The easier something is to obtain, the less the recipient will value it.
Qian Renxue pondered this, just about to speak when Li Si shook his head, ruffling Xiao Wu's hair.
"Xiao Wu, if all it took to become a prince was calling the Crown Prince 'big brother,' then there wouldn't be any commoners left on the Douluo Continent."
He paused, then added with a smile,
"Besides, we've only just met Brother Xue. Joking about things like that might put him in an awkward spot."
"You're right," Xiao Wu said with a thoughtful nod.
"If I call him Brother Xue, do I get to be a princess too?"
She scratched her head, then looked earnestly at Qian Renxue.
"Apologies, Brother Xue Qinghe. I was just joking earlier—I didn't mean to make things difficult for you."
Qian Renxue's elegant demeanor faltered for a moment.
She had been preparing to spin an elaborate web of promises, charm them with visions of power, and subtly win their trust.
But before she could even begin, these two had completely defused her plan, dismissing it as a joke!
I wasn't feeling awkward at all!
Before she could recover, Li Si handed her a bundle of roasted Blue Silver Grass.
Instinctively, she accepted it and took a small bite.
"Hmm?"
The flavor was crisp and surprisingly refreshing.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu had no reservations. She ate quickly and enthusiastically, her focus solely on the food, any notions of elegance forgotten.
Taking another bite, Qian Renxue's eyes lit up.
"You're quite skilled, young brother! This tastes amazing."
With a genuine smile, she added,
"I feel a kinship with you, Li Si. If you're willing, I'd like to invite you to my residence."
Her real motive wasn't food—it was strategy.
If Li Si joined her in the Heaven Dou Palace, she was confident she could eventually win him over.
Li Si took a bite of his own roasted Blue Silver Grass and, upon hearing Qian Renxue's offer, shook his head.
"Apologies, Brother Xue. That's not my aspiration. Xiao Wu and I plan to travel for now. If one day we seek a place to settle, we'll be sure to seek you out."
His words were polite and full of deference, but Qian Renxue easily detected the subtle evasion.
Still, she didn't press the matter.
"Whenever that day comes, my door will always be open for you," Qian Renxue replied with a warm smile, offering her commitment.
She had no doubt that these two extraordinary individuals would shine wherever they went. And when that happened, finding them again would be a trivial matter.
"Where do you and Xiao Wu plan to go next?" she asked, her tone casual but laced with curiosity.
"If you don't have a specific destination in mind, perhaps you could visit Heaven Dou City? I could show you around."
Li Si paused, considering the suggestion.
Heaven Dou City was only an hour's journey from the Sunset Forest. With his current spirit power level of 58, he was on the verge of breaking through to 59. At level 60, he would need to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well again.
But traveling with Qian Renxue into the heart of the empire's power? That was another matter entirely.
He sighed inwardly. If I'd known we'd encounter Qian Renxue here, I'd have chosen another campsite!
"Thank you for the offer, Brother Xue," he said tactfully.
"Heaven Dou City is indeed the empire's most vibrant capital, and I'd love to visit someday. But for now, Xiao Wu and I prefer to start with smaller towns. If we begin with the grandest city, other places might feel underwhelming by comparison."
Qian Renxue's expression darkened briefly.
How stubborn can one person be?
Even her immense patience was beginning to fray. If not for her pride and belief in her ability to win Li Si over, she might have ordered She Long to deal with him already.
Li Si and Xiao Wu didn't seem to be affiliated with any major powers—they looked and acted like ordinary spirit masters. Their simple clothing and apparent lack of wealth further supported this impression.
But could two 12- or 13-year-olds at their level really be "ordinary"?
Absolutely not.
"Very well," Qian Renxue said, her smile returning. "When you do visit Heaven Dou City, be sure to come by my residence. You'll always have a place there."
She chose not to push further. Clearly, Li Si didn't trust her enough yet.
With that, Qian Renxue rose to her feet. She didn't have the luxury of lingering—her escort would surely panic if they discovered she'd slipped away.
"Li Si, Xiao Wu, I must take my leave. There's still some distance left to cover tonight."
Li Si stood as well, bowing politely.
"Brother Xue, as the Crown Prince, your responsibilities must keep you incredibly busy. Xiao Wu and I won't keep you. Safe travels!"
Qian Renxue's lips twitched.
He's in such a hurry to see me go, isn't he?
Despite their pleasant conversation, Li Si hadn't made a single effort to detain her—not even the perfunctory "stay a while longer."
Her fists clenched briefly, but she quickly masked her irritation.
"Then, I'll take my leave," she said with a forced smile before turning to go.
Infuriating! Absolutely infuriating!
After she disappeared into the night, She Long emerged from the shadows.
"Young Master," he said, his tone cold, "if these two are so ungrateful, why not…"
He drew a finger across his neck, leaving no doubt about his meaning.
She Long believed that unparalleled talents like these should either serve them or be eliminated.
Qian Renxue shook her head. Her confidence in her charm was unwavering.
"Uncle She Long, there's no need for that."
"That young man, Li Si—I will win him over."
Her voice carried absolute conviction.
"This is only the first meeting. It's natural for him to be wary. If he had eagerly agreed to my every suggestion, I'd be more suspicious of his intentions."
Her gaze grew sharper as she thought to herself.
If I, Qian Renxue, could successfully impersonate the Crown Prince, why couldn't Li Si be acting as someone else's spy?
Meanwhile, back at the camp, Xiao Wu studied Li Si curiously.
"You seem to have strong feelings about this Xue Qinghe..."
(To be continued)