"How did I forget about this!"
When Jiang Nannan broke through to level 40 and came to ask Xu Feng what she should do about her fourth spirit ring, Xu Feng suddenly remembered the original Child of Providence, Huo Yuhao.
Although Huo Yuhao was no real threat to him, he was still the Child of Providence after all, and it was safer to keep such a volatile factor firmly in his own hands.
"Let's go! To the Star Luo Great Forest!"
Early the next morning, on the edge of the Star Luo Great Forest, Xu Feng changed into a set of light, casual clothes, while Jiang Nannan followed behind him, still wearing that maid outfit.
"Your Highness, my fourth spirit ring... what type should it be?"
Jiang Nannan lowered her head, the roots of her ears turning so red they were about to drip blood. She knew very well in her heart that among her three Soul Skills, two enhanced physical flexibility, and one was purely a charm skill.
With these three Soul Skills combined, let alone outsiders, even she knew very well who they were prepared for.
"Ahem, ahem!" Xu Feng coughed twice heavily to mask his awkwardness.
He raised a hand to touch his nose, his gaze drifting off into the distance.
Even though everyone knew full well that he configured these three Soul Skills for Jiang Nannan purely to satisfy his own selfish desires, doing such things in private was one thing, but having someone state it right to his face was an entirely different matter.
He cleared his throat and feigned composure. "This... is no rush. Let's first see what suitable Spirit Beasts are in the forest."
Wang Yiheng stood to the side. As a subordinate to the crown prince, he was already long used to the ambiguous little actions and subtle atmosphere between this pair of master and servant, and right now simply waited quietly for the next command.
"Wang Yiheng, let's circle around the outer perimeter first." Xu Feng's gaze turned serious. This time, entering the Star Luo Great Forest was not just to hunt a Spirit Beast for Jiang Nannan, but to find Huo Yuhao.
According to the information in his memories from his past life, Huo Yuhao at this time should still be a good-for-nothing youngster without even a spirit ring, able only to cautiously search for low-tier Spirit Beasts in the outer perimeter.
"Yes, Your Highness." Wang Yiheng did not ask further, directly taking the two of them up into flight. After flying for about half an hour, they finally stopped.
Xu Feng's gaze locked onto a patch of grass not far away, where a wisp of faint smoke was curling upward, drifting over on the wind accompanied by the rich aroma of roasted fish.
The aroma was extremely enticing, the fish skin roasted to a slight golden brown with grease dripping onto the bonfire and making a sizzling sound that instantly heightened one's appetite.
Xu Feng narrowed his eyes and carefully looked the scene over. He saw a thin, small figure squatting in the grass, wearing a tattered grey cloth garment covered in patches, with the cuffs and hem worn down to frayed edges.
The person's hair was draped in a messy mess, obscuring most of their face, but judging from their build, it was a child who was intensely focused on turning several roasted fish over the fire.
From time to time, the child pulled a small cloth bag from their bosom and sprinkled seasonings onto the fish, the technique as practiced as that of an old chef of several decades.
"Spirit power level... exceptionally weak, almost imperceptible." Xu Feng's gaze swept back and forth across the child.
The height looked like that of a ten-year-old girl, but according to the original text, because of malnutrition and delayed development, even though Huo Yuhao was actually 12 years old, she looked much thinner and smaller in appearance than her peers.
Coupled with these tattered clothes, the exquisite fish-roasting craft, and the audacity to move around the outer perimeter area alone, this person was nine times out of ten Huo Yuhao.
Xu Feng took a deep breath, a gentle smile blooming on his face. He could not rush straight over; that would only arouse the other party's vigilance and suspicion.
He needed to manufacture an extremely natural chance encounter, making Huo Yuhao willingly drop her guard and follow him of her own accord.
He turned to glance at Wang Yiheng and said in a low voice, "You stay here. Nannan and I will go over and take a look."
Wang Yiheng frowned slightly, somewhat worried, but seeing the resolute look in Xu Feng's eyes, he ultimately nodded. His figure flickered and he melted into the shadow of a large tree, guarding silently.
Xu Feng took Jiang Nannan's hand, deliberately slowing his pace as he pretended to nonchalantly follow the scent of the roasted fish over.
As he walked, he spoke in a moderately loud voice, "Nannan, did you smell that? Such a fragrant roasted fish smell, I'm starving."
Although Jiang Nannan had no idea what medicine the crown prince was selling in his gourd, she nodded obediently and played along. "Yes, so fragrant. I wonder who is roasting fish here."
The two pushed aside the grass and feigned a look of surprise as they spotted the child squatting beside the bonfire.
Hearing the commotion, the child raised her head abruptly, revealing a dirty little face, though a pair of eyes were exceptionally bright, filled with wariness and curiosity as she stared straight at them.
Huo Yutong looked at these two with vigilance, paying special attention to the clothes Jiang Nannan wore. To bring a maid even when coming to the Star Dou Great Forest—this man either possessed immense strength or a formidable background.
"Little brother, how much are your roasted fish?"
Xu Feng prepared to use the roasted fish as an entry point. Huo Yuhao must be terribly short on money, and an opportunity for easy cash shouldn't be passed up.
"No money..."
Huo Yutong did not dare to accept money. With people who looked this wealthy and noble, who knew what kind of disaster accepting their money might bring upon her.
"Uh..."
Xu Feng stared at Huo Yuhao. No way, Tang Ya relaxed your guard with just a few words, so why isn't it working with me? Could it be because I'm male?
Xu Feng had actually guessed correctly. The Huo Yutong before him was indeed the Child of Providence he was looking for, but because she was born a girl, she had lived through entirely different days.
The original Huo Yuhao in the Duke's Mansion only suffered beatings and bullying, but Huo Yutong had inherited her mother's beauty; even dressed in rags, one could tell she would grow up to be a beauty.
Not a single servant in the Duke's Mansion had failed to harass her, which left Huo Yutong with a hundredfold vigilance toward males.
Jiang Nannan glanced at Huo Yutong, then looked at Xu Feng. At a single glance, she could tell that the person before them was a girl. Why was the crown prince calling her a little brother?
Moreover, if she wasn't mistaken, the crown prince had come here specifically to recruit this young girl, yet this young girl was extremely wary of them. It seemed it was time for her to make a move.
"Little sister, you don't need to be so nervous. We've also come here to hunt for a spirit ring."
Jiang Nannan steered the topic toward spirit rings. Since they had come to the Star Dou Great Forest, it was definitely to acquire spirit rings. Chatting about this aspect would surely make it easier to close the distance than forcing a conversation.
Meanwhile, Xu Feng was left frozen in place, stunned by that phrase "little sister".
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