Imperial Fighting F5

Heaven Dou City was blanketed beneath dark clouds today, with a fine drizzle falling steadily. The patter of rain echoed through the broad streets. In the cool evening rain, people came and went. Leaning against the railing and gazing into the distance, Zhu Zhuqing raised a hand to wipe the tears from her face. She closed her eyes in pain, then suddenly opened them again, her gaze resolute. After casting a cold glance at the lively Drunk Flower House in the distance, she quietly left the teahouse.

"Dai Mubai, I never thought you would still refuse to repent. I will never place any hope in you again! From this day forth, I, Zhu Zhuqing, sever all ties with you!"

At the entrance of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Xue Ke held the gold card she had just received from Ning Fengzhi, her heart blooming with joy.

"So this is half the wealth of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! The dozen or so zeros on this card are making my eyes spin. As expected of the wealthy Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

"Princess Xue Ke, please wait." A familiar voice came from behind her.

Xue Ke turned around and discovered that it was Zhu Zhuqing. Her lively eyes shifted, and she instantly understood why Zhu Zhuqing had come to find her.

"Zhu Qing, long time no see. Are you all right?" Looking at Zhu Zhuqing's red, swollen eyes from crying, Xue Ke asked with concern.

"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." Zhu Zhuqing's voice remained icy, devoid of even a trace of warmth, while the despair in her eyes deepened.

"Let's not stand around here. We can talk inside."

Holding an umbrella, Xue Ke walked over to the rain-soaked Zhu Zhuqing and brought her back to her dormitory.

"Here, have some hot tea, then go change out of those wet clothes." Xue Ke handed Zhu Zhuqing a cup of freshly poured tea.

Cupping the warm teacup in both hands, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly felt a current of warmth flow through her heart. She took a small sip, then went into the room and changed her clothes.

"Princess Xue Ke, do the things you told me back then still count?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.

"Of course they count!" Xue Ke answered decisively.

"Then from now on, I will follow you and serve you!" Zhu Zhuqing said firmly.

Xue Ke gently patted Zhu Zhuqing on the shoulder and said softly, "I'm very happy that you came to find me. Don't worry, I will definitely help you shatter the shackles of fate and become a true powerhouse. There's no need for such distance between us. From today onward, we are true friends!"

At those words, a trace of warmth appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's cold black eyes.

"By the way, why did you suddenly decide to come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to find me?" Xue Ke asked curiously.

Zhu Zhuqing pressed her cherry lips together and slowly said, "It's because of Dai Mubai. I discovered that the two of them had gotten involved with Prince Xue Beng. The three of them often visited brothels together. Dai Mubai never took the responsibilities resting on us seriously at all."

"Although he gave up, I will never yield to fate. So I decided to withdraw from Shrek Academy and come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to seek refuge with you."

"I never expected those three to end up together. They really are birds of a feather!" Xue Ke remarked.

Xue Ke asked, "Have you told the teachers at Shrek Academy that you want to withdraw?"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. "Not yet."

A faint smile rose on Xue Ke's lips as an idea came to her. "Zhu Qing, stay with me tonight for the time being. Tomorrow, I'll go to Shrek Academy with you to withdraw."

"All right!" Zhu Zhuqing replied.

Xue Ke took out a small booklet from her Storage Ring and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing. It was the Floating Willow Movement Technique.

"The Floating Willow Movement Technique!" A glimmer appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.

"Take it and practice it. And this..." Xue Ke took out the Narcissus Jade Bone from her Storage Ring as well and stuffed it into Zhu Zhuqing's hands.

"This is called the Narcissus Jade Bone. It is an immortal herb that nourishes the tendons and reinforces the bones. It can open all eight of your meridians, allowing your cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds. There are no side effects from taking it, so go ahead and use it."

Nourished by the spiritual energy of Xue Ke's Demon Seed, the Narcissus Jade Bone was even more effective than before. Not only could it allow Zhu Zhuqing to break through to Rank 40 before the Elite Competition, it might even cause her Martial Soul to evolve.

Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at the Floating Willow Movement Technique manual and the Narcissus Jade Bone in her hands, at a complete loss.

"This immortal herb is too precious. I can't accept it." Zhu Zhuqing tried to refuse.

"Just take it. Why are you being so polite with me? I am the dignified princess of the Heaven Dou Empire. How could I possibly take back something I've given away?"

"Thank you, Xiao Ke!" Zhu Zhuqing thanked her sincerely.

"Now take the Narcissus Jade Bone according to the method I told you. I'll stand guard for you."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly. Following the method, she consumed the Narcissus Jade Bone, sat down cross-legged, and used her Soul Power to refine its medicinal effects.

"Little Sister Xiao Ke, let's go eat together!" Dugu Yan's enthusiastic voice came from outside the door.

Xue Ke opened the door and saw Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Bai Chenxiang, who was dressed as a man, all waiting outside.

"I'm not going for now. I have a guest here."

"Oh? Little Sister Xiao Ke, you've been naughty. How long has it been? You've already got someone else outside behind my back, and you even secretly brought her into your dorm." Dugu Yan teased.

Xue Ke's face darkened. She was already accustomed to Dugu Yan's daily teasing.

Curious, Dugu Yan furtively craned her neck and peeked into the room. Xue Ke simply let Dugu Yan and the others inside. She had nothing to hide and no reason to fear suspicion.

"Isn't this that Zhu... Zhu something from Shrek Academy?"

"Her name is Zhu Zhuqing. She plans to withdraw from Shrek Academy and has come to seek refuge with me."

Afraid of disturbing Zhu Zhuqing, Xue Ke led everyone away from the living room and into the bedroom.

Xue Ke briefly explained Zhu Zhuqing's identity and experiences to everyone.

"I intend to personally speak with the Three Education Committee Members and have Zhu Zhuqing join our Imperial Fighting Team so she can participate in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition with us two years from now."

Dugu Yan's emerald eyes rolled as she asked, "Xiao Ke, when you take Zhu Zhuqing back to Shrek Academy to withdraw tomorrow, are you planning to teach Dai Mubai a lesson too?"

"Yes." Xue Ke admitted frankly.

"How could you leave your big sister out of such a good show? I'm going with you tomorrow!" Dugu Yan looked as though she was eager to see things get bigger.

"I want to go too!" Bai Chenxiang raised her hand, and Ye Lingling raised hers as well.

"All right, then." Xue Ke agreed helplessly.

Of course, Xue Ke's goal was not that simple. Aside from helping Zhu Zhuqing vent her anger, she also wanted to learn about Tang San's situation and see whether he was still cultivating the Sunflower Scripture.

"I... I actually broke through to Rank 30!" Zhu Zhuqing exclaimed in surprise.

Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's voice, Xue Ke brought Dugu Yan and the others back into the living room.

"Zhu Qing, once you obtain your third soul ring, your rank will rise sharply again."

After introducing Zhu Zhuqing to Dugu Yan and the others, everyone began discussing their trip to Shrek Academy the next day. Bursts of laughter continuously rang out from Xue Ke's dormitory.