332. Scene You Like To See

Qian Renjue left Lingyuan behind.

A dark, ominous hook—reminiscent of an evil god's claw—swiftly grew from his back, piercing through the air, opening a dark vortex from which an intense chill emanated.

In an instant, Qian Renjue vanished.

Hu Liena, accustomed to her senior brother's abilities, wasn’t surprised, but Yan couldn't help swallowing nervously.

“Xie Yue, just how strong is His Highness?”

Xie Yue, looking at him with reverence, replied with difficulty, “A few months ago, Nana said he’d reached seventy-five—a Soul Sage.”

“Soul Sage already?! That's insanely fast.”

Yan’s dark-red eyes showed shock; even their teachers at the Martial Soul Academy were only Soul Emperors.

“Nana, what are you guys whispering about?” Hu Liena asked with a proud smile.

“You both need to put in the effort; you’re trailing behind me quite a bit.”

Xie Yue chuckled with a helpless smile, doting on his sister. “Don’t worry, I won’t hold you back. Time to get back to training.”

Yan nodded firmly and raised his fists. “Nana, let’s spar with the techniques His Highness taught us.”

“Yan! Are you trying to beat me up?!” Hu Liena frowned in protest.

Though she’d practiced Jade Hand, so had Yan.

She’d have to be crazy to face a close-combat fighter like him at her level!

——

Extreme North, in the frozen tundra.

Within an ice cave, restored to its former state, Qian Renjue, his golden hair and purple eyes gleaming, stepped out from the black vortex, wearing a pale yellow robe.

Before him stood a smooth, mirror-like ice wall.

He slowly turned, sensing Snow Empress' presence.

At that moment, a cool, uncertain voice echoed.

“Qian Renjue?”

“Yes, it’s me,” he answered with a faint smile, feeling that communication would be easier if she remembered his name.

But as he turned to face the voice, his smile froze, his eyes going vacant as they focused involuntarily.

There, Snow Empress hovered near the ceiling, adding finishing touches to an ice sculpture.

Nothing seemed amiss, except... why wasn’t she wearing any clothes?!

Her slender figure was flawless—skin as pale as ice, transparent like crystal, with an ethereal quality.

Beautiful face, perfect curves, everything meticulously refined, like an unblemished piece of art—pure as snow, regal as winter flowers.

Her clear, sky-blue eyes watched him with innocent curiosity, puzzled by his dazed gaze.

It was strange: he clearly preferred seeing her this way, yet he had once asked her to wear clothes.

Realizing he was staring, Qian Renjue quickly averted his gaze, covering his eyes, and turned around, his breathing a little rapid.

“My apologies. I... I didn’t know you weren’t dressed.”

Snow Empress paused, seemingly realizing why he had said “sorry” during their first meeting—it was because she hadn’t been dressed.

Her bare feet touched the icy ground as she landed, looking at Qian Renjue’s turned back. “Human, aren’t you afraid I might harm you?”

“The Snow Empress… wouldn’t lower herself to such a tactic,” he replied, still covering his eyes.

Although he remained cautious, he trusted that she wouldn’t resort to treachery.

“Is that so?” she murmured with a slight nod, acknowledging his answer.

“Um… Snow Empress, would you mind putting something on?”

“I cannot,” she replied plainly.

“Why not? I… I can’t bear this,” Qian Renjue stammered. He was unaccustomed to such a situation, even with his past experiences.

“You forget? Last time… you destroyed my clothes.”

A faint note of resentment slipped into her previously emotionless voice.

“You… I destroyed them?”

Qian Renjue hesitated, recalling their previous encounter when she’d been nearly stripped of her garments during the fight.

“Then… don’t you have any other clothes?”

“No,” she replied calmly. “That outfit was a gift from Bing’er, and it fit just right. She told me to wait here until she could find human clothing to bring back for me.”

“…”

Qian Renjue frowned at the thought of the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion stealing human women’s clothes.

Snow Empress's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

“Turn around. I know you like seeing me this way.”

“Wha—?”

Qian Renjue’s eyes widened, caught off guard by her bluntness. He didn’t want to look; he just accidentally glanced too many times, that was all… right?

“What are you waiting for?” she asked, taking a step closer, as though intending to let him view her beauty up close.

“Hold on… Just stay where you are!” he called out, extending a hand behind him in desperation.

He thought quickly, recalling an item he had recently acquired—a trinket that might just save him here.

Snow Empress froze, a look of confusion passing over her serene face. If he liked looking, why wasn’t he looking?

“If you don’t mind… could you turn around?”

“Fine,” she agreed after a brief pause, turning gracefully to face away from him.

Finally, he turned around to see her back—her pristine, long hair cascading down, nearly touching her ankles, draping over her smooth back and resting on her rounded shoulders and slender arms.

She stood there in calm grace.

Regaining his composure, Qian Renjue retrieved an item: the Illusion Garment Pearl

With a smile, he said softly, “A gift, just for you—I hope you’ll like it.”

“A gift?” Snow Empress sounded faintly surprised as his hands reached forward, clasping the pearl around her shoulders.