Chapter 69: New Alter Ego

When she was in the orphanage, Hu Liena liked the gentle and reliable Xiao Yuan, who could give her, the weak one, enough sense of security.

But now, after her martial soul awakened, she possesses one-in-a-million innate ninth-level soul power; everyone treats Hu Liena with gentleness and amiability, causing her to lose interest in the trait of gentleness.

If it weren't for Xiao Yuan's decent looks, she wouldn't bother with him at all.

When Hu Liena first distanced herself from Xiao Yuan and approached Jun martial soul, she still felt a bit uneasy, but when she saw that everyone was distancing themselves from Xiao Yuan, she breathed a sigh of relief.

What? Brother Xiao Yuan has innate fifth-level soul power; indeed, it's no longer easy for him to join our team, and forcing it would yield no good result.

Before, I myself merely couldn't tell the difference between sibling affection and love; people just regarded Xiao Yuan as a brother-like figure! Jun martial soul is truly Hu Liena's true love!

Yan behind her felt heartbroken: "How come Nana doesn't like Xiao Yuan anymore and now likes his good brother? What about me?"

He hurried forward and pulled Jun martial soul's arm out of Hu Liena's hand.

"martial soul! You mustn't have any improper thoughts about Nana, or I'll get angry!"

Flames shot up from Yan's head; seeing his good brother favored by his goddess, he felt this was more unbearable than death.

We swore to be brothers for life, yet you can't go single first! I fear my brother suffering, and I fear my brother leading a fox astray—don't go messing with my little fox!

"Boring, Hu Liena, I don't care what the truth of today's matter is, but I hate being deceived by others—do you understand what I mean?"

Jun martial soul merely gave Hu Liena a cold glance, maintaining his flirty yet icy persona.

Hu Liena showed a puffed-up, annoyed look, she flicked her hair, inadvertently revealing her beautiful, slender neck.

"Jun martial soul! You're yelling at me again! What did I do? You just say I deceived you!"

"If you don't make it clear, you're not leaving today! Come shopping with me and I'll forgive you!"

Jun martial soul's expression unchanged, he snorted, "True or false, you know it in your heart."

Hu Liena's teeth itched with anger; she really wanted to bite that deadwood to death! You're so stupid! I'm doing this for you! I took the initiative to play hero and save the beauty, yet you're not willing! At this moment, Xie Yue stepped forward to smooth things over, silently kicking Hu Liena's boot to hint she be sincere, not truly anger Jun martial soul—compared to Xiao Yuan, he now prefers Jun martial soul more and is happy to see Nana close to Jun martial soul.

"It's all my fault as this brother for not disciplining Nana properly and letting her cause trouble; martial soul, don't be angry for now—I'll definitely give her a good lecture later!"

Hu Liena immediately reddened her eyes, putting on a pitiful, pitiful look.

"Sorry, I just wanted to chat with you; it's all because you're so cold that I have to make up excuses to play with you."

"Please don't be angry, okay? I won't do this again."

Jun Wuheng nodded superficially as if indifferent, yet secretly rejoiced—he is now the true core of this team, and the other three must look to his expression.

Seeing Jun Wuheng forgive her, Hu Liena immediately seized the moment.

"Jun martial soul, let's skip class today and go play in Martial Soul City! After all, first-year lessons aren't important, and skipping class isn't a big deal."

Yan's eyes lit up—this is a great chance to date the goddess! He hurriedly gave Jun martial soul a look, urging him to agree quickly; such an opportunity is rare indeed.

Jun martial soul pretended not to see, saying, "But I still need to cultivate today."

"Oh, cultivation can be done anytime! You're already level eighteen!"

Jun martial soul doesn't know why, but his extraordinary physique allowed him to absorb a nine-hundred-year-old Asian-dragon-type soul ring beyond his level, and just after breaking through his bottleneck he reached level fifteen.

Hu Liena looked at him with an adoring expression.

"Once in a while we should relax; I heard a new coffee shop opened in Martial Soul City, and it's supposedly delicious—let's give it a try!"

Jun martial soul's body stiffened—"A coffee shop? Does Douluo Continent still have coffee shops? Isn't this a Western fantasy world?"

"Nana, when did this coffee shop open? No! I mean, when did Douluo Continent have the concept of coffee?"

Hu Liena looked at Jun martial soul with surprise; it was the first time she'd seen him so agitated—his martial soul awakening had always been icy, so it turns out Jun martial soul likes coffee! Hu Liena was puzzled.

"It's just a newly opened shop not long ago; as for when it existed, how would I know? Hasn't coffee always been around?"

Jun martial soul breathed a sigh of relief—turns out it was a misunderstanding; Douluo Continent does have the concept of coffee, as long as it wasn't conjured by other transmigrators. He had just thought besides Xiao Yuan there might be other transmigrators, which would make him worry about the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Wells; Jun martial soul nodded reassured.

"In that case, let's rest today and try that coffee shop? I haven't had coffee in a long time."

Jun martial soul also felt a bit nostalgic—he hadn't expected Douluo Continent to have things from his previous life; let's go relax.

……

The streets of Martial Soul City bustled extraordinarily, while a finely decorated coffee shop sat quietly on the corner.

The coffee shop's exterior is simple yet elegant; its wooden sign glows warmly in the sunlight.

Qian Renxue—no, her current identity is a branch of the Qian family, the genius girl Yue Zhengling of the Holy Clan!

Her current role is that of a pitiful person whose transmigrator fiancé Ye Feng broke off the engagement.

Originally, the transmigrator fiancé Ye Feng was snatched away by Qian Renxue, the young master of the Qian family; forced to disguise as a man, he hid in Martial Soul Academy to cultivate, hoping that once accomplished he could stage a melodramatic plot against the Offering Hall.

This is also the script she will use when she later approaches Jun martial soul in Martial Soul Academy.

Yue Zhengling pushed open the door, and a wave of rich coffee aroma rushed over her.

The shop's interior is exceptionally cozy; warm yellow light spills down, illuminating every corner. Neatly arranged wooden tables and chairs are topped with patterned tablecloths.

Landscape paintings of Martial Soul City hang on the walls, adding an artistic touch. Behind the counter, the barista skillfully operates the coffee machine, emitting a faint sound.

By the window, a few customers chat softly, their faces bearing contented smiles.

Outside, the people of Martial Soul City come and go; footsteps and murmurs faintly drift in, contrasting sharply with the shop's tranquility. The air is permeated with the mixed fragrance of coffee and pastries, making one unable to help but become intoxicated.

But the moment Yue Zhengling stepped into the coffee shop, the interior seemed to freeze instantly; everyone's gazes locked onto him as if under a paralysis spell.

It's simply because this youth who entered is stunningly handsome and splendid; his shoulder-length golden hair, shining like sunlight, glitters in the warm lighting, as if each strand sparkles with charming radiance.

And his mysterious, deep violet eyes resemble two radiant gemstones, exuding a soul-captivating allure.

His facial features are exquisitely sculpted like a painting; his fair skin resembles sheep-fat white jade, and his refined five senses are both three-dimensional and beautiful. His high nose bridge, slightly upturned lips—every detail is just right, leaving one in awe.

Amidst the fervent gazes of the crowd, Yue Zhengling's expression remained calm—second-to-last row! That's her exclusive seat! Nobody dare try to take it from her!

Yue Zhengling casually pulled out a chair and sat down; every move displayed unrestrained nonchalance.

The female shop assistant, somewhat nervous yet excited, approached Yue Zhengling, her face showing a slightly awkward smile, her voice faintly trembling.

"Um, sir, what would you like to drink?"

Yue Zhengling lifted his head, his violet eyes glancing lightly at the female clerk; she felt her heart about to leap out of her chest, and Yue Zhengling casually produced a gold soul coin and placed it on the table.

"An iced latte, keep the change as a tip—no need for refund, thank you."

The female shop clerk hurriedly nodded and replied in a stammer.

"Okay, okay, I'll prepare it for you right away."

Then she picked up the gold soul coins, hurriedly turned to prepare the coffee, and while walking couldn't help but glance back at Yue Zhengling's handsome figure.

Not long after, the latte arrived.

Yue Zhengling lifted the latte, took a gentle sip, and a rich, mellow flavor spread in his mouth as the coffee's aroma blended perfectly with the milk's sweetness.

She slightly relaxed her squinting eyes; these past few days, Bibi Dong really put her through the wringer.

To curb Bibi Dong's obsession with familial love going berserk, Qian Renxue plans to later let Bibi Dong become Pope; being able to do all this is because Bibi Dong is idle! Anyway, Qian Xunji as Pope is as good as nonexistent, so preparing the new Pope's enthronement banquet should also keep Bibi Dong busy.

The Spirit Hall is now entirely under Qian Renxue's control; appointing the Pope is just a word from her.

And this coffee—I never expected the Douluo Continent to have coffee too; now that she knows, she'll immediately come to Spirit Hall City to check it out, a wave of nostalgia—this is her lost youth.

This youthful guise is also to avoid Bibi Dong, having no choice; otherwise she couldn't escape the Web Silk Cave, and wanting to truly relax is really hard.

Just as Qian Renxue was feeling sentimental, the coffee shop's door was flung open, and Hu Liena strode in first, her golden hair flowing, her eyes carrying a hint of arrogance.

Behind her followed Jun Wuchen, his expression stern, his eyes deep and indifferent; Yan wore a carefree look, his whole body exuding a scorching aura.

Xie Yue meanwhile played with a curved blade in his hand, wearing a gentle smile, following them like a kindly old fellow.

Hu Liena glanced around the shop, and her gaze was instantly locked onto that golden figure inside.

"Whoa! Family! Little Fox discovered an absolute beauty of a youth while shopping today—he's so handsome it makes you stomp your feet!"

"Sisters! I really like this! This time it's definitely true love! This is a fated encounter between us two—how romantic! Hu Liena's looks‑obsession flares up again; she's determined to get to know this handsome youth. As for Jun Wuchen, she used to confuse brotherly love with romance, but everyone just sees him as a brother; this blond youth is truly her Hu Liena's true love! Even though her heart is already shaking with an eighteen‑level quake, she still walks straight over to Qian Renxue's table with arrogance, and the three behind her also glance at Qian Renxue in surprise—how could there be such a handsome man? Then they quickly follow Hu Liena's steps."

Hu Liena glanced at the latte before Qian Renxue, and also had Yan order four of the same at the counter.

After they all sat down, Hu Liena lightly tapped her fingers on the table in a rhythm, thinking about how to restrainedly obtain Qian Renxue's name and address.

"He's so handsome, she can't let him get away; judging him with her own looks‑obsessed critical eye, she can only say he's perfect! Exactly! Too perfect! No one could be more handsome than him—this guy, Hu Liena, will definitely win him over!"

Yan lounged back in his chair, looking at the people around with a disdainful smile.

"Hmph! We're all first‑rank soul masters; being able to sit in the same shop as you ordinary folks, you should just enjoy yourselves!"

Xie Yue gave Qian Renxue a look hard to describe, knowing this was bad; the youth is so handsome, Hu Liena will probably have another fit soon—how will he give her an excuse?

Jun Wuchen remained silent, waiting for his coffee, but his icy aura kept people from approaching; the whole coffee shop seemed shrouded in their powerful presence, becoming unusually quiet.

Qian Renxue regarded them with interest; she had planned to relax today and tomorrow go to Spirit Hall Academy to meet that transmigrator, but she never expected them to come to her.

Qian Renxue had seen the four's appearances from the phantom; setting aside the three of the Golden Generation, that black‑haired youth with a cold face, resembling someone killed by the Uchiha, must be the transmigrator Jun Wuchen.

Qian Renxue sipped her latte while listening to their conversation, preparing to first gather some intel on Jun Wuchen.

Hu Liena gazed longingly at Qian Renxue's profile; she loved that face, she adored the kind of high‑mountain flower that looks like it has a story and depth. Just then the four lattes arrived, and Hu Liena picked hers up and drank half, admiring the beauty while murmuring praise.

"People with taste all like drinking lattes!"

"Nana is right!"

Xie Yue nodded helplessly, accepting it, while still wondering how to wrap things up later.

Jun Wuchen wore a look of speechlessness; he couldn't help but notice Hu Liena's latest bout of lovesickness—this is why he's never given her a good look, that damned looks‑obsessed girl, he simply doesn't care for her.

"He's different from Xiao Yuan; he likes mature women, someone devoted like Bibi Dong is his type."

Hu Liena now has the idea of striking up a conversation.

"Let's play the truth‑or‑dare game that Xiao Yuan gege taught us!"

"Even though we didn't bring Xiao Yuan along to play, playing his game still gives a sense of participation! Xiao Yuan gege knows his game helped him find true love! He'll surely be happy for him!"

"Then she'll deliberately lose, then go ask the blond youth for his address and name—Hu Liena, you're a genius!"

"Nana is right!" Yan is still licking! He really is—I'm crying to death.

First we'll show off Xiao Yuan's golden finger, and Jun Wuchen's golden finger will be written later too—from now on all of this will belong to Qian Renxue! Because we need to demonstrate the golden finger's effect, these transmigrators can't help but write about it; next Qian Renxue will hide her identity and lurk beside the transmigrators, feel out their ways, begging for votes, brothers—today's 8000 words, the author said she'd do it! Give the diligent author some votes! Love you guys (≧≦)/(end of chapter)