After failing to learn anything from Tom and Jerry, Tang Yuehua left, leaving the space to Xue Qinghe and Shen An.
Her departure was marked by a deep lancholy—she had begun to doubt her own musical talent.
Approaching with humility, Tang Yuehua had sought guidance, only to realize there was nothing to discuss.
Tom and Jerry operated purely on instinct. When she asked why certain unexpected notes appeared in their music, their expressions seed to say:
"Shouldn't it be played this way? Why ask why? Isn't this how you do it?"
That look crushed her.
For years, as soone without innate soul master talent, she had only two wishes in life:
1. To see the Clear Sky Sect reclaim its glory on the continent.
2. To endlessly refine her music, pursuing the pinnacle of its beauty.
Finally encountering beings who surpassed her—only to find they weren't even human, and worse, relied purely on raw talent—left her feeling utterly lost.
Now, only Xue Qinghe and Shen An remained on the fifth floor, while Tom and Jerry lounged nearby, happily munching on fruits and pastries.
Music masters? Pfft. What they loved most was lazing around.
Shen An casually slung an arm around Xue Qinghe's shoulders. "Brother Xue, you're really too good to . I was wondering why you called out—turns out you wanted to introduce to connections and opportunities!"
The sudden closeness made Xue Qinghe stiffen instinctively. When had she ever been this physically close to a man?
This was the kind of casual intimacy shared between brothers. She could even feel Shen An's warmth and the distinct masculine aura around him.
"O-Of course," Xue Qinghe replied, slightly flustered.
"You said we're friends, didn't you? If there's sothing good, I'd naturally think of you."
"Hey, why are you so nice to ?" Shen An asked, his bright eyes locking onto hers.
"You're the future ruler of a kingdom, after all."
Their faces were so close that Xue Qinghe could feel the heat of his breath.
Shen An's eyes were srizing—clear and bright like stars. For a mont, she felt herself drowning in them.
But as seconds passed without an answer, Shen An noticed sothing odd in her gaze—a shimr of emotion, almost like... shyness?
A chill ran down his spine.
Rumors say many nobles have... unconventional preferences. Could Xue Qinghe be one of them? Did he take a liking to because of my looks? Is that why he's so nice?
The more he thought, the more uneasy he beca. Subtly, he withdrew his arm and inched away, suddenly feeling awkward.
He grabbed Tom and started vigorously rubbing the cat's silky fur, as if trying to wipe off sothing invisible. Tom, mid-bite, gave him a baffled look. What's with the sudden grooming?
Shen An's abrupt retreat snapped Xue Qinghe out of her daze, leaving her with an inexplicable sense of loss.
"Brother Xue, I think it's best to be direct. You're a great friend, no doubt."
"But if you... prefer n, I think we should keep so distance."
"For example, things like bathing together in hot springs—I'd never do that with you. Hope you understand."
Xue Qinghe's face flushed with fury. She grabbed a teacup and hurled it at him. This idiot! What does he take for?!
Not bathe with her? As if Qian Renxue, a pure maiden, would ever share a bath with a man!
Shen An caught the cup deftly. That thing looked expensive—breaking it would cost him dearly.
"You fool! I'm a man too! What man would like another man? I could never fall for a man in this lifeti!" Xue Qinghe snapped.
Tom and Jerry exchanged glances, smirking. Oh? Never in this lifeti? Really now?
"Haha, Brother Xue, don't get worked up. My bad—I just misunderstood because you spaced out earlier, and your eyes looked... off. My imagination ran wild." Shen An chuckled.
"Humph." Xue Qinghe huffed, realizing her earlier behavior had been strange. She scrambled for an explanation.
"What's wrong with being a future ruler? It's just a title. When you were in Suotuo City, did you ever hear my father, the Heaven Dou Emperor, ntioned?"
Shen An shrugged. "Not really. I didn't even know the na of the Balak Kingdom."
Xue Qinghe couldn't help but laugh. "You love fa for yourself but can't be bothered with others'."
Her expression then turned solemn. "Shen An, tis are changing. On this continent, strength determines everything. Empires are just figureheads."
At that mont, Tom and Jerry inexplicably started playing a lancholic violin tune.
Both Shen An and Xue Qinghe twitched. Did they have to set the mood like this?
"The royal family is weak now. The true powers ignore it. If not for the fragile balance among major factions, this continent would already be in chaos."
"Shen An, you love fa, don't you?" Xue Qinghe asked.
Shen An nodded slightly. Reputation points were his foundation—of course he cared.
"Though I'm from Heaven Dou, and the tis are turbulent, I have ambitions to unify this land. Join . When I ascend to the throne, your na will resound across the world."
Xue Qinghe spoke with rare gravity. In twenty years, Shen An's talent would undoubtedly make him another Title Douluo—perhaps even surpassing the Clear Sky Douluo.
He would be a formidable ally.
But that wasn't the real reason.
With her Seraphim martial soul and her grandfather's support, once she secured the throne, she could crush all opposition and establish an unprecedented empire.
Yet the true reason for her invitation was loneliness.
She wanted soone who understood her, soone to walk this path beside her. But in this world, she had found no one worthy—until Shen An appeared.
A peer in talent. A man who called her friend.
Shen An smiled. "Sounds tempting. But politics isn't my forte, and I hate being tied down. Still, if you ever need help, I won't refuse."
Xue Qinghe's heart sank at the first half of his reply, only to brighten at the second. Her gaze burned into him.
"Tom, Jerry—why did your music shift from sad to... flirty? Can't you play sothing normal?!" Shen An complained, unnerved by Xue Qinghe's stare.
Ignoring him, the duo continued their romantic lody. Kid, you don't get it. We're helping you.
When you win your 'brother's' heart and finally see her true appearance, you'll thank us.
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