Feeling Qian Renxue's teasing gaze, Su Xiaoli's scalp tingled with nervousness.
And honestly, no one could blame Xiaoli for reacting this way.
Because whenever Qian Renxue got that playful look in her eyes...
Poor Su Xiaoli would inevitably become her plaything.
Take what happened recently, for example.
While Clan Leader Yunxiao and Wu Youjie were busy in the Elf Small World...
The sulking Qian Renxue had dragged Su Xiaoli into all sorts of mischief.
White stockings, black stockings, fishnets.
Slender waist, qipao dresses, long legs, high heels.
Hands, legs, feet, mouth.
The virtues of being both an elder sister and younger sister.
The flaws of being both an elder sister and younger sister.
Cat ear accessories, even a second cat tail.
Qian Renxue had even used her as stress relief.
To put it bluntly—except for preserving her purity—
Every inch of Su Xiaoli's being...
Had been thoroughly explored...
By this holy yet fallen sister of hers.
"X-Xiao Xue jiejie... what are you planning?"
The trembling Su Xiaoli genuinely feared that mischievous glint in Qian Renxue's eyes.
Seeing Xiaoli's vulnerable, easily bullied expression, Qian Renxue closed the distance between them.
In one smooth motion, she wrapped an arm around Su Xiaoli's slender waist.
Then, with playful malice, she began nibbling at Xiaoli's ear.
"Hehe, little Li, why so nervous?"
"Your big sister wouldn't do anything to you~"
"Besides..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "This body of yours..."
"Is being saved for that scoundrel Yunxiao."
"So your precious purity remains perfectly safe."
Having said this, Qian Renxue began mischievously groping Su Xiaoli without restraint—
Completely ignoring their present company.
"X-Xiao Xue jiejie! Stop this!"
"Clan Leader and Wu Youjie are right here!"
In mere moments, Su Xiaoli's face burned crimson under Qian Renxue's ministrations.
"Tsk tsk, what's there to fear?"
"We'll all be family eventually anyway~"
"These things... you'll experience them sooner or later."
Shyness? Blushing? Modesty? Dignity?
She'd long since discarded such trivialities.
After all—Qian Renxue now embodied the very essence of a holy yet fallen little angel—
An ambivalent being of light and shadow.
Yunxiao: "???"
Shui Wuyou: "???"
The not-quite-sane Qian Renxue.
And the half-resisting Su Xiaoli.
Witnessing their interaction, both Yunxiao and Shui Wuyou...
Were rendered speechless by whatever secret understanding existed between these two.
Well then. Well then indeed.
Clearly, during their absence...
Qian Renxue and Su Xiaoli had cooked up some new mischief.
Both observers stood with slightly parted lips—
Wanting to speak, yet hesitating.
Ultimately, Shui Wuyou recovered first.
Fixing the girls with a scrutinizing gaze, she finally asked:
"Xiao Xue... what fresh madness is this?"
"Don't tell me you've been researching more... unconventional pursuits?"
And honestly—could anyone blame her for assuming the worst?
After all, just by listening to the conversation between Qian Renxue and Su Xiaoli, Shui Wuyou could easily tell.
Without either of them realizing it, Qian Renxue had clearly done something strange and mischievous to Su Xiaoli.
What kind of strange mischief had Qian Renxue done to Su Xiaoli?
Wasn't it obvious? Did it even need to be said?
"Ah, Wu Youjie, during this past period,"
"you and that heartless Yunxiao have been living carefree and happy."
"But as for me, well, I've been quite bored."
"After all, since both of you were holed up in the Elf Small World and wouldn't come out,"
"I had no choice but to play with little Xiaoli instead."
"And, well, vent some of my boredom while I was at it!"
Since the Elf Small World was undergoing an upgrade, the only way to enter it at the moment was through Yunxiao, its master.
Unable to enter the Elf Small World and with Yunxiao refusing to come out, she had no choice but to pick on Su Xiaoli.
Anyway, Su Xiaoli was Yunxiao's bed warmer.
By the same logic, she was also Qian Renxue's little maid.
In the end, Su Xiaoli would be part of the family sooner or later.
Emotionally and logically speaking, there was nothing wrong with it.
Not only could it help her vent her boredom, but it was also a chance to train Su Xiaoli a little.
One could say this was a win-win situation.
"Xiao Xue, this bad habit of yours is really…"
Not being a "local," Yunxiao naturally understood what was going on.
Though he wanted to say something—perhaps scold Qian Renxue for this bad habit—
the moment he thought about her stubborn personality,
the words died on his lips.
In the end, Yunxiao didn't voice his thoughts.
And just then, as if sensing what was on his mind,
Qian Renxue gave him a reassuring look.
"Ah, Yunxiao, don't worry."
"I know my limits when it comes to certain things."
"Besides, I was just teasing little Xiaoli a bit."
"I wouldn't actually do anything that bad."
Play was play, and jokes were jokes.
But Qian Renxue still cared deeply about Yunxiao's opinion.
"Alright then, Xiao Xue, just be mindful."
"And don't bully Xiaoli too much."
"Of course, if you're really that bored,"
"why not take Xiaoli to Heaven Dou City?"
"You could go to the Great Spirit Arena and participate in a Team Soul Duel."
"That way, not only would it help you pass the time, but it'd also give Xiaoli more combat experience."
Although Su Xiaoli had their guidance,
her combat experience was still somewhat lacking.
Even though, at fifteen years old, she had already broken through to the five-ring Spirit King realm,
her battle experience was still insufficient.
Yunxiao—Peak Douluo.
Shui Wuyou—Titled Douluo.
Huo Wulu—Titled Douluo.
Qian Renxue—seven-ring Soul Saint.
At the moment, Qian Renxue was the weakest among them.
She was currently responsible for teaching Su Xiaoli swordsmanship.
But teaching was one thing—
actual combat experience was another matter entirely.
Originally, Yunxiao had considered sending Su Xiaoli to the Great Spirit Arena to participate in Soul Duels to accumulate experience.
Since Qian Renxue was bored anyway, he might as well leave this task to her.
This way, it would give Qian Renxue and Su Xiaoli something to do.
"Oh, have Xiao Li participate in Soul Duels at the Great Spirit Arena in Heaven Dou City?"
"Hmm, that's indeed a great idea."
"Not only will it help pass the time, but it'll also let little sister Xiaoli gain some combat experience."
"Moreover, with little sister Xiaoli's Soul Power Level and Soul Ring configuration."
"She'll definitely shock everyone across the entire Douluo Continent when the time comes."
"This way, it'll also serve as an early advertisement for Elf City and the Elf Advanced Soul Master Academy."
Hearing Yunxiao's arrangement, Qian Renxue nodded in agreement.
It had to be said, this was indeed a good way to pass the time.
After all, the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace during the New Year.
Was utterly, completely boring.