"Ah!!"
Before long, screams rang out simultaneously from the east, west, north, and south.
Only then did Qin Xuan withdraw his spiritual power and turn to look at Zhu Zhuqing, who stood frozen in place.
Qin Xuan hadn't been idle during these four years.
The Black Flame Lotus was a special Soul Skill he had developed based on the properties of the Lone Fiend Black Flame.
Physical attacks were useless against the Black Flame Lotus. The only way to dispel the flames was with spiritual power.
But when it came to spiritual power, these little shrimp would be lucky to have even a sixth of Qin Xuan's strength. Naturally, they couldn't resist the Black Flame Lotus.
Since he had killed them all in an instant, Qin Xuan hadn't expended much of his spiritual power.
The distinguished young man before her seemed familiar to Zhu Zhuqing, but for a moment, she couldn't remember who he was. One thing, however, was certain: this impossibly powerful young man meant her no harm.
She had no time to think. She quickly walked up to Qin Xuan and said respectfully, "Thank you for saving me, young hero!"
"Zhuqing, it's been eight years. You've grown even more beautiful."
"Take a good look. Who am I?"
Qin Xuan gazed straight at Zhu Zhuqing. A breeze swept by, setting his black hair, tied high behind his shoulders, dancing in the wind.
"You're..." Zhu Zhuqing stared at those purple eyes for a long while. Then she began to tremble, and spoke in disbelief:
"You're Qin Xuan!"
"This... How is that possible?!"
"There's nothing impossible about it." Qin Xuan laughed heartily, his gaze suddenly turning resolute.
"Sooner or later, I'll make the Star Luo Empire and the Dai Family pay in blood!"
Zhu Zhuqing exclaimed in shock, "When we parted all those years ago, I thought you'd die out there on the mainland. I never imagined you'd not only survive, but also gain such heaven-defying Soul Rings."
"Has your Martial Soul mutated, too?"
"Mm..." Qin Xuan nodded slightly, then continued, "This isn't the place to talk. How about we find somewhere and take our time?"
"Your situation as the Zhu Family's second young miss seems pretty dire."
"Alas..." Zhu Zhuqing sighed softly and said nothing more. Her beautiful eyes held a complicated mix of emotions: helplessness, unwillingness, and, above all, anger.
The two left the forest and entered a teahouse in a nearby town.
In a private room, Qin Xuan leisurely sipped his hot tea before telling her about what had happened to him over the past few years.
As she listened, Zhu Zhuqing nearly spat out the green tea she was drinking.
The Pope's personal disciple, only twelve years old, already possessed the divine-grade Nine Nether Evil God Tiger Martial Soul, along with two Thousand-Year Soul Rings and two Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings.
He was beyond the word genius. He was a monster among monsters.
After talking for a while, Zhu Zhuqing let down her guard and began telling Qin Xuan about her own experiences and predicament.
Since Qin Xuan was a year older than Zhu Zhuqing, she naturally started calling him Brother Qin.
"You know how the Zhu Family's brutal rules for choosing an heir are entangled with the Star Luo Imperial Family's struggle for the throne."
"But that coward, Dai Mubai, was so afraid of Dai Weisi that he abandoned me and went to Shrek Academy alone."
"I can't deal with Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Weisi on my own. If I stay in Star Luo City, I'll probably end up dead."
"I came here to find Dai Mubai in Suotuo City, ask him for protection, and make him honor our engagement."
At this, Qin Xuan smiled, his tone full of disdain.
"Zhuqing, you're still counting on that irresponsible man to protect you?"
"If he really cared about you, why didn't he take you with him when he left Star Luo City?"
"Besides, I passed through Suotuo City once and saw Dai Mubai."
"That guy's been running off to brothels every few days. He's living it up!"
"What?! Is that true?" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes blazed with fury, and she crushed her teacup in an instant.
"Why would I lie to you?" Qin Xuan lied without batting an eye, a true master of deception.
He hadn't personally seen Dai Mubai visiting brothels, but judging by what happened in the anime, it was an indisputable fact.
Right now, Zhu Zhuqing was at her most vulnerable and sensitive, and in greatest need of protection.
This was undoubtedly the perfect opportunity to win her over.
She was calm and level-headed, and knew how to judge a situation. In addition to her decent talent, her Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul had an exceptionally strong compatibility with the Nine Nether Evil God Tiger.
The Hell Spirit Cat and White Tiger's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Hell White Tiger, was already so powerful. Just imagine the terrifying thing that would result if it fused with the Nine Nether Evil God Tiger!
The private room fell unusually quiet.
Zhu Zhuqing remained silent for a long time. Then she sighed mournfully, parted her red lips, and spoke with resignation:
"Alas..."
"But if I don't go to Dai Mubai, where else can I go?"
Qin Xuan's expression turned serious. "Zhuqing, Dai Mubai is nothing but a craven coward with despicable character."
"Not only that, the main thing is, he's a womanizer."
"If you marry Dai Mubai, aren't you worried he'll disgust you?"
"Zhuqing, I hold a position of great standing in Spirit Hall. Why not come with me?"
"Putting everything else aside, you can rest assured when it comes to your safety and cultivation resources."
"I guarantee I can help you reach the Titled Douluo realm!"
"But..." Zhu Zhuqing was about to speak, but Qin Xuan raised a hand to stop her.
"Zhuqing, I know what you're worried about."
"The Dai Family and the Zhu Family have been bound by an engagement for generations. If you break it, you'll provoke the wrath of the entire Star Luo Empire. You'll become a target for everyone."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded in surprise. She couldn't understand how Qin Xuan knew her so well.
After all, the two of them had only spent a few brief months together at Zhu Mansion years ago.
"Zhuqing, with Spirit Hall as your backing, why would you fear the Star Luo Empire's revenge?"
"In any case, I've said my piece."
"Whether you still want to find Dai Mubai is up to you."
"But before you do, I want to give you this Immortal Herb."
As he spoke, Qin Xuan took from his ring the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, translucent as crystal.
"This Immortal Herb is called the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. After absorbing it, your Soul Power can reach the level thirty bottleneck."
Zhu Zhuqing asked in surprise, "Brother Qin, are you really going to give me such a precious Immortal Herb?"
"I haven't even agreed to join Spirit Hall."
"Giving you this Immortal Herb has nothing to do with whether you join Spirit Hall," Qin Xuan replied calmly. Then he stood and gazed out the window, saying meaningfully:
"Consider this Immortal Herb repayment for the ten Gold Soul Coins you gave me back then."
"Now we're even. The choice is yours."
"If you come with me, then return to Spirit City with me now."
"Otherwise, go to Suotuo City."
"I won't force you. To be honest, with my talent, it makes no difference whether I have the Martial Soul Fusion Skill Hell White Tiger or not."
"I'm only urging you to come with me because I don't want to see an old friend fall into a den of demons."
"Enough, Brother Qin. I'll go with you to Spirit City!" Zhu Zhuqing cried, as if she had finally made a very difficult decision.
Before you continue