Qian Renxue looked at her ingratiating expression. Her heart stirred, but she still steeled herself:
"No."
As if! If she took this little vixen to the arena, who knew whether she'd unsettle the Shrek Seven Devils with one remark or attract the attention of people from Spirit Hall. Then she'd have another mess to clean up.
When Ye Yunxi saw that acting cute wasn't working, she immediately changed her tune, planting her hands on her hips as she threatened:
"If you won't take me, I'll go on a hunger strike!"
"Suit yourself."
Qian Renxue gave her a cool glance:
"It's not me who'll go hungry."
After saying that, Qian Renxue turned and went back to her room to change into a more practical outfit, which made her look even taller and more dashing.
Before leaving, she looked back at Ye Yunxi, who was still sulking. A hint of affection flickered in her eyes, almost imperceptible, and her voice softened a little:
"When I get back, I'll bring you the most famous candied hawthorns near the arena."
Ye Yunxi's ears twitched. She didn't look back, but secretly curled her lips into a smile.
Seeing this, Qian Renxue chuckled softly and didn't linger. She strode out of the Crown Prince's Mansion, swung onto her horse, and galloped toward the Soul Master Tournament arena.
In the courtyard, Ye Yunxi watched her disappear through the gate, then kicked a stone stool in a huff and muttered:
"You stingy miser! Just wait until I reach Soul Douluo. I'll show you!"
The maids standing nearby exchanged glances and shook their heads helplessly.
Her Highness the Imperial Concubine really couldn't stay quiet for even a moment.
Ye Yunxi was about to storm out when the two maids beside her quickly stepped forward to block her.
"You're going to stop me?"
Ye Yunxi looked at the two young maids before her.
"Please don't make things difficult for us, Your Highness. We're only following orders. Her Highness has already instructed us not to let you go out on your own."
The two maids spoke with some hesitation. They didn't want to offend her, either, but they couldn't disobey Qian Renxue's orders.
"People are living, but rules are dead. I go out, you know, I know. What's there to be afraid of?"
Ye Yunxi winked at them.
The two maids looked at the beautiful Ye Yunxi and bashfully turned their heads away as they explained:
"We can't, Your Highness."
"What a hassle!"
Ye Yunxi clicked her tongue, too lazy to waste words on the two maids. A sly glint flashed in her eyes, and a faint, bewitching allure rippled around her.
This wasn't a charm brought on by Soul Power. It was an innate gift of her Nine-Tailed Sky Fox, like a spring breeze passing over the land, moistening everything without a sound.
She walked forward slowly, her peach-blossom eyes curving into crescents, her voice so gentle it seemed it could be squeezed for water:
"Little sisters, do I look like the sort of person who'd cause trouble?"
As she spoke, she lifted a hand and gently patted one maid on the shoulder. Her fingertips brushed over the girl's sleeve as she smiled brightly:
"Just let big sister go out for a little while. I'll bring you some delicious candied hawthorns when I get back. How about it?"
The two maids had already been won over by Ye Yunxi's beauty.
Now, under her teasing charm, their hearts fluttered like startled deer. Their cheeks flushed bright red, and their gazes grew hazy.
By now, they were under her spell.
"Y-Your Highness..."
Their voices grew softer and softer. Their firm expressions crumbled completely. They'd forgotten all about Qian Renxue's instructions and obediently stepped aside.
Ye Yunxi raised her brows triumphantly, waved to the two of them, then darted out through the side gate of the Crown Prince's Mansion as fast as the wind.
The moment she stepped outside, the system's cheerful notification rang in her mind.
[Ding! Fun escape mission triggered: Vixen on the Loose, Dazzling Half the Street] [Mission requirements: Head to the Soul Master Tournament arena in a brand-new look, making passersby on half the street turn their heads to stare. No deliberate showing off required.] [Mission reward: Innate charm permanently increased by 10% (effective on women as well); unlock limited outfit—Fox Flame Flowing Light Dress (comes with a soft glow effect, its skirt fluttering like a swaying fox tail as you walk; charm bonus doubled)]
"Why is it this again? How many times have I told you? I'm a boy! Can't you give me something useful to wear? Like an external Soul Bone that lets me fly."
[All of those things will come eventually. You just don't have them right now. Don't worry, Host!]
"I don't believe a word you say!"
Ye Yunxi cursed inwardly. Before she could react, a fiery red dress appeared out of thin air in her hands.
She had been about to toss it aside, but the system immediately insisted:
[Host, you must wear your reward. If you don't, you'll bear the consequences!]
Ye Yunxi was so angry her teeth ached, but she could only find somewhere to put it on. She didn't dare gamble on what kind of punishment the system might dish out.
Then Ye Yunxi found a secluded alley and changed in a few quick moves. A soft, mirage-like glow swirled around her, and the nine-tailed fox embroidered on her skirt seemed to come alive.
It swayed gently with her movements, setting off her snow-white skin and her Natural Allure.
Ye Yunxi spun around in satisfaction, the hem of her dress sweeping up in a graceful arc. She rubbed her chin and muttered:
"If Xue Qinghe sees me like this, won't his eyes pop right out of his head?"
Then she set off toward the arena with a jaunty step.
Just as expected, along the way, the eyes of every Soul Master hurrying by and every street vendor were glued to her.
She had every head turning. Even the street vendors forgot to hawk their wares, staring blankly at her retreating figure.
[Ding! Mission perfectly completed! Reward distributed!]
A warm current surged through her body. Ye Yunxi clearly felt it, but she couldn't be bothered with the stares around her.
There was no need to guess what those looks meant.
She just needed to consider ways to improve her strength, aiming to cultivate her Nine-Tailed Sky Fox Martial Soul to Titled Douluo, then add Soul Rings to her Second Martial Soul.
In an excellent mood, Ye Yunxi hummed a little tune and quickened her pace.
The Soul Master Tournament arena lay just ahead, the clamor of the crowd drifting toward her.
A sly smile curled Ye Yunxi's lips.
Qian Renxue, just you wait. This Imperial Concubine is coming to liven things up!
If he wouldn't let her out, then she'd go out anyway.
Qian Renxue was still watching the matches at the Soul Fighting Arena, but she had a bad feeling.
"Qinghe, why didn't your concubine come with you?"
Emperor Xue Ye asked from beside him.
Before, Ye Yunxi had always stayed right by Qian Renxue's side.
"She's been resting in her room. She's seemed a little tired lately, so I didn't bring her along. There are plenty of matches left; missing one won't matter."
As Qian Renxue explained, she watched Shrek Academy face Elephant Armored Academy on the arena floor.
Emperor Xue Ye didn't say much after hearing that. He only felt it was a shame. If Ye Yunxi were there, she would have been a lovely sight to behold.
"This Shrek Academy really does have some ability."
Qian Renxue thought to herself, while also considering how she could gain an even firmer hold over the empire.
It was only a matter of time before Emperor Xue Ye left the throne. If she could bring the other affiliated forces of the Clear Sky Sect under her control, they would be a great help to her.