267. Lasting Impression

"You don't have to give an answer right away."

Qian Renjue smiled, not discouraged.

Under Zhu Zhuqing's confused gaze, he slowly stood up, took a step back, and as his spirit power surged, he said with a smile:

"Before you think about it, let me introduce myself first."

As soon as he finished speaking, black, cold energy surged behind him.

A figure with silver hair and red eyes, pale skin, a black body, and six black wings appeared.

The temperature in the room gradually dropped, and beneath him, six black and purple spirit rings far exceeded the standard.

Clatter.

The chopsticks in Zhu Zhuqing’s hand fell onto the table.

Her clear violet eyes, like the sky after rain, reflected the scene before her.

An icy demon stood behind the warm, gentle boy, creating a sharp contrast.

The rotating spirit rings on the floor caused her bright eyes to widen in shock, and she couldn't help but open her soft mouth slightly.

"Let me introduce myself."

"My name is Qian Renjue. My spirit is the Six-Winged Fallen Angel. I'm sixteen years old and a Rank 70 Spirit Emperor."

After introducing himself, Qian Renjue raised his right hand and rubbed his chin before saying to himself:

"I think with my age and rank, I'm qualified to be your teacher, right?"

"…"

What responded to Qian Renjue was a long silence.

Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at him, her mind buzzing in confusion.

Although she had only recently awakened her spirit, growing up in the Zhu family, where the Hell Spirit Cat was passed down, she knew how difficult cultivation was.

For example, her father, the head of the Zhu family, was only a Spirit Douluo.

Even her sister Zhu Zhuyun, considered a genius, was only a Rank 29 Spirit Grandmaster at thirteen.

Yet the boy before her had reached Rank 70 at his age, with a terrifying spirit and inhuman spirit rings.

Each detail delivered a huge shock to her understanding.

"Well?"

Seeing no reaction for a while, Qian Renjue raised an eyebrow and glanced at the stunned Zhu Zhuqing.

He couldn't help but laugh.

Retracting his spirit, he sat back down in front of Zhu Zhuqing.

Resting his chin on his hand, he teased:

"You're shocked, aren't you?"

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing dumbly nodded her head.

"If you become my disciple, you might not reach my level, but I will do my best to teach you."

Qian Renjue said as he picked up a piece of tender, boneless fish belly with his chopsticks, stretched out his hand, and placed it into Zhu Zhuqing’s mouth.

The tip of the chopstick lightly brushed against her moist tongue.

"Mm!"

Zhu Zhuqing finally snapped out of her daze.

She quickly raised both hands to cover her small mouth, backing away with a flushed face, angrily glaring at Qian Renjue.

"Haha."

Qian Renjue couldn’t help but laugh.

He gestured to the dishes on the table with his chopsticks.

"Is this enough food for you? If not, I have more."

Covering her mouth, Zhu Zhuqing swallowed the fish and nodded.

"This is plenty."

"Good."

Qian Renjue placed the chopsticks down, showing no intention of staying long.

Looking at Zhu Zhuqing, his voice carried a bright smile:

"I've said all I wanted to say."

"Now, you have enough time to think it over. I'll return in a month."

Without waiting for her response, Qian Renjue activated the talisman in his hand. His figure began to fade as if being swallowed by space.

Under Zhu Zhuqing’s astonished gaze, he disappeared without a trace, leaving only a gentle echo:

"Crying won’t change anything, little kitten. See you next month~"

"…"

Zhu Zhuqing stood there, dumbfounded, looking around.

Today's events had been so strange that she even began to wonder if it was all a dream.

She couldn't help but raise her small hand and pinch her cheek.

"Ouch~"

Zhu Zhuqing winced, rubbing her cheek in pain. Staring at the steaming food on the table, she muttered to herself:

"How did that big brother do it?"

Looking at the delicious dishes, Zhu Zhuqing quickly pushed aside her thoughts and focused on filling her belly.

Without a doubt, the many strange things about Qian Renjue had left a deep impression on her.

———

In the cultivation chamber of the Spirit Hall’s Pope Palace.

Qian Renjue had returned.

He stretched his body to adjust and sighed, shaking his head.

"It seems I still have to wait for the spirit ring."

"But it wasn’t a fruitless trip."

A smile appeared on his face as he recalled the day’s long journey.

The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, the two snowy peaks in the extreme north—

"Uh—"

Halfway through reminiscing, Qian Renjue's face turned awkward.

He quickly shook his head, trying to clear the image of those two snowy peaks from his mind, along with the freshly-bathed Heavenly Snow Woman.

He pushed all those thoughts aside and tossed the talisman in his hand to the ground.

The ancient talisman had lost its luster, gradually turning to dust.

"Hopefully, this thing doesn’t fail me."

Qian Renjue gathered himself, looking at the golden warm jade in his hand.

This was his reward from the Blue Silver Forest— the Teaching Jade Scroll.

The characters "Master" and "Disciple" were engraved on opposite sides of the golden jade.

In its center, there was a golden orb, distinct from the jade’s color.

Qian Renjue’s intention to take Zhu Zhuqing as a disciple was connected to this golden orb. According to the system’s prompt, it might contain a complete inheritance.

Perhaps there would be an unexpected surprise.

"Given her current situation, Zhu Zhuqing will likely agree to become my disciple."

Qian Renjue put away the Teaching Jade Scroll.

He stood up and stretched.

Although he had revealed his name, appearance, spirit, and rank to Zhu Zhuqing, none of this was too important.

Given his spirit ring configuration, even if word spread, who would believe it?

Especially since they were so far away, within the Zhu family.

Qian Renjue cleared his mind, opened the heavy stone door of the cultivation chamber, and stepped out.

"It’s getting late. I wonder if my sister has eaten."

"Your Highness!"

As soon as he stepped out, a familiar soft voice greeted him.

Qian Renjue looked up to see a tall, full-figured woman with a heroic bearing and short black hair that highlighted her exquisite face.

"Sister Ling, why are you still here?"

Qian Renjue asked in confusion. At this time, she should have gone home.

Ling Yuan Douluo showed a hint of resentment and said playfully:

"Your Highness had been gone for so long, Miss Xue asked me to wait for you."

"So that's it. I’ve troubled you, Sister Ling."

Qian Renjue responded with a sheepish smile.

"As long as you’re alright, Your Highness."

Ling Yuan shook her head. Her complaint was playful, born out of affection, not real annoyance.

Moreover, Qian Renjue’s attitude towards her was always very considerate.

"By the way, Your Highness."

Ling Yuan’s face softened as she stepped closer, her voice low and fragrant:

"Miss Xue said that when you’re done, she wants you to return early. She has something to discuss with you."

"…"

Qian Renjue stared at her beautiful face, his breath slightly quickening as her soft body pressed against him, gently pushing him back.