To ease the heavy, sorrowful atmosphere, Zhao Yurou gently changed the topic.
"Guyi," she said softly, "how about that Wang Chen boy?
If you think he's suitable, go see him more often.
A girl should be reserved, yes—but when you meet someone you truly like, you must also know when to take the initiative."
During the past three years, Ye Guyi had often gone to find Wang Chen, and since she and Zhao Yurou were close, she never hid anything from her.
Naturally, Zhao Yurou knew about Wang Chen—and she had long since noticed how Ye Guyi's feelings for him were deepening.
Those moments when Guyi would drift into a daze or blush without reason—anyone who wasn't blind could tell that the girl's heart had already been captured.
Flustered at being found out, Ye Guyi immediately lifted her head and denied it.
"No, no! I–I'm just friends with Wang Chen! Besides, he already has a girlfriend."
At the mention of Wang Chen's girlfriend, her beautiful eyes dimmed slightly.
Zhao Yurou couldn't help but chuckle at the girl's dejected expression—she looked just like a golden retriever pup that had lost its treat.
Having taken care of Ye Guyi for so many years, she knew the girl's personality inside out—kindhearted, proud, yet far too shy to chase or compete for affection.
In love, such girls were the ones who got hurt the most.
As her aunt, Zhao Yurou naturally couldn't just watch her child suffer a loss in matters of the heart.
Pinching Ye Guyi's soft, delicate cheek, she said teasingly,
"So what if he has a girlfriend? As long as they're not married, it's nothing serious.
Love is something you have to fight for—never back down.
There are so few truly outstanding men in this world.
When you find one who's right for you, don't let him slip away!"
Ye Guyi's mind buzzed, her face instantly turning crimson. She lowered her head and mumbled in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum,
"Aunt Zhao… Wang Chen and I really are just friends."
Zhao Yurou laughed warmly at her shy reaction.
"Silly girl, feelings aren't so easy to define.
If you really like him, don't leave yourself with regrets.
Didn't you say that Wang Chen is even more talented than you? His future is limitless—and he's handsome too.
A boy who is gifted and good-looking? If you let him go, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
Ye Guyi bit her lip, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
Of course, she knew Wang Chen was exceptional—and of course, she knew she liked him.
But he already had Meng Hongchen, and she didn't know what she could—or should—do.
"Aunt Zhao… I don't know what to do," she whispered, barely audible.
Zhao Yurou patted her hand softly and smiled.
"Then go after him bravely. Even if you fail, at least you'll never regret trying.
Besides…" her eyes glinted mischievously, "your aunt can teach you how to win Wang Chen over."
Despite her gentle demeanor toward Ye Guyi, Zhao Yurou had long been known for her ruthlessness toward outsiders—no mercy, no hesitation.
It was that very edge that had earned her position within the Plain Alliance.
Ye Guyi's eyes flickered—she was clearly moved, her heart at war with itself.
In her mind, two tiny angels began to argue.
The white angel, pure and kind, flapped her wings.
"Ye Guyi! Wake up! You can't interfere with someone else's love!
Wang Chen and Meng Hongchen are childhood sweethearts.
How can you be the one to break them apart?"
The black angel sneered, drawing her dark sword.
"Oh, please! Meng Hongchen's just a lucky toad who met him first.
Why can't you compete fairly? Whoever Wang Chen chooses in the end—that's his decision!"
The white angel swung her shining sword.
"Evil spirit! Take this!"
The black angel cackled.
"Naïve fool! I've had enough of you—die!"
And so the two angels clashed fiercely in the battlefield of Ye Guyi's heart, leaving her completely torn.
At last, she looked helplessly at Zhao Yurou.
"But… Wang Chen already has a girlfriend. Wouldn't it be wrong of me to do this?"
Zhao Yurou smiled, utterly unbothered.
"What's wrong with that? Love isn't governed by rules or laws.
As long as he's not married, you still have a chance.
You can't give up your own happiness for the sake of some stranger, can you?"
Ye Guyi fell silent. Slowly, the doubt in her eyes was replaced by determination.
"Aunt Zhao… I understand now. I'll do my best to win him."
Zhao Yurou nodded approvingly.
"That's the Ye Guyi I know. Be brave—don't let yourself regret anything."
Ye Guyi took a deep breath, her eyes shining with newfound resolve.
Zhao Yurou was right—love wasn't something you could tiptoe around.
If she truly liked Wang Chen, then she had to fight for it. Even if she failed in the end, at least she would have tried.
In the theater of her heart, the black angel burst out laughing victoriously, snapping a whip at the cowering white angel.
"See, silly girl? I'm doing this for your own good!"
The white angel covered her head and sobbed.
"Fine, fine! You win! Just stop hitting me!"
Zhao Yurou, seeing the change in Ye Guyi's expression, smiled with satisfaction.
"When my body's recovered, you'll take me to meet this Wang Chen.
I want to see for myself what kind of young man could steal the heart of my proud little Guyi."
Ye Guyi's face turned bright red.
Meet the family? That was way too soon!
Meanwhile, Zhao Yurou sighed quietly.
For a soul master, meridians were everything.
With her meridians severed, soul power couldn't circulate. Not only could she no longer use soul skills, but her body would gradually weaken without that nourishment.
Still, she wanted to see the boy who had captured Ye Guyi's heart—evaluate him, decide if he was truly worthy.
If Wang Chen was indeed trustworthy, she was willing to entrust Guyi's future to him.
As for Wang Chen having a girlfriend?
Zhao Yurou dismissed it with a laugh.
Having lived long enough, she knew men's hearts well—no man was immune to temptation.
And Ye Guyi was too exceptional a beauty and too talented a soul master for any man to resist.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the room.
Ye Guyi instantly grew alert, drawing her soul tool longsword from her storage device, stance tense and ready.
Zhao Yurou, however, patted her hand gently, signaling her to put it away.
"Come in," she called out.
The door opened—and a stunning woman in a crimson off-shoulder gown stepped inside, her beauty radiant and mature.
It was Shangguan Wei'er, the Alliance Master of the Plain Alliance.
Her alluring smile swept across the room, her gaze finally settling on Zhao Yurou.
"Elder Zhao, I came to see how you were doing," Shangguan Wei'er said with a faint, graceful smile.
Ye Guyi's eyes flickered with recognition.
So this is the famous Alliance Master… What brings her here?
Zhao Yurou struggled to sit up, trying to salute, but her weak body failed her.
She could only nod slightly.
"Thank you, Alliance Master, for your concern."
Shangguan Wei'er waved her hand.
"No need for that. Elder Zhao has contributed greatly to the Plain Alliance.
You've been injured in our service—the Alliance will not let you suffer for it."
She raised her wrist, and from the storage soul tool bracelet there, she drew out a small ornate box, handing it to Zhao Yurou.
"Inside are five hundred thousand gold soul coins and several healing elixirs.
They can't restore your meridians, but they'll at least speed your recovery.
From now on, the Alliance will provide you with a yearly stipend and protection for your family."
Zhao Yurou smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Alliance Master."
Shangguan Wei'er nodded, then turned her gaze toward Ye Guyi.
Her sharp senses as a Title Douluo immediately analyzed the girl's aura.
She could tell at a glance—though the girl's figure was mature, her age couldn't be more than sixteen.
And yet, her spirit power was nearly at the level of a Soul King.
Such monstrous talent—and such beauty—were rare indeed.
If I could recruit her… Shangguan Wei'er thought that she could become one of my greatest assets.
With a smile, she said,
"You must be Ye Guyi, hm? What a beautiful young lady."
Ye Guyi stood and bowed respectfully.
"I greet the Alliance Master."
"No need for formalities," Shangguan Wei'er replied warmly.
"Elder Zhao has suffered much for our Alliance. Naturally, we'll care for her.
If you wish, Ye Guyi, you can also join the Plain Alliance.
We'll provide you with the finest resources and training."
Ye Guyi hesitated briefly, then shook her head.
"Thank you for the offer, Alliance Master, but right now, I only want to take care of Aunt Zhao."
Shangguan Wei'er's eyes softened with approval.
"I understand. I won't pressure you.
But if you ever change your mind, the doors of the Plain Alliance will always be open to you."
As a leader, she had seen countless geniuses.
While she admired Ye Guyi, she would never force recruitment.
After all, loyalty born of coercion was never reliable—and talented youths who felt trapped often fled once they grew powerful enough.
For now, maintaining a cordial relationship through Zhao Yurou was more than sufficient.
After saying her piece, Shangguan Wei'er turned and left, leaving the room to Zhao Yurou and Ye Guyi.
Zhao Yurou exhaled softly. She knew Shangguan Wei'er must have seen through Ye Guyi's concealed cultivation.
Even though she had crafted a soul tool to hide her aura, it couldn't fool a Title Douluo.
Still, as long as her Angel Martial Soul remained undisclosed, it was fine.
She opened the box, took out one of the healing elixirs, and swallowed it.
Ye Guyi quickly pressed her jade-like hand to Zhao Yurou's abdomen, guiding her soul power to help refine the medicine's energy.
After a while, Zhao Yurou's complexion improved—color returned to her cheeks.
"Aunt Zhao," Ye Guyi said, "there are still a few pills left.
Once you finish them, your external injuries should be mostly healed.
After that, I'll look for herbs that can restore your meridians. I'll help you regain your cultivation."
Zhao Yurou smiled gently.
"There's no rush, Guyi. One step at a time.
Once I'm stronger, you can take me to meet Wang Chen."
Ye Guyi blushed furiously but nodded nonetheless.A Few Days Later — MorningThe sun rose slowly from the horizon, breaking the darkness and bathing the world in light.
Inside the Wang Family's Grand Hall, at the heart of the estate, Wang Chen sat cross-legged in meditation, cultivating his Tongmai Method (Meridian Flow Technique).
Ever since he had used the second crystal imprint of the Black Book to refine his technique, he could now cultivate soul power, temper his body, and strengthen his spiritual sea simultaneously—without hindering his advancement speed.
In short: essence, energy, and spirit—training all three together.
After a night of cultivation, his body ached slightly from overexertion—a sign he had reached his current limit.
Opening his eyes, Wang Chen smiled faintly at the sunlight streaming through the window.
He clenched his fist, thinking,
"This new cultivation method is incredible.
If I continue like this, by the time I reach Soul Sage (Rank 70), I'll be able to absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
My spiritual power might even reach the tangible, formless level of a Title Douluo."
He took a deep breath, stretched, and pressed the soul tool button by his bedside.
Moments later, five beautiful maids entered, beginning their morning routine—washing his face, massaging his limbs, one even holding rinse water to his lips.
In a word—luxury.
Just as Wang Chen was enjoying the treatment, another maid entered from outside and bowed.
"My lord, there's a young lady named Ye Guyi requesting an audience.
She's waiting in the guest hall."
Wang Chen blinked in surprise, then smiled.
Ye Guyi, huh? It's been a while.
He waved his hand, dismissing the maids, and in the next instant, his figure flickered—appearing in the guest hall.
There stood Ye Guyi, stunning as ever, golden hair gleaming, her figure graceful and poised.
Wang Chen grinned.
Guyi, long time no see. How have you been?
Ye Guyi's face turned rosy the moment their eyes met.
Then Wang Chen noticed something—someone else was with her.A mature woman stood behind Ye Guyi, smiling at him with interest.