Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 146 An Opponent Arrives
……

Soon, the two returned to the courtyard.

It was midnight, and the world was completely silent. Xuanming was resting in a chair, and Arou was leaning against him, holding the Blue Silver Emperor on his wrist. The Ice Dragon King, who loved to cause trouble, also joined this silent "group chat".

As the Ice Dragon King's descriptions became increasingly exaggerated, Xuanming chose to cover his ears and block them out.

The Ice Dragon King is indeed very aloof in front of others, but he is also quite cunning.

He was also a bit of a jerk.

Otherwise, the Nine-Tailed Fox Heart Lotus wouldn't have ended up like this.

If he had known that the remnant soul of the nine-tailed celestial fox would cause trouble, he wouldn't have taken that thing...

"I knew we'd end up arguing again. She's so narrow-minded, yet she acts all high and mighty, looking down on everyone else..."

Ning Rongrong's complaining voice rang out from afar, and then the courtyard gate creaked open, and the three women, having finished their meeting, returned to rest with light steps.

"What right does he have to look down on Xuanming? He's so old..."

Ning Rongrong was talking enthusiastically when she suddenly fell silent. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, who were standing to the side, also showed indescribable complicated expressions.

They all turned their gazes to Xuanming, who was lying on the chair and seemed to be asleep, and Arou, who was leaning against him and holding his wrist tightly.

Almost instinctively, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing both looked at Xiao Wu with extremely strange expressions, "What...what's your relationship?"

Why does it feel like the relationships between these people are a bit complicated?

"Can you guys stop thinking dirty thoughts all the time?" Xiao Wu complained.

Her mother used to be very afraid of Xuanming, but after she learned that he was not a dragon in human form, but just a human, and even a very unlucky one at that, her fear of him lessened a lot. Sometimes, she even felt sorry for him when she saw his cold and aloof demeanor.

Strictly speaking, her mother actually regarded Xuanming as a child just like herself.

In addition, given Xuanming's determination to break through to the Divine Realm, and his willingness to die if he failed, the two of them could be said to have shared life and death with Xuanming.

Although she also felt somewhat confused, neither of them could truly hate Xuanming.

……

For the next month, Xuanming stayed here peacefully and resumed his usual cultivation routine.

Every day during the day, he would go to a secluded spot outside Soto City to train, with Arou serving as his sparring partner.

Arou possesses the invincible golden body, an ability that can be described as a "bug". When Xuanming spars with her, he doesn't need to worry about stopping at all and can unleash his full power. This is a perfect way to change his previous fighting style, and the training effect is much better than when he was in Tiandou City.

Ning Rongrong and the others would also come to join in the fun, and Xuan Ming would use his domain to serve as a special training ground for them.

Of course, only Zhu Zhuqing was willing; this girl wouldn't let go of any opportunity that could help her become stronger. But Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were purely forced to be her sparring partners.

After all, seeing Zhu Zhuqing struggling alone in the field, they felt embarrassed to just sit on the sidelines and watch the scenery, so they decided to join her.

"Xuan Ming!"

In the afternoon, Xuanming had just finished training and was returning to the city for lunch when a dark shadow shot towards him and wrapped itself around him like an octopus.

"You... take it easy." Xuanming looked at Dugu Yan clinging to him, hesitating to speak.

"It's been more than half a year since we last met, what are you lingering about?" Dugu Yan remained unmoved, still clinging tightly to Xuan Ming, as if he would disappear if she let go.

"Yanyan, you're acting a bit like a lovesick girl," Ye Lingling whispered as she followed.

"You're the one who's a pervert!" Dugu Yan pouted, somewhat embarrassed, and let go of Xuanming.

"When did you arrive?" Xuanming asked.

"We've been here for several days now, and we've almost swept through the Soto Arena," Dugu Yan said.

"Didn't Grandpa say you went back to Tiandou City? Why did you suddenly come to Soto City again?"

"Annoying, they ran away," Xuanming said.

Dugu Yan was taken aback. "Is the Crown Prince in trouble again?"

The only one in Tiandou City with the qualifications and ability to bother Xuanming is Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

Because the relationship between the two was so inexplicable, and sometimes even ambiguous, coupled with Xuanming's consistently cold attitude towards women, rumors even circulated in Tiandou City that the two had a special relationship!

To be honest, she was quite skeptical too!

“He’s never been quiet about anything,” Xuanming said. “What about Yu Tianheng and the others?”

“They’re shopping too. We’ve separated,” Dugu Yan said.

Boys and girls just can't seem to find common ground when it comes to shopping.

"Have you eaten?" Xuanming asked.

Dugu Yan shook her head, "No, we just came out of the hotel and were looking for a place..."

"Sister Yan!"

A clear shout rang out, and Dugu Yan was slightly startled, turning her head to look.

She saw Ning Rongrong and two other little girls she didn't recognize walking towards her.

“Rongrong? What happened to you…” Dugu Yan’s expression changed. She looked at the two young girls beside Ning Rongrong, then looked at Xuan Ming with a hint of resentment in her eyes.

"Xuanming, you wouldn't..."

"Yanyan, don't let your imagination run wild," Ye Lingling interrupted.

"If he had that idea, he wouldn't have needed to travel this far."

There are countless powerful female soul masters and noble ladies in Tiandou City who covet Xuanming!

……

After a less-than-harmonious meeting, Xuanming and his group set off for the Soto Grand Hotel.

For breakfast and dinner, Arou usually prepares them, always making different delicious dishes for Xuanming. However, for lunch, because Xuanming's appetite is too terrifying, they have to eat out. Otherwise, Arou really wouldn't be able to prepare so many things in such a short time.

Every day around noon, Ah Rou would come over to order food, and then the kitchen of the Soto Grand Hotel would begin its work.

Xuanming's frequent visits to the Soto Hotel, which can be considered a celebrity effect, have attracted a large number of customers to the place.

However, today's lunch was a little different from usual.

Just as Dugu Yan was about to start peeling shrimp for Xuanming as before, Zhu Zhuqing swiftly took over the task before she could even begin. Moreover, her movements were quite skilled, and she peeled the shrimp quickly and well, clearly indicating that this wasn't her first time.

In an instant, Dugu Yan became wary, her eyes revealing a hint of dissatisfaction and doubt.

Ye Lingling looked at this scene with a somewhat unnatural expression, but she didn't show it.

However, just as she was about to pick up the prepared fish and feed it to the black dragon behind Xuanming, Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu each started fighting over a dragon, and the atmosphere on the scene instantly became a little awkward.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan exchanged a glance.

A rival has arrived!

Sensing that the atmosphere at the dinner table seemed to have become awkward, Xuanming sped up his eating, wanting to end the somewhat embarrassing situation as soon as possible. However, because he ate too fast, he accidentally choked.

Then, something even more terrifying happened: before he could even reach for the water, six water glasses were handed to him.

Xuanming scanned the area, his gaze lingering on Arou's face for a moment.

Why are you getting involved?
Arou acted as if she hadn't seen him at all, smiling as she looked at him.

Faced with the eerie atmosphere, Xuanming paused, picked up his water glass, and raised it up.

"cheers."

"..."

Everyone was taken aback by Xuanming's helpless yet somewhat humorous actions, and then they couldn't help but burst out laughing, instantly easing the tense atmosphere.

"Brother, you've finally figured it out?" the Ice Dragon King said in Xuanming's mind with some surprise.

Xuanming remained silent, only speeding up his eating, wanting to finish his lunch as soon as possible.

They were inexplicably jealous of each other, just like back in Tiandou City.

Xue Qinghe, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling will inevitably cause problems if they get together.

These people only stop going too far when Tang Yuehua is present.

But if Tang Yuehua isn't there, the atmosphere becomes quite strange...

(End of this chapter)