429. Dare Not To Act Arrogant

Early morning.

Before the dawn broke, a cool breeze swept through the air.

Hu Liena sat on the rooftop, gazing eastward, her eyes fixed on the purple aura rising from the horizon.

She captured the serene sight in her enchanting eyes.

Meanwhile, Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, mother and daughter, had already risen early and completed their morning routines.

The two sat beneath the pavilion by the pond.

Bibi Dong was instructing Qian Renxue on the essentials of cultivating the Great Sumeru Hammer technique.

The pair chatted and laughed together, their conversation extending beyond cultivation to other topics.

Seeing the doting smiles on their faces, it was easy to guess the subject of their discussion: none other than Qian Renjue, who was still lazing in bed.

The chilly morning breeze danced through the lotus blossoms in the pond, causing the flowers to sway gently.

Yet even their beauty paled in comparison to the mother and daughter beneath the pavilion.

The breeze carried the fresh fragrance of the blossoms, dispersing it through the air.

It flowed slowly and steadily, filling the room within.

The cold draft seeping through the windows made Qian Renjue furrow his brows slightly.

At this moment.

He still lay in bed, arms spread wide, though the warm, soft bodies that had nestled beside him were long gone.

The lingering fragrance they left behind, however, still teased his senses.

Dressed in a loose robe, its wide neckline revealed his well-toned, smooth physique.

The exposed skin beneath the blanket felt a mix of coolness and faint itching sensations.

An Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion rested on Qian Renjue's chest, moving about under the blanket before poking its head out.

"Qian Renjue, wake up already!"

"Stop messing around~"

Qian Renjue frowned slightly, scratching an itch absentmindedly.

"Hey! Didn't you promise to bring food to Elder Sister today? Get up already!"

The Ice Emperor spoke through clenched mandibles, exasperated yet insistent.

"Ah—"

Qian Renjue waved a hand, sending the scorpion flying off his face.

"Stop it, what time is it anyway?"

After speaking, he grabbed a nearby pillow and covered his face with it.

His muffled voice came through.
"You know how late I was up talking last night. Of course, I need more sleep."

"Annoying humans!"

Flipping onto the ground, the Ice Emperor was furious.

A green glow enveloped her, and she transformed into a human figure.

The petite girl with twin pigtails in a green dress climbed to her feet, hands on her hips, standing at Qian Renjue's bedside.

She gritted her teeth.
"Your mom and your sister aren’t even this lazy! Get up and go see Elder Sister with me!"

Fuming, the Ice Emperor ripped the blanket off him.

She was itching to find Snow Empress and vent about the bizarre and incomprehensible things she’d experienced in this house of freaks.

"Wait, what is this...?"

Just as she was about to speak, her gaze froze, fixing on something.

Her expression shifted to shock and fear as she instinctively backed away.

Qian Renjue’s lips twitched in exasperation as he threw the pillow aside.

"Fine, fine! I'm getting up. But if you interrupt my rest again, I’ll lock you up!"

Saying this, he sat up, running a hand through his messy golden hair.

Not hearing any response for a while, Qian Renjue opened his bleary eyes and turned to look at the Ice Emperor.

He saw her face flushed red, her demeanor hesitant and awkward.

Frowning, he asked,
"Ice Emperor, what’s wrong? Did I accidentally hurt you earlier?"

"You... you wish!"

The Ice Emperor stiffened her neck and snapped,
"As if I’d ever be hurt by that kind of thing!"

"Huh?"



Qian Renjue looked at the Ice Emperor in confusion. What did she mean by "that kind of thing"?

Seeing the mix of embarrassment and curiosity in her gaze, Qian Renjue froze for a moment, his mind clearing slightly. His face turned a bit awkward as he discreetly used the long hem of his robe to cover himself.

Awkwardly, he said,
"Uh... I'll just go freshen up."

With that, he bent down to put on his shoes, using the motion to walk a few steps forward before quickly diving into the bathroom.

"Is this guy even human?!"

The Ice Emperor stood in place, mortified, tugging at her twin ponytails in disbelief.

"Hmph!"

She snorted softly and returned to sit on the bed. The lingering warmth of the bedding seemed to make her seat uncomfortably warm.

Qian Renjue finished washing up quickly.

He emerged from the bathroom, dressed neatly, his golden hair messy yet contrasting sharply with his pristine attire. His handsome features were as sharp as carved jade, exuding a mix of warmth and resilience.

The moment he stepped out, the Ice Emperor’s green eyes immediately darted to certain areas, drawing an involuntary twitch from Qian Renjue’s eye.

What a little pervert!

"You—what are you looking at? Hmph!"

The Ice Emperor averted her gaze, pretending innocence, her cheeks flushing red as she huffed in feigned indignation.

"Alright, let’s go," Qian Renjue said helplessly, not wanting to bicker over trivial matters. He was long accustomed to such antics.

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and began walking outside, raising a hand to stifle a yawn.

He mumbled,
"I’ll have Nana prepare some food first, and then I’ll take it to Snow Empress."

"Alright!"

The Ice Emperor cupped her cheeks and followed quickly behind him.

As she trailed him, she caught a faint whiff of his scent clinging to her and frowned, sniffing herself in disbelief. She was enveloped in his scent!

Biting her red lips in embarrassment and frustration, she glared at the golden-haired figure in front of her.

Just as they stepped outside, Qian Renjue's eyes locked onto the figure sitting beneath the pavilion—a stunning Qian Renxue, whose beauty seemed to outshine all the flowers around her.

Her graceful posture and charming demeanor made her presence captivating. With a cup of fragrant tea in her hand and a plate of pastries on the table, she radiated elegance.

Sensing movement, Qian Renxue's golden-purple eyes lifted slightly, meeting his gaze. Her exquisite face softened with a gentle smile.

"Qian Renjue, I’m hungry. Prepare something for me as well."

The Ice Emperor’s voice suddenly broke the moment, drifting up from beside him.

As she moved from behind to his side, the Ice Emperor instantly felt a chill that made her shiver.

Her heart skipped a beat. In the presence of these divine beings in Qian Renjue's family, she dared not act arrogant.

When she lifted her eyes to look at Qian Renxue, the icy pressure swiftly disappeared.

From across the distance, Qian Renxue gave him an exaggerated roll of her eyes, a trace of annoyance flashing in her gaze.

For a moment, she thought Qian Renjue had brought back another random woman, only to recall it was just the "old scorpion."

Qian Renjue, aware of the brief hostility, chuckled and introduced them,
"Sister, this is the Ice Emperor in her human form."

"Mm, I know," Qian Renxue nodded slightly, feigning irritation.

"Hurry over here. There’s still something we didn’t finish discussing last night."

"Alright, I’m coming," Qian Renjue responded, stepping forward.

The Ice Emperor exhaled in relief.

Fortunately, she was Qian Renjue’s spirit ring—she wouldn’t be in danger.

Thud!

A dull sound came from behind.

The Ice Emperor immediately turned to see Qian Renjue’s junior apprentice sister, Hu Liena, jumping down from the rooftop.

"Senior Brother! Hmm?"

She looked curiously at the Ice Emperor.
"Is this the little scorpion you brought back, Senior Brother?"

"Yes," Qian Renjue replied, continuing to walk forward while glancing back with a smile.

He instructed,
"Nana, can you help me prepare some food later?"

"No problem!" Hu Liena replied cheerfully.

"Hmph! I’m not some little scorpion. I am the noble Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion," the Ice Emperor muttered, pursing her lips.

For some reason, in this household, she couldn’t muster any confidence when speaking.

"Haha."

Hu Liena couldn’t help but laugh at the Ice Emperor’s indignant yet aggrieved expression.

Her teacher and Miss Qian Renxue were truly terrifying—so much so that even a 400,000-year-old spirit beast dared not cross them.