Although Hu Liena was somewhat reserved at first.
With the lively, adorable Xiao Wu around, Hu Liena soon became part of the group.
She came to recognize Yao Xuan's strength.
Hu Liena also took the initiative to attend to Yao Xuan in every way, pounding his legs or kneading his shoulders, and always peeling fruit before feeding it to him with her own mouth.
This gave Yao Xuan a thorough taste of the little fox girl's charms.
Her pair of furry fox ears bobbed with her movements.
Even the usually cool and aloof Gu Yuena had something indefinable in her eyes as she watched.
Nothing more was said along the way.
Soon, the four arrived at Heaven Dou City.
It was already evening when they arrived, and Xiao Wu and Hu Liena were both a little hungry.
As for Yao Xuan and Gu Yuena, although they did not get hungry.
Who would refuse the pleasure of good food?
Soon.
Night fell.
Heaven Dou City, the Prince's Residence.
With a thought, Yao Xuan brought Gu Yuena, Xiao Wu, and Hu Liena into Xue Qinghe's bedroom in the Prince's Residence.
Standing before them was none other than the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe.
"Who goes there!"
"Who are you people!"
"How dare you trespass in the Prince's Residence! Do you know what this place is?"
At the sight of the four figures suddenly appearing before her, Xue Qinghe's brows knitted sharply, and she abruptly stood, her words full of tension and even a trace of barely perceptible panic.
Who exactly were these people, and what did they want?
Or had her identity been exposed, and they had come to harm her and Spirit Hall?
Faced with the shocked and tense Xue Qinghe, Yao Xuan merely smiled.
"Good evening, Qian Renxue."
With a faint smile on his face, Yao Xuan slowly uttered those words.
"You... what are you talking about?"
At those words, Xue Qinghe's body visibly stiffened, her expression turned unnatural, and the Soul Power within her gathered, ready to strike.
"Don't be nervous, Qian Renxue."
"I imagine it's been a long time since you last heard that name yourself."
"I'm from Spirit Hall. I mean you no harm."
Yao Xuan smiled and repeated himself.
At that moment, Qian Renxue's breathing abruptly became uneven.
That name was her most deeply buried secret.
Aside from a tiny handful of people, no one on the entire continent knew that secret.
Yet now, this unfamiliar young man before her had spoken it so casually.
"Remember my name-Yao Xuan."
Yao Xuan looked at her and continued, "From this day forward, I am your future husband."
"Insolence! Who exactly are you? Why do you know my identity, and why are you being so disrespectful toward me?"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's expression instantly darkened, her voice filled with anger!
"Don't be angry. Why don't you take a good look?"
Yao Xuan was not annoyed. He merely raised his hand and tossed something over.
The token Qian Daoliu had left him, along with the letter, drifted lightly onto the table before Qian Renxue.
The instant she saw that jade pendant, Qian Renxue's pupils contracted sharply.
She snatched up the pendant and turned it over several times, her fingers trembling.
It was the token of her grandfather-Angel Douluo, Qian Daoliu.
No one in this world could possibly mistake it.
Then she grabbed the letter.
The handwriting on the envelope was all too familiar to her.
She opened the letter, her expression shifting more and more as she read.
By the time Qian Renxue finished reading the final word, she stood rooted to the spot.
"Now, you shouldn't have any more questions, should you?"
Seeing her like this, Yao Xuan spoke calmly.
"No. I never imagined Grandfather would say that, even with his strength, you defeated him instantly with a single move... and that he even became your subordinate."
"This... this is truly unbelievable!"
"Since Grandfather said so, I'll be your husband, then."
Xue Qinghe-no, Qian Renxue-slowly raised her head, her voice slightly strained and carrying a trace of reluctance.
"Now, let me see your true appearance, Xue'er."
Yao Xuan smiled and spoke affectionately.
"Yes."
Having received permission, Qian Renxue drew a deep breath.
The next moment, a soft white glow rose around her.
Within the light, the young man's figure began to distort and grow taller, little by little.
The contours of the originally handsome face gradually softened, becoming exquisite beyond compare.
A waterfall of golden hair cascaded from her head, falling all the way to her waist.
The brocade robe she wore also transformed into a white dress within the light, outlining her shapely curves.
Her entire being seemed shrouded in a faint holy radiance, exuding an indescribable sanctity.
Most striking of all were her eyes.
They were a pair of golden eyes, clear and bright.
Deep within her pupils, a tiny mark could faintly be seen revolving.
The mark resembled a pair of unfurled wings.
It was none other than the mark of the Six-Winged Angel.
Those golden eyes merely looked over calmly, yet their gaze carried an innate, lofty scrutiny.
"Good. Very nice. I like it."
Yao Xuan looked her up and down, a measure of satisfaction appearing in his eyes, and reached out to ruffle Qian Renxue's silky golden hair.
At that moment, Qian Renxue's lovely face and the tips of her ears grew slightly warm.
She lowered her head without speaking.
"As a meeting gift, I'll give you a little something as well."
Looking at the somewhat shy and reluctant Qian Renxue, Yao Xuan smiled again.
As his words fell, he raised his hand and lightly pointed at Qian Renxue.
A wisp of gentle power sank into her body.
"Allow me to cleanse your essence and temper your marrow."
Qian Renxue felt a warm current surge throughout her body.
Under the cleansing wash of this power, the meridians and dantian within her body opened up little by little.
All the impurities accumulated over the years were dissolved, one by one.
The comfort flooding her body nearly made her moan aloud.
She could clearly feel her body becoming lighter at an astonishing speed.
Even her Soul Power became more condensed and flowed more smoothly.
"This..."
At that moment, Qian Renxue's eyes flew open, her face filled with disbelief.
But before she could react, Yao Xuan's second streak of light followed close behind, sinking into the space between her brows.
It was a cultivation art.
An art tailored specifically for the Angel Martial Soul, called the "Heavenly Prayer Art."
Besides that, there was also a treasure.
A mysterious puppet.
"Xue'er, this puppet can take your place and play the role of Xue Qinghe."
"Come back to Spirit City with me from now on."
As he bestowed the treasure on Qian Renxue, Yao Xuan explained calmly.
"Thank you... husband!"
Hearing Yao Xuan's explanation, Qian Renxue's heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
After so many years away from home, could she finally return?
At this thought, Qian Renxue could not help feeling a measure of gratitude toward Yao Xuan.
Her initial displeasure at being forcibly promised to Yao Xuan vanished completely.
Then she raised her head and slowly began to study the man before her.
Before you continue