Chapter 31: Xue Qinghe Extends an Olive Branch

Ning Xi walked slowly into the mimetic cultivation grounds. Closing her eyes and reopening them, she found herself in the midst of a desolate battlefield; an aura of grim slaughter permeated the air, as if countless brutal battles had once raged here.

As she looked around, her Seven-Kill Sword spirit resonated strongly, stirring a sense of heroic spirit within her. With a thought, the Seven-Kill Sword appeared in her hand, which she gripped firmly. Several sharp sword auras coalesced as she executed the Seven-Kill Sword technique with increasing proficiency.

After practicing her swordplay for the entire day, Ning Xi finally stepped out of the training grounds. Over the course of a month, she had become well-acquainted with Xue Ke, Dugu Yan, and the others, becoming quite good friends with them.

...

Before she knew it, Ning Xi had been at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy for three months. During these three months, she had devoted the vast majority of her time to practicing her swordplay, striving to reach the pinnacle of the first form of the Seven-Kill Sword technique.

The rest of her time was spent occasionally sparring with Xue Ke and the others, eating, roasting meat, going out for fun, and shopping. Naturally, these outings were initiated by Xue Ke, who claimed that she couldn't just keep practicing, or she might risk a cultivation deviation. Ning Xi had no choice but to yield, setting aside a fixed time each day for sword practice.

However, even after reaching a level of mastery, she still couldn't advance to the next stage, unsure of what she was missing. Ning Xi sighed helplessly, deciding to set it aside for the moment; perhaps she was simply being too impatient.

Ning Xi retracted her martial spirit and walked briskly out of the mimetic training grounds. By now, most people at the academy were on good terms with her. Even Wang Chu, who had been difficult at first, was now respectful and obediently played the role of her subordinate.

"Little Sister Xi, I haven't seen you for three months, and you’ve grown even more graceful and poised."

A gentle, refined voice reached Ning Xi’s ears. Looking up, she saw Xue Qinghe, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. Ever since he had dropped the two of them off, he hadn't appeared again. Today, he seemed to be in a good mood, a hint of a sincere smile playing on his lips, lacking the artificiality of before.

"Brother Xue, what brings you to the academy? Is something the matter?" Ning Xi asked.

Xue Qinghe nodded. "Everything is finished, and I happened to see you. Since I have nothing to do today, why don't we have a meal together?"

He had heard about her past three months here. On the second day of school, someone had tried to ask her to be his girlfriend, and, crucially, she had defeated a Great Soul Master. She had gained the affection of many in the academy and had become good friends with the likes of Dugu Yan, the granddaughter of the renowned Poison Douluo.

To be so sought-after at only seven years old—it seemed he needed to spend more time with her to cultivate their relationship. Such a remarkable little one; he needed to win her over to his side as soon as possible.

"No need, Brother Xue. My friends are already waiting for me to eat." Ning Xi shook her head, looking at Xue Qinghe apologetically.

Xue Qinghe nodded. "No matter, then let’s eat together. I’m feeling rather lonely on my own."

He reached into his robe and pulled out a green pouch. "This is a Wishful Treasure Bag I obtained from the Heaven Dou Auction House yesterday. It’s far superior to previous storage soul tools, as it can contain living creatures. I’d like to give it to you."

A smile played on his lips, and a glimmer of gentleness appeared in his eyes—a detail he didn't even notice himself. The two elders behind him stared at Xue Qinghe in astonishment. Could they be mistaken? Their usually profound and calculating Highness actually had such a side.

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Xue, but this is too precious. I cannot accept it." Ning Xi instinctively declined. Although the Wishful Treasure Bag was indeed tempting, she couldn't let herself be carried away.

Xue Qinghe chuckled, his smile growing even more sincere. "Little Sister Xi, just think of it as a gift for your enrollment. Don't be nervous, just take it."

With that, he pressed the Wishful Treasure Bag into Ning Xi's hand, their fingers brushing against each other. Xue Qinghe found her small hand to be delicate and smooth, and an inexplicable, strange sensation washed over him, his heart fluttering slightly. He rarely had physical contact with others, and although he wasn't particularly interested in women, he found the connection with her to be quite pleasant.

"In that case, thank you, Brother Xue. Is there anything you like?" Ning Xi accepted it; this item was extremely rare even in the future, so perhaps she could take it back for research. Perhaps she could learn how to craft more soul tool spaces capable of storing living things.

Xue Qinghe felt a stir in his heart upon hearing this question. He was quite curious about what Ning Xi might give him. Gold and silver jewelry? Or something else?

He wore a gentle smile and said, "Haha, I will cherish anything you give me, Little Sister Xi."

Ning Xi thought for a moment and pulled a delicate, beautiful figurine from her storage ring, carved with exquisite detail. "Brother Xue, this is something I wanted to carve for you."

The figurine was in the likeness of Xue Qinghe, small and intricate. Xue Qinghe took it and studied it carefully, his mood instantly brightening.

"Then thank you, Little Sister Xi."

This was the first time he had received such a gift. In the past, others had only ever given him gold, silver, or jewelry, and this little figure was clearly carved with great care. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it. This Miss Ning was truly quite something.

"I'm glad you like it, Brother Xue," Ning Xi said.

As the two continued to talk, the two men behind Xue Qinghe exchanged glances. How had their Highness changed so suddenly? Regardless, their Highness finally had a friend, as long as he understood what to do in the future.

Ning Xi and Xue Qinghe walked and talked, their relationship growing closer with every step.

Upon arriving at the cafeteria, Jun Han was already waiting, along with Xue Ke and the others. Xue Ke waved at Ning Xi, but when she saw Xue Qinghe approaching, her eyes widened, and she rubbed them, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Everyone at the academy knew Xue Qinghe; he was a figure of great importance. Good-looking, good-tempered, and highly capable, he was the Prince Charming in the eyes of many noble girls. He was often followed by two powerful bodyguards, so few girls dared to approach him. Yet, here was Ning Xi standing beside him, chatting happily. The contrast made Xue Ke doubt her own eyes.

Seeing Xue Qinghe’s smile, which seemed even more genuine than usual, he appeared much more approachable.

"Brother Xue, won't it be inconvenient for you to eat here?" Ning Xi felt a sense of awkwardness as she noticed the reactions of those around them.

Jun Han had seen Ning Xi the moment she arrived, but seeing Xue Qinghe beside her, he felt a wave of displeasure, and a chill began to radiate from him.

"It doesn't matter, it's just for today," Xue Qinghe said indifferently.

Ning Xi had no choice but to bring him over to Xue Ke and the others. Since everyone knew each other, they exchanged simple greetings. Dugu Yan and the others, feeling uncomfortable, quickly found an excuse to slip away.

In the end, only Xue Qinghe, Xue Ke, Ning Xi, Jun Han, and the two men behind him remained. The two elders simply stood silently in the background.

"Brother, are... are you not busy? How do you have the time..." Xue Ke asked out of curiosity, her voice trailing off.

Xue Qinghe replied, "I'm not busy today. I happened to run into Little Sister Xi, so I came to see you all." He spoke in a flat, even tone, revealing no emotional fluctuations.

Xue Ke nodded and buried her head in her food. Whether he was truly not busy was something only the two men behind him knew. They twitched their mouths, watching Xue Qinghe’s sudden change in personality with helplessness. It was truly abnormal; should they inform the Great Elder?

Ning Xi laughed awkwardly. "Brother Xue, you are truly a kind person."

Xue Qinghe paused, surprised that someone would call him kind. "Kind? Is that so?" He lowered his eyes, dining with grace and elegance to mask the self-mockery in his gaze.