Zhu Zhuyun watched the scene before her, her emotions surging.
A Soft Bone Rabbit and a Netherworld Spirit Cat occupied the positions beside that man, one on the left and one on the right, as if it were their natural right.
She hesitated for a moment, not stepping forward, but choosing to lie down by the campfire where she could absorb warmth while constantly observing Li Yifei's location, hugging her arms.
This was a instinctive vigilance, yet also an unconscious proximity.
However, Zhu Zhuyun was destined not to sleep that night.
She kept her eyes open, gazing at the flickering shadows on the cave ceiling, the crackling of the firewood and two steady breaths filling her ears.
In her mind, her sister's fortuitous encounter, the man's immense power, and the royal hidden guards silently dealt with—scene after scene replayed, assaulting her established perceptions.
A thought even more radical and rebellious than 'liberating the Zhu Family' sprouted from the deep-seated seed in her heart.
Liberating the Zhu Family?
No... this scope was too small!
Since the Dai Family's imperial authority was merely dust that person could casually brush away...
Since even a Titled Douluo could be erased with a single finger...
Then, what was wrong with taking their place?
A brand new Star Luo Empire, one that no longer required sisters to fight each other, no longer required them to live under another's thumb—an Empire dominated by their Zhu Family!
This thought exploded like a thunderclap, shattering the life that had been shackled by fate for over a decade!
Zhu Zhuyun's breathing suddenly became heavy.
She abruptly turned her head, her gaze burning as she fixed it on the man who was resting with his eyes closed.
Was he the key for the Zhu Family to break free from their shackles, or... the storm that would drag the entire Empire into a new era?
Dawn broke, dispelling the last trace of coldness from the cave entrance.
Zhu Zhuyun opened her bloodshot eyes; she hadn't closed them all night.
The bonfire had died down, leaving only warm ashes.
She saw the man named Li Yifei still leaning against the stone wall, his expression peaceful.
To his left, the humanoid Little Rabbit was curled up in his embrace, sleeping soundly, her pink rabbit ears trembling slightly with her breathing.
And her sister, Zhu Zhuqing, was pressed tightly against the man's right arm, her head resting on his shoulder. On her usually cold face, there was an expression of tranquility, as if all defenses had been dropped.
A rabbit, a cat, harmoniously nestled by his side.
This scene, devoid of any impure thoughts, held a greater impact than any intimate gesture.
It was a trust and belonging originating from the depths of their Souls.
Sister... has already staked everything she has.
Zhu Zhuyun's hand quietly clenched at her side, her nails digging into her palm.
The crazy thought in her mind completely conquered all fear and hesitation at this moment.
What did it matter if the Dai Family's imperial authority was unbreakable?
Take their place!
A brand new Empire controlled by the Zhu Family!
Once this thought took root, it entwined her entire mind like a vine.
Just then, Li Yifei's eyelashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes.
He didn't seem to notice the two 'pendants' beside him, his gaze calmly falling upon Zhu Zhuyun.
"How was your rest?"
Zhu Zhuyun's heart tightened, and she quickly suppressed her exposed emotions, nodding.
"We should leave now, back to the Sunset Forest," Li Yifei said, adding,
"However, my spirit power is only at level forty-nine right now. Conducting continuous spatial transfers with the three of you will be quite draining, and I'll need to stop midway to recover."
Level forty-nine? Even his power had limits?
This realization did not disappoint Zhu Zhuyun; instead, it slowly brought her heart, which had been floating due to fear and fervor, back down to solid ground.
An omnipotent, flawless existence was a deity, to be worshipped only.
But a strong individual who tires and needs recovery could potentially become... an ally.
The plan in her heart instantly became much clearer.
Li Yifei swept his gaze over the three women and calmly stated, "My power is limited, and I cannot construct a stable spatial passage capable of accommodating multiple people. The next few transfers will require physical contact with me."
As soon as he said this...
"I want Brother Yi Fei to hold me!" The Little Rabbit immediately lifted her head from his embrace, proclaiming ownership, and her small head affectionately rubbed against his chest again.
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks instantly flushed red, the color spreading to her earlobes. She abruptly lowered her head, using her long, hanging hair to hide her expression, but she did not voice any refusal.
As for Zhu Zhuyun, she froze completely.
Physical... contact?
As the Eldest Young Miss of the Zhu Family, the future Crown Princess, when had she ever been this close to a man outside of her clan members!
This made her feel more at a loss than facing a life-or-death battle.
Seeing her overly cautious appearance, a faint smile curved Li Yifei's lips.
Finally, he wrapped one arm around the Little Rabbit, who had happily nestled back into his embrace, and extended his other hand, directly grasping Zhu Zhuqing's wrist.
He looked towards Zhu Zhuyun, who was still hesitating beside them, his gaze signaling her to grab her sister.
Zhu Zhuyun snapped back to reality and quickly stepped forward, stiffly taking hold of Zhu Zhuqing's other hand.
The next instant, the power of space activated.
There was no brilliance of a Spirit Ability, nor any violent tremor.
Zhu Zhuyun only felt the surrounding scenery being stretched and shattered by an invisible force, then pieced back together.
The process was extremely fast, yet subjectively it felt like a long time had passed.
When the dizzying sensation receded, her feet were on soft soil.
All around were unfamiliar towering ancient trees, and the air was filled with the damp fragrance of vegetation.
The cave was already thousands of miles away.
This kind of unfathomable technique, even though it wasn't the first time experiencing it, still made her spirit waver.
The journey ahead consisted of alternating between constant teleportation and brief rest periods.
Every spatial shift forced Zhu Zhuyun to reorganize her understanding of Li Yifei's power.
During a rest stop midway, a fierce-looking Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast, an'Shadow Demon Tiger,' emerged from the woods. Its scarlet beast pupils locked onto the four of them, and it let out a muffled roar from its throat.
The two sisters instantly entered a state of alert, their spirit power ready to be unleashed.
However, Li Yifei didn't even get up; he merely lifted his eyelids and cast his gaze toward the Demon Tiger.
No spirit power burst forth, no Killing Intent leaked out.
The fierce Demon Soul Beast instantly froze, as if it had seen the apex predator of the food chain.
Its massive body trembled uncontrollably, letting out a mournful cry mixed with extreme fear, then it tucked its tail and bolted into the dense forest without looking back, fleeing in disgrace.
Zhu Zhuyun stared blankly in the direction the Demon Tiger had vanished, then looked back at the man who remained calm and composed, feeling her mouth go dry.
At this moment, she truly understood the weight of the 'God' her sister spoke of.
In the face of absolute life hierarchy, the so-called ten thousand years of cultivation was as fragile as a joke.
After several transfers, Li Yifei's spirit power was significantly depleted.
The four finally stopped in a clearing in the forest.
"I need to recover."
After Li Yifei spoke, he sat down cross-legged.
This time, without any instruction, Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing tacitly took up the duty of guarding, one on the left and one on the right.