Zhu Zhuqing studied Lu Feng with growing curiosity.
Though he had no soul power, his handsome features and noble demeanor made him stand out. At first, she assumed her sister had hired him but one look into his sincere, confident eyes dismissed that thought.
'Zhu Zhuyun wouldn't bother using a non-Soul Master in her schemes.'
And he was… disarming. His starry black eyes held a clarity and honesty she rarely saw.
"Hello," she said somewhat stiffly, offering her delicate hand.
She herself didn't understand why she hadn't refused the handshake.
Maybe to show her sister that even if not in power at least her charm was stronger.
Or maybe because kindness was so scarce in her cruel world.
Ever since awakening her Nether Spirit Cat Martial Soul and being betrothed to Prince Dai Mubai, her once-close sister had become her enemy. Even her parents turned cold.
If she wanted to survive she could only desperately become stronger.
But Zhu Zhuyun's attacks only intensified by this. She was barely holding on.
'Just a little more savings, and I'll leave this place to seek strength elsewhere.'
Lu Feng felt how soft yet icy her hand was. He released it politely.
For the aloof Zhu Zhuqing to tolerate a handshake at first meeting was already remarkable.
"Do you know me?" she asked.
"We've just met, yet I feel I've known you for two lifetimes."
He meant it. In his past life, he'd "known" her though she didn't known him.
"Ugh, smooth-talker," Zhu Zhuyun spat, a hint of jealousy flickering in her eyes.
If Lu Feng had said those sweet words to her, Zhu Zhuyun might have been flattered. But hearing him call Zhu Zhuqing his "dream lover" right in front of her? That stung. Was her charm really inferior?
Zhu Zhuqing blinked, studying Lu Feng's face. "You also... feel familiar somehow." She searched her memories, but came up blank.
Perfect. Their instant connection was better than Lu Feng had hoped.
"Maybe I visited your dreams too," he grinned. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression instantly turned icy. "Do you want to die?" she retorted, though the faint pink tingeing her pale cheeks betrayed her composure. Despite her youth, her voice carried the commanding resonance of a mature woman, a contradiction that only enhanced her unique charm.
Lu Feng clutched his chest dramatically. "If I die now, having held your hand just once would make my life complete"
Even as he spoke these words, his fingers tightened around the hidden Supreme Douluo experience card. He'd use it if necessary, though it seemed almost wasteful against this delicate-looking girl.
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned, a strange warmth welling up in her heart.
The irony wasn't lost on her, her own fiancé, a prince with formidable soul power, had fled like a coward while this powerless stranger stood his ground. And his claim of being satisfied with just a handshake... Was there truly such magic in her touch?
"Ugh, I'm getting goosebumps! What a shameless brat! Get lost and stop getting in the way, or I'll kill you!" Zhu Zhuyun couldn't help but interject.
Though she couldn't deny the boy had courage. Unlike Star Luo's decadent princes with their endless string of lovers and brothel visits, there was something refreshing about his boldness. If circumstances were different... She cut that thought short.
Zhu Zhuqing maintained her aloof demeanor, though a hint of satisfaction curled in her chest at her sister's obvious irritation, a sense of vengeful pleasure arose in her heart.
"You should leave," she told Lu Feng evenly. "My engagement to the Third Prince was decided in childhood. These matters aren't for outsiders to question."
Yet even as she spoke, her sharp eyes memorized every detail of his childish face - the curve of his jaw, the way his hair fell across his forehead. In her world of calculated cruelty, his impulsive warmth felt dangerously precious.
Lu Feng shook his head stubbornly. "Ancient traditions shouldn't chain the living. Arranged marriages are outdated, and you deserve better."
Both women stiffened. Zhu Zhuyun's face darkened with rage. "You dare insult our ancestors? You are courting death!" she hissed, soul power beginning to swirl around her.
In a blur of motion, Zhu Zhuqing positioned herself between them. "If you want to hurt him," she declared, her voice like steel wrapped in silk, "you'll have to go through my dead body first."
Hearing those words, Lu Feng's lips twitched and his expression become somewhat strange though he still felt warm in his heart, the feeling of beauty saving the hero was indeed quite enjoyable.
Black lines formed on the forehead of Zhu Zhuyun's "Zhu Zhuqing, enough! You're even using lines that are common in 'Battle Through the Heavens'."
That's right She'd just quoted the most clichéd line from Battle Through the Heavens - the very novel Lu Feng had "adapted" (plagiarized) years ago.
Since the original author wasn't in this world, he could say he was the Author with confidence. Lu Feng also earned a lot of coins from it, and he was still earning them.
The plot was same as original but the writing and wordings were different. Just like Zhu Zhuqing's line, originally it was a key sentence used b Tang San to win Xiao Wu's heart but Lu Feng moved it into the novel and it became common catchphrase.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Zhuqing also seem to be the fan of the novel.
'Zhuquing, you were so cute saying that!' He really wanted to hug her from behind.
"Do you think you, a mere level 27, can stop me, sister?" Zhu Zhuyun laughed mockingly, at Level 36, her soul power crashed over them like a tidal wave.
Zhu Zhuqing sank into a defensive crouch, her lithe body coiling like a spring. Two yellow soul rings materialized at her feet as the spectral image of a spirit cat materialized behind her. With a whoosh, her nails elongated into deadly black claws.
As she crouched down, her waist sinking, her leather pants clung to the generous swell of her hips. A phantom tail flickered into existence, so tantalizingly close...
Lu Feng mentally shook himself 'bah! she is protecting me while I am thinking of.....bumping into her?'
Since when had he become so... distracted? This had to be that damn lewd system's influence!
[.....]
"Wait!" Lu Feng called out, raising a hand.
Zhu Zhuyun's lips curled in a predator's smile. "Last words?" she purred. Killing him wasn't her goal but seeing Zhu Zhuqing's spirit break? Now that would be satisfying.