Xue Qinghe

Tang San raised an eyebrow, his gaze involuntarily sweeping toward the second floor. Xue Qinghe, or rather Qian Renxue, had invited him upstairs at a time like this. What act was she putting on?

Tang San turned and smiled apologetically at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. "Sorry, someone is looking for me. I'll have to take my leave."

Dugu Yan waved a hand, showing she didn't mind. "It's all right. We'll see you at the Ye residence tomorrow, then."

Her tone carried a reminder not to forget their agreement.

Ye Lingling naturally nodded as well.

Tang San nodded and waved goodbye. "All right, see you tomorrow."

With that, Tang San turned and followed the staff member upstairs.

Dugu Yan watched Tang San's back disappear at the stairwell, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

She turned, took Ye Lingling's hand, and headed out of the Great Soul Arena, urging her on excitedly. "Come on, come on, let's go back and get ready."

The reception room on the second floor was furnished with elegance and solemnity.

When Tang San pushed open the door and entered, Xue Qinghe was sitting in the seat of honor, poised and composed.

Ning Fengzhi sat beside Xue Qinghe, with Bone Douluo Gu Rong standing behind him. A little girl of seven or eight also sat beside Ning Fengzhi.

Tang San entered the reception room and bowed slightly, his manner respectful. "I am Li Si. Greetings, Your Highness, Sect Master Ning, and Your Excellency Bone Douluo."

Xue Qinghe smiled faintly, his voice warm as jade. "Cyberpunk, there's no need for ceremony. Please, sit."

"I wouldn't dare," Tang San replied with a bow.

All three present were giants of the Soul Master World, figures whose names rang far and wide. Tang San knew that, as a two-ring independent cultivator with no backing, he could hardly disregard propriety and actually sit down before them.

Seeing that Tang San remained standing, Xue Qinghe did not insist. He nodded and said, a hint of admiration in his voice, "Congratulations on your victory tonight. Thirty-one consecutive wins and a Gold Soul Fighting Badge—it's no small feat to achieve such results with the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul."

"You flatter me, Your Highness. I was merely fortunate." Tang San was very modest.

Admiration flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, and he said gently, "There's no need for modesty, young friend. You've cultivated Heart Separation Control to the Five-Aperture Scattered Heart. Heart Separation Control isn't a difficult technique, but it requires tedious practice day after day, along with tremendous focus and perseverance. To reach this level at your age shows that you've put in effort beyond what ordinary people can match."

"Your eyes are as sharp as a torch, Sect Master Ning. I am impressed." Tang San bowed slightly once more.

Ning Fengzhi nodded and said nothing further.

Ning Rongrong jumped off the sofa and ran up to Tang San, looking up at him. "Big brother, your Blue Silver Grass is amazing! Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon couldn't beat you!"

Tang San looked at the little girl. He had already guessed who she was, but pretended not to know and asked, "What's your name?"

"My name is Ning Rongrong!"

"Rongrong, don't bother our guest." Ning Fengzhi smiled and beckoned her over.

Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue and ran back to her father.

Xue Qinghe's gaze had remained on Tang San, an amused smile playing at the corner of her mouth. In a teasing tone, she said, "Brother Li, I saw you chatting and laughing with two beauties just now. It seems you're young, but quite blessed in romance."

Tang San froze for a moment. Why did her tone feel a little strange?

Before he had time to think further, Tang San hurriedly smiled and began making things up. "You jest, Your Highness. Sister Lingling once saved my life. She's one of my benefactors. I was only saying hello and catching up with her just now. There was nothing more to it."

Xue Qinghe raised an eyebrow, a barely perceptible glimmer flashing in her golden eyes. "One of your benefactors? Has someone else saved you too?"

Tang San sneered inwardly. I knew you'd ask that.

He then said in a tone of admiration and gratitude, "Yes. Not long ago, I encountered danger in Sunset Forest. Luckily, a fairy sister came to my rescue, and I managed to escape a Soul Beast's jaws with my life. That fairy sister was not only powerful, but also peerlessly beautiful. She was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in the world, like a goddess descended from heaven."

Tang San wished he could use every word of praise he knew, regretting only that his learning fell short and his vocabulary was lacking. He spoke with genuine feeling, his expression sincere and natural. But inwardly, he despised himself again. To cling to a powerful backer, he could say even the sappiest things.

Still, Qian Renxue really had saved his life, so that was no lie. Qian Renxue's beauty really was peerless, so that wasn't a lie either. He had merely expressed the "objective facts" as "subjective feelings." That didn't count as deceiving anyone.

Hearing this, the corners of Xue Qinghe's mouth curved upward ever so slightly, and a glimmer of satisfaction flashed in her golden eyes, as though some hidden feeling had been satisfied. She picked up her teacup and took a sip, using the motion to conceal the smile at the corners of her mouth.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Xue Qinghe, then at Tang San, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes. Why is Qinghe a little different from usual today?

Xue Qinghe stood and walked up to Tang San, her gaze growing serious. "Brother Li, besides congratulating you on your victory, I invited you here today because there's another matter I'd like to discuss with you."

"Please, go ahead, Your Highness."

"I'd like to invite you to join the crown prince's residence." Xue Qinghe got straight to the point. "I greatly admire your talent and strength. The crown prince's residence needs talented people like you. If you're willing to come, I can provide you with cultivation resources and any other help you need."

Tang San's heart skipped a beat. Throwing himself into Qian Renxue's "embrace" sounded wonderful. But he still had many things left to do; now wasn't the time.

After hesitating for a moment, Tang San said apologetically, "I'm deeply grateful for your regard, Your Highness. But I'm carefree by nature and accustomed to freedom. I don't like being tied down. I'd still like to travel the continent, broaden my horizons, and temper myself. Please give me a few years, Your Highness. I'll enter your service then."

Xue Qinghe showed no disappointment. She merely nodded, her tone calm and gentle. "All right, I'll wait for you. And don't call me Your Highness anymore. I'm a few years older than you, so just call me Brother Xue."

Xue Qinghe began her usual routine for winning people over. She took a token from her robes and handed it to Tang San, saying, "This is my crown prince's token. With it, you can enjoy certain conveniences within the Heaven Dou Empire. It might come in handy on your travels."

Tang San immediately put on a deliberately moved expression. His eyes reddened slightly, and his lips trembled, as though he had been deeply touched by her friendship. There was no trace of acting to be seen.

Instead of taking the token, Tang San grabbed the hand Xue Qinghe held it out with, clasping it in both of his. Her hand was slender and soft, its skin smooth as cream and its fingertips slightly cool, like a piece of warm, lustrous jade.

Tang San's palm rested over the back of Xue Qinghe's hand, and he could feel her fingers stiffen slightly.

"Brother Xue!"

Tang San's voice caught slightly, his tone sincere.

With Tang San holding her hand, Xue Qinghe felt as though she had been struck by lightning. She wanted to pull it away, but felt that doing so would not fit her approachable image.

Xue Qinghe kept a calm smile on her face, but the roots of her ears turned slightly red. With a barely perceptible tightness in her voice, she continued politely, "There's no need for ceremony, none at all. I hope that in a few years, you'll keep your promise and come find me at the crown prince's residence."

While Xue Qinghe was momentarily distracted, Tang San stepped forward, spread his arms, and embraced her tightly.

"Brother Xue, you think so highly of me. I'm moved to tears with gratitude, and I'll always remember this kindness."

Tang San's voice trembled, and he looked indescribably moved.