Dugu Yan's delicate neck showed bruises, and there were traces of fingernails left behind.
The already fragile and sexy camisole she wore was now covered with scratches from broken stones, exposing her in various places.
She looked at Luo Yu with pleading eyes, feeling extremely fearful in her heart.
The men she had encountered before all treated women with compassion and care.
Even Yu Tianheng, the most talented student from the Imperial Fighting Academy, was so fascinated by her that he had proposed marriage, hadn't he?
But this person, when he lost his temper, was truly ruthless.
For the first time in her privileged life, Dugu Yan felt genuine fear towards a man; this was also the first time she had been mercilessly beaten by a man without any regard for her feelings.
She asked cautiously, "Yan'er doesn't know what else she has done wrong, please enlighten me."
Luo Yu looked into her eyes and said calmly, "Actually, you're right, the rule of this world is that the strong are revered, it's survival of the fittest."
"But there is a limit to everything."
"If the powerful act without bounds, recklessly misbehaving because of their strength, then the world is also not far from destruction."
Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling, who had always been independent, reflected thoughtfully, while Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan, two girls spoiled from childhood, were lost and completely clueless.
Luo Yu continued, "Imagine, if you bully the weak and trample their dignity because you are powerful, then am I allowed to trample over you without regard for your life and death because I'm stronger than you?"
"What if I encounter someone stronger than myself?"
"Try to imagine what kind of world that would be."
"Apart from the supreme power, who can ensure that their dignity and decency won't be trampled upon?"
"Therefore... the strong must have self-respect, they must have their own bottom lines."
"If others do not offend me, I do not offend others; if others offend me, to retaliate with thunder is the righteous path."
Luo Yu did not continue, and the hall fell into a quiet spell.
Dugu Yan trembled slightly, her eyes revealing complex emotions, and she gradually became enlightened.
Ye Lingling, whose gaze was always calm, now stirred with ripples as she looked deeply at Luo Yu, her beautiful eyes showing an unusual brilliance.
Ning Rongrong was immensely shaken, falling into long contemplation, never having expected a man to say such words.
Her father had said similar things, but at that time she couldn't understand and didn't take it to heart.
But having experienced today's events and hearing the man explain, she suddenly understood some truths.
Behind the counter, the shop owner who had been trembling with fear now looked at Luo Yu with a different gaze; the speech from just before had struck a chord with these ordinary folks.
Dugu Yan deeply bowed to Luo Yu, saying with shame, "Yan'er had the wrong attitude before, your words have opened my eyes, and I have truly learned my lesson this time."
"It's good that you understand."
Luo Yu nodded in satisfaction; he knew that this woman was not inherently bad when she had offered to leave twice the money for the goods she had taken, therefore he had the patience to spend more time instructing her.
Otherwise, if she were a hopeless case, he would have thrown a punch long ago.
Dugu Yan moved her feet and walked up to Ning Rongrong, extending her hand with the exquisitely made skirt, and said apologetically,
"I have offended you before, and I was wrong. Here is your item back, please forgive me."
Ning Rongrong accepted the skirt in a daze, somewhat overwhelmed by the drastic change in attitude, yet she could see the sincerity in Dugu Yan's eyes, leaving her quite astonished.
She remembered her father once saying,
Defeating a person is easy, but changing a person's will and conquering their heart is difficult.
And this man had subdued this woman in such a short time?
It was incredible.
At that moment, Luo Yu had in his hand the heavy purse that Ning Rongrong had given him earlier.
He walked up to the shop owner in a few steps, handing over the purse.
The shop owner, showing surprise, asked with respect, "What is this for?"
Luo Yu said softly, "I may have been a bit forceful just now, indirectly smashing up your store's decor, consider this compensation."
The shop owner's body barely perceptibly shook, his heart swelling with indescribable emotions.
Even if Luo Yu hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have dared to ask for compensation.
But Luo Yu had brought it up voluntarily.
In the past, he had encountered Soul Masters who, although they didn't bully others readily, didn't show much respect for commoners either, always acting superior, never considering your feelings.
But from this young man of outstanding talent, he saw true equality and respect.
"It's too much, the repairs for the store don't require this much money," the shop owner said, moved.
Luo Yu frowned, "Keep the rest, consider it their compensation to you for the emotional damage."
"There's no need, really, I've not been scared or anything; instead, having the chance to witness a young hero like you today is an honor for me, it has been enlightening," said the shop owner, looking up to Luo Yu with an admiring and cheerful demeanor, carefully taking out a bit of golden soul coins from the purse and putting them in his pocket, then respectfully offering the rest back to Luo Yu.
This scene was, of course, observed by the three beautiful young girls in the hall.
They suddenly experienced an inexplicable feeling, and their gaze towards the man began to change gradually.
They had never seen such behavior from a man before.
In Soul Land, the status and identity of commoners are truly very low.
The various great sects and families are mainstream, holding the vast majority of resources, and among the elite schools of the five elements, only Tian Shui Academy is willing to accept commoners.
So the man's demeanor is truly unconventional, a rarity in the world.
The girls might feel astonished, but for Luo Yu, this seems quite normal.
Even though he had been in Douluo for quite some time, the ideas and concepts formed on that blue planet in his previous life hadn't changed.
Luo Yu had no intention of staying any longer and headed towards the exit.
Ning Rongrong bit her lip, incessantly wondering in her heart.
What kind of person was this man, so unique?
His Martial Soul was so powerful and mysterious, unheard of, and his actions were so odd.
When he took action, he was decisive and swift, yet he treated ordinary people with such gentleness. What kind of personality did he really have?
And was this guy not going to exchange even a few words with her before just walking away??
Feeling a strange emotion welling up inside her, Ning Rongrong couldn't hold back and called out as the man was about to disappear from view,
"Hey, wait a second!"
Luo Yu paused and looking back, he asked, "The problem has been solved, is there anything else?"
Ning Rongrong's face flushed slightly as she hesitated, "That is, could you stay and keep me company, protect me?"
Luo Yu raised an eyebrow, "Stay here and protect you?"
Ning Rongrong quickly said, "Mhm, I didn't bring any bodyguard when I went out, and if you're willing to protect me, I can pay you, and you can name any price!"
As their eyes met, seeing the seriousness in the girl's eyes, Luo Yu suddenly laughed, shaking his head slightly.
"Do you think I lack money?"
Ning Rongrong was taken aback, initially wanting to point out that the man had just asked her for a protection fee.
Then she remembered his terrifying strength.
Could such a person be in need of money?
He had probably just found a random excuse to help her earlier.
"Then, can you at least tell me your name? You've helped me, so I should be able to repay you someday." Ning Rongrong's fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her dress as her heart trembled; this was the first time she had initiated conversation with a man.
Luo Yu waved his hand, "There's no need for that, I've taken someone's money to ward off their disaster, and we are even now."
Ning Rongrong's eyes immediately went round.
So he's just refusing her like that?
Ah!!! It was so irritating, Ning Rongrong thought woefully, couldn't he see her true intentions?
Luo Yu turned on his heel and looked towards Dugu Yan, who had fallen silent to-one-side.
"Seeing that you have recognized your mistake, I will remind you of something. Because of the wrong way you've been cultivating your Martial Soul, you've been poisoned. If it's not addressed promptly, it will lead to endless troubles."
"I'm poisoned?"
Dugu Yan felt it was ridiculous.
Who was her grandfather, the Titled Douluo who was the best at using poison within Soul Land!
Could she really be poisoned? What a joke.
She acknowledged the man was strong, but he was still far from a Titled Douluo.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't think I am poisoned," Dugu Yan said politely.
"It's not just you who's poisoned; if your family's Martial Souls are the same as yours, they might be even more deeply poisoned than you are."
"Absolutely impossible," Dugu Yan didn't believe it.
Luo Yu's lips curled into a smile, and he shook his head, not intending to explain any further, and walked straight out of the clothing store.
Ning Rongrong watched as Luo Yu walked out of the house without giving her a second glance, pouting and stamping her Silver Lotus in dissatisfaction.
She had just been ignored like that???
Dugu Yan watched the man's disappearing figure, scoffing, "Lingling, do you think this guy is just spouting nonsense? How could I possibly be poisoned, and there's no way my grandfather could be either!"
"Lingling?"
"What are you spacing out about, you're so distracted," Dugu Yan asked curiously.
The tranquil beauty with clear eyes seemed to undergo a subtle change, her ethereal presence shifting, her white dress dancing in the wind, her pale pink lips slightly parting.
"Yan Yan, haven't you always asked if I could ever have feelings for a man?"
"I didn't before, but now—"
"It seems like I might," she said.
"What?"
Dugu Yan turned her head in surprise, only to find Ye Lingling still as calm as ever, but her soft words revealed a different kind of certainty...