Qian Renxue Leaves, Yan is Used

Next Day.

Early morning.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A rapid series of knocks sounded outside Ji Xuan's door.

Then Qian Renxue's voice came through. "Little Brother Ji Xuan, are you awake?"

Ji Xuan opened the door.

He saw Qian Renxue dressed in a light purple gown, her Golden Long Hair casually draped down her back. A thin veil covered her face, revealing only a pair of azure-blue eyes.

"Sis Xue, what is it?"

"Come on, go shopping with your sister!"

Without waiting for Ji Xuan to respond, Qian Renxue stepped forward, grabbed his wrist, and ran outside.

Feeling the warmth against his wrist, Ji Xuan's heart stirred slightly, and he let her pull him along.

On the bustling streets, Qian Renxue seemed like a different person.

At that moment, she was neither the Young Master of Spirit Hall nor the "Xue Qinghe" who had infiltrated Heaven Dou.

She was simply an ordinary young girl enjoying simple happiness, with a hint of girlish charm.

Qian Renxue stopped before a stall selling small accessories.

She picked up a crystal bracelet and put it on her wrist.

Qian Renxue raised her hand and waved it before Ji Xuan's eyes. Expectation glimmered in her gaze as she asked:

"Little Brother Ji Xuan, do you think this looks good?"

"It does." Ji Xuan nodded.

A smile curled Qian Renxue's lips beneath her veil. "Then why aren't you paying for it yet?"

"Uh... alright." Ji Xuan paused briefly before taking out some coins from his Soul Tool.

Qian Renxue carefully put away the bracelet and continued browsing with great enthusiasm.

The day quickly passed, and Qian Renxue bought quite a few things.

Ji Xuan had lost all will to live. It seemed that no matter what world they were in, women had equally terrifying stamina when it came to shopping.

For several days in a row, Ji Xuan accompanied Qian Renxue as she toured nearly all of Spirit City.

Five days later.

Inside the Manor courtyard.

"Little Brother Ji Xuan, your sister should be leaving." Qian Renxue's voice carried a trace of reluctance.

These past few days had been the happiest days she had experienced in over a decade.

She had told Emperor Xue Ye that she would be in seclusion for two months.

But... that was too long. If anything unexpected happened in the meantime, it would cause all her years of infiltration plans to become all previous efforts wasted. She had no choice but to return as soon as possible.

"Sis Xue, stay safe."

Ji Xuan did not say much. He knew clearly that with Qian Renxue's personality, she would not be willing to abandon her years of infiltration just like that.

Qian Renxue nodded and turned to leave. She had already informed Grandfather Qian Daoliu.

When she reached the gate, Qian Renxue glanced back at Ji Xuan.

A gentle smile appeared on Ji Xuan's lips as he waved to her.

Qian Renxue took a deep breath and disappeared beyond the gate...

Papal Palace.

"Greetings, His Holiness the Pope."

Yan dropped to one knee and respectfully saluted Bibi Dong.

Today, Pope Bibi Dong had suddenly summoned him.

Filled with confusion, Yan came to the Papal Palace.

At that moment, only Yan and Bibi Dong were inside the grand hall.

Bibi Dong, seated upon the papal throne, looked down at Yan. A rare faint smile appeared on her lips.

"You may rise first."

"Yes, His Holiness the Pope." Yan stood up.

"Yan, do you like Nana?" Bibi Dong asked.

Yan suddenly froze, then frankly admitted, "Y-Yes."

"Very well. I have a task for you. If you can complete it, I will give Nana to you in marriage."

She knew everything that had happened to Hu Liena at the academy. Fortunately, That Kid Ji Xuan had always kept his distance from Nana, so she had not interfered too much.

Naturally, she also knew of Yan's feelings for Nana—and could make good use of them...

Of course, she would never force Nana to marry someone she did not like. As long as Yan completed the task, Bibi Dong could make someone with no background like him disappear without a sound.

As soon as Bibi Dong finished speaking, Yan's heart began to pound wildly. He asked eagerly, "R-Really, His Holiness the Pope?!"

"Of course."

A trace of imperceptible coldness flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes.

"Tomorrow, the academy will send you out for practical combat training. Your task is to find an opportunity to get rid of Ji Xuan."

Although Ji Xuan had a Venerable Elder protecting him, if Yan, as his classmate, struck from behind during a melee...

Yan hesitated for a moment, but the anger he had suppressed for so long quickly overwhelmed him.

"Yes, His Holiness the Pope!"

The next day, Martial Soul Hall Academy's break came to an end.

Ji Xuan returned to Elite Class One. Not long after he sat down in the classroom, Instructor Zhang walked in.

The previously noisy classroom immediately fell silent, and every Student's gaze turned toward Instructor Zhang.

"Students, the academy has assigned our class a new mission."

Instructor Zhang swept his gaze across the crowd below, his expression stern.

"In a village at the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, traces of Fallen Spirit Master activity have been discovered."

Instructor Zhang paused before continuing.

"According to intelligence, there are approximately five Fallen Spirit Masters. Their leader is an early-stage Soul King."

"Your mission this time is to eliminate that group of Fallen Spirit Masters. You may act alone or form teams, with no more than three people per group."

"You have one incense stick's time to prepare and form your teams. After that, you will depart for the destination immediately."

As Students of the Elite Class, they did not merely spar among themselves. At regular intervals, they also had to take part in practical combat training.

These missions were far from ordinary matches within the academy. One slight misstep could cost them their lives.

But only by experiencing real slaughter could they achieve real growth.

The classroom grew noisy as everyone began searching for suitable teammates.

The methods of Fallen Spirit Masters were exceedingly cruel. Acting alone was far too dangerous.

Xie Yue naturally teamed up with his Younger Sister, Hu Liena, and Yan immediately followed them over.

The three of them had always acted together.

Hu Liena subconsciously looked in Ji Xuan's direction, only to see that he did not seem to have any intention of joining a team.

Soul King Village.

It lay at the border between the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires.

Because it was located on the frontier, the two empires had clashed constantly for years, making this place particularly chaotic and filled with all sorts of people.

After nearly a full day of rapid travel, the thirty Students of Elite Class One finally approached the mission site under Instructor Zhang's escort.

The closer they came to the border, the more desolate the surroundings became. A faint, almost imperceptible scent of blood hung in the air.

As the sun set, the sky gradually darkened.

Instructor Zhang raised a hand, signaling the group to stop.

"Students, we'll make camp here for today. We begin tomorrow!"

As soon as Instructor Zhang finished speaking, the Students each found suitable open ground and began setting up camp.

This was clearly not their first time carrying out a mission outside the academy. Their movements were quite practiced as they took out the simple tents they carried and began pitching them in groups of three or five.

Ji Xuan chose a relatively quiet spot.

Just then, a voice sounded beside him.

"Ji Xuan, are you alone?"

It was Hu Liena. Xie Yue and Yan stood beside her.

Ji Xuan paused what he was doing and nodded.

"There's a Soul King among them. Isn't it too risky for you to go alone?"

There was a hint of concern in Hu Liena's voice.

Ji Xuan's words that day had made her understand the distance between them, but seeing him act alone, she still could not help stepping forward to show her concern.

"No matter." Ji Xuan replied blandly.

Yan crossed his arms, a hint of coldness flashing through his eyes as he snorted.

"Nana, since he chose to go alone, he must be confident. We don't need to worry ourselves over nothing."

Hu Liena said nothing more. She merely gave a slight nod and turned away in silence.

The night grew deeper.

Instructor Zhang was in charge of keeping watch. She would not be taking part in the operation, only escorting them.

Everyone returned to their tents to rest and conserve their strength, preparing themselves for tomorrow's unknown battle.