Heartbeat

Zhu Zhuqing did not ask about Mu Qian's strength or his spirit rings; she was not the type to pry, knowing that everyone had their own secrets.

Unknowingly, the atmosphere turned somewhat inexplicably melancholy.

Mu Qian rubbed his head, not wanting the conversation to become too serious, and couldn't help but chuckle: "In my opinion, this isn't a problem at all."

"Do you know what the essence of our cultivation is?"

"What is it?" Zhu Zhuqing's gaze never left Mu Qian.

Mu Qian gathered his thoughts and said slowly: "The essence of cultivation is the struggle against fate and the rules of the world."

"Look at me. Before you met me, had you ever heard of a spirit master who could attach a ten-thousand-year spirit ring as their first?"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, the cool evening breeze stirring her silky hair and carrying a refreshing, subtle fragrance.

Mu Qian watched the beautiful scene, momentarily dazed, but he shook his head to clear his mind, not wanting to be seen as a lecherous rake.

"So, in my view, fate and rules are the exclusive domain of the strong, and the shackles of the weak."

"Only when you become a truly powerful spirit master can you control your own destiny."

"When one day, what you love is loved by everyone, and what you hate becomes a taboo for the entire continent..."

"Then you will realize that fate and rules are actually within your reach."

"What I love will be loved by everyone, and what I hate will become a taboo for the entire continent..." Zhu Zhuqing murmured, repeating Mu Qian's words.

Such a vision was truly something to yearn for.

"I won't hide it from you; from the day I was born, I never saw my parents, nor did I experience systematic learning in a Soul Master Academy, yet I still fumbled my way to where I am today."

"People say the limit for a first spirit ring is a hundred years, but I didn't believe it, and so, I created a miracle."

"Believe me, sometimes you can try different choices. You should be happy; you still have the right to choose and the possibility of creating miracles."

Although the content sounded somewhat heavy, Mu Qian's expression remained relaxed.

It couldn't exactly be called brainwashing a girl; it was more like well-intentioned persuasion.

He didn't want to deceive his own heart, but he had to admit that the girl before him had moved him.

Zhu Zhuqing was clearly tempted, her eyes looking at Mu Qian with a hint of longing: "But, even if I leave here, where can I go?"

Mu Qian stretched, resting his head back on his palms: "The world is vast, where can't you go? If you can't stay in the Star Luo Empire, you can go to Heaven Dou, or even Martial Soul City; you will always find a place for yourself."

"But, I don't want to continue living in loneliness. Can I... follow you?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice grew quieter, and perhaps even she didn't notice the hint of pleading in her tone.

"This..." Mu Qian hadn't expected that before he could continue his smooth-talking—ah, no, his persuasion—the other party would suggest it herself.

"You have to know that I am a boy. If you choose to follow me, do you understand what that implies?"

To say he wasn't tempted would be a lie, but Mu Qian ultimately didn't have the heart to trick her away. This girl was too pure, so pure that he couldn't bear to defile her.

"I understand..." Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed like the fiery red sunset; she felt her face growing hotter and hotter, her gaze darting away, not daring to look directly at Mu Qian.

That adorable appearance made Mu Qian unable to resist, and he reached out to ruffle her cat-ear-like hair bun.

"Uh, sorry, sorry, I couldn't help myself." Mu Qian rubbed his nose in embarrassment.

"It's okay."

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, though her head hung even lower. She held the bewildered Little Flower in her arms, continuously plucking at its sparse dog fur.

"Are you really sure?"

"You have to know we just met; you only learned my name a few hours ago."

Mu Qian's repeated questioning only made Zhu Zhuqing more certain that she hadn't misjudged him.

She nodded firmly.

Although she didn't know his past, just one night of being together had led her to make a decision that would affect her entire life.

Perhaps, Dai Mubai was part of the reason.

She wanted to change her fate and control her own life.

She had already lost all hope for that coward.

Mu Qian shook his head helplessly.

Although this was the result he wanted, for some reason, he couldn't quite bring himself to be happy.

"Alright then, I respect your opinion. Of course, if you want to leave in the future, just tell me, and you can go anytime."

"You always have the right to choose your own life."

Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak, but a warm current flowed through her heart.

Despite being more mature than any other girl her age, she had made a decision that seemed somewhat absurd.

Clearly, it hadn't been long since she had experienced the disappointment of misjudging someone.

Yet, she did not regret it.

That dormant heart had chosen to trust someone once again.

At this moment, the sky was already beginning to brighten, and the first ray of dawn cut through the night, dispelling the darkness of the world.

It seemed to foreshadow the life she was about to embark upon...

With things having reached this point, Mu Qian no longer dwelled on it.

"The young lady of the Zhu Family hasn't returned all night, and signs of a battle have appeared within the city. I believe Star Luo City will be in chaos very soon."

"Aren't you looking to obtain your second soul ring? Let's go. I'll take you to pick out the one most suitable for you. Even if it's a ten-thousand-year soul beast, it'll be a piece of cake!"

Mu Qian waved his hand magnanimously, easing the slightly heavy atmosphere.

He suddenly realized that compared to the complex human society, he preferred the primitive jungle.

At the very least, he wouldn't have to face malice coming from all directions.

"Liar, you only know how to talk big."

Zhu Zhuqing smiled, a smile that seemed capable of melting the coldest ice and snow in that moment.

Mu Qian couldn't help himself and ruffled her hair again, drawing a playful glare of reproach.

He couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had arrived at the right time.

The cold, icy beauty from the original story two years later seemed to have another side hidden deep within her heart...

And this adorable side of her had been discovered by him ahead of schedule.

Was it a sense of accomplishment?

Probably not. As someone who was also a novice when it came to emotions, Mu Qian didn't understand why he had such complex feelings.

"Are you going back one last time to say goodbye to the place you've lived for ten years?"

"No. To say goodbye... you need people worth saying goodbye to..."

"They probably wish I would just disappear, anyway."

Star Luo Empire, Star Forest.

Mu Qian held the girl's slender waist, his Dragon Wings flapping incessantly as he streaked through the forest like a ray of light.

He certainly wasn't trying to take advantage of Zhu Zhuqing on purpose; it was a bit awkward to admit, but they were currently running for their lives.

That's right, running for their lives.

Mu Qian never imagined that one day he would be chased by a soul beast, forced to flee in a panic, completely losing the prestige of being the "little master" of the Three Great Heavenly Kings of the Far North.

But what he found even more unexpected was that in this Star Forest, besides the Amethyst Imperial Epiphyllum, there actually existed a terrifying soul beast with a cultivation exceeding eighty thousand years...