Douluo Continent Villain Simulator: Persecuting Qian Renxue at the Start

Chapter 109 Harden your heart, Xiao Qing

After leaving the study, Zhu Zhuqing's expression remained calm as usual, but her heart was in turmoil.

No wonder her father, who hadn't contacted her privately for years, suddenly called her to talk today.

So that's what it was all about.

Those things, like advancing to Soul Saint, are probably secondary.

The key is still that so-called secret method of bloodline acquisition.

But Su Cheng was different to her.

Zhu Zhuqing's feelings for Su Cheng have always been extremely complicated.

Over the years, the reason she has been able to make rapid progress in her cultivation, astonishing everyone, and manage her network of relationships within the aristocratic circle so flawlessly that she can keep the royal family in check is because of this.

While her own efforts certainly played a part, she also benefited from the help of the Nirvana Sutra.

But Su Cheng also helped her a great deal during this process, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he deserves half the credit.

At the level of a Soul Master, whether it's the absorption of Soul Rings across age limits, the understanding of Soul Skills far beyond that of ordinary people, or even the Netherworld White Tiger Martial Soul Fusion Skill, all of these contain Su Cheng's hard work.

When expanding their network of connections within the empire's upper echelons, they often relied on Su Cheng to make negotiations.

His unique identity and the special aura that inspires trust in others greatly reduced the difficulty of the task.

In addition, their martial soul fusion skills have become increasingly proficient in use over the years.

When wielded by two Soul Emperors, it possessed strength comparable to a Title Douluo.

It's hard to say that the support of those old aristocratic forces was unrelated to this matter.

Although those people's attitudes remain ambiguous to this day, they have at least greatly alleviated the pressure from the Dai family.

Zhu Zhuqing stood in the center of the courtyard, staring blankly at the swaying tree shadows on the wall.

Along the way, she seems to have gained a lot, but it also seems that nothing has changed.

What was once the deepest and most hated shadow of her teenage years seems to have occupied her entire childhood.

But now, looking back, Zhu Zhuqing realizes that she didn't actually have many friends.

No, there weren't even any enemies.

In the process of welcoming and seeing off guests, all that was discussed was profit.

Only that figure remained, like a road sign, planted deep within her heart.

"Oh."

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly chuckled softly.

All the entanglements and worries seemed to dissipate like smoke.

"How could I possibly do that... Give me another twenty years, and who in the Star Luo Empire can stop me?"

As for the so-called five-year period, it was just a delaying tactic agreed upon with Su Cheng.

She looked up and surveyed the Zhu family compound, taking in the spacious courtyard and tall walls before her, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"From this day forward, I'm in charge here..."

However, fate played another cruel joke on Zhu Zhuqing.

There were no twenty years at all.

It hasn't even been five years.

Over the course of five years, the situation on the mainland underwent dramatic changes.

First, Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of the Tiandou Empire, ascended the throne. Then, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect within the Tiandou territory were destroyed overnight.

At the same time, several kingdoms and duchies within the Tiandou territory were quickly incorporated into its empire.

Before the Star Luo Empire could make any move, the Heaven Dou Empire preemptively launched an attack and declared war.

Throughout this process, the Spirit Hall showed no intention of stopping them. Instead, it gathered all the Spirit Masters under its control and forbade them from helping the two great empires.

As the two countries went to war, the Star Luo Empire suddenly discovered that the Heaven Dou Empire had somehow recruited a large number of high-level Soul Masters and Title Douluos who were frequently appearing on the battlefield.

Although the Star Luo Empire's army is still putting up a stubborn resistance, it is obvious to anyone with eyes to see that it is merely a case of outward strength but inner weakness.

"It's finally here."

Upon hearing the news, Su Cheng was not surprised at all; on the contrary, he felt a sense of relief that everything was finally on the right track.

During this period, apart from necessary communication with Zhu Zhuqing, he rarely acted under the identity of Zhu Hongtao. He mostly interacted with Zhu Zhuqing under his original identity, and the power of the Zhu family was now basically under Zhu Zhuqing's control.

Although he was very familiar with Zhu Zhuqing, he didn't know much about the other members of the Zhu family.

It's fine to exchange a few words occasionally, but if you really want to live together, that's obviously impossible.

"Xiao Qing, what are your thoughts on the current war between the two great empires?"

In the Zhu family study, Su Cheng, disguised as Zhu Hongtao, looked at Zhu Zhuqing and asked.

"Within three years, the Star Luo Empire will surely be defeated."

Ordinary civilians might not understand, but these people could see at a glance that the Heaven Dou Empire was clearly supported by the Spirit Hall.

Although the reason is unknown, it is clear that only the Spirit Hall can provide those titled Douluo and high-level Soul Master combat forces.

"What do you think will happen to us when the Star Luo Empire is destroyed?"

Zhu Zhuqing fell silent upon hearing this.

From the perspective of the Spirit Hall, these ministers of a fallen kingdom are of little concern, and they will most likely be allowed to continue to exist.

However, from the perspective of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family, the Star Luo Empire's royal bloodline would definitely not be left behind.

As for the Zhu family, which had been intermarried with the Dai family for generations, how could they possibly escape death?

"Over the years, I have been searching far and wide, and finally found a soul beast that is extremely suitable for you to attach a soul ring to. However, the prerequisite for absorbing this kind of soul ring is that you must have a hidden soul power level of Title Douluo without attaching a soul ring to it."

"What?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing was stunned and did not understand the meaning behind Su Cheng's words for a moment.

Without attaching a spirit ring, she could indeed push her spirit power to the level of a Title Douluo with the help of the Nirvana Sutra. In fact, her current spirit power level has already reached around level seventy-four.

However, the difficulty of cultivating to the level of a Title Douluo in this step-by-step manner is completely different.

The time required for this is simply incalculable.

In the current crisis, discussing this is completely meaningless.

"You have a chance, Xiao Qing. As long as you seize Su Cheng's bloodline, you can rise to the top in one step." Su Cheng took out the manuscript filled with secret techniques for seizing bloodlines again and said in a deep voice.

"Make a decision quickly, or it will be too late. Even if you don't want to take action, Su Cheng, as a descendant of the White Tiger bloodline, will not escape death. His existence is no secret in the Star Luo Empire!"

"..."

Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, Su Cheng frowned.

"He's all alone, and even if you take his White Tiger Martial Soul bloodline, it won't harm his life."

"...and he's not the only one who possesses the White Tiger bloodline."

After a long silence, Zhu Zhuqing finally spoke again, her voice slightly hoarse.

"No." Su Cheng slowly shook his head. "Davis and Dai Mubai are both too weak. Even if you choose to seize the bloodline of the stronger Davis, you still won't be able to push your cultivation to the level of a Title Douluo."

In fact, besides his cultivation level, there was another important reason that only Su Cheng himself knew.

The White Tiger Martial Souls of those two people are vastly different from his own.

All these years, his practice of the Nirvana Sutra has not been in vain.

The essence of bloodline fusion is to complete the body. By using this method to seize the White Tiger Martial Soul and fuse it with Zhu Zhuqing's own Netherworld Cat, the complete Netherworld White Tiger can be recreated without damaging her foundation or polluting herself. It is by no means a crooked or evil method.

However, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; absorbing too many Netherworld White Tigers would truly lead one astray.

In that case, Zhu Zhuqing should naturally absorb the strongest and most compatible one.

After Su Cheng cultivated the Nirvana Sutra, his bloodline purity far surpassed that of Davis, and the core information in his martial soul was also closer to the true form of the Netherworld White Tiger.

Furthermore, given his higher cultivation level, Zhu Zhuqing would undoubtedly be able to elevate her cultivation to an extremely high level after seizing his bloodline.

However, at this moment, Zhu Zhuqing seemed to be concerned about something else entirely.

A hint of resentment flickered in her eyes as she stared intently at Su Cheng, coldly questioning, "So, you never taught this technique to my eldest sister at all! Because you've been eyeing Su Cheng for twenty years, haven't you?!"

"..." Su Cheng's expression stiffened, then he explained, "You need to understand that he is just an illegitimate child, while Davis's identity is different. Moreover, I didn't expect that the Heaven Dou Empire would be colluding with the Spirit Hall."

Without saying a word, he shoved the manuscript directly into Zhu Zhuqing's hands.

"This document details how to seize the White Tiger Martial Soul bloodline. It also includes a recipe for a slow-acting potion that enhances cultivation and short-term combat power, but simultaneously causes fluctuations in the opponent's Martial Soul and Qi. During this period, a secret technique can be used to slowly extract the opponent's bloodline. You spend a considerable amount of time together, providing ample opportunity to gradually erode his White Tiger Martial Soul."

After saying that, Su Cheng took out a light red glass bottle.

The transparent bottle was filled with a thick, pale red liquid that reflected a faint pink glow.

"This medicine can force out all of the opponent's bloodline potential in one go. If there's an opportunity, it's entirely possible to use this medicine on him all at once."

"..."

Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at the medicine bottle that radiated a dazzling light, her lips inexplicably feeling dry.

"Be firm, Xiaoqing. The future of the entire Zhu family, whether it lives or dies, rests entirely on your shoulders!" Su Cheng said in a deep voice.

"Actually, I've reached this age, and my cultivation can no longer advance. Contra Douluo is my limit, and I've long since disregarded life and death. But you're different; you are the hope of the Zhu family. Moreover, don't forget your eldest sister; she's been waiting for you to succeed all these years."

After standing there for a long time, Zhu Zhuqing finally accepted the bottle of medicine, her pale face and slender, fair fingers trembling slightly.

"Su Cheng is the emperor's illegitimate son who was born out of town. In terms of status and position, he is insignificant. No matter how much potential he has, before he gets a clear identity, he is useless and no one will hold you accountable for his actions."

Su Cheng gazed at her. "But this is your last chance."

"Is this the last chance...?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked down at the manuscript and medicine in her hands.

Then she gently tilted her head back and slowly closed her eyes, as if countless lights and shadows flashed before her eyes.

Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Hongtao, and even the second and third sisters whose memories have become somewhat blurred.

Finally, the scene freezes on the punch they exchanged when they first met at the academy.

The gears of fate have begun to turn again.

Zhu Zhuqing once again clearly felt her powerlessness.

(End of this chapter)