The Promise With Qian Renxue

Lin Ming stood frozen in place, feeling the soft, warm body in his arms as his mind completely went blank.

It was not as though he had never imagined having intimate contact with Qian Renxue, but he had never expected this day to come so soon—so soon that he had not even had time to prepare himself mentally.

A warm, fragrant softness filled his embrace. Golden hair brushed against his neck, bringing an indescribable tingling sensation. He could clearly feel the rhythm of Qian Renxue's heartbeat; that drumbeat-like sound betrayed the composure she was forcing herself to maintain.

He had expected forming a bond with Qian Renxue to affect her, but he had not expected the effect to be this intense. This was not lovesickness—it had practically reset Qian Renxue's vigilance and scheming to zero!

On their first meeting, she had taken the initiative to hug him and confess her feelings. Was she really still the aloof, proud Angel God from the original story, who looked down on everyone?

Still... this felt pretty good.

The delicate touch, the fragrant scent, the close warmth, and that faintly trembling breath all felt so real.

Without even lowering his head, Lin Ming could feel the heat of Qian Renxue's face buried in the hollow of his shoulder. Her long golden hair spilled over his chest like smooth silk, carrying a faint coolness.

Only after quite some time did Lin Ming recover his senses. He gave a dry cough, his voice slightly hoarse. "Well... your sincerity is indeed quite substantial. So substantial that I'm a little flattered."

Only then did Qian Renxue realize what she had done. Her cheeks instantly flushed all the way to her ears, and even her neck was tinged pink.

She abruptly released Lin Ming and retreated two steps. Lowering her head, she twisted the corner of her clothes between her fingers, too afraid to look at him. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "Then... then are you willing to help me?"

Seeing the dignified young mistress of Spirit Hall and inheritor of the Angel God reveal such a girlish side, Lin Ming found it both amusing and breathtaking.

The Qian Renxue he knew from the original story had been so cold, proud, and unattainable. Who could have imagined that she would also have a time when she was at such a loss?

After pondering for a moment, he slowly said, "I can agree. But I have conditions."

Qian Renxue raised her head, a hint of nervousness flashing through her amber eyes. "What conditions?"

"First, I don't need you to promise me any throne. That sort of thing is too insubstantial. Second, if you become powerful enough in the future, you cannot burn the bridge after crossing it and turn around to deal with me or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. We can be allies in an equal partnership, not superiors and subordinates. I don't like being someone's dog, and I like being used as a weapon even less."

Qian Renxue froze. She had thought Lin Ming would use this chance to make outrageous demands—for fame, for profit, for Soul Bones and Immortal Herbs, perhaps even for her entire self.

Yet the conditions he proposed were so simple and practical. One could even say that they were entirely for her sake.

"Just... just that?" she asked uncertainly, her voice carrying a trace of confusion.

Lin Ming nodded. "Just that. I don't like being used as a weapon. Fighting side by side feels more reliable. You have your hatred, and I have my ambitions. We can help each other achieve them. You help me grow stronger, and I help you take revenge. Neither of us owes the other anything."

An indescribable warmth rose in Qian Renxue's heart. From childhood until now, she had never had anyone she could rely on.

Her mother had treated her as a tool for revenge. Her subordinates had treated her as an object of reverence and fear. The officials of the Heaven Dou Empire had all been respectful and deferential toward her, yet no one had ever asked what she wanted.

And yet Lin Ming, a man she had known for less than the time it took to burn an incense stick, gave her a sense of security she had never experienced before, making her unable to stop herself from wanting to trust him.

She did not know what had happened to her today. She had always been cautious and composed, making meticulous plans before doing anything. But before Lin Ming, all the rationality she took such pride in had completely failed.

It was as though something in the unseen world was pushing her, making her lower her guard and open her heart to him without realizing it.

This feeling frightened her, yet also captivated her.

"Alright." Qian Renxue nodded firmly, her eyes slightly reddening. "I agree. As long as you do not betray me, I, Qian Renxue, will never let you down for the rest of my life."

She took several deep breaths and calmed herself. When she raised her head again, she had returned to the calm and composed Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

She locked that girlish demeanor deep within her heart, revealing it only to Lin Ming:

"Since we have reached an understanding, I will continue operating in Heaven Dou City under the identity of Xue Qinghe. I will prepare sufficient cultivation resources for you, especially Soul Bones. You should know that Spirit Hall is better than any other force at collecting Soul Bones. That is their greatest advantage, and now... that advantage can be used by you."

Lin Ming thought for a moment and asked, "If I need a Soul Bone, how do I contact you?"

"I will arrange for someone to meet with you regularly. As long as you carry the token, you may enter and leave the Crown Prince's Residence at any time. No one will stop you."

Qian Renxue took a golden token from her sleeve and handed it to Lin Ming. "This is a token of the Heaven Dou Crown Prince's Residence. With it, you may freely enter and leave the residence. If you need anything, you may come find me at any time."