Eight Years Later, Meeting Zhu Zhuqing Again

"Ah!!"

Not long after, a series of screams erupted simultaneously from the north, south, east, and west.

Only then did Qin Xuan retract his spiritual power and turn to look at Zhu Zhuqing, who stood frozen in place.

Qin Xuan had not been idle over these past 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 ineffective against the Black Flame Lotus; to break the flames, one had to use spiritual power.

But when it came to spiritual power, it would be a stretch for this group of small fry to possess even one-sixth of Qin Xuan's strength, so naturally, they could not resist the Black Flame Lotus.

Because it was an instant kill, Qin Xuan's spiritual power had not been depleted much at all.

Zhu Zhuqing felt that the dashing young man before her looked somewhat familiar, yet she couldn't place him for a moment. However, one thing she was certain of: this young man with heaven-defying strength definitely harbored no ill will.

She didn't have time to ponder, taking a few steps toward Qin Xuan and bowing respectfully: "Thank you for the rescue, young hero!"

"Zhuqing, it's been eight years. You've grown even more beautiful."

"Take a closer look—who exactly am I?"

Qin Xuan looked directly at Zhu Zhuqing. A gentle breeze blew, causing her long black hair, tied high behind her shoulders, to dance in the air.

"You are..." After staring at those purple pupils for a long time, Zhu Zhuqing's body trembled slightly, and she spoke in disbelief:

"You are Qin Xuan!"

"This... how is this possible!"

"Nothing is impossible." Qin Xuan laughed heartily, his gaze suddenly turning resolute:

"The Star Luo Empire, and the Dai Family—sooner or later, I will make them pay in blood!"

Zhu Zhuqing said in shock: "When we parted back then, I thought you would have died out on the continent. I never expected that not only are you alive, but you possess such heaven-defying soul rings."

"It seems your martial soul has also mutated?"

"Hmm..." Qin Xuan nodded slightly, then continued: "This isn't the place to talk. Shall we find somewhere to discuss things properly?"

"It seems your situation as the Second Miss of the Zhu Family is quite dire!"

"Sigh..." Zhu Zhuqing let out a soft sigh and said nothing more. Her beautiful eyes were filled with complex emotions—helplessness, unwillingness, and, more than anything, rage.

The two walked out of the forest and entered a teahouse in a nearby town.

Inside a private room, Qin Xuan sipped his hot tea unhurriedly and began to recount his experiences over the past few years.

After listening, Zhu Zhuqing nearly spat out the green tea she was drinking.

A direct disciple of the Pope, only twelve years old, possessing the god-level martial soul Nine Nether Evil God Tiger, along with two thousand-year soul rings and two ten-thousand-year soul rings.

This could no longer be described as genius; he was a monster among monsters.

After their conversation, Zhu Zhuqing let down her guard and began to tell Qin Xuan about her own encounters and predicament.

Since Qin Xuan was a year older than her, she naturally began to address him as Brother Qin.

"You must be aware of the cruel inheritance rules of the Zhu Family, which are tied to the succession struggles of the Star Luo Imperial Family."

"But that cowardly weakling, Dai Mubai, was so afraid of Dai Davis that he abandoned me and headed to Shrek Academy all by himself."

"I have no way to deal with Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Davis on my own. If I stay in Star Luo City, I fear death is my only path."

"My goal for this trip was to go to Soto City to find Dai Mubai, seek his protection, and force him to fulfill our marriage contract."

Hearing this, Qin Xuan smiled, looking quite disdainful:

"Zhuqing, you still expect this irresponsible man to protect you?"

"If he truly cared about you, why didn't he take you with him when he left Star Luo City?"

"Besides, I passed through Soto City and saw Dai Mubai."

"That guy is running to brothels every few days now; he's living quite comfortably!"

"What! Is that true?" Upon hearing this, fury burned in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, and she crushed her teacup in her grip.

"Why would I lie to you?" Qin Xuan lied without a blush or a racing heart, a true master of acting.

Although he hadn't seen Dai Mubai visit a brothel with his own eyes, based on the plot he knew, it was an indisputable fact.

Now was the moment when Zhu Zhuqing was at her most vulnerable and sensitive, the time she needed protection the most.

This was undoubtedly the perfect opportunity to win her over.

She was calm and composed, knew how to read the situation, and beyond her decent talent, her Nether Spirit Cat martial soul had a strong compatibility with his Nine Nether Evil God Tiger.

The martial soul fusion skill between the Nether Spirit Cat and the White Tiger, 'Nether White Tiger', was already formidable. If she were to fuse with the Nine Nether Evil God Tiger, the terrifying existence that would result was beyond imagination!

The private room fell into an eerie silence.

Zhu Zhuqing remained silent for a long time before letting out a sorrowful sigh. Her red lips parted slightly as she said with a hint of helplessness:

"Sigh..."

"But if I don't go to Dai Mubai, where else can I go?"

Qin Xuan said with a solemn expression, "Zhuqing, that Dai Mubai is nothing more than a spineless coward with a wretched character."

"Not only that, the key point is that he is also a habitual womanizer."

"If you marry Dai Mubai, aren't you disgusted by how filthy he is?"

"Zhuqing, I currently hold a transcendent position within Spirit Hall; why not come with me?"

"Setting other things aside for now, you can rest assured regarding your safety and cultivation resources."

"I guarantee I can help you break through to the Title Douluo realm!"

"But..." Zhuqing was about to speak, but Qin Xuan interrupted her with a wave of his hand.

"Zhuqing, I know what you are worried about."

"The Dai Family and the Zhu Family have had a marriage pact for generations. If you break it, you will undoubtedly provoke the wrath of the entire Star Luo Empire, and you will become a target for everyone."

Zhuqing nodded in surprise; she couldn't fathom how Qin Xuan understood her so well.

After all, back at the Zhu Mansion several years ago, the two of them had only spent a few brief months together.

"Oh, Zhuqing, if you have Spirit Hall as your backing, why would you fear retaliation from the Star Luo Empire?"

"In short, I have laid my cards on the table."

"Whether you still want to go find Dai Mubai is your freedom."

"However, before that, I want to give you this immortal herb."

As he spoke, Qin Xuan pulled the transparent, crystal-like Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone from his ring.

"This immortal herb is called the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. After absorbing it, your soul power will rise to the level thirty bottleneck."

Zhuqing asked in astonishment, "Brother Qin, such a precious immortal herb—are you really going to give it to me?"

"I haven't even agreed to join Spirit Hall yet."

"Giving you this immortal herb has nothing to do with whether you join Spirit Hall or not," Qin Xuan replied calmly, then stood up and looked out the window, saying meaningfully:

"Consider this immortal herb repayment for the favor of those ten Gold Soul Coins from back then."

"Now that our debts are settled, the choice is in your hands."

"If you follow me, then return to Spirit City with me now."

"Otherwise, go to Soto City."

"I will not force you. To be honest, with my talent, it makes no difference whether I have the martial soul fusion skill 'Nether White Tiger' or not."

"The only reason I am urging you to follow me is that I do not wish to see a dear friend of the past fall into a den of iniquity."

"Say no more, Brother Qin, I will return to Spirit City with you!" Zhuqing replied loudly, as if she had made a major decision.