You're so pretty, miss…
Han Feng had just woken up, and his brain wasn't quite in sync with his mouth. By the time he realized what he said, the words had already slipped out—and it was too late to take them back.
Qian Renxue didn't react immediately either. She was undeniably beautiful, but due to her status and upbringing, she had rarely interacted with young men—let alone been complimented by one. Though Han Feng's gaze was a bit dazed, the sincerity in his eyes was clear as day.
Qian Renxue's cheeks turned a faint pink, and her stunning face became even more radiant. Unfortunately, Han Feng, still mentally processing his own words and questioning whether his emotional intelligence had reset, completely missed the moment. If he'd seen her, he might have started drooling.
"Hmph! Smooth talker!" she huffed and turned her head away, but her heart couldn't help fluttering.
Poor girl—thirteen years of life and not a single genuine compliment from a boy!
Han Feng blinked at her reaction. Hearing her cold snort, he thought she didn't like being called pretty. He quickly tried to backtrack.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that—I mean, I didn't mean to say you're pretty… wait, that's not what I meant either. What I meant was… oh! Even though you look very pretty, in my eyes, it's just so-so. So don't be mad!"
He finished and smiled smugly to himself. "See? My emotional intelligence is definitely different now!"
Qian Renxue froze.
In that moment, any lingering suspicion that Han Feng was some sort of ancient soul beast in disguise vanished. How could any ten-thousand-year soul beast be this stupid?
This guy—how could he have possibly cultivated for ten thousand years with a brain like this?
Her expression darkened. "What's that supposed to mean?! Are you saying I'm not pretty?!"
Now it was Han Feng's turn to be stunned. Should he say she's pretty… or not pretty? No matter what he said, she seemed ready to get angry!
After a moment of deep thought, he seemed to find a solution.
"You are very pretty, miss! But, you know what they say—beauty is only skin-deep…"
"You calling me ugly on the inside now?!"
Before he could finish, Qian Renxue exploded in rage. Her sudden shout made Han Feng flinch in fear.
For the first time, she found his otherwise cute little face incredibly annoying. She reached out with both hands, grabbed his cheeks, and stretched them while growling, "I saved you from the jaws of death, and this is how you thank your savior? Maybe I should've just let you die!"
Han Feng blinked, confused. His expression turned hazy as he tried to recall what had happened before all this.
He remembered waiting for Han Dang and the others to help Zhang Lingling hunt her fourth soul ring. Then he encountered a strange, fiery red kitten. They locked eyes, and everything went black. The next thing he remembered was waking up and seeing Qian Renxue.
He wasn't stupid. With a bit of thought, he realized that fiery kitten must've been a powerful soul beast that used a charm skill to knock him out.
Looking at Qian Renxue again, he thought: "So… she saved me from that creature?"
Realization dawned on him, and his cheeks turned red. He had just insulted the person who saved his life!
Qian Renxue gave a satisfied "hmph," clearly realizing that Han Feng now knew he had wronged her.
Awkwardly scratching his head, Han Feng coughed and said, "Ahem… So, uh… Miss…"
"Don't call me 'Miss.' My name is Qian—"
Just as she started speaking, she stopped herself.
"Qian? Qian what?" Han Feng asked, puzzled.
After a pause, she crossed her arms and said haughtily, "Qianqian!"
"Oh… Sister Qianqian!" Han Feng grinned, acting overly familiar.
What choice did he have? He'd been separated from his parents and left alone in the mixed area of the Star Dou Forest. It was practically suicide. If Qianqian could save him from that red cat, her strength had to be formidable. Might as well cozy up to her—better than dying alone out here!
Qian Renxue didn't scold him for being forward. Instead, she smiled smugly. Hmph, this little guy knows when to bow down!
"Sister Qianqian, actually…" Han Feng began explaining his encounter with the red kitten. He didn't hide anything—he barely remembered much anyway.
Qian Renxue, well-read thanks to the Spirit Hall's extensive libraries, quickly identified the creature from his description.
"Fire Spirit Cat…" she murmured.
She gave Han Feng a second look. People targeted by Fire Spirit Cats were usually the kind who attracted girls easily. She studied his face again and thought, So the Spirit Hall's records were accurate after all.
Han Feng, meanwhile, just stared blankly at her. Qian Renxue had never been looked at so directly before. Flustered, she snapped, "You're something else. A one-ring Soul Master not only wandered into the Star Dou Forest but even survived an encounter with a Fire Spirit Cat!"
Han Feng quickly took mental notes. So that red cat was called a Fire Spirit Cat, huh? Gotta remember that.
Out loud, he replied humbly, "Heh, I just got lucky. You're the amazing one, Sister Qianqian!"
"I only came here with my parents to help them hunt soul rings. The Fire Spirit Cat tricked me and lured me away. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead meat by now!"
He still believed it was Qian Renxue who saved him and didn't mention anything else. After all, he didn't remember how he escaped. Qian Renxue didn't ask either and assumed it was his secret.
When she heard that Han Feng had parents waiting for him, a flicker of envy passed through her eyes—she had never known parental love.
"I'm not that strong," she said dismissively. "I'm just a newly advanced Soul Ancestor, and it was medicine-induced. My actual combat strength isn't much. If you're thinking of relying on me, forget it."
She saw right through his intentions and snorted. Even though she felt sorry for him, her Six-Winged Angel Spirit couldn't be revealed so easily.
Han Feng was nearly nine years old and already had soul power at level 20. Once he got another ring, he'd be at least level 22. Qian Renxue assumed he was either a top student at a prestigious academy or an elite disciple from one of the Seven Sects. Usually, such people had inflated egos. Once they found out she relied on medicine, they'd lose interest fast.
But she miscalculated…
Han Feng's eyes sparkled like emeralds.
Even his dad was just a Soul Ancestor!
As for the part about her having no real combat strength—Han Feng didn't buy it. Someone who could rescue him from a Fire Spirit Cat had to be strong.
As Qian Renxue finished speaking, Han Feng shouted in his heart:
"I'm never letting go of this golden opportunity!"
"Hehe… Sister Qianqian, what little schemes could I possibly have? I just noticed you're a girl alone in this forest—it's not safe. But don't worry! Cooking, laundry, warming the bed—I'm a master at it all! I'll make sure you live like a noble lady!"
Qian Renxue's face flushed red. "Who said you're allowed to warm my bed?!"
Han Feng lit up, not offended at all. "So you do want me to do the cooking and laundry?!"
Qian Renxue's expression darkened. She never expected this seemingly harmless kid to be such a little rascal.