"Alas, I…"
Subei's voice broke off. He was in an awkward position—literally. His hand had unconsciously landed on the inner thigh of Xiaowu, while her slender legs tightened around his neck in a chokehold-like embrace that left him struggling to breathe.
How the hell was he supposed to explain this one away?
Unfortunately, before he could stammer a word, Qian Renxue's expression darkened.
If it was just Xiaowu's usual clingy behavior—hugging and kissing her "little royal brother" like an excitable child—that much, she could reluctantly tolerate. It was innocent after all.
But this scene? Xiaowu wrapped around Subei, pressing against him like that?
Unacceptable. Her proud heart couldn't endure the sight.
"There's no need to explain."
Qian Renxue strode forward with elegant arrogance, her golden hair swaying as she gave her verdict with a faint smile. "It's very simple. We just spent a wonderful night together."
"…???"
Everyone froze.
Tang San: The teacher… the teacher is incredible! So fierce even at such a young age. My hero!
The Ghost Douluo: Σ(°△°|||) — Your Highness, did… did you really just say that?!
Liu Erlong: "Damn it! I knew it—the Martial Soul Hall is full of vixens. Shameless goblins!"
Subei nearly spat blood. "Don't talk nonsense!" His face flushed crimson.
But Qian Renxue only licked her rosy lips slowly, her eyes sensuous. "Mmn, but you tasted quite sweet, little thing."
"Little thing?!" Subei nearly jumped out of his skin. "What little thing? I don't understand what you're talking about!" His ears burned as he waved frantically to deny it.
Xiaowu, however, had already exploded. Her face tightened, her big apricot-shaped eyes seething with fire. She released her legs from Subei, landing with a hop, and stabbed a finger at Qian Renxue.
"Duel, you shameless woman!" Xiaowu's furious voice shook. "You must've seduced my brother! He would never go with another woman willingly!"
In one instant, the cute little rabbit had transformed into a battle-ready warrior, ready to pounce.
Her declaration made Qian Renxue's lips curve in a barely restrained laugh, the kind that carried mockery with every note.
"Little sister, don't be silly." She crossed her arms lazily. "If I actually fought you, I'd break you without effort. And since you're my future husband's sister, I don't have the heart to bully you."
Xiaowu turned bright red with fury. "I'm not afraid of you! Whoever dares take advantage of my brother—I'll fight them to the death!"
"Then you'd fight yourself to death."
Qian Renxue's eyes shone with maturity, her words calm but sharp. Despite her youthful age of sixteen, her mind was razor-sharp, honed by growing up around Bibi Dong's level of scheming. Compared to her, Xiaowu's thinking was indeed childish—no matter how many years her soul had actually lived.
"What do you mean by that?!" Xiaowu barked.
"Foolish girl." Qian Renxue's smile turned wicked. "There are countless women who will try to get close to your brother. Will you duel them all? Isn't that exhausting?"
Her words carried an older-sister-like cruelty—casually delivering truth as if she enjoyed tearing open the raw insecurities hidden in Xiaowu's little heart.
Xiaowu trembled. Her rabbit ears metaphorically shot up. How dare this woman make fun of me!
Meanwhile, Subei was frozen in conflicted awe. A part of him… really wanted to just sit back and watch the two beauties fight. But he knew better.
He slipped an arm around Xiaowu and pulled her against his chest, whispering gently. "Xiaowu, forget it. She's the saintess of the Martial Soul Hall—we wouldn't stand a chance in a conflict here."
But Xiaowu's fiery temper wouldn't let her back down so easily. "Why not? Don't we still have Mom? What are we afraid of?!"
Subei tightened his hold on her and leaned in close to whisper what only she could hear. "Remember our agreement? You can't let your true identity slip—especially here. One mistake, and it could bring disaster."
Xiaowu stiffened.
Of course she remembered. Subei's words struck her like a pail of cold water.
The Martial Soul Hall had always hunted soul beasts with strange cruelty, especially beautiful ones who could take human form. Just like her mother—Ah Yin.
If they realized what she was, she'd be captured, killed, her spirit ring absorbed, and her soul bones ripped away.
The thought made her blood run cold.
She hesitated. As much as she wanted to duel this shameless woman, now wasn't the time. If her true race was exposed… she'd never be able to stay by her brother's side.
And in the depths of her heart, Xiaowu knew: if it came to that, her last option was sacrifice. Giving her life so Subei could break through his limits.
But that would mean… death.
And if she died, she couldn't cuddle with her brother anymore… couldn't kiss him under the moon… couldn't chase away the shameless women hovering around him.
Her train of thought followed its own strange rabbit logic: If I die, he'll just cuddle with the other women. If I stay alive, I can cuddle him first. Therefore—stay alive!
She huffed and clung tightly to Subei, crushing her soft body against his chest. "Hmph! Don't think you'll win, shameless woman. Brother is mine! Xiaowu can hug him whenever she pleases—touch whenever she wants! What about you? Can you do this? Envy me~!"
Qian Renxue's laughter tinkled like crystal bells. "Envy? Oh, little sister…" She blinked mischievously at Subei, her delicate fingers rubbing together to make a little gesture, thumb and forefinger pinching a size. Then she winked.
"I already know your brother's… size~."
"Size? What size?" Xiaowu tilted her head, confusion written all over her. The innocent rouge rabbit was still far away from understanding this particular "driving skill."
"…!!"
Liu Erlong's face erupted crimson. Even… even I measured that size once…
Xiaowu immediately turned feral, glaring at Subei with betrayal. "Brother! What size?! You're hiding things from Xiaowu?! Why didn't you tell me?! Do you—do you dislike me now?!"
Subei wanted to curl into a hole and disappear. "Nonsense! How could I dislike Xiaowu? You're my favorite! It's just… cough… that size is… er…" He trailed off helplessly, his face burning scarlet.
The atmosphere turned unbearably awkward.
The three women present now looked at him with knowing eyes. =(^.^)=
Meanwhile, in the corner, Tang San was scribbling mental notes furiously. Teacher's measurements… seem bigger than mine…
Ghost Douluo cleared his throat, looking thoroughly embarrassed at what the princess was doing. "Your Highness… perhaps, please refrain from being so vulgar in public? It diminishes your noble angelic dignity."
Then he quickly added, "Besides, the Grand Priest has sent a message—he misses you dearly and requests you return to the Angel Temple for a chat."
Qian Renxue realized she had teased enough. With a faint smile, she waved delicately at Subei. "Be good, little one. Until next time. I hope by then… you'll have grown a bit more."
"…."
Subei's heart cracked. Grown… a bit more?
These women! All of them loved to mock him about his size!
Hey! At my age, this size is considered very strong already, okay?! Even the system helped boost it!
He could only watch her elegant figure leave, her long legs and mesmerizing hips swaying with untouchable grace.
Liu Erlong, meanwhile, fell into a heavy silence.
The charm of her Xiaobei… even the hidden princess of Martial Soul Hall couldn't resist him.
Qian Renxue was rumored to be a god-gifted genius, her martial spirit unparalleled. At just sixteen, her cultivation might already surpass the Soul Emperor level. Perhaps even nearing Soul Saint.
And what was Liu Erlong, compared to that?
She bowed her head quietly, bitterness rising. Before such talent, before such backgrounds, what ability did she have to protect Subei? To keep him for herself?
In comparison, she was powerless.
Yet Bibi Dong could. Qian Renxue could. These women of Martial Soul Hall—lofty, terrifying, extraordinary.
Perhaps… perhaps Xiaobei truly belonged with them.