With his meeting with Zhu Zhuqing concluded and a small seed of connection planted, Song Qing didn't linger in the vicinity of the Zhu family estate. He knew that staying any longer would increase the risk of his presence being discovered, potentially jeopardizing his future plans. He unleashed the full speed of his Abyssal Shadow Dash, becoming a fleeting shadow as he moved towards his next destination: the perilous Sunset Forest.
'The Sunset Forest… it's quite a distance,' he thought, his mind calculating the travel time. Even with his enhanced speed, covering the vast distance would likely take him close to a week. He didn't mind the journey, though. It gave him ample time to contemplate his next move and refine his understanding of the current situation. 'According to my memories, it should be around this time that Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and… perhaps Dugu Xin are all at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.'
The thought of Dugu Xin brought a slight frown to his young face. 'I can't quite recall if Dugu Bo's son is still alive at this point. The novel focused more on Dugu Yan. Regardless, the main targets are Dugu Bo and his granddaughter.' He remembered the immense power of Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo, a formidable Titled Douluo whose very presence could deter most enemies.
'He's currently stuck at the peak of Rank 89, isn't he?' Song Qing mused. 'Trying to break through that final barrier to become a true Titled Douluo. The poison in his body, and likely in Dugu Yan's too, must be a significant hindrance.' He recalled his last visit to the Sunset Forest with Bibi Dong. Even from a considerable distance, he had sensed a peculiar, highly concentrated poisonous mist hanging in the air.
'Teacher didn't seem to notice it,' he thought, a hint of intrigue in his mind. 'There must be some kind of powerful natural restriction around that area, masking its presence from even a Titled Douluo's senses.' He remembered the almost complete absence of spirit beasts in that vicinity during their previous visit. 'The poison must be potent enough to deter most creatures. That should make it easier for me to approach without being detected by too many spirit beasts.'
A subtle smile touched his lips as he considered the implications of this poisonous environment for his Primordial Life Tree Spirit. 'The passive ability of my second soul ring… Venomous Entanglement. It allows my spirit to absorb and store different types of poisons.' He could already envision the myriad possibilities. 'If I get my Primordial Life Tree Spirit enriched with the concentrated toxins from that area, it would become so much stronger, capable of producing a vast array of deadly poisons.'
'I could use them to subtly deal with any future enemies,' he thought, a hint of cunning in his eyes. 'A silent, untraceable way to eliminate threats without direct confrontation.' But his primary reason for heading towards the Dugu family wasn't malicious. It was, in fact, something he had been considering ever since he had awakened his Primordial Life Tree Spirit and acquired its first two soul rings.
'The passive ability of Verdant Embrace…' he pondered. 'It can adapt a person's physique to their Martial Spirit. Could it also help Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan overcome their inherent poison?' The thought sparked a genuine sense of hope within him. 'If it works, they would no longer be plagued by the debilitating effects of the poison that has tormented them for years.'
Even if Verdant Embrace wasn't a complete solution, he had another option. 'The passive ability of Venomous Entanglement allows my spirit to absorb poisons. I could potentially draw the poison out of their bodies.' He knew it would likely weaken them temporarily, but the prospect of living a healthier and longer life, free from the constant suffering caused by the poison, would surely be a welcome change. 'They might even be grateful enough to…'
His thoughts drifted to Dugu Bo. 'He's fiercely protective of his granddaughter. If I can genuinely help them, especially Dugu Yan, I might be able to gain the favor of a Titled Douluo. Having a powerhouse like the Poison Douluo as an ally, or even a guardian, would be incredibly beneficial in the long run.' A wry smile crossed his face. 'Not to mention, it would be quite ironic for the Poison Douluo to owe a favor to someone with a plant-based spirit.'
As Song Qing continued his rapid journey, his mind filled with plans and possibilities, he remained completely unaware of the ripples his brief encounter with Zhu Zhuqing had already created. Back in the Zhu family estate, the young girl, clutching the jade slip tightly in her hand, had sought out her mother, Mengshen.
Mengshen was a woman whose beauty was as undeniable as her mature and voluptuous figure. Her plump, yet toned, body exuded a motherly warmth, her large breasts and curvy physique hinting at a life lived fully. Her slender waist accentuated her feminine form, and her beautiful face, framed by dark, flowing hair, held a gentle yet discerning gaze. It was from her that both her daughters, Zhu Zhuyan and the younger Zhu Zhuqing, had inherited their striking looks.
Zhu Zhuqing approached her mother, who was overseeing some of the estate's affairs in a spacious study. "Mother," she began hesitantly, her small hand still clutching the jade slip hidden within her sleeve. "I… I heard a name today, and I was wondering if you knew anything about it."
Mengshen looked up from the documents she was reviewing, her eyes softening as she saw her youngest daughter. "Oh? What name is that, Zhuqing?" she asked gently, her voice carrying a melodious quality.
"It was… Song Qing," Zhu Zhuqing replied, trying to sound casual, her heart beating slightly faster than usual.
A flicker of surprise crossed Mengshen's beautiful face. "Song Qing? Where did you hear that name, my dear?" Her gaze became a little more probing, a mother's intuition sensing that there might be more to the question than her daughter was letting on.
Zhu Zhuqing had anticipated this question and had prepared a plausible, albeit slightly fabricated, answer. "Oh, it was just… one of the deacons at the Spirit Hall mentioned it during one of my recent visits for soul power assessments," she said, hoping her tone sounded convincing.
Mengshen studied her daughter's face for a moment, her sharp eyes searching for any sign of deception. However, Zhu Zhuqing had always been a clever and composed child, and she managed to maintain a neutral expression. After a brief pause, Mengshen seemed satisfied with the explanation. "Ah, Song Qing," she said, a thoughtful look on her face. "Yes, he is quite a remarkable young man."
Zhu Zhuqing's ears perked up at her mother's words. "Remarkable? How so, Mother?" she asked, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice.
"Well, my dear," Mengshen began, leaning back in her chair, "Song Qing is the most recent personal disciple taken in by the Pope of the Spirit Hall herself, Bibi Dong." Her words carried a sense of awe and respect.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened slightly, her mind racing. 'The Spirit Hall… he told me to find him there.' She hadn't realized the significance of that place at the time.
Mengshen continued, unaware of the internal turmoil her daughter was experiencing. "He apparently possessed a Full Innate Soul Power of Level 20 upon awakening his Martial Soul. Twenty! That is an unheard-of level of talent, surpassed only by a very select few in the history of our continent."
Zhu Zhuqing gasped inwardly. 'Full Innate Soul Power of 20? That's… incredible!' The boy she had met in the forest, who had so casually offered her training advice, was apparently a genius of unparalleled proportions.
"Such talent naturally caught the attention of the Pope," Mengshen continued, "and she personally took him as her disciple. His future potential is considered to be limitless. He is destined for greatness, Zhuqing."
Zhu Zhuqing was utterly shocked. She couldn't believe that the unassuming boy she had met in the forest, who had seemed so approachable and helpful, was actually such a prodigious talent, a personal disciple of the Pope herself. The jade slip hidden in her sleeve suddenly felt much heavier, imbued with a newfound significance.
'He didn't tell me who he was,' she thought, a wave of realization washing over her. 'He just told me to find him at the Spirit Hall.' She now understood the secrecy surrounding their meeting and the jade slip. He hadn't wanted her to reveal his identity prematurely.
A small, secret smile played on Zhu Zhuqing's lips. She clutched the jade slip even tighter, a feeling of excitement and anticipation bubbling within her. She had met someone truly extraordinary, and she had a way to find him again. She decided then and there that she would treasure the jade slip and the memory of their encounter, waiting for the day when she might have the opportunity to seek his help at the Spirit Hall in Martial Soul City.