She Should Have Been Yours

Looking at Lu Xiaoxiao now, Xue Mingqing's expression was a complex mix of emotions.

At this moment, her long, raven-black hair was draped loosely, with a few stray strands clinging to her fair, smooth face.

Gazing at the lingering fatigue on her features, he didn't need to ask to know she had kept watch all night.

Closing his eyes for a moment, Xue Mingqing rolled out of the tub and used his spirit power to force the moisture from his body before donning his usual cyan-white robes.

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

Satisfied that she wouldn't be buried in snow, he sat quietly on a stone stool on the other side.

He rested his chin in his hand, staring blankly at the falling snow.

Come to think of it... Teacher has been in a deep slumber for half a year now, hasn't he?

Xue Mingqing calculated in his heart.

This was the longest Feng Qingyang had been out of contact since he had officially awakened.

He had originally assumed that refining an External Spirit Bone would keep Feng Qingyang asleep for a few weeks at most, certainly no longer than a month.

But—

From the moment he absorbed the Wind Snow Evil Pupil until now, a full six months had passed, and Feng Qingyang had been as silent as if he had gone offline.

Sigh... Teacher really is getting old. He can't even handle refining a single spirit bone without conking out for half a year.

With a soft sigh, Xue Mingqing stood up, intending to leave the small courtyard.

However, just as he rose, that voice he hadn't heard in half a year echoed in his mind once more.

"Ho, has the kid finally opened his eyes?"

"I've only been asleep for half a year, and you've already brought a mature beauty home?"

Hearing that familiar voice resonate within his Spirit Sea, Xue Mingqing felt a surge of joy, and he was just about to say something to Feng Qingyang.

But, once the meaning of the words registered, the corner of Xue Mingqing's mouth couldn't help but twitch.

"What do you mean 'brought a mature beauty home'? No, Teacher, what on earth are you thinking about all day? Is that even something you should be thinking about?"

At this, Feng Qingyang merely offered a disdainful chuckle.

"First, she did indeed come home with you. Second, why are you so nervous? This woman is destined to be yours."

"...?"

Xue Mingqing froze, unable to grasp the deeper meaning behind Feng Qingyang's words.

Seeing this, Feng Qingyang took the initiative to explain, resting his chin in his hand.

He laid out all the twists and turns behind Mu En and the others arranging for Lu Xiaoxiao to be by Xue Mingqing's side.

After hearing everything Feng Qingyang explained, Xue Mingqing fell into a long silence.

He stood in his courtyard, letting the relentless wind and snow coat his shoulders and soak his clothes.

He said nothing, merely casting a deep look at Lu Xiaoxiao before turning away.

It seemed as though he had said everything without uttering a word.

He stepped forward, pushed the door open, and left his courtyard.

Only a long sigh remained, dissipating into the wind and snow.

However, what Xue Mingqing failed to notice was that after he left, Lu Xiaoxiao, who had been dozing on the stone table, silently opened her beautiful, pitch-black eyes and gazed in the direction he had departed.

She also remained silent, merely pressing her lips together as she sank into her own thoughts.

Walking out of the courtyard.

The Feng Qingyang in his Spirit Sea was quiet for a moment. When he spoke again, the teasing was gone, replaced by a sense of clarity.

"Don't overthink it, kid. She kept watch all night just to fulfill the task assigned by those old men."

At this point, Feng Qingyang's voice deepened.

"Their intentions, Shrek's schemes—at the end of the day, it's all about locking down a future prodigy. You're a sigma male, aren't you? Why bother caring so much?"

Closing his eyes, Xue Mingqing sighed softly.

"I know. I just find her a bit pathetic. A dignified Spirit Saint, actually being used as a bargaining chip."

"Heh, isn't it laughable?"

This time, Feng Qingyang acted as if he hadn't heard, offering no further reply.

Seeing this, Xue Mingqing simply shook his head. He stopped speaking and prepared to head out.

Just then, a slender figure appeared quite coincidentally, emerging from the wind and snow not far away.

It was Zhang Lexuan.

She was dressed in light blue training gear, her long hair tied into a ponytail. Tiny snowflakes clung to the tips of her hair, and the bridge of her high nose was slightly reddened by the cold. When she saw Xue Mingqing, a smile instantly bloomed in her otherwise cool eyes.

"Mingqing, morning."

She walked over quickly, her gaze sweeping across his face, which always maintained a gentle smile, as she spoke in a soft tone.

"Where are you heading?"

With a faint smile, he replied calmly: "To hunt for a suitable soul ring. I already discussed it with Mother yesterday; I need to get a decent one at the hunting grounds today."

"The hunting grounds?"

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

"Do you mind if I join you?"

"Let's go, why would I mind?"

As he spoke, Xue Mingqing took the initiative to pull on Zhang Lexuan's sleeve, leading her toward the City Lord's Hall.

The hunting grounds in Blizzard City were located right behind the City Lord's Hall, usually under the direct supervision and custody of Xue Ningxian herself.

Seeing Xue Mingqing take the initiative to pull her sleeve, a faint blush bloomed on Zhang Lexuan's soft, beautiful face.

She turned her head away, refusing to look at his back, and allowed him to lead her forward...

In front of the City Lord's Mansion.

Xue Ningxian was standing there leisurely, her arms crossed, her tall and stunning figure looking down at Xue Mingqing below the hall.

"Are you ready?"

"I'm ready."

"The old rules...?"

"No problem."

Xue Ningxian raised an eyebrow, and after giving Xue Mingqing a deep look with her emerald eyes, she turned and walked toward the back of the City Lord's Hall.

Hearing this cryptic exchange between mother and son, Zhang Lexuan blinked her beautiful eyes, looking at Xue Mingqing with some confusion.

"Uh, this is...?"

Hearing her voice, Xue Mingqing chuckled and turned to look at Zhang Lexuan.

"The old rules mean Mother captures a suitable soul beast, and I hunt it down myself."

Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan nodded, indicating she understood.

As for whether Xue Mingqing might fail to defeat the soul beast and get into trouble?

Zhang Lexuan felt there was no need to worry about that at all.

After all, the same point remained.

Not everyone was Xuan Zi, treating their own geniuses like cannon fodder.

With her, a Soul Emperor, and Xue Ningxian, a Soul Douluo, watching from the sidelines, even if Xue Mingqing were trying to commit suicide, it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven—there was simply no possibility of success.

Not to mention, Xue Mingqing's own strength was not weak to begin with.

Ruffling Xue Mingqing's hair, Zhang Lexuan said nothing; she walked to the side, preparing to watch the good show that was about to unfold.

And as for Xue Mingqing?

He closed his eyes, raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, Snow Wind appeared!

A three-foot-long Snow Sword, wrapped in cyan-green flowing winds and entirely snow-white with an exquisite design, materialized in his hand.

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

And there, just like half a year ago, a soul beast encased in ice crystals was flying toward him at high speed!