Inside the room, Xu Tianyang sat upright before a large workbench, various small parts scattered across the table.
His left hand steadily held a blood-red, ruby-like metal block. This metal, called Blood Spirit Iron, was a thousand-forged metal, strong enough to support the engraving of most Level Six core arrays.
Strangely, his right hand only extended an index finger, rapidly engraving the Blood Spirit Iron.
If one looked closely, they would notice that the tip of Xu Tianyang's index finger extended a sharp, blade-like claw.
As time passed, the Level Six core array in his hand gradually took shape. Xu Tianyang's expression was calm, as if it hadn't cost him much effort.
"Your Highness, that woman is awake!" Just as he made the final cut, a pretty maid walked over, looking at Xu Tianyang with adoration and respectfully said.
"Bring her over," Xu Tianyang said softly, putting down the Level Six core array in his hand.
In a short while, a girl in a black leather outfit with an exceptionally good figure was brought before Xu Tianyang.
It was Zhu Zhuqing, whom he had 'picked up' yesterday. Her injuries were now fully healed, but her jade-like face was filled with coldness, and her dark eyes were full of bone-chilling coldness and wariness.
She was like a timid kitten in an unfamiliar environment.
Moreover, this was the Crown Prince Residence of the Sun Moon Empire, which was akin to a dragon's den for her.
"I know you, the fourth prince of the Star Luo Empire's fiancée, the second young miss of the Zhu family, Zhu Zhuqing." Xu Tianyang's words exploded in Zhu Zhuqing's mind like a clap of thunder, and her rosy complexion instantly turned pale.
"Still couldn't escape?" Despair flickered in Zhu Zhuqing's cold eyes, and she gave a bitter smile, "Sister, I'm going to disappoint you."
"You seem to be thinking of something unpleasant?" Xu Tianyang looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who instantly seemed as if she didn't want to live, and asked curiously.
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing gritted her silver teeth, a determined glint in her eyes as she said, "I didn't expect that the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire would be so afraid of the Star Luo Empire."
"Heh!" Xu Tianyang scoffed upon hearing this, and said faintly, "You really have misunderstood something."
"A mere Star Luo Empire is not enough to make this Crown Prince wary."
"A clumsy provocation, trying to provoke my anger to make me deny my own intention of sending you back."
"Since that's the case, let me see if you have the qualifications to stay. My Sun Moon Empire doesn't take just any waste (waste)."
As his voice fell, Xu Tianyang slowly rose. A formless mental fluctuation, centered around his body, suddenly enveloped the entire Crown Prince Residence.
A purple-gold mental power light flashed and disappeared, and within the brilliant light was a terrifying majesty.
This was the effect of mental power and spirit power fusion, created based on Douluo Dalu 2 Mu En's 'Monarch's Dominion' combat skill.
It could be integrated into any of his mental-attribute Spirit Abilitys, with the effect of deterring and impacting the spiritual sea and mind.
After hearing Xu Tianyang's words, Zhu Zhuqing instantly realized she had misunderstood him, and her face couldn't help but show some shame.
However, in the next second, the air around her body suddenly twisted slightly, and a terrifying mental pressure abruptly descended upon her, making her heart clench as if she couldn't breathe, and her face instantly turned pale.
Zhu Zhuqing also heard Xu Tianyang's words, knowing this was her last chance. She secretly clenched her fists in her sleeves, and just as she was about to faint, she fiercely bit the tip of her tongue, and a metallic taste immediately rushed to her head.
Her expression became exceptionally firm, and she looked directly at Xu Tianyang, neither servile nor overbearing. The stubbornness in her eyes made Xu Tianyang nod inwardly.
Zhu Zhuqing, with innate spirit power Level Seven, was among the lowest tier of talent among the original Seven Monsters, once becoming an accessory for the fusion of the Hell White Tiger.
Even the immortal herb given to her was not custom-made like for the others.
But she was undoubtedly the most diligent one. The threat of death and her unyielding personality meant she never slacked off in the slightest.
At Star Luo Royal Academy, whenever night fell and others rested or enjoyed themselves, Zhu Zhuqing was always sweating on the training grounds. Her heart had only one goal—to become stronger, strong enough to win in future decisive battles and then survive.
"Not entirely useless!" Seeing Zhu Zhuqing withstand the pressure, Xu Tianyang dispelled the mental pressure, then said, "Since you have already entered Sun Moon Royal Academy, the Sun Moon Empire will naturally not allow anyone to harm its students. Cultivate here with peace of mind."
"The Soul Arena is too dangerous; it doesn't restrict spirit tools, and it's not suitable for a Spirit Grandmaster like you. The academy has a Soul Fighting Stage where you can spar with other students, or you can go learn the application of spirit tools."
"In short, you are safe!"
Her body suddenly relaxed, and Zhu Zhuqing's taut string immediately loosened, causing her to slump to the ground. Only then did she realize her back was already drenched in sweat.
Hearing Xu Tianyang's words, she felt a bittersweet sensation, as if her gloomy life had begun to brighten.
"Can you teach me to become stronger?" A low, hoarse voice came from Zhu Zhuqing's mouth.
"Why?" Xu Tianyang finally showed a faint smile upon hearing this, looking at Zhu Zhuqing with interest, and said, "You are already safe. As long as you stay in Ming City with peace of mind, you can live out this life comfortably."
"I want to become stronger, not for anyone, but only for myself," Zhu Zhuqing's voice was low and firm.
"Then what can I gain?" Xu Tianyang looked at Zhu Zhuqing with interest. She possessed the character to become a top expert, lacking only talent and a Spirit.
However, Xu Tianyang could help her change in these aspects.
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent for a moment. She indeed had nothing to offer Xu Tianyang in return.
In terms of strength, she was just a small Spirit Grandmaster. As the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, he had plenty of powerful individuals at his disposal.
In terms of status, she was penniless in the Sun Moon Empire; any random student was more useful than her.
The only thing she seemed to have was her appearance?
Looking at the silent Zhu Zhuqing, Xu Tianyang felt a bit disappointed, and waved his hand, saying, "Go find Director Lin Fan. I will arrange for him to fully train you for two years. In two years, you must reach Soul Venerate. I have a task for you. If you complete it well, I will give you the opportunity to become a powerful expert."
"I'm giving you the opportunity; it's up to you to seize it."
"Thank you!" Realizing Xu Tianyang's disappointment in her, Zhu Zhuqing felt a pang of loss.
She didn't say much more. After a word of thanks, she turned and left, her eyes filled with determination.