Qian Renxue looked at Dai Chengfeng's curious expression and shook her head.
"You don't know what it is?"
Dai Chengfeng asked in surprise, "Is this gift really that mysterious?"
Qian Renxue nodded and explained, "This jade wasn't something I obtained myself…"
"A few days ago, a local official who wanted to curry favor with me had it delivered to me through intermediaries."
"But because I needed to maintain my reputation…"
At this point, Qian Renxue paused slightly. She still didn't realize that Dai Chengfeng already knew her hidden identity—Tian Dou's Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe.
Thus, she quickly corrected herself, "Anyway, for your sake, I made a special exception."
"I found this thing truly remarkable—it's incredibly magical. Holding it while cultivating can increase the absorption speed of soul power…"
"So I accepted it."
Dai Chengfeng watched the subtle changes in Qian Renxue's expression and inwardly chuckled: 'She's really treating her identity as Xue Qinghe as a big secret.'
However, he didn't dwell on it.
He was happy to continue playing along with this tacit game.
Therefore, pretending not to notice her underlying meaning, Dai Chengfeng simply pulled Qian Renxue's soft little hand toward him and squeezed it gently. "Then I thank you very much, Xue'er."
"By the way, did you have anyone knowledgeable take a look at it? It doesn't feel like ordinary jade to me."
"Just talk normally…"
Qian Renxue slapped away Dai Chengfeng's hand in annoyance, then nodded.
"I know it's not jade, and I've already had experts examine it."
"Even the most renowned appraisers from Tian Dou City's biggest auction houses couldn't figure it out. They could only sense that it contained an immense and peculiar energy."
"But regardless, just the fact that it can enhance a soul master's absorption rate of soul power…"
"This alone proves it's an invaluable treasure."
Dai Chengfeng nodded. Indeed, it was true.
After all, the speed of absorbing soul power was usually related to one's innate soul power. Those with higher innate soul power naturally had a significant advantage in cultivation.
Anything else that could alter the rate of soul power improvement was typically considered priceless.
For example, immortal herbs…
Thus, it wasn't surprising at all that this jade had captured Qian Renxue's interest and was described by her as an invaluable treasure.
Moreover…
Since the people Qian Renxue consulted couldn't identify the object, Dai Chengfeng thought that perhaps Ning Fengyuan or Sword Douluo might be able to.
After all, both came from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, which was known as the wealthiest sect.
The treasures they handled daily were countless, and most of them were first reviewed by the higher-ups before being sold externally if deemed unworthy.
Thus, the discerning eyes of Sword Douluo and Ning Fengyuan far surpassed those of ordinary auction house appraisers.
"It seems I can ask them about it when I see them tomorrow."
While Dai Chengfeng was lost in thought, Qian Renxue looked at him.
"Do you like it?"
Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng took another glance at the mysterious 'jade' brimming with enigmatic energy, then solemnly placed it into his storage soul-guidance ring.
He smiled, turning to Qian Renxue, who was eagerly awaiting his response.
"Of course I like it."
"As long as it's from you," Dai Chengfeng suddenly leaned closer, focusing intently on her eyes, "I like everything you give me, no matter what it is or where it comes from."
A flicker of barely noticeable joy flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes.
However, Dai Chengfeng abruptly changed the subject: "But…"
"But what?"
Qian Renxue's curiosity was instantly piqued again. Her golden eyes gazed at him in confusion, her previously settled heart once more hanging in suspense.
Dai Chengfeng didn't answer immediately.
He stared deeply at her, his gentle smile still lingering on his face. Before Qian Renxue could react—
Dai Chengfeng swiftly shifted his position, planting his arms on either side of the wooden chair's backrest, completely enveloping Qian Renxue within the confined space of her small seat.
His breath washed over her, surrounding her entirely.
"What… what are you doing?"
Qian Renxue grew tense, her hands pressing against Dai Chengfeng's chest as she turned her head away, avoiding his intense gaze.
Meanwhile, Dai Chengfeng lowered his head, looking down at Qian Renxue beneath him.
"But… I dragged my so-called 'weak' body all the way here to see you…"
Dai Chengfeng's voice was low, tinged with a raspy undertone and unmistakable mischief, his tone teasingly rising at the end. "Do you really think it was just for this gift?"
As he spoke, Dai Chengfeng's gaze swept over her flushed face and slightly stiffened body, his eyes burning as they locked onto hers.
"I think… it's not enough."
The warm breath brushing against Qian Renxue's nose caused her breathing to hitch, her fingers instinctively curling against his chest.
"Then… then what do you want?"
Dai Chengfeng didn't answer.
The answer was already written in his eyes.
He leaned down, deliberately targeting her slightly parted, surprised lips.
"Mmm!"
Qian Renxue trembled all over, her mind going blank in an instant.
The warm sensation pressed down with an irresistible force, an entirely unfamiliar feeling for Qian Renxue.
Dai Chengfeng's presence invaded forcefully, 'conquering and claiming.'
Tension, shyness, excitement, and even a faint sweetness mingled together, exploding in her heart like an electric current.
Her initial stiffness and instinctive resistance soon melted under Dai Chengfeng's magically tender caress.
Reason ebbed away like the receding tide, leaving only a flood of sensations overwhelming her.
Her long lashes quivered violently, and finally, like butterfly wings unable to bear the weight, they softly, tremblingly fell, covering the myriad emotions in her eyes.
So this was… the feeling of a first kiss?
Her heartbeat thundered, drowning out all other sounds. For the first time, Qian Renxue felt so helpless, completely at Dai Chengfeng's mercy to tease as he pleased.
Until—
"Hiss—!"
A sharp, pained intake of breath shattered the intimate silence.
Dai Chengfeng jerked his head back, clutching his lower lip. Fresh red blood seeped through his fingers.
He looked at the person who had just pushed him away, his eyes filled with astonishment and pain, spitting out a mouthful of bloody saliva with a wry smile:
"Ouch… Qian Renxue, are you part dog or something?!"
Inwardly, he added, 'I guess it's true what they say—Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong really are mother and daughter. Both bite so hard! Is this some kind of inherited skill?'
"You deserved it!"
At this moment, Qian Renxue's lips were moist, and her cheeks were flushed so red they seemed ready to bleed. Her golden eyes, which had been slightly dazed moments ago, now glared at him with a mix of anger and humiliation.
She hastily adjusted her collar, which had been loosened, her movements visibly panicked and irritated. She shot Dai Chengfeng a fierce glare.
Without waiting for him to respond further, she quickly walked toward the door.
"Come back tomorrow night…"
It seemed she didn't know how to face Dai Chengfeng at this moment.
"Xue'er! Wait…"
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