Regarding the death of the second prince, the Star Luo Emperor and her parents seemed very calm, which left a considerable psychological shadow on her at the time.
At that time, she also understood that failure in the competition meant death!
Being stripped of one's cultivation and sent to one's own territory was merely delaying death for a while.
What difference is there between a Spirit Master losing all their power and a commoner who hasn't awakened their spirit power?
Zhu Zhuqing had no intention of discriminating against commoners, because without any strength, even if Dai Weisi did nothing, the second prince would sooner or later die in his territory.
Because the people below would simply not be convinced, and since he had failed in the competition, the people below knew it and would be even less likely to take him seriously.
He was just a powerless, Deprecated prince, exiled to his territory to fend for himself; if he died, the Emperor wouldn't care.
It was that cruel!
Under the triple stimulation of her elder sister's assassination attempts, Dai Mubai's escape, and her second sister's death, the originally innocent and lively Zhu Zhuqing was no more; in her place was the current cold Zhu Zhuqing, who only sought to become stronger, her heart almost completely closed off.
Everything she did was just to survive.
That's why she was able to possess twenty-seventh level spirit power at the age of eleven!
This was all forced out of her!
The reason she came to the Heaven Dou Empire to find Dai Mubai was actually because she still held a glimmer of hope that perhaps Dai Mubai could pull the rug out from under them in the Heaven Dou Empire?
Because she knew deep down that no matter how hard she tried, without Dai Mubai, she would simply be unable to contend against Dai Weisi and her own elder sister.
As for escaping?
Just running from the Zhu family to the Heaven Dou Empire had nearly cost her half her life, and now hearing Xiao Tian say this, it seems the pursuit was also a bit off?
Historically, there have been women from the Zhu family who tried to escape, but they were almost all caught and punished along with the prince; in severe cases, they directly lost their lives.
It was truly a miracle that she could cross half the Empire to reach Soto City in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Zhu Zhuqing: "Xiao Tian, do you mean that my elder sister's assassination attempts, and even the pursuits midway, actually had underlying reasons?"
Xiao Tian nodded and said, "Very likely. Of course, this is just my guess. As for the specific details, after the competition, I'll accompany you to find an opportunity to ask your elder sister privately."
"Zhuqing, you need to think: when you ran from Star Luo to Heaven Dou at eleven years old, you were only at twenty-seventh level. And your elder sister, who was pursuing you, was at least a high-level Spirit Elder at that time, right? Moreover, it wasn't just her pursuing you; there were other subordinates, and probably even Spirit Ancestors stronger than Spirit Elders!
Your Spirits are both Hell Civet. Do you think you, a Spirit Grandmaster, are faster? Or is she, a Spirit Ancestor, faster?"
"So, I'm more inclined to believe that while she appeared to be pursuing you, she was actually clearing obstacles for you along the way, protecting you to reach the Heaven Dou Empire in another way. Do you remember the first day we met? You were not lightly injured then. How could you, a single Spirit Grandmaster, cross so many forests along the way? If you encountered even a single thousand-year Spirit Beast, you wouldn't be able to withstand it."
If Xiao Tian remembered correctly, during the Soul Master Competition, Zhu Zhuyun's cultivation was at forty-seventh level. So two years prior, calculating an average increase of one spirit power level every three or four months, plus spirit ring advancements, Zhu Zhuyun would have been at least thirty-eighth or thirty-ninth level cultivation at that time.
With such ability, would she let a mere twenty-seventh level Spirit Grandmaster escape from so many people?
To say Zhu Zhuyun was holding back would be an understatement; she practically let her go completely!
Otherwise, it would be too fantastical.
Zhu Zhuqing thought about it carefully, and it seemed to be true. Why had she never considered this question before? Did she really think it was just her good luck?
As she thought, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through her body, and a blush appeared on her delicate face, which made Xiao Tian stare in a daze.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed Xiao Tian's gaze fixed on her face and couldn't help but turn her head away, her voice soft, unlike her usual coldness: "You, why are you looking at me like that?"
Xiao Tian was slightly startled by this soft tone, so different from her usual cold voice. This seemed... quite a contrast?
Or rather, perhaps this was Zhu Zhuqing's true self, and her usual coldness was merely a disguise she used to protect herself and force herself forward?
"Cough, cough..." Xiao Tian coughed a few times and chuckled, "Nothing, mainly it's the first time I've seen you blush. You look a bit different from usual, so I couldn't help but look a few more times."
Afterward, Xiao Tian spoke with a serious expression: "Actually, Zhuqing, we've been together for two years now, and we're all close companions. You don't have to worry about matters on the Star Luo Empire side at all, nor do you need to worry about the imperial family harming your parents.
Also, if we ask your elder sister privately later and her reasons are as we suspect, would you like to bring her to live with us at Shu Mountain Sword Sect if she's willing? I also have Xiao Wu and Rongrong; they are your companions and people you can rely on!"
Although Xiao Tian's words were calm in tone, they gave her a strong sense of security, revealing sincerity and deep concern for her.
Listening, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes gradually welled up for some reason, and her long-sealed heart seemed to begin to stir again.
"What's wrong? Don't cry. Otherwise, Xiao Wu and Rongrong will see it later and think I bullied you." Xiao Tian made a small joke and gently wiped the tears from Zhu Zhuqing's face with his hand.
"Mm, okay!"
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but touch her cheek with her hand; it seemed to still hold the lingering warmth from Xiao Tian, and then she happily smiled.
This smile was unlike her previous faint smiles; it was a truly heartfelt smile, her entire face alight with joy, as if reflecting Xiao Tian's image.
It could truly be described as a radiant smile!
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuyun of the Star Luo Team had been somewhat distracted, occasionally glancing in the direction of the Heaven Dou Royal Team.
Now she actually saw Zhuqing smile, and that smile, she hadn't seen it in so long; it was very much like the innocent and carefree smile she used to show when she was little.
For some reason, Zhu Zhuyun felt a slight pang in her nose watching this scene and turned her head away.
She was afraid that if she looked for another moment, tears would uncontrollably fall.
Zhu Zhuyun subtly wiped her eyes, and her heart couldn't help but wonder what Xiao Tian had said to Zhuqing to make her, who had become so cold, smile like that again.
Zhu Zhuyun knew that this was not an easy feat for Zhuqing; she could almost certainly confirm that Zhuqing's state of mind had undergone a significant change!
--
Loving the story? Read 200+ extra chapters on my Patreon — link's in the description! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Seduction of the Angels" & "Douluo Dalu: The Godly Drunkard System" — don't miss out!