The Unruly Dugu Yan!

Lu Xiao had no idea that Yu Tianheng had fallen unconscious.

After the Shi brothers left with Yu Tianheng, the little courtyard returned to silence.

Lu Xiao and Xiao Wu finished the roast suckling pig, then each returned to their rooms to rest.

Lu Xiao lay on his bed and soon fell deeply asleep, his breathing long and steady as he sank into a deep dream.

As night deepened, Lu Xiao's door creaked open from outside.

Xiao Wu, dressed in pink pajamas, slowly edged over to the side of Lu Xiao's bed.

She crouched beside the bed, held her breath, and quietly watched Lu Xiao for several seconds.

That familiar, faint fragrance lingered at the tip of her nose, immediately putting her more at ease. Carefully lifting the outer quilt, she turned sideways and gently lay down beside Lu Xiao.

The bed sank slightly with an almost imperceptible sound, not enough to wake the deeply sleeping Lu Xiao.

Drowsiness surged over her. Without realizing it, Xiao Wu snuggled closer to the warm body beside her, her small hand unconsciously gripping Lu Xiao's collar as she peacefully closed her eyes.

The next morning, daylight broke, and sunlight streamed through the window onto Lu Xiao's face.

The sleeping Lu Xiao slowly opened his eyes as his awareness gradually returned.

The first thing he noticed was a soft, warm body leaning lightly against his left arm.

Turning his head, he saw Xiao Wu sleeping with her head resting on his arm. Her nose was delicate, her lips rosy, and her entire body nestled intimately against his shoulder.

Lu Xiao smiled helplessly, gently got up and dressed, then quietly walked into the courtyard.

A figure in the courtyard caught his attention.

The girl had short, dark purple hair and looked exceptionally heroic. She could not be called stunningly beautiful, yet she possessed a strange, alluring charm.

Her pair of green eyes was particularly unusual, giving off a somewhat eerie feeling.

Seeing the strange colors of the girl's hair and eyes, Lu Xiao asked doubtfully, "Dugu Yan? Why are you here?"

Dugu Yan wore a neat, fitted black outfit that outlined her tight, well-proportioned figure. With her arms crossed, she leaned against a white jade pillar, her beautiful eyes staring fixedly at Lu Xiao.

She slowly walked toward Lu Xiao, her steps calm and confident. "You're Lu Xiao? How did you know my name?"

Lu Xiao smiled faintly and replied politely, "Poison Douluo's reputation is renowned far and wide. As his granddaughter, you naturally draw attention."

"May I ask what brings Miss Dugu here?"

Dugu Yan gave a light laugh. "I came specifically to see what the person who beat Yu Tianheng unconscious actually looks like."

As she spoke, she moved closer to Lu Xiao step by step, the distance between them steadily shrinking!

The cool morning breeze swept through the courtyard, carrying the elegant, distinctive fragrance from Lu Xiao's body into Dugu Yan's nose.

The fragrance was gentle yet domineering, instantly throwing her thoughts into disarray.

She had come intending to probe him, mock him, and provoke him. Yet the instant that faint fragrance entered her nose, an inexplicable, light numbness rose in her heart, and her emotions began to ripple beyond her control.

Dugu Yan's gaze locked tightly onto Lu Xiao's handsome, upright face, and her mind went blank!

"What's going on?"

Dugu Yan inwardly berated herself. Why would I feel this way toward him...

"Th-this, what is this scent..."

As she spoke, her feet unconsciously moved another half-step forward, and she was nearly pressed against Lu Xiao.

For some reason, as she drew close to Lu Xiao, the dull pain caused by the backlash of toxins within her body actually lessened by more than half!

Lu Xiao noticed something was wrong. The corner of his mouth twitched as he restrained his aura and tried to step back!

Yet Dugu Yan would not let up. Whenever Lu Xiao took a step back, she took one forward.

In the end, Lu Xiao was forced into a corner.

Dugu Yan leaned forward with the motion, her entire body lightly pressing directly against Lu Xiao.

The girl's body carried a refreshing coolness, her soft and slender waist pressed against his chest and abdomen.

She grabbed Lu Xiao's collar, rose onto her toes, and slightly lifted her delicate face. Her nose almost brushed the side of Lu Xiao's neck as she inhaled the scent that made her mind go soft.

Her waist pressed a little closer against him, her soft body tightly fitting his. The contrast between her cool body temperature and Lu Xiao's warm body was striking.

That faint fragrance enveloped Dugu Yan, making her feel as though her whole body had suddenly relaxed!

"Dugu Yan! Please show some restraint!"

Seeing the aggression in Dugu Yan's eyes, Lu Xiao's Adam's apple bobbed as he unconsciously swallowed!

His words suddenly brought Dugu Yan back to her senses. When she lowered her head and saw that she was practically hanging off him, the tips of her ears instantly flushed crimson.

"I-I didn't mean to..."

Dugu Yan hurriedly released Lu Xiao's collar and retreated several steps. Embarrassed and irritated, she argued, "It's all because the aura on your body disturbed my mind. Otherwise, how could I have done something like... this?"

Dugu Yan's gaze still clung to Lu Xiao, carrying a mixture of embarrassment, annoyance, and curiosity.

Lu Xiao straightened the clothes Dugu Yan had pulled out of place and asked helplessly, "Miss Dugu, what exactly did you come to see me for?"

Dugu Yan suppressed the flutter in her heart and resumed her earlier unruly manner. "I came to challenge you! Let's see who should be the future captain of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's team!"

"Fine."

Lu Xiao agreed helplessly, activating his Body Martial Soul and announcing, "Lu Xiao, three-ring assault-type Battle Soul Elder. Please advise me."

Seeing the three Soul Rings around Lu Xiao—two purple and one black—Dugu Yan's eyes flashed with surprise.

Although she had already learned about Lu Xiao from Ye Lingling before coming, she was still shocked when she saw it with her own eyes!

"Dugu Yan! Three-ring control-type Battle Soul Elder!"

As Dugu Yan's voice fell, jade-green poisonous mist surged from her body and shrouded her.

Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul, possession.

Sizzle—

Her body abruptly became extraordinarily supple. The next moment, her fair legs merged and transformed into a thick, long giant snake tail.

Her smooth brow slowly bulged as a green scale condensed there.

Her originally somewhat bewitching emerald eyes changed completely, her pupils narrowing into vertical slits that gleamed with chilling light!

Three Soul Rings—two yellow and one purple—circled and pulsed around her in order.

"First Soul Skill! Jade Phosphorous Red Poison!"

Dugu Yan lightly flicked her snake tail. Her first yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring suddenly lit up, and brilliant red light flowed across her body along her snake scales. "Watch out!"

Buzz!

Alluring crimson poisonous mist erupted from the gaps between the snake scales covering her body, coiling around and blanketing her entire form.

A violent red gleam appeared in her previously cold vertical pupils.

Lu Xiao clicked his tongue in amazement at the sight.

Dugu Yan possessed a rare poison-type battlefield control ability. Her first and second Soul Rings could not only be used on opponents; she could also use a small amount of poison to stimulate herself and achieve a boosting effect!

The next second, Dugu Yan's thick snake tail slammed against the ground, and she shot toward Lu Xiao's face like a poisoned arrow loosed from a bow!

Just as Dugu Yan approached Lu Xiao, her second Soul Ring lit up. "Jade Phosphorous Blue Poison!"

Dugu Yan opened her mouth and spat. As she added a second layer of enhancement to herself, a cloud of icy blue poisonous mist instantly enveloped Lu Xiao's body!

Lu Xiao remained calm.

He had already cultivated the Body Sect's Innate Secret Technique to the Bone Tempering Realm. He was not immune to all poisons, but he could withstand the vast majority of toxins.

The instant the icy blue paralytic mist touched Lu Xiao's skin, it was blocked outside by the Bronze Treasure Light flowing across his body.