Tap, tap, tap…
Having fully enjoyed the tender care of Meng Hongchen, Qian Ran couldn't help but marvel at how quickly girls could adapt once they were willing to try. With everything in order, he strolled through the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy campus hand-in-hand with Meng Hongchen.
"In a while, I may have to leave the Sun Moon Empire earlier than planned. Will you come with me?" Qian Ran asked.
Life in the Sun Moon Empire had grown dull, and his objectives here were mostly achieved. Staying longer held no appeal. He had already collected enough rare metals to continue his soul tool research back at Shrek Academy.
Ever since arriving on the Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy had felt the most like home to Qian Ran. More importantly, his kind, caring "sisters" there made it feel truly like family. While the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had its merits, it lacked that warmth.
"I'll follow you wherever you go," Meng Hongchen replied without hesitation, clutching his arm tightly. Despite their relatively short time together, she had grown completely reliant on him for both her daily life and cultivation.
"Don't worry, I won't leave you behind. Your grandfather has already agreed, so taking you to Shrek Academy won't be a problem," Qian Ran reassured her, pulling her close as envious glances followed them.
Qian Ran and Meng Hongchen were a common sight on campus. Unlike Juzi and Keke, Meng Hongchen was far more renowned at the academy. Yet, those who understood Qian Ran's strength could only watch in silent envy.
"That's good," Meng Hongchen said with a happy smile, playfully sticking out her tongue.
She had no idea what Qian Ran had said to her grandfather, but it had clearly changed his stubborn stance. Perhaps this was the charm of Qian Ran—he was so exceptional that anyone would acknowledge him.
"Hmm…"
Qian Ran suddenly furrowed his brow.
"What's wrong?" Meng Hongchen asked, concerned.
"It's nothing. I just sensed some hostility… Maybe being with a beauty like you has earned me another enemy," Qian Ran said with a wry smile, his eyes darting to a corner where a shadow flickered and vanished.
He had just felt an intense surge of malice.
There weren't many people on the continent who held a grudge against him, and even fewer women.
Who could harbor such deep hatred toward him?
A romantic entanglement? He didn't recall doing anything particularly outrageous.
Meng Hongchen chuckled. "That's impossible. If someone envies us, let them! It's their problem, not ours." She pressed his arm firmly between her chest, grinning as she spoke.
She didn't care what others thought. None of the noble sons at the academy could compare to Qian Ran.
Hmph. Those men couldn't even look at her without making her uncomfortable, yet she delighted in everything Qian Ran did. If only he could restrain himself a little when they were in public... She still blushed recalling how, during their meeting with her grandfather, Qian Ran had kept squeezing her behind!
Qian Ran closed his eyes briefly before reopening them, a strange smile tugging at his lips.
He knew who it was now.
So many days had passed that he had nearly forgotten about her. Back then, he had spared Xu Sanshi's life out of consideration for this woman. He had expected her to confront him sooner, but now, after such a long delay, she finally showed herself.
"That was close."
"He has such sharp perception. He even noticed me with ease… No wonder Sanshi fell to him," muttered a woman in a black dress. Though she appeared to be in her thirties, she exuded a mature charm that belied her age.
Watching Qian Ran walk away with a beautiful young woman, her fists clenched tightly, and her eyes burned with killing intent.
"Your Highness, what should we do next? Should we hire assassins?" a maid whispered.
"This isn't Shrek City, but someone as exceptional as Qian Ran must have protectors watching over him. We'll only get one chance. If we fail, he'll become more vigilant, and it will be nearly impossible to approach him again," the woman said, her voice tinged with calculation.
Even outside Shrek Academy's territory, the academy would never leave a top-tier genius unprotected.
Qian Ran likely had at least a Contra-level protector nearby, possibly even a Titled Douluo.
Moreover, her investigation of Qian Ran's past had revealed that he wasn't an ordinary Shrek student. Underestimating him would be a grave mistake.
This was a task she had to handle personally. He had ruined her Sanshi's future, and she would ensure he suffered for it.
The woman shadowing Qian Ran was none other than Princess Xueling Xun of the Douling Empire, aunt to the current Heavenly Dou Empire emperor. She was also Xu Sanshi's mother.
After Qian Ran's actions had turned Xu Sanshi into a fallen soul master, he was expelled from Shrek Academy and returned to the Xu family's Genming Sect. The sect tried every method to suppress the dark energy within him, but as his cultivation grew, even their strongest members were powerless.
Recently, Xu Sanshi had broken free from the sect's restraints and disappeared without a trace.
Xueling Xun had come to Mingdu to search for her son, suspecting he might join the Holy Spirit Cult.
Upon learning that Qian Ran was also in the Sun Moon Empire, she had struggled to suppress her fury.
To her, Xu Sanshi's downfall was entirely Qian Ran's fault. While her son had always been unruly, his punishment had far exceeded his crimes.
Previously, Qian Ran had been untouchable in Shrek Academy's territory. But now that he was in Mingdu, Xueling Xun saw her chance to exact vengeance.
"Your Highness, should I summon some of our sect's strongest members?" the maid asked cautiously.
"No need. The more people we involve, the more suspicious it will seem. I'll handle this myself," Xueling Xun replied coldly, her phoenix-like eyes glinting with determination.
Her Sanshi had become a soul master tainted by darkness, while his tormentor roamed freely.
She would make sure Qian Ran paid for this injustice.
(End of Chapter)