449. Meek Ice Scorpion

"Teacher, rest assured, Zhuqing promises to complete the mission!"

Zhu Zhuqing held Qian Renjue's hand against her cheek and solemnly nodded, her youthful face blushing slightly.
"Goodbye, Teacher."

"Stay safe, and if you encounter danger, call for me anytime," Qian Renjue said with a gentle smile.

He stepped forward, letting Zhu Zhuqing lean into his embrace, stroking her silky hair.

"Mm~"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded joyfully. After lingering for a moment, she straightened her posture, turned, and left without hesitation.

Watching her departing figure, Ling Yuan leaned toward Qian Renjue with a soft, charming expression. Her jade-like fingers gently trailed across his chest.

"Your Highness, are we returning to Spirit Hall now?"

Qian Renjue wrapped an arm around her slender waist, giving it a light squeeze. Shaking his head, he replied,
"Since we’re here, we might as well dominate a noble from the Star Luo Empire first."

"Understood, Your Highness," Ling Yuan answered softly, gazing at his profile with adoration before leaning in for a kiss.

A dark purple light enveloped them, and the two vanished from the spot.


---

Fifteen minutes later.

In Zhu Zhuyun’s room at the Zhu family estate in Star Luo Empire, Qian Renjue lounged leisurely on a sofa while Ling Yuan stood behind him, massaging his shoulders with her soft hands.

"I told you to stop messing with me!"

A frustrated, indignant voice rang out.

On a low tea table, a scorpion with a shimmering white and green body lay submissively under Qian Renjue's hand as his fingers gently traced its carapace.

"Cold, smooth, and so silky—you’re really fun to play with," Qian Renjue remarked.

His fingers pressed a little harder, while his purple eyes calmly scanned the floating Star Luo noble registry, selecting his next target.

"Ah! Qian Renjue!"

The Ice Empress hissed through her mandibles, her scorpion tail curling lightly around Qian Renjue's index finger as her body squirmed. Beneath her shell, faint traces of crimson light shimmered.

"Yes, I’m here," Qian Renjue replied with a slight nod, sipping warm tea as the registry pages slowly turned before him.

The Ice Empress’s front pincers fidgeted on the tabletop, her voice hesitant yet sharp.
"You… you can play with my back, but leave my front alone!"

"I know, I know," Qian Renjue said with an amused smile, drawing circles on her carapace with his finger.

The tingling sensation made the Ice Empress uncomfortable, prompting her to speak in a delicate tone.
"And don’t let my sister find out you’re playing with me!"

"You’ve said that many times before," Qian Renjue replied, setting down his tea and picking up a pen to mark names in the registry.

"Just remember! Or else I won’t let you play with me anymore!"

"Pfft!"

Ling Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle, earning an irritated glare from the Ice Empress.

"Human! What are you laughing at? Do you want me to extinguish the fire in your soul?"

"I was just thinking of something funny," Ling Yuan replied, suppressing her laughter as her gaze fell on the small scorpion.

Who would believe that this seemingly harmless creature was a 400,000-year-old beast? Watching such a proud existence being toyed with by her master was both surreal and entertaining.

"Ah! Qian Renjue, be gentler!"

The Ice Empress wanted to continue her complaints but was too preoccupied to do so.

"Calm down. She’s back," Qian Renjue said softly, pulling his hand away from her scorpion tail.

With his glowing purple eyes, he could already see Zhu Zhuyun approaching.

The Ice Empress crawled onto the back of his hand, moving haltingly as though out of breath. She perched near his collar and nuzzled his neck, her voice filled with anticipation.

"Qian Renjue, when will you break through to Titled Douluo?"

"Very soon. I won’t keep Snow Empress waiting for long," Qian Renjue replied with a smile.

"My mom has completed her retreat, so I can focus more now. Give me another year, at most."

"That’s so slow! You’ve been stuck at Rank 88 for months already!"

The Ice Empress pouted, clearly dissatisfied.

"Heh," Qian Renjue chuckled lightly.





Over the past two years, the Ice Empress had become much more obedient. However, her habit of saying one thing while meaning another had persisted from the beginning.

Moreover, the reward gained from the Ice Empress was an offering method even superior to the Advanced Soul Spirit Contract—or rather, it was less about an offering and more of a mutual binding contract.

"I'll try to dedicate more time to my cultivation," Qian Renjue said faintly as he put away the registry and straightened up.

"Hmph! I’ll be keeping an eye on you!" the Ice Empress huffed.

Outside the door, the scenery swayed and shifted as if in a painting. Zhu Zhuyun, now more mature and voluptuous than Zhu Zhuqing, exuded a colder and more commanding aura. Yet, seeing the strands of golden hair hanging at the doorway, her aloof demeanor instantly melted into meekness. She pursed her lips and discreetly tucked the hair away.

Creak!

Zhu Zhuyun entered the room, immediately dropping to one knee and bowing respectfully before Qian Renjue.

"Zhu Zhuyun greets Your Highness!"

"Rise. I’ve told you before, there’s no need to be so formal," Qian Renjue said casually.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Zhu Zhuyun replied, standing upright with respect.

Qian Renjue, seated beside Ling Yuan, glanced at her and instructed, "Today, help me arrange a meeting with the captain of the city guard."

"Understood!" Zhu Zhuyun replied mechanically.

Her face, hidden beneath her black hair, had long lost its former pride. She had witnessed too many people tormented by the Mark of Darkness, suffering fates worse than death. Even Dai Weisi had been broken and turned into a loyal hound. Zhu Zhuyun no longer dared to challenge her fate.

"I’ll get to it immediately," she said humbly, bowing to take her leave.

"Wait," Qian Renjue said, raising an eyebrow. "No rush. Have lunch with us before you go."

With a mere thought, steaming delicacies appeared on the table.

Zhu Zhuyun halted, nodded slightly, and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

"Qian Renjue, feed me!" the Ice Empress suddenly demanded, perching on the table and lifting her chin expectantly.

Qian Renjue picked up his chopsticks and nudged her aside.
"Turn into your human form and feed yourself."

"No way! You’re willing to feed my sister; why not me?!"

With a flash of light, the Ice Empress transformed into her twin-tailed human form, standing with her hands on her hips and glaring.

"Should I do it instead?" Ling Yuan offered with a smile.

"You?! Absolutely not! I only want Qian Renjue to feed me!" the Ice Empress retorted.

"..."

Zhu Zhuyun lowered her head, silently listening to the bickering without daring to interrupt.

Qian Renjue might appear kind, but the way he mercilessly tortured nobles into submission was enough to make her shiver. To her, he was a smiling devil.


---

In a private room at an inn:

Amid the piercing screams of a soul saint, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun paled. Dai Weisi, in particular, was frozen in terror, not daring to look at the golden-haired youth casually playing with a pet while seated at the head of the table.

Meanwhile, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s treasury:

Bone Douluo busily stuffed items into a spatial soul tool.

"This, that, and don’t forget the teapot..."

"Bone Uncle, there’s no need to pack my cane, right?" Ning Fengzhi said, his mouth twitching.

"Fengzhi, what kind of father are you?!" Bone Douluo spun around, frowning as he scolded Ning Fengzhi.
"What if Rongrong misses you? At least she can look at your cane!"

"Ah?!" Ning Fengzhi was dumbfounded.

Sword Douluo covered his face, unable to watch.

"And why are you putting Fengzhi’s Token in there?"

"Little Sword, what’s your problem?!" Bone Douluo poked Sword Douluo in the chest, his tone serious.

"Rongrong is leaving home for the first time! How can we not prepare properly? Hurry up and help!"

"This is the list I spent all night drafting. Check if I missed anything!"

Rustle!

Sword Douluo’s eyebrows twitched as he unrolled a several-meter-long checklist draped around his neck, veins bulging on his forehead.