30 Chapter 29

Then silence had fallen after she said her piece. The silence that had fallen between Qian Renxue and Cai Wen was so intense, it was almost tangible. The young girl appeared to shrink inwards, her gaze darting towards Cai Wen on occasion, only to swiftly dart away again. Cai Wen, on the other hand, wore an expression of bewilderment, clearly uncertain about how to handle this uncomfortable situation.

After a few prolonged moments of silence, the Chrysanthemums Douluo returned, his presence alleviating some of Cai Wen's discomfort. The older man's eccentric nature helped to dissipate some of the awkward tension between Qian Renxue and Cai Wen, as he engaged the young man in a friendly conversation.

"So, Cai Wen, have you finished reading the books I gave you?" Chrysanthemums Douluo inquired, his eyes sparkling with a lively interest.

Cai Wen responded with a nod of gratitude, saying, "Yes, I have. They were quite informative, especially the one about various plants and how they can aid in the cultivation of spirit power."

Cai Wen's relief was palpable as he readily engaged in the conversation, discussing the books Chrysanthemums Douluo had lent him and the intriguing plants mentioned there in.

A few minutes later, Qian Daoliu reappeared, looking exactly as he did before he left.

"We shall continue our journey," he announced, his voice gentle yet authoritative. With acknowledgement from everyone, they once again took to the skies, now heading towards the Star Dou Forest.

This time, however, Qian Renxue made no attempt to outmatch Cai Wen or embarrass him. They flew at an easy pace, both managing to keep up without showing any signs of fatigue or exhaustion.

Several hours later, punctuated by a brief respite, they finally reached the entrance of Star Dou Forest. They chose to land a short distance from the entrance, aware that most spirit beasts dwelled within the forest rather than in the open skies.

Throughout the journey, Qian Renxue remained silent, stealing occasional glances at Cai Wen but refraining from speaking. Cai Wen noticed her actions but felt unsure about how to approach her.

He was interested by her future self but understood that she was only seven years old at present. Despite him also being seven, his mind and soul were adult-like, creating a somewhat awkward predicament regarding how to approach her.

Even though he had interacted with Hu Liena before, it was easier since she was more sociable. Whereas Qian Renxue, though mature beyond her years, was still only seven, she has maintained a cold demeanor except towards her grandfather, and began their acquaintance with a dislike for him.

Qian Daoliu watched the silent interaction between his granddaughter and Cai Wen with amusement, noting a stark difference from the morning's hostile atmosphere.

Cai Wen, feeling a mix of uncertainty and curiosity, decided to break the silence. "You know, while I was reading some books when I visited the library, I came across fascinating stories about the Star Dou Forest," he said, attempting to engage Qian Renxue in conversation. "They speak of its large amount of spirit beast, from the most aggressive to some of most gentle spirit beast, although there are a lot of danger due to housing a lot of 10,000 and even some 100,000 spirit beast, it was said that there are a lot beautiful place also."

Qian Renxue's was surprised by his sudden initiation of talking to her.

She turned her head towards Cai Wen, her eyes hesitation and a bit of shyness with curiosity beneath her composed exterior. "Tell me more," she said.

And so, as they resumed their journey inside the Star Dou Forest, Cai Wen shared his knowledge of the forest's unique environment. He spoke of the vibrant flowers that bloomed in a myriad of colors, each possessing its own mystical properties. He shared tales of rare and powerful spirit beasts, their majestic forms.

Qian Renxue listened attentively, her cold demeanor melting away as she became more engaged in the conversation. She asked questions, delve deeper into their talk. Cai Wen, thrilled by her curiosity, eagerly shared his insights, relishing the opportunity to connect with her on a more personal level.

Much to his surprise, his simple plan to strike up a conversation with her was successful.

Perhaps her receptivity was due to her lack of friends her own age, having spent most of her time with the elders in the Elder Palace.

Despite her initial interest in Cai Wen, she had developed a dislike for him upon discovering he was her mother's disciple, stemming from her envy.

His act of catching her when she was about to fall, and the subsequent embarrassment of mistaking him for her grandfather, had helped diminish this dislike.

His initiation of conversation offered her a chance to connect with a peer, which led her to develop a fondness for him. This likely wouldn't have happened with other children, as she was a prodigy, blessed with exceptional abilities and maturity unparalleled by her peers.

Cai Wen, however, was the perfect candidate for friendship, he has a talent, knowledge and maturity, which was why their connection flourished.

As they ventured further into the forest, Qian Daoliu observed their interactions with quiet approval. He noted the dissipating tension between Qian Renxue and Cai Wen, a sight that warmed his heart, knowing his beloved Xuer now had a friend.

Throughout their exploration, Cai Wen consciously worked to strengthen their bond, seeking ways to connect with Qian Renxue beyond their initial encounter. He shared stories from his personal experiences, hoping that by opening up, she might also let her guard down, allowing their friendship to blossom.

Slowly but surely, Qian Renxue started to show increased interest. She asked more questions, seeking to understand not only the forest's flora but also the individual at her side. Encouraged by her escalating curiosity, Cai Wen spoke with renewed enthusiasm, his narratives weaving seamlessly with the enchanting surroundings.

As the day wore on, their conversations flowed effortlessly, their initial awkwardness a distant memory. The tension that once hung between them had dissipated.