After hearing Snake Lance Douluo's words, Qian Renxue calmed down and regained her composure.
Indeed, Martial Soul resonance alone did not necessarily mean it was a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
She still needed to confirm it first.
She took a deep breath and looked at Snake Lance Douluo. "Uncle Snake Lance, I was too hasty."
"Then I'll follow Uncle Snake Lance's advice and find an opportunity to test it with him."
Seeing Qian Renxue regain her usual steadiness, Snake Lance Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo exchanged a glance, then slowly withdrew and vanished into the secret chamber.
Elsewhere.
Qin Jiuxiao was having a pleasant conversation with Ning Fengzhi and the others.
He also agreed to Ning Fengzhi's request that, after returning to Suotuo City, he would visit Ning Rongrong at Shrek Academy.
Soon, it was noon.
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong rose to leave.
"Jiuxiao, come visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect whenever you have time. Uncle will always welcome you."
"If Rongrong misses home, bring her back with you."
Qin Jiuxiao agreed with a broad smile, but inwardly, he grumbled.
This old fox was still digging holes for him.
If he returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alone with Ning Rongrong, who knew what rumors Ning Fengzhi would spread.
How was he supposed to date other girls afterward?
This old fox was downright sinister!
After they left, Qin Jiuxiao returned to the imperial palace.
He was also preparing to bid Qian Renxue farewell.
He needed to seize this chance and hurry to the Star Dou Forest to condense his third Soul Ring.
Qian Renxue soon received word that he was leaving.
She resumed Xue Qinghe's appearance and personally came out to see him off.
As they walked, Qian Renxue tested the waters.
"Jiuxiao, you haven't joined an academy yet, have you? How about coming to my Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
"I can directly appoint you as the academy's chief student. You'll have your own villa and priority access to the mimetic cultivation environment."
She wanted to keep Qin Jiuxiao under her watch. It would also be more convenient if she needed to test the Martial Soul Fusion Skill later.
Qin Jiuxiao thought for a moment. Rather than refusing outright, he seriously considered it.
Under Qian Renxue's expectant gaze, he replied, "May I ask Your Highness to reserve a spot for me?"
"Not just for me. Your Highness might want to prepare a few more spots."
"There should still be some time before the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament. Perhaps I can build an invincible team for you."
"And when the time comes, we'll take that champion's title."
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered. She wanted to agree immediately, but that title was also tied to Spirit Hall's glory.
If the championship went to the Heaven Dou Empire, would Spirit Hall's prestige be affected?
But she soon wanted to smack herself on the head.
What was she thinking?
No matter which academy Qin Jiuxiao joined, he would participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament.
With his strength, whichever academy he joined would become the champion, wouldn't it?
That woman's Golden Generation did have some talent, but they were still not enough in front of Qin Jiuxiao.
Unless Qin Jiuxiao joined Spirit Hall Academy, Spirit Hall definitely would not win this tournament.
Since that was the case, why should she overthink it?
If she could use this opportunity to suppress that woman's arrogance, it would be quite satisfying as well.
With that thought, Qian Renxue stopped hesitating and nodded with a smile.
"Then I will reserve several spots for you. I hope to see your invincible team as soon as possible."
By then, they had reached the palace gates, where Yan Shi had long been waiting.
"Then, Your Highness, until we meet again."
Qin Jiuxiao opened his arms.
Qian Renxue froze.
Under his somewhat strange gaze, Qin Jiuxiao stepped forward and hugged her.
"Your Highness smells rather nice. Almost like a woman."
"If Your Highness were a woman, you would probably be the most beautiful woman on Douluo Continent."
As they were about to part, Qin Jiuxiao's words rang beside Qian Renxue's ear.
The tips of her ears reddened slightly, and alarm bells rang in her heart.
Could Qin Jiuxiao have noticed something?
She met Qin Jiuxiao's gaze but could not detect anything unusual. She could only give an awkward laugh.
"Jiuxiao, you jest. I am a man. How could I possibly become a woman?"
"Your assumption does not hold."
A mysterious smile curled at Qin Jiuxiao's lips as he said somewhat regretfully,
"What a pity. If I met a woman like that, I would definitely fall for her without hesitation."
"Hehe, Jiuxiao, there are quite a lot of people you like. Not to mention Teacher's daughter Ning Rongrong, there's also Zhu Zhuqing from the Star Luo Empire and Zhu Zhuyun, whom you have already brought to your residence. Both are peerless beauties."
"Jiuxiao, you truly are quite the romantic."
Qian Renxue gave him a sidelong glance and teased him a little, her tone carrying an indescribable meaning.
Qin Jiuxiao smiled sheepishly and scratched his head without denying it.
"I didn't expect His Highness the Crown Prince's intelligence network to be so well-informed. Jiuxiao is impressed."
"It's getting late. We'll set off now. Your Highness, please stay."
Qin Jiuxiao cupped his hands in salute, then boarded the carriage with Zi Ji.
Only after watching them disappear into the distance did Qian Renxue slowly return to the palace.
"Uncle Pufferfish, sorry for the trouble. Please secretly escort Jiuxiao along the way."
Qian Renxue spoke softly, and a figure slowly vanished into the shadows.
Meanwhile, Qin Jiuxiao and Zi Ji sat inside the carriage.
Zi Ji looked at him strangely.
"Why are you staring at me? Is there a flower on my face?"
Qin Jiuxiao felt uncomfortable under her gaze, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
"There's something wrong with you!"
"Not just a little wrong. You're twelve out of ten wrong!"
Zi Ji crossed her arms and shook her head, her heavy curves pressing against her forearms.
"What's wrong with me?" Qin Jiuxiao asked in confusion.
"The way you looked at that person just now was wrong. I saw it clearly."
"You wanted to screw him!"
"Just like you wanted to screw this king!"
Qin Jiuxiao: ???
"Heh, you actually like men. Disgusting."
Zi Ji moved farther aside in disgust, seemingly trying to put some distance between herself and Qin Jiuxiao.
Qin Jiuxiao was so angry that he laughed.
"What the hell do you know? I'm a man who likes women. My orientation has never changed."
Yet Zi Ji still looked at him suspiciously, as if she did not believe him at all.
Qin Jiuxiao could not be bothered to explain, but soon he looked at her suspiciously instead, intending to tease her.
"Zi Ji, don't tell me you've fallen for me?"
"When you saw me hug His Highness the Crown Prince, you thought I liked men and got jealous."
Zi Ji's eyes widened. She pointed at herself, then at Qin Jiuxiao.
As if trying to conceal a certain thought, she loudly retorted,
"This king likes you? What kind of joke is that?!"
"If this king liked you, this king would no longer be called the Hell Demon Dragon King and would change species to match that dog Scarlet King!"
"Heh~ This king likes you? Man, you're thinking way too much."
"The man who can catch this king's eye has not even been born yet!"
"You're simply talking nonsense, completely absurd, twisting right and wrong, unable to tell men from women, every second, you in me, I like you..."
The carriage fell abruptly silent.
Qin Jiuxiao looked playfully at the furious Zi Ji.
He tilted his ear toward her on purpose.
"What did you just say? You like me?"
"You spoke too quietly. I couldn't hear you. Say it again."
Zi Ji clenched her pearly teeth. She felt that she had thrown away all the dignity of her more than two hundred thousand years today, steam practically rising from her head.
Seeing Qin Jiuxiao still pushing his luck.
She instantly flew into a rage from embarrassment and raised her jade-like foot to stomp on his face.
"Ahhh! Stinking man, die for this king!"
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