Chapter 49: Lin Fan and Qian Xue

Moments later, Qian Renxue successfully killed the Radiant Unicorn, but she had yet to begin absorbing its soul ring.

A stranger—someone who felt strangely familiar—was standing nearby. Who knew if he would try something while she was absorbing the ring?

"Hmm?"

Both of them suddenly froze and glanced simultaneously at the Radiant Unicorn's body.

Beyond the lingering power of the soul ring, there was another fluctuation of soul power.

This meant…

It dropped a soul bone!

A soul bone close to thirty thousand years in cultivation—and from a Radiant Unicorn, no less. It was a top-tier soul beast with light and spiritual attributes.

If this soul bone were to appear in an auction, its starting price would be no less than ten million gold spirit coins. And even then, it would be priceless—a treasure with no shortage of buyers.

"Soul bone?"

Both Qian Renxue and Dai Mubai gulped instinctively.

Qian Renxue didn't need other soul bones. After all, as the inheritor of the Angel God's legacy, she possessed the Angel God Set of soul bones.

Still, even a thirty-thousand-year soul bone was enough to make most people's hearts race.

Dai Mubai, on the other hand, didn't care much for this soul bone—not because he didn't want it, but because…

Its cultivation was too low.

After all, he already had a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. Anything less was beneath his notice.

How pitiful was the original Dai Mubai!

In the canon story, he only obtained a single soul bone—and that was looted off some lowly wolf thieves.

But I'm not that Dai Mubai.

I have twin martial souls. For my second martial soul, I won't settle for anything less than an all-red soul ring set!

Still, the value of this soul bone was undeniable.

"You can have the soul bone, and I'll take the soul ring. Consider it your reward for helping me. How does that sound?"

Qian Renxue's voice carried the unmistakable confidence of someone with both strength and vision.

With that gesture, the boundaries between them could ease, paving the way for cooperation—or, perhaps, even a tentative friendship.

Hearing this, Dai Mubai saw no reason to refuse. He nodded calmly.

"Alright. I'll take that deal."

Moments later, Dai Mubai retrieved a flawless skull soul bone from the Radiant Unicorn's body.

To be honest, if this soul bone had been fifty thousand years in cultivation, he might have fused it without hesitation.

Unfortunately, its level fell short.

The Radiant Unicorn was a creature of light and spiritual attributes. This was why Qian Renxue's sixth soul skill was a spiritual attack: Angel's Roar.

"You've helped me once more," Qian Renxue said after storing the soul bone. "I need you to do me another favor. Guard me while I absorb this soul ring, and I'll reward you again."

"This time, I'll tell you where to find the perfect soul beast for your fifth soul ring."

She spoke with utter confidence.

Spirit Hall possessed an extensive map of soul beast territories. When Qian Renxue scouted for the Radiant Unicorn, they naturally identified other suitable light-attribute soul beasts in the area.

Soul beasts had strong territorial instincts. The more powerful the beast, the more fixed its territory. It was rare for a strong soul beast to roam far.

Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow but ultimately nodded.

"Alright."

He knew Qian Renxue's words were true. Spirit Hall's information on soul beasts was second to none.

Besides, even if he weren't here to guard her, Blood Douluo and She Long could ensure her safety.

Receiving accurate information on the location of his soul beast was far better than wandering around blindly in the forest.

Qian Renxue's lips curved faintly when she heard Dai Mubai's agreement, though she didn't show it outwardly.

She wasted no time. Activating her martial soul, she sat cross-legged and began absorbing the soul ring.

Dai Mubai retreated to the side, standing guard.

As he observed her, he couldn't help but note Qian Renxue's beauty.

She was tall—about 1.78 meters—and carried herself with the poise of a warrior goddess. Her white-and-gold-trimmed dress added to her divine air.

Her figure was flawless, with curves where they belonged and a grace that commanded attention.

Hidden in the shadows, Blood Douluo and She Long exchanged a glance.

They were both baffled by their young mistress's behavior.

Sending a soul bone as a reward? Offering critical information about soul beasts?

This was unprecedented.

They observed Dai Mubai carefully.

He was undeniably talented.

His appearance—those golden locks and heterochromatic eyes—was striking. His strength was equally impressive. At such a young age, he had already reached Rank 50 and possessed the combat power to one-shot a nearly thirty-thousand-year soul beast.

Not even Spirit Hall's Golden Generation could compare.

Even Qian Renxue, the unrivaled genius of her era, hadn't reached Rank 50 at this age.

Wait…

Blood Douluo and She Long blinked as realization hit them.

This kid… He's only about fifteen or sixteen years old!

Rank 50 at fifteen? And that monstrous combat power?

They exchanged another glance, their expressions turning odd.

Was their young mistress trying to "recruit talent"… or had she taken an interest in him as a man?

Neither of them dared to speculate further.

This wasn't their business. It was best to pretend they hadn't seen anything.

About an hour later, Qian Renxue opened her eyes.

The process of absorbing the soul ring had gone smoothly.

She glanced at Dai Mubai, who was still standing guard, his posture vigilant.

He didn't do anything to me during my vulnerable state, she thought, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

It seemed he was a man of his word.

"Thank you," she said softly, her tone carrying rare sincerity.

She couldn't resist studying him again—those sharp features, golden hair, and piercing heterochromatic eyes.

"It was just a transaction," Dai Mubai replied dismissively, waving his hand.

His only desire now was for Qian Renxue to locate his soul beast and leave the Star Dou Forest as quickly as possible.

Being around her made him uneasy. It always felt like unseen eyes were watching him.

Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, intrigued by his attitude.

"I'm Qian Xue. What's your name?"

Dai Mubai paused.

Qian Xue?

You couldn't even come up with a better alias? You're not fooling anyone!

But two could play that game.

"I'm Lin Fan," Dai Mubai replied smoothly. "Lin as in forest, and Fan as in ordinary."

This was his name in his past life—so technically, he wasn't lying.

Qian Renxue's expression didn't change, but inwardly, she scoffed.

Do you really think I'll believe that?

The clues were too obvious.

A White Tiger martial soul—variant or not—along with golden hair and heterochromatic eyes?

It didn't take much to connect the dots.

Spirit Hall had thoroughly investigated the royal families of both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.

As the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, Qian Renxue was well-acquainted with the details of Star Luo's royal family.

This "Lin Fan" was clearly connected to the Star Luo Empire.

At this moment, the two of them—a pair of schemers—were quietly sizing each other up, both spinning silent plots in their heads.

Qian Renxue smiled faintly.

"Lin Fan, what kind of soul ring are you looking for? You've helped me twice. Let me return the favor."

Her meaning was clear: if he needed information on a soul beast, she could lead him to it.

Dai Mubai blinked, startled.

She's not leaving?

And now she wants to help me get my soul ring?

This day just keeps getting more complicated, he thought.

[End of Chapter]