"What is it?" Xuan Ming asked.
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and looked into Xuan Ming's eyes, "It's home, the home I chose."
Xuan Ming was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected to hear such an answer from Zhu Zhuqing.
" Xuan Ming, I know you've always been thinking of me and want me to truly be free, even though I don't understand why you're so good to me." Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip.
"But the freedom I want isn't about wandering the world alone. For me, it's about having something that gives me peace of mind, something I'm willing to give everything for—that's the freedom I crave, the home I desire!"
"..."
To answer a few questions, firstly, regarding the Soul Ring issue, people have been asking why everyone is focusing on the Soul Ring of the two rabbits. Here's my explanation: why would anyone think that those Ferocious Beast who have cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years would so easily abandon their pride and freedom to willingly Sacrifice themselves for a human? And why would anyone think they would take such a risk?
Secondly, regarding the female lead, it depends on how the plot develops and what everyone wants to see.
Finally, thank you all for reading.
[Note: There are too many mad dogs in the comments section. I won't reply to comments anymore, otherwise I'll get chased and bitten, which is annoying.]
Chapter 199 One must have evidence to speak.
In that deep and tranquil forest, sunlight filters through the gaps in the branches and leaves, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves.
"Brother, the girl's been so direct, why don't you make a move?" the Ice Dragon King said, sounding exasperated.
"Straightforward? What does she mean?" Xuan Ming asked, puzzled.
"..." Ice Dragon King.
"Didn't you realize she was confessing her feelings?"
Xuan Ming's expression changed slightly. "Are you... confessing your feelings?"
Zhu Zhuqing's already fair face instantly turned burning hot, as if it were being scorched by a raging fire, so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
She lowered her head in a fluster, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and softly responded, "Mmm."
The sound was so faint that it was almost inaudible if the surrounding environment hadn't been so quiet.
Xuan Ming fell silent.
He genuinely didn't understand what Zhu Zhuqing was saying.
Besides, aren't all confessions of love just about saying "I like you" right off the bat, or like Ning Rongrong and Hu Liena, just throwing in the punch?
Or is it that confessions of love have become this poetic these days?
"Can you give me some response? This girl is really embarrassed right now," the Ice Dragon King said helplessly.
This is the downside of Xuan Ming using his brain in different ways!
His thinking ability has declined significantly; he's practically constantly daydreaming!
He just can't understand things that require a little bit of comprehension!
"A response?" Xuan Ming paused, took a step forward, and gently embraced Zhu Zhuqing.
"Thanks."
Zhu Zhuqing was slightly taken aback, her eyes filled with a hint of panic. "Thank you?"
Xuan Ming sensed Zhu Zhuqing's slight stiffness and instinctively released her. "I'm sorry, I..."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes reddened, tears welling up. She suddenly lunged forward and threw herself into Xuan Ming's arms, her voice trembling with sobs as she asked, "You... don't want to accept me?"
Xuan Ming was silent for a moment, then gently patted Zhu Zhuqing's back. "I still have things to do."
"Can I help you?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice was choked with emotion.
Xuan Ming paused, then said, "No."
Tears welled up in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as she clutched Xuan Ming's clothes tightly. "Why not? I'm not afraid of danger; I just want to face it with you."
"I'm scared," Xuan Ming said.
"You are among my few friends, and you have given me some of the most joy. I cannot accept that you will be implicated because of me."
"I don't care!" Zhu Zhuqing said.
"I care," Xuan Ming said.
"If you really want to help me, then listen to me, okay?"
"..."
"I understand." Zhu Zhuqing slowly released her grip on Xuan Ming and looked up at him.
Xuan Ming opened his mouth, as if to say something, but Zhu Zhuqing suddenly raised her hands, grabbed his head, stood on tiptoe, and charged forward!
" Zhu Zhuqing, you have no martial ethics!"
Ning Rongrong, who was spying from a short distance away, suddenly shouted loudly.
Hold her head and kiss her, then she won't be able to escape!
Why didn't she think of that before!
" Zhu Zhuqing!"
Before Ning Rongrong could say anything more, a furious shout suddenly came from the other side of the woods. Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu subconsciously turned their heads to look, only to see that Dai Mubai had also arrived there at some point.
However, his expression at this moment was not one of watching the spectacle.
Upon hearing Dai Mubai's voice, Zhu Zhuqing paused slightly before continuing.
Zhu Zhuqing's kiss was both innocent and passionate, as if she had used up all her courage and strength. She held Xuan Ming tightly, as if she wanted to hold onto this moment forever.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai was completely enraged, "It seems you really intend to betray Star Luo Empire!"
Xuan Ming frowned slightly, and the tiny ice crystals instantly took shape in the air, turning into countless ice needles that rained down on Dai Mubai like a storm.
Upon seeing this, Dai Mubai's expression changed drastically. He quickly released his Martial Soul, the White Tiger, and launched his first and third Soul Skill in succession. His body swelled up and was enveloped in a layer of golden light. At the same time, he activated his second Soul Skill, and the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave blasted towards countless ice needles.
But this skill was clearly no match for thousands of ice needles.
Just as Dai Mubai was in dire straits, a fiery red figure rushed out of the forest like lightning, carrying a scorching aura, and stood in front of Dai Mubai.
Before she could unleash another burst of flames to defend herself, the countless ice needles froze in mid-air, turning into ice flowers and shattering.
Liu Erlong was slightly taken aback. "You brat! Don't you know how to go easy on me?"
If she hadn't come out, Dai Mubai would have really died under this icy drizzle!
Ah Rou, who had been hiding in the shadows with Liu Erlong watching the commotion, also came out, but she didn't say anything and just stood quietly to the side.
Dai Mubai, clutching his arm where the ice needles had grazed him, glared angrily. " Zhu Zhuqing, don't forget your place! You're from the Zhu Family family of the Star Luo Empire, and you're engaged to me!"
Zhu Zhuqing slowly released Xuan Ming, her cheeks still flushed. She glanced back at Dai Mubai, about to say something, when Xuan Ming stepped in front of her. "If you die, would Star Luo Empire bother me because of a dead person?"
Dai Mubai's expression froze. "I am the Third Prince of the Star Luo Empire, you..."
Xuan Ming flashed past Liu Erlong and grabbed Dai Mubai by the neck. "This old threat again, I'm sick of it."
" Star Luo Empire? A million-strong army? Can they save you now?"
Dai Mubai's face turned bright red as Xuan Ming gripped his throat. His legs kicked wildly in the air, his eyes filled with anger and resentment, but he was unable to break free because he was restrained.
He forced out a few words through gritted teeth. "You... dare... kill me..."
Xuan Ming exerted a little force, Dai Mubai's face began to turn purple. "I said back in Suotuo City that I only have one patience left. After that, it's a different story."
Do you think I'm joking?
Upon seeing this, Liu Erlong was startled and quickly stepped forward to dissuade him. " Xuan Ming, he is still a student of Shrek. Even for my sake, please spare his life, okay?"
Xuan Ming glanced at Liu Erlong, "Are you sure?"
Liu Erlong was slightly taken aback. Before she could say anything, a chilling electric shock suddenly rang out, accompanied by a flash of blue-purple lightning. A figure appeared in front of everyone like Gui Mei in an instant.
The newcomer was none other than Yu Luomian. His face was ashen, and he exuded a terrifying aura. His fierce presence made everyone present feel a chill run down their spines.
" Xuan Ming! You really are here!" Yu Luomian's eyes widened in anger as she stared intently at Xuan Ming, her eyes seemingly spitting fire.
Xuan Ming glanced at Yu Luomian, "Who are you?"
"I am Yu Luomian, an elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!" Yu Luomian said coldly.
"Oh? Is something the matter?" Xuan Ming asked casually.
"What is it?" Yu Luomian laughed angrily. "You still have the nerve to ask! You colluded with the Spirit Hall, broke into the forbidden area of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and stole a treasure. If you don't hand it over today, don't even think about leaving alive!"
Everyone was shocked by these words.
"Old man, you're not here to cause trouble, are you?" Liu Erlong frowned.
"What is the connection between Xuan Ming and the Spirit Hall? And why would he break into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to steal some treasure?"
"Exactly! You need evidence to back up your claims!" Ning Rongrong couldn't help but say.
"Evidence?" Yu Luomian sneered. "That day, Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo deliberately attracted attention in front of my sect's gate, and Pope Bibi Dong personally led you into the forbidden area. Isn't that evidence? Xuan Ming, don't think that by denying it to the death, this matter will be over!"
"I admit it," Xuan Ming said calmly.
"..."
Yu Luomian was stunned for a moment because Xuan Ming admitted it so readily, but he quickly sneered, "Hmph, you do have some backbone. Since you admit it, hand over the treasure and come back with me to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to face your punishment!"
"I'll hand it over, but you have to tell me what your lost treasure is," Xuan Ming said.
Yu Luomian frowned, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. "Don't try anything funny. This treasure is a secret artifact passed down for a thousand years by my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. You don't need to know its specifics; just hand it over!"
Xuan Ming's lips curled into a mocking smile. "I don't even know what I'm handing over, how can I hand it over? Or are you framing me and trying to use this opportunity to get back at me?"
Yu Luomian roared, "Insolence! How could I falsely accuse you! That treasure is of utmost importance to my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If you don't hand it over, you will be making an enemy of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
This kid is just a Soul King, but after obtaining that thing, he was able to control the energy of the entire Thunder Valley all by himself and repel a group of sect elders, including Sect Master Yu Yuanzhen!
If we can take it back, the decline of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will surely be reversed!
Chapter 200 The Winter's Wrath Ice Seal
Xuan Ming remained calm. "You can't even say what you lost. You say you lost a priceless treasure? Then it's like if I saw something good in someone's house, I could just say it's my long-lost family heirloom?"
Yu Luomian trembled with rage, his body crackling with blue-purple lightning. "You clever and eloquent brat! If I don't capture you today, what will become of the prestige of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
"Old man! What do you mean!" Flames suddenly erupted from Liu Erlong's body, blocking Yu Luomian's path.
" Erlong! Get out of the way!" Yu Luomian shouted in a low voice.
"I must take this kid back today!"
After saying that, blue-purple lightning flashed wildly on Yu Luomian's body, and thick bolts of lightning swirled around him like dragons, emitting deafening roars.
With a wave of his hands, the lightning bolts shot towards Xuan Ming like arrows, tearing the air apart and emitting sharp whistling sounds wherever they passed.
Xuan Ming's lips curled up slightly as he Dai Mubai as a shield in front of him.
Dai Mubai was startled by this sudden action, his eyes widening in shock. He burst into a tirade. " Xuan Ming, you despicable scoundrel!"
He struggled desperately, but Xuan Ming was incredibly strong, and he couldn't break free at all.
Seeing this, Yu Luomian hurriedly stopped her attack. The originally fierce lightning stopped abruptly just inches away from Dai Mubai, and then dissipated in the air like fireworks.
"Oh? Not bad control." Xuan Ming said casually, seemingly praising him, but his face betrayed undisguised disappointment.
Yu Luomian's face turned ashen, and she gritted her teeth, saying, " Xuan Ming, how could you be so shameless!"
This kid is the Star Luo Empire. If he really dies at his hands, it will be a big problem for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
"Don't mind it, it was just a joke." Xuan Ming chuckled and casually tossed Dai Mubai aside.
Dai Mubai, feeling utterly powerless, collapsed to the ground in a disheveled state. He glared fiercely at Xuan Ming, about to say something, when a chilling aura suddenly shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head!
To everyone's astonishment, Dai Mubai was completely enveloped in an icy blue hue, looking like a little ice man.
But in the next instant, a restless, fiery aura rose rapidly, and Dai Mubai turned fiery red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Extreme cold and extreme heat surged alternately, and the intense pain prevented Dai Mubai from making a sound. He could only clench his fists, curl up on the ground, and struggle.
Seeing Dai Mubai's miserable state, Liu Erlong was shocked. He disregarded his confrontation with Yu Luomian and flashed to Dai Mubai's side. Flames surged around him as he tried to alleviate Dai Mubai's pain from alternating extreme cold and heat with his own blazing Soul Power.