"That's right! That's right!"
Ning Rongrong immediately chimed in, tugging at Ning Fengzhi's sleeve with a hint of coquettishness in her tone.
"What danger could there be if I go out with Brother Su Yu and Nana?"
"You always treat me like a child, insisting on sending guards to follow us. How inconvenient!"
She turned to Ning Fengzhi with sparkling eyes: "Dad, you know how capable Brother Su Yu is. With him around, he'll definitely protect us."
"Besides, isn't the point of training to venture out on our own? How can it be called training if we're always being watched?"
Xue Na also spoke softly nearby: "Uncle Ning, we'll be extra careful and won't act recklessly."
"With Brother's current strength, he can definitely protect us well. We'll also send regular messages to report our safety."
Ning Fengzhi looked at his daughter's expectant eyes, then at Su Yu's steady demeanor, and finally relented with a helpless sigh:
"Fine, do as you wish. But remember, safety comes first. If you encounter any trouble you can't handle, return immediately without showing off."
"Thank you, Dad!"
Ning Rongrong immediately beamed with joy, leaning over to kiss Ning Fengzhi on the cheek.
"Dad is the best!"
Su Yu also nodded appropriately: "Uncle Ning, rest assured. I'll take good care of Rongrong and Nana."
Watching Ning Rongrong's excited expression, Ning Fengzhi shook his head, though his eyes held hidden laughter.
The young have their own ways in their world—perhaps it really was time to let them venture out on their own.
"Since you insist on going without guards, I won't force the matter."
Ning Fengzhi said as he took out an exquisite purple-gold card from his robe and handed it to Su Yu:
"This is 'a little bit' of funding. Use it as needed on the journey—don't be too hard on yourselves."
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up as she leaned in to look, pulling on Ning Fengzhi's arm with a laugh:
"Dad really does dote on me the most!"
Ning Fengzhi patted Ning Rongrong's hand, his tone carrying some admonishment:
"When you're away from home, think carefully about everything. Rongrong, no mischief—listen to Xiao Yu's arrangements."
"Got it, Dad!"
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue, pulling Xue Na closer to Su Yu, clearly eager to set off.
"Alright, I know you're impatient. You may go now!"
"Yay! Dad! Grandpa Sword! Grandpa Bone! We're off now!"
Ning Rongrong pulled Su Yu and Xue Na as they headed out of the hall.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo still wanted to offer more advice.
But Ning Rongrong had already impatiently dragged Su Yu and Xue Na out of the hall, her skirt fluttering as only a trail of light footsteps remained behind.
"Ah, this girl is getting more and more impatient."
Ning Fengzhi gazed at the empty doorway and shook his head helplessly, though his eyes were full of doting affection.
Sword Douluo set aside his usual sternness, stroking his beard as he said:
"Fengzhi, with Xiao Yu around, there's no need to worry too much. That child is thoughtful and strong—he'll definitely protect Rongrong and Xue Na well."
Bone Douluo also nodded in agreement, his tone carrying a touch of emotion:
"Indeed, an eighteen-year-old Soul Saint. Back when I was that age, I was only a Soul King."
"The younger generation surpasses the older—truly, each generation grows stronger."
The three exchanged smiles, their earlier worries gradually fading away.
After leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Su Yu and his two companions did not head directly to Suotuo City. Instead, they decided to spend a few days leisurely touring Heaven Dou City first.
In Heaven Dou City, within the Crown Prince's residence:
After twelve years of infiltration, Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, had firmly secured her position as the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.
During her time undercover, her cultivation had never stagnated, thanks in part to the Sacred Light Spiritual Radiance Su Yu had gifted her years ago. She had now successfully broken through to the Soul Emperor realm.
Su Yu spent several days exploring Heaven Dou City with Ning Rongrong and Xue Na. Once night fell, he slipped alone into the Crown Prince's residence.
The night was as dark as ink, and his figure melded into the shadows, effortlessly evading the patrolling guards.
Inside the study, Qian Renxue sat at her desk, handling the administrative affairs assigned by Xue Ye.
Suddenly, a soft creak sounded as the wooden window by the wall was pushed open from the outside.
A cool breeze carrying the night's dew quietly drifted in, causing the candle flame to flicker violently and casting her shadow, elongated and distorted, against the wall.
Qian Renxue naturally heard the noise. She paused, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
The Crown Prince's residence was heavily guarded—no ordinary person could approach the study so silently.
Without turning around, she quietly circulated her Soul Power, then slowly rose and moved toward the window.
Just as Qian Renxue took a step, a hand gently tapped her shoulder from behind.
Startled, she instinctively whirled around, her palm charged with Soul Power and cutting through the air with a sharp gust toward the intruder.
Twelve years of living undercover had honed her vigilance to an extreme, ready for any sudden assault.
However, the owner of that hand reacted even faster. With a light twist of the wrist, the person firmly caught her own, and a familiar, teasing voice came from behind:
"Sister Xue'er, after so long apart, is this how you greet me—with violence?"
Qian Renxue focused her gaze. Moonlight slanted in through the window, illuminating the face of the newcomer.
Who else could it be but Su Yu?
A flicker of astonishment passed through her eyes, and the gathered Soul Power quietly dissipated. Her tone carried a hint of awkwardness, as if caught off guard:
"Why are you here? You nearly scared me to death!"
Qian Renxue raised a hand to her chest, letting out a long sigh as the tension in her spine eased slightly.
"Sister Xue'er, I came specifically to see you," Su Yu released her wrist, a smile playing on his lips. "What, aren't you happy to see me?"
"Who'd be happy to see a scoundrel like you!"
Qian Renxue shot him a glare, her tone tinged with reproach, but she made no further move to strike him. Instead, she turned and walked back toward the desk.
"Hurry and leave. This is the Crown Prince's residence—it wouldn't be good if someone discovered you."
Despite her words, her steps slowed noticeably, clearly not truly intent on sending him away.
Su Yu wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently resting his chin on her shoulder:
"Sister Xue'er, it's just the two of us here. Drop the disguise and let me have a proper look at you!"
Beneath her disguise, Qian Renxue's ears flushed red to the tips. She stiffened her neck and retorted:
"No! You little pervert, don't think I don't know what you're thinking!"
Su Yu hugged her and swayed gently from side to side, adopting a coaxing tone:
"Sister Xue'er! Please! Just a look—I promise I won't do anything!"
"No!"
Seeing Qian Renxue's attitude soften slightly, Su Yu quickly continued to wheedle:
"Please! I'm begging you!"
Unable to withstand his pestering, Qian Renxue exerted slight pressure with her fingertips while maintaining her tough tone:
"What is there to see? What could possibly be worth looking at? Is it any different from how I look now?"
"Of course it's different," Su Yu's voice softened, "Your true appearance, sister, is the most beautiful."