Tap, tap, tap—
The hurried footsteps abruptly cut off the conversation between the two women upstairs.
As Ye Tian reached the second floor, the moment his head appeared, his dark eyes focused in the direction of the unfamiliar presence.
What came into view was a genuine woman, not the second Chrysanthemum Douluo he had imagined.
The woman sat opposite Bi Bi Dong, holding a cup of steaming warm tea. From this angle, however, Ye Tian couldn't see her face—not even her profile. This was entirely because her hairstyle was a short side-cut that perfectly covered her right cheek.
Though Ye Tian couldn't see her face, he could still make out her well-proportioned, graceful, and voluptuous figure—tall and slender. Encased tightly in black leather armor, she sat upright at the table, her curves accentuated. Even before approaching, Ye Tian could sense a fiery, passionate aura emanating from her.
With just one glance, Ye Tian concluded that this woman's appearance must be quite striking. Moreover, the aura of a strong expert around her remained undiminished even in Bi Bi Dong's presence.
While observing the woman chatting and laughing with Bi Bi Dong, Ye Tian's steps didn't slow.
By the time he finished sizing up the unfamiliar woman, he had already reached the top of the stairs, quickly calming his earlier anxious breathing.
"Heh~"
A casual, light laugh sounded as the woman in black armor slowly turned her head.
With delicate brows, fair skin, and a beautiful face, her alluring lips and bright, large eyes indeed gave her an elegant and dignified appearance. Paired with her neat short hair, she exuded a commanding and sharp, heroic aura.
Her brown eyes swept over Ye Tian indifferently.
Her fiery red lips trembled slightly as she spoke, her pearly teeth parting like a nightingale's song.
"Is this little fellow the Holy Maiden's disciple and the future Spirit Hall Saint Child? The way he's staring so freely is rather presumptuous."
"Uh…"
Ye Tian smiled sheepishly and withdrew his scrutinizing gaze.
He wasn't judging her looks—he was merely trying to see what kind of Titled Douluo Bi Bi Dong had found as his bodyguard. After all, a personal guard shouldn't be too unimpressive or too rough-looking.
Otherwise, it wouldn't match the aura of this Taoist Master.
As if returning the favor, the woman also began sizing up Ye Tian freely, even commenting more boldly than he had.
"Tsk, tsk… Not bad in temperament—calm, free-spirited, yet with a determined drive. His face is pleasant to look at, and his physique is well-developed—handsome and dashing! Hmm… He seems to have a peculiar fondness for eccentric attire, but that's no big deal. Perhaps geniuses are always a bit unusual."
As she finished speaking, the short-haired woman couldn't help but take a light sniff.
A hint of surprise flickered in her eyes.
The pill fragrance seemed to have grown stronger with the arrival of this young man.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Finally, she noticed the milky-white pill mist swirling around Ye Tian and understood. So, the fragrance wasn't from some new sachet worn by the Holy Maiden, as she had assumed, but originated from this young man.
A trace of confusion flashed in her brown eyes.
Since the pill fragrance emanated from the youth before her, why was the Holy Maiden thoroughly permeated with his scent inside and out?
Ye Tian touched his own face, then looked down at the Taoist robe he was wearing.
What was so strange about this outfit?
It was just a bit roomier, that's all.
"Heh."
A clear, cold chuckle sounded by his ear, immediately sharpening Ye Tian's focus. It seemed Bi Bi Dong was displeased?
What was the reason for that?
Ye Tian turned his gaze toward Bi Bi Dong. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her phoenix-like eyes held a trace of anger.
Bi Bi Dong looked Ye Tian over, then smiled dismissively, feigning modesty as she said, "His looks are just so-so. Presentable enough to be taken out and shown off, I suppose."
"Pfft, haha~"
Bi Bi Dong's words immediately made the woman opposite her burst into laughter—a crisp, melodious sound that made her sway like blooming branches laden with fruit. Yet Ye Tian had no mind to appreciate it.
He simply stared darkly at Bi Bi Dong.
"Is this how a teacher should speak to her disciple in front of outsiders?"
"Outsiders? Where? You?"
Bi Bi Dong's red lips curved slightly as she looked at Ye Tian with mockery.
"..."
The corner of Ye Tian's mouth twitched slightly. He didn't want to waste any more breath on this madwoman.
Perfectly fine one moment, and the next, she might be having another episode.
"Hmph! Since you know I'm your teacher, why were your eyes glued to her the moment you arrived? Don't you know how to greet people properly? Or were you waiting for me or Ling Yuan here to greet you first?"
Bi Bi Dong snorted lightly, reprimanding him.
Hearing this, Ye Tian couldn't help but sigh quietly, finally understanding the source of the anger in Bi Bi Dong's eyes.
He was also somewhat surprised by the identity of the woman in black armor. Ling Yuan? This title—Titled Douluo—he had never come across in books, though he had heard of it from other classmates. Ye Tian didn't dwell on it; the world was vast, and books couldn't possibly record every detail or give everyone a name.
"Greetings, Teacher."
Ye Tian didn't bother arguing over Bi Bi Dong's taunts. He had indeed been impolite and immediately made amends.
"That's more like it."
Bi Bi Dong nodded in satisfaction.
Ye Tian rolled his eyes at Bi Bi Dong but naturally didn't forget his future personal guard. He turned to Ling Yuan and nodded slightly in greeting. "Elder Ling Yuan, it's our first meeting. I look forward to your guidance in the future."
Ling Yuan Douluo smiled and nodded, inwardly marveling at the amusing dynamic between this master and disciple, though she didn't forget Ye Tian's status. Gracefully rising, she pressed a hand lightly to her chest and bowed to Ye Tian.
"Your subordinate, Ling Yuan, greets the Holy Son. Guidance is too humble a word. I only hope Your Highness will not take offense at my earlier impertinence."
"Of course not. My gaze earlier was indeed impolite. I hope you can forgive me."
Ye Tian shook his head with a smile.
He wasn't that petty.
"Take offense?"
"If he wants to take offense, he'll need the strength to back it up."
Bi Bi Dong suddenly interjected leisurely.
On this point, she was the most qualified to speak.
Had Ye Tian taken offense at her actions so few times? And what of it? Didn't he still have to obediently offer his face for her to take a bite or two?
The smile on Ye Tian's face froze instantly.
He stared at Bi Bi Dong with a rather impolite and irritated expression.
If not for the inappropriate setting,
he really wanted to leave another handprint on Bi Bi Dong's backside!
"Haha..."
Ling Yuan Douluo chuckled softly.
The relationship between this man and woman seemed less like that of ordinary master and disciple, and more like a friendship that transcended age, blending mentorship with camaraderie.
Seeing the expression on Ye Tian's face, Bi Bi Dong's mood improved considerably. With a smile, she gently patted the seat beside her and instructed, "Alright, hurry over here. Stop trying to wound me with your gaze. Let me properly introduce you. Ling Yuan, you may sit as well."
"Hmph!"
Ye Tian curled his lip and slowly walked forward.
Titled Douluo Ling Yuan gracefully took her seat.
As Ye Tian passed the square table and was about to walk past Bi Bi Dong to sit on the side between the two women, Bi Bi Dong tapped the tabletop, reminding him with a pointed look, "Don't walk past. It's quite impolite to show only your profile to someone when meeting for the first time, isn't it?"
"Of course I know that."
Ye Tian calmly took half a step back and sat down beside Bi Bi Dong.
"!!!"
The moment he sat, Ye Tian's eyes widened.
His dark pupils trembled slightly as his gaze drifted downward. Bi Bi Dong's delicate, jade-like hand was gripping his thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze!
It seemed like retaliation for Ye Tian's earlier disregard.
A flicker of curiosity passed through Titled Douluo Ling Yuan's eyes as she noticed Ye Tian's unusual reaction.
Bi Bi Dong, unfazed, picked up the teapot and poured a cup of hot tea for Ye Tian, smiling as she said, "Didn't you ask me to prepare a Titled Douluo-level guard for you? From now on, Ling Yuan will be your protector. She is a dear friend of mine from many years ago and is now a powerful Titled Douluo at the ninety-second rank. Protecting you will be more than sufficient."
"A guard?"
Titled Douluo Ling Yuan was taken aback, her attention now fully diverted from Ye Tian's subtle glances.
Using a Titled Douluo Elder as a personal guard for the Spirit Hall Saint Child—such treatment not even Bi Bi Dong herself had received.
Ling Yuan looked at Bi Bi Dong with curiosity, exclaiming in surprise, "So this is why Your Majesty recalled me from the Death Canyon defense line..."
"That is only one reason."
Bi Bi Dong shook her head gently and explained, "Starting tomorrow, I will officially become the true Pope of the Spirit Hall, but I am indeed short on capable subordinates. Recalling you is also in hopes that you can assist me to some extent. After all, if this boy stays quietly in Spirit Hall City, there would be no need for you to provide close protection."
"I see."
Titled Douluo Ling Yuan nodded slightly, smiling as she assured, "Then please rest assured, Your Majesty. Ling Yuan will certainly not fail this duty."
After speaking,
Titled Douluo Ling Yuan turned her curious gaze back to Ye Tian.
She had come directly to Wisteria Residence upon her return and hadn't had time to learn the specifics about Ye Tian.
Originally, she had already been quite curious about Ye Tian since the Spirit Hall's upper echelons chose a Food-type Soul Master to serve as the Spirit Hall Saint Child. Now, with Bi Bi Dong's protection order, her curiosity about him naturally swelled even further.
This was an excellent opportunity for a preliminary understanding.
Titled Douluo Ling Yuan elegantly extended a jade-like hand toward Ye Tian, offering a gentle smile. "Your Highness, I am Ling Yuan, your subordinate. My Martial Soul is the Blazing Fire Spirit Kite. I am a ninety-second rank Assault System Titled Douluo, with a Soul Ring Configuration of two yellow, two purple, and five black. I look forward to working with you."
"Heh... hello. It should be you looking after me."
Ye Tian irritantly tossed away the jade-like hand resting on his thigh, then raised his own hand to grasp Ling Yuan Douluo's delicate hand, giving it a gentle shake.
Bi Bi Dong's elegant brows furrowed slightly.
She glanced at their clasped hands, feeling a twinge of displeasure in her heart. She somewhat regretted assigning a female guard to Ye Tian, but without doing so, how could she have achieved comprehensive surveillance?
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