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Oscar's figure quickly disappeared beyond the palace gates, not even giving Ning Rongrong a chance to stop him.
Ning Rongrong stared blankly in the direction he left, then subconsciously turned her head to look at her father.
The father and daughter's gazes silently met in the noisy hall.
In Ning Fengzhi's deep eyes, there was both the decisiveness of a Sect Master and the hidden reluctance of a father.
And Ning Rongrong, unexpectedly, did not act as childishly or noisily as usual.
She seemed to suddenly understand the heavy expectation in her father's eyes—the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School could not tolerate any naivety.
A hint of melancholy unbefitting her age appeared on the girl's delicate face.
She clutched her skirt, hesitating whether to tell Oscar about the cruel Sect rule.
In the end, she merely turned silently and left the bustling banquet hall alone, her small figure appearing particularly lonely in the gilded palace.
Chen Xin, seeing this, frowned deeply, his telepathic message tinged with reluctance: "Fengzhi, isn't this too harsh?"
Ning Fengzhi looked in the direction his daughter left and sighed: "Uncle Jian, Spirit Hall's ambition is clear for all to see.
We no longer have time to wait for Rongrong to slowly grow up."
He stroked the scepter in his hand, "If they truly have affection, these trials will be the refining fire for true gold."
On the other side of the hall, Feng Xiao took all of this in.
He gently swirled his wine glass, the amber liquid reflecting his thoughtful expression.
This play seemed even more exciting than anticipated.
Qian Renxue took a small sip of the wine in her glass, a hint of playfulness flashing in her gilded eyes: "Do you think that boy can endure it?"
Her voice was very soft, only Feng Xiao, who was close by, could hear her.
Feng Xiao shook his head slightly, his gaze directed towards the direction Oscar left, various plot points from the original work surfacing in his mind: "Hard to say."
He gently tapped his fingertip on the wine glass, "The decision is in Ning Fengzhi's hands; it depends on how he views Oscar."
He paused for a moment, a meaningful curve appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Now he can be considered a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, after all.
Leaving, though it temporarily allowed him to escape, even put Ning Fengzhi in a difficult position, but Ning Fengzhi will have two perspectives."
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow at Feng Xiao, showing some interest.
Feng Xiao continued in a low voice: "If Ning Fengzhi views Oscar from the Sect's perspective, Oscar's performance at this moment is undoubtedly a negative score."
He gave Qian Renxue a meaningful glance, "But if he stands from the perspective of a father-in-law, his daughter's affection and Oscar's personal qualities are undoubtedly more important.
For Ning Fengzhi, although Oscar is not his most satisfactory choice, Oscar's conditions are not bad, and his dignity is also a highlight for him."
Ning Fengzhi in the distance seemed to sense something and turned to look over.
Feng Xiao immediately put on a respectful expression and raised his glass in a gesture.
Qian Renxue was slightly startled upon hearing this, a ripple appearing in her gilded eyes.
She lowered her head, gazing at the swaying wine in her glass, her thoughts drifting—weren't she and Feng Xiao much the same?
"Yes…" she murmured softly, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of the cup.
Beneath Xue Qinghe's disguise, a complex emotion flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes.
Feng Xiao noticed her unusual state and, under the guise of pouring wine, gently touched the back of her hand.
This subtle contact brought Qian Renxue back to her senses, and the two exchanged a smile, everything understood without words.
Ning Fengzhi in the distance watched the tacit interaction of this "lord and subject" and began to ponder in his heart.
With the high-pitched announcement of the palace official, this grand celebration banquet finally drew to a close.
The teams from various academies, led by attendants, exited the magnificent Zichen Hall in sequence.
Feng Xiao straightened his collar, bowed to Emperor Xue Ye and "Xue Qinghe," then turned to lead the Huang Dou Battle Team members to follow the three teaching elders.
The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the palace path paved with white marble, casting long shadows of the group.
"Captain Feng was truly in the limelight today," Yu Feng approached, teasing with a smile.
Feng Xiao smiled, his gaze subtly sweeping behind him.
He saw Dugu Yan holding Ye Lingling's hand, both quickly catching up.
"Xiao Feng!" Dugu Yan dashed forward and blocked his path, her purple eyes narrowing dangerously, "What are you hiding from?
Are Lingling and I that scary?"
Although Ye Lingling behind her did not speak, her ice-blue eyes also held a hint of reproach.
Feng Xiao awkwardly coughed lightly and rubbed his nose: "How could that be… It's just," his gaze drifted, "I'm naturally not good at dancing, so I'm afraid of embarrassing Sister Yan and Lingling Jie."
"Heh!" Dugu Yan sneered, her slender finger directly poking his chest, "A top student from Moon Pavilion, and you say you're not good at aristocratic court dances?"
She turned to Ye Lingling, "Lingling, do you believe him?"
Ye Lingling gently shook her head, her ice-blue long hair gleaming faintly in the moonlight.
This sentence instantly froze Feng Xiao, while Yu Feng and the others nearby had already tactfully quickened their pace, leaving him alone to face the "interrogation" of the two beauties.
Under the moonlight, the shadows of the three stretched long on the ground, intertwining, just like this complicated and inseparable relationship.
Feng Xiao's eyes darted around, then he suddenly pointed into the distance and exclaimed: "Eh? Isn't that Senior Dugu?"
Taking advantage of Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling turning to look back, he activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, a gust of wind suddenly swirling around his feet, his figure drifting backward like a ghost.
"I suddenly remembered the teaching elders need me urgently! Let's talk another day!"
Before his words finished, he was already ten zhang away.
Dugu Yan stomped her foot in anger: "Xiao Feng!"
Her Bi Lin Snake Venom had already condensed in her hand, but she saw Feng Xiao disappear around the academy corner in a few bounds.
Ye Lingling, however, covered her lips and chuckled: "Forget it, Yanyan."
"He can run today, but he can't run tomorrow!" Dugu Yan snorted, dispelling the Bi Lin Snake Venom in her hand.
Passing through the last majestic palace gate, the night wind, carrying the chill of early autumn, blew over him.
Feng Xiao stopped and looked back, gazing at the imperial city whose lights were gradually dimming behind him, the clear moonlight of the crescent moon reflected in his deep eyes.
He knew that he had already stepped into a more dangerous chess game.
"It's still… better not to involve them."
Feng Xiao sighed lightly, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the jade pendant at his waist.
Under the moonlight, his figure appeared particularly lonely.
Dugu Yan's bright smile and Ye Lingling's gentle gaze flashed through his mind one by one.
But now was not the time—the grand plan he and Qian Renxue were devising had just begun, and the road ahead was treacherous and unpredictable.
Involving them would only complicate the situation further.
"As for fate… let's wait for another day."
Feng Xiao withdrew his gaze and turned to step into the night.
In the distance, the outline of Heaven Dou Royal Academy was faintly visible under the moonlight.
He knew that there, more important people were waiting for him.
The night was inky, with scattered stars.
Feng Xiao, treading on the cool moonlight, arrived at the long-unvisited Ni Tai Training Field.
Pushing open the special metal door, a familiar aura enveloped him.
Moonlight poured down like water, coating the entire room with a silver glow.
Within that silver light, a slender figure stood quietly.
Qian Renxue had shed Xue Qinghe's disguise; her golden hair flowed like a waterfall in the moonlight, and her gilded eyes were brighter than the stars.
"You're back?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of imperceptible tenderness, her gilded eyes full of teasing, "Guest Elder Feng, your escape technique is even more exquisite than your dancing."
Feng Xiao was instantly torn between laughter and tears, but the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curled upwards.
He closed the door behind him with a soft click, then strode forward and pulled the graceful figure in the moonlight into his embrace.
"Then shouldn't my Xue'er reward me?"
He whispered into Qian Renxue's ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe.
Qian Renxue's beautiful gilded eyes slanted a glance at him, her slender index finger lightly poking his chest: "Stop it, do you think I can't see through your little schemes?"
Her red lips parted slightly, "Isn't it just that you can't bear to involve your confidantes?"
Feng Xiao immediately cried out in injustice: "Heaven and earth bear witness, where do I have any confidantes?"
He tightened his arms, holding her closer, "From beginning to end, there's only been you, Xue'er."
Qian Renxue chuckled upon hearing this, then suddenly stood on tiptoe and leaned close to his ear.
Her soft lips almost touched his earlobe, her breath like orchids: "Xiao Feng…" Her voice was as soft as a devil's whisper, "You're not planning to… wait until your cultivation surpasses mine… before making a move, are you?"
This sentence made Feng Xiao stiffen all over.
Qian Renxue took the opportunity to break free from his embrace, her skirt tracing a graceful arc as she turned.
Under the moonlight, her Looking back and smiling (huí tóu yī xiào - looking back with a smile) was both charming and dangerous: "At that time… you can marry as many as you want, hmm?"
Before Feng Xiao could speak to defend himself, Qian Renxue suddenly turned, her gilded eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
The corner of her lips curved into an arrogant arc: "I agree."
Her voice was clear and resolute, "As long as your cultivation can surpass mine."
The night wind suddenly picked up, stirring her golden long hair.
The phantom of Seraphim appeared behind her, exuding a sacred and sharp aura.
At this moment, she was both a girl in love and the proud young mistress of Spirit Hall.
"However…" Her expression turned proud as she suddenly leaned in, her jade finger lightly tapping Feng Xiao's chest, "Before that…" The spirit power condensed on her fingertip made Feng Xiao's chest tingle, "You'd better behave yourself."
Feng Xiao gazed at the exquisite face so close to him, a hint of pity flashing in his deep eyes.
He saw through the fragility beneath Qian Renxue's proud exterior—that seemingly strong desire for control was merely a protective color she used to hide her inner unease.
The pride of Seraphim and the loneliness of twenty years undercover had made her accustomed to using this method to protect her soft heart, which is why she wanted to keep him by her side in this way.
He gently embraced her, his warm palm tenderly stroking her back, not responding to the wager Qian Renxue had thrown out, but instead whispering: "Xue'er, you don't have to say these things…" His voice was as soft as the night wind brushing by, "I've always been here."
Qian Renxue's delicate body visibly trembled, and her gilded eyes rippled in the moonlight.
She subconsciously tried to break free, but he held her even tighter.
Finally, she relaxed, her forehead gently resting on Feng Xiao's shoulder.
The moonlight, like water, gently overlapped their shadows.
Qian Renxue hummed softly, seemingly displeased, and withdrew her hand, her snow-white skirt tracing a graceful arc in the air as she turned.
But from an angle Feng Xiao couldn't see, the corner of her mouth quietly curved into a genuine smile.
Feng Xiao noticed the change in atmosphere and timely shifted the topic: "Xue'er, have you thought about how to deal with Oscar?
Have you found a suitable candidate to take advantage of the situation?"
Qian Renxue's lips curved slightly, a shrewd glint flashing in her eyes: "How about the daughter of a marquis?
Equally noble, but compared to Ning Rongrong's pampered nature, wouldn't a refined young lady carefully raised by aristocrats be even more…"
Before she finished speaking, Feng Xiao gently shook his head, his deep eyes showing a hint of understanding, a smile on his face: "Xue'er, you still don't understand a man's heart."
He slowly walked into the moonlight, "If Oscar and Ning Rongrong separate due to status differences, even if a gentle and considerate noble lady comes along, he will still harbor resentment due to the status difference…"
Feng Xiao paused, what he didn't say was—just like Yu Xiaogang back then.
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered.
The moonlight cast a silver glow on her delicate profile, also reflecting the gradually clearer calculation in her eyes.
"So…" She suddenly turned, her gilded eyes looking directly at Feng Xiao, "You mean?"
Feng Xiao smiled slightly: "What we need to find should be… an 'ordinary person' who can make Oscar drop his guard."
Qian Renxue heard this, her beautiful gilded eyes slanted a glance at Feng Xiao, and she lightly snorted: "I see those noble young ladies are quite fond of you."
There was a hint of danger in her tone.
Feng Xiao smiled unhurriedly: "Equal status makes it easier to get close.
Oscar, as a support system Spirit Master, inherently desires to be led.
If we arrange a strong, assertive, and sufficiently excellent commoner Spirit Master to approach him…" A glint flashed in his eyes, "That's a food system genius with innate full spirit power.
If war breaks out in the future, he would be a huge asset to Spirit Hall."
If Liu Erlong didn't have that status, she would have probably won over Yu Xiaogang years ago.
Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly stopped.
She narrowed her eyes and slowly approached Feng Xiao: "Wait…" Her jade finger lightly poked his cheek, "Your understanding of these things, isn't it a bit too thorough?"
Feng Xiao rubbed the tip of his nose, putting on an innocent expression: "How could that be? I'm only fourteen."
He blinked, intentionally emphasizing the number.
"Fourteen…" Qian Renxue's gilded eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this, and a faint blush appeared on her jade-like cheeks.
Only then did she suddenly realize that she was already twenty-five, and this thoughtful young man in front of her was indeed only fourteen.
"Hmph!" She suddenly turned her face away, her snow-white neck tinged with a faint red, "I think you've been quite the flirt outside."
Although her tone was firm, it couldn't hide her embarrassment.
A glint of cunning flashed in Feng Xiao's eyes, and he deliberately leaned in closer: "What? Our Young Mistress is… shy?"
His warm breath brushed against her reddened earlobe, "Don't worry, I only like older women."
"Feng Xiao!" Qian Renxue turned away in annoyance, the phantom of Seraphim faintly visible behind her.
But when she saw the genuine smile in the young man's eyes, that annoyance inexplicably transformed into a softness in her heart.
Feng Xiao's expression remained unchanged, and he smoothly embraced her: "Besides, isn't this all to help our Young Mistress with her worries?"
He leaned in and whispered in her ear, teasingly, "Besides, if I didn't understand these things, how could I win over our Young Mistress?"
Qian Renxue's ear tips turned slightly red, and she snorted lightly, pulling her hand back: "Smooth talker, who said I've been won over by you."