Zhu Zhuqing's Choice

Lin Chen did not indulge in any tender gazing. He directly set down the blushing Zhu Zhuqing, then stepped forward and shielded her behind him.

Looking at his broad, solid shoulders, Zhu Zhuqing felt a rare sense of safety.

However, when she saw Xiao Wu get to her feet and walk over to Lin Chen's side, her expression unconsciously dimmed again.

"Repeat what you just said."

Lin Chen's tone was not cold; instead, it carried a hint of teasing. A faint smile also hung on his face.

Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his expression as dark as water.

"Not just anyone is qualified to play the hero and save the beauty. Do you know what price you will pay for your stupidity?"

If the other party had not been so composed, he would never have wasted words on him.

Knowing full well that he was a Soul Elder, yet still remaining so calm, the other party's strength clearly could not have been much lower than his.

At the very least, he was a three-ring Soul Elder.

That was also why Dai Mubai had not rushed to attack. Before making a move, he had to at least figure out the other party's rank and Martial Soul, right?

Lin Chen smiled and asked, "I saved her. So what?"

Dai Mubai: "..."

Why was this brat not following the script? Shouldn't he have immediately revealed his Martial Soul and released his Spirit Rings?

"Master, shall I do it?"

Xiao Wu was eager to give it a try, but she did not dare attack Dai Mubai directly. Instead, she turned to Lin Chen for permission.

Master?

Hearing how Xiao Wu addressed Lin Chen, Zhu Zhuqing could not help freezing. She clearly had not expected their relationship to be like this.

She just did not know whether the master she referred to was meant literally or as some sort of bedroom play.

Dai Mubai, standing opposite them, also frowned upon hearing this, secretly wondering whether Lin Chen had some powerful faction backing him.

"Too afraid to make a move? Then I'll do it."

The moment Lin Chen finished speaking, his figure shot forward. Before the first afterimage had even faded, he was already in front of Dai Mubai.

Bang!

Before Dai Mubai could even react, he felt a terrifying force slam into his chest.

His chest caved in instantly, and a surge of blood rose uncontrollably in his throat.

Pfft!

Only after blood sprayed from his mouth did his body fly backward under the impact of that terrifying force.

Dai Mubai flew more than ten meters before crashing hard into a wall and rebounding onto the ground.

"Cough, cough..."

Lying on the ground, Dai Mubai clutched his chest and coughed violently. Every cough sent a large amount of blood spilling from his mouth.

Looking at Dai Mubai's miserable state, Zhu Zhuqing's jaw remained agape for a long time.

She had not seen at all when Lin Chen moved. More absurdly, he had not even released his Martial Soul.

He was already this terrifying without releasing his Martial Soul. What would happen if he did?

Though his facial features had fully matured, his height was still far below the average height of a Spirit Master.

Spirit Masters generally stopped growing at the age of fourteen.

He was definitely not older than fourteen, perhaps not even thirteen. Most likely, he was only twelve.

Only twelve years old, yet capable of instantly defeating a Soul Elder without even using his Martial Soul...

Even Zhu Zhuqing, who came from the Star Luo Zhu Household, had never heard of such an outrageous genius. There was not even any record of one in the history of Spirit Masters.

Wasn't his talent a little too heaven-defying?

Looking at Dai Mubai more than ten meters away, Lin Chen mocked, "You've got quite a smooth tongue, but your strength is truly hard to compliment."

Dai Mubai clutched his chest and lay half-reclined on the ground. The look in his eyes as he gazed at Lin Chen became much clearer.

It was not that he had been beaten into submission.

Rather, he understood well that one had no choice but to bow one's head when under another's roof.

The gap in strength between him and the other party was simply too great. If he still dared bare his fangs now, he would be courting death.

His top priority was to leave alive, then go back and find Headmaster Flender and the others.

The other party's talent might be heaven-defying, and his strength might be formidable, but Dai Mubai did not believe he could defeat a Soul Emperor and a Soul Saint.

Lin Chen smiled and asked, "Are you thinking of leaving alive first, then finding some help?"

Dai Mubai: "???"

As a prince of the Star Luo Empire, he had absolute confidence in his acting skills. Otherwise, he could never have survived until today.

How had the other party seen through his inner thoughts?

Dai Mubai took a deep breath, forced himself to sit up, and leaned against the wall behind him.

"My name is Dai Mubai, prince of the Star Luo Empire. The reason you helped her was nothing more than because you took a liking to her face and figure."

"Now you've won. Take her with you if you like."

"I don't think offending the entire Star Luo Empire for a woman is a wise choice. What do you think?"

"Pfft..."

Lin Chen could not hold back and burst out laughing.

"A useless prince who fled like a stray dog actually has the nerve to represent the entire Star Luo Empire? Why don't you piss and take a look at yourself?"

Dai Mubai's expression stiffened.

His ever-reliable tactic had actually failed repeatedly today.

And it was as if the other party knew him very well.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing stared curiously at Lin Chen's back.

It was true that Dai Mubai had fled after losing the competition, but his identity as a prince of the Star Luo Empire was unquestionably genuine.

The contempt in Lin Chen's words could not have been more obvious. He looked as though he did not take the Star Luo Empire seriously at all.

If he did not even fear the Star Luo Empire, what sort of identity did he have?

Could he be from the Upper Three Sects, or perhaps the child of a high-ranking figure in Spirit Hall?

Lin Chen continued, "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. You can go call for help now. We'll be waiting for you at the Rose Hotel."

"But don't blame me for not warning you."

"If the people you bring can't handle me, then you're going to suffer badly. You'd better think through the consequences before making your decision."

Lin Chen smiled faintly, then turned and headed out of the restaurant.

Xiao Wu immediately followed him.

Naturally, Zhu Zhuqing had no reason to stay there any longer.

The owner did not stop them.

When it came to compensation, one always sought it from the side that lost—unless the victors did not look like they could afford it.

And Dai Mubai had already revealed that he was a prince. Were they really worried he could not pay such a small sum?

"Thank you. My name is Zhu Zhuqing."

After the three of them walked out of the restaurant, Zhu Zhuqing quickened her pace and moved in front of the two. Facing them, she bowed deeply.

As she bent forward, the deep cleavage before her was immediately revealed to both of them.

Lin Chen said, "Judging by your situation, you probably don't have anywhere good to go. Why not stay by my side from now on?"

"Alright."

Zhu Zhuqing straightened up and gave her answer with almost no hesitation.

She and Dai Mubai had already fallen out, while Lin Chen's strength was right there for all to see, and he seemed to have quite the background as well. She would have to be out of her mind to refuse.