Would you come with me?

Ju Zi soon encountered her first obstacle.

Although she had made up her mind and prepared herself for a rough road ahead, she was still not even eight years old. Simply figuring out how to reach Mingdu was an enormous challenge for her.

It's all right, Ju Zi. You can do this!

Ju Zi silently encouraged herself as she clutched the few belongings she had packed against her chest and slowly walked toward Mingdu.

What Ju Zi failed to notice, however, was that as she made her slow way forward, people with ulterior motives had already set their sights on her from the shadows.

In their eyes, Ju Zi had just lost her parents and, with them, everyone she could rely on. Her parents had run their restaurant for ten years, so they must have accumulated considerable wealth.

A little girl who was not even eight years old possessing so much wealth would naturally become a target for local thugs.

Two figures furtively followed Ju Zi, watching her gradually approach a secluded corner.

At the sight, the two exchanged a glance, each seeing delighted surprise in the other's eyes.

The next instant, without any hesitation, they rushed out. One blocked Ju Zi's path while the other cut off her retreat, trapping her between them.

Ju Zi's face paled slightly, and she instinctively hugged the cloth bundle in her arms tighter.

In truth, Ju Zi had very little money left.

After her father enlisted, the restaurant had lost an excellent cook, and its daily expenses far exceeded its income. If they had not built up a substantial nest egg before then, it would have closed long ago.

Moreover, burying her mother yesterday had cost a considerable sum.

All the money she had left amounted to just seven Gold Soul Coins.

Realizing what was happening, Ju Zi took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She took out her last seven Gold Soul Coins and said timidly, "This is all the money I have left. You can have it all. Please don't hurt me, all right?"

"Just seven Gold Soul Coins? Who are you trying to fool? I'd say all the good stuff is in that bundle of yours, isn't it? Hand it over, and I'll let you go. Otherwise... heh, don't blame me for getting rough!"

Ju Zi's expression changed slightly.

Aside from a few changes of clothes, the bundle held only the sole keepsake her parents had left her-an Ancestral Jade Pendant that was hardly worth anything.

But clearly, the two robbers would not see it that way.

When Ju Zi made no move, one of them began advancing toward her, reaching out to snatch the bundle straight from her hands.

Ju Zi tried to escape their encirclement, but it was no use. She was soon kicked to the ground. Even then, she kept the bundle clasped tightly against her chest, showing no sign of letting go.

Her behavior only confirmed the two robbers' suspicions.

There really is something valuable in that bundle!

One of the robbers drew a small knife. A vicious gleam flashed in his eyes as he thrust it straight at Ju Zi.

Despair filled Ju Zi's face, but she had no strength to resist and merely closed her eyes. The moment she squeezed them shut, two trails of tears spilled down her cheeks.

But... to Ju Zi's surprise, the robber's knife never came down, and all sound around her ceased.

Sensing something strange, Ju Zi instinctively opened her eyes. What greeted her was an exceptionally handsome face, paired with expensive clothing and an unmistakably noble bearing.

The two robbers from moments before lay in a pool of blood.

A bewildered look appeared in Ju Zi's eyes. Still clutching her bundle, she instinctively climbed to her feet.

Then she heard a pleasant male voice. "What's your name?"

Ju Zi reflexively lowered her head, but suddenly realized that this might be an opportunity.

Without any hesitation, she immediately answered, "My lord, my name is Ju Zi."

Xu Tiance nodded and was about to ask another casual question, but the instant he heard the name Ju Zi, he swallowed every word.

Ju Zi?

This girl is Ju Zi, the Sun Moon Empire's future empress and war goddess?

Hiss...

Xu Tiance could not help sucking in a sharp breath.

But he was only briefly stunned before his thoughts began racing again.

Now, I'm the Sun Moon Empire's Crown Prince, and the person who encountered Ju Zi is no longer Xu Tianran... so I can use the same approach Xu Tianran used to train her.

Although Ju Zi's talent for cultivating as a Soul Master was rather lacking, her military talent was outstanding.

Admittedly, the Sun Moon Empire's military strength far surpassed that of the Three Great Empires of the Douluo Continent. Its Soul Engineer legions alone were an insurmountable mountain for the Three Great Empires, but Ju Zi's military talent still could not be overlooked.

Without Ju Zi's coordination, even if the Sun Moon Empire could conquer the three empires of the Douluo Continent, it probably could not have done so as swiftly as in the original story.

Ju Zi in the original story had been a turncoat, secretly plotting to kill Xu Tianran all along. But the Ju Zi before him was merely a blank sheet of paper, unstained by any color. With a little guidance, it would not be difficult to mold her entirely into the shape he wanted.

Having made up his mind, Xu Tiance revealed a faint smile. "Ju Zi. An interesting name. Would you... like to come with me?"

At his words, Ju Zi abruptly raised her head, delighted surprise spreading across her face.

But behind Xu Tiance, Kong Deming and Du Busi instantly wore strange expressions. Even Ye Guyi, who stood a step behind Xu Tiance, inexplicably felt that this scene seemed somewhat familiar.

Without the slightest hesitation, Ju Zi knelt directly before Xu Tiance. "If it weren't for you, my lord, I might already be dead. You saved my life, and you're willing to let me follow you. I will give you everything, even my life!"

Ju Zi did not know exactly who the person before her was, but instinct told her that he was someone of unimaginable standing.

Only by following such an important person would she have a chance to build up more strength and avenge her parents!

Xu Tiance clearly caught the hatred that flashed through Ju Zi's eyes. His voice remained calm. "Get up. From today onward, you will be my personal maid. Also, you needn't call me 'my lord' anymore. Just call me 'Your Highness.'"

Your Highness?

Upon hearing that form of address, Ju Zi's mind instantly went blank.

But soon, wild joy filled her heart.

This pillar of support was far more dependable than she had ever imagined!