Soul Land—Chapter 12: "Sister"
Zhu Zhuyun transformed into a faint light and rushed forward, her claws aimed directly at Ling Qianyao's chest.
Soul power fluctuations surged—level 28!
Ling Qianyao's heart sank slightly. The results of his astrology indicated that he wouldn't face a major crisis, but he couldn't remain passive in this fight.
'Next time, when I get the soul ring, I'll show this future sister-in-law a thing or two!'
Seven acupuncture points along his spine lit up in succession, illuminating the stars: Celestial Pivot Star, Celestial Jade Star, Heavenly Secret Star, Heavenly Power Star, Jade Scale Star, Bright Opening Star, and Radiant Light Star in the sword grid.
His attack, defense, speed, fighting spirit, and mental strength were all increased by 10%, one after another.
This comprehensive boost gave him more than just a doubling of his overall combat power.
He slightly adjusted his stance; before Zhu Zhuyun's claws could reach him, he bent his right elbow, lifted his left palm, and positioned the Star-Breaking Sword in front of him.
"Ping——"
He executed a steady parry!
"This..." Zhu Zhuyun was momentarily stunned. Given her soul power level, even if her first soul skill was slightly held back, it should not have been so easily blocked!
"Hmph, you underestimated me too much, sister!"
Zhu Zhuyun gritted her teeth. Who was this brat calling her 'sister'? She applied more force to her claws, aiming to suppress Ling Qianyao.
Ling Qianyao swiftly turned, using the momentum to counterattack with a bow step that targeted a gap between Zhu Zhuyun's ribs.
Zhu Zhuyun reacted quickly, retreating to the side just in time to dodge Ling Qianyao's fierce attack. "Not bad," she sneered. "No wonder the little leopard who got the soul ring couldn't beat you."
She changed her tactics again, spinning rapidly as her cat claws drew silver trails through the air, sweeping toward Ling Qianyao like a whirlwind.
Ling Qianyao's eyes narrowed. He lightly touched the tip of his sword to the ground, using the force to leap into the air and execute a kite-like flip, positioning himself above Zhu Zhuyun and avoiding the whirlwind-like assault.
At the same time, he turned the sword, launching a series of swift strikes that targeted Zhu Zhuyun's waist.
"Hmm?"
Zhu Zhuyun's expression changed slightly as she sensed something was off. She withdrew her attack just in time, narrowly avoiding Ling Qianyao's strikes but still getting grazed by his sword.
"You little brat!——"
A flash of anger crossed Zhu Zhuyun's eyes. She felt a soreness spreading through her waist where Ling Qianyao had struck, her soul power becoming unwieldy.
"Don't you have healing medicine? Use it quickly," Ling Qianyao panted heavily. His earlier effort had consumed most of his soul power.
Zhu Zhuyun's expression shifted repeatedly. A soul master without a soul ring had confronted a level 28 agility system soul master head-on and hadn't lost—she was the one who had been injured.
Even if she had let up a little, this was completely unexpected.
If Ling Qianyao's cultivation level was the same as hers, she had no doubt she would have been defeated within three moves.
"Hmph." Zhu Zhuyun exited the state of martial soul possession, retrieved a healing medicine from her storage bracelet, and applied it to her waist.
"Why did your fighting power suddenly improve just now?" Zhu Zhuyun inquired, studying the sword guard of the Star-Breaking Sword with curiosity.
Ling Qianyao rolled his eyes. "Do you think the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's Master would tell me the method of distraction control if I asked?"
"Tsk." Zhu Zhuyun gritted her teeth. This kid was far too arrogant. Did he think he could act recklessly just because his sister had fallen?
Sure enough, this guy was a born troublemaker!
"Hey, hey, hey? What are you doing? I don't have much soul power left, and taking advantage of others is hardly gentlemanly behavior!"
"I'm a woman; you're nothing!"
"Duang~" Zhu Zhuyun punched Ling Qianyao's chest fiercely. Though she didn't use her soul power, she was merely venting her frustration.
Ling Qianyao staggered back a few steps after absorbing the punch, falling to the ground, holding his chest and grinning.
"Hmph." Zhu Zhuyun dusted herself off and threw a red card at Ling Qianyao. "There are 100,000 gold soul coins in that card."
Ling Qianyao raised an eyebrow, accepted the card, and stored it in his storage ring.
Zhu Zhuyun narrowed her eyes. "This is for you to take care of my sister. You aren't keeping it all for yourself, are you?"
Ling Qianyao coughed lightly. "Zhuqing is like family to me; I'd never keep it all. But your punch earlier did hurt a little. After this small compensation, there won't be much left. You'll have to contribute more."
"Otherwise," he added, "you can give it to her yourself."
"Haha," Zhu Zhuyun scoffed. "If I could give it to her myself, why would I need you as a middleman? The black-hearted intermediary wants to take all the benefits directly, right?"
So, she passed Ling Qianyao another 25,000 gold soul coins.
"Star-Breaking Sword, a very good name, and a very powerful martial soul. Ling Qianyao, you already know the rules set by the Star Luo Imperial Family. Tell me, what will you do?"
"Rules are always made by the strong, and the truth lies only on the sword's edge," Ling Qianyao replied solemnly.
Zhu Zhuyun nodded. "That's a good philosophy, but you don't have the luxury of time to grow stronger.
Aside from intelligence level and strength assessment, the imperial family has set a deadline of 25 years. The winner will be decided at the Elite Competition of Advanced Soul Masters on the Continent.
Dai Weisi and I are 7 and 6 years older than you, respectively. By then, you'll only be about 18 years old and won't be able to change the rules in your favor.
So I have just one expectation for you: protect her and take her away."
Ling Qianyao frowned. "You've been planning this for a long time, haven't you? Forcing Zhu Zhuqing to leave and escape the Star Luo Empire, then mediating for her safety."
"Sometimes, being too clever can backfire," Zhu Zhuyun said lightly. "Knowing too much isn't good for you.
But since you've already figured it out, I'll share something with you. Yes, I realized a long time ago that according to the rules of the Star Luo Imperial Family, Zhuqing would meet a tragic end. I don't want that outcome, and I don't want my sister to become a casualty."
"Instead of letting her die, it's better to plant the seeds of hatred in her heart early—let her hate me, let her have the motivation to become stronger, and the reason to leave."
"So you chose me?"
"It wasn't me who chose you; it was Zhuqing who chose you," Zhu Zhuyun corrected. "She has an unusual trust and dependence on you that I cannot change.
Moreover, I believe you can protect her—at least it's far better than her facing it alone. I am well aware of the changes occurring in Zhuqing's body. If her special martial soul ability can be awakened, it would be wonderful if she could surpass me in strength."
Zhu Zhuyun fixed her gaze on Ling Qianyao, whose expression shifted slightly. She then admonished, "Stop looking at me like that."
"Heh," Ling Qianyao rubbed his chin. "Is this your conspiracy to sell your sister out?"
Zhu Zhuyun narrowed her eyes, stepped closer to Ling Qianyao, placed her hands on his shoulders, and smiled innocently. "Everything about me remains the same, and you are not to reveal a single word of this to Zhuqing, understand?"
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(End of this chapter)