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Chapter 91: The Little Witch Strikes
🕑 Added 2024-11-28 17:43:59 +0000 UTCAfter returning to the Crown Prince's residence, Xue Qinghe's face was grim.
He hadn't expected that simply going to communicate with Yang Podi would lead to being shaken by the hand and having an arm draped over his shoulder. For someone who was actually a girl, this kind of casual physical contact was undeniably inappropriate.
At that moment, Snake Spear Douluo emerged from the shadows. "Young Master, shall I deal with that boy?"
Xue Qinghe glared at Snake Spear Douluo. "Who told you to make a move on that brat? This matter is mine to settle with Yang Podi. You were there earlier—what's his current soul power level?"
Snake Spear Douluo respectfully replied, "Young Master, based on my observations, Yang Podi has likely already broken through to the Soul Ancestor level, and his soul power feels quite profound—not at the early stages of the level."
"So, you estimate he's around rank 43 or 44?"
"Exactly, and judging by prior observations, Yang Podi can overpower Chen Jinshui, who has a beast martial soul, in terms of strength. His fourth soul ring must be of a high age limit, likely from a powerful strength-type soul beast. He spent over a month hunting for it, which further confirms this."
Xue Qinghe pondered for a moment before speaking again. "This Yang Podi is incredibly talented, diligent in his cultivation, and each of his soul rings comes from high-quality strength-type soul beasts. His future is limitless. If I can recruit him, he'll undoubtedly be a great asset."
"But, Young Master, don't we hold grudges with the Spirit Hall and the Breaking Clan?"
"Those grudges are from long ago. I believe there are ways to resolve his animosity and bring him to my side."
After listening to Xue Qinghe's reasoning, Snake Spear Douluo retreated silently.
Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe, recalling Yang Podi's actions earlier in the day, found her face inexplicably flushing. She muttered to herself, "That rascal… daring to take advantage of me! I'll make sure to peel his skin and dismantle his bones in the future."
At the same time, Yang Podi felt relieved. He thought that after this incident, Xue Qinghe might stay quiet for a while.
However, just as he was beginning to relax, the little witch Ning Rongrong arrived at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy—alone, no less.
Yang Podi was currently around 13 and a half years old. Ning Rongrong, by the timeline, was only about eight, still a little girl. However, she seemed unusually mature for her age, especially with her scheming mind.
After just one day of hanging around the team, she sneaked up to Yang Podi and whispered, "Brother Yang, are you secretly in love with Sister Lingling? I feel like the way you look at her has changed. You're much more attentive to her now."
Yang Podi quickly denied it. "What does a little kid like you know about love? Sister Lingling is our team member, and she's a girl. As the captain, isn't it normal for me to care for her?"
"Then why don't I see you caring about Sister Yan? Or me?" Ning Rongrong retorted.
"I've always been helpful to Sister Yan, especially with her training and martial soul control. As for you, Rongrong, you're not even officially a student of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy yet. How can you count as one of our team members?"
Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes in disdain. "Stop pretending. Let's see how long you can keep this up. Also, how dare you say I'm not a student of the academy? Do you believe I'll expose you right now?"
Yang Podi immediately relented to the little girl. "Rongrong, young lady, as long as you don't stir trouble, you're immediately one of our team members."
"Then why did you change my training ground design? I worked so hard to modify it to my liking, and you went and changed it back the moment I left."
"Rongrong, you're the boss. Whatever you say goes."
With that, the little witch left triumphantly, leaving Yang Podi speechless. He remembered how Ning Rongrong had pretended to be a well-behaved child at Shrek Academy. But now that she was at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, she didn't even bother pretending anymore. Her mischievous nature was on full display. How would the team function under her antics in the future?
Yang Podi thought the matter was over until the next day at the training grounds, where everyone gave him sympathetic looks. Even Ye Lingling had her head lowered, seemingly feeling bad about something.
Seeing their reactions, Yang Podi couldn't hold it in any longer. That evening, he directly asked Yang Ping'an, "Ping'an, what's going on today? Why is everyone looking at me so strangely?"
Yang Ping'an hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
"Ping'an, just speak your mind. As the captain, I need to know what's happening."
After a moment of thought, Yang Ping'an finally spoke. "Big Brother, sometimes matters of the heart are just a part of life. You need to move forward."
Yang Podi, confused, asked, "What on earth are you talking about? Speak clearly!"
"Well, it seems like people are saying… you have feelings for Ye Lingling. But because of your innate health issues, you're too scared to confess. That's why you disappeared for over a month—to avoid dealing with your feelings."
Yang Podi was speechless. "Who made up this nonsense? Tarnishing my reputation like this! Don't you all know what kind of person I am? How could anyone believe such a rumor?"
Yang Ping'an stammered, "It seems Rongrong was the one who said it. She claimed you were talking to yourself in your room, and she overheard it."
Hearing this, Yang Podi clenched his teeth in anger. "That little witch! How dare she mess with me!"
Furious, Yang Podi stormed off to confront the little witch.
He found Ning Rongrong laughing and chatting with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. The three of them seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely.
Yang Podi gritted his teeth and said, "Ning Rongrong, you little witch! Why are you spreading rumors and slandering me?"
Unfazed, Ning Rongrong smirked. "How did I slander you? Did I say anything wrong? Are you not in love with Sister Lingling? Are you not too scared to confess? Didn't you disappear for over a month?"
Yang Podi was momentarily at a loss for words. Everything Ning Rongrong said technically matched his recent behavior, making it hard to explain.
Before he could respond, Ning Rongrong added smugly, "What's wrong? Judging by your expression, I hit the mark, didn't I? Men like you are always like this—too shy to admit your feelings."
Hearing this, Yang Podi nearly coughed up blood. Meanwhile, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling struggled to suppress their laughter.
Yang Podi glanced at the proud little witch, then at the giggling Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. He seemed to make up his mind about something.
Without hesitation, he walked up to Ye Lingling, ignored her startled reaction, and pulled her into his arms. Everyone present was stunned.
