"Yes, I'm back."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently, her voice clear and cool, yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible gentleness.
She looked at Tang San, then at Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun behind him, a very faint smile curving her lips.
"Haven't seen you for a long time."
Those four simple words brought tears to Ning Rongrong's eyes.
"What do you mean 'long time no see'? It's only been three months!"
Ning Rongrong broke free from her father's hand, ran quickly to Zhu Zhuqing, grabbed her hand, and looked her up and down.
"Are you alright? That Heavenly Emperor... didn't give you any trouble, did he? What was that golden light just now? What are you doing now...?"
Her barrage of questions, delivered like a machine gun, eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.
A hint of warmth flashed in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, and she gently shook her head. "I'm fine."
His Majesty has treated us very well, and our return this time was also permitted by His Majesty."
"Your Majesty..."
A glint of light flashed deep within Bibi Dong's purple eyes.
She stepped forward slowly, tapping her Pope's Scepter lightly on the ground with a clear, resonant sound.
All eyes immediately turned to her.
" Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuyun ".
Bibi Dong spoke, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"I am Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall. Welcome back."
Her gaze swept over the two women, and she continued, "Your experiences are nothing short of legendary."
On behalf of the Spirit Hall, I extend my respect to the ' Heavenly Emperor ' senior behind you.
"I wonder if there's anything you, senior, would like to bring back to this world?"
These words were spoken flawlessly.
This not only revealed their identity and expressed goodwill (at least on the surface), but also steered the conversation to the issue that everyone was most concerned about.
What exactly is the attitude of that mysterious Heavenly Emperor?
Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun exchanged a glance.
Zhu Zhuyun stepped forward half a step, gave a graceful bow, her posture elegant yet neither humble nor arrogant.
"Thank you for your concern His Holiness the Pope. His Majesty has not given any instructions for us to take this back."
Is that so?
Bibi Dong nodded slowly, then a glint of light flashed in her eyes.
"I observe that your auras are mysterious and quite different from your Soul Power, so you must have cultivated the ' Immortal Dao ' method."
I wonder what level your cultivation has reached now?
This question reflects the sentiments of everyone.
Instantly, countless gazes focused on Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, filled with curiosity, inquiry, and even subtle suspicion.
Zhu Zhuqing remained calm, while Zhu Zhuyun smiled slightly.
"Your His Holiness the Pope," Zhu Zhuyun said, "Our cultivation is shallow; within the Immortal Dao system, we have only just entered the ' Other Shore ' realm."
" the Other Shore?"
"Exactly." Zhu Zhuyun replied, "The cultivation of immortality begins in the Sea of Bitterness. The Immortal Dao Sea of Bitterness Secret Realm of the Bitter Sea, the Life Spring, the Divine Bridge, Other Shore."
The Other Shore is the final realm of the Sea of Bitterness Secret Realm, and also the foundation for truly embarking on the path of cultivation.
" the Other Shore..."
Ning Fengzhi murmured to himself, his eyes deep, as if he were pondering the meaning of this realm.
Gu Rong remained silent, his gray eyes fixed on Zhu Zhuyun, as if trying to discern something.
Yu Yuanzhen slightly, as if deep in thought.
Dai Weisi, standing in the crowd, felt a surge of anger rise within him upon hearing the words " the Other Shore " and seeing Zhu Zhuyun's calm and composed expression.
On what grounds?
How can she be so calm and detached?
Why is it that she can follow that so-called Heavenly Emperor, embark on some Immortal Dao, reach some other Other Shore, and then... look at him with the eyes of someone looking at a stranger?
They are engaged!
It was a symbol of the marriage alliance between the Zhu Family and the royal family, appointed by the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire!
Even if she had a miraculous encounter, even if she embarked on a new path of cultivation, could she really forget everything from the past?
Dai Weisi felt a surge of anger, mixed with an indescribable bitterness and resentment.
He took a sudden step forward and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice:
" Zhu Yun."
This sound drew everyone's attention.
Zhu Zhuyun slowly turned her head to look at Dai Weisi.
Her gaze remained calm, devoid of joy or sorrow.
"Prince Dai Weisi "
"You..." Dai Weisi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, "Congratulations on encountering a celestial destiny and embarking on a new path."
"Thank you," Zhu Zhuyun said with a smile.
Dai Weisi gritted his teeth and continued, "You just said that your cultivation has reached the ' Other Shore ' realm."
In my Soul Master system, what level does this realm correspond to?
I am very curious. Zhu Yun, would you be so kind as to show us what you have to see?
moment.
Dai Weisi's words made the already tense atmosphere in the square even more subtle.
"That's more like it! Talk is cheap!"
At this moment, Yu Luomian couldn't help but laugh and say, "That kid from the Dai Family has finally done something sensible!"
"Whether they are strong or weak, dragons or worms, a fight will tell us everything!"
"Today I'll open my eyes wide and see exactly what kind of methods these Immortal Dao techniques employ when facing an enemy!"
Not far away, where the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School members were, Ning Fengzhi turned slightly to the side, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the two figures with distinctly different auras in the center of the plaza.
"The power of Immortal Dao is extraordinary."
Without witnessing their actual combat prowess, it's like looking at flowers through a fog—it's impossible to fathom their depth.
I was wondering how I could see it, but I never expected this...
This battle is indeed a rare opportunity.
Gu Rong's gaunt face twitched, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in his gray eyes. "This old man also wants to see what it's like to fight without Martial Soul Ring. What kind of tricks can they pull off?"
On the Shrek Academy's side, Flender adjusted his slightly crooked crystal glasses.
He leaned closer to Zhao Wuji and the teachers, his voice extremely low. "Now... it'll be hard for us not to stand out."
Dai Weisi's outburst has put Zhu Zhuyun in a very difficult position, and everyone's eyes are now on her.
Unable to contain his excitement, Ma Hongjun leaned forward with his chubby body and whispered, "We'll find out just how amazing it is soon enough! My heart is pounding like crazy!"
Standing in front of the Spirit Hall's camp, Bibi Dong held the Pope's Scepter but did not turn around.
" Dai Weisi is restless and impatient, and is not up to the task."
However, it turned out to be a lucky accident.
Yue Guan's soft, feminine voice immediately rang out with a hint of amusement, "Your Majesty is wise."
The truth or falsehood of the Daoist Immortal Dao is a matter of much debate.
No matter how eloquently they speak, they must ultimately prove themselves with combat strength.
Dai Weisi's cultivation is decent, but his temperament is lacking. Using him as a testing stone to probe this unsheathed ' Immortal Dao's edge' is quite suitable."
The Gui Mei nodded. "Exactly."
Let's see how Zhu Zhuyun responds.
Will you show your strength and make a name for yourself, or will you avoid battle altogether...?
Each choice has its own significance, offering a glimpse into the character and inner workings of this successor of the Immortal Dao.
Bibi Dong nodded almost imperceptibly and said nothing more.
For a time, the leaders and key figures of various forces exchanged unspoken whispers, judgments, and expectations.
All eyes were fixed on the girl in black who had not yet responded.