Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Sister Qianqian
"Big Sis… you're really pretty…"
Han Feng had just woken up, his brain still foggy while his mouth ran ahead. By the time he realized what he'd said, it was already too late to take it back.
Qian Renxue was caught off guard. She knew she was attractive, of course—but having grown up in Spirit Hall, she had rarely interacted with boys her age, let alone been genuinely complimented.
And though Han Feng's gaze was still dazed, she could clearly see the sincerity in his eyes.
Her flawless cheeks flushed pink, making her breathtaking face even more radiant.
It was a pity Han Feng, currently doubting whether his emotional intelligence had reset in this life, wasn't paying attention—or he might've drooled right then and there.
"Hmph! Smooth talker."
Qian Renxue huffed and turned her face away but couldn't stop the fluttering joy rising in her chest.
Pitifully, in all her thirteen years, no boy had ever sincerely told her she was pretty.
Han Feng blinked, confused by her reaction. When she coldly snorted, he panicked, assuming she didn't like being called beautiful.
He immediately tried to explain:
"I'm sorry! That's not what I meant. I didn't mean to say you're not pretty—no, wait, I mean you are pretty, but it's not like you're that pretty to me, so… please don't be mad! "
After saying that, Han Feng grinned to himself, thinking:
See? Emotional intelligence totally upgraded!
Qian Renxue, however, froze.
For a moment, even her suspicion that he might be a 100,000-year-old spirit beast in disguise vanished.
What kind of ancient soul beast would be this stupid!?
With a brain like that, how could he possibly cultivate for 100,000 years?
She snapped:
"What do you mean?! Are you saying I'm not pretty?! "
This time, Han Feng was the one stunned.
What's the right answer here?!
Say she's not pretty—she's mad.
Say she is—she's also mad.
He paused, then lit up like he'd found the solution:
"Big Sis, you're very pretty! But, you know, there's a saying—"true beauty comes from within."
"So you're saying I'm ugly inside?! "
Qian Renxue cut him off, her tone rising in shock and fury. Han Feng practically shrank under her glare.
Qian Renxue had never found someone's face—especially one that looked so harmless—so punchable. She reached out and grabbed his cheeks, stretching them mercilessly.
"I saved your life, you little ingrate! This is how you repay your savior? Maybe I should've just left you there to die! "
That shut Han Feng up. His eyes turned vacant again as he tried to recall what had actually happened before he passed out.
He remembered… waiting while his father and mother hunted a fourth ring for Zhang Lingling. Then, a strange red kitten appeared…
One look at it—and everything had gone black.
The next thing he knew, he was looking at this beautiful girl's face.
Han Feng wasn't stupid. A little reflection and he figured it out: that red kitten must've been a powerful spirit beast with charm abilities.
He glanced at Qian Renxue, thinking:
So she saved me from that thing?
As that realization sank in, he blushed—hadn't he just implied she was ugly inside?
Qian Renxue noticed the blush and gave a satisfied hum. Clearly, he'd figured out how wrong he was.
Han Feng scratched his head awkwardly and coughed twice.
"Ahem… Big Sis—"
"Don't call me that! I'm—"
Qian Renxue started to correct him instinctively but stopped mid-sentence. She paused, then raised her chin haughtily:
"Call me… Qianqian! "
"Oh, okay—Sister Qianqian! "Han Feng responded eagerly.
What else could he do?
Separated from his parents, lost in the mixed zone of the Star Dou Forest, his odds of surviving alone were basically zero. This "Qianqian" had saved him from that flame cat—she clearly wasn't weak. If he didn't try to cozy up to her, was he planning to die here?!
To his surprise, Qian Renxue didn't scold him for being overly familiar. Instead, she smiled smugly.
See? He knows who's boss.
"Sister Qianqian… actually…"
Han Feng then explained how he'd encountered the strange red kitten. He didn't leave anything out—he hardly remembered much, anyway.
Qian Renxue, well-read from years of studying Spirit Hall's archives, quickly figured it out.
"That must've been an Infernal Flame Cat…"
She glanced at Han Feng.
Those cats were notorious for charming people who were naturally likable—especially to girls. She examined Han Feng more closely.
Hmm… Spirit Hall's records were right. People like him really do have a certain appeal.
Han Feng, unaware of her thoughts, just continued staring at her blankly.
Qian Renxue wasn't used to being stared at so directly, especially not by someone this close. She quickly grew flustered and barked,
"You're quite something. A one-ring Spirit Master, and not only did you enter the Star Dou Forest, but you actually survived an encounter with an Infernal Flame Cat."
Han Feng blinked.
So the thing that lured me was called an Infernal Flame Cat?
He mentally noted it down.
Out loud, he responded modestly:
"Heh… I just got lucky. You're the amazing one, Sister Qianqian! "
"I didn't come here alone, actually. I was with my parents—they were helping me hunt for my second ring. But I got tricked by that Flame Cat and wandered off. If not for you, I'd probably be cat food by now! "
He assumed Qian Renxue had somehow rescued him from the cat—he couldn't remember the exact events. She didn't correct him, either. She simply figured he had his reasons for not saying more.
Hearing that Han Feng had parents waiting for him, Qian Renxue's gaze softened with a flicker of envy. She had never known a mother's love nor a father's warmth.
"I'm not that amazing," she replied lightly.
"I'm just a freshly advanced Spirit Ancestor. And honestly, I only got here with some medicinal help. I'm not strong at all. So if you're counting on me for protection, you can drop that idea now."
She saw right through Han Feng's thoughts and coldly snorted.
Despite her mild sympathy, she couldn't afford to expose her identity as the Six-Winged Angel Spirit inheritor.
Han Feng, not even nine yet with rank-20 spirit power, was likely a prodigy from one of the top academies or sects. In her experience, people like that looked down on others who used shortcuts like drugs to cultivate. They definitely wouldn't humble themselves to ask for protection.
But Qian Renxue had miscalculated.
The moment Han Feng heard she was a Spirit Ancestor, his eyes practically glowed.
A Soul Ancestor!? Just like Dad!
As for her claiming to be weak—Han Feng didn't buy it. She'd saved him from that Flame Cat, hadn't she?
In his heart, Han Feng was already roaring:
"I'm not letting go of this thigh! "
He put on his most innocent smile.
"Heh heh… Sister Qianqian, what little schemes could I possibly have? "
"I just figured… it's dangerous for a young lady to be wandering the forest alone. I can cook, clean, wash clothes, and warm the bed—I'm a full-service assistant! I promise, with me around, you'll live like royalty! "
Qian Renxue's face turned red, flustered, and furious.
"Who said I need you to warm the bed?! "
Han Feng's eyes sparkled.
"So what you're saying is… I just need to cook and clean? Got it! "
Qian Renxue's smile vanished. Her expression darkened.
She hadn't expected this little soft-looking boy to be this shameless.
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