Douluo: I am the True Master

Ah Yin, finally snapping out of her shock, noticed the meaningful gaze Ye Wen was giving her. Her heart trembled involuntarily.

"I-I understand, Boss. I'll be more careful from now on."

As days passed, Ah Yin's gaze toward Ye Wen grew increasingly peculiar. She couldn't shake the feeling that under his watchful eyes, every part of her had been thoroughly seen through.

As an inconspicuous tycoon among the work-study students, Ye Wen took Ah Yin to enjoy a night out at the bustling night market in Notting City one evening.

Don't ask why he only brought Ah Yin—there was simply a severe imbalance in the male-to-female ratio among soul masters.

No matter how much money Ye Wen had, he wasn't about to recklessly throw it around like some spoiled noble brat.

Savoring the unique snacks of Notting City, Ye Wen was in high spirits. This was partly because Ah Yin had recently acknowledged him as her adoptive older brother, no longer just her boss.

Ah Yin's mind was still too pure and kindhearted. Whoever treated her well would receive her wholehearted trust—a trait that made her vulnerable. It was no wonder she had been utterly exploited by Tang Hao in the original story, eventually imprisoned for years in a dark, sunless waterfall cave.

Though their relationship hadn't yet evolved into romance, this was undoubtedly a promising start. With six years ahead of them, Ye Wen was confident he could win over Ah Yin.

However, Ah Yin seemed somewhat distracted that evening, chatting absentmindedly with Ye Wen as they wandered aimlessly. Unbeknownst to them, they had wandered into a secluded park within the city.

Being a small and relatively insignificant town, there weren't any lucrative opportunities here, nor were there any criminal organizations. Even skilled soul masters wouldn't bother extorting petty change here.

Ye Wen glanced up at the sky, realizing it was getting late, and decided to tell Ah Yin they should head back.

But suddenly, Ye Wen felt a tightening sensation around his body. Looking down, he saw that golden-veined Blue Silver Grass had bound him tightly.

"What the hell?!" Ye Wen exclaimed in alarm.

Before he could react further, an immense force surged through the Blue Silver Grass, dragging him deeper into the park.

The area was pitch-black, with only the faint chirping of insects adding to the eerie atmosphere. Even with Ye Wen's adult mindset, unease began to creep into his heart.

"A-Ah Yin… What are you doing?" Ye Wen stammered nervously.

Ah Yin hesitated, her head lowered as she spoke softly.

"Big Brother didn't seem surprised when I mentioned my soul rings."

Ah... so that was it.

After all, Ye Wen had helped conceal the truth about Ah Yin's innate soul power the moment they met. His calm demeanor now indeed suggested he had long been prepared for this revelation.

Ye Wen's mind raced as he wrestled with his thoughts.

Should he deceive her by pretending she was from a hidden sect, or should he openly acknowledge her identity as a soul beast?

Finally, a distant memory flashed through Ye Wen's mind.

In the original story, after forming a bond with Tang Hao, Ah Yin had confessed her identity as a 100,000-year-old soul beast on her own.

Ye Wen's heart trembled. What a pure, flawless love that had been.

Gradually, his fear dissipated. His expression softened as he gazed gently at Ah Yin.

"Of course I'm not surprised. After all, my little Ah Yin has always been a genius."

Ah Yin bit her crimson lips, trying to feign a fierce expression as she stared at Ye Wen.

"Do you already know my true identity?"

Ye Wen didn't hesitate, softly replying, "Mm-hmm."

Then, in a barely audible whisper, he added two words: "100,000."

Instantly, Ah Yin's attempt at a fierce facade crumbled. Her eyes filled with grievance, and crystalline tears streamed down her delicate face. The warmth and kindness she had experienced recently now felt like a fleeting dream.

After a moment of sobbing, Ah Yin choked out, "Why… Why did you have to say it, Big Brother?

When you need my soul ring and soul bones, you can just kill me then. Why did you have to tell me you already know my true identity?"

The Blue Silver Emperor binding Ye Wen gradually loosened and dissipated into nothingness. Ye Wen stepped closer to Ah Yin, raising his right hand to gently caress her face.

"What are you thinking? A mere 100,000-year soul ring and soul bones—they're nothing compared to how important you are to me.

Would you be willing to become my family, Ah Yin? I've realized I can't bear to be apart from you."

Ah Yin's sobs slowly subsided. Her tear-swollen eyes gazed at Ye Wen, his words resonating deeply within her. As a 100,000-year-old soul beast who had once grown alongside her siblings, Ah Yin had often felt an increasing sense of loneliness as time passed.

After transforming into human form, she had unconsciously yearned for the concept of family.

But recalling her identity as a soul beast, Ah Yin hesitated and asked, "You don't mind that I'm a soul beast?"

Ye Wen smiled faintly but said nothing. Instead, he pulled Ah Yin into his arms and whispered softly into her ear, "Do you like me?"

"Mm..." Ah Yin murmured softly, her eyes growing hazy as she clung to Ye Wen, savoring the warmth of his embrace.

After a long while, Ye Wen finally spoke.

"That's all that matters, Ah Yin. You like me, and I like you. A trivial difference in species means nothing. Besides, you've already taken human form. I don't covet your soul ring or soul bones. To me, as long as it's you, that's enough.

If you're still uneasy..."

Ye Wen gently pulled back slightly, taking Ah Yin's left hand in his right and placing it gently over his heart.

"Leave a seed of yours here, Ah Yin. If one day you feel I've betrayed you, use that seed to crush my heart into pieces."

This startled Ah Yin. She quickly withdrew her hand and shook her head vigorously.

Ye Wen chuckled softly. As a 100,000-year-old soul beast, Ah Yin was far too kind-hearted. But wasn't this very quality what had drawn him to her in the first place?

Ye Wen leaned in again, taking Ah Yin's hand in his.

"In fact, it's not just you who has secrets. I'm not just a level-five soul master—I also possess full innate soul power, Ah Yin."

Ah Yin's eyes widened in surprise and mild frustration. She had thought she was the strongest in the dormitory, never expecting such a hidden ace among them.

But soon, an indescribable sweetness spread through Ah Yin's heart. The tension and suspicion that had weighed on her for so long melted away as the two opened up about their secrets. For the first time, Ah Yin, who had previously felt like a blind person navigating human society with fear, experienced a profound sense of peace.

Unconsciously, their hands tightened around each other's.

Ye Wen began explaining the secrets of soul beasts transforming into humans to Ah Yin. Once she reached level 60, her soul rings and soul bones would vanish entirely, completing her transformation into a human.

As for the source of this knowledge—don't ask. Let's just say his ancestors had once been wealthy and left behind a rare, solitary inheritance.

And so, despite their young age, the two secretly pledged their lives to each other.

Truly, this was the continent of romance!

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