388. Forces Gathered

Hearing Zhu Zhuyun's question, Zhu Zhuqing gently shook her head and replied firmly,
“Sister, my teacher and the others would never harm me or the Zhu family.”

As her words fell, Zhu Zhuyun’s astonished gaze landed on Zhu Zhuqing, who unexpectedly wore a genuine, heartfelt smile on her delicate face.

“As for any other motives,” Zhu Zhuqing continued, her voice soft but steady,
“Just like you said, I’m merely a discarded pawn. I actually hope that Teacher can make use of me—so I know I’m needed by him.

“So I know that I’m not just an abandoned child but someone who is useful, someone who has value.”

She lifted her gaze to meet Zhu Zhuyun’s, tilting her head slightly, her smile sincere, joyful, and filled with anticipation.

“Only then can I accept Teacher’s kindness without guilt,” she added sweetly, her voice light but resolute.

“Zhuqing...” Zhu Zhuyun opened her mouth, but her heart ached, her chest tightening at the sight of Zhu Zhuqing’s radiant smile.

Regret and pain bubbled up inside her, her nose tingling with suppressed emotion.

She wanted to say something, but the words stuck in her throat.

She couldn’t offer the same kind of care and concern she once could. Their relationship as sisters had already changed beyond recognition.

Zhu Zhuqing gradually withdrew her smile, her lips pressing together with a faint sweetness still lingering at their corners.

“Thank you for your reminder, Sister. I need to go train now—Teacher is waiting for me.”

“Goodbye, Sister.”

Zhu Zhuqing raised her delicate hand in a small wave, her expression tinged with bittersweetness. Turning away, she gracefully walked past Zhu Zhuyun, leaving her behind.

As their shoulders brushed, Zhu Zhuyun gritted her teeth and called out,
“Zhuqing! Do you even know what that bastard did to me—”

“Ah!”

Before she could finish, Zhu Zhuyun clutched her chest, her expression twisting in fear. She abruptly fell silent, her breaths shallow, cold sweat forming on her forehead.

“Hm?” Zhu Zhuqing paused mid-step, turning back to see Zhu Zhuyun bent over slightly, trembling.

Was Sister just cursing Teacher?

“...”

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing decided to ignore it and continued toward the Zhu family’s back mountain.

“Sister!” Zhu Zhuyun called out, quickly turning around and reaching out as if to hold her back.

But there was nothing she could grasp. She could only watch Zhu Zhuqing’s slender figure disappear into the distance.

Zhu Zhuqing paid no heed to her sister’s cries.

Perhaps what she had said earlier sounded self-deprecating, but it was her true feeling.

Her teacher treated her so well. She wanted to do something—anything—for him.

Only then could she feel at peace resting in his embrace.

Thinking of Qian Renjue, Zhu Zhuqing’s lips curled into a shy smile as she quickened her pace toward the back mountain.

Not long after, Zhu Zhuqing entered the small grove.

There, beneath a tall, crooked tree, two thick vines had been tied together to form a simple swing.

Her teacher was seated upon it, and behind him, Ling Yuan Douluo gently pushed the swing with a serene expression.

Seeing Qian Renjue like this, Zhu Zhuqing found nothing childish about him. Instead, she found it endearing and somewhat enviable.

With a crisp voice, she called out,
“Teacher!”

“Zhuqing, why are you late today?” Qian Renjue asked with a smile as the swing rocked gently.

“I was delayed talking with my sister,” Zhu Zhuqing admitted without hesitation.

She hurried forward, standing behind Qian Renjue, her lips curling into a soft smile as she spoke.
“Ling Yuan Douluo, please allow me to push instead.”

“Very well,” Ling Yuan replied, stepping aside with a faint smile.


Ling Yuan, both amused and exasperated, stepped aside to let Zhu Zhuqing take over her spot. She stood by and deftly retrieved a fruit platter, beginning to feed the slices to her teacher.

“Your sister?”
Qian Renjue asked with a hint of surprise on his face as he opened his mouth to accept a piece of dragon fruit from Ling Yuan.

“Yes,” Zhu Zhuqing replied truthfully, pushing Qian Renjue on the swing. “She found out about Teacher and Ling Yuan Douluo’s presence and worries that you might have ulterior motives.”

“Haha.”
Qian Renjue chuckled softly, clearly amused.

It seemed Zhu Zhuyun still cared deeply for Zhu Zhuqing.

“And what does Zhuqing think?”
Qian Renjue asked with a warm smile, showing no concern that Zhu Zhuyun might reveal the secret of the Mark of Darkness.

Zhu Zhuqing gently placed her hand on Qian Renjue’s strong back and answered earnestly,
“If Teacher has something he wishes to accomplish, Zhuqing is willing to help.”

A trace of satisfaction appeared on Qian Renjue’s face.

“For now, there’s nothing I need you to do. You’re still young—focus on your cultivation. When the time comes for a task, you’d better not let me down.”

Hearing his words, Zhu Zhuqing’s face lit up with a genuine smile, her heart leaping with joy. She nodded vigorously.

“Mm, Zhuqing will do her best!”

Knowing that Qian Renjue would give her tasks in the future gave her a sense of purpose. No longer did she have to feel like an abandoned pawn.

She was her teacher’s disciple! And her teacher was an extraordinary genius, on the verge of breaking through to Spirit Douluo at just under eighteen years old! She couldn’t afford to embarrass him.

“Good.”
Qian Renjue nodded lightly and added,
“Don’t overdo it. Whether in cultivation or otherwise, Teacher is always here.”

“Zhuqing understands,” she replied, lowering her head slightly.

Raising her hands, she caught the large, milky-green jujube that Qian Renjue passed back to her.

“Finish your fruit and start your training,” Qian Renjue instructed with a smile. “Today’s challenge is four times gravity. Once you’re done, Teacher will swing with you for a bit.”

Qian Renjue hadn’t forgotten that Zhu Zhuqing was still a child at heart.

Crunch!

Zhu Zhuqing bit into the jujube. Its slightly astringent skin gave way to crisp, juicy white flesh with a refreshing flavor. She raised her head, her gaze dreamy as she murmured,
“Teacher can enjoy swinging—Zhuqing likes pushing.”

“...”

Qian Renjue couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Ling Yuan Douluo shot Zhu Zhuqing an odd look.
This little girl was already spoiling His Highness this much at such a young age. What would happen when she grew up?!


---

Time passed slowly.

The teams from the Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou Empire arrived one after another in Spirit City for the tournament.

The Heaven Dou delegation was led by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, accompanied by Dugu Bo as the royal representative.

With someone as powerful as Dugu Bo present, Ning Fengzhi’s involvement wasn’t strictly necessary.

However, Ning Rongrong wanted to see her fiancé, and Ning Fengzhi had heard from her that Qian Renjue of Spirit Hall would be participating in this Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Curious and ever-indulgent toward his daughter, Ning Fengzhi decided to bring her along, guarded by Sword Douluo, to watch the competition.

Led by a red-robed bishop, the Heaven Dou Empire team stepped into the hexagonal layout of Spirit City.

Holding Ning Fengzhi’s hand, Ning Rongrong looked around curiously at the quiet streets and the imposing Central Divine Mountain.

Her bright eyes sparkled as she lifted her petite face, asking with excitement,
“Daddy, is this where Brother Holy Son grew up? Where does he live? How can we find him?”

“Don’t rush, Rongrong,” Ning Fengzhi chuckled indulgently, patting her hand.
“The competition starts tomorrow. We mustn’t wander around.”

“What?! That means I can’t see him until tomorrow?!”

Ning Rongrong pouted unhappily.

Amid the delegation, in the Thunderclap Academy group, Liu Erlong gazed up at the Central Divine Mountain. Her eyes carried both apprehension and anticipation.