387. This Is Fate

“Bastard!”

Only after the echoes of Qian Renjue’s departing words completely faded did Zhu Zhuyun grit her teeth and curse aloud. She had never suffered such humiliation before!

Turning toward the Zhu Family estate, she lifted her foot to leave.

But her sharp eyes soon noticed the damp patch of Blue Silver Grass on the ground.

Her face flushed red, and she bit her lip tightly.

“I won’t let you get away with this!”

However, before her hatred could fully bloom in her heart, Zhu Zhuyun suddenly felt a stabbing pain in her chest, sharp as needles piercing her.

Her face turned pale, and she panicked.

Clutching the source of the pain with one hand, she bent forward, groaning in distress.

Her eyes filled with terror as she hurriedly pleaded, “No! Please, no!”

The hatred in her mind dissipated in an instant.

Before she could even act out her defiance, it was crushed back down by the unbearable pain.

Sweat poured down her body, and she gasped for breath as she pressed her hand against her chest. Slowly, she pulled her collar open.

Lowering her gaze, she saw a dark mark etched on the smooth side of her chest.

The sight of it filled her with unease, even as her flushed face betrayed lingering humiliation.

She watched as the purple-black lines extending from the mark receded back into it.

Zhu Zhuyun felt as if she had narrowly escaped death.

The thought of experiencing such excruciating pain again was something she never wanted to entertain.

Calming herself, she quickly returned to the Zhu Family estate.

Upon arrival, she hesitated as her gaze turned toward Zhu Zhuqing’s direction but quickly decided to head straight for her own room.

Although Ah Yin had already tidied up for her, Zhu Zhuyun still felt a lingering discomfort in her heart. She needed to thoroughly cleanse herself.


---

The Next Morning

There were still two days before the various competition teams were due to arrive in Spirit City.

In a quiet room, Qian Renjue sat calmly on a sofa with Ling Yuan and Ah Yin attending to him.

Ling Yuan observed silently as Qian Renjue submerged a golden spirit bone into a black jar of liquor.

Ah Yin clung to Qian Renjue’s arm, leaning on his shoulder. Her elegant, bare shoulder slipped slightly, revealing a hint of allure.

She bared her fangs and lightly bit into his shoulder.

Her sharp teeth pierced his skin, drawing blood.

Ah Yin drank gently, her face flushed as if intoxicated. Her enchanting blue eyes drifted downward as she savored the moment.

“Your Highness, will we be heading to Star Luo today?” Ling Yuan asked softly as she nestled against Qian Renjue’s side.

Qian Renjue sealed the black jar in his hand and stored it back into his spatial system. He nodded lightly. “Yes, Zhuqing is already calling for me.”

“And what about Zhu Zhuyun?” Ling Yuan asked curiously.

“Leave her for now. I’ll deal with her after the Spirit Master Tournament ends,” Qian Renjue replied, his plan already decided.

He turned to look at the tipsy Ah Yin and shook his head with mild exasperation.

“Have you had enough?” he asked.

“Mm~” Ah Yin murmured playfully, her nose brushing his shoulder.

She slowly released her bite, her lips glistening with moisture.

Gently, she licked his shoulder clean, her tongue leaving a faint green glow as the puncture wounds quickly healed.

Afterward, she carefully adjusted his clothing to cover his shoulder once more.

“Now that you’re full, go and rest,” Qian Renjue said, lifting his hand to pinch Ah Yin’s fair and supple face.

Her soft, porcelain-like skin yielded to his touch, leaving faint red marks as she gazed at him with a mix of elegance and charm.


“Master~”

Ah Yin gazed at Qian Renjue with anticipation, her elegant face drawing closer to his, her red lips quivering.

Qian Renjue sighed, closing his eyes in exasperation before leaning forward to press his lips lightly against hers. He felt her soft murmurs of pleasure echo in his ears.

Sensing Ah Yin’s intention to lick him like she did when drinking blood, Qian Renjue immediately pulled back, placing his palm firmly against her beautiful face.

“Enough! Go back already!”

“Yes~”

Unable to go further, Ah Yin nodded with a hint of grievance. Suddenly, she stuck out her tongue and gave his warm palm a sly lick.

“Sluurp!”

“You?!”

Qian Renjue quickly withdrew his hand, only for Ah Yin to dissolve into a blood-red streak and retreat into his chest, reforming as the Blue Silver Emperor mark.

A soft chuckle escaped Ling Yuan, who stood nearby.

She gently took Qian Renjue’s hand and wiped it clean before leaning closer.

Half her body pressed against him, her warmth and softness making it hard to remain composed.

“Ling Yuan?” Qian Renjue asked, seated on the sofa.

“Your Highness, allow me to clean your lips,” Ling Yuan murmured, her voice low and tender as she leaned into his chest, her head tilted upward.

“There’s no need to clean like this,” Qian Renjue replied with a helpless laugh.

But before he could finish, Ling Yuan’s fiery lips claimed his.

He didn’t dodge, letting her kiss him. Her soft lips were as warm as spring rain, washing away the lingering fragrance left behind by the Blue Silver Emperor.

Qian Renjue gently rested his hand on Ling Yuan’s waist as the shadow of a long, dark, evil god hook emerged behind him, lazily tracing circles in the air.


---

Star Luo Empire, Zhu Family.

Zhu Zhuqing, having packed her belongings, stepped out of her room only to run into Zhu Zhuyun.

“Sister,” Zhu Zhuqing greeted calmly, intending to walk past her.

But Zhu Zhuyun blocked her path.

“Zhuqing!”

Zhu Zhuqing looked up, puzzled. “Sister, is something wrong? I was about to train.”

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing’s cold demeanor toward her, Zhu Zhuyun frowned slightly.

Memories of her past actions stung her, filling her with bitterness. Suppressing those thoughts for now, Zhu Zhuyun looked down coldly and said,

“Zhuqing, are you going to see those outsiders again?”

Zhu Zhuqing paused, surprised by her words.

“Sister, you... you know?”

“I’m your sister!” Zhu Zhuyun snapped, her tone laced with entitlement.

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, feeling a pang of sadness.

So, even after trying to have her killed, Zhu Zhuyun still remembered she was her sister.

Even knowing that Zhu Zhuyun had learned about Qian Renjue, Zhu Zhuqing remained calm.

The Zhu Family was weak—at least in comparison to her teacher and their allies.

Looking up, Zhu Zhuqing met her sister’s gaze with calm resolve.

Her red lips parted as she corrected, “Sister, they’re not outsiders. They’re my teacher and friends.”

“What teacher and friends?!” Zhu Zhuyun scoffed, glaring angrily at Zhu Zhuqing.

“Do you even know their identities and motives?” she asked urgently.

“You’re just a discarded member of the Zhu Family. Why would they seek you out?”

Her words made Zhu Zhuqing’s face pale slightly. She clenched her fists and bit her lip.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhuyun immediately felt a twinge of regret, but it was too late to take her words back.

Bracing herself, she stared at Zhu Zhuqing, waiting for her response.

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions.

Looking up, she spoke steadily.

“Sister, I don’t know what motives my teacher and the others might have.

“But I know one thing: they’ve been very, very kind to me.”

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuyun felt a pang of guilt in her heart. As Zhu Zhuqing’s elder sister, she had failed her terribly.

But what could she do? This was fate.

“And you’re not afraid they might harm you or the Zhu Family?” she pressed.