Lu Jinnian: Was Xiao Wu not enough for this kid?

Outside the cave was an open stretch of bluestone ground. Moonlight slanted down, stretching the two figures' shadows long.

Lu Chen touched the Storage Soul Tool at his waist with his fingertip, and the Mysterious Iron Hammer appeared in his hand.

Lu Chen raised his eyes to Zhu Zhuqing and said indifferently, "Come on!"

"Zhu Zhuqing, Second Ring Agile Attack Battle Soul Master! Please guide me!"

Before her voice had even faded, the Nether Civet Martial Soul suddenly possessed her. Her eyes simultaneously turned different colors. A pair of furry black cat ears emerged atop her head, trembling lightly with each breath, while a slender, satin-like cat tail silently unfurled behind her.

With a flick of her ten fingers, sharp, thorn-like claws sprang from her palms.

She lowered her body like a black cat poised to pounce, and two yellow soul rings appeared around her at the same time.

"Lu Chen, Fourth Ring Attack Type Battle Soul Ancestor!"

Lu Chen's tone was utterly calm, as though the cultivation of a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor was nothing unusual to him.

When Zhu Zhuqing heard that Lu Chen had four rings, her pupils suddenly contracted, and her eyes filled with shock. There's no reason for him to lie to me!

No matter how hard she tried, Zhu Zhuqing could not believe that the eleven- or twelve-year-old boy before her was actually a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor!

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly sprang forward, trailing a string of afterimages as she lunged at Lu Chen head-on.

Before Zhu Zhuqing could get close, Lu Chen lightly swung the Mysterious Iron Hammer in his hand, and the greatsword came crashing down toward her.

The first soul ring around Zhu Zhuqing lit up, and Hell Stab activated.

In midair, Zhu Zhuqing's claws suddenly extended, and her speed doubled in an instant. Her figure flickered like a ghost, leaving an afterimage before the Mysterious Iron Hammer as she darted toward Lu Chen's left side.

Lu Chen smiled faintly and lightly tapped the ground with his toe. Zhu Zhuqing's attack skimmed past his body.

This time, Lu Chen did not use the greatsword. The instant Zhu Zhuqing had yet to steady herself, he gently pressed his index and middle fingers against the back of her heart.

"You lose!"

Lu Chen's voice remained calm, but the sensation from his fingertips made Zhu Zhuqing's entire body stiffen. All the strength drained from her at that moment.

Zhu Zhuqing collapsed onto the ground and muttered, "I... lost..."

Looking at Zhu Zhuqing sitting dazed on the ground, Lu Chen said indifferently, "Your speed isn't weak among Soul Masters of the same rank, but your method of attack is too monotonous. Xiao Wu is also an Agile Attack System Soul Master, but she has an extremely savage move—Eight Section Fall!"

When Xiao Wu heard Lu Chen praise her, she playfully stuck out her tongue.

"An Agile Attack System Soul Master is best at ambushes and assassinations in battle. But once your method of attack is seen through, your greatest advantage vanishes. Then you can only clash head-on with your opponent, and the result is obvious!"

Zhu Zhuqing listened carefully to every word Lu Chen said. Her eyes grew brighter and brighter, as though something in her heart had suddenly become clear.

Zhu Zhuqing watched Lu Chen's back as he returned to the cave, her gaze gradually becoming resolute, as though she had made some decision.

Five days later, near afternoon.

Lu Chen, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing returned to Nuoding Academy.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Nuoding Academy's gates and thought to herself, So this is the academy that raised Lu Chen?

Just as the three of them were about to enter, a haggard-looking Tang San hurriedly ran out of the academy. He did not even notice Lu Chen, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing beside him.

Looking at Tang San's thin body, Xiao Wu muttered, "That Tang San still hasn't given up on that useless teacher of his."

Xiao Wu then said to Zhu Zhuqing, "That person is Yu Xiaogang's disciple. I heard he also possesses Innate Full Soul Power. Ever since Yu Xiaogang was expelled from the academy, Tang San has been taking care of him."

Hearing this, a trace of pity appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as she watched Tang San's retreating back.

"Zhu Zhuqing, if you want to study at Nuoding Academy for a while, you'll need my grandfather's approval!"

"Mm!"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and followed the two of them into Nuoding Academy.

Along the way, most people noticed Zhu Zhuqing's impressive figure and could not help glancing sideways at her.

But when they saw that Lu Chen was beside Zhu Zhuqing, they hurriedly withdrew their assessing gazes.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Lu Chen in front of her, curiosity filling her beautiful eyes. What kind of person is he... really?

In the office of the Nuoding Academy's dean, Lu Jinnian was bent over his desk handling official business.

"Grandpa, I'm back!"

Hearing Lu Chen's voice, Lu Jinnian finally raised his head. He saw that behind his grandson stood not only the graceful Xiao Wu, but also a girl whose looks were no less striking than Xiao Wu's.

Zhu Zhuqing curiously sized up Lu Jinnian. So this is Lu Chen's grandfather?

Lu Jinnian's turbid eyes fixed on Lu Chen with an appraising look. He thought to himself, This kid—was Xiao Wu not enough for him?

Not bad! He has quite the style I had in my younger days!

A benevolent smile spread across Lu Jinnian's face as he asked, "Chen'er, who is this behind you?"

Lu Chen introduced her. "Her name is Zhu Zhuqing. She's ten years old and already a Second Ring Great Soul Master. She wants to study at the academy for a while!"

"Oh?" A trace of surprise flashed through Lu Jinnian's eyes. In his entire life, he had seen only two geniuses: his own grandson and Xiao Wu!

He had not expected the girl Lu Chen had brought back to possess talent no inferior to Xiao Wu's.

Lu Jinnian gave Lu Chen a deep look and said, "I agree. As for lodging, let her stay with Xiao Wu!"

Lu Chen saw the meaningful look in his grandfather's eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

He knew that look all too well. Five years ago, when Lu Jinnian had arranged for him and Xiao Wu to stay in Dormitory One, he had worn exactly the same expression!

After receiving Lu Jinnian's approval, Xiao Wu happily pulled Zhu Zhuqing toward the academy's rear mountain.

On the academy's rear mountain, a simple yet elegant courtyard stood atop the peak. It was fully equipped with all kinds of facilities and had been specially built by Lu Jinnian for Lu Chen and Xiao Wu.

As they grew older, Lu Chen and Xiao Wu obviously could not continue living together. Thus, Lu Jinnian had specially built this courtyard in the academy's rear mountain.

Xiao Wu explained to Zhu Zhuqing, "Lu Chen and I finished all the lessons from the Primary Soul Master Academy long ago, so we've been living here for the past two years."

A trace of envy appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as she looked at Xiao Wu. This must be what childhood sweethearts are like!

Xiao Wu seemed to think of something and complained to Zhu Zhuqing, "I originally wanted to participate in Soul Fighting Competitions, but Lu Chen only lets me go once a month because he wants to hide his identity!"

"But things are great now that you're here! From now on, the two of us will go participate in Soul Fighting without Lu Chen! We'll call ourselves the Rabbit Cat Combo!"

Xiao Wu stared straight at Zhu Zhuqing with the look of a Money Lover.

Lu Chen reached out with his right hand and gently rubbed Xiao Wu's head. He said slowly, "I'm doing this for your own good!"

That night, Zhu Zhuqing changed into her pajamas and gazed out the window.

Under the moonlight, Lu Chen was swinging his sword over and over.

Zhu Zhuqing murmured softly, "Lu Chen, what kind of person are you?"

At that moment, Xiao Wu came in after taking a bath. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing staring at Lu Chen, she complained, "Lu Chen is just a Sword Fanatic. Every day, whether it's windy or raining, he has to swing his sword ten thousand times!"

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's curiosity grew even stronger.

"Ah!"

While Zhu Zhuqing was lost in thought, Xiao Wu suddenly pounced over and pinned her onto the bed.

Zhu Zhuqing cried out in surprise, "Xiao Wu! You..."

"Zhuqing, why is your figure so good?"

A wicked glint flashed in Xiao Wu's eyes as her little hands wandered restlessly over Zhu Zhuqing's body...