"Miss Xue Lingxun, what brings you here?" At that moment, everyone's attention turned to Xue Lingxun, their expressions filled with intrigue.
Cai Meier, Yan Shaozhe, and the others were all familiar with Xue Lingxun.
In the Douluo Continent during the Peerless Tang Sect era, there were two major circles: the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Sect formed one, while the other countries and Shrek Academy formed the other.
The people from the Sun Moon Empire might not know Xue Lingxun well, but Shrek Academy was deeply familiar with the noble families and sects from the other Douluo Continent nations.
Shrek Academy had a long-standing relationship with the Xue family, stretching back ten thousand years.
Even now, Shrek Academy had students sent by the Xue royal family.
In fact, when Shrek expelled Xu Sanshi in the past, Xue Lingxun personally confronted Yan Shaozhe and the others to demand an explanation. How could they not recognize her?
Looking at Xue Lingxun and then at Qian Ran, Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo couldn't help but detect a whiff of gossip.
No way. Did this prodigy of theirs at Shrek Academy actually win over Xue Lingxun?
What the heck? Was that even possible?
Xue Lingxun wasn't that old—in soul master terms, anyone under fifty was still considered young.
But she was Xu Sanshi's mother!
Qian Ran, you beast!
Back when you first joined the outer academy, you tormented Xu Sanshi endlessly, even turning him into a so-called evil soul master. Now you've gone and seduced his beloved mother?
Is this even humanly possible?
More importantly, he actually succeeded!
"Romantic Saint?" No, no, even that title doesn't do Qian Ran justice anymore.
Not long ago, Xue Lingxun had been fuming and demanding that Shrek Academy hand Qian Ran over to her. Everyone thought that if she ever met him, she'd stop at nothing to avenge Xu Sanshi.
To spare Qian Ran from unnecessary stress, none of them had mentioned the conflicts between Xue Lingxun, the Xuanming Sect, and Shrek Academy to him.
And yet, somehow, Qian Ran had encountered Xue Lingxun during his trip to the Sun Moon Empire. Not only had the two crossed paths, but they now seemed incredibly close. She didn't even attempt to harm him!
What in the world was going on?
Could it be that this rascal had also taken Xue Lingxun into his fold?
"I ran into Young Master Qian Ran in Mingdu, so we traveled together," Xue Lingxun said, feigning composure. Inside, however, she was a nervous wreck. A storm of shame and embarrassment swirled in her heart, and she felt an overwhelming urge to cry.
Their relationship had been exposed to these people!
This...
This was mortifying.
Xue Lingxun hadn't expected Qian Ran's status at Shrek Academy to be so high, nor had she anticipated so many prominent figures rushing to see him the moment he returned. To her, no matter how valued Qian Ran was, he'd at least have time to prepare himself before meeting the academy's upper echelons, right?
Who could have imagined that they'd seek him out immediately?
This caught Xue Lingxun completely off guard. If she'd known this would happen, she'd have stayed in the Xu Mi Ring, where one day of cultivation equaled three days in the outside world.
"Oh, I see. And is the matter with Xu Sanshi resolved?"
Who would believe Xue Lingxun's excuse? An "accidental meeting"? If it were accidental, why wasn't she attacking Qian Ran?
Even the normally oblivious Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo didn't buy it. Though often blind when it came to Cai Meier and Xian Liner, they were otherwise sharp as a tack.
"I've already discussed the matter with Young Master Qian Ran. There's no need to trouble the deans with it," Xue Lingxun said, trying her best to remain calm. She pretended not to have any special relationship with Qian Ran, even if no one believed her. After all, she had to maintain appearances.
Cai Meier and Xian Liner shot daggers at Qian Ran with their eyes.
If Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo could figure it out, how could they not?
Seeing Xue Lingxun's flustered yet determined demeanor, both women felt a pang of empathy. They, too, understood the awkwardness of being in her position.
In the eyes of outsiders, Cai Meier and Yan Shaozhe, as well as Xian Liner and Qian Duoduo, were model couples. Though they were currently estranged, the outside world remained unaware of their disputes.
If their own affairs with Qian Ran were exposed, it would not only be embarrassing for them but also ruin Qian Ran's reputation.
This rascal Qian Ran!
As if seducing Xue Lingxun in secret wasn't enough, he had the audacity to bring her back openly. Thankfully, the ones who recognized her today were the four of them. Had it been anyone else, both Qian Ran and Xue Lingxun would have been in serious trouble.
The Xuanming Sect would likely have gone berserk.
At that point, Qian Ran would have become the sect's sworn enemy.
Qian Ran offered Cai Meier and Xian Liner an awkward smile. He couldn't deny that he had acted somewhat recklessly.
Fortunately, Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo were tactful enough to drop the subject after noticing Xue Lingxun's unease.
But in their hearts, they already had a rough idea of what was going on.
"Qian Ran, you truly are something..." Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo exchanged bitter smiles.
Why did Qian Ran always seem to get whatever he wanted? No matter what kind of woman he encountered, he managed to win her over. Meanwhile, they struggled endlessly, unable to handle even Cai Meier and Xian Liner.
While Qian Ran was away in the Sun Moon Empire, Cai Meier and Xian Liner's relationships with them had only grown colder.
Despite all their efforts to please them, the women seemed increasingly distant.
If they had even a fraction of Qian Ran's ability, their lives wouldn't be in such a sorry state.
As failures in matters of the heart, Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo couldn't help but envy Qian Ran's success.
To turn a noblewoman who hated him to her core into his lover—what an unparalleled skill!
"Qian Ran, why don't you take them on a tour of Shrek Academy?" Cai Meier suggested, creating an excuse to leave. She knew now wasn't the time to have a serious conversation with Qian Ran. If Xue Lingxun's emotions spiraled out of control, it would only make things harder for him.
Despite everything, Cai Meier and Xian Liner's hearts remained soft. No matter how much trouble Qian Ran caused, they still cared for him.
"Qian Ran, come have dinner with us tonight. Duoduo and I both know how to cook now, so let's gather," Yan Shaozhe quickly added. He knew it was time to take his leave.
If there was anyone who embodied the pinnacle of romantic success, it was Qian Ran.
"Yes, Qian Ran. You must have gained a lot during your trip to Mingdu. Share your experiences with us," Qian Duoduo chimed in, equally eager. His situation with Xian Liner was even worse than Yan Shaozhe's, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at how Qian Ran's charm seemed to grow by the day.
(End of Chapter)