Three Fleeting Years

The early autumn evening breeze carried the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms across the familiar lawn behind the Pope's Palace.

Three years had passed in the blink of an eye. The children with knotted hair from back then had grown into adolescents.

Bibi Xu withdrew the soul power around him, and the final wisp of purple-black radiance at his fingertips slowly receded into his body. He let out a long breath as fine beads of sweat formed on his brow, his ink-black hair tips lightly lifted by the evening breeze.

At nine years old, he had already shot up to 1.7 meters tall. His shoulders were broad, his back straight, and his upright waist made his slender figure appear even more striking in his black fitted attire.

The youth's features had matured considerably. His nose bridge was straight, his lip line distinct, and the corners of his eyes tilted slightly upward. He faintly resembled Bibi Dong's peerless beauty, though his features were colder and more ruggedly handsome, lacking a woman's softness while carrying the refined air of a young noble.

If no one mentioned his age, most would have taken him for a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old young master from an aristocratic family. No one would have imagined that he had only just turned nine.

His soul power had steadily settled at the peak of level thirty-nine, a Soul Elder, only one step away from becoming a level forty Soul Ancestor.

It was not because his cultivation had been slow. On the contrary, it was the result of his deliberate suppression.

A nine-year-old Soul Ancestor was far too shocking. Even with Spirit Hall backing him, it would easily draw unnecessary attention.

Over these three years, he had devoted most of his energy to tempering his foundation and refining his soul power.

Though he was also a level thirty-nine Soul Elder, his soul power was more than three times as condensed as that of others at the same level. His meridians were broad and resilient, while his physical strength rivaled that of a level fifty Soul King.

After continuously devouring the blood essence of spider-type soul beasts, the Eight Spider Lances had surpassed twenty-nine thousand years and stood only one step away from thirty thousand years. Both their sharpness and toxicity had improved by several tiers.

He had completely refined the hundred-thousand-year left arm bone. He wielded both Death Severing and Soul-Breaking Blast with masterful ease, and with the Spider Empress Martial Soul, challenging Soul Kings across ranks—or even Soul Emperors—would not be difficult.

More importantly, under his nurturing, the Life Azure Lotus had already unfurled nine petals, and its life force had grown increasingly rich. Not only had its ability to heal hidden injuries and nourish the body grown stronger, it could even slowly enhance his spiritual soul, making his spiritual power far surpass that of others at the same rank.

"Your Highness, Holy Son." A maid hurried over and presented an exquisitely folded golden paper crane with both hands. "It was sent from the Worship Hall. They said it is a letter from Miss Xue."

Bibi Xu accepted the paper crane and applied a little force with his fingertips, unfolding the letter. The handwriting was much prettier than it had been three years ago, and there was only one short sentence on it: The old place. I'll wait for you.

A sense of melancholy seeped through the words, utterly unlike her usual chattering self.

Bibi Xu rubbed the letter between his fingers, already having a rough idea of what was happening.

Judging by the timing, it was about time.

In the original story, Qian Renxue had been sent to the Heaven Dou Empire at this age to replace the eldest prince, Xue Qinghe, beginning a covert life that would last more than a decade.

He crumpled the letter, and with a tremor of soul power, the scraps turned to ash and scattered in the wind.

"Got it. I'll go over now."

He straightened his collar and headed toward the back mountain.

Three years had passed, yet this lawn remained their secret base. Only, the two little children who had once watched the stars side by side had both grown into their proper forms.

The night deepened as stars filled the heavens. The Milky Way stretched across the sky, and diamond-like starlight spilled over the lawn, coating everything in a hazy silver glow.

Qian Renxue sat at the edge of the lawn with her back to the path. Her two long legs swung back and forth as she held a foxtail grass stem, flicking it against the ground again and again.

At nine years old, she had already grown to 1.65 meters. Her snow-white dress made her skin seem even fairer, while her golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her delicate features looked like a work of art carved with meticulous care.

Her nose was elegant and straight, her lips rosy, and her golden eyes seemed to hold an entire river of stars. Yet at this moment, an unshakable sorrow clouded those beautiful eyes. Her brows were slightly furrowed, making her indescribably pitiful.

At such a young age, she already possessed the beginnings of peerless grace. In a few more years, she would surely become a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.

Hearing the familiar footsteps behind her, Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly before relaxing again.

She did not turn around and continued gazing at the distant stars, her voice muffled. "You came."

"Mm." Bibi Xu walked over and sat beside her, catching the faint angelic fragrance lingering on her. "What is it? You called me out in the middle of the night, but now you won't say anything. Who made our young Miss Xue unhappy?"

Normally, Qian Renxue would have glared at him and then chattered back in protest.

But today, she merely sighed softly, lowered her head, and twisted the hem of her dress between her fingers without speaking for a long while.

Countless words clogged her throat as though it had been stuffed with cotton.

She had so much she wanted to tell him. She wanted to say that she was leaving, that she was going somewhere far away, and that they might not see each other for years. She wanted to ask whether he would miss her. She wanted him not to forget her...

But when the words reached her lips, she could not bring herself to say them.

She was afraid that if she spoke, tears would fall. She did not want to cry in front of Ah Xu. That would be far too embarrassing.

Seeing how downcast she was, Bibi Xu felt a little bitter as well.

He knew how grueling an infiltration mission could be.

A nine-year-old girl, slipping alone into an enemy nation's imperial palace and playing the role of a prince whose personality was completely unlike her own—every step fraught with danger, as though walking on thin ice.

More than a decade of disguise would wear away her innocence and delay the best years of her cultivation.

In the original story, if she had not squandered those years in hiding, then with her talent, she might have become a god sooner and would not have ended up with her divine position shattered.

"If you don't want to say it, then don't." Bibi Xu did not press her. He took a small brocade box from his storage soul tool and held it out before her. "I have something for you. Close your eyes."

"What is it?" Qian Renxue raised her head. Her eyes were still a little red, but he had stirred her curiosity.

"You'll know once you close them."

Qian Renxue pursed her lips and obediently closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled lightly like two tiny fans, like butterfly wings.

She could feel Bibi Xu lean closer, very, very close. The crisp scent of the youth washed over her, carrying the cool fragrance of spider-type soul power and a faint hint of osmanthus.

Her heartbeat instantly accelerated, pounding wildly as though it might leap out of her chest.

A cool touch settled against her neck, like metal against skin. Then his fingertips brushed lightly over the back of her neck as he fastened the clasp for her.

"All right. Open your eyes."

Qian Renxue slowly opened her eyes and looked down at her neck.

A delicate golden necklace rested against her fair skin. Fine feather patterns were etched along the chain, so exquisite that it hardly seemed real.

A tiny Six-Winged Angel pendant hung beneath it, its wings outspread and lifelike. Though made of gold, it was not gaudy in the slightest; instead, it carried a gentle, warm luster.

A tiny character for "Xue" was engraved on the back of the pendant.

"This is..." Qian Renxue gently touched the little angel pendant with her fingertips, her eyes gradually lighting up.