After leaving the Angel Empire and entering the Star Luo Empire, Lin Mo no longer swaggered around riding his Charizard in the sky.
The Star Luo Empire is not like the Angel Empire; this is not their territory. The sudden appearance of a giant dragon in the sky will only attract unnecessary attention.
Like everyone else, he chose to take a carriage after arriving in Qingshi City, and led by Yang Wudi, headed towards Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Luo Empire.
The carriage traveled eastward along the official road.
Yang Wudi was very familiar with the roads within the Star Luo Empire. He had been operating in the Star Luo Empire for many years and knew which roads were easy to travel and which roads had checkpoints.
Under his guidance, the group arrived near Star Luo City without any trouble.
Perhaps it was due to a sense of trepidation as she approached home, but the closer Zhu Zhuqing got to Star Luo City, the more uneasy she felt.
Outside the window was a familiar landscape: fields, villages, and forests, almost exactly as she remembered them.
The more familiar she became with the place, the stronger her unease grew.
She hasn't been back for many years.
The last time she left, she was still that girl who was considered an outcast by her family, fleeing in a sorry state to the Heaven Dou Empire, not daring to look back.
This time when she returned, her identity was completely different.
A level 78 Soul Saint, an elder of the Body Sect.
She was no longer a pawn to be manipulated.
Even so, when she actually set foot on this land, a complex and indescribable emotion welled up in her heart.
Before long, the group arrived at Star Luo City.
The city walls of Star Luo City are tall and majestic, with watchtowers at intervals along the walls, where soldiers are stationed.
Two rows of fully armed guards stood at the city gate, conducting routine checks on people entering and leaving the city.
Led by Zhu Zhuqing and Yang Wudi, the group successfully infiltrated the city.
After entering the city, Zhu Zhuqing, relying on her memory, led everyone along the wide street towards the Zhu residence.
The streets are lined with shops, bustling with people.
The prosperity of Star Luo City is in no way inferior to that of Heaven Dou City.
Huo Wu walked beside Zhu Zhuqing, seemingly sensing her unease, and gently comforted her.
" Zhu Zhuqing, don't think too much. With us here, there's nothing to be afraid of."
Shui Bing'er nodded and said softly, " Huo Wu said that your strength is now vastly different from before, so you don't need to worry about those things anymore."
Shui Yue'er peeked out from behind her sister and added with a grin, "That's right, that's right! If anyone dares to bully you, I'll beat them up for you!"
Hearing her friends' comforting words, Zhu Zhuqing's condition improved significantly.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart, and nodded to everyone.
Thank you.
Led by Zhu Zhuqing, the group walked through several streets and arrived at a magnificent mansion.
The mansion's main gate was three zhang high, and above the gate hung a gilded plaque with the two large characters "Zhu Mansion" written in vigorous strokes.
Two guards stood at the gate, long swords at their waists, looking very spirited.
Yang Wudi stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting to the guard. "Please inform them that an old friend has come to visit."
As he spoke, the Soul Breaking Spear suddenly appeared in his hand, surrounded by eight Soul Ring: two yellow, two purple, and four black.
Upon seeing the Soul Breaking Spear and eight Soul Ring in Yang Wudi's hand, the two guards' expressions changed drastically.
The captain of the guards quickly bowed and saluted, then turned and ran swiftly into the mansion.
No matter the era, Eight-Ring Soul Douluo is an extremely high-level Soul Master, enough to be welcomed as a distinguished guest by any force.
Before long, an elderly man who looked like a steward came out quickly and respectfully led everyone into the mansion.
Inside the reception room, Zhu's father was sitting in the main seat drinking tea when he heard the servant's report and was immediately astonished.
An old friend with the cultivation level of Soul Douluo and the spirit of a long Martial Soul?
He put down his teacup, his brow furrowed slightly, and quickly tried to recall in his mind when he had ever had such an old friend.
But when distinguished guests arrive, we cannot refuse to receive them.
He stood up, straightened his clothes, and led his wife toward the reception room.
Before long, Zhu's father and his wife met Lin Mo and his party in the reception room.
But when he saw everyone's faces clearly, he was shocked.
These people are all too young.
The oldest looked to be in his early thirties, and the youngest was only around twenty.
However, the Soul Power fluctuations emanating from them were no less than his.
Zhu's father himself is Eight-Ring Soul Douluo, so the fact that these young people can feel pressure means that their cultivation level is at least seven rings or higher.
To possess such cultivation at such a young age is an extremely rare feat, even on the entire continent.
Zhu's father's gaze swept over everyone, his shock growing ever stronger.
However, unbeknownst to him, his wife's gaze had been fixed on the beautiful figure wearing a veil from the very beginning, and she couldn't look away for Jiujiu.
That figure was all too familiar.
Even though she was wearing a veil and hadn't seen her for many years, she recognized her at a glance.
Her eyes began to redden, and her lips trembled slightly.
Before Zhu's father could speak, Zhu Zhuqing's mother spoke first.
" Zhu Zhuqing, is it really you?" Her voice choked with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes before finally spilling over.
After saying that, she walked towards the figure, her steps slightly unsteady.
Without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing nodded in agreement, her voice also choked with emotion.
"Mom, it's me, I'm back." Zhu Zhuqing also quickly went to greet her.
Immediately, the mother and daughter, who had not seen each other for a long time, embraced each other and burst into tears.
Zhu's mother hugged her daughter tightly, gently patting her back with both hands, tears streaming down her face.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."
She repeated those four words over and over, her voice trembling.
Zhu Zhuqing buried her face in her mother's shoulder, her shoulders trembling slightly, tears wetting her mother's clothes.
She hadn't seen her mother for many years.
Upon seeing this scene, Zhu's father was greatly shocked.
" Zhu Zhuqing, you're still alive?!"
His voice was filled with disbelief, and he stood there frozen in place.
News of Zhu Zhuqing's death had already reached their ears, because it was Poison Douluo Dugu Bo who personally relayed it.
They all firmly believed this.
No one would doubt the truthfulness of words spoken by a Titled Douluo himself.
But now, this scene of the dead coming back to life is vividly unfolding before his eyes, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Lin Mo glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and her mother, then slowly spoke.
"The message that was initially sent was false; its purpose was simply to cover up the truth."
" Zhu Zhuqing did not die in the Dark Crow's Sucker Punch. I happened to be there and managed to save her."
Since then, she has lived in the manor as a housekeeper, until today.
Zhu's father shifted his gaze from Zhu Zhuqing to Lin Mo.
He stared at the young face, feeling it looked familiar, but couldn't quite place where he had seen it before.
"Who are you?..."
Lin Mo laughed heartily and introduced himself, "Sect Master of the Body Sect, Lin Mo."
After he finished speaking, the reception room fell silent for a moment.
Upon hearing this, Zhu's father's eyes narrowed, as if he had thought of something, and he said in disbelief, "That One-Character Prince Equal to the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire?"
No, it should be the Angel Empire!
He had certainly heard of Lin Mo's name.
An eighteen-year-old Soul Saint, possessing Hundred-Thousand-Year Seventh Soul Ring, champion of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, One-Character Prince Equal to the Emperor the Heaven Dou Empire...
Just then, the miniature Charizard finished the snacks in Ye Lingling's hand, flapped its wings, and stood firmly on Lin Mo's shoulder.
It nuzzled Lin Mo's ear with its head, its blue eyes scrutinizing Zhu's parents and the butler who had been with them for so long.
The appearance of this dragon beast immediately reaffirmed Zhu's father's belief in Lin Mo's identity.
Only Lin Mo, One-Character Prince Equal to the Emperor, could possess such a unique dragon Beast Martial Soul.
"I think she was the Empress of the Angel Empire?"
Zhu's mother wiped her eyes, stood up with Zhu Zhuqing's help, and bowed slightly to Lin Mo.
"Thank you for saving Zhu Zhuqing and taking her in." His voice was full of gratitude.
Upon hearing this address again, Lin Mo's lips twitched involuntarily, and he immediately glared fiercely at Qian Renxue, who was clutching her stomach and laughing beside him.
At this moment, Qian Renxue's delicate face was full of a mischievous smile.
She met Lin Mo's gaze, and instead of softening her expression, she smiled broadly, her golden eyes brimming with joy.
Lin Mo took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to physically punish her, and looked away.
"I wonder who the others are...?"
Mother Zhu's gaze swept over the remaining people, her eyes filled with admiration.
These young people all possessed extraordinary bearing and were clearly not ordinary people.
Qian Renxue coughed lightly and introduced herself first, " Qian Renxue."
She straightened up, nodded slightly, and stood up dignifiedly, a stark contrast to her gloating expression just moments before.
"The empress of the Angel Empire?"
Zhu's father was even more surprised. He never imagined that he would actually meet the Angel Empire Queen here, who was rumored to be invincible simply because of her beauty.
But seeing it now, it truly lives up to its reputation.
Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan also looked at Zhu's mother and introduced themselves one by one.
" Ye Lingling."
" Dugu Yan "
" Huo Wu."
" Shui Bing'er."
" Shui Yue'er."
Feng Xiaotian.
" Huo Wushuang."
" Yu Tianxin "
" Yang Wudi."
With each name he heard, Zhu's father's surprise grew.
He had heard of most of these people, and they were all young people who had performed well in that Soul Master Tournament.
And they all seemed to be from the Body Sect; now that I see them, they certainly live up to their reputation.
After the introductions were finished, the surprise in Zhu's father's eyes had not subsided. His gaze lingered on everyone before he finally asked the question that had been bothering him.
Why did you come back with Zhu Zhuqing?
Huo Wu and the others exchanged a smile and said, "We are Zhu Zhuqing's partners who have shared life and death. This is something that happened to her, so naturally we have to come and help." Huo Wu's tone was full of self-righteousness.
Shui Yue'er peeked out from behind her sister and nodded vigorously. "That's right, that's right! We promised to share both hardship and prosperity!"
Feng Xiaotian nodded, his gaze falling on Zhu Zhuqing, his expression serious. " Zhu Zhuqing is one of us, her affairs are our affairs."
Holding Zhu Zhuqing's hand, Zhu's mother was so moved that she didn't know what to say.
She looked at her daughter, then at these young people, and her eyes welled up with tears again.
After she calmed down, she looked at Zhu Zhuqing and softly asked the question that had been bothering her.
" Zhu Zhuqing, what are you planning to do now that you've come back? You can't still be holding a grudge against your father because of what happened back then..."
As she finished speaking, her voice softened, becoming somewhat hesitant.
Upon hearing her mother's words, Zhu Zhuqing fell silent, a rare occurrence for her.
She kept her head down and didn't say anything.
Lin Mo took in Zhu's father's embarrassment and Zhu Zhuqing's aloof attitude towards him, and couldn't help but shake his head slightly in his heart.
It seems that Zhu Zhuqing's decision to run away from home and flee to the Heavenly Heaven Dou Empire was inextricably linked to his father.
The father and daughter clearly have a bad relationship.
Lin Mo's guess was correct.
Zhu Zhuqing had an excellent relationship with her mother, but her relationship with her father was terrible.
After all, in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, her father, as the head of the Zhu Family, had long regarded her as a pawn to be discarded in the struggle for imperial power.
For the father, who was the head of the Zhu Family, it would be beneficial to the Zhu Family if either of his two daughters could become empress.
Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai, who were already at a disadvantage at that time, were naturally regarded as abandoned children by Zhu's father.
Correspondingly, his attitude towards Zhu Zhuqing was naturally not good either.
Zhu Zhuqing was naturally aware of this, so she didn't have much affection for her father.
But her mother was different; her attitude towards her was completely opposite to that of her father, and she doted on her immensely.
This differential treatment made her increasingly disappointed in her father.
After a moment of silence, Zhu's mother sighed and said, " Zhu Zhuqing, don't blame your father. He had no choice." This time, her voice contained not only helplessness but also guilt.
"In the struggle for imperial power, what right do we have to speak..."
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, took a deep breath, and stated her purpose directly:
"Mom, let's not talk about this now."
"The reason I came back with everyone this time is to rescue my sister. Do you know where she's being held? Do you know her exact location?"
"I was far away in the Angel Empire before, and even if I wanted to inquire, I was powerless to do so."
"Save them?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu's mother immediately tensed up, her hands instinctively clenching the hem of her clothes. "The place where Zhu Yun is being held is extremely heavily guarded, and there are even several Soul Douluo stationed there."
"Otherwise, I would have found a way to release Zhu Yun long ago."
And although that scoundrel Dai Mubai has given up on his idea of forcibly taking Zhu Yun as his empress, he has never given up on his despicable thoughts...
Upon hearing this familiar yet loathsome name, Zhu Zhuqing's eyebrows visibly furrowed, her expression one of utter disgust.
Dai Mubai.
This former fiancé has now become the culprit who imprisoned her sister.
But her mother's words relieved her.
It's good to know where it is.
Soon, Zhu Zhuqing looked at her mother and said, "Mom, we came back this time to save my sister. Don't worry, we must be confident to have come all this way." There was a hint of reassurance in Zhu Zhuqing's voice.
"Yes, Auntie, don't worry, we're very strong."
Shui Yue'er patted her chest, and the Soul Power pressure at the Soul Saint level immediately emanated from her body.
Upon witnessing this scene, Zhu's mother was completely stunned.
She never expected that this girl, who looked to be no more than the same age as Zhu Zhuqing, would have such a high cultivation level, having already reached the advanced Soul Saint realm.
But soon, something even more surprising happened.
Huo Wu and the others also released their own Soul Power fluctuations. Flames rose around Huo Wu, and her aura as Eight-Ring Soul Douluo was not concealed at all.
Shui Bing'er Feng Xiaotian also released their respective auras, both being Eight-Ring Soul Douluo.
Although Huo Wushuang and Yu Tianxin's cultivation levels were slightly inferior, they were both at the Six-Ring Soul Emperor level, making them outstanding among their peers.
Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation level of seventy-eighth Soul Saint was also fully revealed.
Zhu's mother was stunned for a moment; she had not expected that these young people's cultivation levels would be so high.
Even those with lower cultivation levels were nearly on par with her, at the Six-Ring Soul Emperor stage.
Those with higher cultivation levels directly reached the Eight-Ring Soul Douluo.
Even her daughter beside her seemed to be a high-level Soul Saint.
Zhu's mother's gaze swept over everyone, her surprise undisguised.
"Mom, I told you we're very strong."
Zhu Zhuqing said softly, her emotions gradually calming down after the initial excitement.
Soon after, Ye Lingling released her own Martial Soul at Lin Mo's signal, which gave them a strong boost of confidence.
" Begonia Douluo, Ye Lingling."
Ye Lingling reintroduced herself.
As soon as she finished speaking, the Nine Heart Begonia bloomed in her palm, with nine Soul Ring surrounding the flower.
Six black and three red.
The nine Soul Ring gleamed in the sunlight, with the three blood-red Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring standing out particularly, emanating a chilling aura.
Seeing Ye Lingling's terrifying Soul Ring Configuration, Zhu's father was completely dumbfounded.
He stood there, frozen in place, his eyes wide open, as if petrified.
Titled Douluo.
Moreover, he is Titled Douluo with three Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
After confirming that the group of teenagers were truly capable of breaking into the prison and rescuing the prisoners, Zhu's mother then recounted in detail where Zhu Zhuyun was being held.
" Zhu Yun is imprisoned in a special jail in the northern suburbs of Star Luo City, where prisoners with special identities or extremely powerful cultivation levels are held."
She paused, lowering her voice slightly.
"Based on this, the guards protecting the area are also quite formidable; two of the guards on the side of light are Soul Douluo."
"It should be more than that."
After Zhu's mother finished speaking, Zhu's father continued.
"Recently, there will likely be Titled Douluo stationed there."
I've received news that the Imperial Preceptor Tang San has returned to the Clear Sky Sect, and it seems he brought back quite a few Titled Douluo from the Clear Sky Sect."
At this point, Zhu's father's voice was filled with solemnity.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue frowned and couldn't help but retort, "Not many Titled Douluo? Doesn't the Clear Sky Sect only have a handful of Titled Douluo?"
She started counting on her fingers. "Haotian Douluo Tang Hao, Xiaotian Douluo Tang Xiao, and Tang Chen, the previous Haotian Douluo whom Tang San somehow dug up..."
Lin Mo casually chimed in, "It's most likely those old fogies from the Clear Sky Sect."
After all, they haven't been living in seclusion for that long. That's enough time for some of the original Soul Douluo to cultivate to the Titled Douluo.
"I see." Qian Renxue nodded slightly, a look of understanding flashing in her eyes.
The Clear Sky Sect has been in seclusion for decades. It's not impossible for those elders who were Soul Douluo level back then to break through to Titled Douluo after all these years.
It seems this matter is more complicated than she imagined.
Upon hearing this, Yang Wudi's expression darkened considerably.
Yes, the Clear Sky Sect's combat strength was preserved intact, while the Four Single-Attribute Clans suffered extremely heavy losses.
He gripped the Soul Breaking Spear tightly, his knuckles turning white, a hint of hatred flashing in his eyes.
While Lin Mo was communicating with Qian Renxue, the head of the Zhu Family, who was also Zhu Zhuqing's father, looked back and forth between Lin Mo and Zhu Zhuqing, as if he had made up his mind.
He gritted his teeth, looked at Zhu Zhuqing, and said in a deep voice:
" Zhu Zhuqing, now that you're back and have grown up to be so outstanding, there are some things that should be entrusted to you."
"You should take on the role of head of the household."
Upon hearing her father's words, Zhu Zhuqing was suddenly taken aback.
This sudden change was far beyond her expectations, and she instinctively looked towards Lin Mo.
Lin Mo nodded, as if he had expected this.
"Okay, then leave it to me, Dad."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded in agreement after receiving a definite answer, her voice calm and revealing no emotion.
Hearing the familiar address from Zhu Zhuqing's mouth again, Zhu's father finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
The most crucial reason why he chose to make a decisive move was the talent that Zhu Zhuqing was currently displaying.
Such a young, high-level Seven-Ring Soul Sage means that Zhu Zhuqing will almost certainly become Titled Douluo in the future.
As the first Titled Douluo in the history of the Zhu Family, Zhu Zhuqing will surely lead the Zhu Family to unprecedented glory.
As for another crucial factor, he could see that Zhu Zhuqing's relationship with Lin Mo, who had caused such a stir on the mainland, was extraordinary.
This can be inferred from Zhu Zhuqing's earlier subconscious glance at Lin Mo.
A daughter who can stand alongside figures like Lin Mo and Qian Renxue is destined for great things in the future.
Handing over the position of family head to her is the best option at present.
Soon, Zhu's father looked at Lin Mo and then solemnly admonished him:
"Although I don't know what you're going to do next, whatever you do, including rescuing Zhu Yun, please be careful of one particular force in the process."
As he said this, a deep sense of apprehension flashed in his eyes.
Amidst the puzzled gazes of the crowd, Zhu's father slowly stated, "A force called the Star Crown Sect."