Do You Like Me? The Flustered Zi Ji!

After hearing the words of Snake Spear Douluo, Qian Renxue calmed down and regained her composure.

Indeed, spirit resonance alone did not necessarily mean a spirit fusion skill.

She would have to confirm it for herself before jumping to conclusions.

She took a deep breath and looked at Snake Spear Douluo. "Uncle Snake Spear, I was too impatient."

"Then let us do as you suggested; I will wait for an opportunity to test it with him."

Seeing Qian Renxue return to her usual steady self, Snake Spear Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo exchanged a glance, then slowly retreated and vanished into the secret chamber.

On the other side.

Qin Jiuxiao and Ning Fengzhi were chatting happily.

He had promised Ning Fengzhi that once he returned to Soto City, he would visit Shrek Academy to see Ning Rongrong.

Time quickly reached noon.

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong stood up, preparing to leave.

"Jiuxiao, feel free to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect whenever you have time. My uncle will always welcome you."

"If Rongrong gets homesick, you can bring her back with you."

Qin Jiuxiao agreed with a face full of smiles, but he was secretly grumbling in his heart.

This old fox was still digging holes for him.

If he were to return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alone with Ning Rongrong, who knew what kind of rumors the man would spread.

How would he be able to go on dates with other girls in the future?

This old fox was truly insidious!

After they left, Qin Jiuxiao returned to the imperial palace.

He was also preparing to bid farewell to Qian Renxue.

He wanted to take this opportunity to head to the Star Dou Forest and condense his third spirit ring.

Qian Renxue soon received word that he was leaving.

She resumed the appearance of Xue Qinghe and came out to see him off in person.

Walking along the path, Qian Renxue probed, "Jiuxiao, you haven't joined an academy yet, have you? How about you come to my Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

"I can appoint you as the academy's chief directly, and you will have your own private villa and priority access to the simulated cultivation environments."

She wanted to keep Qin Jiuxiao under her nose so that it would be more convenient to test for a spirit fusion skill later.

Qin Jiuxiao pondered for a moment. He did not refuse directly but gave it serious consideration.

Under Qian Renxue's expectant gaze, he replied, "I wonder if Your Highness could reserve a spot for me?"

"Not just for me; perhaps Your Highness could prepare a few more spots."

"There is still some time before the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament. I might be able to assemble a championship-caliber team for you."

"We can seize the title of champion when the time comes."

Qian Renxue's eyes flickered. She wanted to agree immediately, but that title was also tied to the glory of Spirit Hall.

If the championship title went to the Heaven Dou Empire, would the prestige of Spirit Hall be affected?

But she quickly wanted to slap her own forehead.

What was she thinking?

No matter which academy Qin Jiuxiao joined, he would be participating in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament.

With his strength, whichever academy he joined would naturally be the champion, wouldn't it?

That woman's Golden Generation did have some talent, but they were not enough to look at in front of Qin Jiuxiao.

Unless Qin Jiuxiao joined the Spirit Hall Academy, the champion of this tournament would certainly not be Spirit Hall.

Since that was the case, why should she overthink it?

If she could use this opportunity to dampen that woman's arrogance, it would be a pleasant thing indeed.

Thinking of this, Qian Renxue no longer hesitated and nodded with a smile.

"Then I shall reserve some spots for you. I look forward to seeing your team of champions soon."

At this moment, they reached the palace gate, where Yan Shi was already waiting.

"Then, Your Highness the Crown Prince, we shall meet again. Until next time."

Qin Jiuxiao opened his arms.

Qian Renxue was stunned.

Under her somewhat strange gaze, Qin Jiuxiao stepped forward and hugged her.

"Your Highness smells quite pleasant, just like a woman."

"If Your Highness were a woman, I fear you would be the greatest beauty on the Douluo Continent."

As they were about to part, Qin Jiuxiao's words echoed in Qian Renxue's ear.

They made the tips of her ears turn slightly red, and alarm bells rang in her heart.

Had Qin Jiuxiao noticed something?

She met Qin Jiuxiao's gaze, but could see nothing unusual, so she could only force a dry laugh.

"Jiuxiao, you joke. I am a man; how could I possibly turn into a woman?"

"Your hypothesis is invalid."

The corners of Qin Jiuxiao's mouth curled into a mysterious smile, and he said with a touch of melancholy:

"What a pity. If I were to meet such a woman, I would undoubtedly fall in love with her."

"Heh, then you have quite a few people you like, Jiuxiao. Not to mention my teacher's daughter, Ning Rongrong, there is also Zhu Zhuqing of the Star Luo Empire, and even Zhu Zhuyun, whom you have already brought to your residence—all of them are peerless beauties."

"You are quite the romantic, Jiuxiao."

Qian Renxue glanced at him sideways and teased him, her tone carrying an inexplicable meaning.

Qin Jiuxiao gave a sheepish laugh and scratched his head, not denying it.

"I didn't expect Your Highness the Crown Prince to be so well-informed. I am impressed."

"It is getting late, so we shall set off now. Please, Your Highness, stay."

Qin Jiuxiao cupped his hands and took Zi Ji to the carriage.

Watching them depart, Qian Renxue slowly returned to the imperial palace.

"Uncle Pufferfish, I will trouble you to secretly escort Jiuxiao along the way."

Qian Renxue spoke softly, and a figure slowly vanished into the shadows.

Inside the carriage, Qin Jiuxiao and Zi Ji sat together.

Zi Ji looked at him with a strange expression.

"Why are you looking at me? Is there a flower on my face?"

Qin Jiuxiao felt a bit unnatural under her gaze, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"You're acting weird!"

"Extremely, twelve-fold weird!"

Zi Ji crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head, her heavy assets resting against her arms.

"How am I acting weird?" Qin Jiuxiao asked, puzzled.

"The way you looked at that person just now was wrong. I saw it clearly."

"You wanted to nail him!"

"Just like how you want to nail this King!"

Qin Jiuxiao: ???

"Heh, to think you actually like men. How disgusting."

Zi Ji moved away in disgust, seemingly wanting to put some distance between herself and Qin Jiuxiao.

Qin Jiuxiao was so angry he laughed.

"You don't know a damn thing. I am male by gender and female by preference; my orientation has never changed."

But Zi Ji still looked at him with suspicion, wearing an "I don't believe you" expression.

Qin Jiuxiao couldn't be bothered to explain, but soon he looked over with a suspicious glint in his eyes, wanting to tease Zi Ji.

"Zi Ji, you haven't fallen for me, have you?"

"Seeing me hug the Crown Prince, you thought I liked men and got anxious."

Zi Ji's eyes widened as she pointed at herself, then at Qin Jiuxiao.

As if to cover up some hidden thought, she retorted loudly:

"This King likes you? What a joke!"

"If this King liked you, I wouldn't be the Hell Demon Dragon King; I'd change my species to be the same as that dog, Chi Wang."

"Heh~ This King likes you? Man, you are thinking way too much."

"The man who could catch this King's eye hasn't even been born yet!"

"You are talking nonsense, completely baseless, reversing right and wrong, unable to tell men from women, every second, you have me, I like you..."

The sound inside the carriage came to an abrupt halt.

Qin Jiuxiao looked at the flustered and exasperated Zi Ji with amusement.

He tilted his ear and said deliberately:

"What did you just say? You like me?"

"Your voice was too soft, I couldn't hear it. Say it again."

Zi Ji gritted her silver teeth, feeling as though her two hundred thousand years of dignity had been thrown away today. Steam rose from the top of her head.

Seeing Qin Jiuxiao still pushing his luck, she instantly flew into a rage from embarrassment. She lifted her jade foot and stomped it toward his face.

"Ahhhhh, you stinking man, go to hell!"