First, Pay Me Back My Food Expenses

"Tomorrow morning."

Qian Renyuan did not keep Bibi Dong waiting long.

"Xue Xing has already set his sights on Dugu Yan. The longer we delay, the more likely he is to realize something has happened to Dugu Bo. Rather than staying in Spirit City and waiting for him to keep probing, it would be better to resolve this before he reacts."

Bibi Dong frowned slightly.

"You just returned from Sunset Forest. You won't even stay for one more day?"

"I would like to rest peacefully in Spirit City for a few days too."

Qian Renyuan's tone carried a touch of helplessness.

"But Dugu Bo has only just pledged loyalty to me, and someone has already targeted his granddaughter. If I let him return to Heaven Dou alone at a time like this, outsiders will only think I do not dare interfere in imperial affairs."

"Besides, Xue Xing has always used Poison Douluo's name to win over the nobles. If this matter is not resolved quickly, he will only grow more and more presumptuous."

Standing nearby, Dugu Bo slowly restrained the killing intent in his eyes. Qian Renyuan's willingness to personally travel to Heaven Dou for Dugu Yan had already made his stance clear.

Bibi Dong glanced at Dugu Bo and ultimately did not try to dissuade him further.

"Yue Guan has just broken through. His cultivation has yet to stabilize, so he is not suited to travel far with you."

"I was not planning to bring him anyway."

Qian Renyuan turned to Yue Guan.

"You will remain in Spirit City. Stabilize your cultivation while keeping watch over the remaining Immortal Herbs. Aside from you, no one is permitted to touch those jade boxes for the time being. If anything comes up that you cannot decide, go directly to Mother."

Yue Guan immediately bowed. "This subordinate understands."

Qian Renyuan walked up to Bibi Dong and took her hand of his own accord.

"Although Heaven Dou City does not belong to Spirit Hall, I have two Titled Douluo at my side. Focus on your cultivation without worry. Once this matter is settled, I will return as soon as possible."

Feeling the warmth in her palm, Bibi Dong's expression finally softened.

"Remember what you said."

"I will."

After arranging everything, Qian Renyuan left the Pope Palace and returned all the way to the Holy Son's Palace.

By then, the sky had already begun to darken.

Xiao Wu was cultivating in the courtyard. Hearing footsteps, she opened her eyes and immediately spotted Qian Renyuan, then noticed Dugu Bo behind him.

The moment their gazes met, the Soul Power within Xiao Wu's body trembled lightly beyond her control.

Dugu Bo halted, his dark green snake-like pupils narrowing slightly.

"My lord, this young girl..."

Xiao Wu rose from the ground. She had felt similar gazes from Yue Guan and Gui Mei before, so she naturally knew what Dugu Bo had discovered.

"You are right."

Qian Renyuan did not hide it.

"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit, rebuilt in human form. Her name is Xiao Wu, and she is now my personal maid."

The corner of Dugu Bo's eye twitched. Even with his experience, he had not expected Qian Renyuan to be hiding a Hundred-Thousand-Year transformed Soul Beast at his side.

Dugu Bo suddenly felt that he likely did not understand even a tenth or a twentieth of this lord of his.

Xiao Wu took half a step back, her right hand already clenched tight. Dugu Bo's aura made her feel as though she were being watched by a venomous snake.

"Do not be nervous."

Qian Renyuan walked to Xiao Wu's side and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Dugu Bo already possesses his Ninth Soul Ring. Even if he truly wanted a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, he would not set his sights on you."

Xiao Wu did not relax. "Then why has he been staring at me?"

"Because he did not know I was keeping a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast in Spirit City."

"Who are you keeping?" Xiao Wu immediately retorted.

Qian Renyuan looked down at her and smiled. "You live in my home and eat my food. If you do not think that counts, you can pay me back for your meals later."

"You..."

Xiao Wu was left speechless.

Since coming to Spirit City, she truly had not paid for anything.

Watching how the two interacted, the surprise in Dugu Bo's eyes deepened.

This Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast even dared to talk back to Qian Renyuan right in front of him. Yet Qian Renyuan was not angry at all; he instead seemed long accustomed to it.

"This subordinate was merely surprised and had no intention of harming her." Dugu Bo took the initiative to withdraw his gaze. "Since she belongs to my lord, this subordinate naturally will not touch her."

Qian Renyuan nodded, his tone becoming more serious.

"Xiao Wu's soul is under my control, so she poses no threat to me. But control is one thing. She is still a living person, not a soul ring that can be taken at will."

"If anyone dares to set their sights on her in the future, do not concern yourself with their status. Just act."

Dugu Bo clasped his fists. "This subordinate understands."

Only then did Qian Renyuan release Xiao Wu's shoulders.

"Tomorrow morning, we'll set out for Heaven Dou City. Pack your things tonight. The journey will take several days, so don't realize you've forgotten something after the carriage has already left."

Xiao Wu looked somewhat surprised. "I'm going too?"

"Haven't you always felt that Spirit City is too dangerous?"

Qian Renyuan sat down beside the stone table and poured himself a cup of tea.

"This is a good chance to take you out for a walk. Heaven Dou City has quite a few powerful people as well, but as long as you don't leave my sight, you won't be in danger."

A trace of hesitation appeared in Xiao Wu's eyes. "Aren't you afraid I'll take the chance to run away?"

"To be honest, I'm not too worried."

Qian Renyuan lifted his teacup, looking quite relaxed.

"The Soul Imprint is still there. Besides, Jiang Mo and Dugu Bo will both be present. If you can disappear right under the noses of two Titled Douluo, I might even praise you for being capable."

"I won't run."

"I'll believe that for now."

Qian Renyuan took a sip of tea, then added, "But I'm bringing you along because Mother wouldn't feel at ease leaving you alone in Spirit City, and you wouldn't feel comfortable either."

"Since we're bound to be wary of each other anyway, you might as well stay by my side. At least if you have any complaints, you can tell me directly instead of wondering every day whether someone is plotting to take your soul ring."

Xiao Wu looked at him, unsure how to respond. After a moment, she gave a soft snort.

"I'll go pack."

Xiao Wu turned and headed toward her room.

Qian Renyuan had thought she would need a long time to prepare, but a moment later, she came out carrying a very small cloth bundle.

The bundle contained only two sets of clothes and a few ordinary items she had brought from Notting Academy.

Qian Renyuan glanced at it. "That's all?"

"You brought me straight from Notting City to Spirit City. I didn't have much with me to begin with."

There was a hint of resentment in Xiao Wu's tone.

"Did you expect me to bring more than a dozen trunks?"

Qian Renyuan paused at her words.

He truly had not considered this carefully. Although Xiao Wu had lacked neither food nor clothing after arriving in Spirit City, most of the things prepared by the palace attendants could only be used here and were not suitable for a long journey.

"My oversight."

Qian Renyuan did not make excuses. He directly summoned two maids.

"Prepare several sets of clothes suitable for travel for her, along with commonly used items. Use the size of what she's wearing now, and let her choose the colors herself."

Xiao Wu froze for a moment. She had not expected Qian Renyuan to admit his oversight so readily.

"There's no need to prepare too much," Xiao Wu said.

"We may not return from Heaven Dou very quickly this time. It's more convenient to bring everything than to buy things at the last minute."

Qian Renyuan looked at her. "Besides, you represent the Holy Son now. If you dress too shabbily, it'll be my face that suffers."

The faintly complicated feelings Xiao Wu had just developed were instantly scattered by that last sentence.

"I knew you weren't that kindhearted."

"It's good that you know."

Qian Renyuan smiled and set down his teacup.

Night gradually blanketed Spirit City.

Dugu Bo did not leave the palace. Instead, he remained in the courtyard and began telling Qian Renyuan about his old history with Xue Xing.