Boss Dai, Up for Doubles?

Two figures darted and crossed beneath the lights of the arena.

Zhu Zhuqing's claws sliced through the air, every strike aimed at an opening in Ye Lin's defense.

Ye Lin pushed Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to its limit, dodging her claws again and again.

Zhu Zhuqing attacked faster and faster, but she noticed something.

Ye Lin had never truly hit her hard.

He only dodged and blocked, occasionally feinting to force her back, sharpening his fighting skills.

If he landed a serious punch, there was no telling what would happen.

Her claws raked across his shoulder again, tearing his clothes and leaving a shallow scratch on his skin.

But before much blood could seep out, the scratch began to knit itself shut before her eyes. Its color faded, its edges closed, and within moments, only a faint red mark remained.

Zhu Zhuqing's pupils contracted slightly.

She knew she had held back somewhat,

but Ye Lin's wound had healed far faster than an ordinary Soul Grandmaster's should.

Ye Lin had noticed it too.

He glanced down at the mark on his shoulder.

He had not activated the soul bone's healing ability,

but the passive enhancement from the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone alone had greatly improved his recovery speed.

Just then, Ye Lin caught a tiny movement from Zhu Zhuqing, a slight opening.

He pivoted, abruptly changing direction with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and slipped in alongside the sweep of her claws.

He pressed his shoulder against her waist and drove forward with the strength of his core.

Zhu Zhuqing felt a gentle but solid force strike her from the side.

Her balance broke in an instant. Both feet left the ground, and she flew through a short arc before landing near the edge of the arena. She stumbled back two steps before barely steadying herself.

Once she had her footing, she looked down at where he had struck her, then up at Ye Lin.

Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a few moments.

"I concede."

She stood at the edge of the arena, looking at Ye Lin. Some of the chill in her eyes melted away.

"I can learn from fighting you."

She paused. "I'll ask you to spar with me again."

Ye Lin froze for a moment, then nodded. "Anytime."

The referee stepped forward and raised Ye Lin's hand. "The winner: Resounding Name."

Scattered applause rose from the stands, mixed with a few murmurs. Most of the discussion, though, was about that resounding name.

The group stayed at the arena for another half hour or so, watching Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Xiao Wu finish their matches.

By the time they left, Flender had already disappeared at some point.

Dai Mubai called to the others and led them out through the arena's side entrance.

Ma Hongjun walked at the back, rubbing his hands together, excitement plain on his round face.

He hurried a couple of steps to catch up with Dai Mubai and asked quietly, "Boss Dai, you guys head back first. I've got something to do. Need to go see the dean."

A smile crossed Dai Mubai's face.

"Sure. Don't overdo it, kid."

Ma Hongjun took a few steps, then doubled back and patted Dai Mubai on the shoulder, grinning suggestively.

"Come on, let's go together."

Dai Mubai faltered and instinctively glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, who was walking a few steps ahead.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he shook his head at once.

"I'm not going. Go by yourself."

Ma Hongjun scratched the back of his head, not quite getting it. "What's wrong? Come on, let's go together. Doubles are way more fun than going solo. Two on two beats keeping yourself occupied, doesn't it?"

Dai Mubai's expression changed.

"Get lost. I'm not that kind of guy. Go have fun by yourself."

Ma Hongjun opened his mouth, closed it again, and said, "Oh."

Then he looked at Oscar.

Oscar waved him off.

So Ma Hongjun vanished alone into the shadows at the street corner.

Dai Mubai cleared his throat. "All right. Let's head back."

Tang San walked with the group, his lip curling.

Tsk, tsk. Dai Mubai, and you say you're not that kind of guy.

You're just embarrassed, aren't you?

Your fiancée Zhu Zhuqing is here, that's all. If she weren't, I bet you wouldn't stop at doubles with Fatty. You'd drag Oscar along for a threesome.

In my previous life, you even tried to drag me into a foursome. A pure, upstanding young man like me would at least want someone clean.

And why didn't you ever offer to let me have a turn with those twin girls you kept? You hogged them both.

I really don't know how Zhu Zhuqing could accept Dai Mubai later, or how Ning Rongrong could accept Oscar.

Don't they find Dai Mubai and Oscar disgusting?

Ning Rongrong walked in the middle of the group and heard every word Tang San thought.

She scoffed inwardly.

Tang San, worry about yourself first.

You act so pure every day, but your mind is filthier than anyone's. And you have the nerve to call other people disgusting?

I'd love to rip your tongue out!

Besides, when did I ever say I'd accept Oscar?

Oscar's been passed around by everyone.

I'd rather share Ye Lin with Xiao Wu than ever accept Oscar, all right?

At least Ye Lin is clean.

Zhu Zhuqing walked at the very front, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Listening to Tang San's thoughts,

she felt sick at the thought that she was engaged to that kind of man.

Tang San was right.

How could she ever accept Dai Mubai?

Right now, she truly couldn't.

He had no ambition and made no effort to cultivate.

In a few years, they would have to face a life-or-death struggle within the Star Luo Royal Family, yet here he was, eating, drinking, and fooling around—going for doubles, threesomes, even foursomes!

Back in the Star Luo Empire, she had heard of something called swapping sevens.

Dai Mubai was already up for threesomes and foursomes.

The odds that he would never try that were even lower than his odds of defeating his brother.

Just imagining herself facing that someday—

facing some greasy, pudgy man like Ma Hongjun or Oscar, someone whose past she could only imagine—

made her shudder.

Perhaps she really ought to think seriously about her future.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Dai Mubai.

He happened to look over at the same moment. Somewhat embarrassed, he seemed about to explain himself.

When he saw no anger in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, he breathed a sigh of relief.

But the exasperation she had once felt at his wasted potential was gone. Her gaze was calm, as though she were looking at a stranger who had nothing to do with her.

Angry? Why would she be angry?

Who got angry over someone she no longer cared about?