Zhu Zhuqing on the Brink of Death

"Just because you told me to stop, does that mean I have to?"

"Didn't you say you never wanted to see me again? Then what are you doing blocking my way now?"

Gu Yi's face darkened as he looked at Ning Rongrong in displeasure.

"I... Who told you to ignore me? If I tell you to stop, then you have to stop!"

Ning Rongrong was initially left speechless, but she promptly gave up on reason and began throwing a tantrum.

"Heh!"

Gu Yi could not be bothered with her. With a cold sneer, three soul rings appeared around him, and in the next instant, he vanished from Ning Rongrong's sight.

This was his Third Soul Skill—Space Transfer.

When he reappeared, he was already inside the sect leader's main hall.

At that moment, Ning Fengzhi wore a dark expression, while Bone Douluo stood beside him. The two appeared to be arguing about something.

Gu Yi's appearance immediately drew both of their attention. Ning Fengzhi in particular looked somewhat embarrassed when he saw him.

"Xiao Yi? Are... are you all right?" Ning Fengzhi asked with concern.

Apparently, Sect Leader Ning had already learned about all the nonsense the original owner had gone through today.

"Don't worry, Uncle Ning. I'm fine," Gu Yi replied calmly.

"That's good. Rongrong truly went too far this time. It's all because Uncle Ning spoiled her too much. Don't worry, Xiao Yi, I'll definitely teach her a proper lesson later!"

As he spoke, anger once again surfaced on Ning Fengzhi's face.

"There's no need, Uncle Ning. I came to say goodbye. I want to take this opportunity to go out and clear my head."

Ning Fengzhi did not refuse. This matter had already stirred up the entire sect, and leaving now might make things easier for Gu Yi.

"Fine, but take this Gold Card with you. There are two million Gold Soul Coins inside. Consider it a little compensation from Uncle Ning."

With that, Ning Fengzhi handed a card to Gu Yi.

Gu Yi did not refuse and calmly slipped it into his pocket.

After chatting with the two of them for a while longer, he turned and left the hall, then quickly made his way out of Heaven Dou City.

Along the way, Gu Yi used Gold Soul Coins to hire a coachman. Shrek Academy was nearly a month's journey from Heaven Dou City, so having a carriage was always better.

Besides, he could use this time to raise his Soul Power a little more. That way, when it came time for the assessment, he would not get beaten too badly by Zhao Wuji.

Twenty-eight days later.

Two days away from Shrek.

Gu Yi had traveled through wind and dust all the way here, and he was now starving and parched.

Just as he was about to find a place to stop and rest.

At that moment.

"Ding! Target goddess—Zhu Zhuqing—has been detected in danger. She is 560 meters from the host. Rescue is recommended."

The system notification suddenly rang out. A phantom mini-map appeared before Gu Yi, marked with four white dots and one red dot. At that moment, the white dots were slowly closing in on the red dot from all sides.

"Zhu Zhuqing? Why would she be here?"

"Then again, given the current point in time, it's perfectly normal for her to be here."

"But why is she in danger?"

Though he was deeply puzzled, Gu Yi quickly realized that this seemed like an opportunity to gain favorability.

After all, Zhu Zhuqing was also one of the people on the system's list.

He could not miss this opportunity.

"Wait here. I'll be back soon."

Signaling for the coachman to stop, Gu Yi followed the location marked on the map and rushed there at full speed.

Meanwhile, in the forest.

Zhu Zhuqing, dressed in black, sat slumped against a massive tree. She panted heavily, her face somewhat pale, both hands tightly clutching her right leg as though she had suffered a serious injury.

"Heh heh! Zhu Zhuqing, let's see where else you can run!"

A masked man approached her from the front. Behind him floated the phantom of a cheetah. He gripped a dagger in his hand, his eyes filled with mockery and cold amusement.

Zhu Zhuqing merely stared at him coldly without saying a word.

She forced herself up on her injured right leg and barely managed to assume a fighting stance.

But only she knew that the Soul Power in her body was nearly exhausted. In her current state, she was no match for him at all.

"Hehe~ Still thinking of fighting? You should just die peacefully. Only then will Miss Zhuyun be at ease."

The instant he finished speaking, the masked man moved. He lunged at Zhu Zhuqing at lightning speed, his dagger stabbing toward her chest.

Zhu Zhuqing immediately counterattacked. Cold light flashed from the claws in her hands as she thrust them toward his abdomen.

The masked man reacted incredibly quickly. At the instant he was struck, he actually used a soul skill to leap once more in midair. Then, with a whip kick, he sent Zhu Zhuqing flying.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

The blow struck Zhu Zhuqing in the side of her waist.

She collapsed helplessly onto the ground, coughing up blood. She had clearly suffered severe injuries.

Coupled with her depleted Soul Power, she no longer had the strength to maintain her martial soul.

She clutched her chest, her gaze fierce.

Even heavily injured, she would never give up.

The words "give up" did not exist in her dictionary.

"Hmph! This time, I won't give you another chance!"

The masked man snorted coldly, gathering Soul Power as he brought down a slashing blow.

After days of fleeing, Zhu Zhuqing no longer had the strength to dodge. She could only watch helplessly as the dagger drew closer and closer.

Just then, a strange figure suddenly appeared in front of her without any warning.

Bang!

The sound of metal colliding rang out. Under the masked man's horrified gaze, his dagger snapped in two, and he was then sent flying by a strange shockwave.

"Who are you?!"

The masked man staggered back several steps, his eyes wary. His hand trembled, and the web between his thumb and forefinger had split open.

"Just a passing soul master," Gu Yi replied with a cold sneer.

If he had arrived even a little later, Zhu Zhuqing would have been taken out for good!

Fortunately, at the crucial moment, he had used his Third Soul Skill—Space Transfer—then activated his First Soul Skill—Dragon Body—to block the strike.

"Hmph! Since you're just passing by, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business!"

The masked man threatened him with a fierce front and a timid heart.

Gu Yi ignored him. Turning to Zhu Zhuqing, he asked with concern, "Can you still hold on?"

Zhu Zhuqing was somewhat dazed for a moment, but she nodded with difficulty.

Seeing that she was still in decent condition, Gu Yi turned back to the masked man, his expression instantly turning cold.

"I know you have three more companions. Stop hiding and come out together. I'm in a hurry."

As he spoke, a dragon-shaped phantom composed entirely of bones emerged behind Gu Yi. Three soul rings circled beneath his feet.

"A Soul Elder! This brat is a Soul Elder! What kind of martial soul is that? It's so strange!"

The masked man involuntarily backed away several steps at the sight before him.

To avoid drawing attention, the Zhu Clan's assassins were only Soul Grand Masters at most, and now there were only four of them left.

How could they fight a Soul Elder?

He might need a long time to think over that question, but Gu Yi had no intention of waiting.

"Second Soul Skill, Body Piercing Bone Needle!"