Until one day, Zhu Zhuyun told Dai Weisheng that her Soul Power level had surpassed his.
Only then did Dai Weisheng realize—in this world where strength reigns supreme, how could he allow a woman to surpass him in Soul Power?
Moreover, Zhu Zhuyun was even a year younger than him.
Dai Weisheng felt nothing but shame. He wasn't just the eldest prince, but also the most talented Soul Master in the Dai Family.
From that moment on, he threw himself into rigorous cultivation.
But then came the despair.
Every time he broke through, Zhu Zhuyun had already done so before him.
Just yesterday, there had been no news of Zhu Zhuyun's breakthrough, yet he had already reached level 44 as a Soul Ancestor.
Today, he couldn't wait to visit the Zhu residence.
"Brother Dai," Zhu Zhuyun's gaze sharpened.
"My sister broke through long ago—she's already at level 45. She just didn't want to discourage you, so she kept it quiet!"
Zhu Zhuqing, who had been silently eating until now, suddenly spoke coldly.
Dai Weisheng felt as if struck by lightning, his expression turning incredulous.
Apart from eating and sleeping, he had devoted nearly all his time to cultivation.
As the eldest prince, he inevitably had to attend various banquets and familiarize himself with state affairs.
Yet he had requested permission from his father to focus entirely on cultivation for now, abstaining from these duties.
The Star Luo Emperor, his father, naturally understood why his son was so obsessed with cultivation. He was pleased to see the mutual competition between his son and future daughter-in-law.
After all, this was a world where strength was everything.
Without power, the Dai Family's throne would never be secure. Thus, he fully supported Dai Weisheng's all-out cultivation efforts.
Yet despite such dedication, he was still an entire level behind.
Dai Weisheng looked to Zhu Zhuyun for confirmation.
Zhu Zhuyun shot a reproachful glance at her sister and sighed, "Brother Dai, Zhuqing has been in a bad mood ever since Mubai irresponsibly ran away. Please don't take it to heart."
"I only broke through recently. In the path of cultivation, steady progress is most important. If we cannot become Titled Douluos, how can we stand against the Spirit Hall?"
"Brother Dai, you are the hope of the entire Star Luo Empire. You must keep your focus on cultivation. The royal family desperately needs another Titled Douluo to emerge!"
A purple light shimmered in Dai Weisheng's eyes.
At last, he understood—Zhu Zhuyun hadn't stopped loving him. She had been acting for his own good.
"Very well, Zhuyun. I see your thoughtful intentions now."
"Father once told me to make the most of my prime cultivation years. Rest assured, I won't disturb you again before our wedding. I will devote myself entirely to cultivation."
With a smile, Dai Weisheng gracefully exited the room.
Zhu Zhuqing discontentedly stuffed a large piece of meat into her mouth and snorted, "Sister, you broke through ages ago!"
Zhu Zhuyun chuckled, "He is still the eldest prince after all. We must preserve some dignity for him. Besides, he's been trying to catch up for over two years without success. If we don't give him some hope, he might truly despair."
"You and your schemes—you've got him wrapped around your finger!" Zhu Zhuqing said disdainfully.
She had never approved of such manipulations.
"Is that any way to speak to your elder sister? The eldest prince is quite remarkable."
"His cultivation talent is top-tier, and he works so hard. He's just slightly outmatched by us sisters. If we don't motivate him, how will he grow?"
Zhu Zhuyun smiled, ambition glinting in her eyes.
Ever since their breakthrough in Suotuo City, the two sisters had felt as though their Martial Souls had awakened anew.
The time they could spend cultivating each day was increasing.
Correspondingly, they needed to replenish their energy significantly.
But the rapid progress in their Soul Power brought them great joy, making them feel they were exceptionally gifted.
"Zhuqing, Dai Mubai has already gone to Suotuo City. When you turn twelve, you'll stage a show with the family and then go as well. It'll be up to you two then!" Zhu Zhuyun suddenly said.
"I understand. I won't let Father down!" Zhu Zhuqing's tone softened slightly. This was the path the family had arranged for her survival.
The swift rise in her Soul Power level filled Zhu Zhuqing with strong confidence.
I will become a powerful Titled Douluo. The Dai Family won't be able to restrain me, and Dugu Feng—I must defeat him.
Zhu Zhuqing thought coldly.
Outside the Sunset Forest, atop a carriage.
Dugu Feng sat inside the carriage, holding two pearls in his hand—one golden-red, the other emerald-green.
The two pearls appeared tightly pressed together, yet each emitted its own red and green light, locked in opposition within Dugu Feng's grasp.
But upon closer inspection, faint red tendrils were being absorbed by the green pearl.
"The energy from this Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent's Inner Core is too immense. Even after absorbing it for over half a month on the road, I've barely scratched the surface!"
After obtaining the Slaughter God Domain, Dugu Feng had returned to Slaughter City to meet the King of Slaughter once more.
Then, he hired a carriage and driver and set off toward Heaven Dou City.
Along the way, through the progress of the Core Pearl's energy, Dugu Feng could gauge the cultivation efforts of the Zhu sisters. Neither had been slacking off.
This pleased him greatly. As the Emerald Dragon Snake and the Zhu sisters grew stronger, the condensation of the Core Pearl would undoubtedly accelerate.
And then there was this Inner Core. Sharing the same origin as the Core Pearl, after Dugu Feng's repeated attempts, the Inner Core's energy was gradually being absorbed by the Core Pearl, steadily increasing its condensation progress.
All of this filled Dugu Feng with immense motivation and lifted his spirits.
As they approached the Sunset Forest, Dugu Feng leaped off the carriage, his tension from Slaughter City now considerably eased.
Choosing a direction, he swiftly dashed into the forest.
Apart from the towering mountain surrounding the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well at its center, most of the Sunset Forest consisted of flat woodlands and low hills.
Dugu Feng was somewhat familiar with the area. He arrived at a stone forest not far from where he had absorbed his First Soul Ring last time.
Entering the stone forest, he waited briefly before a massive boulder suddenly shifted, revealing a stone cave.
Without hesitation, Dugu Feng jumped inside.
The cave descended at a sloping angle, about five or six meters deep, leading to a flat underground chamber.
Old Nine, with his blood-red hair, stood there, visibly excited.
"Young Master, it's really you! You've finally returned. The Patriarch has been worried—come quickly, let's go see him first!"
Old Nine, with his Nine Heavens Centipede Martial Soul, was part of the Dugu Family's hidden forces.
He usually remained concealed in the underground stone chambers.
This chamber connected deep beneath the earth to the Dugu Family's estate, serving as a secret passage.
"Lead the way, Old Nine."
Dugu Feng followed Old Nine through the underground chamber.
Along the way, Old Nine's son, Xiao Jiu, joined them. Though called "Xiao Jiu," he was already over thirty years old.
A Soul King in cultivation, while Old Nine was a Soul Saint.
The Dugu Family had three Soul Saints in total: apart from his father Dugu Shuo, there were Old Snake and Old Nine. Old Scorpion was still a Soul Emperor, but he wasn't far from reaching Soul Saint.
When the two were in the Far North, Old Scorpion's Soul Power had reached level 68, and he was brimming with confidence about breaking through to level 70.
The family's strength was not to be underestimated—once the issue of toxins was resolved, their Soul Power would rise to another level.
Dugu Feng had already thought through how to strengthen the family's power during his journey.
When he told the King of Slaughter that he would make the Dugu Family the most powerful clan on the continent, he wasn't joking.
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