pain, her grip loosening until the dagger fell onto the wooden counter, its tip embedding itself into the surface.

"Are you alright?"

Seeing this, Ye Lingling hurried forward to check on Fang Xuan.

She knew Dugu Yan's personality better than anyone; when she went crazy, there was truly nothing she wouldn't dare to do.

She had been scared to death just moments ago when her friend attacked him.

"I'm fine."

Dugu Yan's attack hadn't harmed him, otherwise, he wouldn't have been so polite.

Releasing his grip on Dugu Yan, Fang Xuan scanned the others present.

Then, in front of everyone, he pulled the unsuspecting Ye Lingling into his arms.

This sudden turn of events made Ye Lingling shriek, her heart pounding wildly as she found herself pressed against Fang Xuan's chest.

Dugu Yan, having just broken free from his grasp, watched the scene with eyes that looked ready to spit fire.

"Take your filthy hands off Lingling!"

Just as Dugu Yan prepared to strike again, Yu Tianheng stepped forward to block her, preventing her from getting any closer.

Because in the split second Dugu Yan had attacked earlier, he had seen five spirit rings appear around the man.

Although it was only for an instant, he was certain he hadn't seen wrong.

The young man before him, who looked to be about his own age, was actually a Spirit King. For Dugu Yan, a three-ringed Spirit Elder, rushing in was no different from seeking death.

"Who are you? I am Yu Tianheng, a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect."

Unable to discern Fang Xuan's identity, Yu Tianheng chose to declare his own, hoping it would make the other party think twice before acting rashly.

"I don't want to fight you, but please don't be aggressive. I don't have any grand status; I'm just the ordinary owner of this tea house."

"Something happened yesterday. I had intended to handle it personally, but since you've come to my door, we might as well settle it here."

With that, Fang Xuan glanced at Ye Lingling, who was lying in his arms with a face as red as a ripe apple, then turned to look at Dugu Yan, who wanted to tear him limb from limb, and announced loudly.

"I have already shared an intimate relationship with Miss Ye Lingling. Although it was an accident, I will take responsibility for her. I will personally visit her family to propose marriage and bring her home as my wife."

Fang Xuan's voice was loud and resonant, and every word he spoke was clearly heard by everyone present.

Yu Tianheng was stunned on the spot. What the hell was going on?

He hadn't seen her for a single night, and now he was being told she'd been "plucked"? This was outrageous!

No wonder Dugu Yan was so furious; it turned out she had discovered something fishy.

At this moment, Ye Lingling buried her face in Fang Xuan's chest, too embarrassed to face anyone.

Fang Xuan's behavior was far too bold and direct; for someone as thin-skinned as her, it was nothing short of devastating.

"Bullshit! How could Lingling ever marry someone like you? Give her back to me right now, or I'll make sure you don't have a place to be buried!"

Dugu Yan was absolutely livid. Her best friend had been defiled by some nobody who had crawled out of nowhere.

And now, the man had the audacity to claim he would marry her.

In her eyes, this was clearly a case of someone trying to climb the social ladder by using such despicable means to scheme against Ye Lingling.

"This is between her and me. What does it have to do with you? I'm just informing you; that doesn't mean you have the right to boss me around."

Dugu Yan's strike just now had been aimed at his life.

If he hadn't possessed a defensive spirit skill, that blow would have left him dead or severely wounded.

Furthermore, her dagger appeared to be coated in a deadly poison; even a slight scratch would have been enough to cause him serious trouble.

If not for the sake of Ye Lingling and the looming threat of Dugu Bo, he would have retaliated long ago. Did she really think he was a pushover?

"Fine, you've got guts. If I, Dugu Yan, don't kill you, I..."

"Enough!"

Just then, Ye Lingling suddenly shouted at Dugu Yan.

"Yanyan, please stop. This is my own fault; it has nothing to do with him."

Ye Lingling might be thin-skinned, but that didn't mean she was weak-willed.

When it came to Fang Xuan, it was indeed her own mistake, and she was willing to own up to it.

Although they hadn't known each other for long, she had gained a general understanding of Fang Xuan, and at the very least, he wasn't a person of deep, hidden agendas.

Given her current situation, it was basically impossible for anyone else to take a fancy to her unless she was willing to marry beneath her status—but that would be even worse than marrying Fang Xuan.

Considering the talent he had displayed, marrying him was already the best choice she had.

She knew Dugu Yan wanted to help her, but she didn't want her friend to get involved. She had brewed this situation herself, so she had to bear the consequences.

If she hadn't been curious enough to touch that Pink Mushroom, none of this would have happened.

"Yanyan, I'm begging you, please stop interfering. I was the one at fault first, not him. I have already agreed to marry him."

Watching the sobbing Ye Lingling before her, the anger in Dugu Yan's eyes instantly dissipated, replaced by a look of deep heartache.

She had never seen such a fragile side of Ye Lingling, and it nearly broke her heart.

Yu Tianheng and the others nearby exchanged glances and, sensing the situation, tactfully headed toward the door.

It was clear that this was not a matter they could resolve.

"Yanyan, stay calm. Don't be impulsive. I'll wait for you outside."

With those words, Yu Tianheng retreated.

Now, only Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Fang Xuan remained in the room.

Fang Xuan pulled Ye Lingling into his arms, gently stroking her hair to comfort her.

"It's alright, I'm here. Don't cry."

Ye Lingling was a good girl; they both bore responsibility for this, and he couldn't push all the blame onto her.

"Dugu Yan, for Lingling's sake, I won't hold this against you, but Lingling is my woman now. I suggest you don't go too far."

He naturally didn't have a pleasant expression for Dugu Yan. He couldn't fathom what Yu Tianheng saw in this woman; how could he tolerate someone so violent?

Or was it that to win over Dugu Bo, he was willing to sacrifice anything?

"You!"

Dugu Yan was about to flare up, but when she met Ye Lingling's tear-filled eyes, her resolve instantly softened.

"Tell me exactly what happened. You'd better tell the truth, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Fang Xuan didn't take Dugu Yan's warning to heart.

If she really pushed him too far, with his talent, he could join any faction he pleased. By then, even if Dugu Bo came, there would be nothing he could do to him.

But since things hadn't reached that point yet, he would endure her for now—though he would settle this score sooner or later.

He quickly recounted the entire sequence of events.

At first, Dugu Yan thought he was lying and demanded proof.

However, that thing only appeared once every seven days and was completely random. He hadn't recorded it in his soul skills, so even if he wanted to show her, it was impossible.

It wasn't until Ye Lingling personally explained it that Dugu Yan reluctantly backed down.

Yet, she still felt that Fang Xuan wasn't good enough for Ye Lingling.

For no other reason than his lack of background; in her eyes, he was just an ordinary commoner, so how could he possibly be worthy of her best friend?

But when the five soul rings behind Fang Xuan lit up, she fell silent.

"Soul... Soul King!"

Looking at the stunned expression on Dugu Yan's face, Fang Xuan said coldly, "Whether I am worthy or not is not for you to decide."