Death Canyon, night.
The twilight draped over the camp like a veil, and the gentle moonlight softly enveloped the tranquil surroundings.
The flickering campfire cast warm light onto Qian Renxue's figure, stretching a long shadow behind her on the ground.
"I might have to leave earlier than expected."
Qian Renxue lowered her gaze, her pale fingertips unconsciously rubbing against each other. Her voice was soft, tinged with an almost imperceptible hint of melancholy.
"Actually, when my soul power reached level 60, Grandpa had already planned to take me away to obtain a soul ring."
"It's just that at the time… I…"
She paused, shaking her head slightly. "Never mind. Anyway, I'm planning to leave with Grandpa early tomorrow morning to get my soul ring."
"After that, who knows how long it will be until we meet again?"
Qian Renxue wasn't just the aloof and awe-inspiring 'young master' of the Spirit Hall; she also carried another identity—Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of the Tiandou Empire.
And she had been absent from the Tiandou Empire for some time, publicly claiming illness as an excuse.
Although there seemed to be no princes left in the empire capable of threatening her position as crown prince, she couldn't stay away forever.
Next, she would go to obtain her soul ring, and after that…
Qian Renxue understood that once she finished obtaining her soul ring, she wouldn't be able to return to Spirit City. She would have to go back to the Tiandou Empire.
The next time she saw Dai Chengfeng, it would be at least several years later.
It was truly a distant future.
Thinking about this, Qian Renxue suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of sadness welling up inside her.
Dai Chengfeng, hearing this, paused momentarily, stopping what he was doing and quietly gazing at Qian Renxue.
Considering her identity as Xue Qinghe, he realized that her statement about not knowing when they'd meet again wasn't a joke.
"Mm."
However, Dai Chengfeng didn't seem overly worried. He simply nodded and responded calmly.
At the same time, he reached out and gently stroked Qian Renxue's golden hair, his movements tender and natural, his voice filled with reassurance.
"It's alright. If I have time, I can come visit you."
Qian Renxue's eyes instantly lit up, but they quickly dimmed again. She shook her head. "Visit me?"
"You won't be able to find me…"
In her mind, Dai Chengfeng was completely unaware of her other identity. She assumed that when he said he would visit her, he meant going to the Spirit Hall to see her.
But she wasn't in the Spirit Hall, nor was she even in Spirit City.
Therefore, naturally, he wouldn't be able to see her.
However, Dai Chengfeng merely smiled confidently. "How could I not find you?"
"I know you aren't usually in Spirit City, otherwise we wouldn't have met in the Tiandou City last time."
"If I'm not mistaken, you probably live in the Tiandou City."
"When I want to see you, I'll just go to the Tiandou City."
Instantly, Qian Renxue's heart tightened.
After all, her identity as Xue Qinghe was a closely guarded secret. It absolutely couldn't be exposed.
Now, hearing Dai Chengfeng mention that she was in the Tiandou City, how could she not panic?
Could it be… my identity has been exposed?
Thinking this, Qian Renxue forced herself to remain calm, though her eyes still betrayed her nervousness. She cautiously probed, "Dai Chengfeng, how do you know I'm in the Tiandou City?"
As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed intently on Dai Chengfeng's expression, scrutinizing every subtle reaction.
Dai Chengfeng, of course, understood the significance and danger of the identity "Xue Qinghe." Naturally, he wouldn't reveal the truth.
Thus, his expression remained unchanged, a relaxed smile still playing on his lips, making it hard for her to suspect anything. "I guessed."
"After all, looking at your relationship with Bibi Dong, it's clearly antagonistic."
"As the saying goes, one mountain cannot hold two tigers. Naturally, you wouldn't be in the Spirit Hall often, otherwise the entire continent would know about your strained relationship with Bibi Dong."
"But since it hasn't spread, it means you two don't see each other often."
Dai Chengfeng continued speaking while shrugging nonchalantly, acting as if everything he said was obvious.
"Not seeing each other often, combined with the fact that I saw you in the Tiandou City last time… so, if you're not in the Tiandou City, where else could you be?"
"Phew~"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue let out a quiet sigh of relief. Her tense body gradually relaxed.
As long as Dai Chengfeng didn't know her identity as Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of the Tiandou Empire, she wasn't worried about him knowing where she usually stayed.
In fact, she secretly felt pleased.
Dai Chengfeng, you really…
Qian Renxue looked at Dai Chengfeng, her eyes filled with admiration and praise. She subconsciously imagined him coming to the Tiandou City.
At that time, she could handle official affairs during the day as Xue Qinghe and meet him at night as Qian Renxue.
An inexplicable joy welled up inside her.
Qian Renxue quickly nodded in agreement, her eyes brimming with unmistakable anticipation:
"That's right, I usually live in the Tiandou City."
"If you're in the Tiandou City, that's fine. After all, it's not too far from the Spirit Hall."
Dai Chengfeng once again gently ruffled Qian Renxue's smooth hair, his movements intimate and affectionate.
"Mm…"
Qian Renxue gave a light nod, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
For a moment, the two fell into a brief silence, broken only by the crackling of the campfire.
Qian Renxue felt the warmth of his touch on her head and quietly gazed at Dai Chengfeng.
In front of him, she was no longer the high and mighty young master of the Spirit Hall, nor the cunning and calculating Xue Qinghe. She was simply a girl yearning for warmth and companionship.
Thinking about those highly anticipated identities…
Strangely, she felt a wave of exhaustion.
Over the years, hiding her identity and living cautiously in the Tiandou Empire, always on guard against being discovered, had been exhausting.
Every day, she had to navigate the court as Xue Qinghe, dealing with both overt and covert threats;
Every night, she had to endure loneliness and unease alone.
But now, by Dai Chengfeng's side, she finally felt a rare sense of relaxation and peace.
Perhaps… she could rest for a little while… just a little while…
Qian Renxue thought to herself, carefully resting her head lightly on Dai Chengfeng's shoulder, her movements as delicate as if afraid of disturbing some beautiful dream.
Feeling Qian Renxue's actions, Dai Chengfeng was momentarily surprised, a gentle smile curling at the corner of his lips.
He didn't say anything, his movements remaining the same. The two quietly enjoyed this moment of tranquility and warmth.
From the shadows, Qian Daoliu observed everything.
He stood silently in the darkness, his gaze complex as he watched his granddaughter display such a tender, girlish demeanor. His heart was a mixture of emotions…
There was pride, heartache, and a trace of concern.
"Sigh"
After a long while, he let out a soft, lingering sigh, muttering to himself, "Xiao Xue hasn't been able to return home all these years. Now…"
Thinking about Dai Chengfeng's special status in the Spirit Hall—he was technically a student, but in reality, he was captured and brought there—Bibi Dong would never let him leave easily.
For a moment, Qian Daoliu narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing in his gaze.
"For Xiao Xue, it seems I'll have to meet with Bibi Dong again."
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