Qian Renxue: Where Are You?

In the study of the Heaven Dou Crown Prince's Residence.

Disguised as Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue sat at her desk. Imperial memorials were stacked neatly before her, but she had no desire to review them.

Her eyes stared blankly ahead as she leaned back in her chair. Her usual composure and sharp judgment had deserted her; her thoughts had long since drifted far away.

Only two questions occupied her mind: Would the Heavenly Screen descend again? And where was Li Xun, her future husband, now?

The Heavenly Screen had shown her a future in which someone would cherish her tenderly and care for her with devotion. Ever since, Qian Renxue had been unable to settle her heart.

She had never known warmth growing up. Her father, Qian Xunji, held the lofty position of Pope and spent every day tangled in affairs of power. He had never given her the affection she deserved. Her mother, Bibi Dong, regarded her as a stain and met her with cold eyes, without a trace of love between mother and daughter.

Her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, was the only one who truly cared for her. But he had to serve the Angel God, leaving him little time to show it.

If she had never seen the light, she could have accepted the loneliness and walked her path alone.

But the Heavenly Screen had revealed a different future. It had shown her that someone in this world would protect her and love her.

And now, she was terrified of losing a happiness she had yet to find.

Qian Renxue gazed at the sky beyond the window, longing written across her beautiful face. Her red lips parted, and she murmured so softly that the wind nearly swallowed her words:

"My husband... where are you?"

Qian Renxue could never have imagined that Li Xun, the husband she searched for and yearned for day and night, was already in Heaven Dou City.

The two of them were only twenty minutes apart. How frustrated would she be if she knew?

At that moment, a group arrived at the gate of an imposing old residence in the heart of Heaven Dou City. It was Li Xun and the others.

Li Xun had originally planned to leave Moonlight Pavilion after absorbing the Whale Rubber.

But when Tang Yuehua heard that her second brother, Tang Hao, and Li Xun's family intended to stay in Heaven Dou City for a while, she offered to arrange their lodgings.

Li Xun had explained that his family had already bought a residence in Heaven Dou Empire and that she need not trouble herself.

Tang Yuehua, however, would not hear of it. She said,

"You call me Aunt, so I can't let you settle for less. Forget those ordinary houses in out-of-the-way places. I'll find you all a fine residence."

Her kindness was hard to refuse, and Li Xun could not keep turning her down.

So Li Xun and his parents, Tang Hao, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Tang Yuehua—seven people in all—came to the most expensive district in the heart of Heaven Dou City and stood before the old residence.

Its heavy vermilion gates had an air of age. Two stone lions stood proudly outside, and beyond the high walls, the rooftops of its buildings could just be seen. At a glance, it was the sort of grand residence only a noble family could own.

Tang Yuehua stepped forward, gently pushed open the half-closed gate, and turned to beckon them in.

"Come inside."

The view opened up as they crossed the threshold. The orderly courtyard was paved with Bluestone and spotless. Precious magnolias and green bamboo grew on either side. Their leaves stirred in the breeze, carrying a delicate fragrance of grass and trees.

One courtyard led into the next. The front hall, open-air court, flower garden, and side pavilions were arranged with care. The buildings were elegant and traditional, with abundant light and a spacious, orderly layout. Artificial rockeries, running water, and a clear pond full of koi completed the grounds. It was quiet and secluded without sacrificing the grandeur of a noble estate.

Walking beside them, Tang Yuehua explained softly, "I bought this private residence years ago. I rarely stay here and have always left the servants to maintain it. It's clean, peaceful, and free from disturbances."

"There's just enough room for your family, my second brother, Tang San, and Miss Xiao Wu. There are plenty of chambers: a master bedroom, side bedrooms, guest rooms, and quiet rooms for training. There's even an open space in the rear courtyard, large enough for your daily cultivation and physical training."

Li Xun looked around the estate, quietly amazed.

As expected of the Moonlight Pavilion's mistress. The location, surroundings, layout, and privacy were all impeccable. Compared with an ordinary house outside the city, it was in another league.

Tang Hao took in the peaceful courtyard and nodded slightly. "Yuehua, you've gone to a lot of trouble."

"Don't say that, second brother." Tang Yuehua smiled, warmth in her eyes. "We're family. There's no need for thanks."

Xiao Wu looked around curiously, her large eyes sparkling with delight. Tang San's gaze shifted as well. Such a quiet home really was ideal for focused cultivation.

Li Hu and Shui Yuerou were also taken with the elegant, luxurious residence and thanked Tang Yuehua repeatedly.

"Now that you have somewhere to live, Tang San, Li Xun, Xiao Wu, would you like to attend a junior Soul Master Academy?" Tang Yuehua asked. "You could study Soul Master theory systematically, meet others your age, and gain experience."

Li Xun shook his head almost at once, politely declining.

"There's no need, Aunt Yuehua."

He gave his reasons plainly. "After the Heavenly Screen's revelations, Tang San and I are hardly unknown anymore. If we enter a junior academy, we'll probably be recognized as soon as we enroll. That would bring endless trouble and attention, and we'd never be able to cultivate in peace. We'd be better off studying on our own for now. When the time is right, Tang San and I can go straight to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Tang Hao agreed and settled the matter:

"Li Xun is right."

He looked steadily at Tang Yuehua and continued, "The courses at an ordinary junior academy are too basic to do either of them any good.

"Yuehua, sorry for the trouble, but I'll leave their Soul Master theory, knowledge of the continent, etiquette, and other academic subjects to you.

"I'll handle their combat training, Soul Power control, physical conditioning, and use of Soul Skills.

"With that division of responsibilities, they'll progress far faster than they would at an academy."

Tang Yuehua nodded. After weighing it carefully, she felt this was indeed the best arrangement.

With Li Xun's and Tang San's extraordinary talent, a junior Soul Master Academy had little left to teach them.

She was more than capable of teaching them Soul Master theory, the history and traditions of the continent, and noble etiquette herself.

If they entered an academy and their identities were exposed, the information about the future revealed by the Heavenly Screen would draw visits from every major power on the continent. The endless attempts to recruit and test them would disrupt their cultivation and might even bring dangers no one could foresee.

Staying in this old residence in the city center, where they could receive lessons and training tailored to their needs, would suit their growth far better.

Her expression eased into a gentle smile, and she gave them her word:

"Since you've thought it through, we'll do it your way. Leave their studies to me. I won't let them fall behind in the slightest."

With that settled, everyone moved into the old residence in the heart of Heaven Dou City and made themselves at home.