Dai Mubai Escapes Star Luo

Half a year later, Star Luo Junior Academy of Soul Masters, Ling Qianyue's dormitory.

Zhu Zhuyun leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, glancing sideways at Ling Qianyue as he flipped through books at the desk and took notes. She slowly said, "Last night, Dai Mubai escaped Star Luo City and headed north."

"Mm, got it. How did the Star Luo Imperial Family react? Are they in a panic?"

"Heh." Zhu Zhuyun sneered. "You give them too much credit for having any humanity. The Dai Family is angry, but they have no intention of intervening. Before the final battle arrives, how the chosen ones grow is their own business.

"Still, they can't bear the loss of face, so it's true that they've been paying more attention to Zhu Qing lately.

"When it's time for you to leave, I'll let you know."

Snap—

Ling Qianyue closed the book and put it into his storage ring.

"You came all the way here just to tell me that? I could have learned that news today or tomorrow. There was no need for you to come in person, was there?"

Zhu Zhuyun tossed an envelope to Ling Qianyue. "I found what you asked for."

Opening the envelope and taking out the letter, Ling Qianyue quickly scanned its contents, his brow gradually furrowing.

"Xu Xinglan, daughter of the third elder of the Star Crown Sect. She appeared in Star Luo City several years ago. Later, people from the Star Crown Sect arrived at the Star Luo Imperial Family and secretly joined forces to take her back to the sect."

Ling Qianyue set the letter ablaze.

"Where is the Star Crown Sect now?"

"All we know is that it's in the North Star Mountain Range. It's a secluded hidden place; no one knows its exact location." Zhu Zhuyun sat up, propping her delicate head on one hand. "You asked me to investigate something like this. Aren't you afraid I'll grow suspicious?"

Ling Qianyue shrugged. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Besides, aren't you afraid Zhu Qing will find out you came here?"

"She was summoned by the elders today. She won't be coming to the academy, so she won't see us together." Her gaze held a trace of teasing.

Ling Qianyue rolled his eyes. "Anything else?"

Zhu Zhuyun shook her head.

Ling Qianyue pulled open the door and walked out, waving a hand. "See you later, Sister."

Zhu Zhuyun leaned against the doorframe and watched Ling Qianyue leave with a sigh. "Sometimes, I really do envy Zhu Qing." Her figure flashed, and she vanished.

The following afternoon, Zhu Zhuqing arrived at Ling Qianyue's room with a frown. Her delicate little face was filled with gloom.

"Qianyao, let's leave Star Luo. This place is seriously driving me crazy."

Zhu Zhuqing skillfully sat on Ling Qianyue's lap, wrapped her slender arms around his neck, and rested her head on his shoulder, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure.

Ling Qianyue smiled and patted her back. "What happened?"

"That useless Dai Mubai ran away. The elders were afraid I'd leave Star Luo too, so they summoned me to lecture me. This has nothing to do with me at all. What right do they have to lecture me?"

Anger gradually entered Zhu Zhuqing's voice. "They tied me to this stupid engagement without my consent, then restricted me at every turn and neglected me at every turn. What kind of family is that?

"All for some Martial Soul Fusion Skill? Heh, if the Dai Family can take the lead in a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, why can't the Zhu Family? Why doesn't that useless father of mine dare to fight them?"

What a filial daughter.

Ling Qianyue stroked Zhu Zhuqing's hair and softly said, "It won't be much longer."

"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing found a comfortable position in Ling Qianyue's arms and fell into a deep sleep.

After a while, Ling Qianyue picked Zhu Zhuqing up and gently placed her on the bed, covering her with the blanket.

The engagement arranged by the two great families was like a shackle, binding her freedom and happiness. In the past, she had only known how to endure in silence, bottling everything up inside herself.

Ling Qianyue felt deeply gratified by what Zhu Zhuqing had just said. She had begun to voice her dissatisfaction and resistance, separating herself from the framework imposed by her family.

He just wondered what his future father-in-law, whom he had yet to meet, would think upon hearing Zhu Zhuqing's final remark.

The next day, perhaps because yesterday's frustrations still lingered in her heart, Zhu Zhuqing woke early. She rubbed her sleepy eyes.

!

Zhu Zhuqing abruptly turned to look beside her. Ling Qianyue was lying next to her, still asleep, breathing evenly. He had barely any blanket on him, only stubbornly tugging away a small corner to cover his navel.

"How did I..."

Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks burned. Her mind and spirit had been exhausted yesterday, and she had somehow ended up falling asleep here.

Fortunately, she had also been assigned a single dormitory earlier, and no teachers or students usually paid attention to her daily routine. If others discovered that she and Ling Qianyue, a lone man and woman, had spent the night together in one room, it would easily spark some gossip.

Though students in other dormitories slept together as well.

The feeling between her and Ling Qianyue, however, was completely different.

Even during the time she had spent at his home with Ling Qianyue after the previous semester ended, she had never slept with him. Though every so often, she could not resist sneaking in for a nighttime attack.

Zhu Zhuqing lay on her side and pulled the blanket over to cover him properly, quietly watching Ling Qianyue's sleeping face.

His features appeared especially gentle in the morning light. He had sword-like brows and starry eyes, a high nose bridge, and a faint but unmistakable resoluteness between his brows.

Zhu Zhuqing could not help reaching out to gently stroke his cheek, a wave of satisfaction rising in her heart.

"Qianyao, hehe..." A smile curled at her lips as she murmured. Looking at the corner of Ling Qianyue's lips, she pressed her own together and leaned down.

Ling Qianyue's brows twitched, and he opened his eyes.

The room fell silent for a moment, leaving only Zhu Zhuqing frozen in place and her utterly astonished eyes.

"Heh."

Ling Qianyue leaned closer and kissed her forehead, then flicked her forehead with his index finger.

"Ah!"

"Get up."

"O-okay."

Zhu Zhuqing was left dazed by Ling Qianyue's sudden kiss and forehead flick. Her cheeks instantly flushed red, and her heartbeat inexplicably sped up.

She froze for a moment before coming to her senses. She hurriedly sat up from the bed, somewhat flustered as she straightened her hair and clothes.

"Y-you were awake, so why didn't you say anything? And you... you even ambushed me!" Zhu Zhuqing glared at Ling Qianyue, her voice carrying a hint of coy resentment.

Ling Qianyue sat up with a smile and leaned against the headboard. "This is called returning the favor. Don't think I don't know—you've ambushed me plenty of times."

"Huh?" Zhu Zhuqing's face grew even redder. "But you were clearly always asleep..."

Ling Qianyue shrugged and pointed at his lips. "Remember not to wear lip balm next time. It leaves your scent on them."

"W-why didn't you wake me up yesterday? You just let me sleep there?" Zhu Zhuqing tried to change the subject and hide her embarrassment.

"You were sleeping too soundly. Besides, being with you quietly like that felt pretty nice too."

"Get up. Go wash up." Ling Qianyue stood and held out his hand.

"Okay." Zhu Zhuqing smiled as she placed her hand in Ling Qianyue's, using his support to rise from the bed. The two walked side by side toward the washroom, where a blue and a red toothbrush cup sat next to each other.

Meanwhile, Dai Mubai was still on the road, fleeing.