She Was Always Meant to Be Yours

As Xue Mingqing looked at Lu Xiaoxiao, his expression was complicated.

Her long black hair hung loose, with a few strands falling across her fair, smooth face.

The weariness still lingering on her face told him all he needed to know. She had kept watch all night.

He closed his eyes briefly, climbed out of the tub, and used his Soul Power to dry himself. Then he put on the same old blue-and-white robe.

He walked over to Lu Xiaoxiao and draped a wool blanket over her.

Once he was sure she wouldn't end up buried in snow like a snowman, he quietly sat down on a stone stool nearby.

Resting his chin in his hand, he gazed at the falling snow and drifted off into thought.

Come to think of it... his teacher had been asleep for about half a year now, hadn't he?

Xue Mingqing began to calculate in his mind.

This was the first time Feng Qingyang had been out of contact for so long since waking up properly.

At first, he'd thought tempering an External Soul Bone would put Feng Qingyang to sleep for a few weeks at most, certainly no longer than a month.

But—

It had been a full six months since he absorbed the Wind Snow Evil Pupil, and Feng Qingyang had been completely offline the whole time.

Sigh... his teacher really was getting old. He'd worked on one Soul Bone and already conked out for half a year.

With a soft sigh, Xue Mingqing rose to leave the courtyard.

But just as he stood, a voice he hadn't heard in half a year rang out in his mind.

"Well, look at you. Finally catching on?"

"Your old man was asleep for only half a year, and you've already brought a mature beauty home?"

Hearing that familiar voice echo through his Spirit Sea, Xue Mingqing brightened and was about to say something to Feng Qingyang.

But once he processed the words, the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

"What do you mean, 'brought a mature beauty home'? Teacher, what goes on in that head of yours all day? Is that really something you should be thinking about?"

Feng Qingyang merely gave a scornful laugh.

"First of all, she really did come home with you. And secondly, why are you so nervous? That woman is destined to be yours."

"...?"

Xue Mingqing stopped short, unable to understand what Feng Qingyang was getting at.

Seeing that, Feng Qingyang rested his chin in his hand and began to explain.

He laid out the whole scheme behind Mu En and the others arranging for Lu Xiaoxiao to come to Xue Mingqing's side.

After hearing Feng Qingyang explain everything, Xue Mingqing fell silent for a long while.

He stood in his courtyard, letting the endless snow settle over his shoulders and soak through his clothes.

He said nothing. He only looked deeply at Lu Xiaoxiao, then turned away.

It seemed he'd said nothing at all.

He stepped forward, opened the door, and left the courtyard.

All that remained was a long sigh, spreading through the wind and snow.

What Xue Mingqing failed to notice was that after he left, Lu Xiaoxiao, who had been dozing with her head on the stone table, quietly opened her dark eyes and watched him go.

She said nothing either. She only pressed her lips together and sank into silence.

He left the courtyard.

Feng Qingyang fell quiet for a moment in the Spirit Sea. When he spoke again, the teasing was gone, replaced by clear understanding.

"Don't overthink it, kid. She stayed up all night only to carry out those old men's orders."

Feng Qingyang's voice grew heavier.

"Their intentions, Shrek's calculations—in the end, it's all about locking down the future prodigies. You're a sigma male, aren't you? Why care so much?"

Xue Mingqing closed his eyes and sighed softly.

"I know. I just think she's a little pitiful. She's a Soul Saint, and they're treating her like a bargaining chip."

"Heh. Isn't that ridiculous?"

This time, Feng Qingyang acted as if he hadn't heard him and didn't answer.

Xue Mingqing merely shook his head. He said no more and started to walk away.

But a slender figure happened to emerge from the snow wind nearby.

It was Zhang Lexuan.

She wore a light-blue outfit suited for combat, her long hair tied in a ponytail. Tiny snowflakes clung to the tips, and the bridge of her nose was flushed red from the cold. When she saw Xue Mingqing, a smile immediately bloomed in her usually cool eyes.

"Mingqing, good morning."

She quickly approached, her gaze passing over his face, which always wore a gentle smile. Her voice was soft as she asked,

"Where are you going?"

He smiled faintly. "I'm going to hunt for a suitable Soul Ring. I already spoke with Mother yesterday. Today, I'm going to the Soul Hunting grounds to find a good one."

"The Soul Hunting grounds?"

Zhang Lexuan raised an eyebrow, a gentle smile curling her lips.

"Do you mind if I come with you?"

"Come along. Why would I mind?"

As he spoke, Xue Mingqing took Zhang Lexuan by the sleeve and led her toward the City Lord's Hall.

The Soul Hunting grounds in Blizzard City were behind the City Lord's Hall, where Xue Ningxian personally kept watch over the Soul Beasts.

When Xue Mingqing took her by the sleeve, a faint blush appeared on Zhang Lexuan's beautiful face.

She turned away, not looking at Xue Mingqing's back, and let him lead her along...

In front of the City Lord's Mansion,

Xue Ningxian stood there at ease, arms crossed, her tall, stunning figure looking down at Xue Mingqing below.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

"Same rules...?"

"No problem."

Xue Ningxian raised an eyebrow and gave Xue Mingqing a long look with her emerald eyes. Then she turned and headed toward the back of the City Lord's Hall.

Hearing the mother and son exchange those cryptic words, Zhang Lexuan blinked in confusion and looked at Xue Mingqing.

"Um, what's that about...?"

At her question, Xue Mingqing chuckled and glanced at her.

"Same rules means Mother picks out a suitable Soul Beast, and I hunt it myself."

Zhang Lexuan nodded to show she understood.

As for whether Xue Mingqing might be overmatched by the Soul Beast and get into trouble?

Zhang Lexuan didn't think there was any need to worry.

After all, the same old saying applied.

Not everyone was Xuan Zi, treating their own geniuses like enemy soldiers.

With a Soul Emperor like her and a Soul Douluo like Xue Ningxian watching nearby, even if Xue Mingqing actively tried to get himself killed,

it would be harder than reaching the heavens. He had no chance of succeeding.

Besides, Xue Mingqing was already strong in his own right.

Zhang Lexuan ruffled Xue Mingqing's hair without a word, then quietly walked off to one side, ready to watch the good show about to unfold.

And what about Xue Mingqing?

He closed his eyes briefly and raised his hand. The snow wind swirled around it!

A three-foot Snow Sword appeared in his hand, pure white and exquisitely made, wreathed in Green Flowing Wind.

Gripping the Snow Sword tightly, Xue Mingqing looked toward the passage behind the City Lord's Hall.

And there—

Just like half a year ago, a Soul Beast encased in an ice crystal came hurtling toward Xue Mingqing!