If You Don't Let Me Go, I'll Go on a Hunger Strike

Qian Renxue looked at her fawning expression, her heart stirred, yet she hardened her resolve:

"No."

Joking aside, taking this little enchantress to the arena would surely lead to her saying something that would unsettle the Shrek Seven Devils or draw the attention of Martial Soul Hall, and he would be the one left to clean up the mess.

Seeing that acting cute was useless, Ye Yunxi immediately changed her tune, hands on her hips as she threatened:

"If you don't take me, I'll go on a hunger strike!"

"Suit yourself."

Qian Renxue glanced at her indifferently:

"It's not me who'll be going hungry, anyway."

With that, Qian Renxue turned and returned to her room to change into light, casual attire, which only served to make her posture appear even more upright and handsome.

Before leaving, she looked back at Ye Yunxi, who was still sulking, a trace of imperceptible doting flashing in her eyes as her voice softened:

"When I return, I'll bring you the most famous candied haws from near the arena."

Ye Yunxi's ears twitched; she didn't turn around, but the corners of her lips curled up in secret.

Seeing this, Qian Renxue let out a low chuckle and, without further delay, strode out of the Crown Prince's Mansion, vaulted onto her horse, and galloped toward the arena of the Soul Master Tournament.

In the courtyard, Ye Yunxi watched her back disappear through the gate, kicked the stone bench in a huff, and muttered:

"Stingy! Just wait until I reach the level of a Soul Douluo, and see how I deal with you!"

The maids standing to the side exchanged glances and shook their heads helplessly.

This Imperial Concubine really never had a moment of peace.

Ye Yunxi, still fuming, had just tried to head out when the two maids beside her reacted instantly, reaching out to block her path.

"You want to stop me?"

Ye Yunxi looked at the two green-behind-the-ears maids.

"Please don't make things difficult for us, Imperial Concubine; we are only following orders. The Crown Prince has already given instructions that you are absolutely not to wander out."

The two maids spoke with some distress; they didn't want to offend her, but they couldn't disobey the orders Qian Renxue had issued.

"People are living beings, rules are dead. You know I'm going out, I know I'm going out, what is there to fear?"

Ye Yunxi blinked at them.

The two maids looked at the beautiful Ye Yunxi before them, their faces flushing as they shyly turned their heads away to explain:

"It won't do, Imperial Concubine."

"What a nuisance!"

Ye Yunxi clicked her tongue, too lazy to waste words with the two maids. A flash of cunning crossed her eyes, and a faint, seductive charm rippled from her entire being.

This was not charm driven by soul power, but the innate talent of her Nine-Tailed Sky Fox, like a spring breeze brushing past, moistening things in silence.

She stepped forward slowly, her peach-blossom eyes curving into crescents, her voice so soft it could melt:

"Little sisters, do I look like the kind of person who would cause trouble?"

As she spoke, she reached out to gently pat one of the maids on the shoulder, her fingertips brushing against the other's sleeve, all smiles:

"Just let your big sister out for a little while, and I'll bring you delicious candied haws when I get back, okay?"

The two maids had already been won over by Ye Yunxi's beauty.

Now, teased by her appearance, they felt their hearts racing like deer, their cheeks turning bright red, and their gazes becoming somewhat dazed.

At this moment, they were already under the state of enchantment.

"Im, Imperial Concubine..."

Their voices grew smaller and smaller, their originally firm expressions completely collapsing. How could they still remember Qian Renxue's instructions? They obediently stepped aside to clear the way.

Ye Yunxi raised her eyebrows triumphantly, waved at the two of them, and turned to dart out of the side gate of the Crown Prince's Mansion, moving as fast as a gust of wind.

Just as she stepped out of the mansion gate, the system notification sound in her mind rang out cheerfully.

[Ding! Triggered fun-seeking escape mission: Fox Charm Escape, Stunning Half the Street]

[Mission Requirements: Head to the Soul Master Tournament arena in a brand-new style, making passersby on half the street turn their heads to look; no deliberate showing off required throughout the process]

[Mission Reward: Innate charm effect permanently increased by 10% (also effective on females), unlock limited outfit: Fox Flame Flowing Light Dress (comes with soft-light special effects, the hem of the dress flutters like a swaying fox tail as you walk, charm bonus doubled)]

"Why is it this again? I've said it so many times, I'm a boy! Can't you give me some useful gear? Like some external soul bones that allow for flight?"

[These will all come, just not right now, Host, rest assured!]

"I don't believe a word you say!"

Ye Yunxi cursed in her heart, and before she could even react, a set of fiery red gauze dress appeared in her hands out of thin air.

She had intended to just throw it away, but the system spoke up, directly and forcefully.

[Host, the reward must be worn. If you do not wear it, bear the consequences yourself!]

Ye Yunxi gritted her teeth in anger, forced to silently find a place to put it on. She didn't dare to gamble on what kind of punishment the system might bring.

Ye Yunxi found a secluded alley and changed her clothes in a few swift motions. A soft, Kyōka Suigetsu-like glow swirled around her, making the Nine-Tailed Fox embroidery on her skirt appear to come alive.

As she moved, the fabric swayed gently, accentuating her snow-white skin and natural, alluring charm.

Ye Yunxi spun around in satisfaction, her skirt flaring in a beautiful arc. She stroked her chin and muttered, "If Xue Qinghe sees this, won't his eyes just pop right out?"

With a light, brisk step, she headed toward the tournament grounds.

Sure enough, along the way, the gazes of every soul master passing by and every street vendor were glued to her.

She was turning heads everywhere; even the vendors forgot to hawk their wares, staring blankly at her retreating figure.

[Ding! Mission successfully completed! Rewards have been issued!]

A warm current surged through her entire body. Ye Yunxi felt it clearly, but she couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the surrounding gazes.

She didn't need to guess what those looks meant.

She simply needed to consider ways to increase her strength and strive to cultivate her Nine-Tailed Sky Fox martial soul to the level of a Title Douluo, then proceed to attach a soul ring to her second martial soul.

In high spirits, Ye Yunxi hummed a little tune and quickened her pace.

The venue for the Soul Master Tournament was just ahead, the sounds of the crowd faintly drifting toward her.

A cunning smile curled the corners of Ye Yunxi's lips.

Qian Renxue, just you wait; this Imperial Concubine is here to add some fun to your day!

He didn't want him to come out, yet he insisted on doing so.

At this moment, Qian Renxue, who was still watching the match at the Soul Fighting Arena, felt a sense of foreboding.

"Qinghe, why didn't your concubine come with you?"

Emperor Xue Ye asked from beside him.

In the past, Ye Yunxi would have been firmly by Qian Renxue's side.

"Her? She has been resting in her room. Seeing that he has been a bit tired lately, I didn't have him come along. There are still many matches left, so missing one is no big deal."

As Qian Renxue explained, his gaze shifted to the match between Shrek Academy and Elephant Armored Academy.

Emperor Xue Ye didn't say much more after hearing this, only feeling it was a pity; if Ye Yunxi were here, she would have been a beautiful sight to behold.

"This Shrek Academy actually has some skill."

Qian Renxue thought to himself, while simultaneously contemplating how to gain more perfect control over the empire.

Emperor Xue Ye's departure was only a matter of time. If he could bring the remaining vassal forces of the Clear Sky Sect into his pocket, it would be a massive boost for him.