Qian Chen VS Dai Mubai?! Vermin!

Qian Chen led her into the cultivation room.

After Shui Yue'er consumed the Immortal Herb, her Soul Power quickly began to rise.

Her second and third Soul Rings lit up at the same time.

The medicinal power within her body continuously circulated through her meridians, and under Qian Chen's guidance, her previously active Soul Power gradually steadied.

Level thirty-five.

Level thirty-six.

Level thirty-seven.

Fine beads of sweat formed on Shui Yue'er's forehead.

Qian Chen raised a hand and pressed it against her back.

Golden Soul Power entered her meridians, suppressing the final surge of unruly medicinal power.

Shui Yue'er's aura gradually stabilized.

She opened her eyes.

"I'm level thirty-seven."

"It isn't over yet."

"There's more?"

"Your body can withstand more medicinal power."

Shui Yue'er immediately sat up straight.

"Then how much more can I improve?"

"At least two levels."

Her eyes immediately lit up.

"Then hurry and help me."

Qian Chen continued guiding the medicinal power.

Soul Power fluctuations continued within the cultivation room for half an hour.

When Shui Yue'er opened her eyes again, the Soul Power within her had already reached level thirty-nine.

She lowered her head and looked at her hands.

"I'm just one step away from level forty."

"Go back and stabilize it for a few days, and you'll break through."

"Then do I need to obtain my fourth Soul Ring too?"

"Mm."

Shui Yue'er stood up.

She turned around and threw herself directly into Qian Chen's arms.

"It's all thanks to you."

"Stand properly."

"I'm standing very steadily."

Shui Yue'er wrapped both arms around his waist.

She lifted her face, her aqua-blue eyes brimming with delight.

"You helped me so much. How should I thank you?"

"The Immortal Herb was meant for you in the first place."

"That's different."

Shui Yue'er rose onto her tiptoes and kissed Qian Chen's cheek.

"This is today's thank-you gift."

She retreated half a step and covered her flushed cheeks with one hand.

"Once I break through to level forty, I'll give you an even bigger gift."

Outside the door.

Xue Wu and Yu Hairou stood beneath the steps.

When the two saw this scene, they exchanged a glance.

Xue Wu walked in.

"Yue'er, you beat us to it again."

"I earned this myself."

Shui Yue'er turned around and hugged the jade box in her hands.

"Big Sister hasn't come out yet, so you can't bully me."

Yu Hairou looked at Qian Chen.

"Who's next?"

"Xue Wu."

"Then let's go."

Xue Wu responded softly.

When she came to Qian Chen's side, her steps were much slower than usual.

Her aqua-blue hair draped behind her shoulders, several strands brushing against the collar of her uniform.

She lowered her head to look at the Immortal Herb in her hand, then raised her eyes toward Qian Chen.

"Will I break through too?"

"Your Soul Power is already close to level thirty-seven."

"Then I want to be like Yue'er."

"You need to control the medicinal power more carefully."

"I'll listen to you."

After saying that, Xue Wu entered the cultivation room.

While Qian Chen helped her refine the Immortal Herb, Shui Yue'er did not leave.

She sat against the wall, propping her chin in both hands as she watched the two of them.

Xue Wu's Soul Power gradually rose.

Level thirty-seven.

Level thirty-eight.

Her aura stopped at level thirty-eight.

Qian Chen withdrew his Soul Power.

Xue Wu opened her eyes and immediately looked at Qian Chen beside her.

"I succeeded."

"Mm."

"You didn't praise me."

"You did very well."

A blush immediately spread across Xue Wu's cheeks.

She rose and came before Qian Chen, asking softly, "Is that enough?"

"What?"

"The praise."

Qian Chen looked at her.

"What do you want?"

Xue Wu did not answer.

She stepped half a pace forward, raised a hand to rest on Qian Chen's shoulder, and lightly brushed her red lips against his cheek.

"Now it's enough."

Shui Yue'er widened her eyes from the side.

"Why are you all like this?"

Xue Wu turned to look at her.

"If you can do it, then naturally I can too."

Yu Hairou stood outside the door, a faint blush on her face.

She looked at the people in the cultivation room before walking up to Qian Chen.

"Qian Chen, where's my Immortal Herb?"

"I already set it aside for you."

Qian Chen took out a jade box and handed it to her.

After Yu Hairou accepted it, she did not open it immediately.

She raised her eyes to look at Qian Chen.

"If I successfully break through too, will you praise me?"

"I will."

"Only praise?"

Qian Chen did not answer.

Yu Hairou's cheeks gradually reddened.

She opened the jade box and consumed the Immortal Herb.

Soul Power radiance lit up the cultivation room once more.

By evening, everyone from Skywater Academy had completed their refinement of the Immortal Herbs.

Shui Bing'er broke through to level forty.

Shui Yue'er reached level thirty-nine.

Xue Wu and Yu Hairou each rose by two levels as well.

All of their Soul Power had increased noticeably.

When Shui Bing'er stepped out of the cultivation room, the first thing she saw was the three girls gathered around Qian Chen.

Shui Yue'er was hugging his arm.

Xue Wu was straightening his collar.

Meanwhile, Yu Hairou held a piece of Snow Orchid Pastry to his lips.

Shui Bing'er stopped walking.

She looked at that piece of Snow Orchid Pastry, her fingers slowly tightening.

Qian Chen turned his head and happened to see her.

"Bing'er."

Shui Bing'er raised her eyes.

"Are you all finished?"

"We're done."

Shui Yue'er immediately released Qian Chen and ran to Shui Bing'er's side.

"Big Sister, I'm level thirty-nine."

"I saw."

"Qian Chen said that I'll be able to break through to level forty in a few days."

Shui Bing'er nodded.

Her gaze fell on Qian Chen.

"You've been helping us refine Immortal Herb all day."

"Mm."

"Are you tired?"

"No."

Shui Bing'er walked up to him.

She took out a piece of Snow Orchid Pastry from her Soul Tool and held it to Qian Chen's lips.

"Then have one too."

Shui Yue'er immediately looked over.

"Big Sister, are you feeding him personally too?"

Shui Bing'er ignored her.

Her hand remained by Qian Chen's lips.

Qian Chen lowered his head and bit into the Snow Orchid Pastry.

Shui Bing'er withdrew her fingers, her cheeks growing slightly warm.

"Is it good?"

"Not bad."

"Then I'll buy more tomorrow."

"There's still some at the residence."

"What I bought isn't the same as the ones at the residence."

Shui Bing'er raised her eyes to look at him.

"I remembered that you liked this shop's flavor."

Qian Chen nodded.

"All right."

The smile in Shui Bing'er's eyes finally showed.

She reached out and took hold of Qian Chen's fingers.

"Come take a walk with me."

"Now?"

"Now."

She glanced at Shui Yue'er and the others beside them.

"There's something I want to tell you."

Shui Yue'er had just started to follow when Xue Wu grabbed her arm.

"Sis wants to speak with Qian Chen alone."

"But I want to go too."

"You've already kept him company for a long time today."

Shui Yue'er gave a soft hum.

"Then I'll keep him company tomorrow."

After Shui Bing'er led Qian Chen away from the rear courtyard,

the two of them walked down the corridor.

Shui Bing'er remained silent the entire time.

Qian Chen looked at her.

"What did you want to say?"

"I want to ask you something."

"What?"

"Have you noticed that Xue Qinghe hasn't appeared at the residence for quite some time?"

Qian Chen stopped walking.

During this period, he had been helping everyone from Skywater Academy refine their Immortal Herb while stabilizing his own Soul Power. Indeed, he had not seen Xue Qinghe for a long time.

Shui Bing'er watched his expression.

"Are you worried about her too?"

"She wouldn't usually leave for so long without a reason."

"Then let's go find her."

Shui Bing'er did not release his hand.

"I'll go with you."

"Okay."

The two of them left the Crown Prince's Residence.

The main streets of Heaven Dou City were still bustling.

Shui Bing'er had changed into a light blue dress, with tiny snowflakes embroidered along the hem.

She walked beside Qian Chen, her fingers clasped in his palm the entire time.

"Qian Chen."

"Hmm?"

"When we see Xue Qinghe, how are you going to ask her?"

"I'll ask her directly."

"What if she doesn't want to tell you?"

"Then I'll wait until she's willing to talk."

Shui Bing'er turned her face toward him.

"You're certainly very patient with her."

"She's my friend."

"Just a friend?"

Qian Chen glanced at her.

Shui Bing'er immediately turned away, her ears taking on a faint blush.

"I was just asking."

"Mm."

"You're not allowed to read too much into it."

"I'm not."

The two of them arrived in front of a teahouse.

Qian Chen stopped.

There was no trace of Xue Qinghe here.

Shui Bing'er looked at him.

"She's not here?"

"She went to the southern part of the city."

"Let's go there."

After crossing two streets, Qian Chen stopped outside a jewelry shop.

A familiar figure stood by the window on the shop's second floor.

She wore a pale gold dress.

Her long golden hair fell behind her shoulders, and a white sash was tied around her waist.

Her slender figure stood by the window, a golden hairpin still held in her hand.

Qian Chen recognized her at a glance.

"Qian Renxue."

Shui Bing'er followed his gaze.

"She's the young woman you met before?"

"Mm."

Shui Bing'er looked at Qian Renxue upstairs.

"Why is she here?"

"She should be waiting for someone."

Qian Chen stepped into the jewelry shop.

Shui Bing'er followed at his side.

Second floor.

Qian Renxue was lowering her head as she selected jewelry.

She had not seen Qian Chen for several days.

Her mother had withdrawn the assassination order but had not lifted her confinement.

Only today had she changed back into women's clothing and secretly slipped out of the side hall.

She had planned to go to the Crown Prince's Residence to see Qian Chen.

But halfway there, she suddenly caught sight of this golden hairpin.

A pale golden gemstone was set into the hairpin, shaped like a spread wing.

Qian Renxue held it in her hand and examined it for a long time.

"Will he like it?"

She placed the hairpin in her hair and looked at herself in the bronze mirror.

The woman in the mirror had exquisite features.

The golden dress made her look even more holy.

Yet a trace of hesitation remained hidden in her eyes.

"If he sees it, will he think it looks good?"

Footsteps came from the stairway.

Qian Renxue turned around.

When she saw who had arrived, the hesitation in her eyes instantly turned to joy.

"Qian Chen."

She set down the jewelry in her hand and hurried over to him.

"What brings you here?"

"I haven't seen you in a long time."

Qian Renxue's fingers tightened slightly.

She raised a hand and smoothed her skirt.

"I've been busy lately, so I didn't go looking for you."

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

Qian Renxue looked at Shui Bing'er.

Their gazes met for a moment.

Shui Bing'er gave a slight nod.

"Miss Shui."

"Miss Qian."

Qian Renxue pressed her red lips together.

She really wanted to tell Qian Chen that she had not been avoiding him.

But there were shop attendants in the jewelry shop, and she could not reveal her identity here.

Qian Chen looked at the hairpin in her hand.

"Do you like this?"

"Mm."

Qian Renxue lowered her head and glanced at it.

"It looks a lot like an angel's wing."

"Put it on and see."

Qian Renxue took out the hairpin and inserted it into her golden hair again.

Qian Chen walked behind her and helped arrange a loose strand of hair.

His fingertips brushed past her ear.

Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly.

She watched the two of them in the bronze mirror, and her eyes gradually brightened.

"Does it look good?"

"It suits you."

"Only suits me?"

Qian Renxue turned around.

She stood less than half a step from Qian Chen.

A faint fragrance drifted from her, and the golden hem of her dress lightly brushed his clothing.

Shui Bing'er stood to the side, her gaze resting on the two of them.

Qian Chen stepped back.

"It looks very good."

Only then did Qian Renxue smile.

"I knew you would like it."

"I'll buy this hairpin."

Qian Chen took out Gold Soul Coins.

Qian Renxue immediately raised a hand and pressed down on his palm.

"I'll buy it myself."

"Weren't you planning to give it to me?"

Qian Chen glanced at her.

Qian Renxue had not expected him to say it so directly, and her cheeks immediately flushed.

"I just thought it suited you."

"Then I'll count it as a gift from you."

Qian Chen put the hairpin into his Soul Tool.

Seeing what he had done, Qian Renxue's mood visibly improved.

"Didn't you cultivate today?"

"The students from Skywater Academy have already finished refining the Immortal Herb."

"They all improved by a lot?"

"Shui Bing'er broke through to Rank 40."

Qian Renxue looked at Shui Bing'er.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Shui Bing'er answered softly.

"Qian Chen helped us a great deal."

Qian Renxue turned her gaze back to Qian Chen.

"You're always like this."

"Like what?"

"Do everything for everyone else."

Qian Chen did not answer.

The three of them walked out of the jewelry shop.

Qian Renxue walked on Qian Chen's other side.

She did not hold his hand, only occasionally moved a little closer.

When Shui Bing'er saw this, her fingers once again clasped Qian Chen's palm.

Qian Renxue lifted her eyes and glanced at her.

Shui Bing'er did not avoid her gaze.

Their eyes met briefly before each looked away.

A burst of laughter suddenly came from ahead.

Several soul masters emerged from the street corner.

The man at their head was tall and broad, with long golden hair draped behind his shoulders and handsome features.

He wore a dark blue robe fastened with a white jade belt.

Two women followed behind him.

One of them wore tight black clothing, her black hair hanging down her back.

Her figure was slender, and she always kept some distance from the man in front.

As soon as Qian Renxue passed the street corner, the man blocked her path.

Dai Mubai raised a hand, stopping her in front of him.

"Miss, please wait."

Qian Renxue's brows furrowed slightly.

"What is it?"

"I've seen plenty of girls in Heaven Dou City."

Dai Mubai looked her up and down.

"But one as beautiful as you is the first I've ever encountered."

Qian Renxue took half a step back.

"Move."

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave."

Dai Mubai stepped closer.

"My name is Dai Mubai, and I'm from Shrek Academy."

"If you're willing, I can take you to see the world of soul masters."

Qian Renxue did not answer.

She looked at Qian Chen beside her.

Qian Chen raised his eyes to look at Dai Mubai.

"Move."

Only then did Dai Mubai notice Qian Chen.

He looked at Qian Chen's white robes, then swept his gaze over Shui Bing'er.

"Are you her guard?"

"None of your business."

"I'm talking to this young lady."

Dai Mubai looked back at Qian Renxue.

"If you follow him, that would be such a waste."

Qian Renxue's expression darkened.

"I don't know you."

"Don't you know me now?"

Dai Mubai raised his hand, intending to touch her shoulder.

Qian Chen stepped forward.

His hand clamped around Dai Mubai's wrist.

"I already warned you."

Dai Mubai froze.

He looked at Qian Chen, his gaze gradually darkening.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Not interested."

"My name is Dai Mubai."

He lifted his chin.

"The third prince of the Star Luo Empire."

"One of Shrek Academy's strongest students."

"Let go of me now, and I can pretend none of this happened."