They didn't even know how they managed to walk out of Zhou Manor.
Lost in thought.
It was as if their very souls had been stripped away.
Their minds were consumed by A-Yin's words: "I'm already Yi's woman."
"They're the Haotian Twins!"
"They've come out!"
"Looking at their expressions, it seems they didn't just fail to recruit Zhou Yi but suffered a heavy blow in the process!"
"As expected of the Holy Maiden's foresight—Zhou Yi's household must be a battlefield of emotions right now. Who would have the mind to discuss anything else?"
"Our Young Sect Master is indeed wise; today was clearly not a good day to visit Zhou Yi!"
"Let's hurry back and report!"
The sight of the despondent Tang Hao and Tang Xiao exiting the manor lit up the eyes of spies from the various major factions, including the Spirit Hall and Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Each of them swiftly acted to relay the news to their superiors.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yi, who was wholeheartedly comforting Liu Erlong, had no idea that Ah Yin's words had dealt a devastating blow to Tang Hao and Tang Xiao's pride.
He was busy.
And his temper was running high.
The fiery midday sun had mellowed into a warm, pleasant glow as the day wore on.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the fiery sky gave way to a gentle sunset.
Liu Erlong lay limp in Zhou Yi's embrace, her alluring eyes half-lidded, her breath warm and fragrant. Her delicate, fair face was tinged with a captivating blush.
"Darling, does advancing to Soul Elder cause such drastic changes? Even ascending to Titled Douluo wouldn't bring about such transformations!"
Liu Erlong was stunned, her tone filled with disbelief and amazement.
When she had advanced from Great Soul Master to Soul Elder, her strength had increased significantly, but her physical transformation had been minimal—practically imperceptible.
But Zhou Yi's transformation was striking, both inside and out.
"This is called talent. Otherwise, how could your husband fight opponents above his level with ease? Taking on ten at once is no problem at all!"
Liu Erlong fell silent.
In the past, she would've rolled her eyes and dismissed his words outright.
But now…
She had no choice but to believe him.
After all, she had personally verified it.
Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.
Liu Erlong nestled closer into Zhou Yi's chest, her fair hands drawing lazy circles on his firm torso. Her voice was soft and her breath intoxicatingly warm:
"I've always believed, darling, that you are no ordinary man. Like a dragon soaring through storm clouds, you're destined for greatness."
"I know I can't hold you back. No matter how many women you have in the future, as long as you don't forget me, I'll be satisfied."
Zhou Yi seemed to change daily.
Although Liu Erlong didn't know the secret of the system, as someone close to him, she could clearly sense his constant growth in power.
The transformation after their recent trip to the Star Dou Forest to acquire a new Soul Ring was earth-shattering.
"Erlong, you're amazing!"
Zhou Yi cupped her delicate face in his hands and planted a kiss on her lips.
"I always knew your heart was as broad and open as your beauty!"
"You're so annoying!"
Liu Erlong pouted playfully. Feeling Zhou Yi's roguish behavior creeping back, she sighed inwardly. One person simply couldn't handle him.
This was one of the reasons she had been willing to accept Ah Yin.
"Let's eat first!"
Seeing Liu Erlong's apprehensive expression, Zhou Yi chuckled, ordering food to be brought in.
"Here, open your mouth."
Zhou Yi sat by the bed, eating while feeding her bites of food.
Liu Erlong blushed with happiness.
After dinner, the moon had risen high in the sky, the stars shimmering brilliantly.
"Darling, go spend time with Ah Yin," Liu Erlong said softly. "Pick a good day to officially marry her and give her a rightful place."
She truly had no strength left.
"Tonight, I'm staying with you."
Zhou Yi scooped Liu Erlong into his arms, smiling as he said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything."
Liu Erlong didn't reply but felt a sweet warmth in her heart.
Zhou Yi had only returned that morning after days of separation. Newlyweds as they were, she naturally wanted him by her side tonight.
Even though she was exhausted, the thought of him choosing to stay made her happy. She nestled closer to him, resting her head on his chest.
The next day.
The sun rose in a bright, cloudless sky.
Zhou Yi got out of bed and dressed himself. Noticing Liu Erlong stirring awake, her tired eyes glared at him.
"You liar! You said you wouldn't move!"
"Didn't you enjoy it?"
Zhou Yi teased, pinching her dainty nose playfully.
"Rest well!"
"Scoundrel!"
Liu Erlong rolled her eyes at him and pulled the covers over her head.
Zhou Yi chuckled, adjusted his belt, and left the room feeling triumphant.
After spending the previous day entirely with Liu Erlong, it was time to check on his precious Ah Yin.
"Yi!"
Ah Yin's flawless face lit up with a radiant smile as she saw him. She had barely slept all night, worrying whether Liu Erlong would accept her.
"Don't worry, Erlong is a wonderful person," Zhou Yi reassured her with a gentle smile.
Zhou Yi gently pinched Ah Yin's delicate, collagen-filled cheeks before pulling her into his embrace. With a laugh, he declared, "Let's pick a good day, and I'll marry you properly!"
"Yi, I don't care about formalities. As long as I can stay by your side, I'm content," Ah Yin replied softly.
Hearing this, Zhou Yi chuckled inwardly but was firm in his response. "Every woman by my side is treated equally. Don't worry. I'll give you a grand wedding—you just need to wait to become my bride."
Though Ah Yin claimed not to care, her heart visibly settled. Gratitude and emotion filled her eyes as she hugged Zhou Yi's neck and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
It was undeniable—women often said one thing but felt another.
Zhou Yi's thoughts turned bemused: She says she doesn't care, but she clearly does.
"Turn around and lean on the table," Zhou Yi whispered.
Half an hour later, breakfast finally ended. Satisfied, Zhou Yi let Ah Yin clear the table while he prepared to meet Bibi Dong, Ning Fengzhi, and others who had come to visit.
Had it not been for their interruption, breakfast might have lasted much longer.
Reception Hall.
Zhou Yi walked in with a hearty laugh. "Apologies for keeping you all waiting!"
Bibi Dong's sharp eyes assessed Zhou Yi. Her intuition as a woman told her he had just come from a rather... intimate moment.
"It's we who should apologize for disturbing Zhou Gongzi so early in the morning," she said with a faint smile that carried a subtle undertone.
Zhou Yi glanced at her, noticing her usual aloof and refined demeanor. Find an opportunity to bring you home, and let's see if you'll still be so sharp-tongued then.
"Newlyweds tend to oversleep," Zhou Yi replied unabashedly with a laugh.
"Zhou Lang is truly a man of character," Ning Fengzhi interjected smoothly, lightening the mood.
Zhou Yi took his seat at the head of the hall. Without preamble, he stated, "If you've come to recruit me, you can save your words. I'm used to living freely and have no intention of joining any faction."
"But if you're here as guests, then you're most welcome. I'll ensure there's plenty of good food and fine wine!"
Ning Fengzhi maintained his polite smile. "It's an honor to meet Zhou Lang today, even if only as acquaintances." He wisely abandoned any attempt to recruit Zhou Yi and shifted to building rapport.
Bibi Dong wasn't surprised, either. She had known beforehand that Zhou Yi would refuse to join the Spirit Hall. Her visit was more out of curiosity about his martial soul—or perhaps, simply to meet him in person.
After some conversation, both Ning Fengzhi and Bibi Dong expressed a desire to see Zhou Yi's variant martial soul.
Zhou Yi didn't hesitate, summoning his Divine Dragon Sword in full view of the room.
At that moment, Dustheart, the Sword Douluo who had been quietly standing to the side with his eyes closed, opened them to gaze intently at Zhou Yi's martial soul.
"This is a top-tier weapon martial soul," he murmured.
As the possessor of the Seven Kill Sword, a peak-grade weapon martial soul, Dustheart instantly recognized the quality of Zhou Yi's Divine Dragon Sword.
Its rank is no less than my Seven Kill Sword, Dustheart thought, his heart stirring with the desire to take Zhou Yi as a disciple.
"Young man, would you be willing to take me as your master?" Dustheart's piercing gaze locked onto Zhou Yi, confident that no one could refuse the honor of being taught by the continent's foremost sword master.
"Not interested," Zhou Yi replied flatly, glancing at the proud and overbearing Sword Douluo without a shred of courtesy.
Ning Fengzhi's expression changed as he tried to mediate. "Zhou Lang, do you realize who Uncle Dustheart is?"
"Of course. Sword Douluo Dustheart, martial soul Seven Kill Sword, a Titled Douluo of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Did I miss anything?" Zhou Yi's words were calm but carried an edge, leaving Ning Fengzhi's face dark with displeasure.
To know Dustheart's identity and still refuse so brazenly was a blatant affront to their sect.
"Interesting," chuckled Chrysanthemum Douluo from behind Bibi Dong, twirling a chrysanthemum in his fingers as he watched the scene unfold with amusement.
Though the continent seemed peaceful, the relationship between the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was far from harmonious.
Bibi Dong's gaze remained fixed on Zhou Yi, her curiosity piqued. What gives him the confidence to so casually disrespect a Titled Douluo?
After all, every Titled Douluo commanded immense reverence, and even low-level soul masters addressed them as "Your Eminence."
"You think I'm unworthy to be your master?" Dustheart's voice turned icy, and the air in the hall grew sharp and oppressive, his killing intent washing over Zhou Yi like a tidal wave.
But Zhou Yi, having cultivated the Sacred Heart Sutra and mastered the Heavenly Palace Mirage, was completely unaffected. To him, Dustheart's intimidation was as insignificant as a light breeze.
Meeting Dustheart's gaze evenly, Zhou Yi calmly asked, "Do you even understand the sword?"
This single question left everyone in the hall stunned.
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