Heaven Dou Imperial Advanced Academy
This academy was nothing short of grand. Luxuriously decorated, gilded walls gleaming so brightly they could blind an onlooker — it rivaled the palaces of some smaller kingdoms.
Only the wealthy and powerful could afford to study here — and not just the ordinarily rich. These were nobles, the elite.
After school.
Bright and youthful boys and girls emerged from the academy's gates, dressed in its formal uniforms.
Across the street, leaning lazily against a wall at the corner, stood a boy with striking crimson-red hair and handsome features. He looked casual, almost like a street kid… albeit a very good-looking one.
"I've been keeping watch here for days. Finally, I'm sure she's the one."
"Around thirteen years old, green hair — there's only one girl in the entire Heaven Dou Imperial Academy who matches that description."
Lin Xiao's eyes sharpened.
And there she was.
A green-haired girl stepped out of the academy, surrounded by others like stars orbiting the moon. They exchanged their goodbyes, and eventually, only a silver-haired girl remained at her side.
The two walked off together.
Lin Xiao stepped forward.
"Yanyan, look! It's that little guy again!"
Ye Lingling, normally cold and aloof — a difficult person to approach at school — was much more cheerful around Dugu Yan.
She winked playfully and motioned toward Lin Xiao across the street.
"That little guy has been waiting here for days."
"Every time you appear, he can't take his eyes off you."
"Your charm's pretty intense. Even little boys can't resist it — traveled all this way just to camp out here waiting for you!"
"Looks like he's made up his mind to confess today!"
Dugu Yan reached out as if to hit Ye Lingling.
The silver-haired girl quickly darted away, laughing brightly.
"Young ones are better — you can raise them just the way you like!"
"And they'll still listen when they grow up!"
A blush colored Dugu Yan's otherwise cold and aloof face as she chased after her.
"You brat! I'm going to beat you!"
"You like him so much, take him home yourself!"
"Why are you dragging me into this?"
Ye Lingling laughed and teased,
"That won't work — he clearly doesn't like me. Look, he's already walked up to you!"
Dugu Yan froze.
Lin Xiao was now standing right in front of her.
She looked down and asked softly,
"Little brother, do you need something from me?"
Lin Xiao froze.
Everything was going so off-plan.
Wasn't she supposed to be icy and unreachable? Wasn't he supposed to provoke her and catch her attention that way?
Why was she being so nice to him?
As he tilted his head up, trying to look her in the eye — and instead got an eyeful of her cleavage — the answer struck him like lightning.
Damn it!
He had overlooked one crucial detail.
He was still just a six-year-old kid!
Sure, he had the soul of an adult, but to everyone else — he was just an adorable little brat.
A particularly cute one, sure. But still a brat.
The realization almost made Lin Xiao lose it on the spot.
He took a deep breath and calmed himself.
"You're Dugu Yan, right?"
"I want to meet your grandfather."
After a moment of consideration, Lin Xiao decided not to go with provocation right away. Maybe cuteness could get him through first.
Dugu Yan blinked and crouched down.
"Little one, why do you want to meet my grandfather?"
Ye Lingling had come back by now.
Being six years younger than in the original timeline, she was a lot more playful.
She teased immediately,
"Meeting the family already, huh? What else could it be?"
"Obviously here to propose!"
Dugu Yan's face turned beet red.
"Lingling! Don't say such nonsense to a child!"
Seeing the two about to go off teasing each other again, Lin Xiao quickly raised his voice:
"I'm looking for the Poison Douluo for something very important!"
After a pause, Lin Xiao decided to go for honesty.
"I know the flaw of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul!"
"And… I know how to fix it."
He stood upright, gaze serious and sincere as he looked straight into Dugu Yan's eyes.
Pfft—
Dugu Yan burst into laughter.
"Little guy, where are your parents?"
"Run along home, big sister has to go now."
She didn't take him seriously at all.
Ye Lingling, meanwhile, crouched down and playfully pinched his cheek.
"Oh my~ If you like big sisters, just say so."
"No need to make up stories."
"If Yan doesn't want you, maybe you can consider me?"
Then the two girls looked at each other—
"Ahahahaha!"
They both broke into gleeful laughter.
Lin Xiao's face darkened.
He knew it!
Sincerity only turns you into the clown. Tricks win hearts!
Damn these adolescent girls!
Laugh it up! What's so funny? Especially you, Ye Lingling! Pinch me one more time and see what happens!
Lin Xiao snapped.
His expression turned cold. He smacked Ye Lingling's hand away.
Then turned to Dugu Yan and said sharply,
"Dugu Yan, right? I think your Jade Phosphor Serpent is a worthless Martial Soul, and its poison is the weakest in the world."
"I, Lin Xiao, challenge you!"
I came with sincerity, but you forced me to go full villain.
Let's see you laugh now!
Dugu Yan froze.
A little brat like this, challenging her?
Normally, she wouldn't take something like that seriously — but the words "worthless Martial Soul" and "weak poison" cut deep.
Her eyes turned cold, those green pupils staring icily at him.
"Say that again, little boy?"
Ye Lingling looked at Lin Xiao in shock.
"Are you crazy? You don't mess with someone's Martial Soul. She might actually take you seriously!"
Which was exactly what Lin Xiao wanted.
Otherwise, how would she ever take him seriously?
"I'll say it again — Dugu Yan, that poison you're so proud of is completely useless in my eyes. I challenge you to a duel!"
"The loser must grant the winner one request!"
Their eyes locked.
Lin Xiao didn't back down an inch.
Dugu Yan was so angry, she laughed.
Fine, he wanted a fight?
No matter his age, she would teach this brat a lesson!
Let him learn that there are some things you don't say lightly.
"Alright, I accept your challenge."
"But I have one condition."
She smirked coldly.
"The loser must grant the winner three requests."