Douluo Continent: The Real World

Only a fool would attempt such a thing as destroying his soul skills with his physical body. If he hadn't been strengthened by the strange fire over the years, that wolf howl bullet would have blown his hand apart.

"Little Sister," Jiangzhu couldn't help but repeat to herself.

She had never heard such a name before, and a wave of delight passed through her. Upon closer inspection, she realized that the blood on Huang Yuan wasn't his; it was the child's own hand that was injured. She raised her healing staff, and the second soul ring on her body lit up.

"Second soul skill, healing array."

A turquoise light emerged beneath Yu Tianyan's feet, forming a unique vitality array. As Jiangzhu waved her scepter, a series of pale green lights rose from the array, pouring into his right hand.

He spread his hand open, and the torn flesh gradually healed. As the last ray of light from the magic circle dissipated, his right hand was fully restored. Yu Tianyan clenched his fist excitedly, no longer feeling any pain.

He looked at Jiangzhu and said, "Sister, you're amazing. It's healed now. Thank you so much."

Jiangzhu smiled gently, her cheeks slightly flushed. She was somewhat overwhelmed by the repeated calls of "Little Sister." "It's okay, little brother. It's all Huang Yuan's fault; he hit you so hard and hurt you like this."

Hearing this, Yu Tianyan was taken aback. He glanced at Huang Yuan, who lay unconscious beneath the tree, being helped by Jing Ling. He could only smile awkwardly. Jing Ling's eyelids twitched upon hearing Jiangzhu's words.

He thought, I can't believe she's blaming Huang Yuan for hitting hard. This guy's still unconscious and covered in electric shocks!

Tai Long had been severely injured by this seemingly harmless kid, and it would probably take him at least ten days or half a month to recover. Jing Ling couldn't believe Jiangzhu was ignoring Yu Tianyan's previous harsh words and actually blaming Huang Yuan.

Jing Ling took a deep breath and said, "Jiangzhu, Huang Yuan is still unconscious."

Jiangzhu paused awkwardly, hesitating before waving her healing staff to activate another soul skill. Damn it, she thought, I forgot about Huang Yuan, all because this kid speaks so nicely.

"[First soul skill, healing aura]"

Jing Ling's eyelids twitched again. Jiangzhu had used her second soul skill to heal the boy's hand and now was using her first soul skill to heal the unconscious Huang Yuan. It was truly…

Yu Tianyan sat down to rest, glancing up at the sky.

There was a vague figure flapping its wings in the distance.

Ten minutes later, under Jiangzhu's treatment, Huang Yuan slowly regained consciousness. "You're all here. I lost, completely. This kid is simply a monster."

Jing Ling nodded indifferently. "Yeah."

Huang Yuan laughed weakly at her response. He stood up with effort and looked at Yu Tianyan. Jing Ling also turned around to observe him, while Jiangzhu was still thinking about the two times Yu Tianyan had called her "sister."

Yu Tianyan stood up, his small frame exuding an imposing presence.

"Let's reintroduce ourselves. Yu Tianyan, martial spirit Thunder, 9 years old, level 21 attack spirit master. Your future captain."

Upon hearing this, the three of them grew immediately alert.

"Our captain, huh? Are you also planning to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition? Weren't you the one who called us trash?" Huang Yuan's tone was full of sarcasm and exasperation.

"Little brother, why do you want to insult us?" Jiangzhu asked as well.

Huang Yuan's words reminded her of all the insults Yu Tianyan had previously hurled at them. But looking at his current demeanor, he seemed completely different from that arrogant kid.

Seeing the three of them waiting for an explanation, Yu Tianyan knew he needed to give them a satisfactory answer if he wanted to keep them from leaving Blue Tyrant Academy.

Brushing off some dust, he said, "I wanted to test your strength. To make you fight me seriously, provoking you was the best method. In truth, my words did irritate you, didn't they? But, Jing Ling, you gave up too easily."

Jing Ling frowned, feeling that this explanation did little to excuse Yu Tianyan's behavior. "Just to make us fight seriously, you insult us as trash? Comparing us to you, we probably are. But to beat us down like this for that reason—it's absurd. Goodbye."

Huang Yuan gritted his teeth and turned to leave, but Jiangzhu stopped him. "Wait a minute. I think little brother Yu Tianyan still has something to say."

Yu Tianyan bent forward and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, Brother Huang Yuan. To understand your strength, I had to do this."

Seeing this once-arrogant child bowing so earnestly, Huang Yuan's anger began to dissolve. He sighed, realizing his own limitations. Jing Ling was also moved, though he still asked, "What about Tailong? Why did you hurt him so badly?"

Jiangzhu and Huang Yuan exchanged glances.

Huang Yuan's injuries weren't serious, and considering Yu Tianyan's sincere apology and young age, Huang Yuan could forgive him. However, Tai Long's situation required an explanation.

Yu Tianyan's expression turned cold as he replied, "As for Tailong, unfortunately, he won't be joining our team."

"Why?" Jing Ling asked, sparing his words.

"Brother Jing Ling, Brother Huang Yuan, Miss Jiangzhu, does the reason really matter?" Yu Tianyan smiled faintly.

He called me 'little sister' again. Why is he so adorable? Jiangzhu thought to herself, feeling charmed.

Huang Yuan frowned, but Yu Tianyan's "Big Brother" dispelled the last remnants of his anger. He felt honored to be addressed as such by a child of Yu Tianyan's caliber. He knew that without their battle, he wouldn't have come to respect Yu Tianyan so deeply.

"I still want to know why," Huang Yuan said, his tone softened. "Tai Long has the best talent among us and is from the renowned Li clan. You have no reason to exclude him."

Jing Ling and Jiang Zhu also looked at Yu Tianyan, curiosity evident on their faces.

Yu Tianyan bowed once more and replied, "I'm sorry, but I truly can't share the reason."

"Well, little brother, what did you mean when you said you'd be our captain?" Jiangzhu asked, changing the subject.

Jing Ling and Huang Yuan were also interested. Seeing that Yu Tianyan wasn't inclined to explain further, they let the question drop.

"The dean is my sister," Yu Tianyan said with a playful smirk.

Their expressions darkened in unison.

Jiangzhu smiled and said, "Alright, then you'll be our captain, Brother Tianyan."

For some reason, her cheeks turned red as she said this.

Huang Yuan and Jing Ling had no objections, even though Yu Tianyan was joking. Given his abilities, they agreed with him becoming captain.

"Alright, Captain," Huang Yuan said, smiling.

Jing Ling, sparing his words as usual, agreed.

Yu Tianyan nodded, then suddenly asked, "Brothers, Sister Jiangzhu, if I could give you the potential to reach Titled Douluo, how much would you be willing to sacrifice for it?"

Jiangzhu, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling were stunned.

Huang Yuan's mind raced as he thought of Yu Tianyan's various abilities: level 21 at only 9 years old, powerful lightning, dragon scales on his arms, a thousand-year-old second soul ring, a soul bone granting flight, and a speed faster than his own.

He thought he was beginning to understand something.