Snow Empress seemed to have sensed something as well. Her icy blue eyes finally turned, and she glanced indifferently at Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun.
That glance, calm and undisturbed, sent a chill down the spines of both sisters.
"You..."
The Snow Empress's voice, clear and cold like an icy spring, rang out for the first time, tinged with a faint hint of doubt, "There's a... familiar feeling about you."
Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment before speaking, "We... are from the Douluo Continent, young lady, you..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was already clear.
Could this be the source of their sense of familiarity?
Snow Empress's azure eyes widened slightly. Although she remained expressionless, the ancient, unchanging coldness seemed to melt for a moment.
" Douluo Continent?"
She repeated it, then realized, "I see."
Now it was Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun's turn to be shocked.
"You... you know about the Douluo Continent?"
Zhu Zhuyun couldn't help but ask, her charming face filled with disbelief.
"Young lady, could it be... that you also come from the Douluo Continent?"
The Snow Empress glanced at them and nodded again. " The Far North, the ice plains."
These six simple words stirred up a tidal wave in the hearts of Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun!
The Far North!
The forbidden zone for humans on the Douluo Continent, a bitterly cold land where countless powerful ice-attribute Soul Beast are said to dwell!
This Snow Empress, with her extraordinary temperament and unfathomable strength, is actually their "fellow townsman"? From the same world?!
That is His Majesty Lin Hao...
A thought flashed through the sisters' minds at the same time: Yesterday, Lin Hao had jokingly said he would take them to meet a 'fellow townsman'.
They didn't think much of it at the time, but now, considering Snow Empress's words...
"Your Majesty knows we're from the Douluo Continent?!"
Countless thoughts flashed through the sisters' minds in an instant: shock, realization, speculation, and a belated sense of unease.
After all, they had never explicitly mentioned to Lin Hao that they came from the Douluo Continent, although with his cultivation and knowledge, it probably wouldn't be difficult for him to see through their background.
But the feeling is ultimately different when you deliberately conceal it from the other person versus when they already know.
Just as the two were in turmoil, a gentle voice with a faint smile suddenly rang out in the square:
"So, are you surprised to see someone from your hometown?"
The three of them turned their heads at the same time, and saw that not far away, the space rippled like water, and Lin Hao, dressed in white, had appeared quietly at some point, standing with his hands behind his back, looking at them with a smile.
He remained as handsome and otherworldly as ever, surrounded by an aura of Daoism. Though he stood right before you, he seemed to be one with the entire world, unfathomable.
Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun's hearts tightened, and they quickly bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The Snow Empress also bowed slightly. "Your Majesty."
Lin Hao walked over slowly, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, pausing particularly on the slightly nervous faces of Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, his smile deepening:
No need for such formalities.
"It seems you two already 'know' each other?"
Zhu Zhuyun took a deep breath, pulled Zhu Zhuqing along, stepped forward, and bowed her head deeply:
"Your Majesty, my sister and I... did not intend to conceal our origins."
However Douluo Continent is our homeland, where we still have relatives and old friends. We are new here and are filled with fear, so we dare not reveal this easily. Please forgive us, Your Majesty!
Zhu Zhuqing also lowered her head, her hands nervously and gently fidgeting with her nails.
Lin Hao waved his hand casually, "It's alright."
"Putting myself in their shoes, if I were stranded in another world, I wouldn't tell everyone I meet about my origins."
"This is only human nature, what crime is there in it?"
Lin Hao's words instantly dispelled the worries in Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun's hearts, replacing them with a warm feeling and awe.
His Majesty knew all along!
Moreover, he didn't care!
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty!" the two sisters said in unison.
Just then, system notifications sounded repeatedly in Lin Hao's mind:
[Ding! Zhu Zhuqing's favorability towards the host has increased. Current favorability: 27% → 32%.]
[Ding! Zhu Zhuyun's favorability towards the host has increased. Current favorability: 25% → 29%.]
[Ding! Snow Empress's favorability towards the host has increased. Current favorability: 5% → 10%.]
[Detected that core disciple (named) Zhu Zhuqing's favorability has reached 30%. Reward: Thunder Emperor's Precious Technique) ]
[Detected that the favorability of the concubine/disciple Snow Empress has reached 10%. Reward: Extreme Cold Origin Crystal *1.]
"Really!"
Seeing the system notification, Lin Hao felt a slight stirring in his heart, "The favorability rating has indeed increased again."
Upon seeing the details of the reward, a hint of surprise flashed across Lin Hao's eyes.
The Extreme Cold Origin Crystal *1 is alright; as a basic reward, it's not of much use to Lin Hao. However, it's something the Snow Empress can keep for herself to build a foundation.
but...
Zhu Zhuqing's reward was the Thunder Emperor's Precious Technique!
One of the Ten Fiends of the Ancient Era, the Thunder Emperor's inherited treasure technique!
Even though it's just the basic version, containing only three techniques—" Lightning Fist," " Thunder Emperor's Finger," and " Thunder Emperor's Extreme Speed "—its value is still immeasurable!
After all, the Thunder Emperor's Precious Technique is known for its unparalleled speed and power in attack, symbolizing the ultimate in the laws of lightning. Whether used for offense, movement techniques, or comprehending the Great Dao of Lightning, it is far more valuable than the previous " Faith Condensation Method) "!
"The system is quite generous this time. It seems I really made the right choice in accepting this disciple."
Lin Hao thought to himself, then looked at the three slightly puzzled women and smiled:
"Today's gathering is not only about recognizing relatives, but also about some unexpected joys. Come on, follow me, I'll take you somewhere."
As he spoke, he took the lead and walked into the Martial Training Hall.
Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuyun, and Snow Empress exchanged a glance, suppressed the turmoil in their hearts, and quickly followed.
Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy.
The deathly silence was broken by a long, trembling exhale from Flender.
"Call--!"
He seemed to have been holding his breath for a long time, and when he finally exhaled, even his tense shoulders slumped slightly.
"It's alright... It seems like it really is alright."
Flender pushed up his slightly slipped crystal glasses, his eyes filled with lingering fear and relief.
"It seems that His Majesty Lin Hao harbors no hostility towards our Douluo Continent, at least not towards Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Yun."
Zhao Wuji wiped his face hard, still shaken. "Damn it, my heart was in my throat just now!"
When Zhu Zhuqing directly confessed that she came from the Douluo Continent, I was really afraid that the unfathomable Lin Hao would turn on me!
After all, they were... hiding something?
Ning Rongrong patted her chest. "That's great! Zhu Zhuqing is alright, and Sister Zhu Yun is alright too!"
"Your Majesty Lin Hao seems... to be quite reasonable?"
"Reasoning?"
Oscar scratched his head, his expression complicated. "Maybe. But more than that... I don't care."
Just like people don't care which anthill the ants under their feet come from.
However, as long as he treats Zhu Zhuqing and the others well, that's enough.
However, just as everyone's emotions were beginning to subside from the peak of tension and were being filled with relief and mixed feelings—
"Etc!"
Ma Hongjun's high-pitched voice suddenly rose.