Suotuo City

Everyone spent three quiet days recuperating at home, fully stabilizing and adjusting to their surging Soul Power.

After a thorough discussion, they decided to head to the Star Dou Forest together. There, they would hunt suitable Soul Rings for everyone, shore up their weaknesses, and break through the limits holding back their cultivation.

The group setting out was formidable. A level ninety-seven Titled Douluo would be with them, along with Zhao Yan and Ye Renxin, two newly advanced Quasi-Titled Douluo.

Even among the Upper Three Sects, such a lineup would be considered exceptionally strong.

Yet despite their strength, the group kept a low profile throughout the journey and never drew attention to themselves.

They had no need to hide their abilities and pretend to be weak, but neither did they need to flaunt their strength.

Quietly growing stronger was the safest and wisest course.

With Zhao Yan and Dugu Xin driving the carriages, the group of young and old arrived in Suotuo City several days later.

"Suotuo City is the closest city in the Heaven Dou Empire to the Star Dou Forest. We'll rest here for a day, then enter the forest tomorrow to hunt Soul Rings." Dugu Bo turned to the others. "Get plenty of rest. We'll have a lot to do starting tomorrow."

"Grandpa, we've been traveling for days. Can Lingling, Xiao Xuan, and I look around the city?" Dugu Yan tugged gently at Dugu Bo's arm, her eyes sparkling as she pleaded. "We just want to buy a few things. I promise we won't wander off, and we'll be back on time."

Was it really just the long journey that had worn her down?

For the past two years, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had devoted themselves to cultivation, with almost no chance to go out and have fun.

They were at an age when they loved to play. It was already remarkable that they had held back their curiosity and trained quietly for so long.

Now that they were in Suotuo City, its bustling streets rekindled the excitement the two girls had bottled up for years.

"Dad, if Yanyan wants to go, let them." Seeing Dugu Bo's expression darken, Dugu Xin hurried to persuade him. "Xiao Xuan will look after them. Nothing will go wrong."

Dugu Bo hesitated, then looked at his granddaughter. "Well... all right. If your Grandpa Ye agrees, I have no objection."

The moment he finished speaking, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling turned to Ye Renxin. Both pairs of bright eyes were full of silent pleading.

Ye Renxin sighed helplessly and turned to Lu Xuan. "Xiao Xuan, keep an eye on those two. Don't let them get into trouble."

"Yes, Master. Thank you, Master, Grandpa Dugu." Lu Xuan answered respectfully. After saying goodbye to the others, he called Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling over and headed outside with them.

"Yay!"

The two girls, who had restrained themselves for so long, lit up at once. Beaming with excitement, they each took one of Lu Xuan's arms and followed him out of the inn with a spring in their steps.

The others watched the three leave. Seeing Lu Xuan with a girl on each arm, both clinging closely to him, they could not help smiling.

Fortunately, the three had known each other since childhood. Their bond had grown little by little through years spent together.

If they had met three or four years later, things might have been very different.

Two girls fighting over one boy?

Given their personalities, it was entirely possible.

Once the three had passed through the inn's doors, Zhao Yan turned to Ye Renxin and Ye Qingxian. "Dad, Qingxian, I'll follow them and keep watch from a distance. I'll make sure nothing happens."

Children could roam wherever curiosity took them, but the adults could not afford to be so carefree.

Not only were the three exceptionally talented, they were strikingly good-looking as well.

All kinds passed through Suotuo City. If the children encountered an arrogant young noble or a street thug, trouble could easily follow.

With him nearby, he could step in and settle matters the moment anything happened.

"Go ahead." Ye Renxin nodded slightly, then added, "But if Xiao Xuan and the girls can handle a problem themselves, don't interfere. Let them gain some experience."

"Understood." Zhao Yan rose at once, ready to follow them.

"Brother Zhao, let me go instead," Dugu Xin said, stopping him. "My cultivation may not match yours, but an ordinary Soul Sage is no match for me. Suotuo City is only a small city. I can watch over them without any trouble."

Dugu Xin gave Zhao Yan a knowing look and smiled. "It's been ages since your wife had a chance to go out and enjoy herself. Why not stay and take her for a walk?"

With that, he said no more. He slipped out silently and followed the three children from a distance, keeping watch over them.

Zhao Yan turned to his wife, a pang of sadness stirring in his heart.

Back then, in the hope that another of their children might awaken the Nine Heart Begonia, Ye Qingxian had borne all the hardship and sacrifice.

For the past two years, she had devoted herself to their household and the clinic, always worrying about the family's legacy. She had scarcely had time to go out and relax. This rare opportunity was a chance to spend some time with her.

Zhao Yan had never been good with romantic words, so he spoke plainly. "Qingxian, let's go explore the city too."

"I'd like that." Ye Qingxian smiled and turned to Ye Renxin. "Dad, we won't be coming back to the inn tonight."

Then the two walked out of the inn side by side.

Their route, however, seemed to lead toward the Rose Hotel.

Meanwhile, Lu Xuan was strolling through Suotuo City's bustling streets with the two girls.

People streamed past roadside stalls, where vendors called out over one another and goods were laid out in colorful rows. Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling kept getting drawn to the stalls, looking this way and that, their eyes full of a curiosity they had not felt in a long time.

Dugu Yan, the oldest of the three, was only nine. She was five months older than Lu Xuan and seven months older than Ye Lingling.

But years of cultivation and the nourishment of Soul Power had developed their bodies far beyond those of ordinary children. Judging by appearances alone, they could easily have passed for twelve or thirteen.

On Douluo Continent, twelve or thirteen was already old enough to discuss marriage. No one judging these three half-grown youths by their looks would have guessed how young they really were.

Quite a few passersby noticed Lu Xuan walking with a pretty girl on either side. Envy flashed in their eyes, mixed with a little jealousy.

All sorts of people came and went through Suotuo City, but most were ordinary folk minding their own business. Whatever they thought of the scene, they would not pick a fight over it.

If someone was foolish enough to provoke them, it remained to be seen who would regret it.

Lu Xuan had already noticed Dugu Xin following at a distance to protect them. He said nothing, unwilling to spoil Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's enjoyment of their outing.

"So this is Suotuo City."

As he walked, Lu Xuan took in his surroundings, quietly observing the city beside the Star Dou Forest.

The streets rang with voices, and people of every kind came and went. Many were Soul Masters preparing to enter the forest to hunt Soul Rings.