"Miss Zhuqing, let's set off." When Jiang Mian and Bear Lord returned to the Lake of Life, they found Zhu Zhuqing and Bi Ji sitting together, chatting and laughing without the slightest barrier between them.
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently. Meeting Jiang Mian truly felt like one of the greatest blessings of her life. Not only had she easily obtained an exceptionally suitable second soul ring,
but even Senior Bi Ji, whom she had only just met, had generously given her an Innate Spirit Grass after learning that she was Jiang Mian's friend.
And now, Jiang Mian did not despise her for being merely a level-twenty Great Soul Master. He even wanted to take her to the Extreme North to train.
Zhu Zhuqing did not even know how she could repay such kindness.
"Xiao Mian, have you brought everything?" Bi Ji walked over to Jiang Mian with a smile, carrying with her a faint, tranquil floral fragrance.
As a fierce beast, even Bi Ji's natural scent was extraordinary. It could calm the mind and heal injuries.
Before Jiang Mian could speak, Bear Lord answered first. "Don't worry. When the time comes, I'll save some medicinal herbs for Jiang Mian and let him properly nourish himself."
"You really deserve to die, Bear Lord." Without a word, Jiang Mian viciously pinched Bear Lord's thigh.
But to Bear Lord, that much was no more than a scratch.
"Aren't the Auspicious Beast and Scarlet King going with you?" Bi Ji asked. "Di Tian took Zi JI and King of Ten Thousand Demons to the Sun Moon Forest. I don't know when they'll return."
"What are they doing in the Sun Moon Forest?" Jiang Mian asked in surprise.
"It seems they're negotiating with Evil Emperor. As for the outcome, I don't think it will be easy to succeed." Bi Ji rubbed her forehead, sounding troubled.
"Never mind that for now. I'll take Bear Lord through the Heavenly Tribulation first. As for the trouble in the Sun Moon Forest, we'll discuss it once we return," Jiang Mian said. "At worst, we'll wipe out that Evil Emperor."
"You make it sound so easy, Xiao Mian." Bi Ji smiled. "Even Di Tian wouldn't dare claim he could destroy Evil Emperor. Wait until you become that kind of existence before saying such things."
"Soon." Jiang Mian shook his wrist and said confidently, "That day isn't far away."
Zhu Zhuqing listened from the side in confusion, but she did not ask further questions. After all, she was only an outsider.
"Miss Zhuqing, let's go." Jiang Mian extended his hand. Zhu Zhuqing hesitated slightly, but still placed her hand in his.
Cool and soft.
Jiang Mian's heart suddenly skipped a beat. Zhu Zhuqing's hand was cool, delicate, and soft, like exquisitely carved jade.
She truly was a rare beauty in this world. Even the feel of her little hand was so intoxicating.
Jiang Mian could not even bear to grip Zhu Zhuqing's hand tightly. He merely held it lightly, while Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks reddened slightly and she did not dare look up at him.
There was no reason for falling in love with you. It was only that, just as my heart began to stir, I happened to meet you!
Following behind them, Bear Lord only felt that he was terribly unnecessary.
Bear Lord's way of traveling was indeed domineering. With a casual grab, he dragged a massive bird-type soul beast from the sky before him.
After some friendly conversation, the bird-type soul beast ultimately agreed to carry two humans and one bear to the Extreme North. As expected, getting around among soul beasts was far more convenient than in the human world.
In truth, Bear Lord was simply looking after Jiang Mian and Zhu Zhuqing. If he had been alone, he would have long since flown there using Soul Power. As an expert comparable to a Limit Douluo, he did not take such a journey seriously at all.
They sat atop the bird-type soul beast's back and flew straight toward the Extreme North. Jiang Mian asked curiously, "Zhuqing, what are your plans from here on?"
"I don't know yet." Zhu Zhuqing shook her head and said softly, "Actually, I never told you that I'm a member of the Star Luo Empire's imperial family."
"The Star Luo Empire?" Jiang Mian did not show much surprise. After all, he had already known Zhu Zhuqing's identity. Yet in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, his calmness merely made him seem worldly and knowledgeable.
"The Star Luo Empire believes in the survival of the fittest. Only the stronger are qualified to become emperor," Jiang Mian said calmly. "Those who lose will have all their abilities crippled and be exiled to the borderlands, or simply executed outright. Is that right?"
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing's gaze was firm, displaying her unyielding nature to Jiang Mian.
So what if her elder sister had been born many years before her? So what if her talent was inferior to her sister's?
Heaven moves vigorously; a gentleman must strive ceaselessly to strengthen himself!
From the bottom of her heart, Zhu Zhuqing despised that fallen Second Prince. He believed he could not compete with his elder brother, so he had long since secretly run away to avoid reality.
Who was she, Zhu Zhuqing? She was a little cat who would never submit to fate!
Jiang Mian already had an idea, but he could not tell Zhu Zhuqing about it yet.
He truly wanted to ask Zhu Zhuqing whether she wanted to become the Empress of the Star Luo Empire. As long as she had such ambition, Jiang Mian could naturally help her ascend the throne!
"The survival of the fittest?" Bear Lord listened with great interest and laughed. "Little girl, how about I go to your empire and play emperor for a couple of days?"
"Please do not joke, Senior." Zhu Zhuqing rarely smiled as she said, "With your strength, I'm afraid even the Star Luo Empire could not accommodate such a great figure as you."
"Hahaha." Jiang Mian slapped Bear Lord on the shoulder and laughed. "If Zhuqing fails when the time comes, how about we go overturn the Star Luo Empire?"
"I don't want to fail, and I will work hard not to fail." Zhu Zhuqing spoke resolutely. "Thank you both for your kindness, Seniors. Zhuqing appreciates it, but this is ultimately my family matter. I dare not drag you both into this trouble."
With those words, becoming Empress is a certainty for you.
Jiang Mian tilted his head high, enjoying the breeze brushing across his cheeks and sending his sideburns flying behind him.
A young man's shoulders should be filled with beautiful things. Set aside the grudges of family and country for now; first shoulder the clear breeze, bright moon, and gently swaying willows!
Sitting beside Jiang Mian, Zhu Zhuqing wrapped both arms around his arm. It seemed to give her a strong sense of security.
In truth, Zhu Zhuqing had already developed a sense of dependence on Jiang Mian. Although they had not known each other for long, everything Jiang Mian had done gave Zhu Zhuqing, who had spent years in the cold and heartless imperial household, a warmth she had not felt in a long time.
Zhu Zhuqing was a woman who seemed strong on the outside but was soft within. She had needed to be strong in order to survive, but Jiang Mian's appearance had given her a shoulder she could lean on.
This man was wonderful, beyond wonderful!
The currents in the sky gradually grew colder, as if telling the travelers that they had reached the Extreme North.
Looking down from the sky, everything below was a vast expanse of white. Occasionally, several Titan Snow Demons as large as mountains shifted their bodies, yet in Jiang Mian's eyes, they were still as tiny as grains of sand.
Jiang Mian and Zhu Zhuqing circulated their Soul Power to resist the cold. Bear Lord, being a rough fellow, was not afraid of such chill at all. He placed his hands behind their backs and used his Soul Power to disperse the cold currents around them.
"Snow Empress, I'm here." Jiang Mian was full of vigor, as though the ruler of the Extreme North was already within his grasp...
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