How is Qian Ran this powerful?
This bastard!
In that moment, Xue Lingxun finally understood the helplessness Xu Sanshi had felt when facing Qian Ran. Sometimes, the gap in strength was so vast that all one could do was look up in awe.
She was thoroughly panicked now.
The commotion would undoubtedly attract attention soon, and she had no time left.
"Miss Xue Lingxun, I suggest you put away your martial spirit. If you do, we can still have a civilized conversation," Qian Ran said, his voice calm but tinged with amusement.
"You are a princess, a representative of the Dou Ling Empire. The Snow family has a history spanning ten thousand years and is one of the most prominent families on the continent. If we were to act recklessly here, it would not just tarnish your family's dignity but also your empire's face."
Qian Ran appeared behind her, one arm casually wrapped around Juzi.
Hearing this, Juzi immediately pieced together Xue Lingxun's identity. The Snow family...
Ten thousand years ago, the Snow family had been the royal lineage of the Heaven Dou Empire, the most powerful empire on the Douluo Continent at the time. After the Heaven Dou Empire split into the Heavenly Soul and Dou Ling Empires, the Snow family retained control of Dou Ling.
Despite the upheavals of millennia, the Snow family had managed to hold on to a nation—a rare feat when compared to other great families of the past. The Dai, Zhu, and Ning families, for instance, had seen their power diminish drastically over the years.
By comparison, the Snow family retaining control of the Dou Ling Empire was a remarkable achievement.
"You—"
Xue Lingxun's expression shifted. She didn't care much for herself, but she couldn't afford to disregard her empire and family.
A princess of such noble standing, attempting to assassinate a junior and failing? If this got out, where would the Snow family's dignity go?
And worse, she was dressed in bunny ears and a black fishnet outfit. If others saw her in this state, what would they think of her?
"Qian Ran, what's going on in there?"
A voice from outside broke the tension—Jing Hongchen's aged but authoritative tone.
Hearing the disturbance, Jing Hongchen had rushed over without hesitation. He had already decided that his Hongchen family would fully support Qian Ran, making Qian Ran's safety a top priority.
If something happened to Qian Ran, the implications for the Hongchen family would be disastrous.
Xue Lingxun froze at the sound of Jing Hongchen's voice. Only now did she realize how reckless her actions had been.
Jing Hongchen was no ordinary figure. He was one of the most powerful and influential individuals in the Sun-Moon Empire. If she fell into his hands, the entire Snow family could find themselves in a precarious position.
Qian Ran cast a glance at Xue Lingxun, whose previous arrogance had completely dissipated. Her gaze toward Qian Ran now held a mixture of desperation and silent pleading.
It was clear she wanted to avoid escalating the situation. Especially dressed like this, meeting Jing Hongchen would only invite humiliation for her and the Snow family.
"Nothing serious, just a little misunderstanding," Qian Ran said as he opened the door to let Jing Hongchen see for himself.
Jing Hongchen took one look inside and furrowed his brows, his expression turning dark. However, he didn't recognize Xue Lingxun—after all, who could imagine a dignified princess wearing such provocative attire in Qian Ran's dorm?
He assumed she was just another one of Qian Ran's admirers, someone tangled up in his usual messes.
Though such incidents had never happened before, it wasn't surprising. A man who walked along the river would eventually get his feet wet. It was only natural that a playboy like Qian Ran might occasionally stir up trouble.
But Jing Hongchen had no intention of cleaning up Qian Ran's romantic entanglements.
In fact, he almost welcomed the idea of Qian Ran being taught a lesson by one of his conquests—it might curb his recklessness and reduce the competition for his granddaughter.
"Take it easy," Jing Hongchen said, patting Qian Ran's shoulder.
"I'd steer clear of this type in the future. If her family comes looking for you, there's little I can do to help." Jing Hongchen wasn't blind; he immediately recognized Xue Lingxun as a mature woman.
Qian Ran's usual playboy antics were one thing, but to involve himself with someone like this? It was madness.
Widows were one thing, but if she wasn't even a widow...
Jing Hongchen stopped his train of thought there. After a few more warnings to Qian Ran, he left, shaking his head.
"If Qian Ran weren't such a playboy, I wouldn't have to worry about Mengmeng so much," Jing Hongchen muttered to himself with a wry smile.
Still, with the Hongchen family serving as Qian Ran's staunch allies, there was no way Meng Hongchen could ever be completely overlooked.
"Miss Xue Lingxun, the crisis has passed," Qian Ran said with a casual shrug, seating himself on the sofa. Juzi stood protectively behind him, her gaze toward Xue Lingxun filled with hostility. Princess or not, Juzi didn't care.
"Thank you," Xue Lingxun said, exhaling deeply.
Her eyes lingered on Qian Ran with a complicated expression. Based on his actions just now, Qian Ran didn't seem like such a bad person. In fact, he had been surprisingly considerate of her situation.
In this moment, she even felt a sliver of gratitude toward him.
For her, it wasn't about personal pride—she didn't want this incident to escalate to an international or familial level. Her only desire was to protect her family's honor.
"This is a private matter between us. There's no need to thank me," Qian Ran replied.
"When did you figure me out?" Xue Lingxun asked, biting her lip lightly.
"I noticed you yesterday. You must have felt it."
"Some of the academy staff even warned me about someone lurking suspiciously around my dorm. The Holy Spirit Cult's experts also caught wind of you and were ready to capture you on my behalf," Qian Ran said with a chuckle.
These days, both the Holy Spirit Cult and Mingde Hall treated Qian Ran as one of their own, often fretting over his safety more than he did himself.
The Holy Spirit Cult, in particular, feared Qian Ran's death as much as he did. If they thought they could get away with it, they'd have assigned four or five Titled Douluo to guard him day and night.
"I didn't expect my plan to have so many flaws," Xue Lingxun said, her confidence shaken.
She had assumed that Qian Ran would be less guarded while in Mingdu. But even here, he was surrounded by powerful allies.
Since when has Qian Ran been involved with the Holy Spirit Cult? Why would even evil soul masters want to protect him?
"Don't misunderstand—I'm not an evil soul master. I just get along well with certain individuals in the Holy Spirit Cult," Qian Ran explained.
"Holy Spirit Cult... Xu Sanshi became an evil soul master because of you. That you're connected to them isn't surprising," Xue Lingxun said coldly, her thoughts returning to Xu Sanshi.
Her momentary gratitude toward Qian Ran evaporated. This scoundrel is no good, no matter how considerate he appears.
(End of Chapter)