Chapter 34: Urging Marriage

Qiao Mian quietly observed the interaction between Little Dragon Maiden and the Ugly Eagle.

He noticed that the two seemed to get along rather well.

Little Dragon Maiden was evidently very interested in this large bird, and the Ugly Eagle, too, appeared captivated by her aura, letting out cheerful “caws.”

However, as time passed, Qiao Mian sensed that something was off.

Especially when the Ugly Eagle swept Little Dragon Maiden into the air with a flap of its wing, only for her to recover with an elegant midair turn and land steadily on the ground—he realized he might have misunderstood the situation.

The girl and the bird had begun to spar, trading moves back and forth.

Liang Xiaoyu was stunned: was this really the way people greeted each other in the martial world?

Granny Sun, meanwhile, looked thoughtful.

Qiao Mian folded his arms across his chest and stood aside.

He had already discerned the Ugly Eagle’s intentions.

Sure enough.

Some twenty minutes later, Little Dragon Maiden finally stopped.

Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her clothing was torn in a few places.

Qiao Mian glanced closely—her robes were so thick that nothing indecent was revealed.

The Ugly Eagle cawed.

As its employer, Qiao Mian could understand what it meant.

He turned his head toward Little Dragon Maiden. “Brother Eagle says you’re quite impressive.”

“It’s formidable as well,” Little Dragon Maiden replied.

She couldn’t believe she’d been outmatched by a bird.

But then, this bird had been the companion of Dugu Qiubai and had lived for countless years.

Thinking this way, she felt somewhat reassured.

The Ugly Eagle cawed again.

Qiao Mian was a little surprised, then said to Little Dragon Maiden, “Brother Eagle would like you to inherit Dugu Qiubai’s legacy and learn the ‘Nine Swords of Dugu.’”

At this, Liang Xiaoyu clenched her fists and looked at the Ugly Eagle with eyes glowing in anticipation.

So this was how to use this big shot! If she could max out her favorability with it, wouldn’t she be able to gain the Sword Demon’s legacy outright?

Meanwhile, Little Dragon Maiden took two steps forward, reached out to stroke the Ugly Eagle’s feathers, and said apologetically, “Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Brother Eagle, but I am an heir of the Ancient Tomb Sect, and leaving the tomb is already a transgression…”

Watching this, Liang Xiaoyu could not help but sigh in regret.

That was the famed ‘Nine Swords of Dugu’—a treasure countless people had sought in vain.

Seeing her refusal, the Divine Eagle gently nudged her with its wing, uttered a couple of strange cries, and walked away.

“It says it respects Miss Long’s choice,” Qiao Mian translated for the Ugly Eagle.

He patted the eagle’s wing and said, “Talents from around the world will gather in the Fantasy Park. Don’t worry, you’ll surely find a suitable successor to Master Dugu.”

The Ugly Eagle nodded in a very human-like manner.

After watching for a long moment, Liang Xiaoyu finally couldn’t help herself. “Brother Eagle, want to take a look at me? I have excellent bone structure.”

The Ugly Eagle shot her a sidelong glance, then turned its head away.

Liang Xiaoyu clearly saw the disdain in its eyes.

Inside the livestream room, the atmosphere was even more lively.

[Brother Eagle: Get out, you hopeless slacker.]

[How weak must the streamer be, to be rejected one after another by Little Dragon Maiden, Granny Sun, and Brother Eagle himself?]

[I think the streamer’s legs are pretty nice.]

[You and I are of one mind, upstairs. With those legs, it’s a shame not to put them to work.]

[I am Dugu Lin, a descendant of Dugu Qiubai, and I believe I am qualified to inherit the legacy.]

[With my Taiji Sword skills, I’ve defeated countless old ladies at the park. I should be the one to learn it.]

[Even the fencing champion hasn’t spoken up yet.]

[Is that the same ‘fencing’ as in Olympic fencing?]

[Xiaoyu: Brother Eagle, you really don’t know how to care for people.]

…

Liang Xiaoyu pouted and turned her gaze to Qiao Mian.

She felt that, given her physique and intelligence, the only reason she was looked down upon was her lack of martial arts foundation. She would otherwise make a fine martial arts talent.

“Mr. Qiao, what do you think?” she asked eagerly.

“I think what they said makes sense,” Qiao Mian replied offhandedly.

Liang Xiaoyu was momentarily stunned.

“They” meant Little Dragon Maiden and the Ugly Eagle? Or the jokers in the livestream chat? Which was it? Was she lacking in talent, or just all legs and no substance?

She couldn’t figure it out.

The Ugly Eagle cawed, urging Qiao Mian to move on.

It was curious about the other things Qiao Mian had mentioned—like the gladiatorial arena where, apparently, no one could actually die.

There were said to be a few metal monsters waiting to engage in a fierce battle.

“Let’s go play at the arena,” Qiao Mian said with a laugh.

Naturally, Little Dragon Maiden and the others followed.

Inside the arena, several Transformers were already waiting.

Drift held a great sword, looking particularly excited.

Ever since he’d secretly learned from Little Dragon Maiden, his confidence had soared. When Qiao Mian mentioned a martial arts expert had come to the arena, Drift had been itching for a match.

Upon seeing the Ugly Eagle, his fighting spirit exploded.

The Ugly Eagle, long bored of toying with snakes in its original world, had already rekindled its bloodlust after a brawl with an Allosaurus. Now, faced with a giant of steel, it was fiercely eager for combat.

The two sides clashed in the arena for more than twenty minutes.

Although the Ugly Eagle was ultimately defeated, Drift did not come out unscathed.

Several parts of his body were dented.

If not for his steel frame, it would have been hard to say who would have won.

Even so, the Ugly Eagle showed no sign of discouragement after losing. On the contrary, it cawed with excitement.

Drift, too, showed no arrogance; instead, he enthusiastically approached the eagle to exchange tips.

Qiao Mian found it all rather amusing.

This Transformer was actually passionate about martial arts and wanted to learn techniques from the Ugly Eagle.

Then again, Drift was a swordsman at heart—if he could master the ‘Nine Swords of Dugu,’ he might become even more formidable.

Seeing the Ugly Eagle had found a new friend and was so intrigued by this place, Qiao Mian gave a quick farewell and left.

He was to be a guest at Little Dragon Maiden’s place tonight. He needed to inform his parents so they wouldn’t wait for him at dinner.

To this, Qiao Lin and Su Yueling were more than happy.

The two of them had spent the whole afternoon tending to the fruits and vegetables they’d planted or playing with their two dinosaur pets. Occasionally, they’d tune into the livestream.

They had naturally witnessed the scene with Little Dragon Maiden.

As for this girl, as beautiful as a celestial maiden, they had no objections at all.

In fact, they hoped their son would quickly find a girlfriend and give them a grandchild as soon as possible—then they could truly feel at ease here.

“People from their world are the same as people from ours, right?” Qiao Lin asked.

“How could they be any different? Did you think they had tails?” Qiao Mian replied in confusion.

“That’s not what I meant,” his father said, looking conflicted.

“So what do you mean?”

With his son staring at him, Qiao Lin steeled himself. “Didn’t your textbooks mention something about reproductive isolation?”

Qiao Mian suddenly understood.

He glared indignantly. “Dad, what are you talking about!”

Su Yueling also glared at her husband. “You old fool, what nonsense are you spewing now?”

Old Qiao’s face reddened as he looked at his wife. “Weren’t you the one worrying that you might not have a grandchild?”

Qiao Mian looked helplessly at his parents. “Mom, Dad, she’s just invited me for dinner. What are you both imagining?”

“Little Dragon Maiden hasn’t even turned eighteen yet—she’d barely be a university freshman on Earth,” he added.

The two elders exchanged glances, then both turned to look at their son.

Qiao Lin: “You’re not interested in this kind of girl?”

Su Yueling: “Or do you really want to marry a celestial maiden?”

“I’m done talking to you. I have things to do,” Qiao Mian said, making his escape.

As his parents became more accustomed to this place, their old habits had returned.

Being pressured to get married was exhausting.

Better to lie low for now.