Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 128 If possible... I really hope... Zhu Qing never awakens her martial soul in this lifetime!
Zhu Zhan watched this scene with satisfaction, especially Lin Xia's composed and confident response, which filled him with admiration. He waved his hand and laughed heartily:

"Haha, good! There's no need for such formalities among family! Xia, just make yourself at home! Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything!"

"Thank you for your kind invitation, Master Zhu."

Lin Xia thanked him again, her posture impeccable.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was warm and harmonious, and both guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely.

Seeing this, Zhu Yu gave a few instructions and left, as she still had to go back and report.

Zhu Zhan, the head of the Zhu family, did not stay long after his sister left.

His stern gaze lingered on Lin Xia for a moment, his eyes scrutinizing and probing before finally softening into a gentle, expectant look, like that of an elder.

"Young friend Lin Xia."

Zhu Zhan's voice was deep and powerful.

"Since you are new here, Zhuyun and Zhuqing, you sisters should show Xia around the mansion and arrange a quiet and comfortable place for him to stay. Do not neglect our distinguished guest."

"Yes, father."

Zhu Zhuyun immediately knelt in response, her posture impeccable.

Zhu Zhuqing followed her sister's example and whispered in response:

"I understand, Father."

Zhu Zhan nodded slightly, said nothing more, turned around and strode away from the main hall, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately relaxed a lot.

"Brother Lin Xia, please come with us."

Zhu Zhuyun turned around, her face bearing an impeccable gentle smile, and gestured for Lin Xia to enter.

She naturally reached out and took her younger sister Zhu Zhuqing's small hand.

"Ok!"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded vigorously, her little hand tightly gripping her sister's hand, her dependence on her evident.

Her clear, large eyes looked at Lin Xia with a mixture of curiosity and shy friendliness.

Lin Xia carried the baby Gilas and followed behind the two sisters out of the solemn main hall.

Young Kiras's scarlet eyes curiously surveyed every corner of the grand mansion.

The Zhu family mansion covered a vast area, with winding corridors and deep courtyards.

Zhu Zhuyun led the way with a composed and elegant demeanor, clearly very familiar with every plant and tree in the house.

She introduced herself in a gentle voice:

"This is the training ground, where the family's disciples practice their soul skills... Over there is the library, which houses many ancient books and soul master insights... Passing through this bamboo grove, you'll find the lotus pond in the back garden, the most beautiful spot in summer..."

Her introduction was detailed and appropriate, showcasing the upbringing of the eldest daughter of the Zhu family.

But Lin Xia's gaze lingered more on the hands clasped between her and her younger sister Zhu Zhuqing, and on the almost imperceptible, unyielding tenderness and worry deep in her eyes when she looked at her sister.

Zhu Zhuyun held Zhu Zhuqing's hand, her steps always unconsciously matching her younger sister's short legs. When they encountered slightly high thresholds or uneven cobblestone paths, she would gently nudge her sister's hand to remind her to be careful.

Zhu Zhuqing relies almost entirely on her older sister, leaning slightly to one side when walking, her little face radiating a sense of security from being protected and complete trust in her sister.

Occasionally, she would point to something new and ask her sister in a low voice what it was. Zhu Zhuyun would always patiently explain it to her in simpler terms, her eyes filled with affection. This deep sisterly affection, almost overflowing from the scene, seemed especially precious against the backdrop of the cruel rules of succession to the throne in the Star Luo Empire, and also... especially heart-wrenching.

Lin Xia understood.

He recalled the irreconcilable conflict between the sisters in the original story, and then looked at the heartwarming scene before him. The stark contrast made him sigh inwardly.

He followed silently, and Young Kiras seemed to sense his emotional fluctuations, quietly nestled in his arms, not looking around as usual.

As Lin Xia walked through a courtyard filled with pale purple flowers, her gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing once again.

He keenly sensed that the soul power fluctuations emanating from this little girl were as pure as a blank sheet of paper.

Lin Xia carefully considered her words before breaking the silence, her voice filled with the curiosity expected of a young person.

"Sister Zhuyun, I see that Sister Zhuqing's soul power doesn't seem to be showing yet. Is it... that she hasn't awakened her martial soul yet?"

"..."

As soon as Lin Xia finished speaking, Zhu Zhuyun's steps faltered almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Holding his younger sister's hand, he seemed to unconsciously tighten his grip a little.

The gentle smile on Zhu Zhuyun's face vanished instantly, like a thin mist blown away by the wind, leaving only a near-frozen silence.

Zhu Zhuyun did not answer immediately, nor did she turn around; she simply lowered her eyes slightly.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the eaves, falling on her delicate profile. Her long eyelashes cast a small shadow on her fair skin, concealing the complex emotions churning in her eyes.

Zhu Zhuqing sensed her sister's unusual behavior, raised her head in confusion, and looked at her sister's tense jawline with her clear, innocent eyes, whispering:
"elder sister?"

Zhu Zhuyun seemed to be awakened by this soft call.

She took a deep breath, the sound of which was particularly clear in the silent corridor.

Finally, she slowly turned her head to look at Lin Xia, trying hard to put on a smile again, but the smile looked extremely forced, even carrying a hint of bitterness.

Zhu Zhuyun avoided Lin Xia's probing gaze, instead lowering her head and extending her other hand, which wasn't holding her sister's hand, to gently stroke Zhu Zhuqing's smooth, long black hair with an almost reverent tenderness.

Her movements were extremely careful, as if she were touching a priceless yet fragile piece of glass.

"yes……"

Zhu Zhuyun's voice was very soft, as soft as a sigh, carrying a heavy weariness and an indescribable plea.

"Zhu Qing... hasn't awakened her martial soul yet."

Her fingertips lingered on her sister's hair, her eyes filled with an intense struggle and pain, as if she were making an extremely difficult decision.

Finally, she raised her head, her gaze passing over Lin Xia, and looked up at the patch of azure sky cut by the eaves above the courtyard. In an almost dreamlike tone, filled with boundless longing yet tinged with despair, she whispered:
"If possible... I really hope... that Zhu Qing will never awaken her martial soul in this lifetime."

These words, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirred up a silent storm in the corridor!
Lin Xia's heart sank.

Sure enough!

The Star Luo Empire's cruel system of imperial succession, which is based on bloodline!
Once Zhu Zhuqing awakens the Netherworld Cat Martial Soul, this innocent little girl who is still nestled beside her sister will be destined to be pushed into the arena called "royal marriage" but is actually a death race!
She will have no choice but to be tied to another prince, becoming an obstacle that Davis and Zhu Zhuyun, the "future empress and emperor" pair, must eliminate!

The loser's fate is, at best, to have their martial spirit destroyed, become a prisoner, and spend the rest of their life in a dark corner.

In severe cases... they would die and disappear, becoming insignificant dust in the changing of imperial power!

These sisters, for the sake of survival and for that supreme position, will have to draw their swords against each other, fighting to the death!
(End of this chapter)