Chapter 325: Who says my Rongrong isn't clever and quick-witted?_1

"To see a mountain as a mountain, and water as water."

Qian Renxue and Xue Ke muttered Xu Ran's words, feeling there was a profound mystery to them, elusive yet seemingly deep in meaning, and saw Xu Ran as a person of great wisdom. In conversation, it seemed he had already seen through the nature of the world.

"That makes so much sense." Xue Ke's beautiful eyes shone with wonder as she remembered Xu Ran's words. She didn't understand what Xu Ran meant, but it felt impressive nonetheless.

Now, Xue Ke was completely convinced by Xu Ran.

Whether it was his talent, learning, or the open-minded wisdom he revealed in conversation, all deeply attracted her. She now even had an impulsive desire to discover more about Xu Ran.

"Lord Xu Ran, may I have this painting?" Xue Ke looked at the beautiful scroll and wished to keep it.

"If Princess wishes to have it, then please take it. But what about the mission Brother Vis entrusted me with?" Xu Ran said with a smile curving up at the corners of his mouth.

"Next time, Lord Xu Ran, feel free to come to my Princess's Mansion to paint. I'm tired today and don't wish to continue," Xue Ke said with a blush and in a very soft voice. She was aware of what she implied, but she wasn't sure if Xu Ran grasped the full meaning of her words.

In the future, the doors, front and back, and the windows of her Princess's Mansion would all be open for Xu Ran. As long as he was willing to come, that was good enough.

Having said that, Xue Ke didn't dare to look at Qian Renxue's expression and left with the painting scroll, her face still reddened with shyness.

Approaching the door, she couldn't help but look back at Xu Ran, as if she wanted to etch his image firmly in her mind.

Being born into royalty meant one didn't have control over one's own life.

Even if she liked Xu Ran and yearned for freedom, it was almost impossible.

Seeing Xue Ke's lively yet timid face, a scene from a drama of his past life flashed in Xu Ran's mind. Goodness, why did he feel like Yi Xiaochuan escorting Princess Yushu back to the capital? However, he was not Yi Xiaochuan; if it had been him on the way, he would have already handled things with Yushu.

"To die beneath the peony flowers; even as a ghost, I'd be romantic."

He would have his own fun first, and whether he might be beheaded upon his return would be a problem for later.

"Brother Xu, isn't this inappropriate?" Qian Renxue saw Xu Ran and Xue Ke flirting in front of her and commented unhappily.

It hadn't taken long for Xue Ke to secretly vow her heart to Xu Ran.

If given more time, wouldn't their relationship develop even further?

Moreover, Xue Ke had invited Xu Ran to her room to paint, worrying that it might lead to more than just painting. Once it reached that point, anything could happen.

"Brother Xue, what are you saying? My interaction with the young lady is just normal communication. Art, do you understand? In a few days, we might explore the art of life together. Art is good stuff; once you understand it, it benefits the young lady too. It will improve her complexion to be creamy smooth, make her look healthier, and even help in tempering her demeanor," Xu Ran explained, patting Qian Renxue's shoulder.

"Discussing art is fine, just be careful not to play around too much," Qian Renxue said, shooting Xu Ran a displeased glance that unexpectedly captivated him. Even though her beauty was disguised, those clear, bright eyes were impossible to conceal.

"Brother Xue, your eyes are truly beautiful. If you were a woman, you would surely be even more lovely than the young lady," Xu Ran remarked, eagerly anticipating the moment Qian Renxue would take off her disguise, well, reveal her true face without the disguise.

After becoming a god, Qian Renxue was known in Dou Yi as the most beautiful woman in the Soul Land Continent. As the Angel God, her beauty was incomparable, possibly rivaling that of Gu Yuena.

Bi Bidong should have been a world-class beauty too, but after inheriting the Rakshasa God godhood, her appearance drastically changed. With a green face and fierce teeth, tainted by evil, she lost her former look.

"What nonsense are you speaking? As the Crown Prince of a nation..." Hearing Xu Ran's praise, Qian Renxue felt a surge of joy and was more determined than ever to meet Xu Ran in women's attire.

How should she face Xu Ran when the time came? Should she say she's the sister of Xue Qinghe?

Otherwise, with Xu Ran's capabilities, he might indeed expose her real identity.

After chatting casually with Qian Renxue for a while longer, both harboring their own thoughts, Xu Ran was in no rush to seize Qian Renxue right away. Instead, he wanted Qian Renxue to take the initiative. One day, luring her in and enjoying the pursuit by the Continent's most beautiful woman would indeed be an unusual pleasure.

Qian Renxue was prideful, yet the more such people bow their heads, the more touching the moment becomes.

After greeting Qian Renxue, Xu Ran prepared to depart for the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect. Given the sulk Qian Renxue had after his last visit to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, it was better for him to say goodbye this time.

...

Early the next day, Xu Ran and Ning Rongrong greeted Flander before heading towards the Seven Treasures City, where the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect was located.

Flander, ebullient, did not hesitate to approve their leave request from Shrek Academy. Xu Ran had already informed Flander about Yu Xiaogang's exposed character, but he hadn't yet had the heart to speak of his relationship with Liu Erlong.

That was something Flander would have to slowly come to understand on his own.

He would continue to drop hints for Flander.

Emotional matters, if spoken aloud, are too hurtful.

Flander was too stubborn, why yearn for one flower when the whole world was full of blooms?

As the headmaster of Shrek Academy, couldn't he have whatever he wanted?

"Wow, is this Sword Flight? It's so cool." Ning Rongrong and Xu Ran stood on a flying sword, heading towards Seven Treasures City, where the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect was located.

Flying in the sky, especially on such a narrow flying sword, was an exciting new experience for Ning Rongrong.

It was her first time experiencing the sensation of flying, and it felt wonderful.

The flying sword did not move very fast; with Xu Ran's current exquisite control over Sword Flight, he could keep it fully suspended in the air without any issues.

"Xu Ran, when did you become so strong?"

Ning Rongrong blinked her beautiful eyes, curiously looking at Xu Ran.

Although Xu Ran had been strong before, he had not reached such a level of strength. Now, Xu Ran made her feel a sense of unreality.

The pace of Xu Ran's strength improvement was too fast.

Previously, he was a peerless genius, but to have progressed so much in such a short time, to the point of rivaling the true powerhouses, was somewhat unbelievable. However, considering even she had improved so much with Xu Ran's help, it seemed not impossible for Xu Ran to advance even faster.

"Just advanced recently. Now I have the 'Cultivation Level' of a Soul King, and my strength shouldn't be worse than that of a Titled Douluo," said Xu Ran as he gently stroked Ning Rongrong's long hair, tied into a braid.

Clad in pink garments and long pants, with loose hair cascading to her hips, Ning Rongrong's beauty exuded a rounded softness, radiating a unique nobility all over, much like her Martial Soul, the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda.

"Oh." Ning Rongrong was utterly shocked and was about to say something when she looked up and saw Xu Ran staring at her intensely, giving her a bad premonition.

"Xu Ran, what are you going to do?" Ning Rongrong blushed, thinking that Xu Ran wouldn't mess around while they were in midair. Xu Ran's lascivious tendencies could strike at any time, and Ning Rongrong and the others really had no way to deal with him.

If they were in her boudoir, they could let Xu Ran have his way.

But outside, when Xu Ran made advances, it was really unbearable. Especially when shopping, all they could do when Xu Ran misbehaved was to hope no one looked at them as they glared at him.

Fortunately, Xu Ran was very strong and always chose his moments well. Despite his boldness, he hadn't made things too difficult for them.

"There's a small grove below," said Xu Ran as he guided the flying sword downwards. There was no rush to meet his father-in-law; spending time with Rongrong, enjoying the scenery, and being together beneath the flowers and the moon were what mattered most.

How could he resist when his Rongrong looked so charming and dressed so enticingly?