Tiandou Empire imperial palace.
Qian Renxue, wearing the Crown Prince's robe, exuded a noble identity and an intense aura of authority. Her phoenix eyes shimmered with a terrifying brilliance; although she remained silent, her gaze exuded an intimidating power.
In her mind, the image of Xu Ran surfaced; it had been only a short while since Xu Ran had left, yet she already felt a pang of missing him.
Unconsciously, Xu Ran had left a profound impression in her heart.
"Has Ci Tun Dou Luo not returned from his mission?" Qian Renxue asked softly, her pleasing voice carrying a compelling force.
"Young Master, Ci Tun went to assassinate Xu Ran and has not yet returned," replied Serpent Spear Douluo with an anxious tone, finding today's Young Master quite fearsome. Even though the Young Master's strength was not yet formidable, her deterrent power seemed to be taking shape gradually.
The Young Master would eventually become the Spirit Hall Pope. Many core elders of the Elder Hall were eagerly awaiting Qian Renxue's growth.
The surname of the Spirit Hall Pope was Qian, just like that of the Great Elder. This was a tradition that had been upheld by the Spirit Hall for countless years, one that even Bi Bidong, an unparalleled genius, could not change. It was only because the Qian Family had no successor that Bi Bidong could temporarily take the Pope's position, aiding the young Qian Renxue in managing the Spirit Hall's affairs. But inevitably, the Young Master would have to return.
"Who gave him the order?" Qian Renxue snorted coldly, her phoenix eyes full of authority, her voice now less polite. Even if Xu Ran were the worst of men, with myriad faults, he could not simply die like that.
If Xu Ran was to die, it had to be by her hand, Qian Renxue's hand.
More importantly, Xu Ran, this scoundrel, had wronged so many girls; if he were to die just like that, it would be too easy on him. She had yet so many ways to target Xu Ran that she hadn't had the chance to use. How could Xu Ran be allowed to die?
"Uh, Young Master. Wasn't it you who agreed to let Ci Tun go?" Serpent Spear Douluo carefully responded.
"Hmm?"
"Am I to blame for him going just because I said so?"
Qian Renxue felt annoyed with herself as she suddenly remembered that last time Xu Ran left Tiandou City, she had heard he was involved with some girls from Sky Dou Royal Academy and in a fit of impulsive anger, she agreed to let Ci Tun Dou Luo assassinate Xu Ran.
At this thought, her heart felt as if it were slashed by a knife, a huge wave of pain made her instinctively clutch her chest, and she bit her lip, feeling a sudden ache in her heart.
What if Xu Ran had truly died?
Xu Ran was an unparalleled genius. The continent had not seen such a talent emerge in many years. And now, because of her, Xu Ran might have lost his life.
Ci Tun Dou Luo, a title level 93 Titled Douluo, also possessed toxic attributes which made him extremely difficult to deal with.
Although Xu Ran was exceptionally talented, his cultivation time was ultimately short; once he encountered Ci Tun Dou Luo, his chances of survival were slim to none.
"When did Xu Ran and the others leave Tiandou City?" Qian Renxue clenched her teeth tightly, still holding on to a sliver of hope. If Xu Ran had left for the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect earlier, there might still be hope for his survival.
"Xu Ran and the others left at dawn," Serpent Spear Douluo spoke in a low voice. He had now realized that the Young Master had developed those kinds of feelings for Xu Ran.
The Young Master had never been emotionally moved by someone in all these years. And now, the object of such affection was an unparalleled genius. What a pity that Xu Ran had deep ties with forces like the Xingluo Empire and the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect—forces that the Spirit Hall must eradicate.
"Xu Ran is an unparalleled genius, and I have confidence in winning him over. But now... if something really has happened to Xu Ran, he can prepare to face his punishment in Spirit City," Qian Renxue said indifferently. Her eyes held a trace of worry; she hoped for a miracle to occur, one that would allow Xu Ran to survive.
"Young Master, I've returned,"
The voice of Ci Tun Dou Luo echoed from the horizon. Hearing Qian Renxue's voice, he felt a strong sense of fear. So, even if he hadn't died at the hands of Xu Ran, if he had killed Xu Ran, he wouldn't have survived either.
Women, so terrifying!
But then again, isn't the Pope just the same? Troubled by emotions, ...
"Young Master, my assassination attempt failed, Lord Xu Ran is still alive," Ci Tun Dou Luo hurriedly reported. At this moment, he was disheveled, his black robe tattered, with a huge wound right at the center of his chest. Ci Tun Dou Luo had managed a simple treatment, and blood was still slowly oozing out.
"Hmm?" Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes were full of surprise, her gorgeous eyes flickering with bright light, which left both Serpent Spear Douluo and Ci Tun Dou Luo dumbfounded. Qian Renxue was also a beauty, arguably the most beautiful woman on the Continent, it's just that she had always been in disguise, and even they had never seen what Qian Renxue looked like as a maiden.
"Report, Young Master."
"There seems to be a Titled Douluo protecting Xu Ran, which is why my assassination failed," Ci Tun Dou Luo reflected for a moment before speaking. He knew Xu Ran didn't want to reveal his identity for the time being.
He was considering whether or not to tell the Young Master and the Pope, at the Great Worshipper's place, about Xu Ran's true strength.
But thinking of Xu Ran's strength, that shiver from deep within his Martial Soul, he discarded that thought. It wasn't just because he feared death; he was also worried that Spirit Hall would make the wrong decision and send even stronger experts to deal with Xu Ran.
He always felt that Xu Ran was not that simple; the manner in which he easily defeated him surely wasn't faked.
"I knew it; he wouldn't die so easily," Qian Renxue smiled enchantingly, despite having changed her appearance. That genuine smile from within still influenced both Ci Tun Dou Luo and Serpent Spear Dou Luo.
The aura of the Holy Sacred Flame, Qian Renxue's attribute, made people feel comfortable, like basking in a spring breeze. With the enhancement of her attribute, Qian Renxue's temperament was naturally extraordinary.
"Young Master, I have a suggestion."
"Xu Ran is an unparalleled genius, and so is the Young Master. If the Young Master and Xu Ran were to come together, it will become a beautiful tale in a hundred years. Young Master's beauty can overturn cities; if you take the initiative, with Xu Ran's personality, he will definitely submit to the Young Master obediently and become a sharp tool in your hands," Ci Tun Dou Luo pondered. Xu Ran had previously mentioned that if he were smart, there would be a great fortune in store for him.
He had investigated and found that the people around Xu Ran, under his guidance, improved their cultivation at a terrifying speed. Naturally, he was a bit envious. The fortune Xu Ran spoke of was extraordinary, and perhaps it could help him reach the Titled Douluo level 95 and above, becoming a guest elder of the Spirit Hall.
So, he naturally did not hesitate to push the matter further in this direction.
"How dare you. I, Qian Renxue, would never do such a thing!"
"However, Xu Ran is a talent, and I will grasp it firmly," Qian Renxue replied with feigned anger. However, there was an irrepressible joy in her brows. It was the joy that came with recognition.
"Alright, you may leave; I am tired and wish to rest," Qian Renxue waved them off, letting Serpent Spear Douluo and Ci Tun Dou Luo leave, while she herself returned to her room.
Her robe falling away, Qian Renxue stepped into the bathtub with her long and shapely legs, her fair neck and everything below concealed by a blanket of flower petals. Only that stunning visage and the golden hair cascading over the edge of the bathtub were incredibly captivating.
Qian Renxue extended her hand, gently caressing her own tender and smooth skin, contemplating eagerly what to wear the next time Xu Ran returned.
[I've seen the modeling for Xue'er; it's not bad at all. I didn't pay much attention at first glance, but it feels quite enchanting, the more I look, the prettier it becomes. The figure is also nice, blissful indeed, and she can even be in the air... that feeling, unlocking new knowledge. No, I must have Xu Ran operate her thoroughly.]