First, she had donned that revealing bunny-girl outfit with black fishnet stockings to perform an unspeakably seductive dance for Qian Ran.
Then, under his relentless advances, she had surrendered her body to him.
For several days now, Xue Lingxun had found herself far removed from the elegance she once prided herself on.
She desperately wanted to regain her composure, but every time Qian Ran appeared, a mere gesture from him could shatter her defenses. She couldn't help but wonder if he was her nemesis—or her destined foe.
Why did her emotions spiral out of control whenever she saw him?
"All right, all right. I know you're curious. In a few days, you'll understand why I can disappear so suddenly," Qian Ran said with a smirk.
"By the way, in no more than half a month, I'll be returning to Shrek Academy. My exchange student term there is going to end early," he told the group of women.
With a treasure that could accelerate time, Qian Ran had no intention of wasting his days idling elsewhere.
Dong'er and the others didn't have the same ease in cultivation as he did, and Qian Ran intended to train alongside them.
His ultimate goal was for all of them to ascend together—wives in tow—so they could enjoy life in the Divine Realm. He had no desire to end up like that fool Ma Hongjun, who ascended to godhood only to watch his wife grow old and die.
In fact, Qian Ran couldn't even bear the thought of his wives aging.
After seeing their youthful and radiant smiles, how could he ever stand to watch them grow old day by day?
"I'll go with you to Shrek Academy. I've already discussed it with my grandfather," Meng Hongchen said, raising her hand.
Ever since her last conversation with Qian Ran, Jing Hongchen had started paying more attention to him. Privately, Jing Hongchen had also spoken to Meng Hongchen multiple times. As long as Meng Hongchen was happy with Qian Ran, Jing Hongchen didn't mind anything else.
"I'll go too," said Juzi.
"Me as well," Keke added quickly.
With the soul tool knowledge that Qian Ran had passed down to them, they no longer needed to attend classes at the academy. The only thing of value the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy offered them now was its experimental facilities.
But even that was a minor concern.
After all, Qian Ran was Jing Hongchen's grandson-in-law. With Jing Hongchen being the head of the Mingde Hall, asking him for resources or equipment wouldn't be a problem.
"What about you, Miss Xue?" Qian Ran asked, his face lit with amusement as he reached out to caress Xue Lingxun's smooth, snow-white cheek.
"I… I'll go to Shrek Academy too," Xue Lingxun reluctantly agreed. She had initially planned to refuse, but the mere thought of defying Qian Ran made her hesitate.
Even if she said no, he would find some way to force her to go.
Resistance was futile—the outcome wouldn't change.
"Congratulations on making the right choice. Here's your reward," Qian Ran said, handing her a pill.
"What's this?" Xue Lingxun asked, puzzled.
"You'll find out tonight when you take it," Qian Ran replied.
"You're not trying to drug me, are you?" Xue Lingxun glared at him, rolling her eyes, but she still pocketed the pill.
"Am I that kind of person? Besides, do you think I'd need drugs to handle you? Want me to strip you right here?" Qian Ran leaned close to her ear, his wicked grin reminding her of a scene from the old Sui and Tang Heroes drama, where Yang Guang teased Xiao Meiniang.
"No! I'm sorry, okay?" Xue Lingxun's face turned bright red in an instant.
If it were just the two of them in a room, she might reluctantly yield. But with three younger women present, the thought of being humiliated in front of them made her wish for death instead.
As a royal princess, Xue Lingxun held deeply traditional values in certain aspects.
While she couldn't outmatch this demon named Qian Ran, she desperately wanted to maintain a shred of dignity in front of others.
"Relax. I'm just teasing," Qian Ran said with a mischievous chuckle.
He understood that every person had different boundaries. If Zhu Ying were here, he might have actually gone through with it—her bold and uninhibited nature allowed her to accept much more to please Qian Ran.
But Xue Lingxun was different. She had a strong sense of collective honor, believing that her actions represented the prestige of the Xue family. Even though the Xue family had declined after the Tiandou Empire split in two, it remained a top-tier aristocratic house on the continent.
Knowing Xue Lingxun couldn't accept such teasing, Qian Ran didn't push her.
Despite his playful approach of coercion and temptation, Qian Ran never actually crossed lines he knew the other person couldn't handle. He wasn't the kind of man to commit despicable acts.
Xue Lingxun glared at him with wide eyes.
"All right, Juzi, pack your things over the next few days. And stock up on some of Mingdu's specialties," Qian Ran instructed.
"Got it," Juzi nodded.
She already knew what Qian Ran meant. Once they arrived at Shrek Academy, she and the others would be considered outsiders. There, Qian Ran's many confidantes would rival or even surpass them. If they wanted to integrate into the group, they needed to act smartly.
"Brother, what brings you here?" Xu Tianzhen asked, confused to see Xu Tianran at her estate.
"You've been clamoring to meet Qian Ran for ages, haven't you? I've decided to allow it," Xu Tianran said.
Looking at his sister's radiant beauty, his heart bled. But for the sake of his throne, it was all worth it.
"You're serious? You've always forbidden me before!" Xu Tianzhen's face lit up with joy, and she jumped in excitement.
Ever since Qian Ran had single-handedly bested countless talented soul engineers from Mingde Hall, Xu Tianzhen had been fascinated by him. She wanted to witness his prowess and learn more about the man himself.
But Xu Tianran had always barred her from approaching Qian Ran. How could he not know what kind of person Qian Ran was?
His sister was an innocent, naïve princess. If she crossed paths with someone like Qian Ran, disaster would surely follow.
Xu Tianzhen was a hopeless romantic, and Qian Ran's looks alone were enough to captivate her. If Qian Ran used any of his other tactics, she might just end up in a hotel room with him.
To prevent this, Xu Tianran had ensured his sister was kept under close watch. Otherwise, her impulsive nature might have led her to find Qian Ran long ago.
"After some thought, I realized that Qian Ran is an extraordinary individual. It'll do you good to broaden your horizons," Xu Tianran said, forcing a smile.
Though Xu Tianran was embroiled in a brutal power struggle with his fellow princes, they all doted on Xu Tianzhen.
Perhaps it was the lack of familial bonds due to their infighting that made them treasure their innocent sister all the more.
Yet it was precisely because of Xu Tianzhen's innocence that the thought of Qian Ran targeting her filled Xu Tianran with dread.
Now, he was even forced to facilitate their meeting.
"Qian Ran, one day you'll pay for this," Xu Tianran thought, his gaze hardening as he looked at his jubilant sister.
(Chapter End)
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X