Both Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing had spent the night cultivating. Quietly, dawn arrived.
As the morning light seeped in, Lin Jie—still sitting cross-legged on his bed—opened his eyes. He raised his right hand, watching lightning flicker between his fingers. With a light clench of his fist, the lightning vanished.
He muttered to himself, "Not bad. My soul power didn't increase, but my overall strength definitely improved again. I wonder what Zhu Zhuqing's doing right now…"
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing also finished her cultivation in the room next door and stepped outside.
Lin Jie relaxed his spiritual perception, activating his Mind Net, and sensed that she was heading out. Without delay, he got up and exited his room as well. Spotting her in the hallway, he invited her to take a stroll around the city together.
To his surprise, Zhu Zhuqing agreed.
The two of them descended the stairs and left the hotel.
Soto City was bustling with life. Street vendors shouted to promote their goods, the architecture had a distinctly Western-European flair, and beside him walked a beautiful girl. Lin Jie couldn't help but feel a hint of happiness. If only Zhu Zhuqing would smile more—they'd really look like a perfect couple.
It had been a long, long time since he'd last wandered the streets with someone.
That memory, however, was painful.
Back then, he'd been just a child, walking through the streets with his parents and little sister. But simply for obstructing the path of a noble prince, his father had been beaten nearly to death... and eventually succumbed to his injuries.
From that day on, Lin Jie vowed that one day, those responsible would pay the price.
He hadn't had the power back then. But now—now he was on the path to becoming strong. And when the time came, he'd make them regret everything.
Zhu Zhuqing seemed to sense the shift in his mood and asked quietly, "What's wrong?"
Lin Jie snapped out of it, glanced at her, and replied gently, "It's nothing. Just... I haven't had a relaxing walk like this in a long time. Brought back a few old memories."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly. "It's been a long time since I've felt this relaxed too."
Lin Jie understood. For someone from a clan like hers, relaxation was a luxury rarely afforded.
"Then take today and enjoy it," he said. "Here, you don't have to worry about your clan or anyone from your family."
"Maybe..." For the first time, her cold expression eased, and the corners of her lips lifted just slightly.
The two walked around the city for quite a while. Eventually, feeling a little tired, Lin Jie suggested heading back to the hotel to rest.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't object, so they made their way back toward Rose Hotel.
Truthfully, Lin Jie wasn't tired at all. With his current strength, he could walk for days without issue.
He'd simply spotted two familiar figures earlier… and wanted to confirm something.
Activating his Mind Net, Lin Jie picked up their aura again and maintained a slow, steady pace as they approached the hotel.
As they drew close, Lin Jie noticed a tall, well-dressed young man with golden-blond hair—around 1.8 meters tall—walking toward the hotel with his arms wrapped around two young women.
Seeing this, Lin Jie turned his head slightly toward Zhu Zhuqing, smirking inwardly: Now this is going to be interesting.
They weren't walking fast, so the timing lined up perfectly.
Sure enough, when they were only a short distance from the hotel, Lin Jie noticed Zhu Zhuqing's expression change. Her pace slowed, and her eyes fixed on the building ahead.
He didn't need to guess what was happening.
Zhu Zhuqing must have sensed Dai Mubai's presence.
After all, their Martial Souls—Netherworld Civet and White Tiger—came from families with a history of soul resonance. When close enough, they could instinctively sense each other.
But if she could sense him… had Dai Mubai sensed her too?
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly sped up, striding toward the hotel. Lin Jie, of course, remained relaxed and followed at a slower pace.
By the time he arrived at the entrance, Dai Mubai was walking out—arms still around two identical twin girls.
Lin Jie muttered under his breath, "Wow, someone's living the good life."
Zhu Zhuqing spotted Dai Mubai too. And she definitely saw the two girls clinging to him.
Her already-cold gaze turned utterly frigid.
Dai Mubai, seeing her, looked stunned. He had not expected to run into Zhu Zhuqing here—much less in this particular situation.
His expression turned awkward. With a twitch of his lips, he immediately pulled his arms away from the girls.
He was just about to speak—probably to ask why she was here—when Zhu Zhuqing's icy glare and glacial tone silenced him.
She let out a cold snort and walked straight past him into the hotel, not sparing him another glance.
Right on cue, Lin Jie chimed in behind her. "Zhuqing, wait up!"
Just as he was about to follow, Dai Mubai raised a hand to block his path.
"You. Who do you think you are, calling her 'Zhuqing'? You have no right."
Lin Jie looked at the hand in front of him, then at Dai Mubai's face, and replied coolly, "And what business is it of yours who I am to her? I'll call her what I damn well please."
Dai Mubai's eyes flashed with anger, and it looked like he was ready to throw a punch.
But the twin sisters were quick to react—one on each side, clinging to his arms and cooing.
"Dai darling~ what are you doing? Didn't you just finish a fight earlier?"
"Yeah, yeah, you've left us waiting for so long already."
Caught between the two women and his rising frustration, Dai Mubai gritted his teeth and growled, "Kid… count yourself lucky."
With that, he turned and walked away, arms once again around the twin sisters.
As for Zhu Zhuqing?
She's probably here to see me, Dai Mubai thought. She'll definitely apply to Shrek Academy. I'll smooth things over later.
Besides, he had more urgent matters to attend to tonight.
After all, it had taken quite a bit of effort to get those twin sisters to agree to... well, let's just say, to have a meaningful "philosophical discussion" together this evening.
Couldn't let that chance go to waste.
Meanwhile, Lin Jie watched Dai Mubai leave.
He'd honestly expected Dai Mubai to take a swing at him. Didn't think he'd hold back.
Fine by him. Lin Jie wasn't interested in picking a fight right now. As long as Dai Mubai didn't cross him, he couldn't care less.
He strolled into the hotel and found the lobby empty—Zhu Zhuqing was already gone.
But his attention was soon caught by two other familiar figures near the front desk.
The girl had long, slender legs wrapped in white stockings, a perfect figure highlighted by a pink dress that hugged every curve, and a long scorpion braid cascading down her back. Her eyes sparkled with gentle beauty, her face flawless—delicate, radiant, simply captivating.
It was Xiao Wu.
Standing beside her was a young man with ordinary features and blue hair—Tang San.
Six years had passed, and Lin Jie hadn't expected to see them again so soon.
Xiao Wu, noticing his gaze, leaned in and whispered to Tang San, "Ge… someone's staring at us."
Tang San turned and met Lin Jie's eyes. Lin Jie nodded and smiled politely before walking upstairs.
"…It's nothing," Tang San said quietly. "Just someone looking."
But in his heart, he felt a strange sense of familiarity.
"Ge, doesn't he look familiar?" Xiao Wu asked again.
"Yeah… probably someone we've seen before. That's all."
"Mhm… okay."
Back in his room, Lin Jie wanted to check on Zhu Zhuqing next door… but decided it wasn't the right time.
He poured himself a glass of water, pulled open the curtains, and gazed at the dusky skyline.
After taking a few sips, he put the glass down and sat on the bed, preparing to meditate.
But just as he was about to close his eyes, there was a knock at the door.
He stood up, opened it—only to see Zhu Zhuqing standing there.
"…Can I come in?" she asked quietly.
Lin Jie was briefly stunned. But after a moment, he nodded. "Come in."
He hadn't expected her to show up now. Had she seen Dai Mubai fooling around and come here for comfort?
No way, he thought. But if she did… would I say yes or no?
Snapping out of his thoughts, he closed the door behind her with a soft thud.
Zhu Zhuqing stood silently in the room.
"You can sit," Lin Jie offered.
She looked at him, eyes steady. "That thing you mentioned yesterday. The lightning body tempering. Can you… help me?"