The next day, morning, in the Zhu family courtyard, Duke Zhu, Zhu Zhuqing and Hanrui are seen having breakfast leisurely in the backyard garden.
Despite nearly being attacked by his own daughter just yesterday, Duke Zhu instead of trying to get answers, remained patient and smiled at his daughter like usual.
Zhu Zhuqing on the other hand enjoyed the breakfast while being fed by Hanrui.
'This little girl is really making a habit out of this. Was she perhaps "training me"?' Hanrui mused inwardly with a dismissive chuckle at the thought.
While Zhuqing is being fed, Zhuqing (MS) felt, speechless and a little jealous looking at the scene from the Martial Soul space.
'Hmph, I'll deal with you later, Rui-ge.' Zhuqing (MS) thought, feeling left out.
Just as she thought this Hanrui smiled and patted Zhuqing's head.
Both little and older Zhuqing felt the pat and purred in comfort like the cat they are.
Duke Zhu instead of feeling jealous, felt he made the right bet, seeing the genuine doting attitude of Hanrui on his youngest daughter.
'It's truly gratifying to have a talented son in law but to have one that dotes on your daughter like a precious gem?
Now that—that is something you can't expect from that cynical self absorbed Dai family.' He thought, feeling pride well up in his chest yet felt distasteful thinking of the Dai family.
'I understand the need to keep the practice of fighting among the younger generation.
It keeps the younger generation from declining like that Heaven Dou Empire wastrel Xue Beng.'
He sighed with emotion and scoffed recalling the wastrel from the neighbouring Empire.
'But why do they need to kill each other? How many women of my Zhu family died or became a play thing for the Dai family because of this?
I, Zhu Wentian, am unwilling to let this happen any longer.' Duke Zhu thought, with unwillingness and helplessness, but he quickly recovered and stared at Hanrui with a smile.
'Fortunately I finally found someone that can save my family. It's just that my sister, the Empress, might not like my decision, Alas.' Duke Zhu lamented feeling grateful yet disappointed he couldn't do anything for his sister.
Time passed and all three finished breakfast, Hanrui broke the silence.
He took out a Blue Crystal Sphere 🔮 and placed it on the table.
"Qing'er, although I already know your innate Soul Power should be 10. Just in case, test it for us to make sure." He said pointing at the sphere.
Zhuqing nodded obediently and placed her hand on the sphere.
Instantly the room lit up with the light emanating from the Soul Power measuring device, confirming Hanrui's words.
Hanrui nodded while Zhuqing smiled.
"So, are you ready to share what your Martial Soul is?" Hanrui asked.
"My Martial Soul called herself Nether Spirit Shadow Empress.
Martial soul possession gives me her constitution, her cat ears, tail and claws.
It will also boost my physique by 50% and overall speed by 70%. The percentage will increase with every increase in soul rank by 1%.
She also said I'll awaken a talent domain once I reach level 30 and get a Soul Ring. But didn't give me any details." Zhuqing replied obediently.
Hanrui nodded hearing her explanation, feeling it reasonable for what seemed to be a super-tier Martial Soul. While Duke Zhu felt incredulous.
Duke Zhu felt his Cultivation and Martial Soul feel like trash hearing that. But he also felt joy that his daughter has such a terrifying Martial Soul.
But suddenly Hanrui and Duke Zhu look at each other, noticing a key word in her explanation.
'What have you done this time, Future me?' Hanrui questioned his future-self in his mind.
'Well, this explains the killing intent after the Martial Soul Awakening. Her Martial Soul is probably "herself" from a different reality.
After all, there is no reason for my Zhuqing to develop, killing intent for her father when I'm around.
Since she hugged me when I stopped her, I can conclude that my future self has a history with her.' Hanrui thought, accurately piecing everything together.
Duke Zhu on the other hand stared at his daughter with confusion, not understanding what's going on.
'Martial Souls can talk?' He thought, utterly confused.
Hanrui, noticing it, asked Zhuqing. "Qing'er, did you meet your Martial Soul? Did she say anything else?"
Zhuqing nodded eagerly and said. "She said, she is me, from a different world. And that I'll inherit her memories in a decade and that we have a choice to make."
Hanrui nodded as he thought. 'As Expected. I can understand the memory part, like sharing her experience to let the younger Zhuqing make a better choice than the one she made in her life, but what is she talking about, she has to make a choice together?'
Hanrui, puzzled stared at Zhuqing for a second and asked.
"Qing'er, I want to talk to her, can you switch with her for a second?"
Zhuqing pouted but nodded, closed her eyes and summoned her Martial Soul and used Martial soul possession.
Instantly her demeanor changed, a regal ice cold aura replaced the cute and lively aura around Zhuqing.
Zhuqing (MS) opened her eyes and threw herself into Hanrui's arms and hugged his waist and buried her head in his chest.
"Rui-ge." She called out excitedly, making Hanrui unable to react for a second.
…
Your Power Stones fuel my writing cultivation. Don't let me bottleneck at this rank!😇