Does a Boy's Innocence Not Matter?

The next day.

Su Li woke with a frown, feeling as though something was pressing down on his body.

"What the hell is this?"

When he opened his eyes, he saw a pink-cheeked young girl sprawled on top of him, sleeping soundly. Her brows were curved in a smile, as though she were having some sweet dream.

Her sleeping posture was utterly improper—one leg pressed against him, her head resting on his chest.

A little drool trickled from her mouth as she murmured incoherently, "Wah... wah..."

Su Li's expression stiffened. He immediately looked disgusted and pressed a hand against her head, trying to push the adorable creature away.

"Mmm~ Don't go... don't go..."

Ning Rongrong's brows scrunched together as she muttered softly.

Su Li did not soften. He got out of bed at lightning speed, then looked at the girl on the bed and helplessly shook his arm.

He had slept properly, yet she had been the restless one.

Next time, he would never believe this girl's nonsense again.

After getting up and washing up,

Su Li instructed the maids to prepare breakfast. He would wake Ning Rongrong later, and they still had to go to school together.

After casually practicing his swordsmanship for a while, the living room door was pushed open. The prettily dressed little princess skipped over to his side and nudged him with her shoulder as a greeting.

"Hey, when did you wake up?"

"You didn't touch me last night, right?"

Su Li's mouth twitched. He pursed his lips and did not say much, merely giving an "Mm."

"That's good, but you're not allowed to tell anyone!"

"Otherwise, my reputation will be completely ruined."

Su Li sighed inwardly. Why was it not a boy's reputation that got ruined instead?

Did their innocence not count as innocence?

Seeing that he did not want to pay attention to her, Ning Rongrong huffed and strode off to eat.

Not long after,

They arrived at Tiandou Royal Academy together. Before they could even enter, Dugu Yan, her figure slender and curvaceous, approached carrying breakfast.

Ning Rongrong immediately went on guard. She stepped in front of Su Li and watched her with a wary expression.

"What are you doing?!"

"Rongrong, I'm just bringing Su Li breakfast. Look how scared you are."

Dugu Yan teased with a smile, lightly tapping Ning Rongrong's forehead with her finger. Ning Rongrong's face flushed, and she suddenly felt embarrassed.

Was she being... too obvious?

It was as though

She regarded Su Li as her private possession.

Clearly, there was not actually anything between them yet.

After hesitating for a moment, Ning Rongrong still stepped aside for Dugu Yan.

The purple-haired girl was somewhat surprised. She had not expected things to go so smoothly today.

Had she finally grown a brain?

Whatever. What did it have to do with her?

Winning Su Li over from childhood was what mattered most.

"Have you eaten? If not, take this."

"If you have, you can eat it later. Boys are still growing, so they need to eat more."

Dugu Yan reached out to touch Su Li's head, but he dodged away. Clearly, he did not want to let her do that today.

"Thanks, but I've already eaten."

Su Li went around her and headed toward the classroom.

Ning Rongrong's pouting lips relaxed. She smugly glanced at the frustrated Dugu Yan, stuck out her tongue, and followed after him.

"Hmph~ Honestly, why did you keep kicking my blanket last night while you were sleeping? You made me catch a cold."

Dugu Yan: "???"

What?!

Kicking the blanket?!

Watching the two leave, Dugu Yan's smile froze on her face, and the breakfast in her hand fell to the ground.

No!

Had Su Li's first night of sleep already been taken too?!

She was obviously the more suitable one!

"Wuwuwu~"

"I actually lost to a little girl."

Dugu Yan held her head, feeling rather upset.

Tap, tap, tap~

A series of quick little footsteps drew closer. From the sound of them, the person was walking cheerfully.

Dugu Yan subconsciously raised her head and looked behind her.

"Lingling! I'm so sad!"

"Su Li isn't pure anymore!"

Ye Lingling: "?"

No, what was going on?

The blue-haired girl blinked, a hint of confusion appearing in her cool gaze.

"Yan, Su Li is still young. What exactly are you thinking about?"

"Sigh, you're right."

Dugu Yan stopped feeling sorry for herself. Looking at her beautiful best friend, she immediately hugged her tightly and rubbed against her lightly.

There was faint disgust in Ye Lingling's eyes. Before, she had grown used to Dugu Yan hugging her like this and had not thought much of it.

But after touching Su Li and having something to compare it with, she suddenly did not want Yan to hug her anymore.

"Enough. Can't you think about something proper for once?"

"Su Li is already level fourteen. In a few years, he'll surpass you, yet you're still here trying to raise a little brother."

"You should put more thought into cultivation instead."

Dugu Yan straightened up with a puzzled look and could not resist pinching the girl's cheek.

"What are you doing?"

Ye Lingling frowned and dodged away.

"Lingling, why do I feel like you've become much livelier today?"

"Is it just my imagination?"

Dugu Yan asked curiously, her eyes filled with confusion.

Hadn't her good sister always been a woman of few words?

Even around her.

Yet now, she seemed much more lively and cheerful?

Ye Lingling's ears heated up, and her gaze flickered before returning to its usual coolness.

"You're overthinking it."

With that,

She took light steps toward the academy.

Dugu Yan scratched her head and could not help smiling. "Now that's more like it!"

"Cold and aloof Lingling is still more to my taste!"

"Lingling, wait for me!"

One year after their martial souls awakened.

Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Chen Xin looked at the young man before him, who had become somewhat more handsome than before. The sword in his hand traced an afterimage.

His body suddenly flashed forward at astonishing speed.

Su Li remained calm as he used his soul skill. His sword intent was imposing, far more terrifying than before.

"Wow."

Ning Rongrong sat in a tree, swinging her little legs, her eyes shining.

Every time she watched Su Li fight Sword Grandpa, it was a pleasure for her.

The two streams of sword qi collided, and the resulting shockwave nearly forced her eyes shut.

"Sword of Vast Righteousness!"

In the sky, white sword qi like ink wash painting frantically gathered within the Pure Jun Sword. The natural spirits of all things seemed to answer some sort of summons, willingly offering a portion of their strength.

Chen Xin watched with interest, one hand behind his back as he silently raised his power to the peak level of a Great Soul Master.

Bang!

A small explosion released a blinding flash of white light. Ning Rongrong had been prepared and hurriedly covered her eyes, waiting for the moment the victor was decided.

Half a minute later.

The girl opened her eyes, looked at the crater in the ground, and hurriedly jumped down from the tree.

"Woo! Su Li won again!"

"Sword Grandpa, I suggest you use the strength of a Soul Elder next time!"

Chen Xin looked at the girl celebrating for Su Li and could not help smiling. "Mm, I feel that day is coming soon."

Ning Rongrong put her hands on her hips, walked up to him, and raised her fair neck.

"Not bad. You've got some skill."

"From now on, this young lady's safety will depend entirely on you protecting me."

"Hey, why aren't you saying anything?"

Su Li glanced at her, then sat down and said evenly,

"I'm about to break through."