One month later, at night, inside a hotel room.
A fat middle-aged man hunched his back, bowing respectfully toward a young man:
"Young Master Wang, I've found the person that matches your request."
After speaking, the middle-aged man took out a file from his storage soul tool and handed it to the youth, rubbing his hands together with a look of anticipation.
Wang Chen accepted the file and carefully read through it. After confirming that this was indeed the person he was searching for, he stored the document in his own storage soul tool.
Sitting leisurely on a chair, Wang Chen lifted his gaze toward the fat man.
"Not bad, you've done well."
As he spoke, Wang Chen drew out a blue crystal card worth fifty thousand gold soul coins and handed it over.
The middle-aged man's tiny, greedy eyes gleamed with excitement. He hurriedly reached out, grabbed the card, and stuffed it into his own storage soul tool.
"Thank you, Young Master Wang! You're truly generous. If there's ever anything else I can do for you, just say the word—I'll give it my all."
Wang Chen smiled faintly.
"Manager Zhang, I recognize your capabilities. If I need help again, I'll certainly come to you."
Manager Zhang's face immediately brightened with a wide grin. Seeing that it was getting late, and with the payment already in hand, he chuckled.
"It's late, so I won't disturb your rest, Young Master Wang. I'll take my leave."
With that, he exited the hotel room.
After Zhang left, the corner of Wang Chen's lips curled upward in a smile.
This Manager Zhang, though money-hungry, was undeniably efficient—far more competent than the others he'd hired before.
Fifty thousand gold soul coins were no small amount, but finding Ye Guyi, this "little angel," was well worth the price.
There's a saying: if a problem can be solved with money, then it's no problem at all.
From the original story, Wang Chen already knew that Ye Guyi had connections to the Pingfan Alliance. So he had planned to start there.
This past month, he had spent both large sums of money and much time, leveraging noble connections to privately reach out to several Pingfan Alliance managers—some in charge of intelligence, others of personnel.
At last, after a month's effort, his persistence bore fruit.
According to the file Manager Zhang had just delivered, Wang Chen now knew that Ye Guyi was born in Mingdu, currently living in the southeast district. Her parents had passed away.
However, while alive, her parents had been close friends with a senior elder of the Pingfan Alliance—a Soul Sage named Zhao Yurou.
Because of this bond, Zhao Yurou had been quietly supporting Ye Guyi over the years.
It was precisely this relationship with the Pingfan Alliance that explained why, in the original story, Ye Guyi would later represent them in the Soul Tool Elite Tournament.
Having tracked down this "little angel," Wang Chen left the hotel in high spirits and returned home.
Meanwhile, at Ye Guyi's home.
The girl sat on her bed, hugging a cloth doll her late parents had once given her. Her large, blue eyes were filled with sorrow.
But soon, determination flickered once more in her gaze.
Staring at the moon outside her window, Ye Guyi whispered a vow:
"I, Ye Guyi, swear that in this lifetime I will never coexist with evil soul masters. Father, Mother… I hope your spirits in the heavens will watch over me."
Time passed, and the next day arrived.
After finishing his morning cultivation, Wang Chen rose from bed. With a month's effort, he was now only a step away from reaching level 30 and becoming a Soul Elder.
He estimated that within a week, he would break through.
Stretching his arms, his eyes gleamed thoughtfully.
He needed Ye Guyi's holy attribute to purify the malice and curse within the Devourer Spirit Carving Knife.
But he and Ye Guyi were strangers with no prior connection. If he were to suddenly appear and ask for her help, she would surely be suspicious.
We've never met—so how could I know she has a holy marital soul? Did I secretly investigate her? Do I harbor ulterior motives?
Under such doubts, she might refuse him outright.
After a moment's thought, Wang Chen decided to observe her for a few days and then find the right opportunity to introduce himself.
He was confident: with his looks, befriending a girl was never difficult.
Once they became acquainted, asking for her help later would be a simple matter.
Over the next few days, Wang Chen quietly observed her routine.
Her days were mostly spent cultivating at home. When she went out, it was usually to purchase daily necessities or cultivation supplies. In the afternoons, she would head to the Pingfan Alliance's base, where Zhao Yurou guided her in soul tool crafting.
On one sunny day, as usual, Ye Guyi went out to visit Zhao Yurou.
She looked no more than fifteen, dressed in a tight-fitting yellow outfit. Her long, golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
Her eyes were like the clearest lake, or the boundless blue sky—bright and captivating.
Her features were delicate and refined, her skin as smooth and flawless as white jade, glowing faintly with a soft luster.
Though not yet fully matured, her figure already showed the graceful beginnings of a beauty.
As she walked under the sun, enjoying the warmth, a familiar male voice suddenly rang out beside her:
"Yiyi, I like you! Please be my girlfriend—I'll treat you well for the rest of my life!"
The moment she heard the voice, Ye Guyi's expression stiffened, and she quickened her pace, trying to escape before the speaker could entangle her again.
But it was too late.
A handsome youth of fourteen or fifteen, dressed in ornate clothing and followed by attendants, strode toward her.
Holding a bouquet of red roses, his gaze burned as he spoke with false tenderness:
"Yiyi, from the first moment I saw you, my heart was captured. Your smile is like sunshine—warm and irresistible.
I want to accompany you through every sunrise and sunset, every season of your life. Let me protect you and love you forever. Will you be my girlfriend and let me prove my love with actions?"
Ye Guyi's face twisted with disgust; goosebumps rose all over her body.
Her expression hardened as she suppressed her anger.
"Sun Yu, you're blocking my way. Get lost!"
This youth was named Sun Yu, the son of Sun Jing, a Soul Saint, seventh-level soul engineer, and count of the Sun Moon Empire.
A year ago, Sun Yu had stumbled upon Ye Guyi by chance and fallen in "love at first sight." Since then, he had pursued her relentlessly, ignoring her countless rejections.
Though she had clearly said she felt nothing for him, he refused to let go, clinging to her like a leech.
Now, hearing her cold rejection, Sun Yu merely smiled shamelessly.
"Yiyi, you want me gone? Fine—but at least accept these roses. If you do, I'll leave immediately."
Ye Guyi's eyes narrowed. She knew all too well: if she accepted, this shameless pest would only escalate his advances.
His persistence had already infuriated her for an entire year. At times, she even wanted to cut him down with a soul tool blade.
As for why she didn't just burn him alive with her Angel martial soul's holy flames, she had to keep her true power hidden, lest evil soul masters discover it.
Thus, she never revealed her Angel martial soul in public, relying only on soul tools in battle.
Even Zhao Yurou couldn't do much to help. After all, Sun Yu's father was a count and a Soul Saint—killing his son wasn't an option.
Meanwhile, watching from the shadows, Wang Chen understood the situation instantly.
He recognized Sun Yu. His father, Sun Jing, was a supporter of Xu Tianran, while the Wang family backed the second prince, Xu Tianyu.
This was a perfect opportunity—not only to make a good impression on Ye Guyi but also to oppose a political rival.
While the struggles of princes were battles of high politics, it was natural for younger nobles to clash when their factions met.
Smirks, jibes, even duels—such confrontations were common.
Wang Chen smoothed the golden embroidery of his robe, then stepped calmly from the shadows with a spring-breeze smile.
His flawless, handsome face glowed in the sunlight as he positioned himself squarely between Ye Guyi and Sun Yu.
He spoke with mocking laughter:
"Well, if it isn't Sun Yu. Are your eyes failing you?
If they still work, take a look in the mirror—do you really think your crooked features make you worthy of this young lady?
Get lost. Can't you see she doesn't like you? Stop disgracing the noble class with your shamelessness."
Ye Guyi blinked in surprise, her heart stirring with gratitude that someone had stepped forward for her.
But when she saw Wang Chen's side profile, she froze.
His short black hair was neat, his brows sharp as swords, his eyes deep and bright. His face was perfectly symmetrical, his nose straight, his skin fair and radiant.
Never before had she seen a boy this striking.
While she stared, Sun Yu's face darkened. Seeing her gaze fixed on another man nearly made him explode.
But then he recognized Wang Chen.
His eyes narrowed in caution.
Wang Chen… damn it. He's more handsome than I, more talented than I. Has he come to steal Yiyi from me, too?
Sun Yu's mood plummeted, though he dared not act rashly. The Wang family was a marquis house, far stronger than his own. Their ancestor, Wang Yan, was a peak Contra with soul tool mastery rivaling even ninth-level engineers.
If Sun Yu touched Wang Chen, not even his father could save him.
Still, backing down completely wasn't an option. Their families were in opposing political camps—Sun Yu supported the crown prince, Xu Tianran, while Wang Chen's family supported the second prince, Xu Tianyu.
They were rivals, not subordinates.
So Sun Yu sneered back,
"Wang Chen, you already have Miss Meng Hongchen. Why meddle here? What are you trying to eat from one bowl while eyeing the pot?
Better leave now, or when Miss Meng Hongchen hears about this, you'll be in trouble."
By invoking Meng Hongchen, he sought to strike a blow, warning Ye Guyi that this handsome savior was already taken.
Ye Guyi's eyes flickered.
So this Wang Chen already has a girlfriend…
But Wang Chen remained calm.
"Sun Yu, this lady and I are strangers. I stepped in only because I couldn't stand your harassment."
Then he turned to Ye Guyi.
"Miss, do you think Sun Yu is worthy of you? Do you dislike him?"
Ye Guyi glanced disdainfully at Sun Yu and spoke coldly:
"Of course, he's unworthy. If not for his father being a count, I would have beaten him already."
Her words made Sun Yu's blood pressure skyrocket.
Wang Chen's expression chilled as he faced Sun Yu and his guards.
"Sun Yu, if you continue bothering this lady, I'll take it out on your bodyguards."
With that, he gestured for Ye Guyi to leave.
She thanked him softly and walked past Sun Yu, heading off into the distance.
"Stop her!" Sun Yu shouted furiously to his attendants.
But his guards exchanged glances—none dared move.
"You useless trash!" Sun Yu cursed at them bitterly.
Watching Ye Guyi's departing figure, Wang Chen thought to himself:
First impression—good. A few more encounters, and becoming friends will be easy.
Shame that Sun Yu spoiled the moment, or the impression could've been even better.
Casting one last glance at Sun Yu, Wang Chen turned and walked away.