Zhu Zhuqing

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Zhu Zhuqing is the third young miss of the Star Luo Empire's Zhu Family. Her upbringing is dominated by cultivation and the expectations imposed on the family's women. She expects that being recaptured after her escape would mean confinement in the Duke Mansion, with her elder sister preventing any further opportunity to leave. 32 33 37

Zhu Zhuqing flees from her family after her elder sister sends guards to retrieve her. Surrounded by five trained guards and pursued by Zhu Kai, a five-ring Soul King loyal to her sister, she refuses to submit. When escape becomes impossible, she attempts to take her own life rather than return to imprisonment. Yang Jian stops her and subsequently annihilates Zhu Kai and the guards, saving her. 32 33 36

During their brief journey afterward, she is starving and exhausted. Yang Jian feeds her, provides shelter, and earns her trust through steady consideration rather than pity. Before they part, he advises her to follow her own heart and live for herself; she responds by kissing his cheek and affirming her decision. 36 37 38 39 41 42

At their parting, she intends to travel to Soto City, whereas Yang Jian is heading to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain his fourth Soul Ring. Their different destinations disappoint her, revealing her reluctance to separate from him. 41

She later reunites with Yang Jian while traveling with the Shrek group. The unexpected encounter leaves her visibly flustered, and she attempts to avoid his attention. She remains indifferent to Dai Mubai's advances and, after he publicly accuses her of an affair with Yang Jian, asserts that she will live on her own terms. 105 106 125

Her engagement to Dai Mubai was arranged by her father and the Star Luo emperor. Zhu Zhuqing states that she rejected any connection with Dai Mubai on her first day at Shrek Academy. When he insists that the imperial decree makes the engagement binding, she explicitly refuses to acknowledge it. 125

After being driven from Shrek Academy and suffering a slap-marked facial injury, Zhu Zhuqing wanders Heaven Dou City veiled. Yang Jian recognizes her, brings her to Ye Nishang for treatment, and confronts Dai Mubai over her treatment. She later leaves Shrek with Yang Jian and stays at the Yang Family Pharmacy. 160 161 162 173

Dai Mubai admits that he struck her during Yang Jian's confrontation outside the academy. Flender, who had expelled Zhu Zhuqing, regrets that decision when faced with the consequences. 163

Following the events at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Zhu Zhuqing resides in a secluded courtyard near its back mountain. She devotes herself to focused cultivation there, maintaining her training even when Yang Jian visits her before entering seclusion himself. 242

Appearance

Zhu Zhuqing is a slender young woman who commonly wears a black, tight-fitting leather outfit. Her appearance changes visibly when she manifests her martial soul. 40 175

• Cold, stubborn eyes and a reserved expression. 32
• Delicate features and sharply defined brows, giving her an aloof appearance. 32
• Fair neck and a notably slender but resilient waist. 40
• Long black hair; while using her martial soul, cat ears emerge from her hair and a slender cat tail appears behind her. 175
• Wears a veil while concealing the facial injury she received after leaving Shrek Academy. 160
• Removes the veil after Ye Nishang heals her injury, revealing her restored fair complexion without scarring. 161 162
• Carries a dagger at her waist. 175

Personality

Zhu Zhuqing is resolute to the point of extremity. Faced with forced return to her family, she chooses death over captivity, and even while surrounded she shows no cowardice. Her refusal to yield remains central to her later rejection of Dai Mubai's accusations and Shrek Academy's cold treatment. 32 33 125 162

Though initially cold and guarded, she is deeply affected by genuine kindness. Yang Jian's rescue, food, protection, and willingness to seek justice for her gradually lead her to trust him completely. She is emotionally restrained but capable of decisive courage, repeatedly initiating intimate gestures and openly acting on her feelings. 38 42 112 173 178

Her reserve does not prevent her from attempting to protect Yang Jian. Despite knowing that her teachers are Soul Saints, she warns him about their likely hostility and instinctively prepares to intervene when Zhao Wuji attacks him. 113 115

She does not respond to Bai Chenxiang's affection for Yang Jian with hostility. Instead, she recognizes their shared feelings and only wishes that she herself had met him earlier. 180

Zhu Zhuqing is single-minded in her cultivation. Even while living in relative seclusion at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, she continues training with visible focus and determination. 242

This focus is already evident during her time at Shrek: she has little interest in the group's attempt to avenge Ning Rongrong and only joins after Xiao Wu pulls her along. Her cultivation-centered upbringing also leaves her inexperienced in ordinary tasks such as setting up a tent. 37 103

Abilities & Skills

Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul

Zhu Zhuqing possesses the Hell Spirit Cat martial soul, an agility-attack martial soul emphasizing speed, close combat, and claw attacks. 175

• Manifests cat ears, a tail, and sharp claws. 175
• Her speed is regarded as a major strength among peers. 111 175
• Uses a combat style suited to swift, precise attacks. 32 175
• The Ghost Cat martial souls possessed by Zhu Kai and the pursuing guards are described as lower-tier variants of her martial soul. 32

Nether Thrust

Her first soul skill, Nether Thrust, sharply increases her mobility during a direct assault. 32

• Doubles her speed upon activation. 32
• Extends her fingertips into pitch-black, spiral-shaped claws. 32
• Enabled her to strike a pursuing guard despite being surrounded. 32
• Injured a three-ring Ghost Cat Soul Elder with five gashes across his chest, briefly opening an escape route before Zhu Kai suppressed her with his aura. 32

Third Soul Ring

Her third Soul Ring comes from a roughly thousand-year Ghost Shadow Mantis. 175

• The Ghost Shadow Mantis is an agility-attack soul beast known for exceptional speed and scythe-like cutting attacks. 175
• Her first two rings are hundred-year rings, while the third is pale purple, giving her a yellow, yellow, purple configuration. 175
• The exact soul skill granted by the ring is not documented in the provided material.

Equipment / Items

• Dagger — Used to kill the immobilized Ghost Shadow Mantis before absorbing its Soul Ring. 175
• Ice Muscle Jade Immortal Bone — Given by Yang Jian; increases her Soul Power by a total of seven levels and supports her breakthrough to Soul Elder. Also called the Ice Muscle Jade Immortal Herb in the account of her initial absorption. Three levels are gained before obtaining her third ring, and four more come from the herb's remaining potency afterward; the ring itself supplies the eighth level in her overall rise from 27 to 35. 173 174 176
• Detoxification Sachet — Given by Yang Fei for safe passage through the Jade Phosphorus Seven-Absolute Flower sea. She ties the pale-cyan silk sachet to her waist. 176

Relationships

• Yang Jian — Rescuer, protector, and the person Zhu Zhuqing loves. He saves her from Zhu Kai, helps her recover after leaving Shrek, gives her the Ice Muscle Jade Immortal Bone, and escorts her in finding her third Soul Ring. She repeatedly kisses him and places absolute trust in him. Yang Jian later visits her secluded residence at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well before his own seclusion. 33 42 112 162 173 176 242 He explicitly tells Ye Lingling that Zhu Zhuqing is very important to him. 160
• Dai Mubai — Family-designated fiancé. Zhu Zhuqing comes to view him as a selfish, cowardly bully after his public accusations and his treatment of her; she has no desire to speak with him. 125 167 She refuses to recognize their arranged engagement, and he later admits to striking her. 125 163
• Zhu Kai — Five-ring Soul King and servant loyal to Zhu Zhuqing's elder sister. He leads the pursuit intended to force Zhu Zhuqing back to her family. 32 36
• Zhu Zhuqing's elder sister — Orders guards, including Zhu Kai, to retrieve Zhu Zhuqing. 32
• Ye Nishang — Treats Zhu Zhuqing's facial injury without leaving a trace and provides understanding regarding her feelings for Yang Jian. 161
• Bai Chenxiang — Both have feelings for Yang Jian. Zhu Zhuqing recognizes this without jealousy or open hostility. 180
• Shrek Academy students — Their accusations that she was not a team player, alongside Dai Mubai's allegations, contribute to her break from the group. 124 125
• Ning Rongrong — Accuses Zhu Zhuqing of disloyalty because she escaped the hotel conflict uninjured, then disparages her relationship with Yang Jian and speculates that she leaked the group's information. Zhu Zhuqing refuses to accept the blame. 125
• Xiao Wu — Former Shrek companion who pulls her into the group's expedition to confront Yang Jian. Xiao Wu notices Zhu Zhuqing's distress during the reunion but does not initially understand its cause. 103 106
• Flender and Zhao Wuji — Former dean and teacher. Zhu Zhuqing summons them at Yang Jian's request to discuss compensation for the damaged hotel, while warning him that they may attack. Flender later expels her from Shrek Academy. 113 163

Story Role / Major Arcs

Escape from the Zhu Family

Zhu Zhuqing is introduced while fleeing her sister's control. Cornered by guards and Zhu Kai, she resolves that they can take only her corpse, until Yang Jian intervenes and destroys her pursuers. 32 33 36

Before Yang Jian intervenes, she uses Nether Thrust to wound a guard and nearly escapes through the resulting gap. Zhu Kai's Soul King pressure prevents her from taking the final step. She then feigns agreement to return so that he will release the pressure, allowing her to attempt to claw her own throat rather than accept captivity. 32 33

Journey with Yang Jian

Following her rescue, Zhu Zhuqing accepts Yang Jian's food and shelter, gradually lowers her guard, and chooses to share his tent. Their parting becomes a turning point when she resolves to live according to her own will and kisses him. 37 38 39 41 42

She moves into his arms during the night because she is cold. Her later embarrassment contrasts with her confidence in his integrity, showing how quickly their brief companionship establishes trust. 39 40

Shrek Reunion and Separation

She encounters Yang Jian again while accompanying Shrek, but their reunion occurs amid conflict. Dai Mubai's jealousy and public accusations push her to reject the expectation that she remain submissive or live for others. 105 106 112 125

Zhu Zhuqing stays outside the six-person formation that attacks Xiaotian, withdrawing into the shadows rather than confronting Yang Jian. When Xiaotian finally targets her, she believes she cannot evade its speed and closes her eyes. Yang Jian orders it to stop with its claw only a fist's distance from her face, leaving her unharmed. 109 111 112

Afterward, Yang Jian reminds her of his advice at their earlier parting. Overcoming her anxiety, she initiates a kiss, which Dai Mubai witnesses from the rubble without daring to intervene. She then agrees to summon her teachers to discuss compensation for the hotel, despite fearing that they will retaliate against Yang Jian. 112 113

Recovery and Advancement

After leaving Shrek Academy with a facial injury, Zhu Zhuqing is healed by Ye Nishang and supported by Yang Jian in confronting Dai Mubai. Yang Jian then gives her the Ice Muscle Jade Immortal Bone, helps her obtain her third Soul Ring, and enables her rise from level 27 to level 35. 160 162 173 174 175 176

The herb raises her from level 27 to level 30 in approximately two hours, but further advancement is blocked until she obtains another ring. In Sunset Forest, Yang Jian immobilizes a Ghost Shadow Mantis and lets her deliver the killing blow, then watches over her absorption. The ring and the herb's residual medicinal power subsequently raise her to level 35. 174 175 176

Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well

Zhu Zhuqing accompanies Yang Jian into the territory of the Four Single-Attribute Clans. Her affection becomes more open as she attempts to hold his hand and later acknowledges Bai Chenxiang's similar feelings for him. 177 178 180

Yang Jian brings her before Yang Wudi, Bai He, Tai Tan, and Niu Gao. The four clan leaders make no issue of her presence beside him. She and Bai Chenxiang exchange a restrained, friendly acknowledgment before accompanying the group toward Dugu Bo's place of confinement. 180

Secluded Cultivation

Zhu Zhuqing later lives in a quiet courtyard near the back mountain of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. The setting suits her reserved nature and allows her to concentrate fully on cultivation. 242

Notable Quotes

“You can only take my corpse!” 33

“I believe in fate, but I do not accept it!” 33

“I will.” 42

“Not only do I not acknowledge the engagement, but I also refuse to carry the blame you want to pin on me. From that day on, I told myself that from now on, I would only live as I please.” 125

Trivia

• Zhu Zhuqing is described as the strongest among the Shrek students during the hotel conflict, notably emerging completely uninjured while others were hurt. 124
• Her uninjured condition during that conflict results from remaining outside the attacking formation and Yang Jian stopping Xiaotian before it strikes her. 109 111 112
• She slept soundly for the first time in a long while while staying near Yang Jian at the Yang Family Pharmacy. 175
• She estimates that the seven levels supplied by the Ice Muscle Jade Immortal Bone would ordinarily require approximately two and a half to three years of cultivation. 176