Chapter 5: Zhu Zhuqing: What Do You Mean "If You Don't Understand Your Own Body, Ask Me"?
Cold, shivering…
It felt as though she were standing in the middle of a brutal, blood-soaked battlefield…
Her consciousness drifted through the darkness. No one knew how much time had passed before she finally broke free from the restraints and shot upright with a sudden gasp.
The moment she opened her eyes, she realized she was leaning against a towering ancient tree.
"You're finally awake?"
"The sacrifice was a success. You're now a male… I mean, twin martial souls!"
A familiar voice, laced with laughter, suddenly rang out.
"Successful?"
Still somewhat dazed, Zhu Zhuqing murmured to herself.
She instinctively stood up and carefully sensed the changes within her body.
She seemed to have grown slightly taller. The lines of her muscles had become smoother, more refined, yet still filled with explosive power.
Her figure looked slender, but every inch of muscle concealed astonishing strength.
Even through her clothes, she could clearly feel the firm lines of her abdominal muscles…
It was as if she had gone through another stage of development.
Wait! Development?
Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed slightly as she nervously touched her chest.
When she realized it hadn't grown any further, she immediately let out a breath of relief.
"Phew… thank goodness… thank goodness…"
"Thank goodness for what? The feel? Honestly, it's not bad."
The voice sounded again, using her mouth—her voice.
Even her hands moved without her control, squeezing twice.
"Y-you… why can you control my body?!"
Zhu Zhuqing nearly lost her soul from fright, her eyes filled with shock and alarm.
"Relax. As your second martial soul and intelligent soul ring, helping you control your body is perfectly normal."
"You were asleep. Someone had to take care of it, didn't they?"
"And besides… I already gave my life to you. What's wrong with occasionally borrowing your body to have a little fun?"
Bai Lu's amused voice echoed within her mind.
"Don't worry. I've already developed your body to its peak potential. Your muscle structure and proportions are absolutely perfect."
"Just that…"
He paused. Zhu Zhuqing herself lowered her head involuntarily and looked at her chest, which completely blocked her view of her toes. She sighed helplessly.
"These two are a bit too large. They're perfect for casual appreciation, sure… but in battle, they do affect mobility."
"You! Get out of my body right now!"
Zhu Zhuqing was both embarrassed and furious inside; her emotions were tangled to the extreme.
"What are you shy about? There's nothing I haven't seen."
Bai Lu chuckled lightly. "Fine, fine. I'll return it to you."
The next second, full control of her body was returned to Zhu Zhuqing.
Once her mind cleared, her cold eyes narrowed as she noticed something.
"My clothes… why have they changed?"
The black outfit she had worn, soaked with sweat and torn in multiple places, was gone.
In its place was a clean set of black clothing in a similar style, but with softer, more form-fitting fabric.
"No need to thank me. I changed them for you."
Bai Lu replied casually in her spiritual sea, as though commenting on the weather.
"Pervert!"
Zhu Zhuqing's icy expression shifted slightly as she snapped.
"There you go again, getting worked up."
Bai Lu spoke unhurriedly. "Little girl, I'm a tiger, not a human. My aesthetic standards are different from yours."
"Look at yourself. Aside from your head, you don't even have fur. You don't match my taste at all."
"In my eyes, you're not much different from a slab of pale pork belly."
"Y-you!"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression grew even colder.
She trembled with anger, yet couldn't form a complete sentence.
"Enough. Go familiarize yourself properly with your body."
Bai Lu chuckled and changed the subject. "If there's anything you don't understand, remember to ask me."
'What do you mean, if I don't understand my own body, I should ask you?'
Zhu Zhuqing felt her mind go numb.
Listen to that—does that even sound like something a person would say?
Wait.
Bai Lu was a tiger, not a person.
Somehow, that only made things more complicated.
A tiger who had just sacrificed itself was now more familiar with her body than she was.
The situation was absurd.
The young girl couldn't help but let her thoughts wander.
But soon, an overwhelming surge of excitement drowned out her tangled emotions.
With just a careful inward sense, she discovered that her soul power had leapt from Rank 27 all the way to Rank 30.
As long as she successfully hunted her third soul ring, she would officially become a Soul Elder!
A twelve-year-old Soul Elder across the entire continent—such talent was exceedingly rare!
And the increase in rank and physical enhancement were only the most superficial changes.
More importantly...
"A second martial soul!"
"A hundred-thousand-year soul ring!"
"A hundred-thousand-year soul bone!"
These three additional "supreme treasures" made her heart race, her cheeks flushing with excitement.
She had fantasized countless times about having better talent, but she never imagined it could improve to this extent.
The hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone that other soul masters could only dream of, she had obtained both at once.
And she had become a twin martial soul genius, just like the Pope.
This feeling… was incredible.
"Haa…"
After her excitement gradually settled, she took a deep breath and began testing her newly gained power.
With a thought, White Tiger Possession.
A soul ring flashed; a clone appeared.
Killing intent condensed—the Slaughter Formation manifested.
Her body gleamed. The White Tiger underwent two transformations.
"So strong…"
Zhu Zhuqing withdrew from her possessed state and calmed herself, continuing to sense the surging power within her.
Before she knew it, she stood frozen in place for a long time, unable to recover.
"How does it feel?"
Bai Lu's voice sounded at the right moment.
"Like I'm dreaming."
Her amber-like eyes flickered as she murmured:
"I… suddenly became stronger… so strong… so strong that it feels… unreal."
Her gaze remained as cool as ever.
But now, there was something new within it: a spark of brilliance and a confidence she had never possessed before.
"This isn't a dream. It's simply a brand-new beginning, a new beginning that belongs to both of us."
Bai Lu's tone turned serious. "If you want to truly change your fate, your path is still long."
"Indeed… still long."
Zhu Zhuqing fell into silence unconsciously.
She looked toward the east, the direction of Star Luo City.
If she wanted to change her fate, at the very least, she had to become stronger than her elder sister.
No! She had to become stronger than Dai Weisi and her sister combined!
Even more, she had to surpass her father and the Empress!
Bathed in the morning light, the girl clenched her fists, her eyes shining with unwavering determination.
"But… I will change my fate!"
After those words left her lips, the Star Luo Empire, the fate of her clan, her sister, the runaway…
Those shadows that once suffocated her suddenly seemed much lighter.
She now had strength. She had talent. She had choices. She had a new path.
"Thank you."
She whispered in her heart.
Within the spiritual sea, Bai Lu "watched" the scene, a trace of satisfaction flashing through his eyes.
"If you truly want to thank me, then work together with me to become a true powerhouse—to become… a god!"
His voice was deep and solemn.
"Then what should I do next?"
A forest breeze passed by as the girl turned and gazed into the distance.
"…"
Bai Lu replied:
"Go to my home."
"…?"
Zhu Zhuqing blinked in confusion.
"Your home?"
"That's right. My home."
Bai Lu's gaze grew distant.
"Mm. There are some things I collected there. Time to retrieve them."
End of Chapter