"I apologize, brother, for my lapse in composure." Qian Renxue cupped her hands in apology.
Then, she looked intently at Lu Feng and said seriously, "Brother Lu Feng, to achieve such success with your innate fifth-level talent, you must have endured a lot of hardship, right?"
Back then, when Lu Feng was at the Spirit Hall in Notting City, he spoke rather casually.
A child, handing over all the wealth he acquired to the Spirit Hall.
Almost everyone was attracted by his pure heart, overlooking something more important.
For example, his extraordinary soul power level.
Where exactly was the opportunity he spoke of?
Why would such a heaven-defying treasure appear in a small Soul Hunting Forest?
Qian Renxue hadn't taken it to heart back then; her heart was more filled with joy. Lu Feng's words, 'Rebuilding the Glory of Angels,' were so inspiring.
The glory of the Angel God would surely spread to every corner of the continent.
Now, thinking about it carefully, Lu Feng seemed to possess many extraordinary qualities.
Putting everything else aside, if he hadn't possessed extraordinary perseverance, he probably would have perished during the Yi Jing Marrow Cleansing.
Lu Feng smiled calmly upon hearing this.
Suffering?
Perhaps.
Even with a cheat-like advantage, collecting fragments isn't a magic bullet.
If one relies solely on passively waiting without firsthand experience, one naturally won't reap so many benefits.
Lu Feng recalled his journey: sparring with Tang San and Xiao Wu at Notting Academy, although he mostly crushed them, he still took his share of beatings.
Notting City, a small place, lacked healing soul masters.
A large portion of the 'golden soul coins' Lu Feng collected were used to buy medicine and strengthen his body. And
after graduation, it was even more so.
During his first kill in the Soul Beast Forest, he almost vomited his intestines.
While collecting the Five Poisons of Azure Phosphorus, he was accidentally stung by a thousand-year-old Jade Scorpion, nearly dying instantly.
Then came that dog-headed Soul Master. Lu Feng had initially thought he was just an ordinary bandit, but it turned out he was a royal expert who gave Lu Feng a lot of trouble.
With only a Soul Power level of twenty-something, he crossed two major stages to kill a Soul Master.
At that time, Lu Feng hadn't obtained the Ice and Fire Body Refinement technique, nor did he have Luo Wupao's assistance. He relied entirely on his own reckless courage to achieve a near-perfect 'one-for-one' trade with his opponent.
Then, he latched onto Dugu Yan's coattails and started living off her.
Ice and Fire Body Refinement, Luo Wupao's evolution, two red-quality cultivation techniques...
and then, fortunes changed.
After meeting Zhu Zhuqing, he could finally live off her without any pressure.
Lu Feng composed himself, his brows relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. The lamplight illuminated his handsome face; his expression was calm, and his eyes were like a moonlit spring.
A gust of cold wind swept over her, and Lu Feng suddenly smiled, "It's just a little frost."
His words left Qian Renxue somewhat stunned.
Although Lu Feng's face was smiling, Qian Renxue sensed an unusual meaning.
She stared at Lu Feng silently, her brows furrowed.
Perhaps because of Lu Feng's words, she also recalled some unpleasant things.
From childhood to adulthood, Qian Renxue had not been happy.
"Little Xue, you were born different from those lowly people. Friends? Those lowly people don't deserve it! You are a child of God!"
"The glory of the Qian family rests on your shoulders."
"Qian Renxue! You must remember, you carry the blood of God! Mother? You have no mother; your mother has gone to worship the angel god."
Childhood memories flashed through Qian Renxue's mind like a revolving lantern.
In Qian Renxue's memory, her father was always very serious. From the time she could remember, she followed her father in soul power cultivation.
Endless cultivation.
She had never seen her mother, only an 'older sister' who had taken care of her since childhood.
And the way her 'older sister' looked at her was filled with utter disgust, even murderous intent, as if she were looking at a stray dog on the street.
Perhaps the only trace of family affection she felt came from her grandfather.
However, her grandfather was always busy, praying daily beneath the angel statue.
Sometimes, Qian Renxue even felt that her grandfather wasn't like a human being, but rather an emotionless stone statue.
She had always been alone.
Friends?
Family?
No!
Her only companions were endless loneliness, worry, and fear,
especially during her time hiding within the Heavenly Dou Royal Family. Countless nights, Qian Renxue had woken up in terror from nightmares of her identity being exposed.
But, over the years, she had endured it all.
"Just a little hardship."
Qian Renxue savored Lu Feng's words, a warm current slowly flowing through her heart, dispelling the long-standing chill.
For some reason, she suddenly felt an urge to burst into tears.
After a long while, Qian Renxue's slightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
"What a fine 'just a little hardship'! Brother Lu Feng, you are the most talented and persevering Soul Master I have ever met."
Lu Feng chuckled lightly, without replying.
The two walked side by side, and soon arrived in front of a strangely shaped building.
The building in front of them looked like an inverted bowl, with a diameter of over a thousand meters.
This was the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, a place where every inch of land was incredibly valuable. This showed how powerful the forces behind this building were within the empire.
"This is the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House. There happens to be an auction tonight, shall we go in and take a look?" Qian Renxue said with a faint smile.
Lu Feng shook his head, refusing, "Your Highness, I'm just an ordinary Soul Arena host, earning twenty gold soul coins a month. What would I do in the auction house? Watch those rich young masters show off?"
Lu Feng's expression was calm, but his hands, slightly clenched at the hem of his robe, revealed that his heart was not so calm.
Qian Renxue smiled upon seeing this, "Don't worry, Brother Lu Feng, just bid on whatever you fancy. I've been the Crown Prince for so many years, I still have some savings."
Lu Feng chuckled upon hearing this. He put his arm around Qian Renxue's shoulder, completely disregarding her status, "Hehehe! Your Highness the Crown Prince is mighty!"
As he spoke, Lu Feng practically lifted Qian Renxue with one hand, bringing her to the entrance of the auction house.
Suddenly being put on Lu Feng's shoulder, Xue Qinghe's body trembled involuntarily, after all, it was the first time she had been so close to a man.
However, Lu Feng acted too quickly, and before Qian Renxue could fully react, the two had already entered the auction house.
At this moment, Lu Feng put Qian Renxue down. "Brother Qinghe, I love a true brother like you, one who would go to great lengths for his friends!"
"Speaking of which, Brother Qinghe, you smell so good."
"Uh, it's the scent from the sachet I always carry," Qian Renxue explained somewhat awkwardly.
The two quickly entered the auction house. Once here, it was difficult to conceal the Crown Prince's identity.
They entered a private box, and Lu Feng casually sat down on the sofa near the window. The entire wall here was made of transparent crystal, allowing a clear view of the auction house below.
Only then did Qian Renxue realize that she seemed to have been tricked by Lu Feng again. His casual demeanor didn't seem like someone who would be hesitant because of money.
However, she didn't care. A mere gold soul coins—as the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, would he be short of money?
Besides, she owned shares in this auction house.
(End of Chapter)