Defense Broken!

Next, as Yun Feng listened, Zhu Zhuqing told him everything that had happened over the years.

After hearing it all, Yun Feng could not help but sigh. A little girl had merely awakened the family's inherited Martial Soul, yet she had been forced to accept this predetermined fate.

What a cruel twist of fate. Her sister, who had once treated her so well, changed overnight, while her father stood by and let her be bullied.

The boundless affection she had once received vanished in an instant. Over the years, even some servants had been two-faced toward her.

Everyone knew that the Zhu Family's second young lady was destined to die.

If not for her status, they might even have wanted to... One could imagine just how much grievance the girl before him had suffered during the time Dai Mubai had been away.

Thus, while Zhu Zhuqing poured out her heart, Yun Feng did not interrupt her. Only after she had finished did he speak. "You've had it hard."

Yun Feng did not say much. Yet those simple words struck precisely at the softest part of Zhu Zhuqing's heart, one that had been wounded for years.

It had been a long time—far too long—since Zhu Zhuqing had heard comfort or concern. In that instant, her defenses crumbled.

Her eyes reddened at once, mist gathering within them. She looked at Yun Feng and choked up for a long while before lowering her head.

Yun Feng reached out and gently stroked her soft, flowing hair.

Zhu Zhuqing's entire body trembled. Though the warmth from above her head felt comforting, after a moment of hesitation, she did not indulge in that tenderness.

Yun Feng was her benefactor. She could not drag him down because of her own troubles!

So, she still kept a certain distance from Yun Feng.

Yun Feng understood Zhu Zhuqing's current state.

"Let's go. Staying here isn't a solution. Didn't you want to find that fiancé of yours?"

"Coincidentally, I'm going to Shrek Academy too. Come with me. We can look after each other on the way."

Although Yun Feng knew some of the original story's plot, he did not badmouth Dai Mubai behind his back. He simply could not bring himself to do such a thing.

Of course, he knew that speaking ill of Dai Mubai right now would be exceptionally effective on Zhu Zhuqing.

But once she calmed down, what would Zhu Zhuqing think of him? Even if everything he said was true, it would not change the impression of him gossiping about someone behind their back.

Some things did not need to be said. Too much was as bad as too little! Zhu Zhuqing had originally intended to leave alone, but upon learning that Yun Feng was also headed there, she immediately nodded.

After all, Yun Feng was still rather mysterious in her eyes.

Most importantly, where had all that Soul Power of his come from?

If she could become that strong too, would she be able to take control of her own fate someday?

After biting her red lip, Zhu Zhuqing endured the pain in her body and followed after him.

Yun Feng naturally noticed Zhu Zhuqing's inconvenience, but he did not take the initiative to help her.

This girl was simply too proud.

Before long, after they had walked for some time, it was nearly noon.

After thinking for a moment, Yun Feng called Zhu Zhuqing to a stop.

"Let's rest for a while. Your injuries haven't fully healed yet. If we keep going, it'll only worsen the burden and leave hidden damage in your body!"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded as well. She was more or less unable to hold on any longer.

For so many days, she had been hunted down, then fallen unconscious. She did not even know how many days she had been unconscious for. After waking up, she had not eaten anything either.

If her physical condition had not been fairly good, she would have nearly starved to death already.

Her stomach was not quite pressed against her back, considering the impressive assets there, but she still felt utterly miserable.

After saying this, Yun Feng took off his pack and set the Tear Hound meat he had cut up that morning to one side.

Though Zhu Zhuqing felt terribly unwell, she still forced herself onward and began gathering firewood nearby.

He had already saved her life, and she did not even know how she could repay him.

How could she possibly have the nerve to simply enjoy what someone else had provided?

After gathering some, Zhu Zhuqing only stopped once Yun Feng said it was enough.

Looking at the various bags beside Yun Feng, Zhu Zhuqing thought for a moment before taking a box from her Storage Soul Tool and handing it to him.

"Benefactor, you probably don't have a Storage Soul Tool, right? I have a spare one here. If you don't mind, please accept it."

After thinking for a moment, Yun Feng did not stand on ceremony. He accepted it and opened the box.

Inside was a ring. Its design was simple yet elegant, with numerous patterns carved upon it.

After accepting it, Yun Feng asked, "This thing should be pretty rare, right?"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head.

"It's not exactly rare. Gengxin City has already mastered the method of making Storage Soul Tools."

Zhu Zhuqing did not spell it out, but Yun Feng understood the value of Soul Tools.

"Alright, I'll accept it. And don't call me benefactor anymore. We're about the same age. We might even become classmates or friends in the future, so just call me by my name."

Zhu Zhuqing froze for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Alright."

"You can call me Zhuqing too."

Perhaps because she had taken in too much information all at once, or perhaps because they had only just met, Zhu Zhuqing did not say much at this moment.

Yun Feng nodded and said nothing more, instead turning his attention to the things at hand.

Before long, the Tear Hound meat was done roasting.

After they finished eating, the two continued on their way. After all, they were still some distance from Shrek Academy.

However, as they traveled, they gradually became more familiar with each other, no longer as distant as before.

Zhu Zhuqing also began talking more. Perhaps it was because Yun Feng had saved her, or perhaps because he had listened to all her secrets.

As a result, Zhu Zhuqing felt an inexplicable sense of trust toward Yun Feng.

Along the way, the barrier between them from their first meeting had already vanished, replaced by an unprecedented sense of ease and security.

At one point, Zhu Zhuqing even no longer wanted to go to Suotuo City to see her fiancé.

But fate was what it was, and Zhu Zhuqing had no choice but to face reality.

All along the way, Zhu Zhuqing struggled deeply within her heart.

But the road lay beneath their feet, and as the two walked on, they soon arrived at the destination of this journey.

Suotuo City! The Balak Kingdom was located south of the Heaven Dou Empire and bordered Fasinuo Province. Though it was called a kingdom, its area was actually only three-quarters that of Fasinuo Province. It was subordinate to the Heaven Dou Empire and was one of the Four Kingdoms within its territory.

The King of Barak, Kundera, was the cousin of Xue Ye, the current king of the Heaven Dou Empire.

To the south, the Balak Kingdom directly bordered the Star Luo Empire. Therefore, among the Four Kingdoms of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Balak Kingdom possessed the strongest military power and could also be considered the gateway to the Heaven Dou Empire.

The Heaven Dou Empire originally had ten provinces. Later, with the enfeoffment of the Four Kingdoms, six major powers emerged. The empire itself directly controlled five provinces, while each of the Four Kingdoms controlled one.

There was also a duchy, second only to a kingdom, which occupied the smallest province in the east of the empire.

Please keep reading, brothers! Today is the most important day, everyone!

Whether we can make it onto the recommendations depends on your latest follow-up reads.

Tofu is kowtowing to you!