Zhu Zhuqing's heart tightened slightly. She knew the conditions were coming. Meeting his gaze without flinching, she said, "I know. You saved my life. As long as it doesn't go against my principles or my bottom line, you can ask anything of me."
It was the heaviest promise she could make as a Soul Master.
"Principles? Bottom line?" Lin Yi seemed to find that amusing. Looking down at her, he said with a hint of playfulness, "What right do you have to talk about those now?"
Zhu Zhuqing pressed her lips together and didn't argue. It was true: for someone whose life was in another person's hands, talking about such things did seem a little ridiculous.
Watching her endure it in silence, Lin Yi suddenly felt mischievous. With a hint of teasing, he said offhandedly, "Since you put it that way... fine. My condition is that from now on, you stay by my side and serve as my maid. Pour tea, make the bed, attend to me—whatever I need. As for how long... let's say three years."
He had only said it offhandedly, partly to test her and partly to tease her.
He thought that with Zhu Zhuqing's aloof, proud nature and her former sense of belonging to Shrek, she could never accept such a "humiliating" condition, no matter how great a debt she owed him.
However, Zhu Zhuqing's reaction was completely beyond his expectations.
She only paused for a moment, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, as though trying to process his seemingly absurd demand. The room fell silent for a brief moment, and the only sound was their faint breathing.
After a while, she raised her eyes and looked calmly at Lin Yi. There was no anger at being insulted in her cool gaze, nor any tears of hurt—only a kind of resigned acceptance, and a hint of... relief?
"Fine." She uttered the word softly. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was unusually clear and firm. "I agree. I'll serve as your maid for three years to repay you for saving my life."
Now it was Lin Yi's turn to be stunned.
He studied Zhu Zhuqing carefully, trying to find even the slightest trace of reluctance or resentment on her face, but failed.
Her gaze was as calm as a deep pool, as though agreeing to be a maid were no different from agreeing to share a meal.
Was there something wrong with this woman's head?
Or had surviving a brush with death really made her take everything lightly? Could she even trade away her dignity and freedom?
Countless thoughts flashed through Lin Yi's mind, but on the surface, he quickly resumed his unruffled expression. He nodded, his tone still calm. "Remember what you said. Starting tomorrow, you'll fulfill your duties."
After that, he didn't linger. He turned and left the room.
The door closed softly, leaving Zhu Zhuqing alone once more. She slowly closed her eyes, but the corner of her mouth lifted in a faint, bitter smile.
A maid?
Perhaps.
But compared to struggling within a team that seemed warm, yet had chilled her heart when it mattered most, and compared to the weight of a revenge she could barely hope to achieve, perhaps setting aside all her pride and burdens for a while, living simply, and repaying the debt of a life saved was, in its own way, a kind of release.
Most importantly, she didn't want to return to Shrek and compete in the finals...
Shrek Academy had not given up easily.
After Ning Rongrong returned with news that Zhu Zhuqing's attitude was unclear, the Golden Iron Triangle—Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong—came again to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy residence with their core members, Tang San and Dai Mubai.
This time, their attitude was much more conciliatory, but their purpose remained clear.
Liu Erlong was the most impatient. As soon as she saw Meng Shenji, who had come to receive them, she stated their purpose directly. "Chief Meng, we'd like to see that child, Zhuqing, again. There are some things we need to say to her face."
Meng Shenji knew the situation and didn't stop them. He simply sent someone to pass on the message.
A moment later, Zhu Zhuqing slowly emerged, supported by Ye Lingling.
Her face was still somewhat pale, but she could move without difficulty. When she saw the people from Shrek, a complex ripple passed through her cool eyes before they returned to their usual calm.
"Zhuqing!" Dai Mubai took an eager step toward her, his eyes full of concern and hope. "Come back with us! About what happened before... we're still your friends! We need you now."
Yu Xiaogang adjusted his glasses, his voice grave and sincere. "Zhuqing, your injuries were caused by the team's decisions. As your teacher, I can't escape responsibility.
"I promise you it will never happen again. Shrek needs you."
Tang San looked at Zhu Zhuqing. Although he didn't say anything, his eyes clearly showed that he wanted her to return as well.
Faced with the earnest gazes of her former companions and teacher, Zhu Zhuqing wasn't completely unmoved.
The time they had spent together had been real. But she turned her head slightly, and from the corner of her eye, she seemed to sense a calm yet unmistakable gaze coming from somewhere behind her.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the ripples in her heart. Her gaze swept across the group before settling on Yu Xiaogang and Dai Mubai. Her voice was clear and distant. "Thank you all for your concern. My injuries are no longer serious. Lin Yi saved my life and gave me a second chance. That kindness weighs as heavily as a mountain. I've decided to stay by his side and repay him. As for Shrek Academy... I won't be going back."
"Repay him? How? By staying by his side? Did he force you?!" Dai Mubai grew agitated, his voice rising despite himself. His furious gaze darted toward the space behind Zhu Zhuqing.
"He didn't force me." Zhu Zhuqing cut him off, her tone firm and decisive. "This was my own choice. Repaying the debt of a life saved with my own life is only right."
She didn't explain their agreement for her to serve as a maid, but the words "repaying the debt with my own life" were enough to send the people from Shrek's imaginations running wild, filling them with even greater fury.
"Lin Yi! It must be you! What despicable trick did you use?!" Dai Mubai could no longer hold back and roared toward empty space.
Tang San clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He looked at Zhu Zhuqing's resolute, unfamiliar profile and thought of Xiao Wu, whose whereabouts were still unknown. His hatred for Lin Yi surged like a flood.
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened terribly. He stared hard at Zhu Zhuqing as though trying to see through her, then finally forced a sentence through clenched teeth. "Fine. I hope you don't regret your decision!"
The people from Shrek left again, carrying a heart full of resentment and disappointment.
After this, their hatred for Lin Yi reached its peak. Dai Mubai and Tang San, in particular, practically regarded him as a sworn enemy.
Time flew, and the half-month break passed in the blink of an eye.
The semifinals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament finally began under the gaze of the masses. Spirit City was more lively than ever, with representatives of various forces and powerful Soul Masters gathering from all over the continent.
Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's leader, had come to watch the tournament in person, accompanied by Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong! Ning Fengzhi had broken through to level eighty-two. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's brilliance was restrained, making it seem all the more profound.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin had emerged from seclusion, his aura more ethereal and cutting than ever. Though he hadn't announced it outright, the faint pressure he exuded made those in the know realize that he had likely reached the terrifying level of ninety-seven!
Bone Douluo Gu Rong, too, radiated a formidable aura. The three of them had arrived, undoubtedly declaring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's powerful support for this tournament, and especially for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team!
The first semifinal was Spirit Hall Academy versus Star Luo Royal Academy.
There was almost no suspense. The Spirit Hall Golden Generation displayed overwhelming strength. Hu Liena and Xie Yue's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, "Demon Charm," enveloped the arena, and their control was terrifying. Yan's defense and attacks were also unmatched. Star Luo Royal Academy fought with all its might, but still failed to make much of a ripple before being swiftly and decisively defeated.
Spirit Hall Academy had secured the first place in the finals!
Next came the main event everyone was waiting for today—Shrek Academy versus Heaven Dou Royal Academy!
The two teams' tangled history had long since spread far and wide.
One side was the dark horse that had repeatedly worked miracles, with Tang San, who possessed Twin Martial Souls and an External Soul Bone; the other was a veteran powerhouse, with the mysterious and unpredictable Lin Yi—said to have joined the team—who was a disciple of Sword Douluo!
Amid a deafening roar of cheers, both teams took the central arena.
Tang San led Shrek Academy's team, accompanied by Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, Tai Long, who had replaced the injured Zhu Zhuqing, and a defensive substitute.
Their eyes were sharp and their fighting spirit high. Tang San and Dai Mubai, in particular, fixed their gazes like swords on the calm figure in a green robe standing beside Yu Tianheng in the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team—Lin Yi!
Yu Tianheng was the nominal captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team. Dugu Yan, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Osler, Yu Feng, and Ye Lingling were all present.
And Lin Yi was indeed among them, standing toward the back of the team with his aura restrained, seemingly out of place amid the surrounding commotion.
Just as the referee was about to announce the start of the match, Yu Xiaogang suddenly stepped forward. Facing the woman seated in the center of the VIP stands, wearing the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown and holding a scepter, beautiful beyond compare yet imposing beyond measure—the Spirit Hall Pope, Bibi Dong—he bowed and spoke, his voice carrying throughout the arena:
"Your Holiness the Pope! I am Yu Xiaogang, representing Shrek Academy. I have a request!"
Every gaze in the arena immediately turned toward him.
Bibi Dong raised her phoenix eyes slightly. Her voice carried an unquestionable authority. "Speak."
Yu Xiaogang straightened and abruptly pointed at Lin Yi in the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team. He declared, "I suspect that Lin Yi, a member of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team, has falsified his age and violated the tournament rules! I request that Your Holiness the Pope test his bone age in front of everyone!"
The moment he said this, the entire arena erupted!
A bone-age test! This was one of the most serious accusations in the Soul Master Tournament! If the fraud were confirmed, the entire team would be disqualified!
Everyone's eyes immediately turned toward the young man in the green robe, whose expression remained calm.
In the VIP stands, Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brows, while Chen Xin and Gu Rong's eyes turned cold. Meng Shenji and the others felt their hearts tighten.
Facing countless looks of suspicion, curiosity, and schadenfreude, Lin Yi slowly raised his head and looked toward the peerless Pope seated in the VIP stands. Then he glanced at Yu Xiaogang, whose expression was righteous and stern, and at Tang San's icy gaze.
The corner of his mouth seemed to lift in an almost imperceptible smile.
What was coming had finally arrived.
Before you continue