Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 46: Lord of the Netherworld

Feeling the Soul Power within his body, Dai Yao was immediately stunned. His Soul Power had reached level 23.

"Just as expected, the Millennium Soul Ring. The Soul Power boost it brings is equivalent to years of hard training for an ordinary person."

It wasn't just his Soul Power—his physical condition had also greatly improved. If he were to fight Fatty right now, he could probably defeat him without even using his Hidden Strength. With just the Eight Extremes Burst, Fatty would likely be picking his teeth up from the ground.

"As expected, the difference between a one-ring Soul Master and a Great Soul Master is like day and night," Dai Yao reflected on the huge changes in his body. "Looking back now, the battle with Fatty was mostly just luck."

At this moment, the middle-aged Soul Master opened the tent flap and respectfully reminded, "Your Highness, it's almost time."

The two of them had rested for a full day in the Beast Master's Garden, recovering their energy and Soul Power.

After Dai Yao successfully absorbed the Millennium Soul Ring, the middle-aged Soul Master's attitude toward him had become far more respectful, even bordering on flattering.

"Let's head back," Dai Yao said.

After a light meal of dried meat and packing up the camping gear, the two of them left the Beast Master's Garden along the same path they had arrived.

After several hours of travel, they finally reached the edge of the Beast Master's Garden.

After a simple farewell to the middle-aged Soul Master, Dai Yao boarded the carriage, traveling through the canyon.

When the carriage exited the canyon, Dai Yao lifted the window curtain and looked back.

The towering mountains rose like a wall reaching into the clouds, blocking the view of the distant horizon, leaving only a small crack in the middle.

"Perhaps I'll never come here again," Dai Yao thought, his feelings complex.

Although his experiences in the Beast Master's Garden weren't pleasant, the two Soul Rings he obtained here made him feel differently about the place.

The oldest Soul Beasts in the Beast Master's Garden were only around two thousand years old, which wouldn't be enough for his third Soul Ring. He would probably have to go to the Star Dou Forest to find a satisfactory Soul Ring.

The middle-aged Soul Master watched Dai Yao leave for a long time, remaining silent.

"Ah, finally rid of this plague. I hope he doesn't come back," the head of the guards grumbled.

He waved his hand in front of the middle-aged Soul Master, teasing, "What's wrong, old man? What's so special about the Fourth Prince? Did he threaten you or something?"

The middle-aged Soul Master snapped out of his thoughts, swatting away the guard's teasing hand. He turned to look at Dai Yao's departing figure with fervent eyes and mysteriously said, "Brother, do you know what I just saw?"

"What did you see?" the head of the guards asked, puzzled.

"I saw a legend rising slowly..." the middle-aged Soul Master said cryptically.

...

A day and a night passed.

Dai Yao finally returned to the Royal Academy.

As soon as he entered the academy, many eyes were on him—some curious, some disdainful, and others hostile.

But Dai Yao didn't care. He ignored the gazes and went straight to his cultivation spot.

Behind the waterfall, in the dark cave.

Zhu Zhuqing was meditating cross-legged. Dark attribute Soul Power was gathering from all around the cave, which she absorbed.

She opened her eyes, sensing the changes in her Soul Power. A thoughtful expression appeared on her face. "My cultivation speed has increased a lot."

Previously, the energy of the world had to almost beg to be absorbed into her body, but since her Wuhun mutation, whenever she meditated, the energy from the world rushed in eagerly, almost as if it was an honor for the world's energy to merge with her.

After consuming the Purple Lotus, her current Wuhun was vastly different from her original Ghostly Spirit Cat Wuhun.

But when she thought about the mysterious Purple Lotus, a wave of worry rose in her heart.

She didn't know where Dai Yao had gotten the Purple Lotus, but its existence was undoubtedly a great treasure. It could enhance a Wuhun, something unseen before.

"Since he's not willing to speak about it, I won't push him. But when he returns, I must remind him to be cautious. This thing is of great importance."

In the Star Luo Academy, Zhu Zhuqing was well-known to many. Ever since her Wuhun mutation, she hadn't publicly used it.

As she was lost in thought, the sound of footsteps came from outside the waterfall.

Zhu Zhuqing immediately put away her Wuhun and approached the entrance of the cave, her eyes warily fixed on the waterfall.

When the familiar figure appeared, a wave of joy spread through her.

"You're back." Zhu Zhuqing smiled faintly, looking at Dai Yao, who appeared tired and worn from his journey. It was a calm smile, one that held a sweet, everyday intimacy, different from the passionate affection seen in young lovers.

They were both born into royal families, where emotions often ran more reserved. In the cruel competition for the throne, they were more like companions, seeking warmth in each other.

The so-called engagement was simply a form of embellishment for this unchosen compromise.

But after three years together, supporting one another, Zhu Zhuqing had gradually come to accept Dai Yao.

Especially after Dai Yao had appeared when she was in despair, he had cracked open a small fissure in her heart, which had been frozen due to the misfortunes of the Zhu family.

"How is your Wuhun?" Dai Yao asked, pulling Zhu Zhuqing into an embrace. He noticed that she seemed to have grown taller. Thinking about the strange changes she had experienced after taking the Purple Lotus, he said with concern.

Seeing the concern on Dai Yao's face, Zhu Zhuqing felt a warmth in her heart. "After consuming the Purple Lotus, my Wuhun has grown significantly stronger."

With that, Zhu Zhuqing activated her Wuhun.

"It doesn't seem any different?" Dai Yao observed closely, but couldn't tell any clear changes.

Although he said this, his body betrayed him. In her Wuhun form, Zhu Zhuqing became incredibly alluring, and Dai Yao couldn't help but stare, his gaze fixed and unmoving.

Previously, her Wuhun had felt nimble and agile, but now she seemed like a regal queen, exuding mystery and nobility with every gesture.

"Why does she feel so tempting now? Could the Purple Lotus have this effect?" Dai Yao thought to himself.

"Why don't you feel it for yourself?" Zhu Zhuqing said with a mischievous look on her face.

When Dai Yao closed his eyes, a chill suddenly filled the air, and it felt as if his body was immersed in icy water.

He shivered, and even the mist he exhaled turned into frost.

"What is this? Why is it so cold?" Dai Yao asked, rubbing his arms in surprise.

He was a powerful attack-type Soul Master with a strong resistance to cold. Even in the winter, sitting beneath the waterfall didn't bother him. So why was he struggling now?

He opened his eyes and found the cave was just the same—covered in moss, as though he couldn't feel the cold at all.

"No, the temperature in the cave hasn't changed!" Dai Yao suddenly turned around in shock.

"How did you do that?" he asked, astonished.

Above Zhu Zhuqing's head, an ice crystal crown appeared, radiating immense pressure. The dark elements in the cave seemed to come alive, as if they were welcoming the presence of a ruler.

Dai Yao's Sacred White Tiger Wuhun seemed to sense something and immediately attached to him.

It was a presence that was equal to his own Sacred White Tiger Wuhun.

"This is my current Wuhun—Lord of the Netherworld," Zhu Zhuqing explained.

(End of Chapter)

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