"Zhuqing, you're so clearheaded. I'm truly relieved!" Qin Xuan said, his face lighting up with delight, before analyzing the situation:
"This place isn't safe to linger. We should hurry back to Spirit City first."
"That Soul Master squad has been missing for a long time. Zhu Zhuyun will definitely notice."
"We can discuss things in detail once we're back in Spirit City."
With that,
he led Zhu Zhuqing out of the teahouse.
The two of them then boarded a luxurious carriage and set off for Spirit City.
Inside, the carriage had a rectangular layout, with sofa seats facing each other.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing sat opposite Qin Xuan. Neither of them spoke; their eyes flickered as each turned over their own thoughts.
It really must be fate. I actually ran into Qin Xuan in the forest outside Star Luo City.
It seems I was right to give him ten Gold Soul Coins back then. He really is a grateful person.
That cowardly Dai Mubai is no use to me anymore!
With Qin Xuan and Spirit Hall backing me, the mere Star Luo Empire wouldn't dare lay a hand on me!
But just how powerful is the Martial Soul Fusion Skill of the Hell Spirit Cat and the Nine Nether Evil God Tiger? That remains to be seen!
Besides, the conditions for successfully using a Martial Soul Fusion Skill are extremely strict.
First, the Martial Souls must be compatible.
Since the Nine Nether Evil God Tiger is a divine-level Martial Soul mutated from the White Tiger Martial Soul, that requirement is naturally met.
Second, there's a Soul Power Level restriction. Both sides must be Soul Ancestors above level forty, and the gap between their Soul Power Levels can't be too large.
Those first two points shouldn't be difficult. The key to a Martial Soul Fusion Skill is that both parties must be of one heart and mind, and trust each other absolutely.
Though Brother Qin isn't a bad person, time reveals a person's heart. I should still observe him for a while. If I'm honest with myself, I can't trust Brother Qin completely just yet.
After all, I've already had my heart broken once...
Lost in thought, Zhu Zhuqing stole a glance at Qin Xuan. A faint blush, barely noticeable, crept across her pretty face.
Qin Xuan, on the other hand, wasn't nearly so lost in thought. He merely grumbled to himself:
"It'd be great if I could use the Wind Bird right now!"
"Too bad the Wind Bird needs a Soul Saint's Soul Power before it has enough energy to activate its flight function!"
"I bought this Wind Bird years ago, but I haven't used it even once!"
Zhu Zhuqing's decision to join him had been expected, so he wasn't particularly moved.
After all, he was the dignified young master of Spirit Hall, and he'd already humbled himself so much. He'd even made her a solemn promise: he'd guarantee she could become a Titled Douluo. What rational woman would turn him down?
With Dai Mubai in such a sorry state, how could he possibly compare to Qin Xuan?
Besides, a fallen phoenix was worse than a chicken.
Zhu Zhuqing might still be the Zhu Family's second young lady in name, but the head of the family had long since cast her aside as a discarded pawn.
In such a desperate situation, going with Qin Xuan to Spirit Hall was the wisest choice.
Several days later, the luxurious carriage pulled up in the middle of a grand villa district in Spirit City.
Qin Xuan didn't take Zhu Zhuqing straight to Spirit Hall Academy to register. Instead, he first returned to Emerald Spring Villas.
Along the way, Qin Xuan had given her plenty of medicinal herbs to help her recover.
Now, all of Zhu Zhuqing's external injuries had healed, and her Soul Power had returned to its peak.
Qin Xuan pushed open the villa door and walked into the living room.
"Zhuqing, you can absorb the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone now," he reminded her.
"Mm..." Zhu Zhuqing gave a slight nod, took the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone from the Soul Tool at her waist, put it in her mouth, and sat down where she was to refine its medicinal effects.
In the original story, Zhu Zhuqing gained the most levels among the Shrek Seven Monsters after taking an Immortal Herb. Is it too early to give her one now?
Forget it. As the saying goes, the earlier you use it, the sooner you enjoy it.
If Zhu Zhuqing takes the Immortal Herb early, her cultivation speed will naturally be even faster!
Watching Zhu Zhuqing sit cross-legged on the floor, her body glowing with white light, Qin Xuan sat on the sofa, rubbing his chin as his thoughts raced. He gazed quietly at her.
He hadn't paid much attention to Zhu Zhuqing's features before, but now that he looked closely, he couldn't help marveling at how more beautiful she seemed with every glance.
Zhu Zhuqing's appearance and bearing were unlike those of an ordinary beauty.
She was like a little cat, icy and bristling with thorns, full of wildness.
Yet that very untamed spirit only stirred his deepest desire to completely conquer her.
From daytime until night was about to fall,
Zhu Zhuqing spent a full nine hours refining the medicinal effects of the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone.
"What are these...?"
She opened her beautiful eyes, only to find an array of piping-hot delicacies before her.
Braised pork, steamed sea bass, king crab, and more than ten dishes were laid out on the large coffee table in the living room.
"You hardly ate anything along the way. You can't go without proper meals."
"Zhuqing, how do you feel after absorbing the Immortal Herb?"
At his words, Zhu Zhuqing's nose stung, and her eyes grew moist.
She had been born into a family of nobles, where competition was brutal. She had never known what it meant to be loved.
It was only a small gesture—having a meal prepared ahead of time—but it earned Qin Xuan many points in Zhu Zhuqing's heart.
"Brother Qin, the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone really is a peerless Immortal Herb. Its effects are remarkable."
"After taking it, my Soul Power rose three levels, reaching the bottleneck of Soul Grandmaster. My Martial Soul's quality has also undergone a leap."
"Now, the Hell Spirit Cat's speed and explosive power have both been greatly enhanced."
"My body's flexibility, ability to withstand blows, and recovery have all improved significantly, too. My Soul Power also flows more smoothly."
"I'd say the Immortal Herb did more than that," Qin Xuan said with a smile, playing dumb.
"Your skin is now as lustrous as white jade, even more delicate and smooth. Your bearing seems to have become extraordinary, too. You've gone from a cool, aloof girl to a pure, immaculate goddess, floating with immortal grace."
"Oh, stop teasing me, Brother Qin..." Zhu Zhuqing's eyes darted away, and a bashful expression crossed her face.
"Let's eat. Tomorrow, I'll take you to hunt a suitable thousand-year Soul Beast so you can break through to Soul Master," Qin Xuan said, picking up a piece of braised pork and chewing.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't hold back either, and dug into the food with gusto.
She had been on the run for so long that she hadn't had a proper meal in over a week.
Today's meal tasted especially delicious!
Even she, a woman with a rather modest appetite, ate three full bowls of rice before setting down her chopsticks.
The next morning.
A ray of sunlight broke through the night's stillness.
It was barely dawn when Qin Xuan led Zhu Zhuqing toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
Since the two of them were traveling in a carriage pulled by high-level Soul Beasts called Scale Horses, they cut the journey time in half and reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest by noon.
If she were accompanied by an ordinary Soul Ancestor while hunting Soul Beasts, Zhu Zhuqing would still have been a little nervous.
But the moment she remembered that she was with Qin Xuan, that freakishly powerful monster, she felt completely safe...
Before you continue