Dai Mubai glared at Lin Xian, his eyes practically spitting fire.
He spoke word by word:
"Zhu Zhuqing is my fiancée!"
Lin Xian curled his lips into a faint, wicked smile.
"So what?"
"Whatever is going on between you two, I don't care. But let me tell you—she's not someone a mere Spirit Grandmaster like you can touch!"
"Is that so?" Lin Xian chuckled. "You act so tough now, but when you ran from the Star Luo Empire, did you ever think about her? Or were you only thinking about saving yourself?"
Dai Mubai froze.
He hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to reveal something like that to an outsider.
And for those two questions… he had no answer.
Back then, all he cared about was staying alive. How could he think about anything else?
Besides, to him, women were disposable.
He had never lacked women.
It was just that now, seeing Zhu Zhuqing again—so strong—it caught him off guard.
Thinking back to the Great Spirit Arena, where his defense had been shattered in moments, he still felt a lingering fear.
If that had been a life-or-death fight… his head wouldn't still be on his shoulders.
But he still refused to back down.
"That was just strategy. When I grow stronger, I'll fight my way back. I'm just buying time—you wouldn't understand."
Lin Xian smiled lightly.
"Isn't that just another way of saying you're weak? I'll say it again—if you're weak, then train more."
That sentence completely set Dai Mubai off.
"You brat, what do you know? If you're not convinced, let's spar! I'll even use one hand—if you can push me back a single step, you win!"
Lin Xian waved him off lazily.
"I'm tired. Not interested. Besides, you don't have anything worth betting. Go back and stop following me."
"Afraid?"
Dai Mubai laughed arrogantly.
Lin Xian was just a control-type Spirit Master. No obvious attack power, no strange techniques like Tang San.
Afraid of a Spirit Grandmaster?
What a joke.
"You brat… did you get some kind of leverage over Zhuqing?"
"Otherwise, why would she stay with you?"
"I suggest you hand it over. Or don't blame me for being ruthless."
The more Dai Mubai thought about it, the more convinced he became.
That had to be it.
Otherwise, why would Zhu Zhuqing stay by Lin Xian's side?
This had to be the truth!
Hearing this, Lin Xian burst out laughing.
"I heard you think I'm blackmailing her? Is that even a thing?"
Dai Mubai frowned, confused.
Before he could react, Zhu Zhuqing's figure flashed forward.
She appeared beside Lin Xian and gently took his hand.
"Of course. Otherwise, why would I willingly stay by his side?"
Lin Xian blinked, momentarily stunned.
Then he played along with a grin.
"Heh, as expected of a little wildcat. Looks like we'll have to be even more intense tonight. You wouldn't want others to find out, right?"
"I understand. I'll be obedient, Master~"
!!!
Not just Dai Mubai—even Lin Xian froze for a moment.
He had only meant to tease her and provoke Dai Mubai.
He hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to go this far.
This… was explosive.
Dai Mubai stood there, completely dumbfounded.
The effect? Perfect.
And those last two words—soft and teasing—sent a strange thrill through Lin Xian.
"Little kitty… what did you just call me? I didn't hear clearly. Say it again?"
"Master~"
Even as she spoke, Lin Xian could feel two fingers pressing into his waist.
He didn't dare move.
That pinch would hurt.
But in Dai Mubai's eyes, it was nothing but flirting.
And he… was the fool standing on the sidelines.
Rage surged within him.
"Zhu Zhuqing! Know your place! You came all this way to Soto City to find me, didn't you? Why are you with this brat now? Do you actually like him?"
Zhu Zhuqing sneered.
"Yes, I came to find you. But what I saw here completely lowered my expectations of how shameless a man can be."
"Frequenting the Great Spirit Arena, changing women every day—even twins. Enjoying yourself, aren't you?"
"A scumbag like you? I don't think much of you at all."
"As for him? If it weren't for him, I'd already be a corpse in the Star Dou Forest."
…
Dai Mubai fell silent.
"But only we can perform the Martial Soul Fusion Skill! If we cultivate together, we can return to the Star Luo Empire and take revenge. No one can stop us!"
He grew more excited as he spoke.
With Zhu Zhuqing here, that plan could finally become reality.
His chances of success would skyrocket.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned cold.
"I don't want to cultivate with a scumbag. You disgust me."
"I can change! From today on, I won't touch another woman. I can control myself—you have to believe me!"
"No need. Once unfaithful, never trusted again."
"You are my fiancée!"
"Not anymore."
Those words fell like a blade.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing felt something inside her finally settle.
That hollow engagement, built without any real feelings, had only brought her pain.
Now that she had severed it completely…
She felt free.
Even her spirit power showed faint signs of another breakthrough.
"What did you say?" Dai Mubai's voice trembled.
"If you don't cultivate with me, how will you defeat them? Do you want to live like a hunted rat forever?"
"Is it worth it—for this pretty boy?"
He pointed at Lin Xian, his hands shaking with rage.
Zhu Zhuqing remained calm.
"That's none of your concern. We'll rely on our own strength."
Dai Mubai's fists clenched.
He wanted nothing more than to beat Lin Xian down.
But with Zhu Zhuqing standing there, he could do nothing.
Staying any longer would only humiliate himself further.
All he could do was leave.
He would grow stronger.
And one day, he would crush them beneath his feet.
Because only absolute strength mattered.
Then, suddenly, he paused.
"Has your Spirit mutated?"
"I can feel it—it's much stronger now. How did you do it?"
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at him coldly.
"Why should I tell you? Because of that ridiculous engagement?"
"If you tell me… I'll agree to break it off completely."
Dai Mubai had made up his mind.
He wanted that secret.
He needed that power.
(Author's Note)
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