Forever...
Upon hearing Ye Yu's words, Qiulu was taken aback. Although she was happy, she thought it was impossible to wear them forever.
Qiulu was about to leave when a villager brought a handsome young man over.
The man saw Ye Yu and was very happy, "Boss Yu!"
Ye Yu was also happy, "Mubai."
This eighteen-year-old youth was Dai Mubai.
"Boss Yu, you're alright, that's great." Dai Mubai looked Ye Yu over and found that not only was Ye Yu fine, but his aura was stronger.
Ye Yu glanced at Qiulu and said, "She saved me, otherwise I really would've been doomed."
Dai Mubai expressed gratitude, "Thank you, young lady. I, Prince of the Xingluo Empire, Dai Mubai, will definitely remember this kindness and repay it."
The villager immediately knelt down, not expecting him to be the prince of the Xingluo Empire.
Dai Mubai gently said, "Stand up, there's no need for formalities."
The villager got up, feeling honored.
Qiulu said, "Although I saved him, he also saved me and the village. We owe each other nothing now. You guys talk, I'll leave first and not interrupt your reunion."
After Qiulu left, Dai Mubai sighed lightly, "Though she looks ordinary, she is very kind."
Ye Yu asked with concern, "When I lost control, what happened? Is Zhuqing alright?"
"She's fine. You healed me and Zhuqing before losing control, otherwise I would've died. We were healed and saw you lose control, so we moved away. Afterward, you killed everyone, and we kept our distance, but you soon came after us. However, reinforcements arrived, and three Soul Douluos held you off and knocked you off the cliff."
Ye Yu let out a sigh of relief, grateful Mubai and Zhuqing weren't harmed.
Dai Mubai said joyfully, "I sent people to search for a passage and found the entrance leading here. Then, a flying Soul Douluo brought me here, and when I saw there was a village, I came looking."
"Yes, I was weak for a period, but recovered quickly."
"Boss Yu, you must be even stronger now. Although I've been cultivating harder these past two years, the gap between us doesn't seem to have narrowed; it seems to have grown instead."
Ye Yu straightforwardly said, "I'm already at level sixty-three."
Upon hearing this, Dai Mubai was greatly shocked. In two years, he had gone from level forty-nine to fifty-four, while Ye Yu had already reached level sixty-three.
Ye Yu was fourteen years old, while he was already eighteen.
"That's really fast. I suppose I can't compare with Boss Yu; I should compete with Xiao San and the others instead. Comparing myself to you is just asking for a blow," Dai Mubai said with a bitter smile.
Ye Yu asked, "How were things when you returned?"
"Pretty good. After going back, I immediately captured Davis and Zhu Zuyun, executed them both, and became the heir to the throne. Zhuqing also became the Zhu Family's heir."
"That's good then."
Dai Mubai looked at Ye Yu, who was now as tall as him, and marveled, "Boss Yu has grown quite a bit, now as tall as me at one meter and eighty-five."
Ye Yu laughed, "The food here is quite good; the villagers treat me like a god."
Ye Yu and Dai Mubai went inside to chat for a while, then Dai Mubai prepared to leave, eager to find Zhuqing.
"I'll head back first. Knowing you're alright, Zhuqing can rest assured. Over the past two years, she's waited for you at the cliff you fell from, hoping to see you rise one day. When she sees you, she'll definitely be happy."
Ye Yu's heart tightened. He never expected Zhuqing to wait for him day after day.
As Ye Yu imagined, both Rongrong and Zhuqing liked him.
"Then you go ahead. Tomorrow morning I'll have the villagers prepare a feast to welcome you; their culinary skills are quite good."
"Okay!"
Dai Mubai quickly left.
The next day, in the morning.
Ye Yu had the villagers prepare a grand meal. Over the past two years, he hadn't eaten for free; he occasionally gave them some Gold Soul Coins. Initially, they didn't want them, but he insisted on covering the cost of ingredients, and they couldn't refuse any longer.
In the village center, in an open space, villagers set up octagonal tables, with each household busy cooking their specialties.
Qiulu came over and feigned calm, asking, "Are you preparing to leave?"
"Yes, I am," Ye Yu nodded.
Although Qiulu felt reluctant, she didn't show it, managing a slight smile, "I need to leave as well."
Ye Yu asked, "You still haven't told me why you want to leave here."
Qiulu said, "I'll tell you then. Because my good friend Taozi was basically harmed by them. Her parents had arranged a marriage for her, but Taozi was in love with someone else and wanted to be with the person she loved, yet she didn't want to go against her parents' wishes. She always considered others, ignoring herself. Life was hard for her under the villagers' scrutiny and criticism. In the end, she hanged herself under the tree where she met the person she liked."
"So, I just can't stand them."
Ye Yu suddenly understood; so that was the reason.
"Brother Yu!"
At that moment, a joyful shout rang out, and Ye Yu followed the familiar, melodious voice to see Zhuqing.
Zhuqing happily ran over, seeing Ye Yu, incredibly joyful.
Dai Mubai had already explained everything about Ye Yu's situation, so Zhuqing was completely relieved.
Ye Yu looked Zhuqing up and down, sighing lightly, "Your figure has improved, but you look a lot more worn."
Dai Mubai teased, "It's the reason she's been worrying about you every day."
Immediately, Zhuqing's pretty face flushed, making her very beautiful. An ice beauty blushing always leaves one spellbound.
After not meeting for two years, Zhuqing had grown taller, now standing at one meter seventy-five, her figure fuller.
Her body was wrapped in black leather clothes, showcasing her slender waist, the perfect S-shaped curve on full display, exuding extreme allure even standing still.
Her cold face, the ice beauty's features were even more captivating, stirring a desire in one's heart to conquer.
Qiulu watched Zhuqing, sighed inwardly, "So beautiful."
Seeing Zhuqing's gentle gaze towards Ye Yu, a slight unease rose in Qiulu's heart, murmuring to herself, "How can I feel like this? Such a perfect man can only be matched by such a beauty."
The villagers started to serve dishes, including some delicious local specialties they had been holding onto, reluctant to eat.
"This is a token of our village's appreciation. When you leave later, take it with you. They're rustic specialties; may the prince and this noble lady enjoy them."
Dai Mubai expressed his gratitude, "You're too kind. They seem fragrant; these must be your treasured goodies, but we can't accept them."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, "Yes, you should keep them."
"It's our goodwill. Please accept them. You're Young Hero Ye's friends, and Young Hero Ye saved our village, so it's only right."
Dai Mubai took them, "Thank you very much then."
Villagers swarmed over, offering their own treasured gourmet specialties, while Qiulu silently departed.
The villagers asked, "Qiulu, where are you going?"
"I'm going for a walk."
The villagers understood and whispered among themselves.
"Isn't the young lady beside Young Hero Ye so beautiful? Could she be Young Hero Ye's girlfriend?"
"It's possible. They're such a well-matched pair; only such a woman could be worthy of Young Hero Ye."
"What about Qiulu, then? She seems to really like Young Hero Ye too; isn't that pitiful?"
"There's no helping it; heroes are always with beauties."\
...