Qian Renxue, Gentle and Devoted

The sound of washing up came from the bathroom. A moment later, the door was gently pushed open.

Li Xun had finished getting ready. He wore a sharply tailored black suit with crisp lines.

The fitted suit accentuated his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and upright bearing. Most of his usual lazy ease had vanished, replaced by a steady, commanding air. His black hair was neatly combed, and his striking features gave him an imposing handsomeness. Only his tie still hung loose around his neck, not yet fastened.

Qian Renxue had already risen from the edge of the bed and stood quietly nearby, waiting for him.

When he came out, she approached with a soft smile.

"Stand still. You're a grown man, yet you still can't tie your tie properly."

Her voice was gentle, her fond scolding tinged with indulgence. She rose slightly on her toes and lifted her slender, fair hands to his neck, deftly crossing, looping, and threading the ends of his tie.

At such close range, her warm breath brushed Li Xun's neck, and her faint, delicate fragrance reached him.

Qian Renxue lowered her eyes, her long lashes trembling as she focused on the knot. Her fingers worked gently and precisely, straightening the loose tie bit by bit until it sat snugly against his collar, every edge aligned.

When she was done, she smoothed a slight wrinkle on Li Xun's shoulder and stepped back half a pace. After looking him over, she nodded in satisfaction.

"There. Now you look presentable. Today is Qingyang's Spirit Awakening. As his father, you ought to look a little more formal."

Li Xun gazed at the gentle, devoted woman before him and chuckled. He slipped an arm around her slender waist. "Thanks for the effort, Xue'er."

Qian Renxue blushed and lightly swatted his hand away. "Stop it. The children are waiting downstairs."

With that, she took Li Xun by the wrist, and they left the bedroom together and headed downstairs.

The dining table in the living room was already set, with a warm breakfast laid out neatly.

Li Qingyang and Li Mushuang sat obediently in their chairs, their chins propped in their hands as they waited eagerly for their parents.

The moment she saw them coming, little Mu Shuang gave them a sweet smile, her large eyes sparkling.

Li Qingyang, on the other hand, had puffed out his cheeks. He was clearly a little annoyed.

As soon as Li Xun sat down, the boy couldn't help grumbling.

"Dad, you're so lazy! Today is the most important day of my life—my Spirit Awakening—and you slept in!"

The little boy sounded aggrieved, with a hint of earnest indignation.

"I was so excited I barely slept last night. I couldn't wait to awaken my Martial Soul and test my Soul Power. The star of the day was on time, but you were the one dragging your feet."

His complaint was earnest and adorable.

Qian Renxue couldn't help laughing. She gently rubbed the boy's head, smiling warmly.

Li Xun didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He pinched the boy's puffed-up cheek and put on a solemn face.

"Yes, yes, Dad was wrong. Today is all about you, Qingyang. I'll make it up to you by staying with you through your entire Spirit Awakening. I promise to pay close attention and not get distracted."

At his father's apology, Li Qingyang's irritation vanished. He immediately beamed, his eyes full of anticipation.

The family gathered around the breakfast table as morning light spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows. That warm, peaceful scene played out on the Heavenly Screen above the entire continent.

Comments flooded across the Heavenly Screen once more.

[Hahaha, that's so real! The kid was definitely raging inside about his dad sleeping in!]

[He was totally in control a moment ago, and now he's apologizing like a good boy. We can see who's in charge at home!]

[Qian Renxue fixing his tie was so tender. She's the ultimate gentle, devoted wife!]

[Li Xun in a suit is seriously handsome. His presence is off the charts!]

[I'm jealous of such a warm family! Both parents are there for his Martial Soul awakening!]

[Qingyang was thinking: Today's my big day, and Dad dared to sleep in? Unbelievable!]

In the back courtyard of the old estate in the Heaven Dou Empire, everyone watched the scene on the Heavenly Screen. Seeing Qian Renxue tenderly straighten Li Xun's tie, they found the atmosphere both awkward and heartwarming.

Xiao Wu blinked her bright eyes and sighed in admiration.

"Brother Xun sure is lucky! What did he do to meet someone as beautiful, powerful, gentle, and devoted as Qian Renxue?"

As she spoke, she nudged Tang San beside her and turned to him excitedly.

"Brother San, don't you think I'm right?"

Tang San froze at once.

He glanced at Li Xun, whose pointed, deadly stare was fixed on him. His body tensed, his back stiffened, and his scalp prickled.

Under that oppressive gaze, Tang San could only stammer a careful agreement.

"I... I suppose so. He is very lucky."

He looked stiff and uncomfortable, afraid that one more word would land him in trouble.

Li Xun rolled his eyes and couldn't be bothered with the pair of siblings.

Spirit City, Worship Hall.

Inside the solemn, imposing Consecration Hall, the assembled titled elders silently watched the Heavenly Screen.

When they had seen Qian Renxue acting so boldly flirtatious at home, every elder had looked embarrassed and at a loss, hardly daring to breathe.

But now, seeing her poised and gentle as she carefully fixed Li Xun's tie, their strained expressions finally eased. They nodded to themselves, approval showing in their eyes.

That's more like it.

As Spirit Hall's holy maiden and its future Pope and Angel God, she ought to be dignified, gentle, and noble.

At the very front, Qian Daoliu's long-tense face finally relaxed. He stroked his snow-white beard and nodded repeatedly, relief and pride filling his aged eyes.

That flirtatious scene earlier had nearly sent his blood pressure soaring.

Now, at last, he could see his granddaughter's grace and gentleness.

Dignified, proper, and devoted—she had both the bearing of the Qian family and the warmth of a loving wife. Now that's my granddaughter!

At the Crown Prince's Estate, after the Heavenly Screen showed Qian Renxue gently fixing Li Xun's tie, Snake Lance Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo quietly reappeared in the hall. Moments ago, they had hidden themselves for fear of drawing their young mistress's anger.

Their tense expressions eased. They hurriedly clasped their hands toward Qian Renxue, praising her with apparent sincerity.

"Our young mistress of the future is truly dignified and elegant!"

"That scene showed all your gentle, noble grace. Truly, you are worthy of becoming Spirit Hall's future Pope and the Angel God—dignified, proper, and unmatched in splendor!"

Their praise was earnest and enthusiastic. They were trying to dispel the memory of the earlier intimate scene and restore a little of their young mistress's authority.

But Qian Renxue's cheeks were still flushed, and her ears still burned.

Hearing their solemn praise, she felt both embarrassed and helplessly amused. She raised a hand and cut them off.

"Enough. You don't need to say any more."

She turned her head slightly, avoiding their eyes, her expression shy and resigned.

Her coquettish, flirtatious behavior in the bedroom had probably already been etched into the minds of everyone on the continent.

She really was dignified and devoted. But she really was playful and alluring, too.