With both ancient wisdom and modern understanding on his side, Lin Bai continued to study a single dark-attribute martial spirit. His strength might have been lacking, but his comprehension of dark rules far exceeded his cultivation level.
The room remained silent for half an hour before a crisp knock on the door broke the stillness.
"Second young lady, the master of the house requests your presence in the study."
Zhu Zhuqing stopped practicing. Her deep, dark eyes flickered for a moment before she responded calmly. "I understand."
Lin Bai was pulled from his thoughts, irritation rising within him. If he hadn't been in Zhu Zhuqing's presence, he would have cursed Zhu Lingtian until his ears burned.
"Do you know what your father wants?" Lin Bai asked.
Zhu Zhuqing paused slightly before answering, her voice indifferent. "I've never truly understood him."
With that, she left her room and made her way to Zhu Lingtian's study at an unhurried pace.
Inside, Zhu Lingtian sat behind his desk, two cups of steaming tea placed before him. He looked up as she entered. "Xiao Qing, come and sit. It's been a long time since we've had a proper conversation. Let's take this chance to talk."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her gaze. "Please forgive me, Father."
She wasn't sure how she felt, but the resentment in her heart hadn't faded.
Lin Bai remained silent, watching through Zhu Zhuqing's field of vision as the tension between them grew.
Zhu Lingtian sighed inwardly. He had never been good at expressing emotions. If his wife were still alive, she might have been able to bridge this gap between them.
"Your engagement with Dai Mubai has been annulled. From now on, you're free to choose your own path."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression remained calm. Her beautiful eyes rested on the tea in front of her, watching the surface ripple slightly.
Zhu Lingtian continued, his voice steady. "From now on, I will personally train you for three days each month until you break through to the second ring."
He paused before adding, "When you were about ten years old, the Dai family made it clear that they wouldn't allow you to stay with us if your martial spirit was deemed unsuitable for inheritance. Once that time comes, you'll either be sent to study in the Tiandou Empire or enter into another marriage contract with a Star Luo prince."
"No," Zhu Zhuqing said flatly. "I'll go to the Tiandou Empire."
After escaping one arranged engagement, she had no intention of trading it for another—especially not with someone of lesser talent.
Zhu Lingtian had expected this. He had come to understand his daughter better today, recognizing her strong aversion to being controlled. Her decision didn't surprise him.
Truthfully, he wasn't willing to see her married off to the royal family either.
The past was the past. Things had changed.
Before, Zhu Zhuqing had been talented, but her potential had never matched that of the Dai family's prince. Now, however, her martial soul had mutated and evolved. There was a high chance she would reach the level of a Titled Douluo. Even if she left for the Tiandou Empire, she would always remain part of the Zhu family in the end.
"Very well," Zhu Lingtian said. "I respect your decision. Do you have any questions about your cultivation? I won't be returning to the military camp today, so I can clarify any doubts you have."
Lin Bai's interest was piqued. He had limitless potential but lacked the guidance of a powerful soul master. Zhu Lingtian, though only a Soul Douluo, was more than qualified to teach them.
"Don't refuse," Lin Bai urged. "Ask about techniques for using dark-attribute soul skills. You might gain some valuable insights."
Zhu Zhuqing had initially resisted, but after hearing Lin Bai's words, she set aside her reservations. She nodded and asked Zhu Lingtian for guidance.
Zhu Lingtian was pleased to teach her. He found himself impressed by her ability to grasp concepts quickly, often drawing inferences from a single explanation. It secretly alarmed him, but it also motivated him to teach with even greater dedication.
Lin Bai, too, absorbed the lessons with incredible speed. His understanding, enhanced by his unique perception, allowed him to process and clarify Zhu Lingtian's teachings for Zhu Zhuqing.
Time passed swiftly. As night fell, Zhu Lingtian glanced outside and noted the late hour. He picked up his now-cold tea, taking a slow sip. "That's enough for today. I have matters to attend to at the military camp tomorrow. Come see me the day after."
"Understood," Zhu Zhuqing replied simply.
She left the study and walked alone through the backyard, her thoughts unreadable.
At the door to her room, two young maids stood waiting.
"Miss, we were sent by the head of the family to serve you," one of them said.
This was the treatment a legitimate daughter of the Zhu family should have received all along. Previously, however, her personal maid had been taken away by Zhu Zhuyun for reasons unknown.
Zhu Zhuqing considered refusing but then reconsidered. She would be dedicating herself to long hours of training and would need someone to handle mundane tasks for her.
"Bring me a basin of hot water. I want to bathe."
She had traveled overnight from the Soul Hunting Forest. Even with Zhu Si and Zhu Wu, who were both at the Soul Saint level, she still felt grimy.
"Then have a good rest. I'll return tomorrow," Lin Bai said before withdrawing his soul body.
Zhu Zhuqing gave a faint hum in response, but no further words came. When she realized he was truly gone, a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes. She shook her head, undressed, and stepped into the bath.
The night passed in silence.
---
At Xiahe Village, Lin Bai woke up feeling well-rested. He stretched before stepping outside his small hut.
"That was a good sleep," he muttered to himself. "Zhu Zhuqing must be exhausted—she hasn't started practicing yet. Noting College starts today, so I should head over to report."
Xiahe Village was close to Notting City, only half a day's journey by ox cart. But Lin Bai was much faster. With his soul power shifting seamlessly between yin and yang, combined with his powerful dragon-blood-enhanced body, he reached the college in just half an hour.
It was early in the morning, and the campus was quiet. Even Xiao Wu was nowhere to be seen.
After settling in and dusting himself off, Lin Bai felt a familiar pull on his soul. He relaxed, allowing his soul body to separate and merge into Zhu Zhuqing's consciousness once more. His physical body, now unoccupied, moved sluggishly in response.
Inside Zhu Zhuqing's mind, he immediately sensed the dense dark energy surrounding her. She was training diligently, following the methods he had suggested. Satisfied, he said nothing and joined her in silent cultivation.
---
The days that followed settled into a routine. Lin Bai spent each morning training with Zhu Zhuqing, deepening his understanding of dark elements. Afternoons were dedicated to practicing the Yin-Yang Nine Dragons technique, and evenings were spent studying the Thirteen Needles of the Ghost Gate.
Three months passed this way.
By then, Lin Bai had reached a bottleneck in his comprehension of dark elements. His understanding was solid, but Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation was still too weak to fully display the potential of her Shadow Cat King martial soul.
One day, after a training session, Lin Bai spoke.
"I'm leaving. If nothing unexpected happens, I won't be coming back."
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned.
Three months ago, she had been distant and indifferent. But as time passed, her conversations with Lin Bai had become more open. In front of outsiders, including Zhu Lingtian, she had grown even colder, speaking less and less. With Lin Bai, though, she had shared her thoughts freely.
Now that he was leaving, she found herself at a loss for words.
*******
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