A streak of orange-red light appeared on the horizon.
The dawn was dreamlike, draping the earth like a veil of gauze.
Atop a hill outside Suotuo City.
Whoosh-!
Inhale-!
Two figures sat side by side, their backs straight as swords, their bright, keen eyes fixed on the farthest edge of the sky.
Only when that fleeting wisp of purple qi appeared and was drawn into their bodies did the two slowly close their eyes.
A short while later.
Buzz-!
Deep purple and golden-purple light shot out in succession, reaching more than ten feet before vanishing into the air.
Within the woods, a pair of dark eyes filled with astonishment.
"You've been watching all this time. Haven't you seen enough?"
Tang San Niang flicked her pale wrist.
With a series of whistles through the air, gold-veined Blue Silver Emperor leaves shot into the dense woods like a rainstorm of pear blossoms.
Zhu Zhuqing started in alarm.
It was hard to imagine that anyone could unleash such a fierce attack through their own power alone, without using a soul skill.
What surprised Zhu Zhuqing even more was that this attack had come from the outwardly delicate support-type Soul Master-the younger sister of the Blue Silver Twin Stars.
Two yellow soul rings abruptly lit up, and Zhu Zhuqing darted like a shadow.
Her mismatched eyes shone, sharp black claws sprang from both hands, and her body spun like a top, weaving more than a hundred claw shadows into an impenetrable screen.
Second soul skill-Netherworld Hundred Claws!
Metallic clangs rang out amid showers of sparks.
Tang San Niang's slender brows knitted slightly. Pushing off with her toes, she unleashed Eight Trigrams Steps and swept forward like a swallow.
Zhu Zhuqing flicked her slender cat tail and plunged forward.
Her first soul ring flashed, and her speed instantly surged to its limit, her claws gleaming with an icy chill.
Amid a piercing, ear-splitting burst, the cold gleam shot straight for Tang San Niang's throat.
Zhu Zhuqing focused her gaze, ready to divert her attack at any moment.
After all, she had not come seeking revenge.
And as far as she knew, Tang San Niang was only a support-type Soul Master.
There was no way she could be a match for her.
Without warning, three purple soul rings rose around Tang San Niang.
First soul skill-Desolate Wind!
The next instant, an azure ocean filled Zhu Zhuqing's vision, its golden veins flowing like ripples on water.
Unlike their slow descent on the arena platform before, the gold-veined Blue Silver Emperor leaves did not drift gently down.
Instead, they swept toward her like a gale, shrieking through the air.
Buzz-!
Buzz-!
A terrifying sharpness filled the air.
Zhu Zhuqing's pupils abruptly contracted to pinpoints.
She lashed out with more than a hundred claw shadows, trying to block those leaves, sharper than blades.
With a ripping sound, Zhu Zhuqing's tight black leather outfit tore open, exposing the snowy skin beneath.
Chilling glints skimmed across her skin, yet left only thin bloody marks, revealing Tang San Niang's astonishing control.
A figure suddenly swept forward, jade-like fingers pinching a leaf and pressing it against Zhu Zhuqing's throat.
A bead of blood seeped from her long, fair neck.
Zhu Zhuqing's lovely face paled, her body stiffening as she dared not move an inch.
She had lost-lost to a support-type Soul Master!
Behind Tang San Niang's sapphire eyes seemed to lurk all the unfathomable treachery of the sea, making Zhu Zhuqing's heart flutter with inexplicable fear.
Beneath that exquisite face lay a startling killing intent.
"Little sister, there's no need to be so tense."
"With her limited understanding, she couldn't possibly comprehend our cultivation methods, much less secretly learn them."
A clear, gentle voice sounded.
Zhu Zhuqing instantly felt the aura of the breathtaking girl before her change, that overflowing killing intent giving way to her usual gentle grace.
"Those actions you thought were so well concealed couldn't escape my brother's eyes or mine."
"Please know your limits in the future, and stop disturbing our cultivation."
Tang San Niang's tone was calm.
Then she turned, slipped her hand around her brother's arm, and walked slowly away beside him.
Tang Yin did not spare Zhu Zhuqing another glance.
Their lives had no point of intersection whatsoever.
Nor was he a man blinded by lust; he had no interest in collecting beauties.
"Wait!"
Zhu Zhuqing's full chest heaved.
Pressing her lips together, she asked, "My name is Zhu Zhuqing. May I learn that method of attack from you?"
Tang San Niang turned her eyes toward her, her gaze appraising.
She looked over Zhu Zhuqing's voluptuous figure.
"Why should I teach you?"
"As long as you can help me grow stronger, I am willing to take you as my master and serve at your side for the rest of my life."
Zhu Zhuqing clenched her teeth, her expression resolute.
Zhu Zhuqing had originally fled to seek out Dai Mubai, only to discover that Spirit Hall had captured him and branded him an Evil Soul Master.
The instant their eyes met, she had felt both disgusted and deeply saddened.
A man so cowardly and incompetent was actually her fiancé.
His drinking and womanizing were bad enough.
But when it mattered most, she could not rely on him at all.
Such a life was utterly hopeless.
Yet now that she could no longer count on Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing felt completely lost.
Where, exactly, was her way out?
How could she break free of the shackles of fate?
Was she supposed to wait for the Zhu Family to choose another husband from the Dai Family for her? How would that make her any different from a brothel's prized courtesan?
Or should she simply hold out her hands to be bound and let others slaughter her as they pleased?
Such a life truly held no light.
Lost and helpless.
Zhu Zhuqing had thought of the dazzling strength the Blue Silver Twin Stars had displayed in the Soul Fighting Arena, and longing had stirred in her heart.
That was what had led to today's encounter.
The instant Tang San Niang defeated her despite being a support-type Soul Master, Zhu Zhuqing's heart had filled with shock.
Then a glimmer of hope had risen within her.
Like a ray of dawn cast into the darkness, it was a lifesaving straw she desperately wanted to clutch.
Could a support-type Soul Master become so powerful just by using that technique?
Then couldn't I, an agility-attack type, do the same?!
Zhu Zhuqing did not care that Tang San Niang was about her own age.
She only wanted to grow stronger.
She did not want to become a puppet on anyone's strings.
Or let anyone toy with her fate.
That was all.
Tang Yin knew nothing of the journey Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts had taken.
Meeting his sister's questioning gaze.
He smiled faintly.
"Just decide for yourself."
"You're not a child anymore. You don't need to ask your brother about everything."
Tang San Niang pressed her lips together and nodded.
With Zhu Zhuqing's hope-filled eyes fixed on her.
Tang San Niang began to consider the matter seriously.
Although Xiao Wu often said outrageous things, there was one statement she wholeheartedly agreed with.
Her brother was the finest, and he deserved the best.
That night, Tang San Niang had awakened from her bewildered innocence and slowly come to understand many things.
Tang San Niang knew perfectly well that she could never love her brother as openly and confidently as Xiao Wu did.
That love could only be treasured in the deepest reaches of her heart, together with the precious memory of that night.
Realizing this left Tang San Niang's heart aching faintly, filled with bitterness.
But she was not someone incapable of facing reality.
Little San Niang was neither as fierce and uncompromising as her predecessor Liu Erlong, nor as melancholy as her aunt Tang Yuehua.
Instead, an unusual idea had occurred to her.
Since I have no way to stay at my brother's side in such intimacy.
Then if someone could carry my wishes and love him in my stead, wouldn't that be a kind of happiness too?
The breathtaking girl standing before her now was clearly a good choice.
Besides, rebuilding the Tang Sect in the future would require helpers.
At that thought.
Tang San Niang's gaze sharpened, and she spoke solemnly.
"To enter my Tang Sect, you must obey my rules. The duties of honoring your master and respecting the teachings must never be neglected."
"You must perform three bows and nine kowtows, and never betray your sect."
As her words fell, Zhu Zhuqing froze, then immediately dropped to both knees and respectfully performed the full ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows.
Standing off to the side and watching the entire exchange, Tang Yin's mouth twitched.
Good grief.
Who could keep a straight face at this?!!!
Just how much had the careless flutter of my butterfly wings changed Douluo Continent?
What the hell had the plot turned into?
I didn't think I'd even done anything?!
Before you continue