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Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi had roughly the same level of innate soul power. However, since Dai Weisi was a few years older, as long as he followed the standard cultivation process, his soul power would inevitably surpass Dai Mubai's.
Moreover, due to the support Dai Weisi received from court ministers, he had access to far more cultivation resources.
This widening gap made it even less likely for Dai Mubai to prevail.
"These are not things I need to consider," Zhu Zhuqing replied, her tone icy.
Ning Tianchen pressed on, "Then do you think that with the forces under Zhu Zhuyun's control, she'd allow you to escape to the Balak Kingdom?"
Zhu Zhuyun commanded countless powerful individuals, yet none of them could subdue Zhu Zhuqing, who was only at Rank 27. Was that really possible?
Ultimately, the truth was that Zhu Zhuyun didn't want to see her sisters fight to the death. She allowed Zhu Zhuqing to leave the turbulent center of the Star Luo Empire.
"You still haven't understood Zhu Zhuyun's intentions. If you want to become Empress, do you plan to ally with Dai Mubai and fight your way back into the Star Luo Empire? Leaving aside whether Dai Mubai has the strength to do so, do you really want to turn against your own sister?"
The imperial succession system of the Star Luo Empire originally had no bearing on the Zhu family. It was only because of their arranged marriages to the princes that they became entangled in the struggle for the throne.
"By joining the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, you may lose the chance to become Empress, but at least you'll live comfortably for the rest of your life. Furthermore, you won't have to worry about lacking cultivation resources."
"Will you return to the Star Luo Empire and play out a tragic sibling rivalry, or will you heed Zhu Zhuyun's intentions and stay in the Tian Dou Empire? The choice is yours."
Though Zhu Zhuqing harbored deep resentment toward Zhu Zhuyun, after Ning Tianchen's explanation, she began to see some hints of the truth.
For instance, before escaping to the Balak Kingdom, Zhu Zhuyun had sent several Soul Emperors to "hunt" her. Yet, these Soul Emperors had deliberately kept their distance and even subtly guided her along the way.
With the perception abilities of Soul Emperors, tracking down a Great Soul Master should have been effortless, yet none of them attacked her.
Could it be true, as Ning Tianchen said?
Zhu Zhuqing's resolve began to waver.
She didn't want to face a conflict with her sister either.
Unconsciously, tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes.
"It's impossible. I'm a member of the Zhu family of Star Luo, and I'm bound by my marriage contract with Dai Mubai. Joining the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect would only bring trouble to you."
Ning Tianchen responded, "The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect is stronger than you imagine. Besides, since Zhu Zhuyun willingly let you go, she would be pleased to see you find such a safe haven. As for other matters, you don't need to worry—someone will handle everything for you."
"After this spirit hunt is over, Rongrong and I will return to the sect. We can't delay here for too long. Now, give me your answer."
After a moment of hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing finally nodded and agreed to Ning Tianchen's proposal.
However, she did set one condition: if the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect ever came into conflict with the Zhu family of Star Luo, she would immediately leave the sect.
As for cultivation resources, Zhu Zhuqing preferred to earn them through her own efforts rather than rely on handouts.
These minor conditions were of little consequence, and Ning Tianchen agreed without hesitation.
Zhu Zhuqing's innate soul power was only at Level 7, which fell short of the sect's unconditional nurturing standard. She indeed needed to complete sect missions to earn corresponding resources.
(Note: The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect unconditionally nurtures talents with innate soul power of Level 8 or higher.)
Ning Tianchen reminded her, "Don't mention this to the others. I'll notify you when it's time to leave."
Since this was essentially poaching talent, it was better not to let others know prematurely.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded in agreement.
---
When the two returned to the group, Tang San assumed Ning Tianchen had been working on Zhu Zhuqing's mindset and quickly asked, "Tianchen, how did it go? What about Zhuqing and Mubai's relationship?"
Ning Tianchen realized Tang San had misunderstood but decided to let the misunderstanding stand. "It was Mubai's fault from the start, and neither side was willing to back down, so there's nothing to discuss."
Tang San sighed. "My teacher will arrive at the academy soon. He should have a solution. Let's wait a bit longer."
"Oh? Xiao San, you've mentioned your 'teacher' many times. What kind of person is he?" Ning Tianchen asked curiously.
"My teacher, though his cultivation isn't particularly high, possesses extraordinary wisdom."
As Tang San spoke about Yu Xiaogang, he became animated and spoke nonstop, clearly filled with admiration.
Listening to him, Ning Tianchen couldn't help but smile inwardly. "It seems Yu Xiaogang has thoroughly brainwashed him."
In this light, it made sense why Yu Xiaogang wasn't brought into the God Realm.
When Tang San was young, he obediently followed Yu Xiaogang's instructions, but the soul rings Yu Xiaogang obtained for him were among the worst of the worst. He even used Tang San to test his theories.
Once Tang San gained more experience, it was only a matter of time before he realized the truth. By then, while he might not hate Yu Xiaogang, their relationship would never return to what it once was.
From this perspective, leaving Yu Xiaogang out of the God Realm seemed justifiable.
---
The absorption of Oscar's spirit ring lasted three hours.
By the time he finished, it was already afternoon.
"Oscar, how are your soul skills?" Zhao Wuji asked.
Everyone looked at him expectantly.
Oscar hesitated for a moment, glancing awkwardly at the group. "Maybe we should skip it?"
"Xiao Ao, what are you afraid of? Are you worried we'll laugh at you?" Ma Hongjun couldn't help but interject.
"That's right! Stop being so indecisive. Are you even a man?" Xiao Wu placed her hands on her hips and huffed.
"The Crested Phoenix Serpent possessed flight and berserk abilities. Oscar's soul skill should have inherited one of those capabilities," Ning Tianchen mused, stroking his chin.
Oscar explained, "It's the flight ability, but at my current level, I can only sustain flight for one minute."
"Hmph, only one minute of flight? What good is that?" Ma Hongjun dismissed it.
"Flight ability." Ning Rongrong covered her mouth, her expression one of astonishment.
"Rongrong, what's wrong?" Tang San asked, puzzled.
He also thought Oscar's soul skill was rather useless, so why was the young lady of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect so surprised?
"According to records within the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, very few auxiliary-type soul masters on the continent possess soul skills that grant others the ability to fly," Ning Tianchen explained. "Therefore, Oscar's soul skill is truly a rare and exceptional existence."
"This impressive?" The group exclaimed in unison.
For soul masters without flight-based martial souls, most could only achieve flight by relying on leg-type spirit bones or reaching the Title Douluo level.
Seeing everyone's astonished expressions, Oscar felt a surge of satisfaction.
"Ahem." Clearing his throat, he continued, "I'm not done yet. My third soul skill allows me to fly at the speed of the Crested Phoenix Serpent for one minute!"
Though the duration of flight was short, the speed was incredible. Moreover, as Oscar's soul power increased in the future, the duration of flight would extend significantly.
In this light, it was undoubtedly an exceptionally powerful soul skill.
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