Walking down the street, Ye Jingyu’s mind was still haunted by the old man’s final words: Heaven envies the talented, beauty is doomed to misfortune. What exactly was the old man warning him about?

As a Soul Master in the Condensing Soul Realm, he clearly understood that the communication was done via spiritual wave—a clear indication that the old man was a Soul Master, perhaps even a very powerful one. So why would he say such things to him? And it seemed the elder knew many things ordinary people did not.

Heaven envies the talented, beauty is doomed to misfortune. Hmph. How could such a thing be allowed to happen?

I must become stronger, strong enough that even Heaven cannot touch me…

An immense, dominating resolve surged within him. Ye Jingyu secretly swore that he would never allow such a fate to befall anyone. No matter how arduous the road ahead, no matter how great the peril, he would overcome it all, and he would grant Luo Ling'er the greatest happiness… and safety…

“Little Ye Zi, look, that little bunny is so cute…” At that moment, Luo Ling’er suddenly pointed towards a butcher shop ahead.

“Please, that’s a squirrel, alright…” Ye Jingyu looked up and saw several cages placed outside the shop entrance, housing several white squirrels. To mistake a squirrel for a little bunny, Ling'er was truly something else…

“Hee hee, well, it’s just as cute as a bunny,” Luo Ling’er replied dismissively, still smiling.

“Uh…” Ye Jingyu was momentarily speechless. Going by that logic, did that mean everything cute in the world could be called a little bunny?

“They look so pitiful, about to be killed. Little Ye Zi, can we buy them?” Seeing the sacrificial squirrels, Luo Ling’er suddenly sighed with emotion.

“Heh heh, of course, we can. You are so kind…” Ye Jingyu smiled slightly, inwardly moved by Luo Ling’er’s kindness.

But Luo Ling’er lowered her head bashfully and whispered in a very, very low voice, “Not really. It’s because they look so plump; they must have a lot of meat. They’d be delicious roasted…”

“…”

Ye Jingyu’s eyes rolled back, and he nearly fainted. He had just called her kind, and all she could think about was roasted meat?

But considering Luo Ling’er’s almost pathological gluttony, especially for roasted meat, similar to Xiao Tao Tao, he calmed down…

“Let’s go take a look,” Ye Jingyu said lightly. Never mind a few roasted squirrels; even if she wanted the meat of a Divine Beast, Ye Jingyu would find a way to procure it for her.

“Hee hee, no need! I just saw you looking glum, so I was teasing you on purpose,” Just as Ye Jingyu took Luo Ling’er’s small hand, preparing to walk towards the butcher shop, Luo Ling’er burst into giggles, her lips curving up to reveal two adorable dimples.

“Uh…” Hearing this, an ineffable sweetness welled up in Ye Jingyu’s heart. Gazing at Luo Ling’er’s beaming face, his own lips unconsciously lifted in a smile.

“Whoosh…” Just as Ye Jingyu was about to say something, a sound of rushing air tore through the space, and Ye Jingyu immediately felt an intense wave of coldness, his heart struck with alarm.

“Ling’er, watch out!” Without thinking, his body instinctively lunged towards Luo Ling’er, grabbing her in a fierce embrace and pulling them both aside.

“Sssst…” A spurt of blood erupted from his shoulder; clearly, he had been wounded.

This sudden turn of events not only stunned Luo Ling’er but also everyone else nearby. However, when they saw the crimson jetting from Ye Jingyu’s shoulder, Luo Ling’er’s expression shifted dramatically.

“Little Ye Zi, are you alright…” Luo Ling’er’s eyes filled with worry. That projectile had been aimed right at her. If Ye Jingyu hadn’t shielded her with all his might, she might have already lost her life.

“I’m fine,” Ye Jingyu frowned tightly. He sensed the projectile was coated with potent poison, but the Hegemonic Origin Force within his body surged up instantly, completely devouring it. This was the dominance of the Hegemonic Origin Force; though he couldn’t fully command it yet, it could automatically neutralize other forces or toxins, rendering him virtually immune to all poisons.

At this moment, seven or eight men rushed over from various points along the street, surrounding Ye Jingyu and Luo Ling’er in the center in the blink of an eye.

“Your subordinates apologize for the late arrival and for startling the Young Lady. Please forgive us…” These men were the elite guards secretly assigned by Luo Xiaofeng to protect Luo Ling’er. Seeing the Princess almost harmed, they were filled with terror.

As for addressing her as "Young Lady," it was because many others were present, and they dared not reveal their true identity.

“I’m fine, it’s just Little Ye Zi, he…” Kind-hearted Luo Ling’er would never blame these men, but she was deeply concerned about Ye Jingyu’s injury.

“Don’t worry, a wound like this won’t take me down. You protect the Young Lady and return first. The enemy was targeting Ling’er; they are likely remnants of the Tang Sect,” Ye Jingyu said dismissively, all the while tracking the direction of the escapee by instinct. Daring to harm his inverse scale? That was tantamount to courting death.

“Little Ye Zi…” Luo Ling’er hadn't expected Ye Jingyu to immediately pursue the assailant. Before she could call out, his figure had already vanished into the crowd.

“Young Lady, perhaps we should return first. The General was able to defeat a Grandmaster expert; he will surely be fine,” the leading guard spoke, his eyes filled with profound worry and dread.

Remnants of the Tang Sect daring to strike down a Princess in the street—what a heinous crime this was. If the Sovereign Ruler were to find out, who knew what storm of blood and chaos would erupt.

Yet, he looked at Ye Jingyu’s retreating back with utter astonishment. Struck by a Tang Sect projectile and acting as if nothing happened—just how profound had his inner qi reached?

No wonder he could defeat Huangfu Buyue, who had already reached the Grandmaster realm.

Although Luo Ling’er worried about Ye Jingyu’s well-being, she knew the surroundings were perilous and that staying here would only hinder him. It was best to return first and dispatch others.

As for asking these men to follow, Luo Ling’er knew they would refuse. They obeyed only her father’s command, which was to protect her.

The incident on the street naturally subdued the other bystanders, and murmurs quickly arose as Luo Ling’er and her entourage vanished from the throng.

As for Ye Jingyu, he pursued relentlessly. Although he hadn't learned any specialized movement techniques (Qinggong), his speed was the most formidable footwork available. His massive divine sense spread out, perceiving everything around him.