Staying Over

Staying

Ah Yin nodded shyly.

Just at that moment, Dugu Chen shifted his steps slightly and closed in on Ah Yin by a few paces, extending a hand to gently stroke just above her brow with a hint of confusion in his voice:

"Miss Ah Yin, what is wrong with you? Why is your face so red?"

Gazing at Dugu Chen's handsome face, her heart beat fast and chaotic, as if a group of little deer were rampaging inside her chest, striking her until she felt tingly and numb.

I... I am fine!

Ah Yin's earlobes were as pink and cute as if they had been steeped in the setting sun, that warmth spreading all the way along his contour while her heart felt as though it had been stuffed with a ball of cotton, soft, fluffy, and clogging her so that she could barely breathe.

Yet that feeling was not uncomfortable, but rather an indescribable and unnameable sweetness.

Just as the atmosphere gradually grew ambiguous, on the distant horizon, two figures arrived fashionably late, and they were none of the others than the Haotian Brothers who had received the commission.

The gazes of Dugu Chen and Ah Yin were instantly drawn, looking over toward them.

At this, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao slowly walked over, surveyed the surrounding scene, and then looked at Dugu Chen and Ah Yin who had released their Martial Soul states, the two of them unable to help their eyes lighting up.

Such a handsome young man, such a beautiful woman.

Truly a peerless pair of jade beauties!

Tang Xiao extended his palm, smiled, pointed around, and said softly: "It seems the danger has already been resolved?"

Dugu Chen curved his lips into a smile and nodded slightly: "You arrived a step late; the crisis here has already been resolved by me, and it is very safe now."

"So that is how it is!"

Tang Xiao smiled, nodded in acknowledgment, and cupped his fists in salute toward Dugu Chen and Ah Yin: "The two of you, I am Tang Xiao, and this is my younger brother Tang Hao. We come from the Haotian Sect!"

As he spoke, he gestured with his palm toward Tang Hao beside him, introducing him of his own accord.

Dugu Chen wore a brilliant smile and similarly returned the gesture with folded fists: "So it is the Haotian Twin Stars. I am Dugu Chen, a wandering cultivator with no sect affiliations, and this is Miss Ah Yin."

Dugu Chen gestured with his palm toward Ah Yin beside him and slowly spoke.

"Hello!"

Ah Yin cast a somewhat shy glance at Dugu Chen, her footsteps shifting slightly without a trace, her gaze like spring water when the ice first melts, rippling softly with gentle light.

Tang Xiao glanced at Dugu Chen with some surprise, a flash of joyful light welling up in his eyes:

"Brother Dugu, have you heard of our two names?"

Dugu Chen nodded slightly and smiled faintly: "Naturally, the Haotian Twin Stars are renowned across the continent. During my travels through the continent, I have heard of your two's deeds from the mouths of ordinary people."

Tang Hao seemed to sense a faint fluctuation of soul power emanating from within Dugu Chen's body, and with a stir in his mind, he asked:

"Are you a Soul Master, Your Excellency?"

Dugu Chen did not deny it either, looking calmly at Tang Hao: "That is correct, I am also a Soul Master!"

Tang Hao nodded, "That makes things easy!"

With that, he summoned the Clear Sky Hammer with an empty gesture of his right hand, fixed his gaze on Dugu Chen, and said with a somewhat fervent look:

"The two of us brothers travel the continent precisely to continuously challenge the strong and enhance our own strength. Since Brother Dugu is also a Soul Master, how about sparring a bit with us two brothers?"

Tang Xiao frowned: "Haodi, do not be rude. It lacks manners entirely!"

Tang Hao was choked up by Tang Xiao's words and said nothing more, except that the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand was not put away, his burning gaze fixed tightly on Dugu Chen as if he desperately wished to challenge him.

Dugu Chen shook his head lightly: "As for sparring, let's forget it. I have only just traveled to this place and only wish to properly savor the local customs and human sentiments here."

"Fighting and killing would instead ruin this rustic flavor."

Saying this, he turned sideways to face Ah Yin, a bright smile blooming on his face:

"Miss Ah Yin, you have been here longer than I have. Can you take me around to explore this region properly?"

Ah Yin's face flushed, and she nodded shyly:

"The young master extended a helping hand earlier, and Ah Yin will keep it engraved in her heart. Since Young Master Dugu wishes to savor the local customs and human sentiments of this place, then I shall take the young master to experience them."

"Many thanks, Miss Ah Yin!"

With that, the two walked shoulder to shoulder into the village while talking and laughing, leaving only the two brothers Tang Xiao and Tang Hao fluttering in the wind.

"Big Brother, what do we do now?"

Tang Hao scratched his short hair, which was curled into a bird's nest, and spoke somewhat speechlessly.

If Big Brother hadn't stopped him just now, he would have definitely forced a proper bout with that fellow.

Tang Xiao shook his head, a deep light flashing through his eyes:

"That Brother Dugu is no simple person. Even though the two of us brothers have a small reputation on the continent, it is not to the extent that someone could recognize the name of our Haotian Twin Stars at a single glance."

As he spoke, a sudden thought stirred in his mind.

He turned to look at Tang Hao and said slowly: "Speaking of the surname Dugu, who is the first person you thought of, Haodi?"

"That would naturally be the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo, who had risen to prominence in recent years. What, does Big Brother suspect he has some connection to Dugu Bo?"

Tang Xiao nodded, "His bearing is extraordinary; at a glance, he does not look like someone from some minor family."

"And look at his age—he is even a few years younger than the two of us, yet he dares to venture out alone to travel the continent. If he doesn't possess absolute confidence in his own strength..."

"There are powerhouses from his family guarding by his side!"

Hearing this, the battle-obsessed Tang Hao immediately lit up and said with a look of annoyance,

"Big brother shouldn't have stopped me just now. He should've let me have a proper fight with him. It's been so long since I crossed hands with a peer powerhouse!"

Tang Xiao chuckled, reached out to rap him on the head, and retorted, "What are you in such a rush for?"

"Didn't you hear what they said just now? They want to experience the local customs and practices here."

"That means they won't leave in the short term. Since they aren't leaving so soon, sooner or later we'll have a chance to spar with them."

Tang Hao rubbed his head, a look of sudden realization dawning on his face as he smiled foolishly, "Big brother, you always think things through!"

Tang Xiao turned to look at the village before him, stepping forward as he spoke,

"Hao'di, we've had a long and tiring journey. Let's go into the village to rest and recover first. Once we're well-rested, it won't be too late to seek out Brother Dugu for a spar."

"Got it, big brother, wait for me!"

Tang Hao waved his hand and hurriedly quickened his pace to catch up.

On the other side.

Ah Yin was also taking Dugu Chen to tour the surrounding villages and forests. The two of them chatted and laughed, and Dugu Chen occasionally told some interesting little stories to make Ah Yin happy.

As time went on, their relationship gradually grew closer, and Ah Yin was no longer as she was when they first met, blushing just from speaking a few words to Dugu Chen.

Gradually, the setting sun sank in the west.

Ah Yin brought Dugu Chen back to the village, and the villagers, upon seeing them return, expressed their gratitude to them one after another.

They repeatedly called them good people who helped the villagers drive away the man-eating tiger.

Dugu Chen also smiled in response. He glanced around and did not see the figures of the two brothers Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, assuming the two had already left, so he didn't pay it much mind.

After dismissing the villagers, only Dugu Chen and Ah Yin were left once again.

Dugu Chen looked at the increasingly dim sky and opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but a faint blush appeared on his face, leaving him only able to awkwardly scratch his hair.

Ah Yin gently twisted her hands together, her cherry lips lightly pursed, and she raised her eyes to look softly at Dugu Chen:

"Young master, if you don't mind, why don't you come rest in my room tonight?"

Dugu Chen's face flushed, his hands awkwardly at a loss for where to put themselves as he frantically scratched his head, "This... Ah Yin, wouldn't that be inappropriate? If word got out, wouldn't it damage your reputation?"

"Besides, I travel the continent and have long been used to sleeping in the open; I shouldn't bother Ah Yin."

With that, Dugu Chen executed a formal bow, smiling courteously as he said, "Thank you very much for Ah Yin's company today. I had a wonderful time!"

"I shall take my leave!"

Finishing his words, Dugu Chen slowly turned around, preparing to walk toward the village entrance.

"Wait..."

Ah Yin suddenly reached out and grabbed Dugu Chen's sleeve, turning her head slightly to the side as a blush crept across her cheeks, "If I'm not afraid, why should Young Master Dugu care?"

"This..."

Dugu Chen's expression showed some hesitation, and after a long while he let out a soft sigh, "Then thank you for your kind offer, Ah Yin. I only hope my arrival won't bring you any trouble."

Dugu Chen's eyes were bright, though his lips carried a trace of a bitter smile.

"It's no trouble, come with me!"

With that, Ah Yin grabbed Dugu Chen's hand and led him toward the interior of the village.