Animal-eared Girl Era: Start by Forming a Contract with an SSS-Class School Belle

At the entrance to Shanghai Base City,

the towering city gates stood wide open, with two lines of armored, imposing city guards flanking each side.

"Roar!!" "Roar!!" "Roar!!"

Outside, nine jet-black Flood Dragons, each radiating a dark, glimmering aura, let out thunderous roars that echoed throughout all of Devil City.

Nine Flood Dragons, all at the peak of the Great Venerable Realm, exuded oppressive might as they pulled an enormous floating pavilion. Atop the pavilion rested a vividly colored banner emblazoned with a single "Ye" character.

Behind the pavilion traveled more than twenty floating sports sedans.

Following those extravagant cars, a Venerable Realm Hydra Demon Beast brought up the rear.

On the pavilion, music and dancers filled the air, with melodies from zithers and flutes rising one after another.

Beside the main seat, a stooped, white-haired old man announced, "Young Master, we've arrived at Shanghai Base City."

On the main seat, a handsome red-haired youth who had been resting with his eyes closed now opened his scarlet eyes, a look of anticipation appearing on his face as he said,

"Mu Qingxue, I'm here. Are you ready to make a contract with me?"

With a casual wave of his hand, he said, "Enter the city!"

His calm voice nonetheless reached the ears of all the Demon Beasts. The nine massive Flood Dragons growled lowly and, moving in perfect unison, strode into the open city gates of Shanghai Base City.

The two lines of powerful city guards watched them enter, then, after closing the gates, proceeded to clear the streets for their passage and maintained the road's order.

There was a wide avenue running directly from the main city gate all the way to the entrance of the City Lord's Mansion's main hall.

The Ye Family's arrival created quite a stir, drawing attention from all the major families of Shanghai Base City.

Everyone started speculating about why the Ye Family would come to Devil City with such an ostentatious procession, and what their purpose might be.

In an instant, the spies from every powerful faction in Devil City sprang into action.

City Lord's Mansion, City Lord's Hall.

Sitting on the high throne, Mu Cheng withdrew his gaze and said, "What a grand entrance—nine peak Great Venerable Realm Demon Beasts leading the way, a Venerable Realm Demon Beast bringing up the rear, and that pavilion itself is a top-tier Venerable-grade Supreme Treasure for both offense and defense!"

At these words, Xiao Ye and the others showed their astonishment.

*Clearly, the Young Master of the Ye Family took this proposal very seriously!*

*Realizing what was about to happen, Mu Qingxue couldn't help but grow nervous as she said,* "Xiao Ye, don't feel pressured. When the time comes, you have to beat the Young Master of the Ye Family good and hard."

*Xiao Ye glanced at Mu Qingxue with amusement. He actually wasn't the nervous one—she was. *

Mu Cheng's face grew solemn. In fact, there was something he hadn't said out loud.

The white-haired, frail-looking old man beside the red-haired youth was, in fact, a Quasi-Saint—a Protector of the red-haired youth!

Protectors generally never revealed themselves, usually remaining hidden in the shadows, silently guarding their charges.

But this old man had stepped out into the open!

*A Quasi-Saint stepping forward showed that he acted on direct orders from the Ye Family Patriarch, representing the prestige of the Imperial Capital's Ye Family. If the City Lord's Mansion wanted to break off the engagement today, it would not be an easy task!*

Mu Cheng rubbed his brow in mild frustration, muttering inwardly, *Hopefully, after the Young Master of the Ye Family is defeated by Xiao Ye, he'll give up the engagement with Xue'Er on his own. Otherwise, if the Quasi-Saint gets involved, the City Lord's Mansion won't be able to wriggle out of this betrothal. After all, this marriage agreement was made more than a decade ago.*

In less than half an hour,

a wave of commotion echoed from outside the City Lord's Mansion.

"Report! The Ye Family has arrived." A guard rushed in to deliver the news.

Mu Cheng looked up and said, "Welcome the Ye Family inside."

Outside, the Young Master of the Ye Family and the elderly man descended from the pavilion. From the lavish sports sedans behind them, pairs of impressive-looking young Contractors emerged.

They clustered around them, all youthful, about twenty years old, and all at the Grandmaster Realm.

The scarlet-haired, red-eyed Young Master Ye Fan said, "All of you better keep your tempers in check today. Don't mess up my big event."

Each of them grinned, saying, "Don't worry, Brother Ye. We're here to back you up, not to cause trouble."

"Yeah, that's right. How could the Imperial Capital Young Master Squad miss it when Boss Ye comes to Devil City to propose?"

"Heh, we've heard Qingxue, your fiancée, is the number one prodigy in Devil City. We all want to see for ourselves, but honestly, it's just to see."

"Take it easy, Young Master Ye. With us here, we guarantee everything will go smoothly and you'll get your beauty in the end." Thecanonicalsourceforthiscontent:M|V|L2EMPYR.

The elderly man said, "Young Master, it's time to get down to business."

Scarlet-haired, red-eyed Ye Fan nodded and waved his hand, saying, "All right, everyone follow me. Once we're inside, keep quiet—just watch."

The whole group surged into the City Lord's Hall with great momentum.

"Hahaha!" Mu Cheng's hearty laughter echoed through the air, "I've heard many times that the Young Master of the Ye Family is both handsome and unrivaled in talent, ranked number one among young elites of the Imperial Capital. Finally meeting you today, I see it's true!"

Mu Cheng nodded toward the elderly man and said, "Everyone, please be seated."

The hall was already prepared with tea, tables, chairs, and attendants.

The elderly man smiled and nodded in return, but Ye Family's Young Master Ye Fan just stared blankly at one beautiful figure.

"Undeniably a once-in-a-generation beauty, graceful and elegant, her aura pure and refined. That must be my fiancée—Mu Qingxue!" he muttered quietly.

The elderly man gave Ye Fan a kick, "Young Master, we've just arrived. Don't act like a dog sniffing everyone in public."

"Want to gaze at your future wife? Wait till you're in bed—then you can stare all you want!"

Red-haired Ye Fan snapped out of it, rubbed his nose a bit awkwardly, and said, "Ye Fan of the Ye Family greets Uncle Mu!"

Standing by Mu Cheng's side, Mu Qingxue squirmed under Ye Fan's intense gaze and unconsciously edged closer to Xiao Ye, sending a voice transmission with disdain in her tone, "Xiao Ye, that guy looks like such a creep. I really don't want to marry someone like him."

Xiao Ye gently squeezed her soft little hand, transmitting his own message, "With me here, you won't have to marry him."

*Mu Qingxue's nervous heart felt unexpectedly better.*

After everyone was seated, each of the youths introduced themselves in turn.

"Tang San, Young Master of the Tang Family, Imperial Capital, greets City Lord Mu." "Guang Jie Ming, Young Master of the Guang Family, Imperial Capital, greets City Lord Mu." "Shi Hao, Young Master of the Shi Family, Imperial Capital, greets City Lord Mu." "Zhou Xiong, Young Master of the Zhou Family, Imperial Capital, greets City Lord Mu." "Young Master of the Yun Family, Imperial Capital…" "…"

These were all mid-level families headed by the Ye Family, ranking among the top four families in the Imperial Capital; their strength was formidable and not to be underestimated, rivaling even the Hong Family of Devil City. Each family possessed Venerables, with business empires spanning all of Dragon Country, and off-the-charts combat power.

Although Devil City and the Imperial Capital were both top-tier base cities, the Imperial Capital was the oldest and boasted the highest combat strength—bar none.

The Venerable Alliance's headquarters was also located in the Imperial Capital.

*Mu Cheng's heart grew heavier.*

After everyone finished introducing themselves, the Young Master of the Ye Family, Ye Fan, spoke very politely, "Uncle Mu, you know, I've been close with Qingxue since childhood—with an engagement between us—and I have never made a contract with any other woman, nor has Qingxue."

"I've come today on behalf of the Ye Family of the Imperial Capital to formally propose marriage to the Mu Family!"

Ye Fan waved his hand, and a pile of betrothal gifts ten meters high appeared on the ground. "These are the betrothal gifts."

"A Supreme-grade Crystal Core, a Supreme-grade dual-purpose offensive-defensive Supreme Treasure, a Supreme-grade defensive artifact, as well as various Great Venerable-level Potions and priceless rare materials."

He gestured outside the City Lord's Mansion, indicating the nine peak Great Venerable Flood Dragons, the Venerable Three-Star Hydra, and the top-tier floating pavilion. Then he said,

"Everything outside the hall, that's all part of the betrothal gift, too!"

"Hiss!" All of the Young Masters gasped; what a show of extravagance!

Mu Cheng's eyes went wide in shock—the dowry was so lavish, he found himself coveting it!

The value of all this could crush the total assets and foundations of any single family in Shanghai Base City!

The Ye Family had truly pulled out all the stops!

"Whew!" Mu Cheng took a deep breath, forced himself to remain calm, and said, "Young Master Ye, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid the marriage between you and Xue'Er isn't going to happen—Xue'Er already has someone she loves!"

"What?!" Red-haired Ye Fan shot to his feet, his tone harsh.

All the Young Masters behind him looked stunned.

The conflict was on the verge of erupting!