Bibi Dong's Attention, Testing Qian Chen!

Shui Bing'er planted her foot on the ground.

She had barely taken a step forward when she lost her balance.

Qian Chen reached out and caught her by the waist.

Shui Bing'er naturally fell into his arms.

Her hands rested on Qian Chen's shoulders, her fair, long legs pressed against his robe.

Their faces were very close.

Shui Bing'er raised her eyes to Qian Chen, his reflection clear in her aqua-blue eyes.

"These shoes aren't very easy to walk in."

"Then change into another pair."

Shui Bing'er did not immediately leave his embrace.

"But they're very pretty."

"If you can't walk in them, it doesn't matter how pretty they are."

"You can hold me up."

Qian Chen looked at her for a moment.

The blush on Shui Bing'er's face deepened.

She left Qian Chen's arms and sat back down on the cushioned couch.

"Let's change back into the short boots."

Qian Chen crouched down again and removed her crystal shoes.

Shui Bing'er lowered her head to watch his profile.

With Qian Chen's current strength, even Titled Douluo would not dare provoke him lightly.

Yet he was willing to crouch before her and put on her shoes.

Her heartbeat grew faster and faster.

Shui Bing'er lifted her jade-like foot.

Her fair toes lightly touched the back of Qian Chen's hand.

"Qian Chen."

"What is it?"

"Will you go shopping with other girls like this in the future too?"

Qian Chen looked up at her.

"Why do you ask?"

Shui Bing'er tucked her foot back beneath her skirt.

"Shui Yue'er, Xue Wu, and Dugu Yan."

"They all like being close to you."

"Snow Empress and Ice Empress have been with you even longer."

Qian Chen put her short boots back on.

"You were the one who asked me out today."

Shui Bing'er froze slightly.

Qian Chen stood up.

"So right now, I'm only with you."

The shyness in Shui Bing'er's eyes gradually melted away.

She took the initiative to reach out and hold Qian Chen's fingers.

"Then you're not allowed to leave me behind today."

"All right."

The two left the shoe shop.

After crossing two streets, Qian Chen's steps suddenly slowed.

Shui Bing'er immediately noticed the change.

"What's wrong?"

"Someone is following us."

Shui Bing'er instinctively turned around.

Pedestrians continuously passed through the street.

She saw nothing unusual.

Qian Chen took her hand.

"Don't look for him."

"He's been following us since we left the Crown Prince's Residence."

Shui Bing'er moved closer to Qian Chen.

"Is he from Shrek Academy?"

"No."

Qian Chen looked ahead down the street.

A man in a gray robe stood beneath the shadows of the eaves.

A silver mask covered half his face.

His aura was completely concealed, his body blending into the surrounding shadows.

Shui Bing'er followed Qian Chen's gaze.

Only then did she realize that someone was standing there.

The gray-robed man slowly stepped out.

"When did you discover me?"

"Outside the Crown Prince's Residence."

Shadow Mantis stared at Qian Chen.

He specialized in concealment and assassination.

Even a Titled Douluo might not discover his trail without careful investigation.

Yet Qian Chen had noticed him the moment he approached the Crown Prince's Residence.

Shadow Mantis extended his right hand from his sleeve.

Gray-black carapace emerged over the surface of his arm.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black.

Eight Soul Rings rose in succession.

Two long, narrow Mantis Blades unfolded from behind his back.

When the pedestrians on the street saw the Soul Rings, they immediately retreated into the distance.

Shui Bing'er stepped to Qian Chen's side.

"A Soul Douluo?"

Shadow Mantis glanced at her.

"Shui Bing'er of Skywater Academy."

"This has nothing to do with you."

"Leave now, and I can spare your life."

Shui Bing'er did not retreat.

Cold air spread from beneath her feet.

The Ice Phoenix Martial Soul slowly spread its wings behind her.

"If you want to kill Qian Chen, then it concerns me."

Shadow Mantis raised his Mantis Blades.

"Since you insist on staying, then die with him."

Qian Chen pressed a hand on Shui Bing'er's shoulder.

"Stand here and wait for me."

Shui Bing'er looked at him.

"Be careful."

Qian Chen released her hand and walked forward alone.

Shadow Mantis's seventh Soul Ring immediately lit up.

"Seventh Soul Skill, Shadow Mantis Avatar!"

Gray-black Soul Power covered his entire body.

The two Mantis Blades rapidly lengthened.

His figure vanished from where he stood.

In the next instant, dozens of gray afterimages appeared throughout the street.

Every afterimage raised its Mantis Blades and slashed at Qian Chen from a different direction.

Shui Bing'er's heart suddenly tightened.

She could not tell which one was the real body.

A blade had already reached Qian Chen's neck.

Qian Chen did not release his Martial Soul.

He merely raised his right hand and grabbed at his side.

Bang!

Dozens of afterimages shattered at once.

Shadow Mantis's body was dragged directly out of the shadows.

Qian Chen's hand clamped around his throat and lifted him into the air with one hand.

The two Mantis Blades stopped less than half an inch from Qian Chen's shoulders, unable to advance another fraction.

For the first time, shock appeared in Shadow Mantis's eyes.

"How could you see through the Shadow Mantis Avatar?"

Qian Chen's hand tightened slightly.

Cracks instantly spread across the gray-black carapace.

The Soul Power within Shadow Mantis was forced directly back into his meridians.

All eight Soul Rings went out one after another.

His Martial Soul Avatar collapsed on the spot.

Shui Bing'er stood not far away.

She had not even seen clearly how Qian Chen had attacked.

An eighty-ninth-rank Soul Douluo had already been subdued with one hand.

Shadow Mantis grabbed Qian Chen's wrist.

"You're not rank eighty-nine."

"You've already broken through rank ninety?"

Qian Chen looked at him.

"Who sent you?"

Shadow Mantis did not answer.

Nine-Colored Divine Light appeared in Qian Chen's palm.

Dragon might surged directly into Shadow Mantis's body.

His Shadow Mantis Martial Soul shrank into a ball, unable even to continue circulating its Soul Power.

"Bibi Dong."

Shadow Mantis forced out the three words with difficulty.

Shui Bing'er's expression changed.

"The Pope of Spirit Hall?"

Qian Chen was not surprised.

He had already sensed Spirit Hall's aura from Shadow Mantis.

Bibi Dong had sent an eighty-ninth-rank Soul Douluo, clearly with no intention of letting him leave Heaven Dou City alive.

Qian Chen released his hand.

Shadow Mantis fell from the air, one knee smashing into the ground.

The stone slabs cracked outward in every direction.

He clutched his throat and looked up at Qian Chen.

Qian Chen stood before him.

"Tell Bibi Dong."

"Some debts must be repaid sooner or later."

"Tell her to wait for me."

Shadow Mantis's pupils contracted slightly.

He did not know what grudge lay between Qian Chen and Bibi Dong.

But when Qian Chen mentioned Bibi Dong, he did not sound as though he were facing a lofty Pope.

It was more like he was waiting for the time to settle accounts.

Shadow Mantis braced himself against the ground and stood.

"I'll deliver your exact words."

He retreated into the shadows of the street.

The gray-robed figure gradually faded away, soon disappearing without a trace.

Shui Bing'er hurried over to Qian Chen.

She reached out and touched his shoulder, then carefully examined the side of his neck.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

Shui Bing'er was still worried.

She raised a hand and pulled open Qian Chen's collar. Only after confirming that the blade had left no wound did she let out a sigh of relief.

"Those two Mantis Blades almost touched you just now."

"He couldn't touch me."

Shui Bing'er looked in the direction Shadow Mantis had left.

"An eighty-ninth-level Soul Douluo couldn't even withstand one move from you."

"How strong are you now, exactly?"

"You'll know once I obtain my ninth Soul Ring."

Shui Bing'er raised her eyes.

"You still need to become stronger?"

"Mm."

Qian Chen took her hand again.

"Let's go."

Shui Bing'er remained where she was.

She gazed at Qian Chen, the admiration in her water-blue eyes impossible to conceal.

Facing the eighty-ninth-level assassin sent by Spirit Hall, Qian Chen had not shown the slightest panic from beginning to end.

He had not even released his martial soul.

With nothing more than a raised hand and a grasp, he had stripped that Soul Douluo of all ability to resist.

Shui Bing'er suddenly took a step forward.

She wrapped her arms around Qian Chen's arm and rested her cheek against his shoulder.

Her soft body pressed close through her pale blue short skirt.

"Qian Chen."

"Mm?"

"You protected me just now."

"He couldn't hurt you."

"That still counts as protection."

Shui Bing'er lifted her face.

"I should give you a thank-you gift."

Qian Chen looked at her flushed face.

"What kind of thank-you gift?"

Shui Bing'er rose onto her tiptoes.

Her palm gently rested against Qian Chen's shoulder.

Her soft red lips landed against the side of his face.

This time, unlike Shui Yue'er, she did not pull away immediately after touching him.

Shui Bing'er lingered for a moment before settling back onto the ground.

The roots of her ears were completely red.

"That is my thank-you gift."

Qian Chen raised a hand and touched the spot she had kissed.

"You still haven't given me the thank-you gift for Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone."

Shui Bing'er froze for a moment.

She quickly understood what Qian Chen meant.

"You still remember?"

"Shui Yue'er and the others all gave me theirs."

Shui Bing'er lightly bit her red lip.

"So you've been waiting for me all this time."

She moved closer again.

This time, Shui Bing'er did not kiss his face.

She gently rested her forehead against Qian Chen's chest and wrapped both arms around his waist.

The hem of her pale blue skirt was blown against her legs by the wind.

Her pair of fair, slender legs pressed together, silver-white short boots stepping beside Qian Chen's feet.

"The thank-you gift for Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone can't be the same as theirs."

"I'll give it to you after I've thought of something."

Qian Chen looked down at her.

"How long will you need to think?"

The flush on Shui Bing'er's face spread to her neck.

"Until I dare to kiss somewhere else."

After saying that, she released him and turned to walk ahead.

Her water-blue hair swayed gently behind her.

After walking a few steps, Shui Bing'er looked back at Qian Chen.

"What are you still standing there for?"

"You're only allowed to accompany me today."

Qian Chen came to her side.

Shui Bing'er took his hand of her own accord.

The two continued forward along the long street.

She leaned against Qian Chen's side, her slender fingers entwined with his.

This time, she never let go again.

Heaven Dou City.

The afternoon sky suddenly darkened.

Shui Bing'er had just taken the Snow Orchid Pastry wrapped by the vendor when a raindrop landed on the paper package.

She looked up at the eaves.

Dark clouds pressed over the long street, and in the blink of an eye, the rain formed a solid curtain.

"Qian Chen, it's raining."

The street vendors hurried to pack up their stalls.

A cart loaded with wooden crates stopped at the intersection, blocking most of the originally spacious road.

Qian Chen raised a Soul Power barrier and reached out to bring her beneath the eaves.

It had taken only a few steps, but the hem of Shui Bing'er's skirt was already speckled with rain.

She lowered her head to look at the paper package in her arms, then tucked it farther beneath her cloak.

"Luckily, it didn't get soaked."

"Take care of yourself first."

Qian Chen removed the silver-white cloak from his shoulders and wrapped it around her.

Shui Bing'er pinched both sides of the cloak and looked up at him.

"I just gave this to you."

"I know."

"You haven't worn it for long."

"Give it back after your clothes dry."

She did not refuse again.

The Cold Silkworm Silk blocked the slanting rain, while his warmth still lingered on the collar.

Shui Bing'er moved half a step closer to him.

"Let's find somewhere to sit for a while."

Across the street was an inn by coincidence.

The innkeeper was taking down the lanterns at the entrance. Seeing the two of them come in, he hurriedly had an attendant bring over clean cloths.

"The main hall is full."

"There is only one guest room left upstairs. Would you two like to rest there for now?"

Shui Bing'er's motion of wiping her hair came to a stop.

Qian Chen looked outside.

"We can return to the residence too."

With his Soul Power, protecting two people through the rain would be no trouble.

But Shui Bing'er gently tugged at his sleeve.

"Let's wait here."

"We've only been out for half a day."

She glanced at the innkeeper, her cheeks flushing, but did not let go.

"Once the rain eases, we can go out again."

Qian Chen placed a Gold Soul Coin on the counter.

"Lead the way."

The guest room was at the end of the second floor.

There was one bed, a folding screen, and a table with chairs beside the window.

The attendant set down hot water and cloths before quickly leaving the room.

After the door closed, Shui Bing'er realized that the room was quieter than she had imagined.

Qian Chen walked to the window and closed the casement that the wind had blown open.

She stood beside the folding screen and lowered her head to untie the cloak.

The pale blue hem of her skirt was damp, and part of the ribbon on her silver-white short boots was wet as well.

Just as Shui Bing'er bent down, Qian Chen placed a low stool in front of her.

"Sit down to untie it."

She sat as he instructed.

The soaked knot had tangled together, and she failed to undo it even after trying twice.

Qian Chen crouched down and separated the ribbons for her.

"I should have raised the barrier sooner."

Shui Bing'er looked at his lowered brows and eyes.

"I only got a little wet."

"It's not as if rainwater can hurt me."

The knot finally loosened.

She set the short boots aside, revealing a faint ribbon mark around her fair ankle.

Qian Chen brought over a dry cushion and placed it beneath her feet.

"Don't step on the floor."

Shui Bing'er answered softly.

She watched him put her shoes away and fetch a cloth, then suddenly reached out and touched his fingers.

"Qian Chen."

"Mm?"

"If you keep taking care of me like this, I'll take it seriously."

He did not withdraw his hand at once.

Shui Bing'er lifted her head and met his gaze.

This time, she did not use inspecting something else as an excuse to look away.

"I wasn't saying it casually."

Rain tapped against the window lattice.

Qian Chen squeezed her hand.

"Change your clothes first."

Her cheeks grew even redder, but she still nodded.

A spare dress was stored inside the Soul Tool.

Shui Bing'er carried the clothes behind the folding screen, while Qian Chen remained by the window and hung up her damp cloak for her.

A moment later, she came out again.

The long dress she had changed into was pale blue, with tiny snowflakes embroidered along the collar and only a plain white silk sash tied around her waist.

She removed her snowflake hair ornament. Her water-blue hair fell loosely behind her shoulders, making her look less composed than she usually did in the team.

Qian Chen pushed the hot tea toward her.

"Your hair isn't dry yet."

Shui Bing'er took the tea but did not drink it.

She handed him another dry towel.

"I can't reach the back."

Qian Chen stepped behind her.

The towel wrapped around the ends of her hair as he slowly wiped away the remaining droplets, careful not to tug at her hair.

Shui Bing'er held the teacup, her gaze falling on the reflection in the window.

He stood behind her.

If she leaned back even slightly, she would touch his lapel.

"When we were little, Yue'er always asked me to dry her hair for her."

"And now?"

"Now she thinks I meddle too much."

Shui Bing'er took a sip of tea.

"But whenever she runs into trouble, she still comes to me first."

Qian Chen gathered the last strand of her long hair into place.

"You can come to me too."

She set down her teacup.

"What about when there's no trouble?"

"You can still come."

Shui Bing'er turned around and took his hand.

"Then I'll come often from now on."

Qian Chen lowered his eyes to look at her.

"Alright."

Hearing that answer, the words she had prepared for so long finally no longer lodged in her heart.

"I asked you out today not just to buy a gift."

"I know."