Martial Soul Fusion Skill

"Qian Yun..." Hu Liena grabbed his arm, her gaze filled with worry.

Qian Yun smiled. "There's no harm in trying, don't worry."

"Sigh, alright then." Hu Liena looked Zhu Zhuqing up and down once more, pouting as she crossed her arms.

"Hello." Zhu Zhuqing walked up to Qian Yun. Facing his golden eyes, she found herself inexplicably growing nervous.

Qian Yun nodded. Up close, he felt even more strongly that Zhu Zhuqing had a superb figure. Every part of her was beautiful; while her long legs and waist weren't as striking as Xiao Wu's, they were better suited to her own physique. Her proud peaks did not disrupt the harmony of her overall form in the slightest; instead, they were even more alluring.

"Let's begin." Qian Yun initiated Martial Soul Possession, and a crown condensed above his head. The moment the crown appeared, a flash of light flickered in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes. Immediately after, as if losing control, her eyes changed color simultaneously—her left eye turned ink-green, and her right eye turned clear blue. A pair of cute, rounded black cat ears appeared on her head. The calm in her gaze was finally replaced by reverence, and she reached out with her jade-like hands to pull herself firmly into Qian Yun's embrace.

Qian Yun was surprised. He hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to be so passionate, and his heart couldn't help but flutter.

"Hey! That's going too far." Hu Liena gritted her teeth in secret resentment; Zhu Zhuqing hadn't mentioned that a Martial Soul Fusion Skill required the two to embrace.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't care at all, for she could no longer hear any movement from the outside world. Her mind was completely ethereal, and in her eyes, only Qian Yun's crown shone brilliantly.

A wild wind surged, leaves scattered, and the two embracing figures were swallowed by an erupting, intense light. Hu Liena's brow relaxed, and she opened her eyes wide. At this moment, she finally understood that Zhu Zhuqing hadn't been speaking empty words; she and Qian Yun really could form a connection.

"Did it succeed?" Hu Liena's heart tightened quietly. If Zhu Zhuqing really could perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Qian Yun, their strength would undoubtedly skyrocket. Thus, she could no longer care about anything else and genuinely hoped for success.

The gale continued. After a burst of intense light, the surroundings finally dimmed. No, that wasn't right—the sky hadn't darkened; the light had been swallowed!

Hu Liena was horrified to discover that everything around them seemed to have slowed down. Whether it was the babbling water or the drifting fallen leaves, even her own breathing had become heavy. Moreover, looking from here, there was no trace of the sun to be found.

The light vanished, and the surroundings grew calm. A beast-like foot landed silently on the ground. Hu Liena looked up to see a humanoid figure standing proudly, wearing a golden crown and Starry Armor.

It had no face and no expression; beneath the brilliant crown, only a pair of ghostly eyes flickered. Armor forged from stars wrapped around its slender, toned body, and short claw-blades flickered at its fingertips. With every movement, the world seemed to lose its color.

Hu Liena's eyes trembled as she collapsed onto the ground. Looking up at it now, she actually felt a little better. She didn't know what the thing before her was, and before she could think, her body was already trembling uncontrollably.

Without a doubt, it was incredibly strong—far beyond what the current Hu Liena could handle. Hu Liena reached a conclusion: she suddenly felt that the pressure brought by Qian Yun and Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul Fusion Skill was even more intense than facing a Title Douluo. This feeling transcended the gap in spirit power; it was the pressure of a truly high-dimensional life form upon an ordinary one!

This was Qian Yun and Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Nether King.

At this moment, "Qian Yun" also examined his own hands and feet as if reborn, feeling puzzled. Why? Why was he the one in control when the Martial Soul Fusion Skill was produced by a tool spirit and a beast spirit?

Feeling the abundant power within his body, well, it was indeed very strong. Qian Yun reckoned that even if he faced an average Spirit Emperor right now, he would have the confidence to take them on.

But...

Perhaps because of Zhu Zhuqing's side, Qian Yun looked down at his much more slender figure and fell into deep thought. This Martial Soul Fusion Skill was very powerful, but it felt strange—there was an odd sensation of having his soul stuffed into Zhu Zhuqing's body.

And this Spirit Skill... Zhuqing, are you serious??

In any case, Qian Yun didn't want to show it off in front of Hu Liena, but since he was the one in control, he could deactivate it.

With a thought, the surrounding light surged, and the figures of Qian Yun and Zhu Zhuqing appeared, still embracing.

As the Nether King state dissipated, the surroundings returned to normal.

Hu Liena let out a sigh of relief; she hadn't dared to breathe just now. She stood up and looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who was still intoxicatedly hugging Qian Yun's neck, and said with a hint of jealousy, "Hey, are you not planning to let go yet?"

"Mm..." Zhu Zhuqing opened her dazed eyes, and in them, she saw Qian Yun's lips just inches away.

"Ah!" Having sobered up, Zhu Zhuqing jumped out of Qian Yun's embrace as if electrocuted, her fair face flushing red. She tried hard to remain calm, but her panicked eyes betrayed her.

Hu Liena saw her expression and felt even more sour. However, since Qian Yun and Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul Fusion Skill had succeeded, her mind began to race.

She stepped forward and took Zhu Zhuqing's hands, smiling. "Hehe, Zhuqing, right? My name is Hu Liena, you can just call me Nana."

Hu Liena's sudden enthusiasm left Zhu Zhuqing feeling a bit at a loss. She pulled her hand back and tucked some loose hair behind her ear, nodding politely. "Mm."

"Just now..."

Hu Liena was not discouraged and continued, "Hey, never mind that. You must not have eaten yet after following us all this way, right? Why not eat something with us?"

"No, I..." Zhu Zhuqing wanted to refuse, but her stomach chose that moment to growl uncooperatively.

Hu Liena smiled understandingly, took Zhu Zhuqing's hand, and sat down on a thin mat, continuing to greet her warmly. "Oh, don't be so formal. For Qian Yun's sake, you can treat us as friends, too."

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Qian Yun, finally stopped insisting, and nodded gently.

"That's great." Hu Liena was overjoyed. Looking back, she didn't forget to call out to the pensive Qian Yun, "Qian Yun, don't just stand there like a fool, come over and eat something."

"Oh." Qian Yun nodded, his gaze falling involuntarily on Zhu Zhuqing's back. Perhaps because of the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, he now felt a sense of connection with Zhu Zhuqing that was akin to a meeting of minds.

It was the kind of feeling where he could roughly understand what the other person was thinking, like a spiderweb of morning dew drifting across his face—he wanted to grasp it, but there was nowhere to start. This feeling wasn't intense, but it was real.

The pot of fish soup from earlier had been ruined by the gale and could no longer be eaten. Hu Liena took some dry rations from her bracelet and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Zhuqing. This is all I have; it's not much of a treat."

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. Though she was cold, she understood basic manners. She took the rations with both hands. "It's fine, this is already very good. I'm not that delicate."

Zhu Zhuqing's easygoing nature made Hu Liena immediately think more highly of her, and the sourness from earlier vanished into thin air. She also picked up a piece of dry ration and took a bite.

One should not talk while eating. The upbringing of a great family was perfectly reflected in Zhu Zhuqing. Even though she was hungry, she chewed slowly and took small bites.

Hu Liena thought about how to phrase her words while eating. "By the way, Zhuqing, you said your martial soul is the Hell Spirit Cat, so doesn't that mean you are..."

Zhu Zhuqing naturally knew what she was referring to and nodded quite frankly. "Yes, I am indeed a member of the Star Luo Empire's royal family."

Mentioning her family, there was not a hint of pride on her pretty face, but rather endless sorrow.

"Then why would you stay at a small place like Shrek Academy thousands of miles away?" Hu Liena asked, puzzled.

Zhu Zhuqing chose not to speak. After taking a bite of her ration, she shook her head.

Hu Liena said calmly, "It's alright, Zhuqing. If you don't want to talk about it, then don't."

Zhu Zhuqing paused, then offered a rare smile. "Thank you."

Zhu Zhuqing's smile was like an ice-lotus blooming, breathtaking and moving. Both Qian Yun and Hu Liena were stunned for a moment.

"Wow, Zhuqing, you look so beautiful when you smile. Don't you think so, Qian Yun?" Hu Liena praised her sincerely.

Qian Yun nodded slightly upon hearing this.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Qian Yun, her eyes moist. Like him, she felt that same sense of shared consciousness after their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

After Hu Liena handed Zhu Zhuqing another ration, she spoke up: "Zhuqing, to be honest, Qian Yun and I are both from the Pope Hall, and the Pope is our teacher. If you have any difficulties, perhaps we can help you."

Surprise flickered in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes. She hadn't expected the person she had so rashly approached to have such a prominent background. If the Pope Hall were willing to help, perhaps it really could...

No, that's not right. Even if I gave up everything, they would never let me go!

"Thank you both, but I have my own hardships."

Hu Liena was left speechless.

The hope in Zhu Zhuqing's heart vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and she turned her gaze back to Qian Yun. In the Star Luo Empire, the Zhu Family and the Dai Family had intermarried for generations, and the Hell White Tiger was the exclusive domain of their clans. As for performing a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with an outsider?

Honestly, from ancient times until now, no one had ever succeeded. Before this, she had felt the same way, believing that if she wanted to defeat her sister and secure a chance to survive, she had no choice but to find Dai Mobai and hope for the two of them to join forces.

Yet, after traveling thousands of miles through countless dangers, when she finally found Dai Mubai after such grueling effort, she was met only with his self-indulgent decadence. At that moment, the last shred of hope in her heart died completely.

And just as she was lamenting the unfairness of fate, Qian Yun had appeared before her. For that sliver of hope, for that chance to live, she had rushed to follow him and beg him to attempt a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with her.

Yes, she had succeeded in this gamble, but what about after? She hadn't thought that far.

Hu Liena, seeing the dejection in her expression, felt a pang of sympathy while realizing this was her chance. "Zhuqing, we've heard a few things about your family's situation. I'll be blunt: I want to invite you to join Martial Soul Hall. We can guarantee your safety and provide all the cultivation resources you could ever need."

Zhu Zhuqing still bit her red lips and shook her head, unmoved. Hu Liena made a pained face. "Why? Zhuqing, do you doubt my word?"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. "No, Nana, I am very grateful for your kindness."

She looked at Qian Yun, her tone carrying a hint of imperceptible expectation. "Qian Yun, will you be participating in the Elite Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition?"

Under Hu Liena's urging, Qian Yun nodded. "I will. I expect to compete as a substitute for the Martial Soul Academy."

Zhu Zhuqing finally lost her composure. She clenched her fists and said with a trembling voice, "Then can I ask you to help me when the time comes? I... I really want to live."

Qian Yun looked directly into her eyes. "Of course."

"Really? That's wonderful." Zhu Zhuqing quickly turned her head away, wiping the crystalline tears from the corners of her eyes. The gloom that had always shrouded her heart finally broke. After the young girl had faced the malice of the world alone and endured hardships beyond imagination, she had finally reaped a reward.

Hu Liena felt the same way. She, too, had once been shrouded in gloom and knew deeply how painful that sense of helplessness was. Fortunately, she had persevered. If she could do it, she believed Zhu Zhuqing could too.

Zhu Zhuqing stood up quickly, tears still clinging to her lashes. Her gaze lingered on Qian Yun's face, and her expression was finally no longer so cold and distant.

"Although words are pale, I truly thank you both for being willing to help me."

Zhu Zhuqing intended to leave, and Qian Yun and Hu Liena stood up to bid her farewell.

Hu Liena fought back her reluctance and waved. "Don't say that, Zhuqing. I can tell you are a strong girl. I may not be able to fully empathize with the bitterness in your heart, but I sincerely wish you success."

Qian Yun's words were brief and powerful. "Two years from now, I will wait for you at the competition."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently without saying anything more. When she arrived, she was a lonely soul challenging fate, but now, she finally felt less helpless.

A while later, with Zhu Zhuqing's departure, the matter regarding Shrek Academy finally came to an end.

Hu Liena took one last lingering look in the direction of Shrek Academy and sighed, "I never expected that such an obscure, dilapidated academy would have so many beauties. It almost makes me want to join them."

Suddenly remembering something, her tone shifted, carrying a hint of disdain. "It's just those few guys—each one worse than the last. Especially that Tang San. I only beat him once, and he looked at me like he wanted to eat me alive. What a sore loser, pfft."

Hu Liena turned to look at Qian Yun. "Sigh, Zhuqing is the best. Her figure is just amazing."

Qian Yun shook his head with a laugh. "She's already long gone, why are you still thinking about her?"

"Thinking about her? That's an understatement! If you hadn't stopped me, I would have tied her up and taken her with us!" Hu Liena flashed in front of Qian Yun and grabbed his shoulders. "Qian Yun, I'm begging you to wake up! That was a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, ahhhhh!"