Ripples!

At those words, Sirius furrowed his brows and agreed. "Indeed, His Highness's actions were far too risky. Besides, although Prince Xue Beng is a good-for-nothing, he is still of royal blood. If he were poisoned to death as well, it would likely cause even greater trouble."

Chen Xuanqing smiled. "Then leave the rest to me! Otherwise, we'll have to wait another few years for her schemes to bear fruit."

In the original plot, Xue Ye had lasted five or six years after being given a slow-acting poison. Chen Xuanqing had no time to waste like that.

Early the next morning, sunlight spilled through the gaps in the tent onto Chen Xuanqing's face, and he slowly opened his eyes.

The three girls who had shared his bed had already gotten up and prepared breakfast. Although Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Meng Yiran were right beside him, Chen Xuanqing had restrained himself and done nothing improper.

For the first time, Chen Xuanqing felt like an upright gentleman.

After a quick wash, Chen Xuanqing enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast with everyone.

Afterward, the crown prince's guards began breaking camp, preparing to return to Heaven Dou City.

After all, their main mission on this trip had been to accompany the crown prince in hunting for a soul ring. Now that the mission was complete, they naturally had to return to their regular duties.

It was worth mentioning that Xue Qinghe's carriage, befitting his status as crown prince, was exceptionally lavish.

The interior was spacious, and the cushions were made from the pelts of rare animals, making them wonderfully soft and comfortable.

There were also all kinds of fresh fruit inside for everyone to enjoy. The carriage was practically a little palace on wheels.

"Now this is comfort! Such pleasure makes a man forget his homeland. From this day on, the king will never hold morning court!"

Chen Xuanqing lounged inside the carriage, his head resting on Zhu Zhuqing's long, black-stockinged legs as she massaged his scalp.

Meng Yiran dutifully kneaded and massaged his legs, easing the fatigue of the journey.

Xiao Wu was even more attentive, feeding Chen Xuanqing fruit mouth-to-mouth. A sweet, tender atmosphere filled the carriage.

Yet the sight deeply displeased Qian Renxue. Her upbringing had taught her to detest such debauched, unprincipled behavior.

Watching Chen Xuanqing act so shamelessly, Qian Renxue could not help frowning and lamenting inwardly, Chen Xuanqing really is a shameless scoundrel! How can someone so gifted indulge in such debauchery?

Despite her displeasure, Qian Renxue chose to close her eyes and cultivate cross-legged, trying to draw her attention away from the decadent sounds beside her.

Yet those sounds seeped into her ears like a demonic melody, making it difficult for her to maintain her composure.

At last, Qian Renxue could no longer suppress her anger. She glared at Chen Xuanqing and spoke sternly. "Chen Xuanqing, I truly have no idea what your cultivation level is now, but with all this sloth and debauchery, aren't you simply squandering your extraordinary talent?"

Chen Xuanqing merely picked his ear without a care, then casually flicked away the earwax.

He glanced at Qian Renxue, a teasing smile curling his lips, and said in an almost boastful tone, "This humble fellow is merely a trifling level eighty-three Soul Douluo."

In truth, Chen Xuanqing had been cultivating diligently for the past six months. Breaking through the level eighty bottleneck had been as easy and natural to him as drinking water.

Still, Chen Xuanqing did not make a show of it, merely brushing it off with that rather blatant humblebrag.

Qian Renxue was momentarily struck speechless by his words.

She was six years older than Chen Xuanqing, yet her cultivation was a full ten levels below his. Such a gulf left her feeling defeated.

At that moment, Qian Renxue began to wonder whether all those years spent undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire had truly been worth it, or whether she had simply been wasting her youth and talent for cultivation.

An inexplicable irritation and unwillingness to concede welled up in her heart. She knew she could not simply let Chen Xuanqing outshine her like this.

Taking a deep breath, Qian Renxue worked to calm her emotions and resolved to cultivate even harder, striving to catch up with Chen Xuanqing-and even surpass him-as soon as possible.

Inside the carriage, Meng Yiran suddenly tickled the sole of Chen Xuanqing's foot with mischievous delight. Giggling, she chided him sweetly, "Brother Xuanqing, you're so mean. You always make Sister Qian Renxue angry."

Her laughter was clear and sweet, echoing through the carriage like a string of silver bells.

Tickled by her fingers, Chen Xuanqing laughed and lightly pinched the little bud on Meng Yiran's chest between his toes. "Brother Xuanqing can be even naughtier," he replied fondly. "I'll show you in a few days."

A teasing gleam danced in his eyes as he spoke. Under his gaze, Meng Yiran lowered her head so far that she seemed ready to bury it in her chest.

Watching from the side, Xiao Wu shook with laughter like a flowering branch in the breeze. "I just love how shameless Brother Xuanqing is," she teased.

Her words brimmed with affection and admiration for Chen Xuanqing.

Chen Xuanqing cleared his throat with mock solemnity, then pulled Xiao Wu into his arms. "Oh, really? How dare you say that about your Brother Xuanqing! I'll have to enforce the family rules."

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Three crisp slaps rang out. A tingling numbness spread through Xiao Wu's bottom, making it difficult for her to keep her composure.

Then Xiao Wu leaned forward involuntarily, wanting to give Chen Xuanqing a sweet kiss.

Zhu Zhuqing flushed slightly at the sight. She reached out to stop Xiao Wu from leaning in for the kiss and chided them, "Don't do those things on top of me."

Unfortunately, her soft voice conveyed only shyness and helplessness.

Chen Xuanqing, however, seemed to have no intention of stopping. Still resting his head on her thighs, he turned toward Zhu Zhuqing, a sly gleam in his eyes.

Turning his head, Chen Xuanqing gently licked Zhu Zhuqing's long leg through her black stocking.

Feeling that slick wetness against her thigh, Zhu Zhuqing immediately flushed scarlet. She turned away, no longer daring to look at Chen Xuanqing or Xiao Wu.

The atmosphere inside the carriage grew increasingly strange, charged with intimacy.

At that point, Qian Renxue simply could not endure it any longer.

"I'm going out for some air!"

With that, Qian Renxue stood, took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, and jumped down from the carriage.

Standing outside, Qian Renxue felt the cool breeze brush her cheeks as an inexplicable emotion welled up in her heart.

She did not understand why she felt so irritated and unsettled when none of this had anything to do with her.

Yet Qian Renxue felt unable to control her emotions, as though some invisible force were pulling at her.

She closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.

But when she opened them again, Qian Renxue found that she could no longer ignore the cheerful laughter drifting from inside the carriage.

Those sounds seemed to possess a magic she could not resist.

A peculiar feeling suddenly rose in Qian Renxue's heart-a feeling of fear, mingled with the desire to try it herself.