"Sister Lexuan, hello. It's been a long time. What's been going on with you lately? Why do you look a little haggard?" Qian Chen asked.
Zhang Lexuan did indeed look a little haggard. Ever since Bei Bei had met Tang Ya a year ago, he had seemed like a completely different person, his whole heart revolving around Tang Ya. To repay Mu En for saving her life and avenging her, Zhang Lexuan had once promised to look after Bei Bei and marry him in the future. She had never expected things to turn out like this.
Zhang Lexuan explained, "It's nothing. Shrek Academy has just had a lot going on lately, and I've been rushing to cultivate as well, so I'm a little tired."
"Sister Lexuan, I have a Soul Skill that can dispel fatigue. Would you like to try it?" Qian Chen said sincerely.
Zhang Lexuan nodded gently in agreement. Qian Chen stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. Zhang Lexuan had truly not expected him to do that so suddenly, and her body could not help trembling slightly when his hand landed on her shoulder.
Then he activated Fatigue Recovery, the Light Heaven Horse left leg Soul Bone Skill. A soft white light shone from Qian Chen's body and traveled along his arm into Zhang Lexuan. She felt a wave of comfort wash through her entire body.
When the Soul Bone Skill ended, Zhang Lexuan's complexion had improved considerably, but the worry between her brows had barely eased.
"Sister Lexuan, this doesn't look like excessive fatigue. It looks more like an affliction of the heart. Sister Lexuan, what exactly happened?" Qian Chen asked.
"It's a private matter. Did you bring this beautiful young lady back with you?" Unwilling to answer Qian Chen's question, Zhang Lexuan used Qian Guyi to change the subject. She also wanted to know who this stunning beauty accompanying Qian Chen was.
"Her name is Qian Guyi. She's a niece of mine. Guyi, this is Zhang Lexuan, the eldest senior sister of the academy's inner court," Qian Chen introduced them.
Qian Guyi stepped forward graciously and said to Zhang Lexuan, "Hello, Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan. My name is Qian Guyi."
Hearing that Qian Guyi was Qian Chen's niece, Zhang Lexuan felt a flicker of secret delight, but even more regret. She was secretly delighted that Qian Chen did not yet have a girlfriend or wife. Perhaps everyone had that little trace of possessiveness. Yet her regret was greater. Qian Guyi was radiant and captivating, lively and adorable. If she were Qian Chen's girlfriend, Zhang Lexuan would not have to feel sorry for him. Qian Chen deserved the finest of girls.
Zhang Lexuan did not dare look at Qian Chen again. She turned straight toward the Sea God Pavilion and said, "Qian Chen, I still have some urgent matters to attend to, so let's leave our chat here for today." Without waiting for his reply, she hurried into the Sea God Pavilion.
Qian Chen could only leave with Qian Guyi. When they returned to their residence, Qian Guyi asked curiously, "Uncle, that beautiful Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan today seemed to like you! Uncle, do you like her too?"
Qian Chen did not answer her question, merely giving a cold snort. "What does a little girl like you know about liking someone? Stop prying. Oh, right, go see your Third Uncle Bing Ling tomorrow and have him prepare a few pieces of high-quality whale rubber for me. I need them."
Qian Guyi could only say, "Oh," and begin tidying her room.
Qian Chen sank into thought. He could sense that he and Zhang Lexuan admired each other greatly, to the point of liking one another. Yet for some reason, Zhang Lexuan refused to take another step forward.
But Qian Chen did not know either. Ten thousand years ago, he had been the Pope of Spirit Hall, standing above countless millions, and the women who liked him and were willing to throw themselves into his arms were beyond counting. This had also left him not knowing how to pursue a girl. He always felt that once the feelings were there, everything would flow naturally, like water finding its channel.
The next day, at the entrance to the Sea God Pavilion, Qian Chen, Xuan Zi, and Yan Shaozhe had already gathered. Mu En stood before the three of them and reminded them, "Be careful in everything you do."
"Yes, Mu En." Then, using Flying Soul Tools, the three shot into the sky and headed for the Star Dou Great Forest.
After a day of flight, they arrived above a sheer cliff. Yan Shaozhe pointed to a cave in the rock face below and said, "Xuan Zi, Qian Chen, that cave is the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle's nest. I'll go scout things out."
Xuan Zi nodded his agreement. Yan Shaozhe immediately activated Martial Soul Possession, spread his wings, and flew over. Just as he approached the cave entrance, a fierce gale blasted out, blowing him backward. Only with difficulty did he steady himself in midair.
"Human, how dare you spy on me!" the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle spoke in human language.
Seeing this, Qian Chen and Xuan Zi immediately jumped off the cliff. All three hovered in midair, blocking the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle inside its cave.
The Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle paled with fright. It had not expected three such powerful humans to appear so suddenly. Now it was completely at a disadvantage, and death was certain.
"Ah, you hateful humans!" Seeing that escape was hopeless, the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle prepared to fight for its life. Even if it died today, it could not let these three hateful humans get off cheaply.
Just as the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle was about to erupt, Qian Chen said, "Senior Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle, you're a Soul Beast with a hundred thousand years of cultivation. Even with a powerful bloodline, you must have lived in this world for at least tens of thousands of years. You should know that when a Soul Beast is killed, its soul is utterly destroyed by the human when the Soul Master absorbs its Soul Ring."
"But I know that the Soul Bones and Soul Rings of a Soul Beast that sacrifices itself are more compatible with Soul Masters. The Soul Beast's soul can also reside within the Soul Bone and live on just like the Soul Master."
"Senior Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle, the three of us have surrounded you today. There's no way for you to escape. Why not sacrifice yourself to me? I can let your soul live in the Soul Bone forever. How about it?"
Xuan Zi said somewhat impatiently, "Qian Chen, it's fine. As a Level 98 Titled Douluo, I can finish it off in a minute."
Yan Shaozhe also said, "Exactly, Qian Chen. With me here, this Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle couldn't escape even if it wanted to. Leaving its soul in the Soul Bone would only be a hidden danger."
In truth, Qian Chen had never intended to put the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle's soul inside the Soul Bone. That would be far too wasteful. He planned to put it in his Sea of Consciousness. The Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle flew extremely fast and had extraordinarily keen vision. If it could serve him, it would be the best scout in the world.
Qian Chen said, "Xuan Zi, Senior Brother Yan, let me try. Perhaps it'll work?" Then he looked at the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle. "Senior, please consider it."
The Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle's mind raced, and it said, "There's no way I'll simply sacrifice myself to you. Even if you talk flowers into bloom, it's impossible."
Since the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle had said that, there was room to negotiate. "Tell me your terms," Qian Chen said directly.
"Fine. Defeat me. If you win, I'll sacrifice myself to you and create the most precious Soul Bone of our Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle clan for you. If you lose, let me go. How about it?"
Hearing this, Xuan Zi immediately moved to activate his Martial Soul and cursed, "Qian Chen, this beast is climbing onto our faces after being given a foothold on our noses! Just watch me beat it half-paralyzed right now!"
Yan Shaozhe also said, "What a cunning Soul Beast. Even now, it's still trying to escape with its life."
Qian Chen stopped Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, then turned to the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle. "Senior, I can agree to those terms. But look, they're a little unequal. How about this? If I defeat you, then after you sacrifice yourself to me, if I have a way to restore the depletion of your soul, you must help me do things whenever I need you. What do you think?"