Dugu Yan really wanted to call out Ye Lingling for her betrayal.
But the words got stuck in her throat.
Swallowing her frustration, she turned to Lin Xiao and asked:
"Didn't you say you're super protective of your people? He insulted us right to our faces—aren't you going to do something about it?"
Lin Xiao waved casually.
"Don't be so quick to get worked up."
"It was just a minor spat, nothing serious. Can't go around beating people up just because they were rude, right?"
"That Yu Tianheng guy—he's obviously arrogant and uptight. One of those brooding types who bottles everything up. People like that are easy to mess with—they get sick from holding in too much anger."
He chuckled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"He basically said you couldn't join the tournament, right? So let's hit him where it hurts."
"We'll form our own team, shine brighter than his, and ignore him completely."
"Because you know what the ultimate form of contempt is? Indifference."
Lin Xiao's tone was calm, but every word dripped with intent.
He knew exactly what kind of person Yu Tianheng was—just like his uncle Yu Xiaogang.
That cold, stoic face, the whole "I only care about my goals" façade…
But deep down, they were both incredibly vain.
They loved putting on airs, being admired—pretending not to care while craving the spotlight.
They were the kind of guys who said, "I'm not trying to show off. My power just can't be hidden."
So, how do you deal with someone like that?
Simple:
Steal their spotlight.
Or better yet—pretend not to notice them at all.
Let them try to shine, and then completely ignore their performance. That's how you make a peacock die of frustration.
"We're all in," Dugu Yan said. "Only question is—what do we name our team?"
Lin Xiao tapped his chin.
"Hmm... how about the Yanling Team?"
"Yan for Yan-jie, Ling for Lingling-jie—equal love for both of you!"
He looked pleased with himself.
Surely no one would object?
"Absolutely not!"
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling shouted in unison.
What kind of ridiculous name was that?
Who names a team after two girls like it's some kind of idol group?
Lin Xiao spread his hands innocently.
"Then what do you think we should call it?"
Dugu Yan gave it some thought.
"How about… Phoenix Team? And you be the captain."
"No way," Lin Xiao said. "That sounds weird."
Ye Lingling, meanwhile, bit her finger gently as she pondered, her delicate features tinged with adorable concentration.
Then her eyes lit up.
"What about... Burning Maple Team?"
"Red maple trees represent autumn; autumn is the season of growth and vitality."
"Burning leaves symbolize our team's will—burning bright like fire, never yielding, never giving up."
"Burning Maple..." Dugu Yan echoed, testing the name on her lips. "It's... actually kind of nice."
Lin Xiao nodded as well.
"I like it."
Dugu Yan looked at Ye Lingling with curiosity.
"Lingling, what made you think of that name?"
Ye Lingling lowered her head slightly.
"I just thought it sounded nice…"
She didn't say the full truth:
When she first saw Lin Xiao, she felt like she was looking at a burning red maple leaf.
A fiery-haired little brother with surprising strength, someone who gave her hope.
His hair color matched perfectly—brilliant red, like flames in autumn.
And beyond that... autumn wasn't just the season of harvest—it was the season of hope.
Lin Xiao had brought her that hope.
But all of that was far too cheesy.
So she kept it buried deep inside—her little secret.
Lin Xiao, unaware of the thoughts running through her head, stood up proudly.
"From now on, call me Captain Lin Xiao!"
Dugu Yan scoffed.
"Sure thing, Little Captain Lin Xiao."
She emphasized the word "little," then reached out and ruffled his hair, messing it up completely.
Lin Xiao protested.
"Yan-jie! That's it—I only like Lingling-jie now!"
"You and I… we're through!"
He crossed his arms, fake sulking.
"I'm backing the royalist faction now—Lingling-jie is my queen!"
Ye Lingling giggled mischievously and reached out.
"Then come here, Little Captain. Let this queen pet her loyal subject."
She playfully ruffled Lin Xiao's hair.
Lin Xiao looked at her in disbelief.
In that moment, he felt the crushing weight of betrayal.
"Et tu, Lingling?"
"Confucius wasn't lying—'Of all people, women and petty men are the hardest to raise!'"
Meanwhile…
Yu Tianheng walked away with his usual expressionless face.
His "surefire" recruitment had been turned down flat.
And not just rejected—humiliated.
No one cared that he was the pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
He should've been furious.
But strangely… he wasn't.
He walked absentmindedly, his mind replaying Dugu Yan's icy glare, her arms crossed, her proud posture.
His heart thumped.
That woman—
Perfect figure.
Sharp features.
Cold demeanor.
She was exactly his type.
Especially her high-and-mighty attitude.
It stirred something in him.
He had seen her before, but this time, something had changed. Had she gotten more beautiful over the past few months?
Or maybe it was the frosty arrogance during their confrontation that awakened something in him.
Either way—
"This is the first time I've ever felt like this…"
"I can't stop thinking about her…"
Behind him, one of his lackeys followed quietly.
Yu Tianheng's face was unreadable as always, so the follower assumed he was fuming.
"He hasn't said a word…"
"He must be furious."
"Unless… wait… no way... is he in heat?!"
Trying to console his boss, he said:
"Boss, that Dugu Yan is out of line."
"So what if she's Poison Douluo's granddaughter? You're the crown jewel of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
"In terms of talent and background, she's not even in your league."
Yu Tianheng stopped.
He turned and stared the follower down.
"Oh?"
"So what exactly do you think of Dugu Yan?"
Thinking he was being praised, the lackey grinned.
Lowering his voice and looking around to ensure no one else could hear, he said:
"Dugu Yan acts all cold and aloof, but who knows what she's like in private—maybe—"
SMACK!
A sudden slap sent the guy flying several meters.
His face swelled like a balloon, bright red and bruised.
He was too stunned to even react.
The rest of the group went dead silent.
Yu Tianheng scanned their faces.
"Listen up."
"I like Dugu Yan."
"If anyone so much as touches her, I'll cut off their hand."
In the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy—
If he, Yu Tianheng, laid claim to Dugu Yan—
No one else had the right to pursue her.
"That's how the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan does things."
His underlings didn't find that unreasonable at all.
If anything, they respected it.
"Got it, boss!"
Everyone nodded, pledging loyalty on the spot.
Except for the guy who got slapped.
Clutching his swollen cheek, on the verge of tears, he stammered:
"I'm sorry, boss! I was out of line! My brain short-circuited!"
But deep inside, he cursed:
"Screw you, deadpan freak!"
"If you liked her, why didn't you say so?!"
"You kept that stone face the whole time—how were we supposed to know you weren't mad—you were horny!"