Chapter 13

Hearing Yu Tianheng's voice, Gu Xuan looked up and saw that Yu Tianheng had already withdrawn his martial soul; the sleeve on his right arm was gone. When Yu Tianheng had just used the Dragon Transformation skill, Gu Xuan had noticed it, but he had not witnessed the power of the Dragon Transformation skill.

Gu Xuan also withdrew his martial soul, walked slowly up to Yu Tianheng, clasped his hands, and smiled, saying, "Senior, I concede."

Yu Tianheng stared at Gu Xuan in disbelief for a while before finally saying, "Can you tell me how you became so strong?"

He did not become angry and frustrated after losing to Gu Xuan, whose soul power level was lower than his own; instead, he felt only endless curiosity toward Gu Xuan.

Both being grandchildren of Titled Douluo and both possessing top-tier martial souls, why is the gap between them so large?

Although unwilling to admit defeat, he is still inferior to Gu Xuan; humbly seeking advice is never a derogatory term, but rather the learning method of a true eager learner.

Regarding Yu Tianheng's question, Gu Xuan simply replied lightly, "Nothing special, just having gone through hardships."

Hearing this, Yu Tianheng first froze for a moment, then gave a bitter smile and shook his head, wondering if all his years of effort had been fake—had he been training to become a dog?

Yu Tianheng was still about to say something, but Qin Ming had already approached, accompanied by the other six members of the Royal Battle Team.

At this point, none of them dared to look down on Gu Xuan anymore; even though his soul power level was only thirty-three, he had defeated Yu Tianheng, making him outright the strongest among them.

Even the recently laughing Ausra didn't show his face, hiding behind Yu Feng and not daring to look at Gu Xuan.

Just moments ago he was teasing Gu Xuan, but now Gu Xuan had completely gotten the better of Yu Tianheng; if this kid Gu Xuan held a grudge, he would truly be speechless, so he simply stayed silent, hiding behind Yu Feng and pretending to know nothing.

Except for Ausra, everyone else stared at Gu Xuan in disbelief—having defeated a thirty-seven-level opponent with only thirty-three soul power—what a monster!

"Gu Xuan, you're really strong!"

A clear, melodious voice like an oriole rang out; Gu Xuan turned his head and saw—who else could it be but Du Gu Yan?

Gu Xuan was somewhat surprised, because from the original story he knew that although Du Gu Yan was ruthless toward outsiders, she was a devoted woman; after getting together with Yu Tianheng in the original, she never gave any other man a good look.

Not even a pleasant expression was given to Tang San, that pure and spotless Tang prince.

And now? Praising me as strong? Is it because Yu Tianheng is present? Or because I just defeated Yu Tianheng?

Gu Xuan turned his head and saw that Du Gu Yan was also sizing him up, rather than focusing her gaze on Yu Tianheng.

Logically, if Du Gu Yan were already together with Yu Tianheng, she should be caring for and comforting him now, but instead she is lavishly praising me—why is that?

Gu Xuan already had a guess in his mind, and it was the only one: at this stage, Du Gu Yan is not yet together with Yu Tianheng.

With that guess, plus Du Gu Yan's proactive praise, Gu Xuan's face broke into a warm, handsome smile; he nodded at her and replied, "Senior Sister, you overpraise me; the senior is also strong."

Gu Xuan didn't say that Yu Tianheng had let him win, because anyone could see that Yu Tianheng had basically used his full strength; saying so would seem affected, so it's better to simply praise Yu Tianheng.

Du Gu Yan immediately replied upon hearing that, "He is indeed strong, but he hasn't lost to you yet!"

Hearing this, Yu Tianheng's complexion changed slightly, becoming a bit flushed.

He likes Du Gu Yan; they both entered the Tian Dou Royal Academy at age fifteen, and back then Du Gu Yan was just as beautiful and radiant, though her personality then was not the current optimistic openness but rather a cold, aloof older-sister demeanor.

Because of Du Gu Yan's own Emerald Scale Snake poison, she had almost no friends from childhood and never enjoyed the happiness of getting along peacefully with friends.

It was Yu Tianheng who, over these two years, both guided her and taught her how to interact with others, and also because Yu Tianheng is not afraid of her Emerald Scale Snake poison, giving Du Gu Yan some warmth inside.

Before this, Yu Tianheng had never pursued Du Gu Yan, because he feared that his actions would make her think he was taking advantage of her vulnerability, so he had always interacted with her as just a good friend.

And precisely because of that, Du Gu Yan's relationship with him is closer than with others; now he feels the time is ripe, planning to deepen his feelings with Du Gu Yan, then confess and win her over in one go.

And just now, Yu Tianheng felt that his position might be threatened.

No girl dislikes outstanding peers, and moreover Gu Xuan's appearance is indeed more handsome than his, and his strength and talent are also superior.

At this moment, Yu Tianheng inwardly regrets not having confessed his feelings to Du Gu Yan earlier, insisting instead on being just good friends.

As for Du Gu Yan, she does indeed have affection for Yu Tianheng—after all, this man accompanied her out of the gloom—but just as Yu Tianheng has behaved, Du Gu Yan now sees him only as a close confidant friend, a state above friendship but short of lovers.

Because Yu Tianheng has never said those confession words to her, yet he has indicated his admiration for her.

But when Yu Tianheng explained earlier, he merely said this was not romantic love between lovers, but an instinct toward outstanding women.

Exactly, that's the case; Yu Tianheng is also experiencing his first romance, not knowing how to gauge the proper degree—there are always words that stall the feeling between them, and… now Gu Xuan has arrived.

After noticing this, Gu Xuan's heart is still happy; even though it's clear Yu Tianheng likes Du Gu Yan, they aren't together yet, so it's fair competition.

Gu Xuan's appearance is already not bad, plus his extraordinary talent and that slick-talking little mouth of his, giving him confidence to pursue Du Gu Yan.

To be frank, Du Gu Yan is now seventeen, her body fully developed; in this early-maturing world of Douluo Continent, she looks like a twenty-year-old mature older sister, and Gu Xuan saying he doesn't like her is false.

Of course, Gu Xuan won't be led astray by lust; liking Du Gu Yan is one aspect, but more importantly, it's because of the Binghuo Liangyi Yan, which is his main purpose in pursuing her.

Gu Xuan thinks of directly securing Du Gu Yan and the Binghuo Liangyi Yan, then using that connection to also pull Du Gu Yan into the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, wiping them out in one sweep—how wonderful!

Therefore Gu Xuan unreservedly displays his affection for Du Gu Yan, which is far more enjoyable than Yu Tianheng's near-secret crush.

That's how girls are: as long as you make her feel she's special in your heart, she will surely receive the signal; if she also likes you, then as long as your later series of actions don't put her off and you win her heart, you can naturally end up together.

In fact, if Gu Xuan hadn't appeared, within a year—actually less than a year, half a year later Yu Tianheng would have been able to directly win Du Gu Yan and be together.

But now things are different; Gu Xuan will not let such a good opportunity slip.

Elder sister vs. beloved sister—Gu Xuan chooses the latter!

ps: Typos will be corrected later.

(End of chapter)