Seeing that Qian Renxue's expression had changed, Han Feng quickly let out a laugh and pretended to protest loudly, "Sister Qianqian! Don't say such strange things! I'm only eight and a half—I haven't even graduated from the Junior Academy yet! What's all this about soul masters and cultivation? I've got plenty of time to learn that stuff. Right now, I just want to get to know you better!"
"I've already told you everything about myself, but you won't tell me anything. Isn't that a little unfair?"
Faced with Han Feng's questioning, Qian Renxue didn't have time to linger in her sorrow. Instead, she began to panic a little.
Just as Han Feng said, he had already opened up to her—or at least, that's how Qian Renxue saw it. The whole concept of twin martial souls was too fantastical for her to even consider. But precisely because of that, she felt too embarrassed to continue lying.
Still, if she really did tell Han Feng everything—would that do him any good?
If she told him that she was Qian Renxue, granddaughter of Qian Daoliu, daughter of the Pope of the Spirit Hall, the future Holy Maiden of the Elder Hall, the likely next ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire, and inheritor of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul with an innate spirit power of level 20...
Even if Han Feng could accept that, if he ever let even a word slip in the future, Qian Renxue was certain the Spirit Hall would hunt him down at all costs. Their century-long plan allowed no room for error!
With that thought, Qian Renxue could only silently apologize to Han Feng in her heart. Then, she forced a smile and said something even she didn't believe:
"I'm not like you, little Feng. You're already so clever at such a young age. But your sister here? I've been honest from the beginning!"
Han Feng chuckled and stared at her with his small, inquisitive eyes, causing Qian Renxue's pale face to flush with awkward redness.
But he didn't press further. He had only asked to stop her from spiraling deeper into sorrow.
Still, Qian Renxue began to feel a little guilty. After fumbling for words and failing to convince herself, she finally sighed in defeat. With a soft humph, she took off a ring from her slender finger, tied it to a golden string, and gently hung it around Han Feng's neck.
She said, "Don't say I never look after you. This ring is a soul tool. Aside from basic storage, it also allows me to sense your safety."
"Don't worry! It only detects your life force—it doesn't track your location."
"With this ring, I can always feel whether you're safe or not!"
Han Feng felt a burst of joy. Though he didn't think much of Qian Renxue's ability to sense danger—in his eyes, her potential had already peaked. Even if she was a Soul Sect at thirteen, she likely wouldn't advance past Soul King in this lifetime. In a few years, it might be him protecting her, not the other way around!
But the soul tool's storage ability—that he was truly envious of!
Han Dang had one of these tools, and Han Feng had wanted one for ages. If he weren't still a child, he would've long since pestered Zhang Lingling to buy him one using Han Dang's secret stash of money!
"Of course, if you ever run into trouble you can't solve," Qian Renxue added, "you can also write me a letter!"
"As for the address… just send it to the Heaven Dou royal family!"
She winked playfully at Han Feng.
Han Feng froze for a moment, then had a flash of realization.
The Heaven Dou royal family... Han Feng had always wondered—what kind of power would go so far as to invest precious resources in a young girl, forcibly elevating her to the level of a Soul Sect through medicine alone? Why was she reluctant to reveal her identity? Why could she casually gift a rare soul tool?
Now, it all made sense.
What Han Feng didn't know was that at this very moment, Qian Renxue was thinking: since she had already made such a grand promise, then for Han Feng's sake, she'd have to persuade Xue Qinghe to "abdicate" soon.
As for the risk of exposing her identity—Qian Renxue wasn't worried at all. Very few people in the world truly understood the power of the Spirit Hall. If they wanted to, they could wipe out any of the upper three sects immediately!
"So, Sister Qianqian… are you going back now?" Han Feng asked hesitantly.
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered. She could tell Han Feng had mistaken her for a member of the royal family. She didn't correct him and simply nodded, half-truthfully saying, "I've been out for quite a while. Grandpa and the others must be worried."
"But your injuries…" Han Feng asked, concerned.
To his surprise, Qian Renxue showed no worry. Instead, she knocked him lightly on the head and said irritably, "You think you're the only one who knows how to hide things? Your sister has her ways. Getting home is no problem at all. In fact, if you really had attacked me earlier, I could've spanked you!"
She raised her delicate palm threateningly, and Han Feng cooperatively covered his butt, making Qian Renxue laugh uncontrollably.
"But… aren't you worried about me?" Han Feng murmured. "I'm just a kid. What if I run into a powerful soul beast? Some of their eyeballs are bigger than my head…"
Qian Renxue's heart softened. She rolled her eyes at him—wasn't this the same kid who'd just tried to fight a Lazy Giant Ape head-on?
"Silly, I'm not worried about you. You're so crafty, no foolish soul beast can touch you. Besides, don't think I didn't notice—you left a bunch of signals along the way. And that flash just now from Wang Xu… your parents must already be closing in."
"With them watching over you, do you really still need me?"
Caught red-handed, Han Feng's face turned red. He tried to say something, but Qian Renxue gently interrupted him.
She softly patted his head and said gently, "Alright. All good things must come to an end. Actually, your parents are already on their way here. I can't let them see me—don't tell them about me either, okay? This will be our little secret."
When Han Feng heard that Han Dang and Zhang Lingling were coming, he brightened up. His sensing ability wasn't as sharp as Qian Renxue's.
Han Feng didn't try to stop her anymore. Qian Renxue unfurled her angelic wings and turned to leave—now in her true form. If Han Feng's parents saw her, even if they didn't recognize her identity, it would still be a huge headache.
Just as she took off, Han Feng called out, "Sister Qianqian! When can we meet again?"
Qian Renxue thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Work hard in your cultivation! When you've become a Soul Emperor—or even a Soul Sage—you'll naturally see me again!"
She thought, By the time Han Feng becomes a Soul Emperor or Soul Sage, the Spirit Hall's plan should be complete. I'll have stepped down from the stage.
But Han Feng was thinking, As a noble from the royal family, she's on a different level. I'm just a commoner. I'll need real strength to stand beside her.
What Qian Renxue never imagined was—reaching Soul Emperor or Soul Sage wouldn't be hard for Han Feng. In fact, he'd achieve it far faster than she could ever expect!
"But this is our secret, okay? No one else must know!"
With a final wink, Qian Renxue took to the skies.
As she vanished into the distance, Han Feng suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of loss. He couldn't deny it—Qian Renxue was the first true friend he had made in this world. She was beautiful, kind, powerful, and noble…
For a moment, Han Feng felt like giving up on working hard altogether…
"Feng'er!"
While Han Feng was still lost in thought, Han Dang and Zhang Lingling arrived, having followed the signs Han Feng had left.
As soon as Zhang Lingling saw him, she threw her arms around him. Her beautiful face was streaked with tears. The usual calm and capable look she wore was gone, replaced by exhaustion. Only she knew how torturous that day and night without Han Feng had been.
Han Dang also stepped forward. Unlike Zhang Lingling, however, he smacked Han Feng across the head. Zhang Lingling looked a little unhappy, but didn't stop him.
To them, Han Feng had been reckless—running wild in the Star Dou Forest just for fun. If he didn't learn a lesson, who knows what would happen next time?