357. Seeking Attention

Hearing Xiao Wu's sweet and soft voice, a gentle, spring-like smile appeared on Qian Renjue's face. He silently repeated her words in his heart and softly replied to her.

"I'm here."


"Haha, Holy Son!"

Hearing the bunny's infatuated words, Qian Renjue couldn't help but chuckle. He had only responded, so what was so wonderful about it?

Ling Yuan Douluo stood quietly beside him, gazing up at the mysterious smile on Qian Renjue's face. She remained silent, accustomed to scenes like this.

Zhu Zhuqing stood in the stream, glancing at Qian Renjue, her gaze dimming slightly before she refocused on the remaining two water pillars.

She raised her hands, activating her third spirit ability, Nether Slash!

Slash—splash!

The sound was louder than before. Out of the corner of her eye, she peeked at Qian Renjue, seeing that he was still lost in thought. Her body lunged forward, and her claws struck out instantly.

Ding-ding—

The bell rang repeatedly as the water pillar burst apart.

Without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing activated her third spirit ring again, raising her delicate hands to use her third spirit ability in succession. Already somewhat drained, her face began to pale.

Boom!

Ignoring her exhaustion, Zhu Zhuqing pushed herself even harder.

————

While Zhu Zhuqing exerted herself to capture her teacher’s attention, Qian Renjue was still engaged in conversation with Xiao Wu, making plans to meet.

"Yay, this is awesome!"

“Holy Son, Xiao Wu wants some of the cake your mother makes.”

"And some tasty grass too."

Xiao Wu’s excitement was evident as she reminisced, her mouth watering at the thought.

“Hehe, sure, I’ll bring it to you. Just be careful, alright?”

Qian Renjue was amused but exasperated.

Xiao Wu’s requests were simple enough. He had cake in his system space, and he could pluck fresh grass straight from Ah Yin whenever she wanted.

Absolutely fresh and delicious.

"Mhm, Holy Son, don’t worry!"

In response to Qian Renjue’s concern, Xiao Wu eagerly replied.

“Xiao Wu is very clever now. No one at Notting Academy dares say Xiao Wu is silly anymore!”

"Haha."

Qian Renjue couldn’t hold back his laughter, and in his heart, he replied:

“Alright then, when Tang San goes soul-hunting, I’ll come over in person.”

“Mhm, see you soon, Holy Son!”

“Mm, goodbye.”

With a light smile, Qian Renjue ended his connection with Xiao Wu, the golden ring in his palm dimming.

Beside him, Ling Yuan looked at him curiously, asking, “Your Highness, is there something joyous?”

“Not really anything joyous, just that the little bunny made me laugh.”

Qian Renjue took the tea Ling Yuan handed him, sipping lightly as his purple eyes narrowed slightly.

The gift he had prepared for Tang San… he’d collect a little return gift from Tang Hao.

“That 100,000-year-old Soft-Boned Rabbit, right?” Ling Yuan nodded, recalling Xiao Wu’s cute, delicate appearance after transformation.

Qian Renjue nodded slightly, smiling. “Sister Ling Yuan, I’ll need your help in a few days to handle some things in Notting City.”

“Your Highness, I’m devoted to you to the end,” Ling Yuan replied, playfully rolling her eyes at Qian Renjue, displeased by his formal tone.

"Haha."

Qian Renjue raised his hand to pat Ling Yuan on the head, intending to playfully touch her face as well—when suddenly, the sound of a water pillar bursting reached his ears.

Splash!

The final water pillar split apart under Zhu Zhuqing’s full-force Nether Slash!

Inside, the bell swayed, etched with claw marks.

Ding—ding—

Splash!

Zhu Zhuqing staggered, splashing water as she reached for the bell about to fall into the stream.

Qian Renjue glanced up, but his hand, which was moving toward Ling Yuan’s head, did not pause.

A soft whimper escaped Ling Yuan as she felt Qian Renjue’s warm hand gently holding her, like a warm jade against her skin, causing her face to flush.


Qian Renjue didn’t continue; instead, his hand brushed past lightly, making Ling Yuan shiver.

The bell finally stopped ringing.

“Great!” Zhu Zhuqing held the last bell in her hand, a faint smile breaking through her pale face.

Hovering in mid-air, she turned to look at Qian Renjue, but her vision suddenly darkened. Her spirit power was exhausted, leaving her weak and falling toward the stream.

“Teacher…” Zhu Zhuqing murmured softly as she looked at his blurry figure, her petite form barely touching the water's surface. Closing her eyes, she braced herself.

Yet, no splash came; there was no feeling of drowning. Under Ling Yuan’s gaze, Qian Renjue extended his hands, creating a gentle wave that cushioned Zhu Zhuqing like the warmth of a cozy fire.

Gradually opening her eyes, Zhu Zhuqing felt a light smack on her bottom.

Smack—

A slight burning sting made her face instantly redden, tears almost welling up. Qian Renjue’s exasperated voice sounded beside her.

“When I told you to train, I didn’t mean to push yourself like this. Why do you always overdo it? Do you enjoy showing off?”

With that, he lightly patted her twice more.

“N-No, Teacher…” Zhu Zhuqing murmured softly, her face blushing as she lay in his arms, feeling a tinge of shy satisfaction. Her goal seemed achieved.

【Congratulations to the host on successfully spreading love! (Recipient: Zhu Zhuqing)】

【Reward: 100 points!】

Huh?!

Qian Renjue looked at the kitten-like Zhu Zhuqing resting in his arms with a puzzled expression. What was happening?

“Teacher… I’ll be more careful next time,” Zhu Zhuqing said softly, clutching her reddened cheeks, her voice tinged with a hint of pleading. Qian Renjue sighed, gently lowering himself to the ground.

“Alright, take a good rest if you’re tired.”

“Thank you, Teacher…” Zhu Zhuqing replied, with a trace of joy in her voice as she lay curled up in his arms, her face flushed.

Qian Renjue called out to Ah Yin, the healer, to care for his little cat. His gaze drifted upstream to a rock protruding from the water, where a pair of cat ears peeked out.

————

At Notting Academy, in Dorm Seven.

Though a work-study dorm, it was filled with a refined floral scent. At the center was a soft, pink bed, draped with a pink canopy and surrounded by a circle of flowers that emitted a light fragrance, with even some carrots planted around.

This was Xiao Wu’s unique bed, an unabashedly girlish touch. At that moment, she was nestled in the bed, giggling and wriggling like a little caterpillar, thoroughly enjoying herself as she communicated with Qian Renjue.

She reported Tang San’s breakthrough and urged Qian Renjue to come soon.

Outside her small realm, the other beds, made of plain wooden boards and iron frames, were modest in comparison.

Tang San’s bed, however, was set half a meter closer to hers—a special privilege, making him the unofficial guardian of her space, responsible for protection and tidiness.

At this moment, Tang San sat cross-legged on his bed, his slightly weary eyes gleaming with a faint purple light as he watched Xiao Wu’s blanket wriggle and listened to her laughter.

A smile formed on his dark face; he knew Xiao Wu was celebrating his breakthrough to level twenty.

Determined, Tang San thought to himself that he wouldn’t disappoint her—the second spirit ring was his next priority!