Douluo Continent: Invincible Physical Body, I Became a God with a Mortal Form

To be honest, Wang Shuo had never seen a woman like Zhu Zhuqing before—cool, aloof, and with the stubbornness unique to young girls.

This aloofness, bordering on inhumanity, did not disgust Wang Shuo; instead, it was like a fine needle gently plucking at the heartstrings that had been dormant for many years.

"Zhu Zhuqing is indeed a stunningly beautiful woman with a cool and aloof demeanor!"

He stood there stunned for a moment, then chuckled softly, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

Since we've encountered this person, and he's a dazzling character from the original work, why not get to know him?

Once the thought was formed, Wang Shuo no longer hesitated. He took a light step and followed Zhu Zhuqing in the direction she had left, neither too fast nor too slow.

He neither deliberately approached to disturb her, nor did he distance himself and disappear. He simply followed quietly behind her, intending to wear down her guard and close the distance between them.

Zhu Zhuqing's sharp ears had already caught the unhurried footsteps behind her, which remained several feet away, like a persistent leech, making her already tense nerves even more irritable.

She had always been used to being alone and hated being followed and spied on. At this moment, her impatience had already overshadowed the gratitude she had felt for being saved earlier.

She abruptly stopped, her slender figure turning around abruptly. A chilling rage surged in her clear, cold eyes, her fingertips slightly bent, and the spirit rings beneath her feet faintly appeared.

"I'm warning you once, don't follow me."

Her voice carried an undisguised threat, and her tone was extremely cold.

Wang Shuo stopped slowly, his face showing no annoyance at being reprimanded, but rather a gentle smile, his tone relaxed and natural:

"Please don't misunderstand, young lady. The outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest is not your private land. I was just passing by and didn't mean to bother you."

Wang Shuo spoke frankly, but the knowing look in his eyes clearly told Zhu Zhuqing that he was going to follow her.

Zhu Zhuqing bit her lower lip, feeling that this person seemed honest and simple, but in reality, his shamelessness was exasperating, making him seem like a complete thug.

Without saying another word, she accelerated, unleashing the full potential of the Netherworld Cat's innate speed. Her figure transformed into a faint black afterimage, swiftly traversing the forest.

She was confident that with her speed, ordinary soul masters couldn't catch up at all, and once she gained some distance, the person would naturally give up.

But after only a moment, the familiar footsteps followed behind at a steady pace, at the same distance.

Zhu Zhuqing was startled and increased her speed by another 30%, almost turning into a black line.

But no matter how she changed direction, accelerated, or concealed herself, the aura behind her remained steadily hovering behind her, neither too close nor too far, like a shadow following her.

The pent-up frustration finally broke through the bottom line. Zhu Zhuqing suddenly stopped and turned around to deliver a Ghostly Thrust.

Swish!

The dark black soul skill, accompanied by a sharp gust of wind, aimed straight at Wang Shuo's face. The attack was swift and decisive, showing no mercy.

She didn't intend to hurt anyone; she just wanted to drive away this annoying stalker.

A faint look of surprise flashed across Wang Shuo's eyes. He then slightly shifted his body and lightly stepped aside, easily dodging the attack at an angle that defied common sense. His movements were fluid and fast, leaving only a blurry afterimage.

Zhu Zhuqing's attack grazed past his clothes, not even touching a single hem.

"What! Such speed and agility!"

Zhu Zhuqing was completely stunned.

Her speed is almost unmatched among Soul Masters of the same level. Even a Soul Master of the Soul Venerable level, who is skilled in agility-based attacks, might not be able to dodge her attack so easily.

But the man in front of her easily neutralized her with a casual movement; his speed and control far surpassed hers.

She withdrew her attack and stepped back, the wariness in her purple eyes fading somewhat, replaced by deep shock and curiosity.

She looked Wang Shuo up and down, her brows furrowing slightly, finally breaking free from her cold and dismissive demeanor: "Why are you so fast? Are you an agility-type Soul Master?"

This was the first time she had taken the initiative to ask, and her tone was less distant and more inquisitive.

Seeing the rare emotion in her eyes, Wang Shuo felt a surge of joy, and his smile became more genuine.

He didn't keep them in suspense, and said in a calm tone, "No, this is just my normal speed."

"Impossible! Your strength is only at the Soul Master level. Only agility-type Soul Masters can have such speed!" Zhu Zhuqing stared at Wang Shuo with a suspicious look.

"Why not? As long as you want to work hard to become stronger, anything is possible." Wang Shuo looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a half-smile, his eyes filled with teasing.

Zhu Zhuqing scoffed, "Strive to become stronger? If hard work were enough, what would be the point of talent?"

Wang Shuo paused for a moment, a hint of weariness creeping into his voice:

"Do you know that I was mediocre in my early years and was ridiculed and despised? Later, I refused to admit defeat. Why should those with strong talents be better than me? I was going to break this rule."

"I trained relentlessly day after day, from the Soul Beast Forest to the Soul Arena, all of which I honed with my life."

Wang Shuo used no flowery language or exaggerated embellishment; he simply and calmly recounted a period of stagnation and hardship.

Zhu Zhuqing listened quietly, and a barely perceptible ripple gradually appeared in her always cold cat-like eyes.

She understood this feeling all too well; the boy in front of her had the same experience as her.

Zhu Zhuqing's desperate cultivation was also in order to break free from the cage of her family and escape the suffocating scheming and manipulation.

With the same forbearance, the same diligence, and the same determination to persevere alone in the darkness unseen by anyone, a subtle resonance quietly grew between the two.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. Her previous disdain, wariness, and annoyance gradually dissipated, replaced by an understanding that was almost like that of someone who shared a similar plight.

Her gaze toward Wang Shuo was no longer icy and harsh; it held a touch of gentleness, approval, and even a hint of fondness.

"Why are you working so hard?" she asked softly, her tone much gentler.

Wang Shuo smiled at her, his tone calm and resolute: "All of this is so that I can control my own destiny and not be controlled by anyone. I want to become a strong person, one who doesn't need to depend on anyone or be at the mercy of anyone!"

Wang Shuo's words struck a chord with Zhu Zhuqing's deepest desires.

Zhu Zhuqing remained silent for a moment, neither chasing him away nor speaking coldly to him again. She simply turned around and walked towards the outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, but her pace slowed considerably.

Wang Shuo maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far from her, no longer trying to strike up a conversation or disturb her, but simply keeping her company quietly.

Two figures walked slowly through the twilight-shrouded forest, one after the other.

That inescapable shadow was no longer an annoying follower in Zhu Zhuqing's heart, but someone who shared her ideals.