Dating?

"No, I have to go take a look."

Xu Yun's curiosity instantly overwhelmed her fear of her aunt. She grabbed the still-bewildered Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, then called Dai Luoli over as well.

"Quick, let's follow them and see what my aunt and Yin Chen are up to."

Outside the academy, Yin Chen followed Xu Jiujiu into a carriage.

Inside the carriage, the refreshing fragrance was even richer.

Yin Chen's gaze involuntarily fell on Xu Jiujiu beside him several times.

It had to be said that compared with the chattering little girls around him, a beautiful, elegant, intelligent, and high-ranking woman like Xu Jiujiu was undoubtedly far more attractive to someone whose soul was that of an adult.

Her beauty was not merely in her appearance, but a composite charm infused with power, wisdom, and grace.

Xu Jiujiu naturally noticed Yin Chen's occasional glances, but she did not think much of them. After all, Yin Chen was still young.

She smiled faintly and said,

"I heard you beat up that brat Dai Huabin again? And you revealed your thousand-year second Soul Ring?"

Her tone carried praise.

"Dai Huabin is the most outstanding talent of Duke White Tiger Mansion's current generation. His talent is even somewhat greater than that of his elder brother, who has already entered Shrek's Inner Court. I'm very pleased that you've consistently kept him suppressed. It proves that my brother and I were right about you, and that the resources we invested over the past two years were not wasted."

Yin Chen answered modestly, "It was all thanks to Sister Jiujiu's guidance."

"Why are you being so polite with me?"

Xu Jiujiu waved her hand, curiosity and astonishment flickering in her violet eyes.

"Still, your second soul skill, 'The Other Me,' truly opened my eyes. When Granny Manyi returned and told me about it, I found it hard to believe. Your true body exists in a different temporal phase... It's simply unbelievable. In theory, as long as you have enough Soul Power, no one can directly harm you while the soul skill is active, not even a Title Douluo, right? It's countless times more ingenious than those so-called Invincible Golden Body defensive soul skills."

Her analysis struck straight at the heart of the matter, and she held Yin Chen's soul skill in extremely high regard.

Yin Chen nodded.

"In theory, yes. But the consumption is enormous, and I can't attack actively."

"Even so, it's already absurdly powerful," Xu Jiujiu sighed.

As they spoke, the carriage did not head toward the imperial city. Instead, it stopped in Star Luo City's busiest commercial district.

"Come on. I'll take you out to relax today. It must get stifling to spend all your time cultivating at the academy."

Xu Jiujiu stepped out of the carriage with a smile and naturally led Yin Chen into the bustling crowd.

She first brought Yin Chen to several famous dessert shops, where they sampled delicately shaped, sweet Soul Beast milk cakes and specialty fruit juices.

Then they wandered through the lively streets, stopping whenever they saw interesting trinkets or novel local specialties.

After that, Xu Jiujiu led Yin Chen into an exquisitely decorated clothing store that catered specifically to noble Soul Masters.

"Pick out several well-fitting outfits for him. The fabric must be the best. As for the styles... they should be suitable for everyday activities, but they must not lack presence."

Xu Jiujiu instructed the respectfully approaching shopkeeper, then sent Yin Chen off to try on clothes without allowing any argument.

When Yin Chen emerged wearing a fitted black combat outfit trimmed in silver and made from luxurious materials, a distinct gleam flashed through Xu Jiujiu's eyes. She nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad. You look very spirited. We'll take this one. Wrap it up, along with the other sets I picked out."

"Sister Jiujiu, this..."

Yin Chen had just begun to speak.

"Don't be polite with me."

Xu Jiujiu interrupted him, then briskly took out a crystal card and handed it to the shopkeeper.

"Settle the bill."

Watching Xu Jiujiu spend a huge sum on him without even blinking, Yin Chen held the new clothes and felt the sense of being kept growing ever stronger.

Shopping with him, eating with him, and even paying the bill... No matter how he looked at it, it seemed like...

Meanwhile, from a concealed corner of the street, four little heads cautiously peeked out.

They were Xu Yun, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, and Dai Luoli, who had followed them there.

They watched Yin Chen and Xu Jiujiu walk side by side down the street. Xu Jiujiu occasionally turned to chat and laugh with Yin Chen, and the atmosphere between them was harmonious.

Then they saw Xu Jiujiu take Yin Chen into a store to buy clothes, personally select them for him, and even pay for them herself...

"Oh my... the princess... she's really buying clothes for Brother Yin Chen."

Lan Susu covered her little mouth, her eyes wide and round.

"She... she even paid."

Lan Luoluo was equally stunned.

"Walking together like that... they actually seem... pretty well matched?"

Dai Luoli blurted out foolishly.

Xu Yun looked at the handsome man and beautiful woman in the distance. Although Yin Chen was only eight, he was already nearly as tall as some twelve- or thirteen-year-old boys. With his exceptional looks and steady demeanor, standing beside the peerlessly elegant Xu Jiujiu, apart from the lingering childishness in his face, he did not seem out of place in the slightest. Instead, there was a strange harmony between them.

The image of her future uncle-in-law became increasingly clear in her mind, making her shudder while also igniting the gossiping spirit within her.

"It's over, it's over... I feel like I'm about to get another uncle-in-law..."

Xu Yun muttered to herself, the expression on her face incomparably complicated.

Yin Chen, out on the street, seemed to sense something. He turned and glanced toward the street corner, just in time to see those little heads hurriedly duck back. He could not help shaking his head helplessly.

It seemed this being-kept business was about to become common knowledge.

How powerful was Xu Jiujiu? As the Star Luo princess, she possessed abundant resources, and her Soul Power Level had long been nearing that of a Soul Ancestor. Her perception was incredibly sharp.

If Yin Chen could notice those little ones following them, how could she possibly have remained unaware?

She deliberately led Yin Chen around the commercial district for several more turns, even entering a shop specializing in women's accessories. Sure enough, through the reflection in the shop's gleaming crystal display window, she clearly saw the four furtive little heads, who believed they were hiding well.

A faint, knowing smile curled across Xu Jiujiu's lips. She lowered her voice to Yin Chen, who was admiring a jade ornament.

"Looks like we have a few little tails to deal with."

Yin Chen nodded helplessly. It seemed those little ones were in for a rough time.

Xu Jiujiu no longer delayed. She deliberately led Yin Chen into a relatively secluded alley that was not a dead end.

Sure enough, Xu Yun and the others suspected nothing and hurried after them.

Just as they were craning their necks around, searching for their targets, Xu Jiujiu appeared soundlessly at the mouth of the alley like Gui Mei, cutting off their retreat.

"Having fun, Xu... Yun?"

Xu Jiujiu crossed her arms and looked at her instantly frozen niece with an ambiguous smile, drawing out her words.

"A-Auntie!"

Xu Yun jolted in fright, nearly dropping the candied hawthorn skewer in her hand.

Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, and Dai Luoli were even more like startled quails, quickly lowering their heads and not daring to make a sound.