Soul Land: I Became Qian Xunji’s older brother

"God?"

Zhu Zhuqing was suddenly startled awake, recalling the words she heard while unconscious, and the inexplicable knowledge that appeared in her mind.

"I must become a god. Once I become a god, I will surely be able to break free from the Star Luo Empire and allow the Zhu Family to escape as well."

However, although she had a slight yearning for the Divine Examination, what puzzled her now was the content of this Divine Examination. Was it to obtain Qian Xunfeng's special protection mark?

Isn't Qian Xunfeng the current Spirit Hall Pontiff? Why would she need his mark? And how was she supposed to get his special mark?

"But where is this place?"

Seeing the sunlight stream through the window, brightening the room, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly realized she seemed to be in an unfamiliar place.

"Could this be where my Divine Examination takes place?"

Zhu Zhuqing rested her chin on her hand, looking out the window in thought, muttering to herself.

At this moment, the sound of the door opening made Zhu Zhuqing turn her head, and she saw a handsome man with somewhat golden-blond hair appear before her eyes.

"You're awake?"

Qian Xunfeng's voice was gentle, and combined with his tender and handsome face illuminated by the sunlight, it momentarily captivated Zhu Zhuqing.

"Yes, thank you for saving me."

Zhu Zhuqing seemed to realize she had been staring at Qian Xunfeng for too long, feeling awkward. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, her whole body feeling warm from shyness.

Adding to this, the exposed skin of Xiao Yemao, the beads of sweat, and the reflected sheen, further highlighted her alluring curves.

"No need to thank me, it was just a small favor."

Qian Xunfeng didn't understand the meaning of politeness. He walked up to Zhu Zhuqing and used his hand to lift Xiao Yemao's lowered head.

"You!"

At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing was both startled and shy, her cheeks like the evening sunset. She questioned him with a mix of shyness and bewilderment.

Looking at Qian Xunfeng's handsome face so close to hers, she couldn't say anything, constantly gasping for breath. Her shame made her break free from Qian Xunfeng's hand and turn her head away.

"You must have accepted the examination of the God of Speed, right?"

Qian Xunfeng withdrew his hand. He didn't want to rush with Xiao Yemao; it was better to take things slowly.

Moreover, he greatly admired Zhu Zhuqing's personality, but he disliked the subservience to royalty that was originally in Zhu Zhuqing's mind.

In the original novel, Zhu Zhuqing of Shrek Academy let subservience take over. Because of the family marriage contract, she forgave Dai Mubai, and later her personality was smoothed out. As Dai Mubai said, she was just a material for a Martial Soul Fusion Technique, completely lacking her own distinctiveness.

And now, Qian Xunfeng was going to properly train Zhu Zhuqing, erase that subservience from her heart, and let her original personality become more prominent.

"How do you know?"

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Qian Xunfeng.

"Because your Divine Examination was given by me, and I am also the supervisor of your first trial, Qian Xunfeng, the current Spirit Hall Pontiff."

Qian Xunfeng casually sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Zhu Zhuqing, and said meaningfully, "Don't you want to break free from the Dai Family's control? I've given you this opportunity; it's up to you whether you can seize it."

"I."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were unfocused, as if she was thinking of something, but finally, her gaze became firm as she looked at Qian Xunfeng and said, "I want to break free from the Dai Family, Your Holiness. How can I obtain the special mark?"

"Simple, by passing the trials I have set."

With a wave of his hand, Qian Xunfeng transported Zhu Zhuqing back to a towering staircase that reached into the clouds.

"This is the Stairway to Godhood I created. There are 999 steps in total. If you ascend all 999 steps, you can obtain the first mark."

Looking at the towering staircase before her, Zhu Zhuqing was somewhat puzzled. As a Soul Master, climbing ten thousand flights of stairs was just a matter of time. What was so difficult about 999 steps?

Qian Xunfeng looked at Zhu Zhuqing's thoughtful expression, chuckled softly, and explained, "This staircase can generate Soul Pressure based on the strength of the climber. You'll know once you try it."

"Alright."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, adjusted her mindset, and stepped onto the stairs.

The moment she stepped onto the staircase, Zhu Zhuqing felt an invisible pressure envelop her, creating a resistance that constantly hindered her progress.

"This won't stop me, Zhuqing, you must keep going."

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze was firm. She patted her ample chest, encouraging herself as she muttered.

The first hundred steps were relatively easy, but after crossing the 101st step, the pressure on her body suddenly increased.

The sudden change caught Zhu Zhuqing off guard for a moment, making her legs unsteady, and she was knocked down by the intensified Soul Pressure.

Finally, due to panic, she lost a large amount of Soul Power, unable to resist the Soul Pressure, and was directly expelled.

She tried multiple times, but without exception, she was mercilessly thrown out.

"Ah."

As Zhu Zhuqing's figure was sent flying out for the seventh time, her body was covered in weary sweat, and she was constantly gasping for breath, hot air continuously escaping from her mouth.

"So difficult."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were somewhat unfocused. Even if she used all her strength, she couldn't break through to the 200th floor, let alone the destination over seven hundred floors away.

This made her already self-doubting heart waver even more, even to the point of giving up on herself.

Am I really that untalented? Even with the favor of a god, I can't pass the examination.

Zhu Zhuqing's figure was forlorn, and the mental exhaustion made her look listless.

Seeing this, Qian Xunfeng did not step forward or offer encouragement. He merely looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a calm expression and slowly said, "What? Giving up already?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to resist the Dai Family? You've only failed a few times, and you're already so self-pitying. Are you really a good-for-nothing?"

Qian Xunfeng's voice roused Zhu Zhuqing. Looking at Qian Xunfeng, who was rebuking her, Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip tightly and said, unwilling to admit defeat, "I won't give up."

After speaking, she plunged headfirst into the staircase. At this moment, Qian Xunfeng's voice came again.

"Sometimes, use your brain more. Don't waste all your Soul Power at once; instead, use it slowly. The Soul Pressure of this staircase can strengthen the body. Right now, you don't even need Soul Power to resist the Soul Pressure for the first hundred steps."

Hearing Qian Xunfeng's hint, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly understood. Was this also a form of training?

Immediately, she dismissed her Soul Power, and then felt that her body was not afraid of the Soul Pressure of twenty-odd levels at all.

Upon reaching the hundredth step, Zhu Zhuqing was prepared in advance and activated her Soul Power to resist the Soul Pressure. This time, it was much easier.

Zhu Zhuqing also gradually learned how to skillfully control the use of Soul Power, instead of applying it roughly as before.

When she reached the 230th step, Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power was once again depleted, and she was driven off the staircase.

But unlike her previous frustration, Zhu Zhuqing was now full of drive. After recovering her Soul Power, she once again charged towards higher steps.

"Good."

Qian Xunfeng looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who was gradually finding her rhythm, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. At least his carefully designed 'training' version of the Divine Examination for Zhu Zhuqing was not in vain.

It seems it's effective, but as for the reward for this Divine Examination, Qian Xunfeng needs to think carefully about it.