Zhu Zhuqing Becomes a Disciple Again

"Something's wrong. Fatty, what kind of terrible idea did you come up with?"

"You boys are too awful! So filthy. Can't you be a little more pure and noble, like our Third Brother?"

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing run into Peach Blossom Spring Academy in disarray, Tang San and Xiao Wu both understood what might have happened and began blaming Ma Hongjun.

Ma Hongjun also felt somewhat guilty. He admitted that he had indeed encouraged it, but he had never expected Boss Dai to be so bold, nor had he expected Zhu Zhuqing to fight back with her life despite being his Fiancée.

At that moment, Dai Mubai had already arrived outside Peach Blossom Spring Academy and shouted:

"Zhu Zhuqing, you're my Fiancée. So what if you hide in someone else's academy? Your parents arranged our marriage, and a matchmaker sealed it. Do you think you can escape?"

Wang Sheng had taken a pair of Iron Fists from the Martial Arts Arena of Peach Blossom Spring Academy and put them on. They allowed his Tiger Form Fist to display even greater power. With his arms crossed over his chest, he stood at the entrance of Peach Blossom Spring Academy, staring at Dai Mubai outside.

As long as Dai Mubai dared to force his way in, he would strike with his fists!

Inside the academy, Su Ran finally appeared.

However, a pink-and-white-clad girl followed behind Su Ran. Ning Rongrong looked radiant and full of energy.

In the past, she only liked calling him Teacher when she had questions about secret techniques. Now, she called him Teacher whenever she had something to say—or even when she had nothing to say.

Moreover, with the formation of the Second Layer Golden Bell, she could now handle some basic training with ease and had even been able to stop doing it. What she needed more was Bone Forging and blood refinement, which were mainly catalyzed through diet and the circulation of Soul Power. As a result, she had more time to pester Su Ran.

When Ning Rongrong saw the numerous bloody marks on Zhu Zhuqing's body, she couldn't help covering her mouth and hurrying over to help Zhu Zhuqing up. Feeling distressed, she applied the White Medicine Jade Muscle Cream given to her by Teacher to Zhu Zhuqing's wounds.

"What happened to you? How did you get so badly hurt?"

"Fortunately, the injuries aren't serious. What happened?"

Su Ran asked.

Zhu Zhuqing, however, directly knelt before Su Ran.

Even Ning Rongrong was stunned.

"Teacher, I've thought through the problem you mentioned earlier. Since I've decided to follow Teacher down an extraordinary path, I should move forward without hesitation and stop caring about the restraints behind me."

"I want to become stronger. I don't just want to survive—I want to live for myself. I want to defeat Dai Mubai, and I want to break free from my family's control!"

"Please accept me as your disciple, Teacher!"

When Ning Rongrong heard Zhu Zhuqing's last sentence, her eyes widened.

What? I felt sorry for you because you were covered in wounds, helped treat you, and applied medicine to you—and now you're trying to steal my Teacher from me?!

"Have you thought it through?"

"I have."

"Good. Go bring tea, then kneel and bow to me three times each. Recite this oath. From now on, you'll be my disciple."

A Peach Blossom Token flew out from Su Ran's sleeve and floated into Zhu Zhuqing's hand.

Dragging her injured body, Zhu Zhuqing brought a cup of Peach Blossom Tea from the Peach Blossom Pavilion. With a thump, she knelt before Su Ran and bowed three times on her knees and three times from the waist.

There was an oath written on the back of the Peach Blossom Token:

"Before all beneath heaven, I, Zhu Zhuqing, shall have only one Teacher, capable of moving mountains, severing rivers, overturning seas, opening the heavens, commanding gods, and plucking stars!"

Ding~

Zhu Zhuqing has become a disciple. Zhu Zhuqing's Qualification Level is S. Age: 12. Level: 27.

Disciple recruitment rewards issued. Soul Power increased. All Soul Rings' years increased by approximately 10%. Reward: Thirty-Thousand-Year Nether Beast Soul Bone (the disciple absorbs it; the Teacher may share its use). Reward: One of the three great Nether System secret techniques (awaiting selection).

Su Ran

Level: 73

Martial Soul: Divine Peach Blossom Branch

Shared Martial Souls through disciple recruitment: Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, Netherworld Spirit Cat

First Soul Skill: Branching Dream—illusion skill, 850 years → 935 years

Second Soul Skill: One Dream Peach Sword Order—a Peach Blossom Branch flew out like a sword from the Peach Blossom Spring in a dream. It could pierce the soul as well as kill, 1,500 years → 1,650 years

Third Soul Skill: Scattered Red Flying Snow—the Peach Blossom Branch formed a chaotic flurry of flying swords, creating a wanton torrent, 4,200 years → 4,620 years

Fourth Soul Skill: Crimson Moon Peach Blossom—the Peach Immortal danced beneath the Peach Moon as a crimson Peach Moon descended. With a buzzing sound, it blossomed and caused a violent explosion, 11,200 → 12,210 years

Fifth Soul Skill: Blazing Thousand Peach Blossom Slash—one hundred Peach Blossom Slashes erupted in an instant, with astonishing power, 22,300 years → 24,530 years

Sixth Soul Skill: Nine Luminaries Peach Blossom Sword—combining the power of the Sun Luminaries, Moon Luminaries, Fire Luminaries, Water Luminaries, Wood Luminaries, Gold Luminaries, Earth Luminaries, Rahu, and Ketu, it gave birth to nine Peach Blossom Swords, each with different effects and power, 44,300 years → 48,730 years

Seventh Soul Skill: Mortal World True Body, 77,300 years → 85,030 years.

"Go back. Zhu Zhuqing has already become my disciple. From now on, she's a student of Peach Blossom Spring Academy and has nothing more to do with Shrek Academy."

"As for you, Dai Mubai, you'd better stop pestering her."

At the academy entrance, Su Ran slowly walked over wearing a mask and spoke blandly to the Shrek members outside.

Upon hearing this, the Shrek students looked at one another.

"Did Zhu Zhuqing really join Peach Blossom Spring Academy?"

"Damn, this Peach Blossom Spring Academy is a little too much. They're stealing students from our academy every day."

"What? Am I the only girl left in Shrek?" Xiao Wu asked, her face full of confusion.

Dai Mubai's face also turned livid.

"Teacher Su Ran, aren't you going too far? Zhuqing is already a student of Shrek Academy. How can she join Peach Blossom Spring Academy too?"

"So what?"

"Has she become the disciple of a Teacher from Shrek Academy?"

"No."

"Since that's the case, students have the right to choose where they study, as well as the right to withdraw. What's more, she has already become my disciple. It's only natural for her to join Peach Blossom Spring Academy."

Su Ran spoke indifferently.

"But she's still my Fiancée. What gives you the right to stop me from looking for her?"

Dai Mubai felt extremely stifled. Ever since Peach Blossom Spring Academy had appeared across from Shrek, nothing good had happened to him.

"Fiancée—she's only your Fiancée. Even if you were married, wouldn't she still have the right to leave?"

Su Ran's voice was cold.

"Aren't women merely attachments of men? This is a marriage alliance between families. How could she leave just because she wanted to?"

"Why can't she leave? Didn't you also choose to run away and leave your clan? Why are you allowed to escape while others aren't allowed to choose to leave?"

Su Ran's words stabbed straight into Dai Mubai's heart.

Dai Mubai clenched his teeth, dark light surging in his eyes.

"My marriage with her isn't an ordinary family alliance. If you interfere, do you know what consequences you'll have to bear?"

"Since I, Su Ran, have accepted this disciple, I'll handle any trouble that comes later."

Su Ran was completely fearless.

It was merely a marriage alliance between the great clans of the Star Luo Empire.

Although the Star Luo Empire's tiger-and-wolf army was formidable, it had few powerful Soul Masters. As long as he taught and nurtured Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing properly, the feedback from the Apprentice Recruitment System might allow him to break through to the Soul Douluo realm within two years, or even obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. No one in the entire Star Luo Empire would be able to make him afraid.

"Then follow the rules of our Star Luo Empire. Have Zhu Zhuqing come out and fight me in a Soul Master Duel. Whoever wins gets to decide!"

Dai Mubai shouted.

Su Ran glanced at Dai Mubai indifferently, a trace of disdain in his eyes, then turned and walked back into the academy.

"A Soul Master Duel? You think you're worthy?"

"Before a year passes, I'll be able to teach her to be stronger than you."

The White Tiger Martial Soul and sacred beast bloodline possessed astonishing killing power, but what use was a defensive Soul Skill passed down with the White Tiger Bodyguard Barrier?

"If that's the case, why don't you dare let her fight me? Do you still respect the rules?"

"The reason she won't fight is simple. Your Star Luo rules say that whoever is stronger gets to decide. Right now, I'm stronger, so I get to decide."

Su Ran stood beneath the Peach Blossom Tree. A Peach Blossom Branch descended from the heavens and tore through the sky, as if it were a divine miracle!