Soul Land—Chapter 11: Zhu Zhuyun's Test
In the back mountain, Ling Qianyao walked along the familiar path and came to the bluestone tablet. He took out the items from the package one by one, placed them in front of the bluestone tablet, and cleared the weeds and dead branches surrounding it.
Kneeling, he clasped his hands together and silently expressed his thoughts and recent life. The wind blew gently, carrying the unique, fresh breath of the mountains and forests, as if listening to his voice.
After a long time, Ling Qianyao slowly stood up, packed his things, and walked down the mountain.
As he neared the mountainside, he suddenly sensed something strange. The feeling of being watched made him stop involuntarily. He looked back, but only saw the shadows of trees dancing in the forest—everything seemed normal.
However, the alertness in his heart did not dissipate; it became stronger.
He summoned the Star-Breaking Sword, concealing its presence under the Star-Hiding Skill.
"Astrology."
The tip of the sword scratched the ground, determining the positions of the three talents of heaven, earth, and man. The Heavenly Secret Star in the sword grid flickered with a faint light.
The stars appeared, revealing only a few faint starlights around the Heavenly Secret Star, looming just out of reach.
The light of the Heavenly Secret Star itself signaled uneasiness and restlessness, but it wasn't the violent flashing that foreshadowed disaster; it resembled a faint fluctuation, like a gentle breeze touching the water.
The starlight around it was shrouded in mist.
"There is indeed danger, but it is not fatal. It feels more like a potential threat or hidden danger, perhaps even a secret spy." Ling Qianyao stared at the Heavenly Secret Star in the sword frame, his eyebrows raised slightly as he understood the results of the astrology in his heart. "Tsk." Ling Qianyao's eyes shifted, and he changed direction, walking along the mountainside to the back of the mountain. When he arrived at a mountain spring, he stopped and sat on a rock. Looking at the empty surroundings, he said, "I've followed you all this way. Don't you want to come out and see me?" No one responded.
"Am I overthinking this? Too sensitive?"
Ling Qianyao scratched his head, pretending to be indifferent. He jumped off the rock and said as he walked, "Forget it. Forget it. Speaking of which, the eldest daughter of the Zhu family is really easy to deceive. She's going home with me now. Ha, so silly."
As soon as his voice fell, there seemed to be a subtle change in the forest. A breeze blew, and the leaves rustled. Then, a figure slowly emerged from behind a tree, coming into Ling Qianyao's sight. The person was dressed in black, and her face was hidden under a hood, obscuring her features.
A cold female voice rang out, "Despicable provocation, born of evil."
Ling Qianyao stopped and looked at her with a sharp gaze. "But it's useful, isn't it? Let me guess, Zhu Zhuyun?"
The person suddenly fell silent, and after a moment, she spoke again, "You'd better give me a reasonable explanation; otherwise..."
As she spoke, she removed the hood of her black clothes, revealing her true face.
The girl was about 1.75 meters tall, with short black hair, and her skin was as white and smooth as mutton-fat jade. The tight leather jacket accentuated her figure, making her look extremely attractive. She bore an 80% resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing, but her eyes were sharper and lacked the coldness of Zhu Zhuqing, exuding a more regal demeanor.
It was Zhu Zhuyun, who was seven years older than Zhu Zhuqing and now 13 years old.
At that moment, she crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes flashing with a dangerous light as she stared intently at Ling Qianyao as if looking at a yellow-haired boy who had stolen treasure from her family. "You are quite courageous. You kidnapped my sister first. You knew I was tailing you, yet you dared to provoke me to come out. Aren't you afraid I will kill you? You are just a part-time student. Even if you're famous and valued by many in the academy, I have a way to make you disappear from this world."
"Heh," Ling Qianyao did not show any weakness as he maintained eye contact. "We're all smart people here. Everyone can say harsh words. If you wanted to take action, you should have done it earlier. Why waste time with unnecessary talk? You even let Zhuqing come to my house, adding to the trouble? While Zhuqing can't see the situation clearly, I can. Miss Zhu Zhuyun, are you cold on the outside but warm on the inside?"
"Tsk."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun narrowed her eyes. Ling Qianyao had made his point clear, directly stating the truth she had been hiding. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.
Looking at Ling Qianyao's half-smile, she felt her anger boil. She had just relaxed her vigilance over Zhu Zhuqing because she was on the brink of a breakthrough in her soul power level when Zhu Zhuqing entered school.
Once her practice was finished, she found Ling Qianyao standing beside her sister.
While having someone to comfort Zhu Zhuqing during a dark time in her life was beneficial, the older Zhu Zhuyun understood the implications of having such a boy around Zhu Zhuqing.
If it weren't for Zhu Zhuqing's rapid improvement in practice and combat skills after spending time with Ling Qianyao, she would have seriously considered having her sister transfer to another academy.
However, thinking of Dai Mubai, who had recently become a playboy and was gathering resources to abscond, filled her with helplessness and concern once again.
In contrast, although Ling Qianyao held a low status, he appeared to be genuinely sincere toward Zhu Zhuqing, making her view him more favorably to some extent.
Now, he also seemed clever, able to deduce the truth of many matters.
He was talented too. The latest news indicated that he had a sword-type martial soul with an acquired positive mutation. If he could showcase his talent to reach the Soul Douluo realm in the future, he might mediate the situation and help prevent her sister's demise.
Considering all these factors, Zhu Zhuyun had chosen to allow Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing to grow closer. A few days earlier, she had applied pressure on Zhu Zhuqing at home, leaving her no choice but to go home with Ling Qianyao during the holidays.
The purpose was to evaluate this unruly kid who might become her brother-in-law. To her surprise, Ling Qianyao had turned the tables and refused to play along.
"Heh," Zhu Zhuyun clenched her fists, "Very smart. I'm glad you can think of so many things, but I'm not at all pleased with your arrogant demeanor. Let me teach you a lesson first!"
With that, she summoned her martial soul. The moment the Hell Spirit Cat possessed her, Zhu Zhuyun's figure became more agile, her hands transforming into sharp claws.
Two yellow soul rings rose from beneath her feet, radiating the pressure of a great soul master.
"If I get hurt, it will be hard to explain to Zhuqing, right?"
"Hmph, I will pay attention to my strength. Your sister brought healing medicine; I guarantee there will be no scars. Stand still!"
'She brought healing medicine. Did she expect that I would find her, or did she plan to beat me up from the start?'
'Is this the danger predicted by the Heavenly Secret Star?'
'Damn it!'
As Ling Qianyao watched Zhu Zhuyun leap toward him, he cursed inwardly for not adhering to martial ethics.
The Star-Breaking Sword in his hand revealed its true form, and he quickly took a stance, ready to face Zhu Zhuyun's attack. Although lacking the enhancement of a soul ring, he was determined not to give up easily, relying on his exceptional talent and fighting skills.
Zhu Zhuyun noticed Ling Qianyao's action, raised the corner of her mouth slightly, and nodded gently.
"First soul skill, Hell Rush Stab!"
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(End of this chapter)