Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

"The Zhu family? The Zhu family of Xingluo, the Netherworld Cat family?"

Lou Gao's crimson-gold eyes instantly focused on Zhu Zhuqing, his gaze as scorching as molten lava, as if trying to pierce through her appearance and examine her soul directly.

The invisible pressure belonging to a peak expert, even though he had deliberately restrained it, still made the air seem to freeze for a moment.

Zhu Zhuqing felt her breath catch in her throat, her small body tensing instantly, like a kitten being stared at by a wild beast, instinctively wanting to take a half step back, but Lin Xia firmly grasped her hand, a warm star power quietly flowing in, dispelling the heart-palpitating oppressive feeling.

Lou Gao's brows furrowed slightly, as if he were encountering a rare metal that was difficult to melt during forging.

He looked Zhu Zhuqing up and down. The girl's cool and delicate face, her upright posture, and the hint of tension and stubbornness in the depths of her eyes that she tried to hide but could still be detected by his divine sense... all of this proved that she came from an extraordinary background.

Five years with Lin Xia?

Lou Gao quickly calculated in his mind, which meant that this kid had "kidnapped" the second young lady of a top noble family in the Star Luo Empire not long after he joined the blacksmith's association at the age of seven!
This thought made Lou Gao's eyes twitch involuntarily.

He knew his disciple all too well; he was exceptionally intelligent and meticulous, certainly not the kind of hotheaded youth who would be blinded by beauty.

Seven years old?

At that time, Lin Xia should have been focused on blacksmithing, soul tools, and finding a way out for the association. She wouldn't have had the leisure to provoke such a huge trouble.

What does it mean to be a daughter of the Zhu family, especially the second daughter of the direct line?
This implies that it is backed by the most elite circle of the Star Luo Empire, and that it has an inextricable and complicated tradition of marriage alliances with the Star Luo royal family!
Hiding in Gengjin City, far from the political center, for five years... Lou Gao could almost imagine the turmoil that the Zhu family and the imperial family had secretly stirred up during those five years.

A sharp glint flashed in the golden eyes atop the building, carrying a sense of scrutiny and inquiry.

"The second young lady of the Zhu family?"

He repeated it, his voice deep and metallic.

"What is the martial spirit of this second young lady of the Zhu family, Zhu Zhuqing? What level is her soul power?"

He needed more information to determine just how deep the waters were and what kind of vortex his audacious disciple had been caught in.

When Lin Xia clearly uttered the words "Netherworld Cat," Lou Gao's last shred of hope vanished.

As expected, it's the martial spirit known for its speed, assassination, and its connection to the royal family!
The moment Lin Xia finished speaking, Zhu Zhuqing's body stiffened again, as if she had been pierced by invisible ice needles.

This name, this identity, is the shackle she desperately wants to escape, and also the source that could bring catastrophic disaster to Lin Xia and the entire Gengjin City.

She didn't even dare to look up at the seemingly all-seeing divine eye high up in the building; her thick eyelashes trembled violently, betraying her inner panic.

Lin Xia keenly noticed the coldness and stiffness of the small hand in her palm.

Without hesitation, he shifted half a step to the side, completely blocking the view of Zhu Zhuqing from the high floor. His broad, warm hand gently covered Zhu Zhuqing's trembling head, and his fingertips habitually and soothingly twirled the small cat ear hair ornament in her hair.

This subtle movement seemed to possess a strange magic, causing Zhu Zhuqing's tense nerves to relax slightly, and a warm current flowed down from the top of her head.

"teacher."

Lin Xia's voice was steady and powerful, without the slightest hesitation, and her gaze met Lou Gao's burning gaze with composure.

"Zhu Qing's martial soul is the Netherworld Cat, and her soul power..."

He paused, a hint of barely perceptible pride in his voice.

"You're already level 33." "Level 33?!"

Lou Gao's pupils suddenly contracted, and for the first time, an extremely obvious expression of astonishment appeared on his dignified face, an expression that mixed shock with a complex emotion of "I knew it."

He looked at the girl who was being protected by Lin Xia again, and his eyes instantly changed.

Eleven years old!
Level 33 Soul Master!

The number struck him like a thunderbolt.

Even though he had just undergone the Phoenix God Trial and his state of mind had reached a new level, he still found it difficult to remain absolutely calm.

He had seen too many so-called geniuses, but an eleven-year-old Soul Master was an absolute rarity in the history of Douluo Continent!

Moreover, children who grow up in a large family like the Zhu family, where strict hierarchy and internal strife are commonplace!
what does this mean?
This means that she not only possesses top-tier martial soul talent, but also an extraordinary will and relentless effort!

In that oppressive environment, in the five years after escaping her family... how could she have achieved such amazing success?

Lou Gao's impression of Zhu Zhuqing was instantly overturned.

This is by no means a pampered noblewoman who only brings trouble; she is a true gem, a genius who bursts forth with amazing brilliance in adversity!
In a flash, thoughts raced through Lou Gao's mind.

Why did Lin Xia take her away?

Just because she's talented?

No, it's not that simple.

He knew Lin Xia's personality all too well; she planned things out before acting and never did anything without a certainty of success.

He must have seen something deeper in Zhu Zhuqing—perhaps her aloofness and stubbornness that were out of place in the Zhu family, perhaps her determination to find a way out in despair, or perhaps... her heart that still yearned for light in the darkness and deserved to be protected.

What Lin Xia values ​​is probably her as a person, her essence that has not been distorted by her family, and her resilient soul that matches her amazing talent!

A complex and indescribable emotion surged within Lou Gao. Was it blame for Lin Xia's youthful recklessness that had brought about such a terrible disaster?
No, looking at the perfect couple before him, at Lin Xia's unwavering protective stance, and at the vulnerability and dependence Zhu Zhuqing showed under Lin Xia's protection, Lou Gao's doubts about the "trouble" instantly vanished.

Instead, a more bold and domineering emotion has taken its place!

good boy!
As expected of my disciple Lou Gao!
Sharp eye!

Amazing courage!

At the age of twelve, he dared to snatch food from the tiger's mouth of the Xingluo Zhu family, and he even set his sights on such a talented and beautiful girl!
This courage, this sense of responsibility, this ability to recognize talent—the student has truly surpassed the teacher!
As for trouble?

Lou Gao let out a disdainful snort from the bottom of his heart.

The golden flames of Nirvana flowing around him seemed to sense his master's emotions, and suddenly surged, radiating an even more intense and majestic aura.

So what if it's troublesome?
So what about the Zhu family?
So what if they're from the Star Luo Royal Family?
He's grown up, and he's no longer the same person he was before!

He is a quasi-deity who has carried the Phoenix Divine Fire and crossed the boundary between life and death!

His disciple, a twelve-year-old peak Soul King, is destined to stand at the pinnacle of the continent in the future!
His blacksmith association is no longer the "blacksmith shop" that people used to look down on!
Even if the sky falls, these blacksmiths will hold it up! (End of Chapter)