Sun Yu watched as both Wang Chen and Ye Guyi walked away, stomping his feet in anger.
With nowhere else to vent, he turned on his family's bodyguards.
"Trash, all of you are trash! Wang Chen just had to threaten you, and you all froze up like statues!!"
"My Sun family raises you to eat for free, is that it?!"
"Cowards, every last one of you! The moment you run into someone tough, you curl up like quails. What use do I have for you?"
The bodyguards stood there silently, letting his words go in one ear and out the other.
They were all Soul Elders, some even Soul Sects. While they worked as the Sun family's guards, they weren't slaves.
The Sun family paid them, and they worked. That was the deal. Against minor opponents, fine—but going head-to-head with the young heir of a Marquis household? Not a chance.
After all, how much was the Sun family even paying? You expect us to throw away our lives for that pittance?
The Wang family's power wasn't something the Sun family could compare with. Sun Yu might be the son of a Count, with his father backing the Crown Prince Xu Tiannan, but Wang Chen could crush these bodyguards whenever he wanted—and if he did, would the Sun family save them? Absolutely not.
So they let him rant, keeping their thoughts to themselves.
When they didn't react at all, Sun Yu grew even angrier. At last, he lashed out with a kick.
He was only fourteen, but already a Soul Elder. Even without Spirit Possession, the kick packed real force, sending one of the guards rolling across the ground.
The guard winced in pain, fury rising in his chest.
He wasn't strong—just a three-ring Soul Elder, a second-tier Soul Engineer. But he had options. If he wanted to leave, other employers would take him in immediately.
Why stay here, suffering abuse for a few coins?
"Young Master Sun," the guard said coldly, "your family's demands are too much. I'm too weak for this. I quit."
That only infuriated Sun Yu further.
"Fine, get lost! All of you, get out of my sight!"
The other guards exchanged looks. One by one, they walked off, deciding they'd had enough.
Sun Yu watched them leave and cursed.
"These mercenary hires… not a shred of loyalty. Lazy, slippery freeloaders, the lot of them. Useless!"
But what could he do?
His Sun family had only risen in recent years, after his father Sun Jing advanced to Soul Saint. Their retainers were mostly hired hands.
They couldn't compare to great clans, who had loyal followers raised from childhood, or vast family networks of relatives supporting them.
Such things took generations to build. Not something he could fix overnight.
With no guards left to abuse, Sun Yu could only shout after Wang Chen's fading figure:
"You damned brat! Daring to steal my woman—just you wait. When Crown Prince Xu Tiannan ascends the throne and the Wang family falls, I'll make you pay!"
After venting, he cooled down, his face turning grim.
He thought hard.
"This Wang Chen—just one look at him and you can tell he's the womanizing type. I don't need to guess his intentions. He must've noticed how pretty Yi Yi is and wants to chase her.
I can't just sit and do nothing. Much as I hate to admit it, Wang Chen really is good-looking, has talent, and comes from a stronger background. If I let him court Yi Yi, I won't stand a chance."
Then inspiration struck.
He could go to the Hongchen Family and report Wang Chen's closeness to another girl.
He'd heard plenty of rumors—Miss Meng Hongchen of the Hongchen Family was fond of Wang Chen. If she learned he was chasing another girl, she would never allow it.
It was a perfect plan.
Sun Yu grinned.
"Wang Chen, if you think you can woo Yi Yi while I'm around, you're dreaming."
Without delay, he hurried toward the Hongchen Family estate.
Meanwhile, elsewhere—
Ye Guyi was walking to the Pingfan Alliance stronghold, humming with delight.
For a whole year, Sun Yu had pestered her like a dogskin plaster, driving her crazy. Today, someone had finally helped her put him in his place. It felt so good to vent.
Even if Sun Yu tried to take revenge later, she wasn't worried.
Her Aunt Zhao Yurou was a Soul Saint, far stronger than Sun Yu's father.
Without that support, Sun Yu would have used far filthier, nastier tricks by now.
In high spirits, Ye Guyi walked lightly, the air itself seeming fresher.
Her mind replayed Wang Chen's handsome face.
"Ah… I left in such a hurry that I forgot to tell him my name.
So careless, Guyi! Well, if fate brings us together again, I can tell him then.
Anyway… he really was handsome. But he already has a girlfriend."
Knowing this, Ye Guyi felt nothing more than mild curiosity. She was grateful for his help, yes—but they had only met once. Not enough to stir disappointment.
Ye Guyi was a proud girl, and with an Angel Spirit, she had every reason to be.
Looks weren't her top priority. She valued strength, talent, wisdom, and willpower far more.
In fact, she had already set her standards for her future partner:
First and foremost, he could not be weaker than her.
If he were, then in battle against Evil Spirit Masters, he'd be a liability. Worse than useless.
She wanted her man to be a towering, peerless powerhouse.
Only such a man could conquer her proud heart.
Wang Chen was indeed handsome, but… she thought he looked a little too pampered, like someone who probably wasn't very good at fighting.
Soon, Ye Guyi arrived at the Pingfan Alliance stronghold.
On the surface, it was a luxury hotel. Underground, it was one of the Alliance's infamous assassin-training bases.
As one of Mingdu's three great underground powers, Pingfan didn't just deal in entertainment and flesh trade—their female assassins were equally notorious.
Ye Guyi walked in naturally, slipping through a hidden entrance into the underground facility.
She entered an elegantly decorated room, expecting to find her aunt.
But Zhao Yurou wasn't there.
Strange. Normally, she would be here at this time. Did something happen?
Worry prickled her heart. To Ye Guyi, Zhao Yurou was like a second mother. Since her parents' death, she had cared for her wholeheartedly.
Just then, the door opened.
A beautiful, mature woman in her thirties walked in.
Her features were exquisite—large eyes, delicate brows, a graceful figure, alabaster skin. Black wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders.
There were fine crow's-feet at the corners of her eyes, signs of age, but they did little to dim her allure.
This was indeed Zhao Yurou, the Soul Saint of the Pingfan Alliance. But today, her face was pale—clearly wounded.
"Aunt Zhao, what happened to you?" Ye Guyi asked in alarm.
Zhao Yurou waved her hand. "It's nothing. A few days ago, I fought with experts from the Xishui Alliance alongside the Aodu Chamber of Commerce. Took a small injury, that's all. Nothing serious."
"Aunt Zhao, you should rest," Ye Guyi said, frowning.
Zhao Yurou chuckled, ruffling her golden hair. "Don't worry about me, Yi Yi. A Soul Saint isn't that fragile."
Then, as always, she began her lessons.
Zhao Yurou was not only a Soul Saint but also a seventh-tier Soul Engineer. Her knowledge ran deep.
She treated Ye Guyi well because of a great debt: years ago, Guyi's parents had saved her life. Without them, she would have died. With no children of her own, she had long since regarded Ye Guyi as her daughter.
An hour later, the lecture ended. Zhao Yurou asked gently, "Guyi, any troubles lately? Any bottlenecks in your cultivation? Remember, you can tell me anything. Don't be afraid to trouble me."
Ye Guyi smiled. "Only trouble is Sun Yu. You know he keeps pestering me.
But today, when he tried again, a kind young man stepped in.
Aunt Zhao, you should've seen Sun Yu's face—looked like he was about to cough blood! It was hilarious."
"Oh?" Zhao Yurou raised an eyebrow, curious. "Tell me everything."
Ye Guyi nodded and recounted the incident.
"Wang Chen, from the Wang Marquis household?" Zhao Yurou mused afterward.
To her, it sounded like typical noble infighting. Two young men are chasing a pretty girl. Nothing more.
She shifted the subject to cultivation.
"How's your progress lately?"
"My soul power has reached level thirty-two," Ye Guyi replied proudly. "I should reach the Soul Sect at fourteen. Reaching Soul Emperor before twenty won't be a problem. And if I kill enough Evil Spirit Masters to boost my strength, I might even hit Soul Saint before then."
Though she looked fourteen or fifteen, Ye Guyi was only twelve—barely older than Wang Chen.
Zhao Yurou's expression turned stern.
"Guyi, listen. I don't object to you hunting Evil Spirit Masters—they're beasts, not worthy of life.
But you are not ready yet. You mustn't let them know your spirit is the Angel. If they discover it, they'll stop at nothing to kill you early.
Only after you reach Soul Saint will it be safe. With the Angel Spirit's power, you'll be able to suppress even Titled Douluo-level Evil Spirit Masters. Then, the world will truly be yours.
But until then, you must hide your identity."
Ye Guyi nodded obediently.
Zhao Yurou stroked her delicate face, seeing echoes of her old friends.
"Your talent even surpasses your parents'. If only I had more ability to provide the best resources… your cultivation would be even higher now."
"Aunt Zhao," Ye Guyi said, hugging her arm, "don't say things like that. If you do, I won't talk to you anymore."
Zhao Yurou laughed softly, caressing her golden hair. The two looked just like mother and daughter.
They chatted happily until noon, then ate a rich meal together. Soon after, Alliance members came looking for Zhao Yurou.
As a high-ranking figure, she had endless duties.
Ye Guyi, ever considerate, bid her farewell with reluctance.
Watching her leave, Zhao Yurou's mind drifted back to her recent battle with the Xishui Alliance.
The stench of blood. The wails of spirits. The foul aura of Evil Spirit Masters.
So… the Xishui Alliance, this terrifying underground force rising in recent years, really harbored Evil Spirit Masters.
Did Alliance Leader Shangguan Weier know? Did the noble backers of the Pingfan Alliance know? Did the Emperor of the Sun and Moon Empire himself know?
Were they turning a blind eye? Or was there some hidden cooperation?
Zhao Yurou shook her head, forcing the thoughts away.
Such secrets were far too dangerous for a mere Soul Saint to pry into.
She sighed.
Guyi's Angel Spirit must never be exposed. If it is…"
Her sigh lingered in the room, heavy with worry.
Hongchen Family estate.
Jing Hongchen listened as his butler reported, raising an eyebrow.
So, that boy Wang Chen is flirting with another girl? Heh… and here I thought nothing interesting ever happened.