Contact

"Take it."

Porcupine Douluo accepted the Whale Rubber that Qian Renxue had melted with True Sun Fire. He consumed a small amount, then nodded after a moment.

"It has some effect, but for me, it's already just a drop in the bucket. I can barely sense the extent of the improvement."

"What about for Soul Masters and Soul Grand Masters?"

Pufferfish lowered his gaze and pondered for a while before replying, "It should improve them significantly. Their soul ring age could increase by several hundred years."

"Mm." Qian Renxue nodded. "Withdraw. Write a detailed report on the effects of Whale Rubber and send it back to Spirit Hall. Secure this resource as soon as possible. We cannot venture deep into the ocean, so Whale Rubber is limited.

"As for Heaven Dou... Heh. Heaven Dou's Whale Rubber is mine. And what is mine naturally belongs to Spirit Hall as well."

"Yes, Young Master. Are you truly going to meet Ling Qianyue in your true form? Won't there be a risk of exposure?"

Qian Renxue lightly tapped the desk with her fingertip and pondered for a moment. "It doesn't matter. If he truly can resonate with my Martial Soul, then Ling Qianyue should understand that even if he wants to run, he cannot. This person is already in my grasp."

A point of brilliant light flashed between her brows. Cloud Illusion, the Head Soul Bone and one of the Angel Set's components, gleamed with flowing light.

As Qian Renxue rose to her feet, a sacred aura flickered and vanished. Xue Qinghe disappeared, replaced by Qian Renxue's true form—noble and coldly beautiful.

Otherworldly and peerless, breathtakingly elegant.

She stopped before the mirror, a faint smile on her lips, then walked outside.

In the training grounds, Zhu Zhuqing was gently tugging on Ling Qianyue's sleeve and whispering into his ear. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, while Ling Qianyue listened with a smile, his head tilted toward her.

Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes. "They do make quite a fitting pair." She chuckled, her trailing tone carrying a hint of sharpness that even she failed to notice.

Those who possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill were either companions bound together like Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, relying on one another through life and death, or lovers whose feelings had quietly taken root and whose hearts were in harmony.

But regardless of which it was, the resonance between their bloodlines would deepen their emotional bond as they spent time together.

After determining that Ling Qianyue was the person who had caused her Martial Soul Resonance when she entered the city that day, Qian Renxue had long since regarded him as her possession. An inexplicable possessiveness quietly began to grow in her heart.

Given Ling Qianyue's age and cultivation speed, he would undoubtedly be an advanced Soul Elder by the age of twelve. Reaching Soul Emperor before twenty would be effortless.

Combined with the talent he had already displayed, far surpassing those of his age, Qian Renxue became even more certain that Ling Qianyue's future achievements would be extraordinarily great.

Her time as Heaven Dou's undercover Crown Prince had fostered in her a thirst for talent, while her naturally proud temperament made her disdain Soul Masters throughout the world.

Ling Qianyue's appearance had undoubtedly piqued her interest. As that possessiveness began to take root, Qian Renxue had even faintly begun to regard him as a possible future partner—if he could defeat her and earn Qian Renxue's recognition.

Thus, when she saw Zhu Zhuqing being intimate with Ling Qianyue, an inexplicable displeasure rose within her.

This emotion seemed intimately tied to the pride and desire for control embedded in her bones. Whenever she saw something precious, that possessiveness seemed to quietly sprout from the depths of her bloodline.

At last, she reached the resting area of the training grounds and elegantly sat down across from Ling Qianyue and the others. Yet her gaze never left Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing.

"My elder brother had to leave temporarily due to urgent matters, so he asked me to entertain you two in his stead. I hope you will not take offense."

She refilled the tea for Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing, speaking softly. Her tone carried both nobility and warmth, as though she had been born to occupy such a position, controlling the measure and rhythm of her interactions with others.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Qian Renxue before her, her eyes filled with amazement.

Although the Zhu Family possessed an innate bloodline advantage that had given her a figure and appearance beyond the reach of her peers at this age, she seemed to pale into insignificance before the present Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue, ten years their senior, possessed a temperament that radiated from within.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head for a glance, then suddenly puffed out her chest. "Mm, I still have one advantage."

Ling Qianyue's gaze also lingered briefly on Qian Renxue's face before he spoke. "May I know this princess's name?"

Qian Renxue took in Ling Qianyue's reaction completely and smiled faintly. "My name is Yun Zhaoyue.

"As for princess? I am no princess. Brother Xue happened to meet me in Snow Spirit Province when he was traveling, and he took me as his sworn sister. I happened to come to Heaven Dou City these past few days, so I am staying as a guest at the Crown Prince's Estate."

"A beautiful name." Ling Qianyue nodded.

"And compared to its owner?" Qian Renxue's lips curled up slightly, carrying a trace of provocation and amusement. She lightly raised a brow and waited for Ling Qianyue's answer.

At that, Ling Qianyue's gaze drifted over Qian Renxue's exquisite features for a moment. Then he gave a soft laugh and said, "Though the name is beautiful, it is not even one ten-thousandth as beautiful as its owner. Miss Yun is not only breathtakingly lovely, but possesses an extraordinary temperament as well. One cannot forget her after seeing her."

"Heh." Qian Renxue secretly felt pleased, but outwardly maintained a calm demeanor. After taking a sip of tea, she said, "Young Master Ling certainly knows how to talk. Though your little girlfriend seems to be a little jealous?"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. "Sister is joking. Everyone appreciates beauty. Qianyao merely offered appropriate praise."

"Oh?" A trace of surprise flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes. "You do not seem to have denied your relationship. If Brother Xue and I are not mistaken, you seem to be from Star Luo's Zhu Family, and one of this generation's contenders for imperial power.

"If the Star Luo Imperial Family and that Third Prince to whom you are betrothed learned of your relationship, I wonder what they would think?"

Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned slightly cold. "They can think whatever they like. It was they who arranged that engagement, so they can marry each other themselves. I have never acknowledged Dai Mubai as my fiancé, and I never will.

"The only person I recognize is Qianyao."

"What a bold decision." Qian Renxue lightly applauded, a trace of approval flashing in her eyes. Her fingers unconsciously stroked the rim of her teacup as an invisible fluctuation began to emanate from between her brows.

She had the maidservants serve specially prepared tea snacks, then placed a small incense burner beside the table.

"This is Calming Incense. It can calm a Soul Master's mind and allow them to cultivate with greater focus." Qian Renxue explained with a smile. Wisps of smoke curled upward, carrying a faint fragrance that spread through the air. "Young Master Ling, Miss Zhu, why not give it a try?"

Ling Qianyue narrowed his eyes and glanced at Qian Renxue. He then lightly fanned the scent toward himself and smelled it for a while. "Very fine incense. Refreshing and invigorating."

Zhu Zhuqing blinked. Under Qian Renxue's expectant gaze, she also leaned in and took a sniff.

"Indeed. It smells very nice."

Thud—

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes shut uncontrollably, and her entire body toppled into Ling Qianyue's arms. Ling Qianyue draped his outer robe over her, then calmly looked at Qian Renxue.

"You do not seem surprised?" Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes.