"Yes!" all the students participating in the competition answered in unison.
Xue Qinghe smiled and nodded, then he and Ning Fengzhi gracefully departed. After they left, the entire arena erupted in cheers and shouts of Jun Yi, Dugu Yan, and the name of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. It was clear that today's exchange match had thoroughly made the Heaven Dou Royal Academy famous, and also let many commoner Soul Master know that the members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy were not all useless good-for-nothings who relied on connections.
After the competition, Jun Yi and his group, including Qin Ming, had a celebratory dinner together. With the prize money distributed, everyone had some money, so Jun Yi didn't have to pay for this meal. After all, Jun Yi had paid for the previous meals, and they felt a little embarrassed. After the meal, Ye Lingling said goodbye to everyone, saying she had something to attend to at home. This piqued Dugu Yan's curiosity, so she pulled her outside to a secluded corner of the hotel and whispered, " Lingling, why are you always going home? Is something wrong?"
Looking at Dugu Yan's concerned gaze, Ye Lingling shook her head slightly and said, "Nothing has happened in my family. It's just that my family has been discussing some cooperation matters with the Spirit Hall these past few days. As the next sect leader of the Undying Sect, my grandfather said that I should learn more about handling family affairs from my father and uncles so that I can inherit the Undying Sect in the future."
Dugu Yan suddenly understood, and her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was relieved. "So that's how it is. I thought something had changed. Could you tell me a little bit about what you're discussing with the Spirit Hall about cooperation?"
"My grandfather forbids me from revealing too much to others, so I can only mention it briefly, about Soul Tool," Ye Lingling said to Dugu Yan with a hint of apology on her face.
"Since that's the case, then I won't ask anymore. You should go back quickly, don't keep your grandfather waiting." Dugu Yan smiled and patted Ye Lingling's shoulder.
Ye Lingling nodded and said, "Then I'll head back now. I'll be back soon."
Dugu Yan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you."
Watching Ye Lingling's figure disappear, Dugu Yan sighed softly and murmured, " Lingling has grown up too, she's already handling family affairs now, sigh."
Dugu Yan sighed softly, then smiled. She suddenly felt like an old mother, worrying about Ye Lingling's affairs.
Just then, Jun Yi's voice came from behind Dugu Yan, " Sister Yanyan, there's no need to sigh. People always have to learn to grow up, and we all have to face partings."
Dugu Yan turned around and saw Jun Yi standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, looking at her with a smile.
"Why are you eavesdropping on other people's conversations? Don't you know that's impolite?" Dugu Yan asked Jun Yi, feigning anger.
"Heaven and earth bear witness, I didn't eavesdrop on purpose. I was just an ordinary Soul Master passing by, and I only overheard it by chance," Jun Yi said, spreading his hands in a defensive argument.
Dugu Yan pursed her lips, her face full of disbelief. "Then tell me, what are you planning to do by passing by here?"
"I just wanted to come and tell you, Teacher Qin, that Shi Mo and Shi Mo have left," Jun Yi said.
"That's all?"
"Yeah, the three of them left after you went out. Just as I came out, Osler and Yu Feng went to Red Sleeve House to have some fun again. Now it's just the two of us, so we can finally have some alone time."
Jun Yi looked at Dugu Yan with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Dugu Yan blushed and scolded softly, "You brat, what nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean by 'a world for two'? Come on, come back with me and we'll cultivate together."
After saying that, Dugu Yan grabbed Jun Yi's arm and walked towards the door. "We finally won the competition, so let's not go back to the academy to cultivate. Sister Yanyan, do you have time? Why don't you come with me somewhere?"
"Wh-where?" Dugu Yan turned to look at Jun Yi and asked.
Jun Yi grinned mischievously and said to her, "You'll see when we get there. Anyway, you're free this afternoon, so why don't you come with me?"
"I have a feeling you have ulterior motives."
Where?
"Then why are you taking me somewhere?"
"Shh, just come with me."
Jun Yi pulled the somewhat resistant Dugu Yan along, heading towards a street in Heaven Dou City. Dugu Yan remained silent the entire way. Her heart was filled with complex emotions; she felt tense and resistant, yet also a little expectant. She suddenly felt like she was going crazy. From fulfilling Jun Yi's little quirk with the bet two days ago to saying those embarrassing things last night, this would have been completely unthinkable for her in the past. And now Jun Yi was taking her to a strange place, giving her an indescribable feeling. However, a deep-seated impulse compelled her to stay put.
"Have I really fallen for this boy who's several years younger than me?"
A thought flashed through Dugu Yan's mind, and her cheeks instantly became burning hot, her steps slowing down even more.
" Sister Yanyan, what's wrong?" Jun Yi noticed that Dugu Yan had slowed down and asked curiously.
"No, nothing." Hearing Jun Yi's call, Dugu Yan quickly shook her head and continued to ask, "Where exactly are you taking me?"
"We'll be there soon, don't rush." Jun Yi carefully examined the shops on the street, roughly estimated the distance, and replied.
Dugu Yan nodded slightly and followed Jun Yi to the very edge of the street. She suddenly felt a wave of heat rushing towards her, and Jun Yi stopped there as well.
" Sister Yanyan, we've arrived." Jun Yi pointed to the shop in front of him and said to Dugu Yan beside him.
Dugu Yan looked up, feeling utterly speechless. She turned to stare at Jun Yi, pointed to the shop sign in front of them, and angrily questioned Jun Yi, "This is the place you brought me to? A blacksmith shop? Are you kidding me?"
"No, this is a great place." Jun Yi didn't look at Dugu Yan, but instead looked into the blacksmith shop.
Jun Yi's serious and excited expression, she knew Jun Yi wasn't joking. She was instantly speechless. Now she believed Jun Yi wasn't a lecher; he was a completely straight man! Who brings a girl on a date to a blacksmith's shop?
However, upon further reflection, she realized that Jun Yi had never explicitly stated that he was taking her on a date; he had only said he was taking her somewhere. She had been presumptuous. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she stomped her foot in anger.
Attracted by the sound of stomping feet, Jun Yi turned around and looked at the sulking Dugu Yan, asking the crucial question, " Sister Yanyan, why are you angry?"
(End of this chapter)