Many young girls began looking at Xu Tian with softened gazes. Some even revealed subtle flirtatious smiles.
A genius destined for greatness naturally held immense value. Becoming close to him....or even becoming his woman—could save decades of struggle.
"He's really a Soul Venerable?" Zhu Zhuqing murmured in shock.
The impact Xu Tian brought her was far greater than what others felt because she had observed him closely earlier. His age appeared similar to hers, perhaps only a year or two older at most.
Breaking through to Soul Venerable at such an age…
His talent even surpassed hers.
Thinking of her earlier disbelief, her cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment.
"I already told you," Xu Tian said with a gentle smile, looking at the blushing girl before him. "I wouldn't lie to you."
"Hmph."
The redness on Zhu Zhuqing's face faded slightly. Without replying further, she suddenly accelerated and rushed toward Xu Tian.
As an agility-type Soul Master, her speed reached its peak instantly. She moved like a streak of black shadow, claws extended as sharp nails gleamed with cold light.
Her Level 25 spirit power was already impressive among the younger generation of the Zhu Family. In the eyes of the surrounding disciples, her speed was astonishingly fast.
Yet in Xu Tian's eyes, it seemed slow.
He remained standing calmly, shifting slightly to the side while raising the sword's scabbard defensively. Zhu Zhuqing's claws scraped across the black scabbard.
A sharp hissing sound rang out.
Five pale marks appeared on the surface, left by her nails.
The scabbard itself remained completely unharmed—the marks were merely traces from friction.
Realizing her attack had missed, Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed. She attempted to turn and continue her assault, but her forward momentum caused her balance to falter.
"Careful."
Xu Tian reached out and pulled her gently into his arms.
The surrounding crowd fell silent in shock.
Envy instantly filled countless hearts. Xu Tian was actually holding Zhu Zhuqing—the most beautiful girl of the Zhu Family—in his embrace.
At the same time, many people thought of another figure.
Dai Mubai.
It was said he had fled to the Heaven Dou Empire. If he knew his fiancée was now being held in another man's arms, what expression would he have?
The thought alone made many secretly excited.
Resentment toward Dai Mubai had long existed within the Zhu Family. For generations, marriages between the Dai and Zhu clans had taken away many of their finest women.
Who wouldn't feel dissatisfied?
As the saying went, good things should remain within the family. Year after year, the Zhu Family's most outstanding daughters married into the Dai royal household.
Over time, dissatisfaction naturally accumulated.
Normally, no one dared voice such thoughts due to the alliance between the two families and their Martial Soul Fusion Techniques.
But Dai Mubai's actions had ignited everyone's resentment.
Cowardly and indecisive, he fled out of fear of losing to Davis, abandoning Zhu Zhuqing alone to face immense pressure within the Star Luo Empire.
To many, this was utterly disgraceful.
Strength mattered less than character. Abandoning one's fiancée out of fear was the most contemptible act imaginable.
In their eyes, Dai Mubai had already doomed himself to remain a useless prince.
Why should such a coward deserve a woman as outstanding as Zhu Zhuqing?
Simply because he was royalty?
"Dai Mubai is nothing but a joke. He's far inferior to Xu Tian."
"How could someone who abandoned his fiancée deserve the Second Miss?"
"But what is Xu Tian thinking? I've never heard of him before. If he truly likes the Second Miss, things may become interesting."
"One is the family's greatest genius, the other a useless royal prince. I wonder what decision the family head will make."
Whispers spread throughout the square.
If Xu Tian truly ended up with Zhu Zhuqing, few would object. After all, he was still a member of the Zhu Family—an internal union posed no problem.
But if Zhu Zhuqing chose Xu Tian…
Wouldn't the Third Prince Dai Mubai become the laughingstock of the entire empire?
Zhu Zhuqing found herself held within Xu Tian's arms, a faint blush spreading across her usually cold face as her heart began to race uncontrollably.
From childhood until now, she had rarely interacted closely with boys, let alone experienced such intimate contact.
"Let go!" Zhu Zhuqing pressed her delicate hands against Xu Tian's chest, trying to push him away. Yet she couldn't move him at all, and her face turned even redder.
Hearing the surrounding whispers, embarrassment flooded her, and she wished she could disappear into the ground.
After today, rumors about her and Xu Tian would surely spread throughout the Zhu Family.
Unfortunately, their relationship had not yet reached that stage.
Only after he truly won her heart would he be able to hold her openly. At that time, not only could he embrace Zhuqing freely, but once she accepted him, she would devote herself completely.
Though she appeared cold on the outside, Zhu Zhuqing possessed a warm heart and unwavering loyalty. Winning her love meant gaining everything she had.
Read full 50+ Advance Chapter
https://patreon.com/JadeHeavenStudio