"Senior…"
Ning Fengzhi tried to speak again, but Qian Renfeng shot him a glare.
Instantly, Ning Fengzhi fell silent.
At that moment, a fair and delicate hand suddenly twisted around Qian Renfeng's waist and pinched him sharply.
Qian Renfeng gritted his teeth in pain and muttered,
"Forget it, Sect Master Ning. Just keep an eye on Rongrong. As long as she doesn't leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, everything will still be fine."
"If she stays, there's still hope."
Even someone like Qian Renfeng had to grit his teeth and endure the pain—because the owner of that hand was none other than his sister.
There was no way he could hurt Qian Renxue!
"Xue Qinghe" released her hand and smiled gracefully.
"Rongrong has outstanding talent—it's probably just a small issue with her mentality."
"That's why Qianfeng reminded you. Please, Master, don't take it to heart."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slowly. Rongrong's importance to him was beyond question. If anything were to happen to her, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would go to war if they had to.
Qian Renfeng yawned and started walking away.
It was still early. If he went back now, he could squeeze in some extra sleep.
He looked sleepy and indifferent, but then—suddenly—his eyes flashed sharply, and the corners of his mouth curled up ever so slightly, as though nothing had happened.
He ignored the two shadows that had been quietly trailing him from behind.
That night.
In Qian Renfeng's small two-section courtyard, two more figures quietly arrived.
This time, they didn't bother to knock. They didn't hide themselves at all—landing openly on the branch of a maple tree he had planted.
Their toes gently pressed down on the branch, bending it slightly under their weight.
Two figures stood there.
One had a tall and burly build, clad in golden armor, with a black combat uniform underneath—emitting a powerful battle aura.
The other was completely different: tall, slender, with flowing hair tied back only with a single red ribbon, hanging down like a ponytail.
She wore a black sleeveless top similar to a man's undershirt—but it didn't cover her midriff, leaving her abdomen exposed.
She wore tight, pink, ultra-short shorts that accentuated her curves, shaped like crescent moons—as captivating as the moon itself.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, do you think he noticed us?"
The girl's voice was crisp and clear, but beneath that clarity was a subtle, alluring tone.
It wasn't deliberate—that was simply the inherent trait of her martial soul.
The golden-armored man, Chrysanthemum Douluo, chuckled.
"Old Ghost never lies. His stealth is so good that even your teacher, Her Holiness the Pope, would have a hard time detecting him in the dark."
"But from what he told us, this kid was able to locate him effortlessly. So chances are... we've already been found."
He showed no signs of tension. He idly twirled a golden blade in his hand, but his eyes never left Qian Renfeng's small residence.
Right now, he was beginning to suspect the Pope had made a mistake—she shouldn't have brought Hu Liena along at all.
This was going to be a real fight—not a lesson or some spectator's sparring match.
But Hu Liena hadn't realized that yet. She looked at Chrysanthemum Douluo with surprise.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, is that true?"
"I mean, Ghost Douluo didn't seem all that badly injured last time."
"Wasn't it just a fluke?"
"Or maybe… he had help?"
There was some doubt in her voice.
She was one hundred percent sure that the person she had met in the forest back then was Qian Renfeng.
If Qian Renfeng were just a Soul Emperor, Hu Liena could still accept it.
A Soul Emperor at his age would be a genius—even a monster.
But for someone under the age of fourteen to injure a Title Douluo?
No matter how you spun it, it was hard to believe.
Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't answer. He'd already made it clear:
Ghost Douluo doesn't lie.
"Get out here!"
A lazy, annoyed voice echoed from the house, tinged with irritation—like someone had just disturbed a good dream.
Or maybe... he was mad about the two of them stepping on his maple tree.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's face grew solemn. He immediately put away his golden chrysanthemum weapon and prepared himself seriously.
It seemed... this kid really was strong.
A new figure appeared beneath the moonlit sky, stepping down under the maple tree.
He wore a black robe, his figure hunched and hidden. Even up close, his appearance was hard to make out—mysterious and ghostly.
"Still haven't learned your lesson?"
The voice from inside carried a hint of anger.
This wasn't the first time Qian Renfeng had given chances to Hu Liena and Ghost Douluo.
Especially Hu Liena—he had already let her go twice!
Three strikes and you're out.
This time, she shouldn't have shown up again.
As for Ghost Douluo…
Last time Qian Renfeng had told him to knock first—and here he was again, just barging in.
It felt like he was just letting thieves wander into his house whenever they pleased.
With a sigh, Qian Renfeng rubbed his eyes and opened the door slowly.
He looked half-awake, still groggy—but even in that state, the two Title Douluos didn't dare drop their guard.
Chrysanthemum Douluo gave a courteous smile and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Second Young Master. Apologies for disturbing your rest at this late hour—it's our fault."
"But Her Holiness the Pope has ordered—repeatedly—that you must return."
"These next few years are crucial for your growth. With proper guidance, your soul power could increase by leaps and bounds."
"She wishes to personally train you. It's her way of showing care. We hope you won't take it the wrong way."
It had to be said—Chrysanthemum Douluo was far more tactful than Ghost Douluo.
They both came with the same goal: to bring Qian Renfeng back.
But Ghost Douluo had arrived all arrogant and high-handed, trying to force him using lame excuses like "the Pope's decree overrides the Worship Hall's." No wonder Qian Renfeng had beaten him up.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, on the other hand, delivered the message with a silk tongue.
But when you stripped it down to the core—nothing had changed. They were still trying to drag him back.
Qian Renfeng shook his head lightly and muttered:
"Out of all the schemers around, you're at least the most polite one."
"But I'm not going back."
"I can make even faster progress on my own."
"Now—both of you, get out. Next time you want to come in, knock first."
"And don't step on my maple tree again. It took me forever to grow it!"
With that, Qian Renfeng flicked his fingers.
A burst of force instantly blasted both Title Douluos back several steps—leaving only Hu Liena standing there.
Qian Renfeng yawned and looked at her.
"What are you looking at? My bed's already cold."
"Get in there—
Warm it up for me."