When Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing walked out of the two-on-two Spirit Battle Arena, Tang San and the others had just finished their own match as well.
The group stood outside together, chatting and laughing. Maybe it was the thrill of today's victories, but the mood among them was light and cheerful.
Tang San turned to Dai Mubai. "Where's the Headmaster?"
Dai Mubai gave a helpless sigh. "Who knows where he ran off to? He just told us to head back after the battles were done."
At that moment, Dai Mubai noticed Lin Jie supporting Zhu Zhuqing as they exited the arena together. His eyes instantly lit with anger—he looked like he might explode. Although he was dying to march over and question Zhu Zhuqing, he held himself back.
Lin Jie asked Xiao Wu to help Zhu Zhuqing return first while he turned and left alone, not mentioning where he was going.
Even as he stepped out into the bustling city night, cheers from the arena still echoed in the distance. Though today's battles hadn't brought any overwhelming gains, the practical experience of live combat was valuable, and none of them left empty-handed.
"You guys go on ahead. The Headmaster just told me to stop by his shop," Ma Hongjun said suddenly, a little excitement twinkling in his small eyes. "Boss Dai, wanna come?"
"No. Stop talking nonsense and get going already." Dai Mubai snapped back irritably, though his eyes again flickered toward Zhu Zhuqing.
The rest of the group began heading back toward Shrek Academy. Not long after, it seemed Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had gotten into some kind of confrontation.
At that time, Lin Jie moved quickly through the city streets. Up ahead, he spotted a familiar figure flanked by several strong-looking guards. His eyes narrowed.
Why is he here...?
After observing silently for a while, Lin Jie turned and headed back toward the Academy.
Back at Shrek, finding no one else around, Lin Jie returned to his dorm and resumed cultivating.
Knock knock knock.
A knock echoed from the door.
Lin Jie opened his eyes from meditation. Electric sparks flickered in his pupils.
He got up and walked over, opening the door—only to find Zhu Zhuqing standing there.
She was still in her usual black outfit, but her face no longer carried the usual cold distance. Instead, it held something deeper: a sense of resolution. Her large eyes were tinged red, as though she had just cried.
"I want to become stronger," she said, voice soft, a hint of tears still clinging to it—but her tone was firm.
Lin Jie blinked, surprised by the redness in her eyes. He opened the door wider. "Come in."
Zhu Zhuqing stepped inside without hesitation and sat at the edge of his bed. Lin Jie joined her.
"You've been crying," he said.
He couldn't imagine what could've made Zhu Zhuqing cry. In his mind, she was always brave, strong, and composed. Maybe everyone has their breaking point. Tonight, she looked... fragile.
"I'm from the Zhu clan, nobility of the Star Luo Empire," she began, voice trembling. "Because my clan's Martial Soul—Hell Spirit Cat—can fuse with the White Tiger of the imperial Dai clan to form the Hell White Tiger Fusion Ability, both families have been tied together by generations of marriage."
"I was betrothed to Dai Mubai as a child. But the rules of our clan require me to compete with my sister, Zhu Zhuyun, to become heir. The loser is either eliminated... or locked away to prevent future conflict."
She clenched her fists. "I don't want to accept that fate. I want to fight it. But I'm too weak... I thought coming here and finding Dai Mubai would help. I thought he'd be focused, motivated. But he's nothing like that."
Now Lin Jie understood. She had lost the Spirit Battle today, realized how far she still had to go—and things must have fallen apart between her and Dai Mubai. She was frustrated. Lost.
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Alright. I get it now." He gave her a small smile. "But you sure about this? Not afraid I'll take advantage of you?"
That last line made her cheeks flush crimson. Her red-rimmed eyes cleared up instantly. She turned her head but didn't move away. The tension in her gaze faded, replaced with something determined—and maybe just a little bashful.
"I want to become stronger," she repeated.
"Alright," Lin Jie nodded.
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for just a moment, then began removing her clothes.
Her hands were graceful but trembling slightly as she undid her belt and loosened her black outfit, layer by layer.
Her smooth skin glowed in the dim lamplight. Her figure—slender yet soft—seemed to shimmer as the shadows shifted. She made no effort to hide herself as she sat before him, now fully unclothed.
Lin Jie felt heat rising up his neck. His breath hitched.
Her beauty was... overwhelming. Wild and quiet at the same time.
Zhu Zhuqing turned her back to him.
Lin Jie stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her bare form from behind.
She stiffened instantly, her body quivering. But she didn't resist. She only bit her lip and nodded slightly.
Lin Jie pressed closer. Her back was hot against his chest. He whispered by her ear, "Don't move. This will help the process."
He placed both hands over her abdomen, and lightning crackled softly from his palms. Spirit Power surged into her body as a thin veil of electric energy spread over them both, forming a shimmering membrane of light.
Crackling energy filled the air, the sound of arcs snapping growing louder.
Lin Jie's body had long been tempered by lightning. This level of intensity meant nothing to him—but for Zhu Zhuqing, whose training focused more on agility and soul power than physical toughness, it was agony.
A sharp cry broke from her lips.
Lin Jie winced. That sound was...
Distracting.
But she didn't pull away. She gritted her teeth, clutching his arms, riding the waves of pain with silent resolve.
Eventually, her trembling eased. Her breathing slowed.
Lin Jie, sensing she had adapted, increased the output.
A flash of pain tore through her again. She cried out—louder this time—but she endured it.
Time passed.
The lightning faded.
Her body, overwhelmed, collapsed backward into his arms.
She lay there, limp and breathless, chest rising and falling with shallow gasps. He gently laid her on the bed, and she made no effort to move.
Zhu Zhuqing eventually stirred. She tried to push herself up—but before she could, Lin Jie leaned forward and gently pushed her back down, kissing her.
She froze.
Then melted.
At first, she resisted. Her hands pressed against his chest weakly. But her strength was gone—and somewhere in the confusion of exhaustion and emotion, she gave in.
Their mouths moved slowly, exploring. She wrapped her arms around him.
He kissed her neck, her collarbone, her shoulder. She trembled beneath him, legs shifting instinctively apart as their bodies aligned.
"Lin Jie…" she whispered. "This is… my first time."
His breath caught. But his eyes remained steady.
"Then I'll be careful."
She nodded.
He entered her slowly, carefully. She gasped, a sharp sound of pain escaping her throat as her body tensed around him.
He held her face, brushing her hair back.
"You're alright. Just breathe."
She nodded again, lips parted, breath ragged. Slowly, the pain began to dull. Her legs wrapped around his waist, hesitant at first—then pulling him deeper.
He began to move.
Slow, deliberate strokes. Gentle.
She moaned softly, breathy at first—then louder. Her hands gripped his shoulders. Their hips moved in rhythm, sweat glistening on skin, bodies joined in perfect unity.
"Faster," she whispered.
He obeyed.
Their rhythm quickened. The bed creaked under them. Her moans came louder now, unrestrained, echoing off the stone walls of the dorm.
He bent down, kissing her again—forehead, nose, lips, chin.
She clung to him as her body began to tighten, waves of pleasure rising.
When the end came, it was sudden. She cried out, trembling as her body clenched around him, shuddering through her climax.
He followed moments later, gasping against her neck.
They collapsed together.
Sweat-slicked, breathless, warm.
Zhu Zhuqing lay curled against him, her cheek pressed to his chest. Neither of them spoke for a long while.
And neither of them needed to.