Sun Yu saw Wang Chen and Ye Guyi both leave, and he was so angry he stomped his feet.
With a belly full of rage, Sun Yu looked left and right, and finally vented all of his anger on his family's guards.
"Trash, you're all trash! Wang Chen just threatened you once and you didn't dare move!!"
"My Sun Family raises you for nothing!!"
"Cowards! The moment you meet a tough opponent, you all shrink like quails. What use are you?"
The scolded guards stood where they were, letting his words go in one ear and out the other.
They were all three-ring Soul Elders, some even at the Soul Ancestor level. Though they served as the Sun Family's guards, they weren't slaves.
The Sun Family paid, they worked. It was one thing to deal with small fry, but to pit them against the heir of a Marquis family like Wang Chen? They weren't stupid enough to do that.
After all, the Sun Family only gave them a small wage. To risk their lives against the young master of the Wang Marquisate for that? Impossible.
The strength of the Wang Family was far beyond the Sun Family's. Sun Yu, as the son of a Count, backed by the Crown Prince Xu Tianran, might not fear Wang Chen.
But if Wang Chen wanted to deal with them, these small guards, he wouldn't hesitate. Could the Sun Family protect them then?
The guards all understood this perfectly, so they ignored Sun Yu's ranting.
Seeing his guards stand silently, Sun Yu grew even more furious. In the end, he kicked one of them square in the chest.
Though only fourteen, Sun Yu's cultivation wasn't weak—he was a proper Soul Elder.
Even without spirit possession, his strength was decent. With one kick, he sent the guard rolling three times on the ground.
The guard grimaced in pain, anger rising in his heart.
As a three-ring Soul Elder and Rank Two Soul Engineer, though not strong, he could easily find work elsewhere.
Why should he suffer this humiliation from the Sun Family for just a little money? So he said at once:
"Young Master Sun, your family demands too much. This humble one's body is too weak. I can't continue."
Hearing this, Sun Yu's fury only grew. He shouted at all the guards before him, "Get out! All of you, get lost!"
The guards looked at each other and then left together. Clearly, they had no intention of working for the Sun Family anymore.
Watching them go, Sun Yu cursed angrily:
"These guards recruited from outside have no loyalty at all. All of them just slack off and collect wages—completely useless!"
But there was nothing he could do. The Sun Family had risen too quickly. It was only after his father Sun Jing became a Soul Sage that they began to rise. Most of their guards were hired.
Unlike the great families, who cultivated diehard loyalists from childhood and had numerous clansmen for support, the Sun Family was lacking in every way.
These things took time to accumulate. They couldn't be solved overnight.
With no guards left to vent on, Sun Yu cursed at Wang Chen's departing figure.
"Damn brat! How dare you steal my woman. Just wait—when the Crown Prince Xu Tianran takes the throne and the Wang Family collapses, I'll make you pay!"
After venting, Sun Yu calmed down again.
His face darkened, his brows furrowed, his mind spinning with schemes.
"This Wang Chen… one look at his face and you know he's a womanizer. I don't even need to guess—he must be after Yiyi's beauty, trying to flirt with her.
No, I can't just sit back. Much as I hate to admit it, Wang Chen is indeed handsome, with some talent, and his background is greater than mine. If I let him pursue Yiyi, I'll never win."
After much thought, Sun Yu came up with an idea: go to the Hongchen Family and tell them that Wang Chen was getting close with another girl.
He had heard that Miss Meng Hongchen of the Hongchen Family liked Wang Chen. If she knew about this, she would never allow him to get close to another woman.
Thinking this plan brilliant, Sun Yu grinned.
"Wang Chen, if you want to woo Yiyi, not with me around!"
Eagerly, he set off toward the Hongchen Family.
———————————
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Ye Guyi walked happily along the road toward the Pingfan Alliance base.
For a whole year, she had been endlessly harassed by that disgusting Sun Yu. But today, a kind person had stepped in and given him a proper humiliation. At last, she had vented some of her frustration.
Even if Sun Yu tried to cause trouble afterward, she wasn't afraid.
Her Aunt Zhao Yurou was a Soul Saint powerhouse. She had nothing to fear from Sun Yu's father.
If not for Aunt Zhao Yurou's backing, Ye Guyi believed Sun Yu's harassment would've been even more vile and shameless.
Having vented her anger, Ye Guyi's steps were light, and even the air seemed fresher.
As she walked, she recalled Wang Chen's face and thought, *I left in such a rush just now, I forgot to tell him my name.
Ah, Ye Guyi, how careless of you. Forget it, it's fine. If fate allows, I can tell him next time we meet.
Still, that person who helped me was quite handsome. But he already has a girlfriend.*
Knowing this, Ye Guyi felt nothing particular. Though grateful for his help against Sun Yu, they had only met once and weren't close. Naturally, she felt no disappointment.
Ye Guyi was a very proud girl. With her Angel martial soul, she certainly had reason to be proud.
She didn't place too much importance on looks. Compared to appearance, she valued strength, talent, wisdom, and character more.
She had long since thought about what kind of boyfriend she wanted.
First, he absolutely could not be weaker than her. Otherwise, in future battles against Evil Soul Masters, not only would he fail to help, he might drag her down. That would be disastrous.
She wanted her future partner to be a peerless powerhouse, a man who could stand tall against the heavens.
Only such a man could conquer her proud heart.
Though Wang Chen was handsome, to Ye Guyi, with his pampered, elegant appearance, he didn't seem all that capable in a fight.
Soon, Ye Guyi arrived at the Pingfan Alliance base.
On the surface, it was a luxurious hotel. But beneath it lay the Alliance's base for training beautiful female assassins.
As one of Mingdu's three great underground forces, the Pingfan Alliance was involved not only in the entertainment and vice industries, but also notorious for its assassin training.
Familiar with the way, Ye Guyi entered the hotel, slipped through a hidden door, and descended underground.
Before long, she entered a tastefully decorated room.
But seeing it empty, without her Aunt Zhao Yurou, she was puzzled.
Normally, at this time, Zhao Yurou would be here. Why wasn't she today? Had something happened?
Worry rose in her heart. Since her parents' death, Aunt Zhao Yurou had cared for her in every way, like a second mother.
Just as Ye Guyi grew anxious, a beautiful mature woman in her thirties entered the room.
She had striking features—large eyes, double eyelids, an oval face, and a curvaceous figure. Her skin was fair, and her black wavy hair draped over her shoulders.
Though faint crow's feet marked her eyes and her skin lacked youthful elasticity, her beauty remained undiminished.
This was Zhao Yurou, the high-ranking Soul Saint powerhouse of the Pingfan Alliance. At the moment, however, her face was pale, as though she were injured.
Seeing this, Ye Guyi immediately asked with concern, "Aunt Zhao, what happened to you?"
Zhao Yurou waved her hand, "It's nothing. A few days ago, I fought against people from the Xishui Alliance, alongside experts from the Ao Du Chamber of Commerce. I got a little hurt, but it's nothing serious."
Worried, Ye Guyi said, "Aunt Zhao, you should rest."
Zhao Yurou patted her head lovingly. "Don't worry about me. I'm a Soul Saint, I'm not so fragile."
Then she began teaching Ye Guyi. As a Soul Saint and a Rank Seven Soul Engineer, Zhao Yurou possessed vast knowledge.
Her kindness toward Ye Guyi came because Ye Guyi's parents had once saved her life. Without them, she would have died long ago. With no children of her own, she now regarded Ye Guyi as her daughter.
An hour later, the lesson ended. Zhao Yurou asked with concern, "Guyi, do you have any troubles lately? Any problems in cultivation? Don't hesitate to tell me."
Smiling, Ye Guyi said, "My only trouble, Aunt Zhao, is the same one you already know—Sun Yu keeps pestering me.
But today, when he harassed me again, a kind person stepped in to help. Aunt Zhao, you should've seen Sun Yu's face—he almost spat blood from anger. It was so funny."
Hearing this, Zhao Yurou grew curious. "Tell me exactly what happened."
Nodding, Ye Guyi recounted the events in detail.
Zhao Yurou's expression turned thoughtful. "Wang Chen, of the Wang Marquisate?"
She didn't think too deeply about it. To her, it was just noble children fighting like dogs. At most, two young nobles found Ye Guyi attractive and wanted to pursue her.
Then she asked Ye Guyi about her cultivation.
Ye Guyi said, "My training's going well. My soul power is already at Rank 32. I expect I'll reach Soul Ancestor by fourteen.
Before twenty, reaching Rank 60 and becoming a Soul Emperor won't be a problem. And if I can hunt more Evil Soul Masters to increase my power, I might even reach Soul Saint before twenty."
Though she looked like a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, she was in fact only twelve—just a few months older than Wang Chen.
Hearing this, Zhao Yurou grew serious. "Guyi, I don't oppose you hunting Evil Soul Masters to increase your strength. Those beasts aren't worthy of being called human.
But now is not the time. You're too weak. If Evil Soul Masters discover your martial soul is Angel, they'll stop at nothing to kill you early.
So if you want to hunt Evil Soul Masters, you must at least wait until you reach Soul Saint. With your Angel martial soul's power and its natural suppression of Evil Soul Masters, even a Titled Douluo of theirs might not be your match.
At that time, the world will be yours.
But until then, you must keep your martial soul hidden. You cannot expose it."
Ye Guyi nodded obediently, knowing her aunt only wanted the best for her.
Looking at Ye Guyi's delicate face, Zhao Yurou saw a faint shadow of her old friends.
She sighed regretfully, "Your talent surpasses even your parents'. If only I had more resources for you, your cultivation would already be even higher."
Ye Guyi pouted, hugging her arm. "Aunt Zhao, don't say such things. If you do, I won't talk to you anymore."
Zhao Yurou fondly stroked her golden hair. They looked every bit like mother and daughter, harmonious and warm.
Chatting and laughing, time passed quickly to noon.
They shared a lavish lunch. Soon after, Pingfan Alliance members came looking for Zhao Yurou.
As a high-ranking figure, she had many duties and couldn't always accompany Ye Guyi.
Ye Guyi, being sensible, waved goodbye reluctantly.
Watching her go, Zhao Yurou recalled her recent battle with the Xishui Alliance.
The stench of blood, the wails of souls, the aura of evil—it had undoubtedly been Evil Soul Masters.
The Xishui Alliance, a rapidly rising underground force in recent years, terrifying in power… and they had Evil Soul Masters within.
Did Alliance Leader Shangguan Wei'er know? Did the great nobles behind the Pingfan Alliance know? Did the Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire know?
What did these great figures think of Evil Soul Masters? Was it deliberate indulgence? Or some hidden cooperation?
Shaking her head, Zhao Yurou stopped herself from thinking further.
The secret must be enormous, far beyond what a mere Soul Saint like her should probe. To pursue it further would be dangerous.
She thought silently, Guyi's Angel martial soul must never be exposed. If it's revealed, then… sigh…
A sigh echoed softly in the room.
—————————
Hongchen Family.
Jing Hongchen raised a brow as the steward reported.
"That boy Wang Chen, flirting with other girls? Such a thing actually happened?"