Family, I Picked Up a Cat—She Wants to Come Home with Me

After Ling Qianyue's training, how could Zhu Zhuqing still be compared to her former self? Nearly every attack struck at her opponent's weak points. Her relentless assault drove Feng Huolun into a cold sweat, leaving him able only to defend himself, unable to strike back.

"Stop, stop! I surrender!" Having seen Zheng Kai knocked down by Ling Qianyue, Feng Huolun was already terrified. Knowing full well that he was no match for Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing, he decisively admitted defeat to avoid even greater humiliation.

Meanwhile, Dai Gonggong was still wrestling with Boil Turtle. Both of them were red-faced and panting like oxen, veins bulging across their faces.

Dai Gonggong relied on the immense strength of his White Tiger Martial Soul, while Boil Turtle depended on the defensive power of his Mammoth Martial Soul. They stubbornly held their ground, looking exactly like two dense little kids fighting.

As Dai Gonggong's taunts grew harsher, Boil Turtle finally snapped and spat a mouthful of saliva straight at him. That completely enraged Dai Gonggong. With a furious roar, his strength suddenly surged, and he shoved Boil Turtle so hard that he staggered backward.

The situation instantly spiraled out of control. The two tangled together, throwing punches and kicks, completely losing any sense of decorum.

Only after considerable effort were Dai Gonggong and Boil Turtle finally pulled apart. By then, both were bruised and battered, utterly miserable.

"Fuck your grandpa, Turtle Boy! Got no strength to push back, huh?!"

"Fuck your mother, useless eunuch! Can you even do anything?!"

The two continued hurling insults at each other without the slightest regard for the people watching. In the end, an utterly speechless academy instructor stepped in and took Boil Turtle and the others away to the infirmary.

"Ahem."

Amid the somewhat bizarre atmosphere, the instructor announced that Ling Qianyue's team had won and successfully claimed first place.

The dean personally approached the three of them, stopping in front of Ling Qianyue. With a solemn expression, he said, "Student Ling Qianyue, may I take a look at your Martial Soul?"

Ling Qianyue nodded and used Star Concealment to alter the Shattered Star Sword's appearance. It no longer looked like an ordinary Iron Sword; a faint starlight mark had appeared upon its guard.

"This..." The dean stroked his beard and nodded. "No wonder, no wonder. The Soul Master who awakened your Martial Soul for you must not have examined it carefully enough. Your Martial Soul is definitely no ordinary Iron Sword.

"It must have undergone a positive mutation after you began formal cultivation. There are examples of that on the continent as well. No wonder your cultivation progressed so quickly—you rose four levels in just four months and reached the realm of a Quasi-Soul Master.

"There is starlight on your sword guard, and it does resemble the stars on the legendary Star Crown Martial Soul. How about calling it the Star Sword?"

Ling Qianyue went along with it. "I call it Shattered Star."

"Oh?" The dean nodded. "A fine name."

He suddenly sighed. "Ah—gifted geniuses are as numerous as carp crossing a river, never truly ceasing. Countless geniuses are born among commoners. Although Spirit Hall is spread across the continent to help people awaken their Martial Souls, there will always be those whose paths are blocked by the words 'useless Martial Soul.'

"Fortunately, you were not buried away."

He smiled at Ling Qianyue and took out the prizes for this competition. "This is a ring-type Storage Soul Tool, your reward for the individual competition. The space inside is not large, only 2.5 cubic meters, so please do not dislike it.

"There are also 3,000 Gold Soul Coins inside, which are your reward for the team battle."

Ling Qianyue rubbed his chin and smiled. "Dean, were the original rewards really this generous?"

On this Douluo Continent, where Soul Tools had yet to be properly researched, a Storage Soul Tool was far more valuable than 3,000 Gold Soul Coins, wasn't it?

The dean blinked. "Yes, of course."

Ling Qianyue shrugged and accepted it. "Thank you, Dean."

He was certain that this was an additional investment from the dean after seeing his extraordinary talent. The original token reward had surely been tossed into some forgotten corner.

The dean smiled faintly, seemingly seeing through Ling Qianyue's thoughts, but he did not expose them. He merely patted Ling Qianyue lightly on the shoulder.

In an earnest tone, he said, "Student Ling Qianyue, talent is important, but hard work and opportunity are equally indispensable. The academy hopes you can maintain this spirit, bring honor to the academy in the future, and contribute to peace across the continent. If there is anything you need, I can help you."

"Really?! Is the dean that omnipotent?"

"Of course!" The dean smiled as he stroked his beard.

"I want a private dormitory." Ling Qianyue shamelessly stated his request outright. "Or can I rent a place outside and commute next semester?"

"No problem." The dean readily agreed. Though work-study students were not supposed to have such privileges in principle, that was only in principle.

Soul Masters were also supposed to protect the common people of the continent.

"Do you need me to help you obtain a Soul Ring?"

Ling Qianyue nodded. "Then I'll trouble you, Dean. However, I would like to wait until after the holiday to go, so I can save some time. Soul Power will continue to grow even without obtaining a Soul Ring, after all."

The dean nodded upon hearing this. "That is fine. Your foundational theory is well learned too. Then it is settled—come directly to my office after the holiday ends."

After seeing off the dean and the group of instructors, Ling Qianyue dismissed the fangirls who wanted to come over and get close to him, all under Zhu Zhuqing's inexplicable gaze.

The three walked along the academy's bluestone path when Dai Gonggong asked, "Soul Power can still grow even without obtaining a Soul Ring? How did I not know that?"

"That is part of foundational theory. It is just that many people tend to overlook it. What, do you think knowing that makes me a theory Grandmaster?"

Dai Gonggong spoke somewhat sheepishly. "Haha, I really did think that just now."

Great, another guy who would easily be led astray by Yu Xiaogang.

After splitting the 3,000 Gold Soul Coins evenly, Ling Qianyue looked at the other two. "I'm heading home. See you in a month."

Zhu Zhuqing seemed hesitant to speak, her expression conflicted.

Dai Gonggong had originally wanted to discuss ways of making money later, but after catching sight of Zhu Zhuqing's expression, he immediately waved with a grin. "See you later, big bro." As he walked away, he shot Ling Qianyue a look, his expression incomparably lewd.

"Do you have something to tell me?"

With his arms crossed, Ling Qianyue looked at Zhu Zhuqing with interest.

"Mmm..." Zhu Zhuqing unconsciously rubbed the corner of her clothes between her fingers. Gritting her teeth, she said, "I want to go home with you. I know this request may be rather sudden, but I really want to continue cultivating with you during the holiday. Also, there have been some matters at home recently, and I do not want to go back for the time being."

Ling Qianyue frowned slightly. He could naturally sense the hidden meaning in Zhu Zhuqing's words, but he did not ask further. He only said softly, "Zhu Qing, will your family agree? After all, you are from Star Luo's Zhu Family. If you do not return during the holiday, will your elders not hold you accountable?"

Zhu Zhuqing gave a helpless laugh. Thinking of what Zhu Zhuyun had said to her a few days ago, she shook her head. "No. They do not care where I go at all."

"Oh?" Ling Qianyue narrowed his eyes, glancing toward several other directions.

He smiled. "All right. Since you have no problem with it, I'll kindly take in this little kitty of yours for a while."

A faint smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's lips. "Thank you."

On the road, Ling Qianyue looked at Zhu Zhuqing beside him, whose ears had turned red, and a thought stirred in his mind. Could Zhu Zhuyun's tacit approval, or perhaps her pressure, be the reason?

She wanted to test me?

In Ling Qianyue's memories, Zhu Zhuyun had never truly hated Zhu Zhuqing. Otherwise, she would not have escorted her across such a great distance and ensured her safe arrival in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Had his appearance drawn the attention of that Sister who had been watching from the shadows?