A few minutes later.
Zi Ji returned, her face glowing with vigor, carrying the Pufferfish Douluo, whom she had beaten unconscious, in one hand.
"You can question him now. I guarantee he'll answer whatever you ask."
She tossed the Pufferfish Douluo onto the ground, looking as though she were asking for praise.
Qin Jiuxiao rose to his feet and took a handkerchief from his robe to wipe her hands.
"Only I can tolerate that queenly temper of yours."
At his words, a flush swiftly crept across Zi Ji's ears, and her gaze grew slightly unfocused.
She proudly raised her chin, secretly glanced at Qin Jiuxiao, and looked at him with a tenderness she had not even noticed herself.
Yet she remained stubborn. "This queen needs no one's tolerance. He's yours now. Deal with him yourself."
She snatched the handkerchief from Qin Jiuxiao's hand and consciously took her place behind him.
Using Soul Power to wash away the blood on her fists, Zi Ji looked at the white handkerchief, folded it neatly, and tucked it into her clothes.
The corners of her lips lifted slightly.
Qin Jiuxiao looked at the Pufferfish Douluo, who still had not awakened, and smiled playfully.
Then he shouted into his ear.
"Death Wither!"
As if startled by the sound, the Pufferfish Douluo immediately opened his eyes, sat upright, and looked around in terror.
"Your Excellency Pufferfish Douluo, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"This is a family temple flooded by a dragon king—we nearly failed to recognize our own people."
He chuckled and patted the Pufferfish Douluo on the shoulder.
[ Ding! Contacted Spirit Hall Title Douluo Pufferfish. Obtained trait "Poison Immunity (Gold)": Your physique can neutralize all poisonous attacks and expel them through your pores! ]
Qin Jiuxiao's eyes lit up. This trait was excellent!
He was not afraid of Little San's hidden weapons, but poison was another matter.
Now that he had the Poison Immunity trait, what did it matter if he caught Yama's Invitation with his bare hands?
It gave him another trump card for his upcoming trip to Shrek Academy.
At the same time he obtained the trait, the Soul Power within his body increased considerably.
He was about to break through to level 40.
The Pufferfish Douluo looked at Qin Jiuxiao, his eyes full of resentment.
This brat had definitely done it on purpose.
But with Zi Ji glaring at him from the side, he could only swallow his anger and force out an awkward smile.
"Indeed, it was all a misunderstanding, hahaha!"
"I was entrusted to protect you in secret. As for who entrusted me, I cannot say."
"But I didn't expect you to already had such a powerful protector by your side, Jiuxiao. I seem rather unnecessary now."
"I just wonder what this young lady's title is. I don't believe I've ever seen her before."
The Pufferfish Douluo casually tried to probe for information about Zi Ji.
But how could Qin Jiuxiao fail to notice?
He gave a soft laugh and wrapped an arm around Zi Ji's slender waist.
"Zi Ji is merely a down-and-out girl I saved on a whim. She has no special identity."
"Your Excellency Pufferfish Douluo is overthinking it."
"Thank you for escorting us along the way. We're preparing to leave, so you should return and report back as well."
Hearing this, the Pufferfish Douluo was somewhat unwilling.
He wanted to continue probing, but suddenly felt an icy gaze upon him.
Seeing Zi Ji slowly clench her fist, he could not help but shudder.
He cursed himself inwardly. He had gotten far too comfortable.
He hurriedly stood up, brushed the dust from his clothes, and smiled sheepishly.
"Since you have someone protecting you, Jiuxiao, I'll return and report back."
"Please keep today's matter confidential. Pufferfish thanks you."
After saying that, he cupped his hands, turned around, and fled the Star Dou Forest as though he were running for his life.
"Look how badly you scared him. A Title Douluo ran so fast his shoes nearly fell off."
Qin Jiuxiao laughed.
Zi Ji gave a proud snort and turned her head away.
"Alright, let's return to Suotuo City as well."
"It just so happens that I can test how fast my third Soul Skill really is."
As he spoke, Qin Jiuxiao's third Soul Ring lit up.
"Third Soul Skill: Kunpeng Wings!"
Whoosh!
A pair of golden wings appeared behind him. With a light flap, they carried him into the air.
Under Zi Ji's astonished gaze, he flew around the area for a while, the satisfaction in his eyes impossible to hide.
With just one light beat of his wings, he covered nearly a hundred meters. Even the Speed Clan, famed for their speed, could hardly compare.
And he was only level 39 now.
As his Soul Power and physical strength improved, the age of his Soul Rings would rise as well. By then, his speed would only become faster.
"Little Zi Ji, how about we race and see who reaches Suotuo City first?"
"If you win, I'll grant you one request. You can ask for anything."
Zi Ji became interested at once.
Her red lips parted. "Then what if I lose?"
Qin Jiuxiao slowly curled his lips into a smile, his gaze falling upon her alluring red lips.
"If you lose, prepare to be my bed-warming guard for the rest of your life."
Zi Ji narrowed her eyes, then accepted without hesitation.
As the Hell Demon Dragon King, the word retreat had never existed in her dictionary.
If she did not even dare accept a challenge, she would never have become the leader of her kind.
"Fine, this queen accepts your challenge!"
"If this queen wins, I want you to become my personal dragon guard from now on!"
"From now on, you'll be the one catching fish and warming my bed. Even if I tell you to lick this queen's feet, you may not refuse!"
Among Soul Beasts, licking another Soul Beast's feet signified eternal submission.
She had lived for so many years, yet she had never taken in a Soul Beast that would lick her feet.
If she could make this transformed fellow into a dragon guard who licked her feet, how much face would she gain by taking him out in the future?
But Qin Jiuxiao did not understand the deeper meaning behind it.
Looking at Zi Ji's long, fair, perfectly straight legs, his heart began to race.
She had finished naming the reward, but what about the punishment?
He admitted that he was a little tempted.
A thought even flashed through his mind. Should I secretly hold back and lose once?
But he quickly shook his head and crushed that thought in its cradle.
The price of losing was certainly tempting.
But if he lost this time, how would he ever hold his head up before Zi Ji again?
Besides, if he won, she would be his bed-warming guard for life.
Once the bed was warmed, could anything else be far behind?
Qin Jiuxiao nodded, growing even more determined to seize this victory.
Zi Ji also slowly rose into the air. Though she could not use her true form after taking human shape, her speed was not much worse.
She was absolutely at the level of a Title Douluo. Taking down a Qin Jiuxiao would be easy, wouldn't it?
Qin Jiuxiao came to Zi Ji's side and pointed at the city in the distance, as small as a grain of rice.
"That is Suotuo City. How about the first one to reach a point one hundred meters outside the city wins?"
"Fine. This queen is invincible. Do as you please."
Zi Ji's face was full of pride, as though victory were already hers.
But Qin Jiuxiao was secretly delighted.
After all, the Kunpeng's speed was unmatched. Though his level was not high yet, he was still definitely beyond what an ordinary Title Douluo could compare to.
Beating Zi Ji was practically guaranteed.
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
"Start!"
As the shout fell.
A golden and a purple figure shot out like lasers, instantly vanishing from the skies above the Star Dou Forest.
Before you continue