Chapter 34: The Nine Heart Begonia Family
"Get lost!"
Xiao Yu coldly looked at Liu Lang, slowly retracting his soul power, and said disdainfully.
Seeing Xiao Yu, who was obviously a few years younger than himself, and recalling the soul power fluctuation that clearly surpassed his own by ten levels, Liu Lang no longer had any arrogance. Sweat poured down his forehead as he nodded hurriedly, "Get lost, get lost, I'll leave right away!"
Watching Liu Lang flee in embarrassment, Ye Lingling couldn't help but laugh. But the next moment, she remembered Liu Lang's words and her expression turned gloomy. Even if Liu Lang was gone, another would soon take his place. As long as the Tiandou Royal Family coveted the Nine Heart Begonia martial soul, she would never truly be free.
"Silly girl, don't be afraid!"
Although Xiao Yu hadn't heard the entire conversation between the two, he had pieced together much from their brief exchange. This resolved a question that had puzzled him: why had the Nine Heart Begonia family sent Ye Lingling far away from their family in Tiandou City?
He reached out and gently ruffled Ye Lingling's hair, speaking softly, "As long as I'm here, no one can force you to do anything against your will, not even the Tiandou Royal Family."
"Mm!"
Ye Lingling nodded lightly. Despite knowing that the Tiandou Empire was one of the two great empires of their time, with a million soldiers and nearly ten Soul Douluo-level experts, she didn't know where Xiao Yu's confidence came from. Yet, she believed him and felt comforted by the sense of protection he offered.
"Young master!"
At that moment, Zilong, Xie Wu, and Mi Yimei arrived, having hurried to catch up. Xiao Yu had quickened his pace when he saw Ye Lingling being harassed.
"Right, let me introduce you."
Xiao Yu took the opportunity to introduce his companions to Ye Lingling, "These are members of the younger generation from my sect: this is Zilong, this is Xie Wu, and this is Mi Yimei. They all possess Soul Elder-level cultivation."
Ye Lingling was astonished to hear that they all had Soul Elder-level cultivation at such a young age. She greeted them politely, and they quickly returned the gesture.
"Lingling, apart from seeing you, I also have some personal matters to attend to in Tiandou City."
Xiao Yu gave Ye Lingling an apologetic look. "This is our first time in Tiandou City, and we don't have a place to stay. Would it be possible for us to...?"
"Of course!"
Ye Lingling nodded. "The Nine Heart Begonia family still has some influence in Tiandou City. Having you stay at my house can help avoid many unnecessary troubles. Besides," she added shyly, "I've mentioned you a few times before, and my grandfather and father want to meet you!"
"Great, I also wanted to visit your father and the head of the Ye family."
Xiao Yu nodded. "I brought some gifts with me this time; I'm sure the elders will like them."
"Let's go then!"
Ye Lingling said, taking Xiao Yu's hand and leading him into the city.
The Nine Heart Begonia family's residence is located in the north of Tiandou City, covering an area of over a thousand meters. The family consists of around two hundred people.
Due to the inherent limitations of the Nine Heart Begonia martial soul, most clan members who don't awaken the Nine Heart Begonia possess primarily healing or plant-type martial souls. To reflect this characteristic, they have planted numerous flowers and plants within the estate, creating a picturesque scene from afar.
The head of the Ye family, Ye Renxin, is an eighty-first level Soul Douluo. Ye Lingling's father, Ye Wentai, is a sixty-fourth level healing-type Soul Emperor. His martial soul is a simple begonia flower, but when he uses his full power, his healing abilities are nearly as potent as the Nine Heart Begonia.
"Greetings, elders."
In the Ye family's meeting hall, Xiao Yu bowed respectfully to the two elders seated at the head.
"You must be Xiao Yu?"
Ye Wentai looked Xiao Yu up and down. The young man looked quite presentable, no wonder his daughter constantly mentioned him.
When his daughter had written home asking the family to help Xiao Yu gain admission to the Tiandou Royal Academy, Ye Wentai, experienced as he was, understood his daughter's intentions. If it weren't for the immense pressure from the royal family, he wouldn't mind fulfilling his daughter's wishes.
"Young man, at such a young age, how is your cultivation progressing?"
Ye Wentai feigned arrogance, thinking that Xiao Yu, willing to come to their home, probably had feelings for his daughter. However, he didn't believe a young man of no renown could compete with the Tiandou Royal Family, so he thought of dismissing Xiao Yu to avoid bringing harm to him from the royal family.
Xiao Yu smiled slightly. "Elders, I have recently broken through to level forty."
"Level forty, at your age, that is impressive. However, in our family..."
Ye Wentai started to speak dismissively but suddenly changed his expression halfway through and stood up abruptly. "Wait, what level did you just say?"
"Forty."
Xiao Yu maintained his smile and slowly released his soul power. Despite Ye Wentai's unpleasant demeanor, Xiao Yu knew from the earlier confrontation on Tiandou Street that Ye Wentai wasn't someone who looked down on others easily. Hence, he wasn't offended by Ye Wentai's pretense.
Feeling the powerful soul power, comparable to a Soul Ancestor, Ye Renxin, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, opened them and exchanged a shocked glance with Ye Wentai. Their faces showed their astonishment.
This boy was only twelve or thirteen years old. Even at thirteen, a Soul Ancestor at such an age was unheard of. A twelve-year-old at level twenty-five, like Ye Lingling, was already a once-in-a-million genius. Xiao Yu's talent could only be described as monstrous.
Ye Renxin and Ye Wentai were certain that as long as Xiao Yu didn't meet an untimely end, he would undoubtedly become a Title Douluo in the future and a top-tier one at that.
However, he was not yet at that level. Offending a future Title Douluo of such potential was unwise, especially since their precious daughter clearly favored Xiao Yu.
The comparison was stark: on one side, a talented peer with whom she had grown up; on the other, a notorious and incompetent royal relative. Given the choice, they knew what to do.
For the moment, the Ye father and son were caught in a dilemma.
(End of Chapter)
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