Nine Hearted Begonia Family

"Get lost!"

Xiao Yu coldly watched Liu Lang and slowly withdrew the Soul Power he had released, speaking with disdain.

Looking at Xiao Yu, who was clearly several years younger than himself, then recalling the Soul Power fluctuation from moments ago that had obviously exceeded his by more than ten levels, Liu Lang no longer had even a trace of his earlier arrogance. Cold sweat poured down his forehead as he nodded frantically. "Get lost, get lost, get lost! I'll get lost right now!"

Watching Liu Lang flee in disgrace, Ye Lingling could not help but let out a laugh. But the next moment, she recalled what Liu Lang had said, and her expression dimmed. Even if one Liu Lang left, another would soon come. As long as the Tian Dou Royal Family did not give up its covetous designs on the Nine Hearted Begonia martial soul, she would never truly be free.

"Silly girl, don't be afraid!"

Although Xiao Yu had not heard all of their conversation, he had pieced together quite a lot from the scattered words. It also resolved one of his earlier doubts: the Nine Hearted Begonia Family was clearly in Heaven Dou City, so why had Ye Lingling been sent somewhere so far from her family?

He reached out and ruffled Ye Lingling's soft hair, saying quietly, "With me here, no one can force you to do anything you don't want to do. Not even the Tian Dou Royal Family!"

"Mm!"

Ye Lingling nodded gently. She did not know why. The Heaven Dou Empire was one of the two great empires of the present age, commanding a million troops. Though it had no Titled Douluo-level retainers, it possessed nearly ten Soul Douluo-level experts. She had no idea where Xiao Yu's confidence came from, yet she believed him. More importantly, the feeling of being protected was truly wonderful.

"Young Master!"

At that moment, Zilong, Xie Wu, and Miyi Mei caught up from behind. Earlier, when Xiao Yu had spotted Ye Lingling being harassed from afar, he had quickened his pace to reach her.

"Right, let me introduce you."

Xiao Yu took the opportunity to introduce them to Ye Lingling. "They are all members of the younger generation of my sect. This is Zilong, this is Xie Wu, and this is Miyi Mei. All of them have reached the Soul Elder rank."

Hearing that they were all Soul Elders, and seeing that they were only about the same age as herself and Xiao Yu, Ye Lingling was startled. She immediately greeted them politely.

Zilong and the others hurriedly returned the greeting.

"Lingling, besides coming to see you, I also have some personal matters to handle in Heaven Dou City this time."

Xiao Yu gave Ye Lingling a slightly apologetic look. "This is our first time in Heaven Dou City. We don't know anyone here, and we don't have a place to stay. Would it be possible...?"

"Of course!"

Ye Lingling nodded. "The Nine Hearted Begonia Family still carries some weight in Heaven Dou City. If you stay at my home, you can avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble. Besides..."

After a brief pause, Ye Lingling said shyly, "I mentioned you several times before. Grandpa and Father both want to meet you too!"

"Good. Since I'm here this time, I was also planning to pay Uncle and Clan Head Ye a visit."

Xiao Yu nodded. "I brought some gifts with me as well. The two elders should like them."

"Then let's go!"

As she spoke, Ye Lingling took Xiao Yu's hand of her own accord and led him into the city.

The Nine Hearted Begonia Family's residence was located in the north of Heaven Dou City, a grand estate spanning more than a thousand meters.

The entire family numbered around two hundred people. Because of the inherent flaw of the Nine Hearted Begonia martial soul, although the family members who had not awakened Nine Hearted Begonia mostly possessed healing-type martial souls, many of them plant-type martial souls. To highlight this characteristic, the family had planted many flowers and plants throughout the estate. From afar, it made for quite a pleasant sight.

The Ye Family's clan head was named Ye Renxin, an eighty-first-level Soul Douluo. Ye Lingling's father, Ye Wentai, was a sixty-fourth-level healing-type Soul Emperor. His martial soul was merely a single Begonia Flower, but if he exerted himself fully, his healing ability was not much weaker than that of Nine Hearted Begonia.

"This junior greets the two seniors!"

Inside the Ye Family's council hall, Xiao Yu clasped his hands and bowed to the two men seated in the places of honor.

"You are Xiao Yu?"

Ye Wentai looked Xiao Yu up and down. The boy was rather handsome—no wonder his daughter could never stop thinking about him.

Back then, his daughter had even written home asking the family to help secure Xiao Yu a place at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Ye Wentai had lived for half his life; how could he fail to understand what his daughter meant? If the Tian Dou Royal Family had not been pressing them so hard, he would not have minded fulfilling his daughter's wishes.

"Young man, how is your cultivation progressing these days?"

Ye Wentai put on an arrogant front. He thought that since Xiao Yu was willing to come to his home with his daughter, he probably had feelings for her as well. But he did not believe an obscure young man like Xiao Yu could compare to the Tian Dou Royal Family. He intended to send Xiao Yu away, lest the royal family find out and bring fatal disaster upon him instead.

Xiao Yu smiled slightly. "This junior is lacking in talent. Not long ago, I had just broken through to level forty."

"Oh, level forty. At your age, that is indeed not bad, but in our family—"

Ye Wentai had not reacted at first, but halfway through his words, his expression suddenly changed. He shot to his feet. "Wait, what level did you just say you were?"

"Level forty!"

Xiao Yu still wore a smile as he slowly released his Soul Power.

Although Ye Wentai's attitude was rather unpleasant, Xiao Yu did not believe that the father of a kind girl like Ye Lingling would be some shallow and arrogant man. Thinking back to the scene on Heaven Dou Street earlier, he could guess the purpose behind Ye Wentai's act. Thus, he did not feel displeased by Ye Wentai's feigned arrogance.

Sensing Soul Power fluctuations no weaker than those of a Soul Ancestor, Ye Renxin, who had been sitting in the seat of honor with his eyes half-closed, opened them. He exchanged a glance with Ye Wentai, and both men's expressions became utterly shocked.

How old was this boy, twelve or thirteen? Even if he was thirteen, a thirteen-year-old Soul Ancestor was still an existence beyond comprehension. Let alone a Soul Ancestor, they had never even heard of a Soul Elder that young.

Ye Lingling had reached level twenty-five at the age of twelve, and she was already a once-in-ten-thousand genius.

As for Xiao Yu's talent, it could only be described as monstrous.

Ye Renxin and Ye Wentai were certain that as long as Xiao Yu did not die prematurely, he would definitely become a Titled Douluo in the future, and one who ranked among the strongest of Titled Douluos.

Unfortunately, he was not one yet.

Still, offending a future powerhouse with the potential to become a Titled Douluo was hardly a wise move. Moreover, their precious daughter had clearly set her heart on Xiao Yu.

But thinking about it, the choice was obvious. On one side was a longtime classmate with astonishing talent, someone who had spent years by her side since childhood. On the other was an infamous, good-for-nothing royal relative. If they were in her position, they would know whom to choose as well. For a moment, the Ye father and son fell into a dilemma.