That was why Zhu Zhuyun would say such a seemingly absurd, yet blood-soaked wish—she would rather her younger sister remain an ordinary person unable to cultivate for her entire life than step into that whirlpool of fate destined to be filled with bloodshed and betrayal!
"No!!"
A crisp, childish voice filled with strong dissatisfaction and stubbornness suddenly shattered the heavy silence!
Zhu Zhuqing shook her little head vigorously, trying to throw off her sister's hand resting on her head.
Her small face flushed slightly with urgency and grievance, and her large eyes shone with an unyielding light.
"Sister, you're talking nonsense!"
Zhu Zhuqing looked up, her lips pouting, her voice carrying the stubbornness unique to a child.
"I don't want that! I want to awaken my Martial Soul! I want to become as strong as you, Sister! I want to fly like you and chase away bad people! Father already promised me! In three days! In just three days, I'll awaken my Martial Soul!"
Zhu Zhuqing tightly grasped her sister's sleeve, as if clutching onto the hope of her future. Her eyes sparkled, filled with longing for power and admiration for her sister.
Looking at her sister's face full of expectation and determination, listening to her childish yet incredibly serious words, Zhu Zhuyun felt as though an invisible hand had gripped her heart tightly, almost suffocating her!
The purer and brighter the light in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, the more intense Zhu Zhuyun's pain and inner struggle became!
The turmoil in Zhu Zhuyun's eyes raged like a storm, guilt, heartache, fear, helplessness all kinds of emotions intertwined and surged, nearly tearing apart her reason.
But she forcibly suppressed all those overwhelming emotions, pulling the corners of her lips upward with effort, trying to form a smile that looked even worse than crying.
She placed her hand back on her sister's head, her movements still gentle, but her voice carried a faint hoarseness and tremor:
"Silly girl in Sister's heart, Zhuqing will always be the strongest! Even stronger than me…"
She spoke those words with great difficulty, each one feeling as if it had been carved out from her heart.
Hearing this "praise," the dissatisfaction on Zhu Zhuqing's face instantly vanished, replaced by joy and pride at being acknowledged.
Like a proud little peacock, she puffed out her small chest and declared confidently:
"Of course! Just wait and see, Sister! When I become super, super strong in the future, I'll be the one to protect you! No one will be allowed to bully you!"
This declaration, full of protectiveness, was like the sharpest dagger, stabbing fiercely into Zhu Zhuyun's heart once again!
She could no longer maintain that forced smile. Her eyes instantly reddened, and she quickly lowered her head, using the excuse of tidying the stray hair on her sister's forehead to hide the tears that were about to fall. Her shoulders trembled ever so slightly.
Larvitar seemed to sense the heavy and sorrowful emotions emanating from Zhu Zhuyun. It poked its head out from Lin Xia's arms, its crimson eyes showing a hint of instinctive confusion as it let out a soft "Larvi…" sound.
Lin Xia took in everything before him, a complex wave of emotions rising within his heart.
From the perspective of the Star Luo Empire, this cruel, survival-of-the-fittest inheritance system did have its logic.
It could, to the greatest extent, select heirs who were the strongest in temperament, methods, and strength, ensuring the stability and power of the Empire's rule.
Compared to the Heaven Dou Empire's milder, uncertain, and somewhat decaying method of succession, Star Luo's rules undoubtedly forged iron-blooded rulers.
The Dai brothers, Dai Mubai and Dai Davis and the Zhu sisters, Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing their talent and temperament indeed far surpassed their peers, to some extent proving the "efficiency" of such a system.
However when this cold rule fell upon the sisters before him, who should have been close and supportive of each other, the cruelty became so stark, so suffocating.
Awakening a Martial Soul should have been a joyous moment marking the beginning of one's path to power. But for Zhu Zhuqing, it might signify the starting point of standing in opposition to her beloved sister, perhaps even a life-and-death struggle.
Under the crushing weight of this grand yet bloody system, their familial bond seemed unbearably fragile.
Lin Xia sighed inwardly.
He was not a savior, nor did he intend to judge a thousand-year-old imperial law.
Moreover, he had just arrived, his own strength still insufficient, and he was merely a passerby to the Zhu sisters.
To rashly interfere would not help matters; instead, it might bring trouble upon himself, dragging him into the bottomless vortex of power within the Star Luo imperial family.
He was only an observer, a temporary guest with his own goals.
Energy for his mecha, the improvement of his own strength those were the things he needed to focus on wholeheartedly.
As for the Zhu family's internal struggles, he could only avoid them for now.
Looking at Zhu Zhuqing's small face filled with hope and fighting spirit, Lin Xia suppressed his complicated thoughts. A gentle, encouraging smile appropriate for his age appeared on his face.
Following Zhu Zhuqing's words, he spoke as if casually, his tone carrying a sense of blessing:
"Mm, Zhuqing is right. Awakening a Martial Soul is the first step toward becoming strong! Who knows, Zhuqing might be exceptionally gifted and awaken a Martial Soul even stronger than the Netherworld Hellcat. When that happens, you'll definitely be able to fulfill your wish of protecting your sister!"
Lin Xia spoke sincerely.
He himself was a miracle that defied convention, so he did not hesitate to offer a beautiful hope to an innocent little girl.
Moreover, the blessing itself carried no ill intent.
However, to Zhu Zhuyun, these words were like a thunderclap!
She suddenly raised her head. Her reddened eyes, still unable to conceal her shock and a trace of sharpness, fixed directly on Lin Xia!
"Stronger than the Netherworld Hellcat, a more powerful Martial Soul?"
Zhu Zhuyun's breathing faltered slightly.
To break free from fate? Was that even possible?
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind like lightning.
She looked at Lin Xia's calm, unruffled dark golden eyes, as if he had merely spoken casually and for a moment, she could not discern the deeper meaning behind his words.
Zhu Zhuqing's reaction, on the other hand, was far more direct and pure.
"Really? Brother Lin Xia?"
Her large eyes instantly lit up like stars, and a radiant smile blossomed across her face, filled with the joy of being affirmed and boundless imagination for the future.
"Thank you, Brother Lin Xia! I'll definitely work hard! I'll awaken a super powerful Martial Soul! Even a little stronger than Sister's! Then I'll protect her!"
Zhu Zhuqing clenched her small fists tightly, as if she could already see herself standing proudly, protecting her sister.
Zhu Zhuyun looked at her sister's innocent, carefree smile, then at Lin Xia's calm and unfathomable expression. The storm of doubt and pain in her heart finally turned into a silent sigh.
Forcing herself, Zhu Zhuyun once again put on a gentle smile though this time, the exhaustion within it was even more apparent.
"That's enough, Zhuqing."
She gently tugged on her sister's hand, her voice carrying a faint trace of hoarseness as she changed the subject.
"It's getting late. Let's take Brother Lin Xia to see his room. We should choose a quiet and comfortable place for him."
"Mm! Okay!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded vigorously, temporarily setting aside her dreams of the future as her lively nature returned.
"I know! 'Listening Bamboo Pavilion' in the western courtyard is very quiet! There are lots of bamboo outside the window! Brother Lin Xia, do you like bamboo?"
Lin Xia followed her lead and nodded with a smile.
"I do. The swaying bamboo shadows are tranquil and elegant, it's a fine place. Thank you for your trouble, Sister Zhuyun, Zhuqing."
"It's no trouble."
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