Qian Renxue's Decision

"Here, take this." Qian Renxue took a token bearing the character for "snow" from her Storage Soul Tool.

"What's this?" Lan Si took the token and asked in surprise.

Qian Renxue said solemnly, "This is the token of Xue Qinghe, the current Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. He's my older brother, and aside from you and Emperor Xue Ye, the only person in the world who knows I exist. Once we reach Heaven Dou Royal Academy, you must not mention my existence to anyone except Xue Qinghe—not even if you meet Emperor Xue Ye."

"What if I let it slip?" Lan Si asked timidly.

"You'll die. You absolutely won't live to see another day, and the person you tell will die too." Qian Renxue smiled dangerously.

"Uh, if it's that dangerous, can I just not take the token? If there's no other way, I'll go to Blue Tyrant Academy instead." Lan Si shivered for no reason. He was sure that if he exposed Qian Renxue's existence, she really would kill him.

"What do you think?" Qian Renxue retorted. Then she sat down nearby and leisurely began eating the roast rabbit.

"Fine." Lan Si shook his head helplessly. He knew he'd boarded a pirate ship this time. Still, it wasn't such a bad thing. With Qian Renxue as his backer, at least he wouldn't have to worry about other powers coveting him while he was still growing in secret.

After eating the rabbit, Lan Si tidied up a little and prepared to leave.

"Hey, Xue'er, are you coming with me to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Lan Si asked casually.

"No. I'm going straight back to Heaven Dou City." Qian Renxue shook her head, a trace of gloom passing through her eyes.

Lan Si continued, "Then how do I find you in the future? At the Crown Prince's Mansion?"

Qian Renxue paused, then asked, "Why are you looking for me?"

Lan Si rolled his eyes and gave her a look as if she were an idiot.

"What's with that look?" Qian Renxue chided, meeting his eye roll. "Forget it, I'm not joking with you. If you need something next time, go to the Crown Prince's Mansion and find Xue Qinghe. He'll send someone to notify me. But remember: don't mention my existence to anyone except Xue Qinghe. Otherwise..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Lan Si waved impatiently, muttering, "So fierce. Eight out of ten things you say are threats. Keep it up and you'll never find a husband..."

"What did you say?" Qian Renxue had sharp hearing and caught Lan Si grumbling. She cried out angrily.

"N-nothing. If there's nothing else, I'll get going." As he spoke, Lan Si summoned a Cyan Lotus, leapt onto it, and was about to soar away.

Then Qian Renxue called after him, "Come back."

"What now, big sis?" Lan Si said, sounding annoyed.

"You're going the wrong way. Heaven Dou Royal Academy is over there." Qian Renxue pointed in the other direction, then took a map from her Soul Tool and tossed it to Lan Si.

Lan Si glanced at the map, embarrassment washing over him. He gave an awkward laugh, changed direction, and sped off toward the way Qian Renxue had pointed.

After Lan Si had gone far away, Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo emerged from the shadows.

"Young Master, isn't this too risky?" Snake Lance Douluo frowned, voicing his concern.

Porcupinefish Douluo also furrowed his brow and added, "That's right, Young Master. Linking Xue Qinghe to you could have a huge impact on Spirit Hall's plan to seize control of the Heaven Dou Empire if the boy grows suspicious one day."

Qian Renxue was brimming with confidence. She smiled lightly. "Don't worry. He may look like a fool, but he's actually very sharp, and his ability to calculate risks is second to none. Even if he hasn't figured it out, even if he guesses the truth someday, he won't expose me. Besides, do you think someone who calls Emperor Xue Ye 'Old Man Xue Ye' would risk his life to warn the Heaven Dou Empire?"

"Besides, since we've decided to recruit him, he'll find out who I am sooner or later. I might as well use this chance to test him."

Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo exchanged glances and smiled. Then they cupped their hands toward Qian Renxue and said in unison, "Young Master is wise."

Qian Renxue nodded, looking a little pleased, then said, "Still, you two uncles have a point. Uncle She Long, follow him and observe him in secret for a while. If there's no problem, come back."

"Yes, Young Master." Snake Lance Douluo replied respectfully, then flashed away, rushing in the direction Lan Si had gone.

The Balak Kingdom lay south of the Heaven Dou Empire, bordering Fasinuo Province. It was called a kingdom, but its territory was only three-quarters the size of Fasinuo Province. It was under the Heaven Dou Empire and was one of the empire's four kingdoms.

In the heart of the fertile Limo Plain, within the Balak Kingdom, lay Suotuo City, known as the granary of Balak.

After parting with Lan Si, Zhu Zhuqing had spent some time recovering from her injuries, making sure they hadn't left any hidden damage. Then she hired a carriage and, after nearly three or four days on the road, finally reached her destination: Suotuo City.

It was now midday. Beneath the blazing sun, not a cloud crossed the sky, and not a breath of wind stirred. The lake at the foot of the mountain and the great mountain itself, a thousand meters tall and carpeted with all kinds of plants, both looked listless and languid.

After climbing down from the carriage, Zhu Zhuqing wandered along the streets of Suotuo City. Perhaps it was the fatigue of riding for so long, or perhaps something else, but her steps wavered as she walked.

"If one day you feel you have nowhere left to go, you can come find me at Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City."

"Just try your best and be yourself. Even if you fail, it doesn't matter. Because I'll protect you."

Lan Si's words echoed again and again in Zhu Zhuqing's mind.

It was the first time anyone had said they would protect her, and he had actually done it. With the strength of a level-thirty Soul Grandmaster with two rings, he had protected her from her older sister, who had the strength of a Soul Ancestor.

He'd used a trick, but he had truly done it.

Her cheeks grew a little warm, and her mind drifted. From the moment they had parted until now, Lan Si's image had continued to haunt her thoughts.

Just as she was about to fall into a pit lined with stakes and wild beasts, Lan Si had appeared out of nowhere and caught her in midair, saving her from becoming the beasts' meal.

When Zhu Zhuyun, a Soul Ancestor, had tried to force her hand, he had kept his composure and driven her off with a strange weapon.

Before she passed out, Lan Si had held her while bandaging her wounds; when they parted, he had carried her out of the forest.

The scenes played over and over in Zhu Zhuqing's mind, impossible to dispel.

Only after Lan Si had left did Zhu Zhuqing realize that he had already left an indelible impression on her heart.

"Awwooo!" Just then, a tiger's roar interrupted Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts.