Qian Renxue Desperately Tries to Win Over Lu Ming!

The cold jade bed no longer brought a chill; instead, it had grown warm from the heat of their pressed-together bodies.

Snow Empress gazed at the man looming above her, those ice-blue eyes shimmering with watery light before finally closing slowly, her long lashes trembling faintly.

It was a silent acquiescence.

And also a surrender.

Lu Ming hesitated no longer, lowering his head to kiss those cold, soft lips.

(A lengthy passage of five thousand words is omitted here, detailing the union of yin and yang, the intermingling of Pure Power and Ultimate Ice, the specific process including the surging of soul power, the collision of laws, and Snow Empress's emotional journey from resistance to acceptance. The entire pavilion's ice and snow melted into a hazy mist under this wave of heat, veiling the chamber's spring scenery.)

A long while later.

The commotion within the pavilion finally subsided.

Snow Empress lay languidly nestled in Lu Ming's arms, her long snow-white hair scattered messily across the Cold Jade Bed. Her usual cold and aloof demeanor was utterly gone, replaced by a breathtaking allure.

She breathed softly, her fingers tracing idle circles on Lu Ming's chest.

"This technique of yours... is quite overbearing."

Snow Empress's voice was a little hoarse, yet carried a hint of satisfaction.

She could sense that the bottleneck in her cultivation, stagnant for tens of thousands of years, had actually shown signs of loosening from that absurd encounter just now.

Lu Ming caught her mischievous hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it.

"It's not just overbearing—more importantly, it's complementary. You are a spirit born from heaven and earth, and I am... ahem. Anyway, following This Dean, becoming a god is only a matter of time."

Snow Empress shot him a glare but didn't pull her hand back.

Becoming a god.

That was a dream beyond reach for the soul beast race.

Yet in this man's mouth, it sounded as simple as eating or drinking.

But strangely enough, she believed him.

"Lu Ming."

Snow Empress suddenly called his name.

"Hm?"

"If one day the God Realm truly descends, would you... for me, or rather for us, become an enemy of the gods?"

Snow Empress lifted her head, looking at him seriously.

Lu Ming was silent for a moment, then smiled.

He didn't make any grand declarations. He simply reached out to tidy her slightly disheveled hair by her temple and said calmly:

"I'm a man who protects his own."

"No one—not even a God King—will lay a finger on my woman."

"If the God Realm dares to reach out, I'll chop that hand off. If the Heavenly Dao dares to block me, I'll pierce through the heavens."

Simple words, yet carrying a chilling killing intent.

Snow Empress stared at him fixedly. After a long moment, a smile finally bloomed on her lips, one that could captivate all beings.

She leaned in on her own accord and pressed a kiss to the corner of Lu Ming's mouth.

"Alright."

"Then I'll go mad with you, just this once."

Just then, Gongsun Li's somewhat anxious voice came from outside the pavilion, breaking the tender moment.

"Dean! Dean, are you in there?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, has arrived! He's waiting in the front hall. He says he's brought a Ten Thousand Year Snow Ginseng and some Outer Heavenly Meteorite Iron, and he insists on seeing you!"

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow slightly.

He came quickly enough.

He patted Snow Empress's smooth back, signaling her to get up.

"Looks like our benefactor has arrived."

Lu Ming sat up, casually draping a robe over his muscular upper body.

Snow Empress also tidied her clothes unhurriedly, resuming her cold, untouchable demeanor—though the lingering trace of spring in her brows and eyes was impossible to fully conceal.

"Going to see that little girl disguised as a man?"

Snow Empress's tone carried a hint of amusement.

"Of course."

Lu Ming stood up and pushed open the pavilion's doors, letting the glaring sunlight pour back in.

He turned back, winking at the Snow Empress.

"After all, she came with sincerity. I have to see exactly how she plans to sell herself to me."

With that, Lu Ming strode out in long, confident steps.

Behind him, the Snow Empress watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.

That woman named Qian Renxue...

Hopefully, she'd bring a bit of entertainment to these dull days.

The sunlight was somewhat blinding, illuminating the plaque inscribed with "Teach Without Discrimination" in the front hall until it gleamed.

Xue Qinghe sat upright in the seat of honor, back straight as a rod, holding a cup of tea in hand. The tea had gone untouched, most of its steam already dissipated.

"Your Highness has waited long."

A lazy voice came from behind the screen.

Lu Ming walked out, his robe tied rather carelessly, the collar slightly open, faint red marks still visible on his skin. The tips of his hair carried a trace of moisture, and his entire being was wrapped in an icy chill that refused to dissipate, utterly out of place with the warm early summer sun.

Xue Qinghe set down the teacup, her gaze lingering on Lu Ming for a moment before she smoothly concealed the flicker of surprise in her eyes.

This chill...

Even from several steps away, the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul within her felt a primal repulsion.

It was the power of extreme ice and snow.

Jixia Academy truly hid dragons and crouching tigers.

"Dean Lu is busy with affairs; it's only right that Qinghe waits a little longer."

Xue Qinghe stood up, wearing that signature gentle smile that left no room for fault. She waved her hand, and the attendant behind her immediately stepped forward, holding an unassuming brocade box.

"I heard the Dean has a fondness for collecting rare treasures. Qinghe happened to come across a Ten Thousand Year Snow Ginseng and a piece of Outer Heavenly Meteorite Iron a few days ago. They'd only gather dust in the palace, so I thought to gift them to the Dean, where they might find better use."

Lu Ming glanced at the brocade box.

Ten Thousand Year Snow Ginseng.

Outer Heavenly Meteorite Iron.

If these items were put up at an auction, they'd have Titled Douluos fighting tooth and nail over them. Yet from this Crown Prince's lips, they were merely "happened to come across" idle goods.

"Your Highness is too kind."

Lu Ming didn't refuse. He reached out, took the brocade box, and tossed it lightly in his hand, as if weighing two ordinary stones.

"One doesn't accept gifts without merit. Your Highness sends such heavy presents—surely it's not just to share a cup of tea?"

He walked to the host's seat and sat down, not even bothering to have someone brew a fresh pot of tea. Instead, he picked up the half-cold leftover tea from before and moistened his throat.

Xue Qinghe watched Lu Ming's roguish demeanor, and a measure of calm settled in her heart.

It wasn't greed for wealth or lust that was feared—it was the absence of any desire at all.

"Qinghe does have a request."

Xue Qinghe sat back down, leaning slightly forward with a sincere tone.

"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is approaching. Qinghe heard that Jixia Academy will also be participating. My father places great importance on this tournament and has specifically tasked me with keeping an eye on talented youths from all sides. Qinghe presumes to ask that Jixia Academy... bring honor to the Heaven Dou Empire in the tournament."

At this, she paused, adding with pointed emphasis:

"Of course, if Jixia Academy lacks anything—whether Gold Soul Coins, Mimic Training Grounds, or rare materials—the Crown Prince's Mansion will provide full support. From now on, for all matters concerning Jixia in Heaven Dou City, Qinghe will also open every door wide."