Zhu Zhuqing had no idea what Su Yuntao was thinking.
She only felt that the man before her was growing more and more disgusting. The way he looked at her was just too much-he was practically drooling.
"Uncle, are you going to test my soul power or not? If not, I'm leaving." Zhu Zhuqing stamped her foot, pretending to be angry.
That single "Uncle" dragged Su Yuntao straight back to reality.
He slapped his own cheek, then cleared his throat a few times to quickly pull himself together. By now, he had withdrawn his martial soul. After all, he couldn't scare away his future god of wealth.
Holding a Blue Crystal Ball in both hands, Su Yuntao carefully approached Zhu Zhuqing and said softly, in a gentle tone, "Come on, put your right hand on it. Yes, just like that. Gently, that's all."
Zhu Zhuqing did as instructed. All she needed to do was refrain from activating her soul power; the Destiny System would display it for her.
Suddenly, the Blue Crystal Ball lit up. Although its glow only illuminated the two people before it, that was already enough. It proved that Zhu Zhuqing could become a soul master.
"Level-four soul power! Congratulations, little girl. You're going to become a glorious and powerful soul master. Well? Are you happy?" Su Yuntao grinned, already envisioning his promotion and raise.
Zhu Zhuqing put on a delighted expression and answered, "Thank you, Uncle! I'll ask Village Chief Grandma to bring you something tasty as thanks."
With that, she tried to run outside.
How could Su Yuntao possibly let this little beauty slip away? She was his chance at a promotion and raise.
A figure flashed, and Su Yuntao blocked Zhu Zhuqing at the doorway.
Zhu Zhuqing was speechless. Was this fellow looking for trouble, blocking her path in broad daylight? Still, Village Chief Grandma was outside, so she wasn't afraid.
"Village Chief Grandma, I awakened my martial soul! I awakened my martial soul-"
Her ringing voice carried out of the tiny Spirit Hall building, nearly announcing Zhu Zhuqing's awakening to the entire village.
That shout sent the elderly village chief, who had been waiting anxiously outside, into a frenzy of excitement. She hurried into the tiny Spirit Hall building, almost knocking over the speechless Su Yuntao.
"Come, let Granny see what martial soul you awakened!" The elderly village chief hugged Zhu Zhuqing happily, then burst into tears of joy.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't refuse. She simply revealed the small Golden Longbow in her hand, and the sight sent the elderly village chief over the moon.
With tears and snot streaming down her face, she happily wiped them onto Su Yuntao. She wanted to thank this esteemed Lord Soul Master.
From this day onward, their Douluo Village would surpass neighboring Holy Soul Village.
What was Blue Silver Grass worth? Could it compete with a bow and arrows?
She would go brag to that Old Jack in a little while.
Gradually, the villagers who had heard the commotion gathered around. Even Zhu Zhulin came over out of concern, but with so many people there, she could only watch from outside the crowd.
Su Yuntao wanted to cry, but no tears would come. This damned old woman was absolutely disgusting! He had only put on this new work uniform today.
Still, he didn't dare push her away. She was old, after all. If a shove injured her, he would never be able to explain himself. Besides, the doorway was packed with people. With all those eyes on him, he couldn't ruin his image.
"Ahem, ahem-"
Su Yuntao cleared his throat several times, and everyone fell silent, including the elderly village chief.
"Your Douluo Village has produced a soul master this year. The Spirit Hall Branch's Junior Soul Master Academy is willing to admit her. Village Chief, would you agree?" Su Yuntao looked earnestly at the old village chief, ignoring Zhu Zhuqing outright. After all, how could a little girl make such an important decision?
The elderly village chief didn't answer. She was sharp as a needle. Having lived most of her life, she knew all about the bullshit involving the Heaven Dou Empire, Spirit Hall, and the Star Luo Empire. She looked straight at Zhu Zhuqing, wanting to hear the girl's own opinion.
Zhu Zhuqing showed Su Yuntao no consideration at all. She hugged the elderly village chief affectionately and said softly:
"I want to go to Nuoding City's Junior Soul Master Academy."
Su Yuntao's face immediately fell. He knew his promotion and raise were out of reach, but he still wanted to make one last effort. Lowering his head, he spoke gently to Zhu Zhuqing:
"Little girl, studying at the Spirit Hall Branch's Junior Academy means you'll receive the best education. You'll also get a special allowance of two Gold Soul Coins every month."
"If you become a One-Ring Soul Master, you'll receive ten Gold Soul Coins!"
"And the rewards keep increasing from there!"
Yet Zhu Zhuqing simply refused to agree, insisting that she would only attend Nuoding City's Junior Soul Master Academy.
"You-" Su Yuntao's expression turned cold.
The elderly village chief's voice became rather curt. Her earlier respect was gone, replaced by a distant tone. "Lord Soul Master, since my granddaughter is unwilling, please don't force her. They're both junior soul master academies. Let her choose the one she likes. My granddaughter surely doesn't want to be far from home."
The elderly village chief held Zhu Zhuqing tightly in her arms, forcibly claiming her as her granddaughter.
The villagers outside began raising a clamor. They all supported their old village chief, and their families had lived here for generations. No one would dare force them into anything.
Su Yuntao looked up at the sky and sighed. After finally awakening a fairly talented genius, he could only give up.
Goodbye, promotion and raise.
"So be it. It's all fate!!!"
Su Yuntao pushed through the crowd and slowly walked toward the village outskirts. He didn't dare argue with so many women, so he backed down of his own accord. He would simply report it to his superiors when he returned.
If his superiors thought this beautiful young girl was worth nurturing, they would naturally send someone else over. If they decided she wasn't, then that would be goodbye.
Since nothing would come of today, Su Yuntao was eager to head back. He had arranged to meet Sisi that evening for barbecue at a restaurant in Nuoding City.
Holding Zhu Zhuqing's little hand, the elderly village chief introduced every auntie and uncle present.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't refuse, greeting everyone in the village as family, one by one. With her sweet tongue and her adorable, well-behaved manner, she earned a heap of praise.
Delighted, the elderly village chief rewarded Zhu Zhuqing with a Gold Soul Coin on the spot. Her generosity stunned the villagers, since everyone knew how frugally their old village chief lived.
Beside a large willow tree, the elderly village chief happily introduced her own granddaughter to an old friend. "Sister Liu, this is my granddaughter."
Granny Liu was so old that her hearing had grown poor. Confused, she asked, "What? Your daughter? That's impossible. Aren't you unmarried?"
"My granddaughter-"
The elderly village chief leaned close to Granny Liu's ear and shouted excitedly.
Granny Liu finally heard her clearly, but she narrowed her eyes and replied, "You little Second Girl, you're trying to fool me again. You never married, so where would a granddaughter come from? You're full of wicked tricks, just like that Old Jack next door. No wonder people say you two are a perfect match, a talented man and a lovely woman."
The elderly village chief bristled at once. So worked up that she rolled up her sleeves and wanted to fight, she was only stopped by Zhu Zhuqing desperately holding her back.
In the end, it was Old Jack from neighboring Holy Soul Village who suffered.
The elderly village chief took a whole group of old ladies over to show off. With her nose in the air, she pointed a finger at Old Jack's forehead and declared:
"Your Holy Soul Village produced a Blue Silver Grass, but our Douluo Village produced a tool martial soul! Compared to us, your Holy Soul Village falls far short! Will you dare act so arrogant next time, you damned old man?"
Old Jack was so furious that he nearly had to be rushed to emergency care that night.
PS: To close, thank you to the two generous supporters, Morning Dawn and I Live to Eat, for your monthly tickets.
Thank you to all the beauties and handsome guys for your recommendation votes. There were too many generous voters to name you all individually. (Finger heart.) Love you all!
Thank you to Morning Dawn, Enchantment0, and Ye Fengyang for your tips.
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