Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 63 My name is Qian Renxue

Feng Yao paused slightly upon hearing this, then a knowing smile appeared in his eyes. His long, slender fingers gently traced the rim of his teacup, his voice tinged with a hint of teasing: "What's wrong, my Your Highness? Are you jealous?"

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, his gaze fixed on Qian Renxue's flawless disguise, trying to capture Qian Renxue's true emotions beneath the gentle and refined mask of "Xue Qinghe".

Qian Renxue's teacup trembled slightly, a few drops of amber tea splashing onto her snow-white sleeve. She instinctively turned her face away, her long eyelashes drooping slightly, revealing a rare hint of panic.

"Insolence!" Her voice maintained the princely dignity, but unconsciously rose in pitch, taking on Qian Renxue's uniquely clear and cold tone. "I...I just feel..." Her speech quickened involuntarily. "That skull, whether in terms of its attributes or its age, is extremely suitable for you. Giving it to Dugu Yan is truly..."

As she finished speaking, her voice gradually lowered, and she seemed to lack confidence.

A gentle light flickered in Feng Yao's eyes as he lightly traced the rim of the teacup with his fingertips, saying softly, "That soul bone is good, but it's not the best choice. Absorbing it rashly would only limit your future development."

Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with Feng Yao's explanation. "Such arrogance." She tapped her fingertips lightly on the table. "Spirit-type skulls over 50,000 years old are extremely rare, even in the two great empires. Do you think they're some street trinket you can pick up at will? Where will you find them in the future?"

Feng Yao slowly raised his hand, looked at Qian Renxue, and beckoned to her with his finger like a child, "Your Highness, come."

Qian Renxue's eyes flickered slightly. She walked forward slowly, the hem of her moon-white brocade robe swaying gently with each step.

"You'd better give me an explanation that satisfies me," she said in a low voice, feigning a warning and anger, but unconsciously leaning slightly closer as she did so.

A triumphant smile played on Feng Yao's lips as he suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist. Before Qian Renxue could react, he leaned down and whispered in her ear. His warm breath brushed against her earlobe, causing a blush to rise on her flawless facade.

Feng Yao suddenly stopped smiling, his slender fingers gently lifting the tassel of the jade pendant at Qian Renxue's waist. As he leaned down, the faint scent of pine wood lingered between them.

"How about..." His lips almost touched her blushing earlobe, his voice low and seductive, "Your Highness, tell me a secret, and in exchange, I can give you a reasonable explanation."

Qian Renxue frowned slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her golden eyes. She instinctively took a half-step back, her voice softening slightly: "Don't you already know my identity?"

Feng Yao looked at Qian Renxue and said softly, "I know you come from the Spirit Hall, and I know you have a close relationship with His Holiness the Pope." His gaze was deep as a pool, and his voice was gentle yet firm. "But what I want to understand is you, not your identity or your background."

Qian Renxue unconsciously turned her head away, and Xue Qinghe's perfect disguise showed a slight crack at this moment. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, casting an uneasy shadow under the gilded lamplight. The originally composed and dignified crown prince's demeanor now seemed somewhat at a loss, and the fingers hidden in his wide sleeves unconsciously tightened the hem of his clothes.

“Nonsense.” Her voice remained as gentle as Xue Qinghe’s, but the slight, almost imperceptible tremor made it all the more moving. Moonlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting a shimmering glow on her reddened earlobes.

Feng Yao raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. He deliberately drew out his words: "Your Highness?"

Qian Renxue snapped out of her daze and looked at his reaction. Suddenly, she felt like teasing him. She then realized that she hadn't even told Feng Yao her real name. Qian Renxue slightly curled the corners of her lips, her golden eyes flickered, and she chuckled, "My name is Qian Renxue."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yao's breath hitched slightly, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. He hadn't expected Qian Renxue to suddenly act so childishly; the cunning glint in her golden eyes left him speechless for a moment.

"Your Highness, this is..." He shook his head and chuckled helplessly, "too unreasonable."

Qian Renxue suddenly raised her hand, her slender fingers grabbing Feng Yao's collar. A triumphant smile played on her lips as she said shamelessly, "What? You were the one who said it was a secret. My name is confidential, but I don't care. You've already guessed my identity and background. That's the only secret."

A sly smile played on Feng Yao's lips as he lightly tapped Qian Renxue's still-present Xue Qinghe face with his fingertip: "That won't do. You are Xue Qinghe now, not Qian Renxue."

"You—" Qian Renxue, with Xue Qinghe's refined appearance, made a smirking gesture that was completely out of character for a crown prince. A hint of smugness and cunning flashed in her golden eyes; she had clearly been waiting for him to say that.

A dazzling golden light suddenly burst forth, and sacred angelic soul power rippled outwards. When the light faded, standing before Feng Yao was a girl with cascading golden hair and unparalleled beauty. She gently tossed her long hair, the ends still carrying lingering golden specks that shimmered in the sunlight.

"Satisfied?" Qian Renxue slightly raised her chin, the sacred aura unique to her Angelic Martial Soul inadvertently emanating from her. But her golden eyes, brimming with laughter, betrayed her good mood. She deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Now, it's time to fulfill your promise."

Feng Yao gazed at Qian Renxue, who was so different from usual, and was momentarily lost in thought. Sunlight streamed through the window, gilding her with a soft golden edge, and even the tiny dust particles floating in the air formed a hazy halo around her.

Feng Yao's gaze softened suddenly, like the morning light reflected on a lake after the first snow melts. He gazed at the girl who had shed her disguise and said softly, "You look much better this way, Xue'er." The affectionate address lingered on his lips, carrying endless tenderness and affection.

Hearing Feng Yao's sudden change in address, Qian Renxue's cheeks instantly flushed red, even the tips of her ears turning a sunset-like hue. She raised her hand in embarrassment and anger, clearly flustered: "If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, I...I..." The usually sharp and assertive young master of the Martial Soul Hall was now speechless, unable even to form a complete threat.

Feng Yao suddenly chuckled softly. Qian Renxue keenly noticed that "Fuxi," which he always carried with him, was nowhere to be found.

"You—" Qian Renxue was about to ask when she saw Feng Yao slightly raise his left hand.

In an instant, a mysterious blue light flowed through Feng Yao's palm, and an ancient innate Bagua compass appeared out of thin air. The eight trigrams on the compass flashed alternately, each line seemingly containing the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, radiating an ancient aura that sent chills down one's spine. Qian Renxue's golden pupils suddenly contracted, and she subconsciously took a half-step back, her voice filled with undisguised shock: "Twin Martial Souls?!" This realization left her mind blank.

Feng Yao's fingertips gently traced the edge of the Innate Eight Trigrams Plate. He explained softly, "I'm giving my soul bone to Sister Yan, firstly to repay Senior Dugu for the celestial herbs he gifted me."

"Secondly," he said, turning his wrist slightly, "when my first martial soul is cultivated to a suitable level, my second martial soul will still have several missing soul rings. After my cultivation improves, if I can hunt stronger soul beasts, the soul bones and soul rings will be able to match each other and exert greater power."

Qian Renxue's long eyelashes trembled slightly, her golden eyes swirling with complex emotions. "So that's how it is." Her voice was soft, as if it came from a great distance. At this moment, she suddenly remembered that forever aloof figure—the mother she had spent her entire life chasing after.

Feng Yao keenly sensed her low spirits and frowned slightly: "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?" His voice was cautiously probing.

Qian Renxue turned her head away, her long golden hair falling down and obscuring half of her face: "It's nothing." Her reply was so soft it was almost inaudible, but the last syllable of her voice trembled slightly.

Feng Yao took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and gently grasped her hand that hung by her side. The expected surge of soul power did not come, which delighted him, and he unconsciously tightened his grip. The girl's palm was delicate and cool, like the finest mutton-fat jade, making him hesitant to use force yet unwilling to let go.

"You—" Qian Renxue turned her head, meeting his tense yet expectant gaze. She had intended to reprimand his bold move, but froze when she felt the warmth from his palm. That warmth spread from her fingertips to her heart, making her momentarily forget to pull away. In the end, she only glared at him irritably, her eyes carrying a hint of coquettishness that she herself didn't realize.

"This guy, he'll take advantage of any opening he gets," Qian Renxue thought to herself.

"Your explanation is reasonable." She gave a light, feigned indifference, but allowed their hands to remain clasped. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled patterns on their intertwined fingertips, as if casting a spell on this special moment.

Qian Renxue suddenly noticed Feng Yao's thumb gently caressing the back of her hand, the tingling sensation making her heart skip a beat. She abruptly pulled her hand back, her golden eyes flashing with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance as she glared at him. "Eat!" she said, her voice tinged with panic. "Later... I'll take you to see someone."

Feng Yao awkwardly touched the tip of his nose, a smug smile flashing in his eyes. Just as he picked up his teacup, Qian Renxue asked suspiciously, "You don't seem surprised at all?"

“It’s just a formality, isn’t it?” Feng Yao smiled, his eyes crinkling, deliberately drawing out his words. “Our young master rarely returns to the Spirit Hall, so why doesn’t he take me, his ‘life-and-death’ partner, to meet the elders?” He winked mischievously as he spoke, emphasizing the words “life-and-death.”

"You!" Qian Renxue's face flushed red to her ears, and the silver chopsticks in her hand clattered on the porcelain plate. At this moment, she was suddenly filled with remorse—this overly clever fellow could always easily see through her thoughts.

"Shut up!" she said, annoyed, as she picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling and stuffed it into Feng Yao's mouth. "Even eating can't shut you up!" Her puffed-up face was a far cry from the dignified demeanor of the young master of the Spirit Hall; she looked more like a girl next door whose secret had been exposed. The sunlight outside the window was perfect, casting their playful figures onto the carved screen, creating a vivid silhouette.

Seeing that he had a good opportunity, Feng Yao obediently lowered his head and began to enjoy the exquisite dishes in front of him, but his gaze still occasionally stole towards the stunningly beautiful face opposite him. The girl's elegant demeanor while dining, her slightly trembling golden eyelashes, and her occasionally pursed cherry lips all made him unconsciously compare her to the high and mighty Pope of the Spirit Hall.

"Although my mother-in-law is very charming, my Xue'er is still better." Feng Yao chuckled to himself, then was startled by his own bold idea.

"You—" Qian Renxue felt uncomfortable under his burning gaze, and her fair cheeks flushed red. "Can't you concentrate on eating?" Her voice carried a hint of embarrassment and annoyance, but couldn't hide the sweetness in it.

The meal ended in this enchanting atmosphere. As soon as Qian Renxue put down her silver chopsticks, a dazzling golden light emanated from her. When the light faded, the gentle and refined Xue Qinghe reappeared before Feng Yao.

"What? Disappointed?" she teased, deliberately using Xue Qinghe's deep voice, but a subtle smile played on her lips as she turned away. With a slight parting of her red lips, the auras of two Title Douluo-level figures suddenly descended: "Uncle She, Uncle Ci, let's go."

Before Feng Yao could react, his vision blurred. Serpent Spear Douluo and Porcupine Douluo grabbed his arms from either side, and in the next second, the four of them had vanished from the room, leaving only the still-warm cup of tea on the table, its surface rippling slightly.

Suddenly, the scenery became clear, and Feng Yao found himself atop Papal Mountain. A biting mountain wind brushed against his face, carrying the unique chill of the heights. Qian Renxue was enveloped in golden light, and Xue Qinghe's disguise receded like the tide, revealing once more her breathtakingly beautiful girlish form.

"Young Master, we've arrived at our destination." She Long and Ci Xue bowed respectfully, their voices, those of the two Title Douluos, were exceptionally clear in the thin air.

Feng Yao stepped forward at the opportune moment and solemnly clasped his hands in thanks to the two elders: "Thank you both for escorting me." His etiquette was just right, neither impolite nor humble. The two elders exchanged a glance, nodded slightly, and then disappeared into the vast sea of ​​clouds.

“Let’s go.” Qian Renxue’s voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness. She climbed the steps, her long golden hair fluttering in the wind like flowing sunlight. Feng Yao followed closely behind.

As the altitude increased, a magnificent complex of palaces gradually came into view. The white marble buildings gleamed with a holy glow under the moonlight, and the central hall contained enormous energy fluctuations. Feng Yao's pupils contracted slightly; he clearly sensed the terrifying energy contained there—like a sleeping dragon, each breath affecting the flow of the primordial energy of heaven and earth.

Qian Renxue suddenly stopped, turning around as her skirt traced a graceful arc: "It's just ahead."

She suddenly reached out, her slender fingers firmly slipping between Feng Yao's, interlocking with his. Feng Yao turned his head in surprise, only to see the girl's delicate profile bathed in the morning light, her golden eyes beneath long lashes shimmering with complex emotions.

"Don't overthink it," she whispered, her voice so soft that only the two of them could hear, her fingers unconsciously tightening, betraying her inner tension.

Feng Yao understood and gently took her slightly cool hand in return. The two held hands like this. As they drew closer, the majestic doors of the central hall opened slowly and automatically, and golden holy light flowed out from the cracks, illuminating Qian Renxue's tense profile.

(End of this chapter)