Zhu Zhan looked at the scene with satisfaction. Lin Xia's calm and composed response, neither humble nor arrogant, earned even more of his admiration. With a wave of his hand, he laughed heartily.
"Haha, good! We're all family here, no need for such formalities! Xiao Xia, just treat this place as your own home! If you need anything, just speak up!"
"Thank you for your hospitality, Patriarch Zhu."
Lin Xia expressed his gratitude once again, his demeanor flawless.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was harmonious, with both host and guest at ease.
Seeing this, Zhu Yu gave a few instructions before leaving directly, as she still had matters to report.
Zhu Zhan, the head of the Zhu family, did not stay long after his sister's departure.
His authoritative gaze lingered on Lin Xia for a moment longer. Within it was scrutiny and inquiry, which eventually softened into the warm expectation of an elder.
"Little friend Lin Xia."
Zhu Zhan's voice was deep and powerful.
"You've just arrived. Zhuyun, Zhuqing, you sisters will take Xiao Xia around the residence, help him become familiar with the surroundings, and arrange a quiet and comfortable place for him to stay. Do not neglect our honored guest."
"Yes, Father."
Zhu Zhuyun immediately curtsied in response, her posture impeccable.
Zhu Zhuqing followed her sister's example, softly replying:
"Understood, Father."
Zhu Zhan nodded slightly, said no more, and turned to leave the main hall with large strides. The atmosphere in the hall immediately relaxed.
"Brother Lin Xia, please follow us."
Zhu Zhuyun turned around, wearing a flawless, gentle smile, and made a polite gesture inviting him to follow.
She naturally reached out and took her younger sister Zhu Zhuqing's hand.
"Mm!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded vigorously, her small hand tightly gripping her sister's, her dependence evident.
Her clear, bright eyes looked at Lin Xia with a mix of curiosity and a hint of timid friendliness.
Holding Larvitar, Lin Xia followed behind the sisters as they left the solemn main hall.
Larvitar's crimson eyes curiously observed every corner of the vast residence.
The Zhu family estate was immense, with winding corridors and deep courtyards.
Zhu Zhuyun led the way with composed steps and elegant bearing, clearly familiar with every part of the residence.
In a gentle voice, she introduced the surroundings.
"This is the training ground, where the family's younger members usually practice their Soul Skills, over there is the library, which houses many books and Soul Master notes beyond this bamboo grove is the lotus pond in the rear garden, which is most beautiful in summer…"
Her explanations were detailed and proper, reflecting the upbringing of the Zhu family's eldest daughter.
However, Lin Xia's gaze lingered more on the hands she shared with Zhu Zhuqing, as well as the deep, almost imperceptible tenderness and hidden concern in her eyes when she looked at her sister.
Zhu Zhuyun adjusted her pace unconsciously to match her younger sister's shorter steps. Whenever they encountered a slightly higher threshold or uneven cobblestone path, she would gently tug her sister's hand, reminding her to be careful.
Zhu Zhuqing, in turn, relied almost entirely on her sister. As she walked, she leaned slightly toward her, her small face filled with a sense of security and complete trust.
Occasionally, she would point at something new and quietly ask what it was. Zhu Zhuyun would patiently explain in simpler terms, her gaze full of affection.
This deep sisterly bond, almost overflowing from the scene, appeared especially precious and especially heavy, against the backdrop of the Star Luo Empire's cruel rules of succession.
Lin Xia understood.
He recalled the sisters' future in the original story, their inevitable life-and-death conflict and compared it to the warm scene before him. The stark contrast made him sigh inwardly.
He silently followed along. Larvitar seemed to sense the shift in his mood and quietly lay in his arms, no longer looking around as it usually did.
As they passed through a courtyard filled with pale purple flowers, Lin Xia's gaze once again fell on Zhu Zhuqing.
With his keen perception, he sensed that the Soul Power within this little girl was as pure as a blank sheet of paper.
After considering his words, Lin Xia broke the silence, his voice carrying the natural curiosity of a young boy.
"Sister Zhuyun, I notice that Zhuqing doesn't seem to show any signs of Soul Power has she not awakened her Martial Soul yet?"
"… "
The moment Lin Xia finished speaking, Zhu Zhuyun's steps paused ever so slightly.
Her grip on her sister's hand seemed to tighten instinctively.
The gentle smile on Zhu Zhuyun's face faded like mist blown away by the wind, leaving behind an almost frozen silence.
She did not answer immediately, nor did she turn back. She merely lowered her gaze slightly.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the corridor's eaves, falling upon her delicate profile. Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows over her fair skin, concealing the turbulent emotions in her eyes.
Sensing her sister's change, Zhu Zhuqing looked up in confusion. With her clear, innocent eyes fixed on her sister's tense jawline, she softly called out.
"Sister?"
Zhu Zhuyun seemed to awaken from that call.
She took a deep breath, the sound of it unusually clear in the quiet corridor.
At last, she slowly turned her head to look at Lin Xia. She tried to put on a smile, but it appeared forced, tinged even with a hint of bitterness.
Avoiding Lin Xia's probing gaze, Zhu Zhuyun lowered her head. With her free hand, she gently reached out and stroked Zhu Zhuqing's smooth black hair with extreme care almost reverence, as though cherishing something priceless yet fragile.
Her movements were cautious, as if she were touching a delicate piece of glass that could shatter at any moment.
"Yes…"
Zhu Zhuyun's voice was soft, like a sigh, carrying a heavy weariness and an indescribable plea.
"Zhuqing hasn't awakened her Martial Soul yet."
Her fingers lingered in her sister's hair, her eyes filled with a deep, inescapable struggle and pain, as if she were making an extremely difficult decision.
In the end, she lifted her head. Her gaze passed over Lin Xia and drifted toward the patch of blue sky framed by the courtyard's eaves.
In a tone almost like a dream—filled with longing, yet mixed with a trace of despair—she murmured softly:
"If it were possible Sister truly hopes that Zhuqing would never awaken her Martial Soul in this lifetime."
Those words were like a massive stone cast into a still lake, stirring silent yet overwhelming waves beneath the corridor.
Lin Xia's heart sank suddenly.
As expected.
The cruel imperial succession system of the Star Luo Empire, bound by bloodline like chains!
Once Zhu Zhuqing awakened the Netherworld Hellcat Martial Soul, this little girl, who now leaned against her sister with innocent eyes would inevitably be pushed onto the stage of so-called "imperial marriage alliances," which was, in truth, a deadly race for survival.
She would have no choice but to be bound to another prince, becoming an obstacle that the pair of Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuyun—this "future emperor and empress" would have to eliminate!
The fate of the loser at best, their Martial Soul would be crippled, reduced to a prisoner, spending the rest of their life in darkness.
At worst they would die, their body and soul vanishing, becoming nothing more than insignificant dust beneath the shifting tides of imperial power.
Blood sisters would be forced, for survival and for that supreme position, to turn their blades against each other, until one perished!
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