...
When Xuan Hao dragged his somewhat tired body back to the top-floor suite of the Tiandou Royal Hotel under the cover of night, it was already evening with the city lights just coming on.
In the hall, Na'er, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu were chatting while sitting around a soft sofa.
Xuan Hao poured himself a glass of water and gulped it down, finally feeling some relief from his parched throat.
He put the glass down, clapped his hands, and drew the girls' attention.
"Let me explain the arrangements for what's to come."
Xuan Hao pulled over a single sofa and sat down, getting straight to the point:
"I'll rest tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow morning, I plan to go back to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for seclusion."
"So sudden?" Ning Rongrong was taken aback.
"You're leaving after only two days back in Tiandou City?"
"Time waits for no one." Xuan Hao shrugged.
"I'm just one step away from level 70.
After breaking through, I'll have to put in the effort to get a suitable seventh spirit ring, which is hard work and takes a lot of time.
So, I need to hurry back and go into seclusion to make a final push."
At this point, Xuan Hao looked at everyone and asked for their opinions:
"What are your plans?
Do you want to come with me to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, or do you want to stay at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to cultivate?
The resources there are good, and it's more lively."
The girls exchanged glances, and almost without hesitation, they made their decision in unison:
"Of course we'll go with you!"
"Don't rush to conclusions."
Xuan Hao smiled helplessly, giving them a heads-up beforehand:
"Once we get there, I estimate that I'll be spending most of my time in seclusion, soaking in the pool to temper my body and absorb energy.
I won't have time to talk to you or keep you entertained.
So, whether you're there or not doesn't really make much difference; you'll most likely find it very boring."
"It's alright, we can cultivate on our own over here," Na'er said first.
"Yeah, we're not little kids, we don't need you to come with us every day."
Xiao Wu nodded in agreement.
"Besides, you described that place as so magical, we'd like to experience it for ourselves."
Although Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak, her cold eyes stared straight at Xuan Hao, clearly indicating that she also had no intention of staying in Tiandou City.
"Alright, since you insist on coming along, then we'll go together."
Seeing everyone's firm attitude, Xuanhao stopped trying to persuade them.
"Then let's set the departure date for two days later.
In these two days, you can go to the city and wander around, buy more daily necessities, changes of clothes, and snacks.
There's nowhere to shop in those deep mountains and forests."
Then, Xuan Hao turned to Ning Rongrong and specifically instructed her, "Rongrong, take some time to go back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School tomorrow.
Your two grandfathers at home must be worried sick about you after you left home without saying a word for more than half a year.
Go back first to let them know you're safe and sound, so they won't worry."
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue and nodded somewhat guiltily:
"Okay, I'll go back first thing tomorrow morning."
Xuan Hao then looked at Na'er:
"Xiao Wu and Zhu Qing are both here in Tian Dou City for the first time, and they're unfamiliar with the place.
Tomorrow, take them out for a good look around, and buy them everything they need."
Hearing Xuan Hao's arrangement, Xiao Wu's rabbit ears twitched slightly, and she asked with some doubt, "What about you?
Why don't you take us with you to play?
Anyway, you're going into seclusion to suffer soon, so why not take a break these two days and go shopping with us to relax?"
Upon hearing this question, Xuan Hao instantly recalled the scene from that afternoon in the dimly lit alley where Qian Renxue pinned him against the wall, gritting her teeth and saying, "I will never let you go."
He couldn't help but rub his throbbing temples and let out a long sigh.
"I also want to go shopping, but I can't get away."
Xuan Hao leaned back on the sofa with a headache, his tone full of helplessness:
"The royal family has some trouble with me.
I have to see His Highness the Crown Prince again tomorrow to deal with it."
"We still have to see the Crown Prince?"
Ning Rongrong asked with a strange expression.
"There's nothing I can do." Xuan Hao rolled his eyes.
"If I dare to stand him up tomorrow, given how stubborn that Crown Prince is now, he'll probably lead his men straight to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to block my door.
That would be real trouble!"
...
The next morning, it was bright daylight.
After greeting everyone, Ning Rongrong left the city early and headed towards Qibao City to report that she was safe.
Na'er dutifully led Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, who were full of curiosity about Tian Dou City, out of the hotel, preparing to go on a big shopping spree in the bustling commercial street.
As for Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, the two returned to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy together. After all, they would be going to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for a long period of seclusion with Xuan Hao, so they needed to go back and formally ask their teachers and teammates for a long leave.
After making sure the girls were settled, Xuan Hao walked alone towards the Crown Prince's residence.
He had no choice but to come today. If he didn't calm Qian Renxue down after his outburst yesterday, given her current stubbornness and madness, she would definitely resort to any means to cause trouble.
He didn't want to see Qian Renxue tear off Xue Qinghe's disguise and run to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to fight Na'er and the others at the crucial moment of his seclusion.
Just thinking about that scene gave him a headache.
He easily made his way into the backyard of the Crown Prince's residence, and found that Qian Renxue seemed to have anticipated his arrival.
Beneath the pavilion, Qian Renxue, still dressed as a gentle and refined prince, sat regally at the stone table.
A pot of fragrant flower tea had already been brewed on the table, and several of Xuan Hao's favorite pastries were delicately arranged beside it.
Xuan Hao didn't stand on ceremony with her.
He strode over, pulled out a chair, plopped down, and casually picked up a piece of pastry and popped it into his mouth.
"how?"
Qian Renxue poured a cup of floral tea and pushed it in front of him, looking at him with a half-smile.
"Is this because you're afraid I'll cause trouble recklessly next, so you had to come here in person today to appease me?"
Xuan Hao took a sip of tea, swallowed the pastry in his mouth, rolled his eyes and said speechlessly,
"You do have some self-awareness."
"If you could give me a clear and satisfactory answer, why would I resort to such a desperate measure and pester me like this?"
Qian Renxue retorted without any hesitation.
Xuan Hao was even more speechless, his brows furrowed deeply:
"Wasn't my response to you in the alley yesterday clear enough?
It was practically etched on your forehead!"
"Yeah?"
Qian Renxue leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed directly into his eyes.
"Then let me ask you, do you really not like me at all?
Have you never even felt a spark of attraction?"
"..."
Xuan Hao was speechless for a moment. He opened his mouth, but found himself at a loss for words.
What kind of crazy question was this?
Seeing him hesitate, Qian Renxue's smile widened, and a sly glint flashed in her eyes:
"Can't answer? My logic is that as long as you don't say 'no' decisively, then you like me."
Without giving Xuan Hao a chance to refute, Qian Renxue immediately threw out a second question:
"If one day I encounter a mortal danger and am about to die, will you come to save me?"
"..."
Xuan Hao was so choked up that his eyes rolled back.
Did this woman take the wrong medicine today?
How is he supposed to answer such a hypothetical, potentially fatal question?
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