Giving Zhu Zhuqing a Checkup! One More Time?

Giving Zhu Zhuqing a Checkup! One More Time?

Dai Mubai closed the window, satisfaction in his eyes.

You're a brother I've decided to claim!

"Whoa!"

Oscar exclaimed—

"This newcomer really knows how to endure!"

"Though I have no idea what happened in that room."

"But Zhu Zhuqing—"

A dangerous glance swept over him, making Oscar shrink his neck.

"Don't get any ideas about Zhuqing! She's mine!" Dai Mubai warned. "And don't bring up any of my past affairs again! Otherwise, don't blame me for turning on you!"

Oscar clicked his tongue but did not dare argue.

After all, the other guy's fists were bigger.

"Fine, Zhu Zhuqing is yours."

Oscar tested the waters—

"Xiao Wu and Tang San look like a pair."

"That leaves Ning Rongrong. She can't possibly be competing with me too, right?"

Dai Mubai waved a hand indifferently.

"If you can win her over, go ahead."

"But she's from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and as far as I know, Ning Rongrong—"

"Forget it. Trying won't cost you anything."

Oscar grinned happily.

That was right!

Trying wouldn't cost him anything!

Hehehe—

The sounds from the room continued for most of the night.

Only then did they finally stop.

Zhuge Lan still did not leave.

A while later.

"Creak—"

The wooden door opened.

Zhu Zhuqing was wrapped in a bedsheet, with only her pair of violet peach-blossom eyes exposed.

When she saw Zhuge Lan standing guard outside the door, a trace of emotion flickered through her cool gaze.

Her tone was no longer icy either, carrying a slight gentleness as she said—

"Thank you."

"I do feel like I've become much stronger."

"Are there any other steps after this?"

"If not, I need to go back and clean myself up."

She was a girl, after all.

Having stains on her body felt rather uncomfortable.

Zhuge Lan rose to his feet and stepped aside.

"Go on. Get some rest while you can."

"School starts tomorrow. It wouldn't be good to be late."

Zhu Zhuqing gave a soft "Mm" and left with swift steps.

She did not return to the Dormitory, but headed for the bathhouse instead.

Zhuge Lan stretched lazily and returned to the room.

The windows were wide open for ventilation, and the floor was still damp. It had probably just been mopped.

Zhu Zhuqing was quite considerate.

Zhuge Lan lay down, preparing to sleep.

Yet his mind was filled with Zhu Zhuqing's enticing, swaying figure.

System, can I pay to sleep?

1 Emotional Value purchased "Deep Sleep." One minute was equivalent to one hour of sleep, with wake-up service included!

Bought!

1 Emotional Value consumed. The host had fallen asleep!

Zhuge Lan's vision went dark, and he collapsed onto the bed.

He did not know how long had passed.

With a jolt, he flipped upright and met Zhu Zhuqing's gaze with bleary eyes.

Wake-up service complete. May the host achieve even greater glory today!

Oh~

So that was what happened.

But Zhu Zhuqing misunderstood.

Having been hunted before, she understood that maintaining such vigilance even while sleeping was something that could only be forged through blood and flesh.

She felt even more kinship with Zhuge Lan.

"It's time for breakfast." Zhu Zhuqing said a little more gently, "School Start is in one hour."

Zhuge Lan nodded.

The system's Deep Sleep was simply too effective.

He had slept in his clothes last night.

So he only needed to get out of bed, wash up briefly, and leave.

But in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes—

Zhuge Lan had stayed up guarding her last night and was too exhausted.

That was why he had slept fully clothed.

And all she had given in return was a verbal promise.

She could not help feeling guilty.

For once, she took the initiative to start a conversation. "I feel like my body has become much stronger, but I don't know exactly how much my Soul Ring Year Limit has increased. Do you know the rough range?"

Zhuge Lan did not answer immediately.

System, can you measure someone's Soul Ring Year Limit?

1 Emotional Value purchased "Physique Scan." Detailed data on the target could be obtained!

Buy!

1 Emotional Value consumed. Physique Scan complete!

----------
Zhu Zhuqing, 11 years, 8 months, and 4 days old. Height: 163 cm. Measurements: 89D, 63, 86. Physical Soul Ring limit: 8,360 years.
----------

Wow!

That Soul Ring Year Limit was really huge!

How was he supposed to tell Zhu Zhuqing?

Got it!

He pretended to be troubled and tested the waters—

"I do know a method that can feel out a person's Soul Ring limit, but..."

He did not continue, merely shrugging at Zhu Zhuqing.

He left the decision to her.

Emotional Value +666

It was not that he wanted to touch her hand and take advantage of her.

Physical contact could prompt the body to secrete hormones, triggering the release of adrenaline and dopamine.

It made people feel good both physically and mentally.

If a girl felt happy when she was around you, wouldn't she gradually fall for you?

This was called—scientifically flirting with girls!

After what happened yesterday, Zhu Zhuqing did not hesitate much. She held her hand out before Zhuge Lan.

Emotional Value +699

"Is touching my hand enough?"

See?

Wasn't this the reward for yesterday's effort and patience?

"Enough."

Zhuge Lan took Zhu Zhuqing's hand. It was slightly cool, yet soft and delicate, its skin exceptionally silky to the touch.

It was hard to imagine that this was a hand that held a blade.

Then again.

Zhu Zhuqing normally used her Soul Cat Claw, and soul masters rarely carried weapons of their own.

Naturally, there would be no calluses or anything of the sort.

Emotional Value +999

Emotional Value +999

Emotional Value +999

Once Zhu Zhuqing's Emotional Value began to drop.

Zhuge Lan did not linger over it and released her soft little hand.

He nodded approvingly.

"Your current physical limit for soul rings is below 8,360 years."

"Subtracting the 1,700-year limit for your Third Soul Ring."

"This time, you raised your soul ring limit by 6,660 years. That's not bad."

Emotional Value +3999

"Really?" Zhu Zhuqing asked in delighted surprise. "My Third Soul Ring can be 8,360 years?"

Zhuge Lan merely spread his hands and did not repeat himself.

"It's not that I don't believe you."

Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly explained—

"It's just..."

"This is too unbelievable!"

"I originally thought that increasing it by 1,000 years would already be incredibly powerful!"

"I never expected it to reach 8,360 years."

"Wouldn't that mean my Fourth Soul Ring could reach ten thousand years?"

"This..."

"I..."

The surprise had come too suddenly!

For a brief moment, Zhu Zhuqing lost the ability to express herself.

Only—

Emotional Value +2999

Emotional Value +2777

Emotional Value +3199

In just a few seconds.

She had contributed nearly ten thousand Emotional Value.

Zhuge Lan was delighted.

Such a "sensitive constitution" was truly top-tier!

"Whoosh—"

Zhu Zhuqing sprinted forward and crashed into him in a hug.

Her chest slammed into him so hard that Zhuge Lan felt short of breath!

—Soft, large objects expanded their contact area when compressed, restricting his breathing.

Zhu Zhuqing withdrew the instant she touched him, flashing several meters away.

Her usually cool face was tinged with panic.

"I didn't mean anything else. Don't misunderstand."

Zhu Zhuqing explained—

"I was just too excited and lost control for a moment."

"The condition I promised you still stands. You can come collect on it anytime!"

Zhuge Lan inhaled the fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose and smacked his lips.

Before he could speak.

Zhu Zhuqing urged, "The Cafeteria has set opening hours. If we get there too late, it'll be closed."

Zhuge Lan nodded along.

"I don't know where the Cafeteria is. Lead the way?"

"Okay!"

Zhu Zhuqing took off as if she had activated Gale Step, speeding away.

But Zhuge Lan's physical constitution had been enhanced by two Million Year Soul Rings and a Soul Bone.

He easily kept up.

Halfway there, an exasperated roar suddenly came from nearby.

"Break up?"

"Fine!"

"Do it with me one more time, and I'll break up with you!"