431. Playboy

Star Luo Empire.

After returning from the extreme north, Qian Renjue reached out to Zhu Zhuqing, who was in the middle of her cultivation.

The skill of the Evil God's Hook had already been used for the day, so he could only traverse through the Teaching Jade Token to establish contact with his disciple.

It was still early, just before noon.

In a secluded corner of Star Luo City, within the Zhu family estate, in the boudoir of the second young lady.

Zhu Zhuqing held a cup of tea in her hands, her eyes filled with anticipation as she silently awaited Qian Renjue's arrival.

Suddenly, golden arcs of electricity flickered in the air before her.

A vortex gradually emerged.

Qian Renjue’s figure slowly stepped out of it.

As Zhu Zhuqing prepared to step forward to greet him with her tea, she suddenly froze mid-step, tilting her head in curiosity.

Her eyes sparkled with surprise.

Teacher brought another woman along?
She’s so beautiful.

Behind Qian Renjue was a golden-haired woman with violet eyes.

Her appearance bore some resemblance to the teacher himself.

The two held hands. Unlike the teacher’s gentleness, the woman exuded a sacred and majestic aura.

Her glowing violet eyes only softened when she gazed at Qian Renjue.

"Teacher, have some tea~"

Zhu Zhuqing approached obediently, offering the tea.

Without overthinking, she knew the teacher would introduce the newcomer to her.

"Haha, Zhuqing is so well-behaved."

Qian Renjue took the tea, chuckling as he gently ruffled Zhu Zhuqing’s silky hair.

Usually, he would discourage Zhuqing from such formalities.

But now—

Qian Renxue was standing right beside him.

Naturally, Qian Renjue wanted to show his sister the excellent disciple he had trained!

"Hmm~"

Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes, relishing the warmth atop her head.

Qian Renxue observed the petite figure.

So young, yet she had already made progress, though her face still appeared quite childlike.

Sensing a stranger’s gaze, Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes and looked up at Qian Renxue, stopping her subtle head movements.

In her ear, Qian Renjue’s gentle voice explained:

"Zhuqing, this is your teacher’s elder sister, Qian Renxue."

Elder sister?

Zhu Zhuqing paused in surprise.

She had only ever heard of this person in passing from Ling Yuan and Qian Renjue’s conversations.

She had been so focused on admiring the stunning visage that she had completely forgotten.

Quickly stepping away from Qian Renjue’s grasp, she went to the table, poured another cup of tea, and returned.

Bowing respectfully, she offered the tea with a greeting.

"Zhuqing greets Teacher’s elder sister!"

Hearing herself called “Teacher’s elder sister” for the first time, Qian Renxue felt a surge of emotion. She accepted the tea with a slight nod and praised:

"Not bad, already a Soul Elder."

"Of course, Zhuqing has always been diligent."

Qian Renjue interjected, patting Zhuqing's head affectionately.

With a blush spreading across her cheeks, Zhu Zhuqing rubbed her head lightly against Qian Renjue’s palm, her tone sweet:

"It’s all thanks to teacher’s excellent guidance!"

"Heh."

Qian Renxue chuckled softly.

She watched Zhu Zhuqing’s kitten-like behavior as she sought affection under Qian Renjue’s hand, then shot a playful yet disapproving glance at her brother.

Is this what you call respecting your teacher?

Clearly, she’s a rebellious disciple with ulterior motives!

Sipping her tea, Qian Renxue squinted her eyes, deciding not to interfere.

Zhu Zhuqing, as she was now, was merely on par with Ning Rongrong.

If she aimed to rise in status, she still had a long way to go.

As for Zhu Zhuqing’s family background—

Qian Renxue didn’t feel strongly about it.

Her impression of Zhu Zhuqing was faint, almost as if she were a decorative figure.

Back then, Zhu Zhuqing had been inconsequential to the grander schemes.

Even now, not much had changed. If she could grow quickly, perhaps she could become useful.

After finishing his tea, Qian Renjue…



Zhu Zhuqing obediently took the teacup with both hands, lifting her head as she awaited Qian Renjue's instructions.
“Teacher, what are we practicing today?”

“Teacher has some matters to attend to today. Zhuqing, you can practice on your own for now.”

Qian Renjue gently pinched Zhu Zhuqing’s soft cheek and said with a smile, “Once I’m done, I’ll come find you later.”

“Mm, mm, I understand.”

Zhu Zhuqing nodded meekly, though curiosity flickered in her heart. She refrained from asking further since she knew she wasn’t in a position to help yet.

Her teacher had once assured her: One day, you will be needed.

“Then it’s settled,” Qian Renjue said with a smile.

He had already sensed Zhu Zhuyun’s location through the Mark of Darkness.

Turning to Qian Renxue, he held her delicate hand.
“Sister, let’s go.”

“Mm,” Qian Renxue responded softly, setting down her teacup. From her hand, a small embroidered pouch appeared, its red string dangling as she hung it before Zhu Zhuqing.

“This is a meeting gift.”

“The Nine-Turn Soul Ascension Pill can be consumed at the forty-ninth rank to directly break through to the fiftieth.”

“This…” Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily stunned. She glanced at Qian Renjue for approval, and upon receiving it, she carefully accepted the pouch with both hands.

“Thank you, Teacher’s Elder Sister!”

“Mm,” Qian Renxue nodded slightly, allowing the pouch to fall into Zhu Zhuqing’s palms.

The meeting gift had, of course, been prepared by Qian Renjue.

“Let’s go, Jue,” Qian Renxue urged.

“Zhuqing, train hard. I’ll see you later,” Qian Renjue added, a flicker of purple-black light flashing between his brows.

The siblings’ figures disappeared, leaving only the lingering echoes in the room and the still-warm teacups.

“Zhuqing will do her best,” Zhu Zhuqing replied crisply, knowing her teacher might still be able to hear her within the room.

“Nine-Turn Soul Ascension Pill?”

Zhu Zhuqing opened the embroidered pouch to reveal the purple pill inside, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

She harbored no doubts about its efficacy.

After all, the Ice Skin Jade Bone Pill her teacher had given her before had been instrumental in her progress.

Carefully, she tucked the pill into the six-winged pendant she wore close to her heart, patting it gently.

Her eyes shone with determination.
I must work hard and perform well!

To Zhu Zhuqing, Qian Renxue was more than just her teacher’s elder sister.

After tidying her things, Zhu Zhuqing left her room and headed to the mountainside, where she usually trained.


---

Zhu Family Residence

Hand in hand, Qian Renjue and Qian Renxue strolled leisurely under the cover of the Evil God's Heart, heading toward the eldest young lady’s chamber.

Qian Renxue suddenly recalled something.

When Qian Renjue had gone to the extreme north, she had specifically sought out Ling Yuan.

During their encounters, Ling Yuan, eager to avoid trouble or embarrassment, had been extremely honest.

Looking at Qian Renjue, Qian Renxue asked curiously, “Jue, Ling Yuan mentioned you found a woman in your dreams?”

“Uh… something like that,” Qian Renjue replied with a dry laugh, avoiding further explanation.

Qian Renxue gave him a look of exasperation, playfully bumping her head against his shoulder.

“I don’t know where you get this knack for attracting women. You’re infiltrating every corner!”

“That’s all coincidence. At the start, I didn’t want any of it either.”

Qian Renjue shrugged. The situation with Liu Erlong hadn’t been fully resolved yet, and he still needed to bring her home eventually.

“Hmph! That woman was an accident. Are you going to claim the others were all accidents too?”

Qian Renxue pinched his waist in irritation.

“Hiss— Sister~” Qian Renjue quickly covered the spot and begged for mercy, unable to answer her sharp question.

Taking Qian Renxue’s hand, he looked at the door ahead.
“ Sister, we’re here.”

“Hmph~”

Qian Renxue huffed softly, rubbing the spot she had pinched, and chose not to pursue the matter further.

One day, when she had the time, she thought,

I need to meet this daughter-in-law that Mom refuses to accept.