Douluo Dalu: Transforming Soul Rings into Soul Veins

Zhu Zhuyun pursed her lips, a trace of determination flashing in the depths of her eyes.

"Your Highness, Holy Son, what do you want?"

"The Zhu family, and the Dai family, have they really always been of one heart?" Lin Feng looked at her quietly.

Zhu Zhuyun's heart trembled. Her sandalwood mouth opened slightly. She was somewhat apprehensive, yet she still managed to maintain her composure on the surface. "Your Highness, Holy Son, your words are mistaken. The Zhu family and the Dai family have been on good terms for generations, jointly guarding Star Luo. Naturally, they are of one heart."

Lin Feng shook his head. "Is that so... For any family to be treated as a vassal by another noble family, to be in a marriage alliance with them; to send out the most talented female of every generation, regardless of the disposition of the corresponding Dai family's direct son—this kind of thing, I'm afraid even if it's not said on the surface, there will always be resentment in the heart."

"What's more, for a martial soul like the Nether Civet, it is the females who are the most talented. The Dai family is equivalent to making your strongest of every generation become a vassal, while the second strongest is crippled or even perishes."

"This is an eternal curse. The Zhu family can never give birth to a 'guardian' that truly belongs to them."

Zhu Zhuyun's face instantly turned pale. Lin Feng's words were like a sharp blade, accurately stabbing into the corner of her heart she was most unwilling to touch. Her tightly clenched hands trembled slightly. Forcibly suppressing the turbulent waves in her heart, her voice was low:

"Your Highness, Holy Son, you may not understand the deep friendship between the Zhu and Dai families. The marriage alliance is not only a political need, but also the key to the inheritance of the two great families' martial soul fusion skill. The combination of the Nether Civet and the Evil-Eyed White Tiger can produce unparalleled power. This is our common responsibility and glory to guard Star Luo."

Lin Feng sneered. "Responsibility and glory? No one will remember the Zhu family who silently paid the price. People will only know that there is a Dai family in Star Luo that can dominate the Nether White Tiger fusion skill. The Zhu family's Nether Civet is just a foil. When the wheels of history roll forward, sacrifices and contributions are often forgotten in the dust."

"If the two really love each other, isn't it also a matter of mutual benefit?"

"Then what about the other pair that is abandoned? The life and death of that pair? A generation every 20 years, a hundred lifetimes. How long will it take for such a pair to appear? Are you and Dai Weishi really completely in true love?"

Zhu Zhuyun pursed her lips, a trace of imperceptible bitterness flashing on her face. "But, we have no other choice, do we? It has always been like this."

"Because it has always been so, does that make it right? Rules are made by the strong!"

Zhu Zhuyun was somewhat stunned. She had never thought about this question. All along, it had become a custom for the Zhu family to offer up their women. Perhaps the martial soul fusion skill was an inescapable fact and benefit, but the dispute between the two, with one side suffering casualties, was it really right?

Just like this generation's Dai Mubai and Dai Weishi, their age difference was six or seven years. The outcome was almost doomed from the very beginning, if there were no other accidents.

"Your Highness, Holy Son, what on earth are you trying to say?" Zhu Zhuyun's voice trembled slightly. She felt an unprecedented fear and confusion.

Lin Feng stood up, his voice low and powerful. "The emperor's throne is taken in turns, next year it will be my family's turn. Zhu Zhuyun, do you have this courage?!"

Lin Feng's voice was like a clap of thunder, exploding in Zhu Zhuyun's ear, shaking her heart and soul!

She widened her eyes, looking at Lin Feng in disbelief.

"Your Highness, Holy Son... what... what do you mean by this?" Zhu Zhuyun's voice trembled even more. She could hardly believe her own ears.

Lin Feng slowly walked in front of Zhu Zhuyun, his gaze like a torch, looking directly into her eyes. "What I mean is, the Zhu family should no longer be bound in the shadow of the Dai family. You should have your own choices, your own future. Not generation after generation, sending the most outstanding women of the clan to the Dai family to become the foil for their martial soul fusion skill."

"Do you want to see Zhu Zhuqing die in this kind of environment? Do you want to see your children continue to follow in your footsteps?!"

Zhu Zhuyun felt an unprecedented power surging in her body. It was the anger and unwillingness that had been suppressed for a long time. She clenched her jaw tightly, suppressing the gasp that was about to escape her lips.

"No... I don't want to!" Zhu Zhuyun finally let out a low roar.

Lin Feng chuckled lightly, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes. "Very good."

"Heh heh—" Zhu Zhuyun's breathing was slightly rapid, her forehead covered in fine sweat. After shouting it out, she suddenly felt her whole person relax a lot, as if a huge stone that had been pressing on her heart had been moved aside a corner. She looked up at Lin Feng, her eyes sparkling with a complex light.

"Your Highness, Holy Son, did you have this plan long ago?"

"Who knows?" Lin Feng chuckled lightly. "Then, your answer?"

Zhu Zhuyun smiled and shook her head, sitting very casually on Lin Feng's sofa, no longer having the restraint from before.

She leaned back, revealing her magnificent bosom, and sighed. "From the moment you started saying these things to me, I probably... had no other choice, right?"

The corner of Lin Feng's mouth hooked up. He nodded. "You are very smart."

"The power of Spirit Hall will get in touch with you later. Infiltration is a very time-consuming matter."

Zhu Zhuyun pursed her red lips. "Star Luo, will it become a vassal state?"

"Besides the two great empires, the Douluo Continent also has duchies. Those duchies also have autonomy. Star Luo will still be Star Luo, not Spirit Hall. What I can guarantee is that there will be no turmoil that will cause the mountains and rivers to break and the people's hearts to be turbulent."

"I think I understand what you mean," Zhu Zhuyun slowly nodded. "Then, happy cooperation."

She stood up and extended her hand.

Lin Feng did not immediately shake it, but instead lightly raised his left hand, revealing a ball of energy intertwined with black and gold.

"I need to send this object into your heart meridian. Besides me, no one can break it."

Zhu Zhuyun smiled, sized up Lin Feng again, crossed her arms over her chest, and said teasingly, "I didn't expect that the Holy Son, who is rumored to be handsome and approachable, would also have such a cautious and suspicious side. Are you afraid I will go back on my word, or are you afraid I will betray you?"

"Caution is a virtue," Lin Feng spread his hands.

"Come on, Your Highness, Holy Son~~" Zhu Zhuyun let out a voice that was both coquettish and charming. "Do you need me to remove my outer restraints?"

The corner of Lin Feng's mouth twitched. "That won't be necessary."

He sent his left hand forward, and the ball of energy entered Zhu Zhuyun's heart meridian, stabilizing itself in a corner. Zhu Zhuyun looked down with surprise. Mmm, she couldn't see her feet.

Oh no, she didn't feel anything unusual.

"Is it done already? My chest doesn't feel stuffy, and my breathing isn't blocked. What's its use?"

Lin Feng rolled his eyes and said with annoyance, "It's something that can take your life! Would you be happy only if your chest was stuffy and your breathing was blocked?"

"Alright, Your Highness, Holy Son. Then, I will arrange for Zhuqing's matter in the coming days. That girl, if I don't intervene soon, I'm afraid she will run away from the family on her own."

Lin Feng's eyebrow raised. "Zhu Zhuqing wants to escape? Is it to find Dai Mubai?"

Zhu Zhuyun let out a long sigh. "She is not like Dai Mubai. She has not yet resigned herself to her fate. Ever since Dai Mubai fled, she has become even more withdrawn in the family."

"She desperately wants to catch up to me, but she doesn't have another person's company like I do. She doesn't want this feeling of facing death alone."

"I understand her. She will come to find Dai Mubai once, to see if he still has any hope. If she is disappointed, she will choose to go to a place where she can improve herself."

Is this why she appeared at Shrek after seeing Dai Mubai fighting the twins and leaving coldly? A pity, the teaching results of Shrek were fake. Later, under Tang San's arrangement, she also failed to persist in her original intention.

Thinking about it carefully, one would know. The admission requirements were so harsh, reaching level 20 or above at the age of twelve. In that era, besides families and sects, a soul master born from the bottom who could do this was undoubtedly someone who could be called a genius. At that time, Tang San was a few months shy of 13, and was only level 29.

In 20 years, 62 students were admitted. All of them were such talented soul masters. With proper cultivation, the worst of them could have reached the level of a Soul Emperor.

However, only 14 actually graduated. The remaining 48 students either died while hunting soul beasts, or did not cultivate to level 40 before the age of 20.

Such geniuses, yet at Shrek Academy, they faded into the crowd, and even died. In Douluo II, Xuan Zi, who wiped out a team in the Shrek tournament and was called an "undercover agent of the Holy Spirit Cult," had perfectly inherited the teaching character of his predecessors, so to speak.

What stood out was a 'free-range' approach. If the student was amazing, then the academy was amazing. And if the student was not good, then it was the student's own problem, and had nothing to do with the academy.

Those 14 surviving students probably never returned to Shrek after they went out and had a sudden realization. Of course, it's not ruled out that there were guys like Qin Ming who were completely PUA'd.

As for that so-called youngest elder of Spirit Hall, heh, it was complete nonsense. In Spirit Hall, only a Titled Douluo could become an elder. Even an honorary elder was a Soul Douluo who was about to reach the level of a Titled Douluo.

A 32-year-old Titled Douluo? That was really a joke.

But it had to be said, the people in Suotuo City were really easy to fool. When Tang San went there for the first time, there was still a crowd of people surrounding the admissions office.

Zhu Zhuqing probably also went to take a look after hearing this kind of exaggerated publicity. And then, the teachers were all Soul Emperors, and it was an intermediate academy with high-level Soul Sages? With such a powerful teaching staff, there must be an amazing teaching plan!

The result was that the exercise method was running; the training method was spirit-fighting. It was a good thing the immortal herb saved the day. Otherwise, Zhu Zhuqing would probably have remained in a cold and icy state.

"What do you plan to do? Will Zhu Zhuqing be willing to come to Spirit City?"

Zhu Zhuyun smiled, a gentleness hidden between her brows. "She has to be willing even if she isn't. It's not up to her. I have inquired about Dai Mubai's current situation. I can only say that he has become even more degenerate. Now he is actually still only level 27. It seems he has completely given up."

"I plan to pursue Zhuqing to Heaven Dou, let her see Dai Mubai for who he is, and then corner her to Spirit City, and have you make a move to give her shelter."

So, the fact that Zhu Zhuqing happened to see Dai Mubai's Rose Hotel incident was also arranged by you?

Lin Feng thought for a moment and nodded. "Fine. After Zhu Zhuqing arrives, for the next few Soul Vein condensations, Star Luo will have an extra qualification, and a portion of ten-thousand-year whale gel. This is for you to take back and report."

"What if they don't agree?"

"They will agree," Lin Feng said with a smile. As long as they are not stupid.

"Then, I'll leave it to you," Zhu Zhuyun bowed slightly to Lin Feng. She had already embarked on a path of no return, but for the sake of the Zhu family, for the sake of Zhuqing's future, she was willing to bet on it this once.

With her words finished, she left.

Tang San's hidden weapon promotion did not make much progress. Besides the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, it seemed that no one was very willing to cooperate with him. With the people from Heaven Dou and Star Luo not present, he lost the patience to continue.

"Let's go, Ruyan. It's time to go back."

"Alright, Third Brother."

Yu Ruyan reached out and took Tang San's arm. The two walked out of the venue side by side.

Ma Hongjun watched the two walk away, and gave Dai Mubai a wicked smile. "Boss Dai, what do you think of that Yu Ruyan?"

"What does it have to do with me? Isn't she Tang San's girlfriend?"

"Hehehe," Ma Hongjun laughed somewhat sleazily. Dai Mubai's gaze, which had been staring at Yu Ruyan just now, had not escaped his eyes.

---

Star Luo Zhu family, the night was deep.

A black figure quietly appeared, shuttling through the Zhu family's mansion like a ghost. Even if a black robe covered her, one could still see her graceful and fiery figure. Her entire body, only her cold and clear face was particularly eye-catching under the moonlight. It was precisely Zhu Zhuqing.

Although she was only eight years old, Zhu Zhuqing already had a figure similar to her sister's. It was unknown if it was because of her martial soul or some other reason, but the Zhu family was synonymous with ample bosoms and beautiful buttocks.

She lightly avoided the guards in the Zhu family's mansion and silently arrived at the family's backyard. She found the back door she had found early on, and taking advantage of the changing of the guard, she quickly ran out.

In the dark.

"Miss, when do we start the pursuit?"

"No hurry. She needs to be mentally tense. After she relaxes and rests... also, have the people to clear the way ahead been arranged?"

"Everything has been perfected."

"Mmm."

---

A month later, in the soul beast forest outside Heaven Dou City, a figure in tattered clothes shuttled through the dense forest. Her face was pale, and there was blood at the corner of her mouth. She had clearly just experienced a fierce battle.

"I'm almost at Heaven Dou. It will be fine once I'm in the city."

Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth. This month, the first half of the journey was still easier. After leaving the Star Luo territory, the pursuers came more frequently. Running at full speed, she was already physically and mentally exhausted. Her two legs were trembling from the long run, but she knew that she could not stop. Once she stopped, it meant being caught and taken back to the Zhu family.

I can't stop. I have to go and see if there is still hope.

Finally, the city appeared in her eyes. She changed into new clothes, covered her figure, regulated her breathing for a moment, let out a long sigh of relief, and walked towards the city.

After paying the gold soul coin and entering the city, she looked around.

"Free tour guide! If you can't find a fun place, no money needed!"

"Heaven Dou's know-it-all! For just one silver soul coin, wherever you want to go, I'll tell you!"

"Hey, this beautiful young lady, is this your first time in Heaven Dou City? Need a place to stay? I have information on the most comfortable inns in the whole city. Guaranteed to be good and cheap!"

"Freshly printed map of Heaven Dou City, with all the famous scenic spots and food streets marked in detail. Only two copper soul coins, so you won't get lost and can enjoy your travels to the fullest!"

Zhu Zhuqing shuttled through the bustling crowd, her ears filled with all kinds of hawking and shouting. She frowned slightly, appearing somewhat unaccustomed to this sudden liveliness.

"Tsk, these fellows, they really never get tired of being annoying. They cheat outsiders, and they cheat acquaintances just the same," an old man was drinking tea at a roadside tea stall, shaking his head. His voice was not loud, not soft, just right to enter Zhu Zhuqing's ear.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up. "Excuse me, is there any recommendation for a quieter, less conspicuous place to stay here?" Zhu Zhuqing asked the seemingly approachable old man softly.

The old man chuckled and said in a low voice, "Little girl, you're from out of town, right? Walk along the right side of this road for 200 meters. There is a Rose Hotel. The environment is good, and the price is right."

"Thank you, old sir!"

Joy appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's brow. She quickly ran there. Just as she had run a few steps, her footsteps suddenly paused. A look of annoyance appeared on her face. She returned to the old man's position.

"Thank you, old sir. This tea is on me," she lightly and quickly placed a silver soul coin on the table in front of the old man, and then quickly fled, not giving the old man a chance to refuse.

"Hey hey, girl! No need!" the old man shouted, holding the silver soul coin, but he could no longer see Zhu Zhuqing's back.

The old man smiled and sighed.

The original hawking voices also quieted down. The few people looked at each other and smiled. Leaving two or three people to keep up appearances, the rest packed up their things and retreated.

"Rose Hotel? It's here!"

Zhu Zhuqing stood in front of the main entrance of the Rose Hotel, looking up at this slightly luxurious building. She couldn't help but feel a little puzzled in her heart. This hotel doesn't feel very proper...

Just as she was about to walk into the main entrance, a voice came from inside the hotel.

"Waiter, a room."

Such a familiar voice... Dai Mubai!?

Zhu Zhuqing's pupils shrank. She concealed her presence and spied over.

She saw Dai Mubai with his arms around two graceful and beautiful young women on his left and right. Behind him followed an even more mature and beautiful woman. They were laughing and walking into the hotel, a look of romantic ease on their faces.

"Boss Dai, when are you going to find me a beautiful woman too?" Ma Hongjun said with a wicked smile.

"Get lost. Find one yourself."

"Aiya, you have three dates a day. You know so many. Help me look for one~"

"We'll talk another day."

Zhu Zhuqing bit her lower lip tightly, suppressing the anger in her heart. Her gaze followed Dai Mubai's back with complexity until he disappeared into the depths of the hotel. A long time later, she slowly came back to her senses, an indescribable stubbornness and unwillingness welling up in her heart.

"I... I can't just give up like this," Zhu Zhuqing murmured in a low voice, her eyes sparkling with a firm light. "He has given up. I can't die. I need to become stronger. Heaven Dou..."

She turned and walked away, a crystal tear at the corner of her eye, but it was quickly wiped away with determination.

She had to find a way out for herself, a place where she could become stronger.

"Heaven Dou City, a place to improve my strength... join an academy? Is there any powerful academy here..." she walked on the streets of Heaven Dou City with a somewhat downcast expression. "That old man too, that place is clearly a place of pleasure. Another liar, lying to me..."

"Miss Zhuqing, don't run!"

The faint voice from behind made the alarm bells in her heart ring loudly. Her two feet had already subconsciously started to run. Only then did she look back and see the relentless pursuers.

"Sob..."

Tears were in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes. "So unlucky! Why again? In the past, I could clearly shake them off for a day. Sob sob..."

She was soon chased out of Heaven Dou City, all the way to the forest outside Spirit City.

"Sister, I finally caught up to you."

Zhu Zhuqing, who had long since run out of strength, had a look of despair. "Then I won't go back. You can just kill me!" Zhu Zhuqing panted, her eyes full of stubbornness. She staggered back, her body almost reaching its limit.

"Aiya, my foolish sister. Why did you run away? Isn't it good to just live in the family with hatred for me, and then become stronger?"

The pursuers had already surrounded Zhu Zhuqing. She had no way out.

Zhu Zhuqing bit her lower lip tightly, her gaze flashing with determination.

"Ah!"

She shouted, her martial soul, the Nether Civet, possessed her. She used the last ounce of her strength to rush in front of Zhu Zhuyun. "First Soul Skill, Nether Thorn!"

Her sharp claws suddenly extended, swiping down before Zhu Zhuyun's eyes. Zhu Zhuyun's gaze was icy. Her figure flashed, and she appeared behind Zhu Zhuqing. She condensed her soul power into her palm and slapped down.

"Ugh—"

Zhu Zhuqing's vision went black. Following that, her vision became dim. She fell to the ground, losing consciousness.

Zhu Zhuyun waved her hand, and the guards retreated.

She moved Zhu Zhuqing to a large rock, letting her lean against it securely. She touched a point between Zhu Zhuqing's eyebrows and said in a low voice, "This is the last time, Zhuqing. Forgive me."

She looked into the distance and left with the guards.

When Zhu Zhuqing woke up again, she was already in a strange room. A faint, fresh fragrance filled the air. She struggled to get up but felt a soreness in her body, reminding her of the previous battle and escape.

"You're awake," a gentle voice sounded in her ear. Zhu Zhuqing turned her head and saw a handsome man with a handsome face standing by the bed, looking at her with a smile. Such a familiar appearance. Where have I seen it?

"You are..." Zhu Zhuqing asked warily, her heart full of doubt.

"This is Spirit Hall. You can call me Lin Feng."

Holy Son Lin Feng?!!

Zhu Zhuqing's pupils suddenly contracted.