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Feng Xiao was slightly startled by the words, then a knowing smile spread in his eyes.
He gently stroked the rim of the teacup with his slender fingers, his voice carrying a hint of playfulness: "What, is my Crown Prince jealous?"
He deliberately drew out the last syllable, his gaze falling on Qian Renxue's flawless disguise, attempting to capture Qian Renxue's true emotions beneath the gentle and refined facade of "Xue Qinghe."
The teacup in Qian Renxue's fingertips suddenly trembled slightly, and a few drops of amber tea spilled onto her snow-white cuff.
She instinctively turned her face away, her long eyelashes slightly lowered, revealing a rare hint of panic.
"Presumptuous!" Her voice still maintained the dignity of the Crown Prince, but as it unconsciously rose, it took on Qian Renxue's unique clear tone, "This Crown Prince… this Crown Prince just feels…"
Her speaking speed unconsciously quickened: "That skull, whether it's attribute compatibility or age, is extremely well-suited for you. Giving it to Dugu Yan is truly…"
Towards the end of her sentence, her voice gradually lowered, sounding somewhat lacking in confidence.
A hint of tenderness flashed in Feng Xiao's eyes as he gently stroked the rim of the teacup and said softly, "That Spirit Bone is good, but it's not the optimal choice. If absorbed rashly, it might restrict future development."
Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with Feng Xiao's explanation, "Such big words."
Her fingertips tapped gently on the table, "A Spirit-type skull of over fifty thousand years is rare even across the two Empires; you treat it as a trinket on the street that you can pick at will.
Where will you find one in the future?"
Feng Xiao slowly raised his hand, looked at Qian Renxue, and beckoned her like a child, "Crown Prince, come."
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered.
She stepped forward, the hem of her moon-white brocade robe swaying gently with her movements.
"You'd best give this Crown Prince a satisfactory explanation."
She lowered her voice, feigning a warning and feigned anger, yet unconsciously leaned slightly closer as she approached.
A triumphant smile curled on Feng Xiao's lips, and he suddenly reached out and clasped her wrist.
Before Qian Renxue could react, he had already leaned in close to her ear.
His warm breath brushed against her earlobe, causing a faint blush to appear on her flawless disguise.
Feng Xiao suddenly reined in his smile, his slender fingers gently picking at the tassel of the jade pendant on Qian Renxue's waist.
As he leaned in, a faint scent of pine wood, almost imperceptible, lingered between them.
"How about…" His lips were almost touching her reddened earlobe, his voice very low, with a hint of coaxing, "Crown Prince tells me a secret, and in exchange, I can give you a reasonable explanation."
Qian Renxue's brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her golden eyes.
She instinctively took half a step back, her voice even softer: "Haven't you already known my identity?"
Feng Xiao looked at Qian Renxue and said softly, "I know you come from Spirit Hall, and I know your relationship with Supreme Pontiff is not shallow."
His gaze was as deep as a pond, his voice gentle yet firm, "But what I want to understand is you, not your identity, your background."
Qian Renxue unconsciously turned her head away, and Xue Qinghe's perfect disguise showed a subtle crack at this moment.
Her slender eyelashes trembled slightly, casting an uneasy shadow under the golden lamplight.
The normally composed and dignified Crown Prince now seemed somewhat flustered, her fingers, hidden in her wide sleeves, unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes.
"Nonsense." Her voice still maintained Xue Qinghe's gentle tone, but because of that almost imperceptible tremor, it sounded exceptionally alluring.
The moonlight from outside the window streamed through the carved lattice, casting a crystalline shimmer on her reddened earlobes.
Feng Xiao's eyebrow lifted slightly, and a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.
He deliberately drew out his words: "Crown Prince?"
Qian Renxue slightly regained her composure, looking at his reaction, and suddenly had a mischievous thought.
Only then did she realize that she hadn't even told Feng Xiao her real name.
Qian Renxue slightly curved her lips, her golden eyes subtly moving, and she chuckled softly: "My name is Qian Renxue."
Hearing this, Feng Xiao's breath hitched slightly, and his Adam's apple unconsciously bobbed.
He hadn't expected Qian Renxue to suddenly act so coyly; the cunning glint in her golden eyes left him momentarily speechless.
"Crown Prince, this is just…" He shook his head helplessly and chuckled softly, "Too unreasonable."
Qian Renxue suddenly raised her hand, her slender fingers gripping Feng Xiao's collar, a triumphant smile in her eyes as she said shamelessly, "What? You're the one who said it was a secret, and my name is a secret.
Anyway, I don't care; my identity and background have all been guessed by you, so this is the only secret."
A mischievous curve appeared on Feng Xiao's lips, and his fingertips gently tapped Qian Renxue's face, which still maintained Xue Qinghe's appearance: "That won't do.
You are Xue Qinghe now, not Qian Renxue."
"You…" Qian Renxue, despite her elegant appearance as Xue Qinghe, made a pouting gesture that was extremely unbefitting of a Crown Prince.
A hint of triumph and cunning flashed in her golden eyes, clearly having anticipated his words.
A dazzling golden light suddenly erupted, and sacred angel spirit power rippled outwards.
When the light faded, standing before Feng Xiao was a peerless young woman with golden hair cascading like a waterfall.
She gently tossed her long hair, the ends still carrying lingering golden specks, shimmering with tiny glints in the sunlight.
"Satisfied?" Qian Renxue slightly raised her chin, the sacred aura unique to the Angel Spirit inadvertently emanating from her.
But the golden eyes, brimming with a smile, betrayed her good mood at the moment.
She deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Now, it's time to fulfill your promise, isn't it?"
Feng Xiao gazed at Qian Renxue, who was completely different from her usual self, and for a moment, he was lost in thought.
The sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a soft golden glow on her, and even the tiny dust particles floating in the air formed a hazy halo around her.
Feng Xiao's gaze suddenly softened, like a lake surface reflecting the morning light as spring snow melts.
He gazed at the young woman who had shed her disguise and said softly, "This is much more pleasing to the eye, Xue'er."
This intimate address lingered on his lips, carrying an endless tenderness and affection.
"You…" Hearing Feng Xiao's suddenly changed address, two blushes instantly flew onto Qian Renxue's cheeks, even her ear tips turning the color of a sunset.
She raised her hand in annoyance, clearly flustered: "If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, I… I…" The usually sharp young master of Spirit Hall was now speechless, unable to even complete her threat.
Feng Xiao suddenly chuckled softly.
Qian Renxue keenly noticed that the 'Fuxi' he always carried with him was now nowhere to be seen.
"You…" Qian Renxue was about to ask, but saw Feng Xiao slightly raise his left hand.
In an instant, a profound blue light circulated in Feng Xiao's palm, and the ancient Innate Eight Trigrams Plate appeared out of thin air.
The eight trigrams on the plate flashed alternately, each line seemingly containing the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, exuding an ancient aura that made one's heart palpitate.
Qian Renxue's golden pupils suddenly constricted.
She instinctively took half a step back, her voice filled with unconcealed shock: "twin spirits?!"
This realization left her mind blank.
Feng Xiao's fingertips gently traced the edge of the Innate Eight Trigrams Plate.
He explained softly, "I gave the Spirit Bone to Sister Yan, firstly to repay Senior Dugu's kindness for giving me immortal herbs."
"Secondly," he rotated his wrist slightly, "when my first Spirit cultivates to the appropriate level, my second Spirit still has many spirit ring vacancies. Once my cultivation improves, if I can hunt stronger Spirit Beasts, the Spirit Bone and spirit ring will be better matched and can unleash greater power."
Qian Renxue's slender eyelashes trembled slightly, and complex emotions flickered in her golden eyes.
"So that's how it is." Her voice was very soft, as if coming from a distant place.
At this moment, she suddenly thought of that figure who was always high above—the mother she had spent her entire life pursuing.
Feng Xiao keenly sensed her low Spirits and frowned slightly: "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?" His voice carried a cautious probe.
Qian Renxue turned her head away, her golden hair falling to cover half of her profile: "Nothing."
This answer was so soft it was almost inaudible, but the final syllable carried an almost imperceptible tremor.
Feng Xiao took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and gently took her hand that was hanging by her side.
The anticipated spirit power impact did not come, which made his heart leap with joy, and he unconsciously tightened his grip.
The girl's palm was slender and cool, like fine mutton-fat jade, making him afraid to exert force yet unwilling to let go.
"You…" Qian Renxue turned her head, meeting his nervous and expectant gaze.
She had intended to reprimand this bold action but froze when she felt the warmth emanating from her palm.
That warmth spread from her fingertips all the way to her heart, making her forget to struggle for a moment.
In the end, she merely glared at him irritably, but the shifting light in her eyes carried a hint of coquettishness that she herself didn't notice.
"This guy, give him an inch and he'll take a mile." Qian Renxue thought to herself.
"Consider your explanation reasonable." She snorted coolly, yet allowed their hands to remain clasped.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting tiny specks of light on their intertwined fingers, as if a spell had been cast on this special moment.
Qian Renxue suddenly noticed Feng Xiao's thumb gently caressing the back of her hand, and the tingling sensation made her heart skip a beat.
She abruptly pulled her hand away, her golden eyes glaring at him in annoyance: "Eat!" Her voice carried a hint of panic, "I'll take you to meet someone later."
Feng Xiao awkwardly rubbed the tip of his nose, but a triumphant smile flashed in his eyes.
Just as he picked up his teacup, he heard Qian Renxue ask suspiciously, "You don't seem surprised at all?"
"Paying respects, of course~" Feng Xiao smiled, his eyes crinkling, and deliberately drew out his words, "Our Young Master, Crown Prince, rarely returns to Spirit Hall; wouldn't she take me, her 'life-and-death' companion, to meet her Elders?"
He then mischievously winked, emphasizing the words "life-and-death."
"You!" Qian Renxue's face instantly flushed to her ear tips, and her silver chopsticks clinked against the porcelain plate.
At this moment, she suddenly felt immensely annoyed—this overly clever guy could always easily see through her thoughts.
"Shut up!" She angrily picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling and stuffed it into Feng Xiao's mouth, "Even eating can't shut you up!"
Her pouting expression bore no resemblance to the usual dignity of Spirit Hall's Young Master; instead, she looked like a girl next door whose secret had been exposed.
The sunlight outside the window was just right, casting their playful silhouettes onto the carved screen, intertwining into a vivid tableau.
Feng Xiao knew when to stop, obediently lowering his head to enjoy the exquisite dishes before him, though his gaze still occasionally stole glances at the beautiful face opposite him.
The girl's elegant demeanor while eating, her slightly trembling golden eyelashes, and her occasional pursed cherry lips made him unconsciously compare her to the revered Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall.
"Although my mother-in-law is very charming, my Xue'er is still superior." Feng Xiao chuckled inwardly, then was startled by his own bold thought.
"You…" Qian Renxue felt uncomfortable under his burning gaze, and a blush appeared on her jade-like cheeks, "Can you please focus on eating?" Her voice carried a hint of annoyance, yet could not conceal that trace of sweetness.
The meal ended in such an enchanting atmosphere.
As soon as Qian Renxue put down her silver chopsticks, a dazzling golden light erupted from her body.
When the light faded, the gentle and refined Xue Qinghe reappeared before Feng Xiao.
"What? Disappointed?" She deliberately teased him with Xue Qinghe's low voice, but secretly curved her lips as she turned away.
As her red lips parted, the auras of two Titled Douluo suddenly descended: "Uncle She, Uncle Ci, let's go."
Before Feng Xiao could react, his vision blurred.
Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo each took one of his arms, and the next second, the four figures had already disappeared from the room, leaving only the still-warm tea on the table, its ripples gently swaying.
The scenery before him suddenly cleared, and Feng Xiao found himself at the peak of Pope Mountain.
The biting mountain wind brushed his cheeks, carrying the unique crispness of high altitudes.
Golden light flowed around Qian Renxue, and Xue Qinghe's disguise receded like a tide, revealing her stunning maiden form once more.
"Young Master, your subordinates will escort you no further." She Long and Ci Xue bowed respectfully, the voices of the two Titled Douluo exceptionally clear in the thin air.
Feng Xiao stepped forward at the opportune moment, cupping his fists solemnly towards the two: "Thank you, Seniors, for your escort."
His etiquette was just right, neither disrespectful nor obsequious.
The two Elders exchanged glances, nodded slightly, and with a flicker of their figures, disappeared into the vast sea of clouds.
"Let's go." Qian Renxue's voice was very soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness.
As she ascended the steps, her golden hair fluttered in the wind, like flowing sunlight.
Feng Xiao followed closely behind her.
As the elevation increased, a magnificent complex of palaces gradually appeared.
The buildings, constructed of white marble, glowed with a sacred aura under the moonlight, and a tremendous energy fluctuation was contained within the central grand hall.
Feng Xiao's pupils constricted slightly; he clearly sensed the terrifying energy contained within—like a sleeping giant dragon, each breath stirring the flow of elemental energy between heaven and earth.
Qian Renxue suddenly stopped, her skirt tracing a graceful arc as she turned: "Ahead is…"
She suddenly reached out, her slender fingers firmly intertwining with Feng Xiao's, their fingers clasped together.
Feng Xiao turned his head in surprise, seeing the girl's delicate profile outlined softly in the morning light, her golden eyes under long lashes flickering with complex emotions.
"Don't overthink it." She whispered, her voice so low that only the two of them could hear, her fingertips unconsciously tightening, betraying her inner nervousness.
Feng Xiao understood, and gently squeezed her cool hand in return.
The two walked hand in hand like this.
As they drew closer, the majestic gates of the central grand hall slowly opened automatically, and golden sacred light streamed out from the gap, illuminating Qian Renxue's taut profile.