"You people—who are you?"
Before the girl could answer Zhu Ziyang, a harsh rebuke echoed in their ears.
Soldiers from the Star Luo Empire had already surrounded them, but no one dared to act recklessly. Zhu Ziyang's three soul rings—one yellow and two purple—were too intimidating.
A Soul Elder. That was a Soul Elder! The soldiers stirred with unease. Even though this was the elite Western Army Group of the Star Luo Empire, Soul Elders and Soul Ancestor–level cultivators were rare among them. Most were only at the Soul Grandmaster level. And even among them, seeing century-old soul rings was uncommon, let alone thousand-year soul rings! The two purple rings on this young boy alone filled many with fear.
No one wanted to be the first to strike—until a middle-aged man stepped forward.
The moment this man appeared, the soldiers immediately rallied behind him like he was a pillar of strength. That stern voice from earlier had come from him.
He scanned Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, and Elder Song with a calculating look, hesitant about their identities. If even the regular soldiers could tell these three weren't ordinary, then how could he, a commander of the Star Luo Empire's Western Army Group, not know better?
Thus, he chose not to act rashly. Instead, he bluffed and postured, saying in a threatening tone, "Who are you people? We are soldiers of the Star Luo Empire's Western Army Group, here under the White Tiger Duke's orders to eliminate Sun Moon rebels. I advise you not to meddle, lest you invite disaster upon yourselves!"
"Heh." Elder Song sneered. In an instant, the aura of a Titled Douluo erupted, blasting the middle-aged man off his feet.
The man's expression turned to terror. He summoned his martial soul, revealing one white, two yellow, and two purple rings—Soul King level. He struggled to stand, but how could a mere Soul King withstand the pressure of a Super Douluo? He was slammed back down, trembling in fear. Still able to speak, he pleaded desperately, "S-Senior, I didn't recognize your greatness. I meant no offense…"
The dozens of soldiers behind him, seeing their commander so pitifully defeated, didn't even consider helping. They scattered in panic.
But how could Elder Song let them escape so easily? With a cold snort, nine soul rings burst forth into the air, and the terrifying pressure swept out like a tidal wave, pinning them all to the ground.
"You should be thankful you ran into me instead of someone from the Sun Moon Empire," she said coldly. "Otherwise, you'd be dead before you even knew it. Go back and tell Dai Hao to get his troops under control! Now get out of my sight!"
"Y-Yes, yes!" The middle-aged man gawked in horror at the nine soul rings behind her. Realizing he was being spared, he scrambled to his feet, grabbing the corpses of his comrades and dragging his men away without looking back.
After the soldiers left, Elder Song said, "Let's go."
Zhu Ziyang didn't seem to mind that the girl hadn't responded to him. He had already saved her life. Elder Song had driven away the soldiers. Whether she lived from here on out was up to her. So, when Elder Song suggested leaving, he simply nodded and followed.
Everything had happened too quickly for the girl to process. It wasn't until Zhu Ziyang had walked nearly fifteen meters away that she suddenly stood and shouted:
"Can you tell me your name? I'll definitely repay you!"
Zhu Ziyang didn't look back. "Zhu Ziyang."
He didn't expect repayment and only answered out of courtesy. But the girl remembered it. Her eyes burned with determination.
"My name is Juzi! I swear I will repay you!"
—
Four or five kilometers away, Zhu Ziyang suddenly remembered who Juzi was.
"Wait, could it really be that much of a coincidence?" he muttered to himself.
In fragments of his past life's memories from Peerless Tang Sect, there had been mention of a War God Empress of the Sun Moon Empire—named Juzi. The girl he just saved was also named Juzi, from the Sun Moon Empire, with a stunning appearance. If she became an empress one day, it wouldn't be surprising at all.
But... if the three of them hadn't passed through that town, wouldn't Juzi have died there? How could she have ever become empress?
So, it must just be the same name, not the same person. That's what he told himself.
Unbeknownst to him, fate has a way of arranging things more precisely than any mortal could imagine.
"Ziyang," Elder Song said seriously, unaware of the strange expression on his face. "I hope next time we face a situation like that, you'll be able to control your emotions. A true powerhouse is never ruled by their emotions."
"Elder Song, I…" Zhu Ziyang started to explain.
"No need." She cut him off. "I know. Ultimate attributes often influence their wielders' temperaments. Your Ultimate light martial soul certainly affects yours. But if you can't control that influence, you'll suffer for it in the future."
"I understand," Zhu Ziyang said solemnly, nodding.
"This should've been Elder Mu's responsibility," Elder Song said with a smile, "but since this situation happened under my watch, I took it on myself. I hope you don't think this old woman's being naggy."
"Of course not," Zhu Ziyang smiled back.
What she said was true.
Ultimate elemental affinities always affected personality—it was inevitable. For example, fire-type cultivators were often hot-headed. The previous Dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department, an Ultimate fire soul master, had been notoriously temperamental. Light, however, was more nuanced—it had many properties, and each could impact personality differently.
In Zhu Ziyang's case, his Ultimate light brought with it a deep sense of compassion. But he also possessed the Ultimate ice martial soul, which would inevitably affect him as well. He hadn't yet begun cultivating that side of himself, so the effect wasn't strong—just the occasional moments of cold detachment. His unflinching killing blow against the soldier earlier was one such moment.
"Nannan, how are you feeling?" Zhu Ziyang turned back to Jiang Nannan, who was quietly following behind. He looked at her with concern.
"I'm okay now," she said, forcing a smile. Her face was pale.
Even though she was a Soul Elder, it was her first time witnessing such a gruesome and bloody scene. Her reaction was understandable. Many soul masters could kill soul beasts without a second thought and even eat them afterward, but taking a human life was something else entirely.
Some soul masters went their whole lives without killing anyone. Others took days, weeks, or even months to mentally recover from their first kill.
Why? Because soul beasts, no matter how powerful, were still considered beasts—resources, enemies. But people were different. They were kin, fellow humans.
That's why evil soul masters—who killed without conscience, who viewed human life as just another cultivation resource—were true monsters. Demons. And should be killed on sight.
"This won't do, Nannan," Elder Song said gently, turning back to her. "As a student of Shrek Academy, your future is in hunting evil soul masters and defending the innocent. If you can't even handle this, how will you ever stand against them?"
"I understand, Teacher. I'll work hard," Jiang Nannan responded seriously, her expression firm.
"Good child," Elder Song smiled and stroked her head fondly. "Don't worry—I'll help you."
The trio continued their journey into the Star Luo Empire, just as before, stopping at each village they passed to carry out martial soul awakening ceremonies.
(End of Chapter)
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