Celestial Dragon Sword Venerable

Ye Tianling had a strange feeling about Feng Caiyi.

It was like a familial feeling, so even when he spoke to her like that, he never worried that it was improper.

"Er... don’t be ridiculous. I was just helping you. Besides, you know that in a battle of this level, I couldn’t manage every little detail! Just forget it. Go back to the Imperial View Pavilion. You’ve managed to keep your spot.

Also, the assessment has officially begun. It’s in three days, so don’t forget."

Feng Caiyi was rather embarrassed. ’This kid... just how strong is he? He actually noticed all my subtle, hidden moves?’

’How is that possible?’

’How did he find out? Could it be his Soul Talent is even more heaven-defying than mine?’

’Or... does he actually not know anything and is just trying to bluff me?’

’Hmph, this boy is as cunning as a fox. I’ll have to put him in his place a little.’

As Feng Caiyi mulled this over, her mood inexplicably brightened.

Even she didn’t know why she had suddenly developed such fond feelings for Ye Tianling.

"Mansion Master."

Qian Ye coughed, giving her a pointed reminder.

"Ahem—"

Feng Caiyi started, then realized she had lost her composure. She immediately resumed her frosty, aloof demeanor, her gaze sweeping across the area.

The chaotic battle had led to disastrous consequences.

Within the War Dragon Academy’s battlegrounds, more than three hundred weaker Cultivators had been killed by the battle’s shockwaves.

Most of them were new students who had only passed the preliminary tests and hadn’t yet undergone the formal assessment.

The faces of many Cultivators were pale, and they now had a starkly new understanding of the cruelty of the path of Cultivation.

...

Ye Tianling no longer paid any mind to the changes on the battlefield. He was casually making his way back to the Imperial View Pavilion.

The whole way back, Yuan Haoning was in a daze, completely at a loss and unable to get her bearings.

Even now, she still didn’t seem to have recovered from the shock.

She had been injured by the shockwaves earlier, but not seriously.

"Yuan Haoning, what is it? Still feeling out of sorts? Is there something you want to say?"

Back in the Imperial View Pavilion, Ye Tianling felt utterly relaxed and comfortable down to his bones. He couldn’t help but ask smugly.

Yuan Haoning’s gaze was complex, and as she looked at Ye Tianling’s face, her expression was tinged with disbelief.

"You’re an Inheritor of the Dragon Race?"

Yuan Haoning asked softly, her lips pursed.

Her voice trembled slightly.

"I am. Couldn’t you tell?"

Ye Tianling said with a half-smile.

"An Unparalleled Celestial Dragon?"

Yuan Haoning seemed to want to confirm it further.

"Mhm, that’s right."

Ye Tianling nodded, admitting it frankly.

’Besides, it’s not like Yuan Haoning would believe me if I denied it.’

"Ye Tianling, I’m sorry. I want to apologize for my previous actions. You were right. I was too short-sighted, always judging you through my own narrow-minded worldview. It was utterly foolish."

Yuan Haoning gave a deep bow, her gaze clear and her attitude completely sincere.

"Er, there’s no need for that. You meant well, I know."

Ye Tianling was a little taken aback by Yuan Haoning’s sudden formality.

"Ye Tianling, I don’t want to be your Maid anymore. And... this place isn’t for me."

Yuan Haoning’s expression grew dim. She stopped looking at Ye Tianling and silently lowered her head.

"What’s the matter? The good-for-nothing idiot you took me for is suddenly high and mighty, so you feel like you don’t belong anymore?"

Ye Tianling frowned slightly, instantly understanding the self-pity behind her words.

Yuan Haoning’s body trembled. She hadn’t expected Ye Tianling to be so perceptive, to grasp her thoughts in an instant.

As if venting, Yuan Haoning cried out, "Yes, that’s right! I followed you because you were useless and easy to Control! You condensed a Hundred Battle Power Dao Patterns, and I thought if I could just trick you into giving me your Cultivation Technique, I’d have a chance to rise up!

I was just trying to use you! I’m a despicable person to begin with, with no dignity to speak of—"

"Shut up, you fool!"

Ye Tianling shouted, then strode domineeringly toward Yuan Haoning, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her fiercely.

"Mmph—"

Yuan Haoning struggled with all her might, but she couldn’t break free.

After a long moment, when Yuan Haoning’s body began to tremble and go limp, Ye Tianling finally ended his assault.

"You—"

A look of disbelief filled Yuan Haoning’s eyes, along with a flicker of indescribable panic.

"’You’ what? I like you, alright?! So from now on, stop spouting that useless crap and just follow me!"

Ye Tianling declared domineeringly.

Yuan Haoning trembled, feeling even more worthless. "Don’t you know about my situation? What are you trying to do? Do you want to conquer me just to show off to Tianshu? To use me to get back at him? Or do you just think a despicable person like me is fair game, someone you can have your way with without any responsibility?"

Ye Tianling looked exasperated. He shrugged and said, "Fine, you’re right about everything, okay? I’ll give you unparalleled Battle Power, and you follow me. When the time comes, you’ll put on a show with me to piss that Tianshu off to death. How about it?!"

Yuan Haoning’s eyes went wide. She glared at Ye Tianling, nearly exploding with rage.

’This Ye Tianling... he actually admitted it so shamelessly?!’

’He really has such vile intentions?’

’Wasn’t he supposed to be a simple, honest guy?’

’Simple and honest? Him?’

"Damn it! You and that Tianshu are the exact same kind of person—equally shameless and degenerate, equally despicable and sinister!"

Yuan Haoning raged.

When she was angry, she had a unique kind of allure.

The rise and fall of her chest made Ye Tianling’s thoughts grow heated.

"You know as well as I do that it’s in a dragon’s nature to be lustful. What’s wrong with pursuing a beautiful Fairy? As for your situation, I couldn’t care less!"

Ye Tianling said dismissively, his tone utterly nonchalant.

Yuan Haoning froze.

’He couldn’t care less?’

She gave Ye Tianling a long, hard look, but his eyes were perfectly clear. He didn’t look like he was lying at all.

’I was... assaulted by that Tianshu several times, and you don’t care?’

She desperately wanted to ask, but she couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

That encounter was a taboo buried in her heart, a memory born of despair that she never wanted to revisit.

And yet, Ye Tianling’s words, ’I couldn’t care less,’ felt like he was telling her: ’I care about who you are now, not about your past.’

Though she didn’t want to admit it, Yuan Haoning’s heart couldn’t help but tremble.

It was as if an unfamiliar warmth had pierced through the layers of ice around her heart.

Yuan Haoning’s expression was incredibly complex as she lowered her head once more.

"I’ll agree to follow you, but you’re not allowed to bully me again... And remember to teach me the technique for condensing Battle Power Dao Patterns."

Yuan Haoning’s voice trembled, her heart in a state of inexplicable turmoil.

"Of course. You have to be a good girl, too. I like my women obedient and well-behaved."

Ye Tianling smiled.

’Care?’

’Why would he need to care?’

’Because the Tianshu who had assaulted Yuan Haoning... was him!’

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!