Soul Land—Chapter 18: Dai Mubai Escapes from Star Luo Empire
Half a year later, at the Star Luo Junior Soul Master Academy, in Ling Qianyao's dormitory.
Zhu Zhuyun leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and looked at Ling Qianyao, who was reading books and taking notes at the table. She said slowly, "Last night, Dai Mubai fled Star Luo City and headed north."
"Yeah, I'm aware. How did the Star Luo Imperial family react? Are they in a hurry?"
"Heh," Zhu Zhuyun sneered. "Do you think they are being too humane? The Dai family is angry, but they don't intend to intervene. Before the final battle, how the chosen ones grow is their business. However, they have been embarrassed and are paying more attention to Zhuqing in recent days. I will let you know when you can leave."
"Pah——"
Ling Qianyao closed his book and put it into his storage ring.
"You came to me just to tell me this? I could have heard this news today or tomorrow; there was no need for you to come in person, right?"
Zhu Zhuyun threw an envelope at Ling Qianyao. "I found what you wanted."
Opening the envelope and retrieving the letter, Ling Qianyao quickly read it, his brow furrowing.
"Xu Xinglan, the daughter of the third elder of the Star Crown Sect, appeared in Star Luo City a few years ago. Then, people from the Star Crown Sect arrived at the Star Luo Imperial Family and secretly joined forces to bring her back to the sect."
Ling Qianyao folded the letter.
"Where is the Star Crown Sect now?"
"We only know that it is in the Beichen Mountain Range, a hidden location. No one knows its exact whereabouts." Zhu Zhuyun sat up and propped her head up with one hand. "You asked me to investigate this kind of thing. Aren't you afraid that I'll raise suspicions?"
Ling Qianyao shrugged. "I don't understand what you're talking about. Besides, aren't you worried that Zhuqing will find out when you come here?"
"She was summoned by her elders today. She won't come to the academy and won't see us together." Her eyes held a teasing glint.
Ling Qianyao rolled his eyes. "Anything else?"
Zhu Zhuyun shook her head.
Ling Qianyao opened the door and walked out, waving. "See you later, sister."
Zhu Zhuyun leaned against the door, sighed as she watched Ling Qianyao walk away, and muttered, "Sometimes, I envy Zhuqing." Then her figure flashed and disappeared.
The next afternoon, Zhu Zhuqing came to Ling Qianyao's room with a frown on her face, her delicate features full of melancholy.
"Qianyao, let's leave the Star Luo Empire. It's annoying here."
Zhu Zhuqing sat skillfully on Ling Qianyao's legs, hugged his neck with her arms, and leaned her head on his shoulder, a hint of dissatisfaction in her tone.
Ling Qianyao smiled and patted her back. "What happened?"
"Dai Mubai, that loser, ran away. The elders in my family were afraid I'd leave the Star Luo Empire, so they called me over to lecture me. It's clear that I have nothing to do with them, so why do they still say that to me?"
Zhu Zhuqing's tone gradually became angry. "They tied me to this stupid marriage without my consent, and they restrict and ignore me everywhere. What kind of family is this? Just for that martial soul fusion technique? His Dai family can dominate with the martial soul fusion technique, but why can't the Zhu family? Why doesn't that loser dad dare to fight with them?"
Ling Qianyao stroked Zhu Zhuqing's hair and whispered, "It won't be long."
"Yeah." Zhu Zhuqing found a comfortable position in Ling Qianyao's arms and fell asleep.
After a while, Ling Qianyao picked up Zhu Zhuqing, gently placed her on the bed, and covered her with a quilt.
The marriage contract between the two families was like a shackle, binding her freedom and happiness. In the past, she had only known how to endure silently, treating herself as dull and unimportant.
Ling Qianyao felt deeply relieved by what Zhu Zhuqing had just said. She had started to express her dissatisfaction and resistance, separating herself from her family's framework.
He couldn't help but wonder how Zhu Zhuqing's father—whom he had never met—would react after hearing her last words.
The next day, perhaps because the troubling events of yesterday lingered in her mind, Zhu Zhuqing woke up early and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"!"
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly looked to her side. Ling Qianyao was lying beside her, still sleeping with even breaths. He had barely any quilt covering him and stubbornly pulled a small piece of quilt to cover his belly button.
"What's wrong with me?"
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks burned. She had been exhausted yesterday and had simply fallen asleep here.
Fortunately, she had a single dormitory, and her daily life wasn't noticed by teachers and students. If others found out they had spent the night in the same room, it could lead to rumors.
Although students in other dormitories sometimes slept together, the bond she had with Ling Qianyao felt entirely different.
Zhu Zhuqing lay on her side, pulled the quilt to cover him, and quietly gazed at Ling Qianyao's sleeping face.
His face looked especially soft in the morning light, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, complemented by a prominent nose. The determination between his brows was vaguely visible.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke his cheek, feeling a sense of complacency.
"Qianyao, hum hum," she murmured, a smile playing on her lips as she leaned closer to him.
Ling Qianyao's eyebrows moved, and he opened his eyes.
The scene fell silent for a moment, leaving Zhu Zhuqing frozen mid-movement, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Heh."
Ling Qianyao leaned over, kissed her forehead, and flicked her forehead with his index finger.
"Ah!"
"It's time to get up."
"Oh, oh."
Zhu Zhuqing was a little flustered by Ling Qianyao's sudden kiss and flick to her forehead. Her cheeks instantly flushed, and her heartbeat inexplicably quickened.
She was momentarily stunned, then quickly reacted and sat up from the bed, tidying her hair and clothes in a somewhat flustered manner.
"Why didn't you say anything when you woke up? And… you sneak-attacked me!" Zhu Zhuqing glared at Ling Qianyao, a hint of mischief in her tone.
Ling Qianyao smiled, sitting up and leaning against the headboard. "This is called reciprocity. Don't think I don't know that you've sneak-attacked me many times."
"Ah?" Zhu Zhuqing's face turned even rosier upon hearing that. "But you were asleep."
Ling Qianyao shrugged and pointed at his lips. "Remember not to wear lipstick next time; it smells like you."
"Why didn't you wake me up yesterday and let me fall asleep like this?" Zhu Zhuqing tried to change the subject, eager to cover her embarrassment.
"You seemed to be sleeping soundly. Besides, it's nice to be quiet with you like this."
"Get up and wash up." Ling Qianyao stood up and extended his hand.
"Okay." Zhu Zhuqing smiled and took Ling Qianyao's hand, using the force to stand up from the bed. The two walked side by side to the bathroom, where a blue and a red toothbrush cup sat side by side.
At that moment, Dai Mubai was still on the way to escape.
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