Disdain from a Student's Parent

There was only one guest, a middle-aged man with short black hair. He was lavishly dressed and carried himself with extraordinary bearing.

He drank alone in the room, completely unconcerned that this was someone else's courtyard.

Dan Heng saw him as soon as he entered and frowned slightly.

This man was rather rude. He disliked him.

But the aura emanating from the other man was very similar to Zhu Zhuqing's. They likely possessed martial souls of the same origin.

Hell Spirit Cat, Star Luo Zhu Family.

So, someone from Zhu Zhuqing's family had come looking for her?

Dan Heng immediately guessed as much. If the other man could take Zhu Zhuqing away, he would have no objections.

As the Imperial Consort of the Star Luo Empire, Zhu Zhuqing was caught in a vortex of power—a collection of troubles.

If he spent too long around her, his peaceful life would surely be disrupted.

"You must be Zhu Zhuqing's teacher, Mr. Dan Heng. I'm Zhu Zhuqing's father." Prince Zhu smiled faintly, his manner casual. As one of the Star Luo Empire's most prominent nobles, he had every reason to look down on most people in the world.

Although the information his subordinates had sent claimed that Dan Heng was quite strange,

he did not believe such exaggerated descriptions. Dan Heng must have possessed some illusion technique capable of altering the color and aura of his soul rings.

But the number of soul rings could not be changed. Dan Heng's cultivation should only be at the Soul Emperor level.

Dan Heng nodded slightly. "You could say that. She studies under me here."

As he spoke, Dan Heng sat across from Prince Zhu.

His gaze fell on the wine cup in Prince Zhu's hand, and he raised an eyebrow slightly. Such an exquisite glass wine vessel was not something his little rustic courtyard could possess.

Prince Zhu noticed Dan Heng's gaze, glanced at the cup in his hand, and chuckled. "I'm not accustomed to drinking the wine outside, and besides, since I'm in your home, it wouldn't be proper for me to move things around carelessly."

"I came in because the door wasn't locked, but I haven't touched anything."

Prince Zhu spoke earnestly.

He was not deceiving Dan Heng in this regard. After investigating him, he had concluded that Dan Heng was a Soul Emperor without great ambitions.

There was nothing worth pursuing in terms of further cooperation. He only needed to take his daughter away.

Dan Heng gave a quiet hum, and his rejection of Prince Zhu lessened somewhat.

"Why have you come here?" Dan Heng asked bluntly.

Prince Zhu fell silent for a moment, seemingly considering his words. Several seconds later, he smiled. "Mr. Dan Heng, after spending these past few days with my daughter, you should know her situation. She is a very diligent child."

Dan Heng nodded. Though her talent and comprehension were somewhat lacking, Zhu Zhuqing's tenacity had pleasantly surprised him.

"She cultivates so diligently because she wants to improve her strength as quickly as possible. But here, she cannot obtain what she wants and may even face criticism. After all, she is still a young girl."

Prince Zhu spoke gently. A faint smile appeared on his face at the mention of Zhu Zhuqing.

"That is true." Dan Heng agreed.

The smile on Prince Zhu's face deepened. He was pleased that Dan Heng was cooperating so readily.

"So, I wish to take her away and send her where she ought to be. Staying here would be a waste for her. Of course, I do not mean any offense toward Mr. Dan Heng. It is simply that our circumstances are special..."

To convince Dan Heng, Prince Zhu deliberately released his soul rings.

Seven soul rings rose from beneath his feet: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—the optimal configuration.

He meant to prove that Zhu Zhuqing did not actually need the guidance of a Soul Emperor.

If she remained at home, the educational resources available to her would be far better!

Not to mention that Dan Heng did not even have a Simulated Training Ground here.

Dan Heng nodded. "I understand. I do not mind."

Prince Zhu rose to his feet, his expression carrying the superiority of a noble as he smiled. "Good. With Mr. Dan Heng's promise, I can rest assured. If Mr. Dan Heng is willing to join our family..."

Dan Heng shook his head and refused.

Joining the Star Luo Zhu Family would only bring him more trouble, wouldn't it?

Prince Zhu smiled. The Zhu Family was not in desperate need of a Soul Emperor, and he had not even clearly revealed his family's identity. The reason he had acted this way was because he did not think highly of Dan Heng at all.

From beginning to end, he had only wanted to take Zhu Zhuqing away and had no desire to establish any connection with Dan Heng.

"Then, where is my daughter?"

Prince Zhu walked to the door and asked one final question.

Dan Heng replied, "She went to the Star Dou Great Forest. She should return within the next couple of days."

Prince Zhu gave a quiet hum and pushed the door open as he left. Once outside, he did not close it. Instead, he took out a handkerchief and wiped himself down, his gaze upon the surroundings filled with disgust.

His younger daughter truly caused him no end of worry. Instead of going to find Dai Mubai, she had wasted her time here?

Once he found Zhu Zhuqing, he would definitely have to reprimand her.

Dan Heng looked at where Prince Zhu had just been sitting. It had been wiped until it practically shone.

It seemed that having Prince Zhu stay in his "humble dwelling" had been rather difficult for him.

Hopefully, he can take Zhu Zhuqing away...

Dan Heng thought indifferently.

After leaving the Small Courtyard, Prince Zhu went to the highest-class hotel in the Small Town and summoned a group of Black-Clad People. The elegance and composure he had displayed before Dan Heng turned into cold severity.

"How do you people do your jobs? You were actually frightened by a mere Soul Emperor?"

"Couldn't you have shown your Star Luo Empire credentials? Would he really dare oppose you? Zhu Zhuqing has wasted an entire month here. Can you bear the responsibility?"

The thought of that crude residence filled Prince Zhu with irritation.

How could Zhu Zhuqing possibly stay in a place like that?

All the Black-Clad People lowered their heads in silence, not daring to say a word.

Prince Zhu snorted coldly and ordered them to investigate when Gu Yuena and Zhu Zhuqing would return.

At the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Gu Yuena did not take Zhu Zhuqing deeper into the forest. They waited in an open area at the edge, with the carriage parked beside them.

The two women had not even prepared any equipment for staying overnight.

Zhu Zhuqing had reminded Gu Yuena, but she looked utterly unconcerned and asked instead, "Do you actually plan on spending the night here? Master's Wife certainly doesn't. We'll leave tonight—I still miss your master!"

Gu Yuena did not hide her fondness for Dan Heng in the slightest.

Zhu Zhuqing blushed on her behalf, but in the vast Star Dou Great Forest, the challenge was not merely hunting soul beasts and ensuring their safety. The most time-consuming part was actually finding a suitable soul beast!

Before long, a rustling sound arose from the outskirts.

Zhu Zhuqing knew that it was the sound of someone moving at high speed, crashing through leaves and undergrowth.

The next moment, before she could even warn Gu Yuena to be on guard, a pitch-black figure suddenly rushed out.

It was a dignified man with black hair. He was broad and powerfully built, radiating domineering might.

He held a Black Shadow Lynx in each hand, both of them barely alive.

"!!!" Even from a distance, Zhu Zhuqing could sense the immense power contained within him!

"Zhu Zhuqing, that is the younger brother from Master's Wife's clan that I mentioned—Di Tian. Go and follow your master's instructions. Kill those two thousand-year soul beasts. I want to see whether Husband's words are really true."

Gu Yuena still harbored doubts because Dan Heng's explanation had been far too outrageous.

Di Tian spoke at that moment. "There has never been such a precedent. This is sheer wishful thinking..."

"You are not allowed to say that."

Gu Yuena cut him off.