"Let's hope you keep your word."
Xue Lingxun's voice trembled as a bitter resignation settled in her heart. She had surrendered to her fate.
Her flushed cheeks, rosy from a mix of shyness and unease, made her already stunning features even more enchanting. Now that she had made her decision, Xue Lingxun moved decisively, her hands gripping Qian Ran's thighs as she leaned forward.
It had to be said—there were certain things a mature woman simply excelled at over younger girls.
Maturity, grace, and a keen understanding of what men desire.
Xue Lingxun was already breathtakingly beautiful. Her coy, upward glance as she knelt brought a sweetness and allure that was simply irresistible.
This—who could resist?
Elders are the best. No teaching required.
"Mmm…"
Her alluring red lips moved rhythmically, her demeanor a tantalizing blend of restraint and surrender. The sight captivated Qian Ran's every sense.
He closed his eyes, silently reveling in the moment.
Meanwhile, in the next room, Xu Sanshi was still reveling in his own luck. Whatever grievances he had held against Qian Ran were now overshadowed by gratitude.
With an elder's protection in the Holy Spirit Sect, the most grueling, dangerous tasks would no longer fall to him.
"Qian Ran… I can't believe I misjudged you," Xu Sanshi muttered to himself as he walked.
The petty conflicts of their past at Shrek Academy felt utterly trivial now.
Perhaps it was the vast gulf in status between them that made Xu Sanshi let go of his resentment. Qian Ran was now an elder of the Holy Spirit Sect. Even the smallest gesture of support from him could secure Xu Sanshi's future in the sect.
For Xu Sanshi, that was all that mattered.
There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. And befriending Qian Ran now promised benefits Xu Sanshi could not afford to ignore.
Xue Lingxun overheard Xu Sanshi's murmured words of gratitude, and a flash of indignation crossed her mind.
What's this? That's clearly my effort behind the scenes…
"Ah!"
"What are you doing? Be careful with your teeth!"
Qian Ran winced, sucking in a sharp breath, his hand instinctively reaching to grip Xue Lingxun's hair.
What's going on? How could she lose focus at a time like this?
Xue Lingxun shot him a resentful glare before lowering her head once more.
How frustrating! Xu Sanshi's gratitude should be hers. Why should Qian Ran get all the credit for her sacrifices? Wasn't he the one who had caused all this?
Grateful… to him? For what? For bullying me?
"Mmm…"
"Alright, alright, stop," Qian Ran finally said, uneasy under her aggrieved gaze.
Although Xue Lingxun was unlikely to hurt him, he couldn't shake the mental image of her attempting something drastic.
It's a natural response. Some people feel chills just looking at certain photos or videos.
Who's to say Xue Lingxun wouldn't lash out unexpectedly?
"What are you afraid of?" Xue Lingxun huffed softly, pleased to see Qian Ran on edge. For a moment, she felt like she had regained a bit of control.
But then she remembered—she was still the one serving him. In this context, her small victory was hollow.
"What do you think?" Qian Ran retorted, rolling his eyes. He wasn't about to admit he was nervous about her potential reaction.
His gaze softened as it landed on her flushed face. Unable to resist, he leaned in to kiss her lips, though he redirected to her forehead at the last moment.
With a practiced hand, Qian Ran began unbuttoning her uniform, slipping off her skirt to reveal her alluring figure clad in black undergarments. Her curves, accentuated by sheer black stockings, embodied the elegance and allure of a mature woman.
Qian Ran's fingers traced the smooth contour of her thighs, marveling at the firmness and elasticity of her skin. Such a tactile experience was something a younger girl simply couldn't provide.
Each had their own appeal—youthful innocence and mature sophistication.
Xue Lingxun's face burned as she watched Qian Ran's confident movements. For the first time, she found herself thinking that perhaps Qian Ran wasn't entirely insufferable.
Setting aside the conflicts between him and Xu Sanshi, she couldn't find much to fault in him.
Even his flirtatious and roguish tendencies didn't seem like such grave flaws to her.
After all, Xue Lingxun had grown up in the palace. Her mother had been a concubine of the previous emperor of the Dou Ling Empire. In her worldview, polygamy was entirely normal.
The more exceptional a man, the more it was his duty to spread his lineage. Ensuring the continuity of one's bloodline—and thus, martial soul inheritance—was paramount.
To guard against misfortune, outstanding men often needed multiple wives and many children. It was the foundation of every great family's enduring legacy. A sparse lineage risked being wiped out by a single unexpected calamity.
And now, no matter how she looked at it…
Even Xu Sanshi had forgiven Qian Ran. He had even become one of Qian Ran's protégés.
Xu Sanshi was now under Qian Ran's wing, and Xue Lingxun's hatred had naturally dissolved.
Previously, seeing Xu Sanshi become a dark soul master had filled her with grief. She had hated Qian Ran, the instigator, with every fiber of her being. But now, Xu Sanshi was thriving in the Holy Spirit Sect, even gaining the favor of its leadership. His future seemed boundless.
In the span of a few days, both her and Xu Sanshi's emotions had undergone a whirlwind of highs and lows.
But now, neither of them saw Qian Ran as an enemy anymore.
"Your Highness, you're stunning," Qian Ran murmured as he admired the faintly reflective sheer black stockings encasing her legs. He lifted one gracefully into his hands, letting his touch roam over its smooth surface.
The allure never waned.
Humans are creatures of novelty and change, prone to aesthetic fatigue.
But the beauty of a woman's legs? Qian Ran never tired of it. Though most women's legs felt similar, each encounter brought its own excitement, sparking a seemingly endless fascination.
Perhaps it was instinct.
A beauty like Xue Lingxun, so obedient and alluring—what man could ever tire of her?
"Hmm…" Xue Lingxun whimpered softly, her face reddening as she closed her eyes in embarrassment.
With one leg held high, Xue Lingxun effortlessly assumed a vertical split, her flexibility nothing short of extraordinary.
Qian Ran's hands pressed into her shoulders as he gently rested her leg against his chest. His lips found her elegant neck, teeth grazing her skin as her delicate scent filled his senses.
Perfect.
No one knew how much time had passed before Xue Lingxun collapsed to the floor like a boneless heap, her body utterly drained of strength.
Her half-lidded eyes gazed at Qian Ran, a swirl of complicated emotions stirring within her heart.
Qian Ran was a scoundrel! So why couldn't she bring herself to hate him?
Worse still, she found herself enamored with the very feelings he evoked.
What was happening to her?
This bastard—shouldn't she loathe him?
(Chapter ends)