Ulterior Motives

In a quiet private room at an inn, Zhu Zhuqing threw off the cloak covering her and sat boldly in a chair.

Across from her, Zhu Zhuyun's pupils contracted slightly when she saw Zhu Zhuqing's actions.

On Douluo Continent, a young Soul Master's physique was almost directly proportional to their Soul Power. The higher their Soul Power, the more mature their body became.

Zhu Zhuqing had already reached a height of 1.6 meters. If not for that face, Zhu Zhuyun would never have believed that the little sister before her had been nothing more than a tiny sprout a year ago.

"Zhuqing, you..."

Looking at her younger sister, Zhu Zhuyun formed an unpleasant guess.

"Come on, Eldest Sister, let's not talk about such unimportant things.

It's been a whole year. How have you been?"

Zhu Zhuqing said indifferently.

She believed Zhu Zhuyun would not hurt her, and that was why she dared to appear at her side.

"No, Zhuqing, you have to explain this clearly. I can't let you go down the wrong path!"

Zhu Zhuyun sat beside Zhu Zhuqing, cupped her little face in both hands, and squeezed it as she spoke sternly.

She was truly afraid that Zhu Zhuqing would carelessly embark on the wrong path.

Like becoming a Fallen Soul Master.

Although Fallen Soul Masters could increase their Soul Power quickly, once one became a Fallen Soul Master, not only would they face Spirit Hall's ruthless suppression, but even the Two Great Empires would not accept them.

"Come on, Eldest Sister. Do I look like that kind of person?"

Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes at her sister.

"Then explain it properly. And where did you go this past year?"

Zhu Zhuyun made it clear that there was no room for negotiation. Zhu Zhuqing had to explain herself.

"Alright, alright, my fault!"

Zhu Zhuqing raised both hands in surrender.

"Talk!"

Zhu Zhuyun nodded in satisfaction. It seemed that, in her little sister's heart, she still held quite an important position. In the entire family, theirs was one of the rare sisterly bonds that ran so deep.

Leaning back on the sofa, Zhu Zhuyun crossed her legs, radiating the full presence of a Queen.

"It started on the day of my Martial Soul Awakening. Actually, my Innate Soul Power... blah blah blah..."

Zhu Zhuqing told her about hiding her Innate Soul Power, but concealed the matter of her Twin Martial Souls. In the end, she selected a few things she could reveal and told Zhu Zhuyun about them.

Some matters were not meant to be exposed yet. She would speak of them once she had the strength in the future.

As Zhu Zhuqing gradually explained what she had gained over the past year, Zhu Zhuyun's gaze became increasingly gentle.

What a wonderful little sister. To keep her from being put in a difficult position, Zhu Zhuqing had forcibly hidden the fact that she possessed Innate Full Soul Power—and kept it hidden for two whole years. She had even suppressed her strength and refused to advance for two years. This...

Zhu Zhuyun's eyes reddened with emotion.

"Zhuqing!"

Zhu Zhuyun's voice choked up. She felt she had wronged Zhu Zhuqing, her little sister.

She was clearly the older sister, yet she needed her younger sister to sacrifice herself for her sake.

"Alright, alright, be good. Don't cry!"

Zhu Zhuqing hugged Zhu Zhuyun and coaxed her in the tone one might use on a child.

"Get lost!"

Zhu Zhuyun instantly broke character, half laughing and half crying as she poked Zhu Zhuqing's forehead.

"Then... are you coming back?"

Zhu Zhuyun looked at Zhu Zhuqing expectantly.

The Star Luo Empire was an empire devoid of much affection. At times, even marriages were stiff and distant.

A pure sisterly bond like the one between her and Zhu Zhuqing was even rarer.

And the rarer something was, the more people cherished it.

"Not for now. I'm still too weak. If I go back, I'll probably be locked up and forced into all sorts of political marriages. I'll talk about it once I have enough strength!"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. Until she possessed the strength to single-handedly challenge the entire Star Luo Imperial Family, she would never expose herself before them.

"I see!"

Zhu Zhuyun's spirits immediately sank.

Indeed, with Zhu Zhuqing's talent of Innate Full Soul Power, she would likely be locked up the moment she returned.

At worst, before Zhu Zhuqing even had the chance to grow up, they might arrange a political marriage for her and bind her to the Star Luo Imperial Family forever.

But...

Zhu Zhuyun glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, who was smiling sweetly.

Her little sister was obedient, well-behaved, and gifted. She did not want her to get dragged into the filthy cesspool that was the Star Luo Imperial Family either.

"Then what do you plan to do in the future, little sister? Oh, right, how strong are you now? Will it be dangerous for you to wander outside?"

Zhu Zhuyun asked the questions that concerned her most.

"For now, I'll travel around the continent while cultivating. In the future, I'll probably visit the Heaven Dou Empire.

As for my cultivation..."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes darted around.

She was afraid that telling Zhu Zhuyun would frighten her.

Zhu Zhuyun was seven years older than her and was sixteen this year.

Yet her Soul Power Level was only Level 38. If Zhu Zhuqing told her that she was nine years old and already Level 32, would she scare her?

"Don't lie. Tell me honestly what level you are now. Let me see just how fast a genius with Innate Full Soul Power cultivates!"

The moment Zhu Zhuyun saw Zhu Zhuqing's shifty eyes, she knew the girl was about to make something up.

The Star Luo Empire had not produced a genius with Innate Full Soul Power for a long time. According to records, Soul Masters with Innate Full Soul Power cultivated incredibly fast. Raising three or four levels a year was merely a trivial matter.

Her little sister had suppressed her Soul Power for two years, then disappeared for another year. Her Soul Power should be at least in the twenties by now, right?

"Hmph, hmph. I'm afraid I'll discourage you if I tell you!"

Zhu Zhuqing rubbed her nose and said proudly.

"Go on, then. I want to see just how monstrous my little genius really is!"

Zhu Zhuyun's eyes were filled with affection as she looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

Whoosh!

Zhu Zhuqing did not even stand. With a single closing and opening of her eyes, she had already completed Martial Soul Possession, though she did not release her Soul Rings.

Even so, her surging Soul Power spread throughout the entire private room.

Zhu Zhuyun's pupils slowly widened, and a huge question mark gradually appeared in her mind.

She finally understood why Zhu Zhuqing had wanted to leave the Zhu Family.

With such talent, not only would the Zhu Family not dare display it openly, they would also have to fear the Star Luo Imperial Family's suspicion.

What if the Star Luo Imperial Family decided that Zhu Zhuqing's talent was too great and could threaten their status?

Then Zhu Zhuqing would absolutely not even have the chance to grow up!

"A Soul Elder!"

Looking at Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuyun spoke in a trembling voice.

There was excitement, shock, but even more joy!

There was no need to say anything else. Her relationship with Zhu Zhuqing was extremely close, and the stronger Zhu Zhuqing was, the better it was for her.

Besides, with such strength, Zhu Zhuyun could finally rest easy knowing Zhu Zhuqing was wandering outside.

"That's right. Your little sister here has reached the realm of Soul Elder at the age of nine. A title is within reach! So? I'm amazing, right?"

Zhu Zhuqing felt that she was incredibly strong now. Come on, cling to her thigh, and she would take Zhu Zhuyun soaring in the future!

"Hahaha, my sister has the makings of a Douluo!"

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's adorable expression, Zhu Zhuyun happily hugged her and rubbed her all over.

"Sis, can you help me with something?"

After the two sisters played around for a while, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly spoke to Zhu Zhuyun.

"I knew you didn't come back just to see me. You need my help with something, don't you? Were you not even planning to come back at all?!"

Zhu Zhuyun rolled her eyes, looking dejected and on the verge of tears, before immediately asking:

"Tell me. What is it?"

After all, this was her beloved little sister. If she needed help, Zhu Zhuyun would definitely help her.

Still, she was so angry. Zhu Zhuqing's reason for coming back to see her was not so pure after all!

Angrily rubbed the dog's head!