Saving the Cat-Eared Girl Lost in the Way

"Kid, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business! Otherwise, you won't even know how you died!" Seeing that the one who had repelled him was such a young-looking boy, the old eunuch flew into a rage and pointed at Lin Qing.

"Damn! A living eunuch!" To be honest, Lin Qing had lived nearly a hundred years across both his lives, yet this was the first eunuch he had ever seen.

"Pfft!"

Hearing Lin Qing's jab, the Soul Ancestors and the Soul King who had been guarding Zhu Zhuyun all failed to hold back their laughter. However, the Soul Ancestors could not afford to offend this eunuch Soul King, so they could only cover their mouths and suppress their laughter.

But the Soul King guarding Zhu Zhuyun naturally had no such fear. After all, he belonged to the Zhu Family, and neither his status nor strength could be compared to that eunuch's.

Zhu Zhuyun, standing beside the Soul King, could not help but chuckle as well. However, she immediately stopped and turned her gaze toward Lin Qing, who was protecting Zhu Zhuqing behind him.

Zhu Zhuqing also gave a quiet laugh as she looked at the boy who had just stepped in front of her. For some reason, a sense of security rose in her heart.

"Seeking death! Get him! Kill this brat!"

At the old eunuch's command, the five Soul Ancestors immediately wiped the smiles from their faces. They activated Martial Soul Possession, used their Spirit Skills, and charged at Lin Qing. The old eunuch also activated his Martial Soul once more and attacked alongside them.

"All together? Interesting. Then I'll use you to test my new skill."

With that, Lin Qing gripped his blade with both hands. Yet he still did not summon his Spirit Rings. With a thought, the yellow blade turned purple, and the sword body twisted like a snake. The yellow four-leaf-clover-shaped guard also transformed into a serpent-shaped one. It resembled a small snake coiling around itself, its tongue biting its tail to form a loop, while an outer ring encircled it.

"Brat, facing the attacks of five Soul Ancestors and one Soul King, you still refuse to release your Spirit Rings? Today, you will die!" the old eunuch mocked upon seeing that Lin Qing had not even summoned his Spirit Rings.

Zhu Zhuqing was also full of confusion at Lin Qing's actions, with a trace of worry in her expression.

Seeing Lin Qing act this way, Zhu Zhuyun felt a flicker of contempt. At a time like this, he was still only concerned with showing off. But when she remembered that Zhu Zhuqing was standing beside Lin Qing, that contempt turned into worry for Zhu Zhuqing and anger toward Lin Qing.

"I don't need Spirit Rings to deal with you," Lin Qing said calmly.

"Arrogant! Brat, today you will pay the price for your arrogance!"

Serpent Breathing, Fifth Form: Slithering Serpent

Lin Qing swung his blade at high speed. The connected slashes formed blade-like lines, seemingly transforming into a massive energy serpent that coiled around and protected Lin Qing and Zhu Zhuqing at its center.

As Lin Qing unleashed his attack, the giant serpent shot forward, twisting its body as it bit and rammed into the Soul Ancestors and the old eunuch.

Under the serpent's bite, the Soul Ancestors died on the spot. The old eunuch had his lower body completely bitten off at the navel, his lower half torn to pieces.

One strike! A single strike had defeated the combined force of five Soul Ancestors and one Soul King! What kind of powerhouse was this?!

The disdain and anger on Zhu Zhuyun's face turned to shock. She stared dumbfoundedly at the calm and composed boy.

After witnessing Lin Qing's terrifying strength, the Soul King immediately stepped forward, activated Martial Soul Possession, and released his Spirit Rings. Five standard Spirit Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black—appeared as he stood in front of Zhu Zhuyun, watching Lin Qing with a wary expression.

The old eunuch was still screaming and wailing. Lin Qing had wanted to mock him a little, but seeing how loudly the eunuch was howling, he figured the man would not hear him anyway. Thus, Lin Qing decisively cut off the old eunuch's head. After all, a Nichirin Blade that did not behead people had no soul.

After cutting off the old eunuch's head, Lin Qing turned his gaze toward Zhu Zhuyun and the Soul King.

When Lin Qing's gaze fell on her, Zhu Zhuyun's body trembled, cold sweat soaking her back.

The Soul King was also extremely tense. No matter what, even if it costs me my life, I must get the eldest miss out of here!

"Young master, if you wish to protect this girl, we will no longer interfere, so long as you let us leave," Zhu Zhuyun said. "Of course, if you insist on attacking us, the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire will pursue this to the end. I hope you will not make the wrong decision."

Interesting. Is she implying that I should protect Zhu Zhuqing? Bringing up the Zhu Family of Star Luo Empire—is she telling me not to have any improper thoughts about Zhu Zhuqing? This really is rather irritating! The first half of Zhu Zhuyun's words was fine, but the latter half made Lin Qing feel as though she was threatening him. And he happened to hate threats.

However, Lin Qing did not make a decision right away. Instead, he turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "Miss, they are after you, so I respect your opinion."

Seeing Lin Qing act this way, Zhu Zhuqing's favorable impression of him immediately rose by several degrees.

"Thank you." Zhu Zhuqing thanked him first, then looked at Zhu Zhuyun and the Soul King. After hesitating for a moment, she sighed. "Let them go."

"Alright. I respect your choice," Lin Qing said.

Seeing this outcome, Zhu Zhuyun and the Soul King both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Zhu Zhuyun, I'm sparing you this time. The next time we meet, I will kill you with my own hands!" Zhu Zhuqing said viciously.

"I'll be waiting," Zhu Zhuyun said simply.

"Young master, may we leave now?" Zhu Zhuyun did not dare leave before Lin Qing nodded.

"You may leave," Lin Qing said.

"Thank you, young master..." Zhu Zhuyun had barely begun to thank him when Lin Qing abruptly changed his tone.

"However, what you said just now seemed to be a threat. And I hate being threatened more than anything. Although I said I would spare both your lives, I still need to teach you a lesson, so you understand that not everyone will bow to your threats!"

With that, Lin Qing put away his Nichirin Blade. His pupils turned blood-red, his teeth became sharp, and a sinister aura radiated from his entire body.

Seeing Lin Qing like this, Zhu Zhuyun and the Zhu Family Soul King's hair stood on end as they watched him warily.

Zhu Zhuqing only sensed a change in Lin Qing's aura. Under Lin Qing's control, she did not feel anything sinister or terrifying.

Lin Qing vanished from the sight of the three. In the next instant, he had already appeared in front of the two of them, grabbing each of their heads with one hand.

Caught by Lin Qing, the two truly experienced at close range the terrifying pressure of a king among ghosts. Their entire bodies trembled, and they could not even maintain their Martial Souls, which were frightened back into their bodies.

Lin Qing paid them no mind. He merely bent his index finger and stabbed it into both their brains, injecting his blood into their bodies.

After a single breath, Lin Qing stopped. His blood was simply of too high a grade for the two to endure much of it, so one or two drops were already their limit.

Withdrawing his hands, Lin Qing returned to Zhu Zhuqing's side and said to Zhu Zhuyun and the Soul King, "You may go."

"Yes!" The two replied before swiftly leaving.