"Yes, my lady."
The Heng Ha Generals emerged from the shadows, standing at the doorway like iron towers. An invisible pressure enveloped the entire hall.
A few beads of cold sweat trickled down Ye Yan's forehead. My little angel, please have mercy. All I did was call you Mommy. Surely we can talk this over.
Her voice rang out again, but this time it was a cool, clear female voice.
"Actually, my real name isn't Xue Qinghe, and I'm certainly not Xue Ye's son. My name is Qian Renxue, and I'm the young mistress of Spirit Hall!"
Then dazzling soul light enveloped her figure, and "Xue Qinghe" transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful, tall woman.
Her long, brilliant golden hair fell over her shoulders, her delicate brows slender as willow leaves. Her blue crystal eyes brimmed with a melancholy that would not dissolve.
Beneath her finely sculpted, slightly upturned nose, her crimson lips pressed lightly together, glistening faintly.
A short white-and-purple dress traced her graceful curves. The strip of bare thigh above her over-the-knee boots, in particular, held the old lecher Ye Yan's gaze firmly captive.
No wonder the ancients said that dying beneath a beauty would leave even your ghost a romantic.
Slurp~
Ye Yan declared on the spot that Xue'er would be his head wife from now on. Nobody could steal her away! ฅ՞Ⱉ՞ฅ
Qian Renxue chuckled. Sure enough, nobody can resist my beauty. She began asking him what he thought of Spirit Hall.
Ye Yan pondered for a moment. Who didn't know that his judgment was the fairest of all? He certainly wouldn't compromise just to save his own skin.
"I think Spirit Hall is great. Leaving aside the power struggles at the top, everyone has their own selfish motives.
But it really has done plenty for ordinary people at the bottom. Look across the entire continent-who else awakens martial souls for commoners?
Not to mention that Soul Masters, Soul Grandmasters, and Soul Elders can all collect stipends from Spirit Hall, so they no longer have to scramble to make a living.
Yes, that money does come from the two great empires, but without Spirit Hall forcing their hand, who would pay it?
As for the claim that this money comes from the lowest commoners without soul power, that's utter nonsense. Do you think all those nobles in the two empires just sit around eating for free? I've never heard of a noble having enough conscience to spare the people beneath him.
So this money is actually being pulled out of the nobles' pockets. Besides, without Spirit Hall, there's no telling how rampant human trafficking would become.
You'd awaken your martial soul in the morning and be stuffed into a sack and hauled away by noon. Women with good talent, especially, should be the most grateful to Spirit Hall. I've always understood the darkness of human nature.
There's also the Angel Legion, led by the Qian Family. They've spent ten thousand uninterrupted years clearing Evil Soul Masters from the continent, saving countless commoners' lives."
Excellent, excellent. Qian Renxue nodded in satisfaction. His words had spoken straight to her heart. Once I get back, I'll have them printed and circulated throughout the country. Those stubborn, unruly commoners need a proper lesson, so they'll understand that they can never repay Spirit Hall's kindness.
All according to plan~
Ye Yan flashed a victory sign in his heart. His loyalty to Spirit Hall shone brighter than the sun. After all, it belonged to him.
Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, Ling Yuan-they were all his wings~
Rubbing his hands together, he darted behind the little angel, rose onto his toes, and began kneading her shoulders.
"Lady Xue'er, I'm really interested in exotic flowers and herbs. As it happens, our Spirit Hall's Elder Ju is the foremost expert on plants. Could you ask him for a complete herbal compendium for me?"
A trace of amusement entered Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes. His masterful performance had moved her just moments ago, but now that she thought it over, she realized there wasn't a single honest word in his mouth.
Could an orphan from the countryside know about transformed soul beasts, let alone recognize one? How could someone who had never attended school have such insight into Spirit Hall? Chrysanthemum Douluo was thousands of miles away at Spirit Hall-how did Ye Yan know about him?
She turned, pinched his cheek, and pulled it back into a slight arc. When she released it, smack, the skin snapped back, leaving a bright red patch.
Hmm. Looks like it isn't a human-skin mask. He really is a child.
The pain made Ye Yan bare his teeth and grimace. Instinctively, he activated Everlasting Vitality to heal himself. A flash of blue light passed over his face, restoring it to normal.
Then he looked at Qian Renxue in complete bewilderment. This little kitty only asked for a book. Surely you don't need to bully me over that?
Qian Renxue ignored him and merely gave him a long, searching look. She silently decided to have people keep a closer watch on Ye Yan. Otherwise, who knew when he might fool her just as he had that transformed soul beast?
An eerie silence fell over the hall. Only after a long while did Qian Renxue nod in agreement. She wanted to see just what tricks Ye Yan was trying to play.
"From now on, you'll cultivate here in the residence. I'll arrange a teacher for you."
Ye Yan refused repeatedly. He didn't want to stay here. He still wanted to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and flirt with Dugu Yan. Without Sister Yan's immortal herbs, wouldn't he have to settle for an ordinary Thousand-Year Soul Ring for his second ring?
How could he allow that?
He hugged her lovely arm and began wheedling.
"Please, Lady Xue'er! I just want to experience studying with people my own age. Those Soul Grandmasters and Soul Elders can't even force me to reveal my soul rings. It'll be perfectly safe.
Besides, I'll only go for one semester at most. Once I come back, I'll stay right by your side. Please, pretty please! ε(´｡•᎑•`)っ♡"
All his shaking left Qian Renxue flustered and irritated, but she couldn't break free with physical strength alone. Seeing his shameless expression, which plainly said he wouldn't leave unless she agreed, she finally gave in helplessly.
There would just be a wild Snake Lance newly assigned to trail him. Surely Ye Yan wouldn't mind.
"Yay! Long live Lady Xue'er! ≧▽≦"
In his excitement, Ye Yan kissed her fair arm. So soft, so smooth and tender~
But why did it suddenly feel so much colder? He looked up at Qian Renxue and found her expression terrifyingly dark.
"It seems I've been far too lenient with you. You've forgotten your place. First soul skill, Angel Assault!"
Her delicate fist, wrapped in brilliant golden light, grew rapidly larger in Ye Yan's eyes. Frightened, he hurriedly used Intangibility to evade it, then flashed several dozen meters away from Qian Renxue.
"Lady Xue'er, let me make excuses! I was just too excited. I absolutely didn't mean to be disrespectful."
Qian Renxue said nothing. She simply approached Ye Yan slowly.
Click, click, click.
Her high heels struck the floor with crisp taps. Normally, Ye Yan would have considered the sound heavenly music, but now each tap landed on his heart like a heavy hammer.
Guys, I think I'm done for, meow. X﹏X
Amid the muffled grunts of punches and kicks, the little angel committed her first act of domestic violence. Ye Yan, who didn't dare fight back, was beaten into a giant panda.
"Do you know what you did wrong, you little lecher?"
After venting her anger, Qian Renxue planted her tall boot firmly on his head.
"Lady Xue'er, I know I was wrong. I won't dare do it again."
"Hmph! ╯^╰"
Seeing that Ye Yan was behaving reasonably well, she withdrew her foot in satisfaction. This beating hadn't merely been punishment for offending her; she had also taken the opportunity to test his obedience.
As long as he harbored no rebellious streak, Qian Renxue could tolerate little tricks and clever schemes. She then dismissed Ye Yan, telling him she would arrange a time to take him to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Before leaving, Ye Yan also asked her for a cultivation method. That surprised Qian Renxue a little, but she didn't think much of it and gave him the Angel Meditation Method she used herself.
Before you continue