"I really wish I could get rid of these shackles and live as freely as you, Qingling."
"These bindings are suffocating." Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head, her expression dark and sorrowful.
She truly, truly didn't want royal power—she just wanted to live like an ordinary person.
Before she met Qingling, Zhu Zhuqing only thought about returning one day for revenge.
But after meeting Qingling, her thoughts began to shift slightly.
From her sister's standpoint, perhaps she too would have done the same.
In this world, there was never an absolute right or wrong—only different positions.
"Zhuqing, don't you hate your sister?"
Zhu Zhuqing smiled faintly and shook her head. "Hate… I once did. But not anymore."
"This is the pain of being born into royalty. If you don't fight, you die. If it were you, Qingling, what would you do?"
Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's question from the depths of her soul, Chen Qingling's eyes rolled a few times. Her face bloomed with a smile, and without even thinking, she replied,
"I would never harm my family. I'd find my own way to stop siblings from turning against each other and protect the whole family."
"Born of the same root, why destroy each other so eagerly?"
"That's what my father taught me."
Her twelve years of life in the Star Dou Forest weren't spent idly.
From a young age, her father's teachings and stories had filled her with wisdom and simple truths.
"Born of the same root… why destroy each other so eagerly…" Zhu Zhuqing softly repeated, her eyes flashing with light.
Yes—
They were family. Why should they scheme and harm one another, forcing each other into desperate corners?
This trip wasn't only to resolve the marriage contract—it was also to help her sister find her way back.
"Come on, Zhuqing, let's stop talking about sad things."
"Mm."
Qingling took Zhuqing's hand, paid the entry fee, and confidently stepped into Wuyacheng.
The city wasn't large—about the same as Nuoding City—with all the same necessities, no great differences.
Chen Qingling immediately found an inn for the two of them to rest for the night.
——
Star Luo Imperial City.
"Useless! All of them useless!" Zhu Zhuyun cursed angrily. She had never expected to fail so many times when dealing with her younger sister.
"They can't even handle my own sister! Truly worthless!"
Listening to his fiancée's fury, Dai Weisi (Davis) shook his head helplessly. "Alright, Zhuyun, don't be angry. Don't hurt yourself over it."
"They can't even give me a sense of crisis. Calling them useless is practically a compliment."
"Zhuyun, about your sister—take it slowly."
"As far as I know, she has a close friend, that famous soul master, Chen Qingling."
"I know… The path of a soul master is supposed to be full of hardship. If it's too smooth, one can't truly grow. I only wanted my sister to feel some pressure—to drive her to cultivate harder."
"To seek strength through revenge, and become an outstanding soul master."
"At the very least, I want her to accomplish something of her own."
Davis nodded slightly. "Zhuyun, you've done too much for your sister. Aren't you worried she won't be able to handle all this later?"
"Or what if she truly grows strong—and one day actually comes for revenge…?"
Zhu Zhuyun looked up toward the sky. "She's my sister. Her talent is no small thing. I believe she'll make it through."
"Only by making the act real can I fool my foolish little sister."
"The day she comes for revenge—I'm actually looking forward to that day. When it comes, I'll explain everything to her."
"If she understands, that's the best. If she doesn't… then I'll just bear the consequences. Consider it compensation to her."
"This…"
"Don't worry, Weisi, it'll be fine."
"It's just…"
"Just what?"
"These past few days, I've been uneasy… as if something bad is about to happen."
Davis frowned. "Something bad? The Star Luo Empire has been peaceful lately. There shouldn't be anything wrong."
Zhu Zhuyun nodded slightly. "Yes, perhaps it's just my imagination. I only hope it's not the calm before the storm."
——
Time passed in a blink—two days later.
Chen Qingling and Zhu Zhuqing had spent two full days playing around in Wuyacheng, exploring every corner of the city until they were finally satisfied and ready to set out for the Star Luo Imperial City.
Sometimes they cultivated, sometimes they played.
Balance between work and rest—that was the best way.
That was another lesson her father had taught Qingling.
People couldn't just stay locked up cultivating all the time, right?They had to go out, stretch their legs, breathe fresh air.
They needed to see the outside world—to experience trials and hardships.
Blind cultivation alone led nowhere.
And Zhu Zhuqing's soul power had been rising like a rocket, so it was time to stabilize it a bit.
"Zhuqing, next we'll be heading for the Star Luo Imperial City."
"Mm…" Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly. Returning to that place again, she couldn't help but feel nervous.
After all, that place was her deepest shadow.
It wasn't just where her sister Zhu Zhuyun wanted her dead—it was also the heart of royal power.
Not a good place at all.
"Zhuqing, it's fine. With me here, you don't need to worry."
"Mm!"
With Qingling's reassuring words, Zhu Zhuqing's tense heart began to calm down.
"Are you ready?"
"I'm ready, Qingling. Let's go—to the Star Luo Imperial City!"
"Alright~"
A smile spread across Chen Qingling's face as radiant, multicolored wings unfurled from her back. She held Zhu Zhuqing close and soared toward the direction of the imperial city.
Feeling the rush of the wind, Zhu Zhuqing's heart pounded rapidly.
"Qingling… I have a small request." Zhu Zhuqing pressed her lips together and spoke softly.
"Huh? What did you say? The wind's too loud, I can't hear you! Speak up!"
"Qingling, I have a small request!"
"What request?"
"When we reach the Star Luo Imperial City, let's not rush to settle my engagement issue. I want to take you somewhere first."
"Take me somewhere?" Chen Qingling furrowed her brows slightly. Though she didn't know where Zhuqing wanted to go, she knew it wouldn't be harmful.
Without hesitation, Qingling agreed. "Alright, no problem."
She didn't ask what the place was—Zhuqing would tell her once they arrived.
Seeing that Qingling didn't press further, Zhu Zhuqing's face—perhaps reddened by the wind—turned slightly pink. "Qingling, aren't you curious where I'm taking you?"
Chen Qingling smiled faintly. "Of course I'm curious, but I don't want to know yet. When we get there, it'll be more of a surprise, right?"
"Surprise…" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes shimmered with light. Indeed—she did have a surprise prepared for Qingling!
She had a secret base in the Star Luo Imperial City!
As a royal, how could she not have a place of her own?
Only Zhu Zhuqing herself knew of it, and she wanted to bring the one person who had always treated her sincerely to see it.
Only Qingling had truly entered her heart—back when she was at her lowest, Qingling had been the light that saved her from despair.
If not for Chen Qingling, perhaps her heart would have frozen over completely.
——
...
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