"Uh... what are you doing?"
Ye Tian felt somewhat unnerved under the gaze of those golden vertical pupils, his body tensing up considerably. This girl Jin Yue'er wasn't exactly one to follow rules closely. There was no guarantee she wouldn't get handsy with him.
As a Food-type Soul Master, aside from his Fire Tipped Spear and Palm Thunder, he currently had no other offensive means at his disposal. Facing Jin Yue'er, he couldn't very well pull out his spear and shoot her dead, could he? That thing was only for dealing with enemies. Otherwise, with Jin Yue'er's physique, even a graze would break her limbs—a direct hit would shatter her to pieces!
"Nothing much."
Jin Yue'er tilted her head in confusion.
Ye Tian asked puzzledly, "Then why are you sticking so close? Don't tell me you want to hit me?"
"No, no..."
Jin Yue'er shook her head repeatedly. "I'd protect you with my life, how could I ever harm you?"
Despite her words, Jin Yue'er extended her bone-spike-covered hand and gripped Ye Tian's collar tightly, making as if to lift him up.
"Hey, hey, hey! You promised not to hit anyone! I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve..." Ye Tian warned.
So far, he had only ever been lifted like this by that woman Bi Bi Dong. He definitely didn't want a second person doing it!
"Yue'er, don't do anything reckless."
Qian Renxue couldn't help but frown. The two of them were so close together... if they weren't careful, their lips might even touch! That was absolutely unacceptable!
"Sister Xue, don't worry. I just want to ask this guy something~"
Jin Yue'er pressed her pink lips together in a smile, her golden vertical pupils so narrow they seemed to only contain Ye Tian's figure. She spoke slowly and earnestly:
"Ye Tian~ do you think I'm qualified to protect you now?"
"Uh... well..."
Ye Tian was clearly conflicted. This protection didn't come free, and besides, Jin Yue'er couldn't even withstand his firearms...
But Ye Tian could truly feel that the formerly sickly, weak girl who couldn't even truss a chicken was now gradually lifting him off the ground with just one hand! This was not a good sign!
"Ah, well, barely I guess. I think you're already quite impressive," Ye Tian hurriedly expressed agreement.
"Really?"
Jin Yue'er stared straight at Ye Tian.
"Of course it's true."
Ye Tian nodded seriously. Setting aside Innate Soul Power, just based on that Purple Soul Ring alone, Jin Yue'er could already be considered a genius!
"Then, starting today, I'm going to start collecting protection fees, okay?"
Jin Yue'er said triumphantly, a hint of cunning showing in her vertical pupils that made her look somewhat crafty. She applied more pressure with her small hand, threatening:
"Not much, just ten extra Marrow Cleansing Pills per day as a token of appreciation! What do you think? Perfectly reasonable, isn't it?"
"..."
Several black lines appeared on Ye Tian's forehead. He had always been the one extorting others—he never expected to be extorted himself today! But he wasn't someone to be trifled with... For such a clumsy attempt, he had already thought of a countermeasure.
"Ye Tian?"
"Why aren't you saying anything? Is there a problem?"
Jin Yue'er frowned as she inquired. She was being completely serious! She would absolutely not let Ye Tian suffer any losses!
"..."
Qian Renxue helplessly rubbed her forehead—this was clearly a huge problem!
But to her surprise, Ye Tian agreed without hesitation.
"Of course, no problem!" Ye Tian said with a smile, showing no resistance.
"Huh?" Qian Renxue was stunned.
Jin Yue'er, however, beamed with joy and finally released Ye Tian, raising her arms in excitement. "Yay! Then it's settled!"
"But..." Suddenly, Ye Tian changed his tone.
Qian Renxue shivered, immediately realizing what was happening. Of course! Ye Tian had agreed so quickly—he must be up to something!
"But what, Ye Tian?" Jin Yue'er's smile faded as she looked at him in confusion.
"Are you sure you don't want to wait a little longer?" Ye Tian asked cheerfully, while Jin Yue'er looked puzzled.
"Wait for what?"
"Of course, for my Second Soul Skill!"
"Your Second Soul Skill?"
"Exactly. How could the First Soul Skill compare to the Second? I plan to use my Second Soul Skill as my protection fee," Ye Tian coaxed, then asked back, "What do you think?"
"Using the Second Soul Skill as protection fee?" Jin Yue'er was momentarily stunned, then grew excited. "That's amazing!"
"So you agree?" Ye Tian pressed.
Jin Yue'er nodded without a second thought. "Mhm, I agree!"
If Ye Tian's First Soul Skill could enhance talent, his Second Soul Skill definitely wouldn't be worse—its effects would surely be even better! Jin Yue'er had no reason to refuse.
"Great! Then it's settled. We'll decide the exact amount based on my output later!" Ye Tian decisively confirmed.
"O-okay! Ye Tian, you're so good to me!" Jin Yue'er immediately hugged him tightly.
"Heh, just average," Ye Tian chuckled.
Qian Renxue stared in disbelief at the deeply moved Jin Yue'er, feeling speechless. How could Yue'er be so easily fooled? Given their relationship, wouldn't Ye Tian think of them once he obtained his Second Soul Skill? With this move, Yue'er ended up gaining nothing while moving herself.
But to be fair, wasn't Ye Tian truly good to Yue'er? Of course he was! Despite having no blood ties, Ye Tian was willing to share Pills unconditionally—wasn't that kindness itself?!
In the quiet living room, a golden light flashed as the cold, rigid body in Ye Tian's arms shrank and softened. Jin Yue'er had withdrawn her Martial Soul.
Clutching the Taoist Robe emanating Pill Fragrance, she nestled against Ye Tian's chest, sniffing the scent softly before mumbling, "Ye Tian, don't you dare think you're at a loss."
She then looked up, her pale golden eyes firm and serious—a hue neither Ye Tian nor Qian Renxue had ever seen before.
"If I fail to protect you, if you get hurt or accidentally killed..." she said lightly, "I'm willing to give my life to make up for it~"
Her words floated gently, yet they weighed heavily, stirring Ye Tian's heart.
Qian Renxue also stared at Jin Yue'er in shock, unable to imagine what mindset had driven her to utter such a resolute statement. Frowning in thought, Qian Renxue wondered: Could she herself reach such a level? If she set aside all complications and simply regarded Ye Tian and Yue'er as close friends? She grew uncertain.
His gaze towards Jin Yue'er grew somewhat complicated.
"I'm being completely serious!"
As if afraid Ye Tian wouldn't believe her, Jin Yue'er raised her voice again.
"Mm, I believe you."
Ye Tian reached up to play with her sky-piercing braid, a faint apologetic smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
He had truly become obsessed with playing social games.
At Yue'er's age, with such an innocent and straightforward nature, how could she possibly harbor any ill intentions?
Fortunately,
it wasn't too late to come to his senses.
He had plenty of opportunities to fill Yue'er's pockets with pills.
"Haha... that's good then."
Jin Yue'er let out a clear, bell-like laugh,
resting in Ye Tian's embrace as her cheeks gradually turned pink without her noticing.
Driven by subconscious instinct,
she couldn't help but gently nuzzle her tender cheek against Ye Tian's chest.
Watching this,
Qian Renxue no longer felt any discomfort in her heart.
She only felt that this was what Jin Yue'er deserved—she herself lacked Yue'er's purity.
Though the discomfort was gone, bitterness continued to grow within her.
After all, she had been the one to come first!
Before long, Ye Tian began to feel somewhat warm and gently pushed Jin Yue'er away.
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