The world of Blue Star!
Qian Renxue's hand was soft and warm, and felt wonderfully comfortable in his grasp.
The other residents they passed along the way cast curious looks at Xiao Ran when they saw him holding hands with such a gorgeous woman.
Every single head turned!
Finally, they left the residential complex through its main gate and reached the bustling street.
As Qian Renxue watched vehicles of all sizes race along the road, she cried out in surprise again.
"Xiao Ran, how can these vehicles move along the road without horses pulling them? And how are they so fast? They're even faster than a Soul King running at full speed."
Holding Qian Renxue's hand with one hand, Xiao Ran took out his phone with the other and booked a ride through an app as he answered:
"That's the power of technology. These vehicles have engines installed inside them, which generate horsepower by burning gasoline."
"Be careful. I'll explain the rules of the road in a moment. Never cross recklessly. If one of these vehicles hits you, you won't just be black and blue-you'll be a piece here and a piece there."
Before their ride arrived, Xiao Ran explained the rules of the road to Qian Renxue.
The astonishment never left Qian Renxue's face.
The Soul Master system on the Douluo Continent offered no benefits to ordinary people. From the moment of Martial Soul Awakening, whether someone would be a Soul Master or an ordinary person was already decided.
But here on Blue Star, everyone could benefit from the technological system. Everyone could use technology, which meant that, in a certain sense, everyone was equal.
The phone in Xiao Ran's hand, the elevator they had ridden, the building they had left, the vehicles on the road... a glimpse of one spot revealed the whole leopard.
The strength of this technological system lay in how everyone was equal before technology, and everyone could enjoy its conveniences.
Ten minutes later, their ride arrived.
Xiao Ran led Qian Renxue into the car. Seeing that his passengers were such a young couple, the middle-aged driver offered an envious compliment.
"You're a lucky young man, finding such a beautiful girlfriend."
Qian Renxue's gaze wandered, a slightly awkward expression crossing her lovely face. She wanted to explain that they were not in that sort of relationship.
But Xiao Ran spoke first. "Thanks for the compliment. Let's get going."
Then he turned to Qian Renxue. "Qian Renxue... sounds a little too formal. I'll call you Xue'er from now on."
"Your outfit is far too extravagant. Let's buy you some clothes first."
Qian Renxue felt her cheeks grow warm. She wanted to remind Xiao Ran that she had never agreed to be with him, but she was also afraid he had no such intentions and she had simply misunderstood.
If she brought it up, she would only make a fool of herself.
After turning it over in her mind, Qian Renxue murmured an assent, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "Mm. Sorry for the trouble, then."
The driver set off, stopping in front of a shopping mall ten minutes later.
Xiao Ran paid the fare, took Qian Renxue's hand as they got out, and led her into the mall.
The mall teemed with people. The sudden appearance of a beauty like Qian Renxue caused a small stir, and some people even recognized her.
"It's Qian Renxue!"
"Her cosplay looks so accurate! I really want to ask for her autograph. Is that guy her boyfriend? I'm so jealous!"
"..."
Qian Renxue leaned close to Xiao Ran and asked quietly:
"Xiao Ran, am I famous here on your Blue Star? Why do people recognize me?"
Xiao Ran turned his head and replied softly, a smile tugging at his lips:
"Of course. You're a goddess of Douluo. But you'd better not let anyone know you crossed over from another world, or things will get very troublesome."
As the young mistress of Spirit Hall and the former crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Qian Renxue had seen her share of grand occasions. Even under all those astonished, excited gazes, she remained composed.
She simply resolved to avoid interacting with outsiders whenever possible and listen only to Xiao Ran, lest she expose her identity and cause trouble!
They went up to the second floor and entered a beautifully decorated women's clothing store.
"Welcome!"
A saleswoman came forward to greet them. The sight of Qian Renxue left her awestruck, though she maintained a courteous smile.
Only then did Xiao Ran release Qian Renxue's hand. "Help her pick out two sets of underwear to change between, and two suitable outfits for the current season."
The saleswoman beamed. This was a big customer, and she had to provide excellent service.
She gestured invitingly. "Please follow me. Your girlfriend is so beautiful, sir. The right clothes will bring out her graceful elegance even more. I'll be sure to choose our newest styles."
Qian Renxue glanced at Xiao Ran, wondering whether he would come inside. On second thought, it was better if he did not. She needed to choose underwear, after all.
"I'll go in, then."
Xiao Ran sat down on a chair by the entrance and looked up at the ceiling. The Sky Screen facing the Douluo Continent probably showed things from his perspective.
If its perspective shifted to Qian Renxue, how would that be any different from livestreaming golden liquid? The Sky Screen surely would not do something like that.
Xiao Ran let out a long breath. This was his first time shopping for clothes with a girl. What would Qian Renxue look like once she changed into modern clothes?
He was already looking forward to it!
Inside the store!
By now, Qian Renxue's face was scarlet with embarrassment. The underwear the saleswoman had chosen for her was either lace or see-through. She was not choosing what Qian Renxue would like-she was choosing what Xiao Ran would like.
The saleswoman kept chattering about how good the fabric and designs were, how lovely the styles were, and how comfortable they felt.
Qian Renxue could not be sure whether they were comfortable, but if anyone saw her in them, she would be so mortified she would wish she could die on the spot.
Why are Blue Star's underwear styles so... um... risqué? I can't wear these. Absolutely not.
She said softly, "Please recommend some ordinary styles."
The saleswoman paused. She had assumed that since this girl had even dressed up in cosplay for that boy, she would be fairly uninhibited. She had not expected her to be so innocent.
So she brought over another selection of ordinary styles.
Only when Qian Renxue saw those conventional designs did she secretly breathe a sigh of relief. She would never wear that risqué underwear for Xiao Ran to see. Absolutely never.
After choosing underwear, she chose her outer clothes.
About twenty minutes later, Qian Renxue emerged from the store, having taken off her conspicuous court dress.
"Xiao Ran, look."
Xiao Ran stood and looked Qian Renxue up and down.
She wore a cream-colored knit top, tight blue jeans, and a pair of flat white sneakers.
Qian Renxue was still Qian Renxue. With her flawless face and exquisitely proportioned figure, even dressed in Blue Star clothes, she would undoubtedly be the center of attention in any crowd.
Fortunately, at least she no longer stood out as much as she had in that long court dress.
People would no longer recognize her as Qian Renxue at a glance when she walked down the street.
His eyes crinkled with a smile as he offered a heartfelt compliment:
"You look beautiful, Xue'er. A beautiful woman really does look beautiful in anything."
Qian Renxue's cheeks grew warm. "Thank you for the compliment."
Ever since she had turned nine on the Douluo Continent, she had no longer lived for herself. While disguised as Xue Qinghe, she had never enjoyed such a relaxed outing to shop for clothes.
This feeling... was unexpectedly nice...
As she looked at Xiao Ran, Qian Renxue's gaze softened without her realizing it.
Xiao Ran went into the store to pay.
The saleswoman packed the court dress Qian Renxue had taken off, along with the other outfit, into bags and handed them to Xiao Ran with a beaming smile.
"That's 1,327 yuan in total. Will you scan the code or pay by card?"
Xiao Ran pressed his lips together. Things would be better once he sold the Gold Soul Coins.
Then he took out his phone and scanned the code.
After paying, Xiao Ran walked over to Qian Renxue, carrying the bags in one hand and taking her hand with the other as they headed outside.
"Come on. Let's go to the next place."
Qian Renxue herself had not realized that she had already grown accustomed to Xiao Ran's intimate gestures and no longer felt there was anything wrong with them.
Before you continue