Qian Renxue took a deep breath, frowning at the strange scent still lingering in the air. She summoned a flame to burn away the shredded clothing scattered across the ground, erasing every trace of what had happened.
Now that this guy had taken human form and wanted to roam the spirit master world, she still had a chance to escape his grasp.
That woman may have lost to him, but her grandfather was another matter. There was no way her grandfather would lose to some young demon dragon.
Wait—since this guy had transformed into human form, his strength must have significantly weakened, right? If that was the case, wouldn't this be the perfect moment to strike?
"Xiao Lin, how does it feel to take on human form?"
Qian Renxue's expression turned playful as she rested her hand casually on Xiao Lin's shoulder.
"Not bad at all."
Xiao Lin calmly replied, even as he secretly sensed the faint threads of light-based soul power she was trying to channel into his body. He kept his face neutral, already guessing what she was planning.
"Oh really? From what I know, soul beasts that take human form must start their cultivation all over again. Don't tell me you're back to square one now?"
A genuine smile bloomed across Qian Renxue's face. Now the tables had turned—she was the hunter, and he the prey!
"Oh no! I do feel much weaker… I probably have to start training from scratch!"
Xiao Lin's face contorted into an exaggerated look of panic, though inwardly, he was laughing. He'd already seen through her scheme—but sorry, he was the exception. His soul power hadn't weakened one bit.
"Hmph! Xiao Lin, when you're away from home, it's important to have a strong backer. Out of the kindness of my heart, I've decided to overlook the past and accept you as my subordinate. You know what to do, don't you?"
Feeling smug, Qian Renxue slowly sat down on a large rock, crossing her arms proudly and lifting her foot to gently tilt up Xiao Lin's chin with her toe as she gazed at his handsome face.
Ugh, I want to step on him right now…
"I… I don't know what to do…"
Xiao Lin played along perfectly. He grabbed her delicate foot, looking up at her with wide, fearful eyes.
"Ahem… Start by massaging my feet."
Though something felt slightly off, Qian Renxue didn't think too much about it. She motioned for Xiao Lin to remove her shoes.
"Okay! Big Sister, you'll protect me, right?"
Xiao Lin obediently did as she asked. A faint fragrance wafted into his nose as he held her slender foot. He could feel her tension—the taut arch, her tightly curled toes—revealing that deep down, she wasn't nearly as calm as she appeared.
"Hmph… You'd better serve me properly… Ah! Damn you, Xiao Lin! Where did you learn this?!"
Qian Renxue's cheeks flushed red as she covered her face, utterly overwhelmed. This guy was far too skilled! He couldn't possibly be doing this for the first time… Unless… that woman had secretly taught him behind closed doors?!
"Enough! Switch to the other foot!"
After a while, Qian Renxue felt things were getting dangerously out of hand. She quickly kicked off her other shoe and offered him her other foot instead.
"Of course."
Xiao Lin continued massaging her soft, snow-white feet. As time passed, Qian Renxue slowly slumped down onto the rock, her body going limp.
Meanwhile, his hands gradually became bolder and less disciplined.
"Xiao Lin! What do you think you're doing?!"
"If you dare cross the line, I'll crush you even if you've lost your strength!"
Qian Renxue warned him coldly—but then she felt a sudden force wrap tightly around her waist. Her heart sank.
"W-What?! You still have your strength!"
"No! Stop! I was wrong, please don't…"
Her frantic pleas echoed through the forest until the setting sun faded into night. Under the starlit sky of the Star Dou Great Forest, her long, slender legs were finally freed.
"My legs… They're so sore…"
Qian Renxue's eyes brimmed with tears. She was on the verge of a complete mental breakdown.
Her legs weren't just sore—she couldn't even stand anymore.
This guy… he's impossible to deal with!
But wait… weren't soul beasts supposed to start over after taking human form? Why was he still this strong?
[Target (Qian Renxue) Corruption Progress: 20%]
Half a month later, the two of them finally returned to Heaven Dou City after wandering around.
"Tch, his wanted posters are plastered all over town, and he still dares to come back here? Doesn't he realize I could just turn him in?"
Qian Renxue followed behind Xiao Lin, muttering to herself.
Fortunately, she had returned in her original disguise, so no one would recognize her.
Xiao Lin, on the other hand, was utterly fearless.
After all, Heaven Dou City was also home to Shrek Academy—where, according to rumors, the academy's dean, Liu Erlong, was a renowned beauty. Not to mention Tang Yuehua of the Moon Pavilion, and Xue Ke—Snow Ke, the younger sister of her disguise, Xue Qinghe…
"You—transform."
"Hmm?"
"Transform back into Xue Qinghe. I want to live in the Crown Prince's Palace."
"No way! Don't even think about it!"
Qian Renxue's mind was immediately flooded with outrageous, terrifying images. There was no telling what this demon dragon intended to do if he got into the palace.
She absolutely wouldn't agree to this!
"You don't get to refuse."
Xiao Lin's grin turned devilish as he wrapped an arm around her slender waist, gently stroking her soft cheek.
"If you say no… I guess we'll just go to the Pope's Palace instead. I hear the Pope's bed is quite comfortable… Maybe we can enjoy it together?"
"No! Fine, I'll take you in!"
Qian Renxue's face turned pale as she quickly caved. She did not doubt that Xiao Lin would go through with it.
"That's more like it."
Xiao Lin released her and nodded in satisfaction.
Qian Renxue's expression was sour as she begrudgingly transformed back into Xue Qinghe, then led Xiao Lin toward the city gates.
"That's… His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Yes, it's me."
Xue Qinghe maintained a calm, aloof demeanor as he casually glanced at the guards and continued walking.
"Your Highness, Marshal Ge Long has led the army into the Star Dou Forest, along with Sect Master Ning from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Didn't you encounter them?"
The guards were baffled. Other than the Crown Prince, there was only an unfamiliar young man by his side. No one else.
"Ride to the palace immediately and inform my father that I've returned. As for the rest… You don't need to know."
Xue Qinghe's tone was cold and dismissive.
"Y-Yes, Your Highness!"
The soldier broke out in a cold sweat and quickly mounted his horse, galloping off toward the palace.
"Now that we're in Heaven, Dou City, your actions must be…"
"Hmm? Where is he?"
As they made their way toward the palace, Xue Qinghe turned to lecture Xiao Lin—only to find that he had vanished without a trace.
"Damn it! Where did that bastard run off to?!"
Meanwhile, on another street in Heaven Dou City, Xiao Lin casually asked around and quickly found the location of the Moon Pavilion. He immediately set off toward it.
As for following Qian Renxue into the palace to meet the Emperor?
How boring.
He was here to expand the Dark Demon Dragon Clan—and naturally, that meant finding more beauties.
Soon, Xiao Lin arrived at the Moon Pavilion.
"Young man, are you here to enroll? Which noble family are you from?"
Xiao Lin entered the main hall without any trouble. A graceful, elegant woman soon approached him.
"I'm here to see someone."
"See someone? A relative of yours?"
The woman looked him over carefully. His stunningly handsome face puzzled her—she couldn't place his background. However, his outfit seemed strangely familiar, like she had seen it somewhere before.
"No. I'm here to see Lady Yuehua herself. I heard she's still unmarried. So… what do you think of me?"
Xiao Lin's lips curled into a playful smirk, his perfect profile exuding devilish charm.
"Where did this brat come from? How dare you joke about the Lady of the Pavilion! If you keep spouting nonsense, don't blame me for having you thrown out!"
The woman's expression grew cold, her patience wearing thin.
"Forget it. I'll find her myself."
Xiao Lin had no interest in wasting time. He brushed past her and headed deeper inside.
"Stop right there, you disrespectful brat! The guards probably let you in because of your clean appearance, but the Moon Pavilion isn't a place for your nonsense!"
The Pavilion's manager emerged from the side, having been observing from the start. He hadn't intervened at first, but now that Xiao Lin dared to speak so boldly about Lady Yuehua, he was furious.
"So what?"
Xiao Lin glanced at them, unfazed.
The Moon Pavilion itself was lovely, but its people were lacking in hospitality. And here he was, trying to be polite.
"Throw him out!"
The manager snapped his fingers, and several young men stepped forward to seize Xiao Lin.
"Why make things difficult?"
Xiao Lin shook his head slightly. With a flash of spatial energy, his figure vanished from sight.
"Where'd he go?!"
Everyone gasped in shock. The boy had vanished into thin air, leaving them completely bewildered.
At the top floor of the Moon Pavilion, a beautiful woman in a silver palace gown sat gracefully, brewing tea with serene elegance. Every movement of hers was refined and flawless, radiating tranquility.
Tang Yuehua.
"Found her."
Clink—
Startled, the woman's hand trembled, her teacup lid slipping and falling onto the cup. She looked up in shock to see a handsome young man suddenly seated across from her.
"Who are you?! How did you get in here?!"
"Xiao Lin, at your service. I came specifically to chat with Lady Yuehua."
Xiao Lin couldn't help but admire her refined taste—this seat was unbelievably comfortable.
"Xiao Lin… Wait—why are you wearing the Crown Prince's clothes? I heard the Crown Prince was captured by a demon dragon… Did something happen to him?!"
Tang Yuehua recognized the robes at a glance—Xue Qinghe had worn them several times. They weren't something anyone else should have access to—unless something had happened to him.
"Oh, I borrowed these. The Crown Prince has probably already returned to the palace by now. Seems your information's a bit outdated, Lady Yuehua."