South Tong Pass.
This fortress city cluster of the Star Luo Empire was now packed to capacity, much like Tongshui City in the Heaven Dou Empire, completely occupied by soldiers and Soul Masters.
The reason South Tong Pass was called a "pass" rather than a "city" was because it served as the collective name for the largest fortress city and over a dozen smaller cities.
The main fortress city resembled an imperial palace, primarily housing the Star Luo Emperor's guards and a massive contingent of Soul Masters.
The entire city was constructed from dark blue bricks and stones, with sentry posts every five steps and watchtowers every ten steps inside the city walls, creating an atmosphere of solemn dignity.
In the western part of the city stood a relatively modest mansion where over a hundred Soul Masters resided.
On the training grounds, every one of these Soul Masters was diligently cultivating.
At the edge of the training grounds, Zhu Zhuyun calmly observed these Family Soul Masters.
She was serving as the Zhu Family's leader for this war.
Leading both direct and collateral branches of the Zhu Family's Soul Masters, she was preparing to join the battle.
Zhu Zhuyun had little interest in the impending conflict; her primary reason for coming was due to the Star Luo Emperor's methods.
Direct descendants of major families and sects were required to accompany the army on campaign.
This demonstrated the Star Luo Emperor's dominance and control over the Spirit Master World.
Of course, if the war ended in victory, the rewards would be substantial.
But Zhu Zhuyun didn't care about rewards at all - her Soul Power Level had already reached level 73.
She had become a Soul Saint.
As the youngest Soul Saint in the Zhu Family's history, she wanted to devote all her time to cultivation.
Suddenly, a glimmer flashed in Zhu Zhuyun's eyes.
Her Core Pearl was stirring!
"He must have come here too, he's in Tongshui City!" Zhu Zhuyun looked toward the north.
Soon, a look of understanding appeared on her face as Dugu Feng's voice transmitted from within the Core Pearl.
Instructing her to meet him outside the fortress city three nights later.
Zhu Zhuyun showed excited expression. It had been nearly six years since she last saw Dugu Feng during the advanced Soul Master Competition on the Soul Duel Stage in Spirit City.
During this period, Dugu Feng had seemingly vanished without any news.
It wasn't until later, through royal intelligence channels, that she learned Dugu Feng had appeared in Heaven Dou City, apparently involved in the power struggle between Xue Qinghe and Prince Xue Xing, with his Soul Power Level having advanced to Soul Emperor.
Zhu Zhuyun once again confirmed that Dugu Feng's Soul Power would eventually surpass hers.
This frustrated her greatly, feeling that her hope of reclaiming the Core Pearl was becoming increasingly distant!
Yet simultaneously, Zhu Zhuyun felt an irresistible curiosity - Dugu Feng's mystery made her want to get closer to him.
"What if he asks me to betray the Star Luo Empire?"
Zhu Zhuyun felt somewhat worried. Accompanying her from the Zhu Family was an elder with level 86 Soul Douluo strength, along with several Soul Saints.
Such strength could still play a crucial role at critical moments.
"Sigh, I can only take one step at a time!"
Zhu Zhuyun secretly made up her mind.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, arriving at night.
In Zhu Zhuyun's bedroom.
She put on a black form-fitting leather outfit that accentuated her well-proportioned, slender limbs. Her left eye was dark green, her right eye orange-blue, her long hair tightly flowing down her back as her body gradually transformed into a faint phantom.
She had already activated her Martial Soul Avatar, preparing to leave South Tong Pass to meet Dugu Feng.
"Creak!"
Just then, a soft sound at the door startled Zhu Zhuyun.
"Who's there!"
Who could approach her room so silently?
"It's me!"
Dugu Feng's tall figure suddenly appeared, instantly seating himself on the chair in the room.
Zhu Zhuyun was greatly alarmed. Hadn't he said to meet outside the city?
Frightened, she hurried to the door to observe the situation.
It must be known that as the Zhu Family was a core Soul Master family of the Star Luo Empire, her residence was not far from where the Star Luo Emperor lived.
The Star Luo Emperor was a Titled Douluo!
Yet Dugu Feng had boldly walked in like this - how had he entered the city?
After observing for a while and finding everything calm outside, Zhu Zhuyun finally relaxed slightly.
She quickly tiptoed to Dugu Feng's side. "This place is dangerous. The Emperor is very powerful and could easily detect you!"
Dugu Feng smiled faintly. "He won't detect me.
I came because you passed the test. These past three days, you showed no abnormalities!"
A glimmer flashed in Zhu Zhuyun's beautiful eyes, and all her worries vanished. She knew of Dugu Feng's mysteries - since he was confident, why should she worry?
"Thank you for coming to see me, Brother Feng..."
Zhu Zhuyun's gaze softened considerably. Her voluptuous figure swayed as she moved behind Dugu Feng and began massaging his shoulders.
Their familiarity seemed nothing like people who hadn't seen each other for years.
Zhu Zhuyun's skin was snow-white, her fingers slender. As she massaged, her smooth abdomen pressed tightly against Dugu Feng's back.
Her delicate hands occasionally drifted downward, as if deliberately tempting Dugu Feng with what he could see!
"You're Star Luo's top genius. Wouldn't it be ridiculous if people saw you like this?" Dugu Feng said.
"Giggle!"
Zhu Zhuyun let out a light laugh. "Last time you said I was a vain and ambitious woman.
Now I'm even more vain and more ambitious.
And you, Brother Feng, are the one who can help me!"
As she spoke, a warm breath approached Dugu Feng's ear.
It seemed Zhu Zhuyun was determined to tempt Dugu Feng once again.
"You'll do whatever I tell you to do?" Dugu Feng said coldly.
"Master, you can treat me as your little kitten.
I'm always waiting for your commands!" Zhu Zhuyun said exaggeratedly, increasing the pressure of her hands.
Dugu Feng couldn't help but laugh - Zhu Zhuyun was too good at lowering her dignity.
With a wave of his hand, Zhu Zhuyun's lips moved, and a jade-green Core Pearl instantly flew out, landing in Dugu Feng's palm before disappearing.
Ah!
Zhu Zhuyun gasped in surprise. "Brother Feng, don't you love me anymore?"
"..."
"Brother Feng, how can I live without the Core Pearl?"
Zhu Zhuyun spun around and sat directly on Dugu Feng's lap, her right arm encircling his neck as she cooed with orchid-scented breath.
In her heart, she felt immense fear. She had been communicating with the Core Pearl daily using her Soul Power and had become quite proficient with it.
She had thought she could at least exert some influence over the Core Pearl.
Yet before Dugu Feng, she couldn't even react before losing the Core Pearl.
"Brother Feng, all these years I've kept myself pure for you.
That fool Dai Wei - I never let him touch even a finger.
Later, the Dai Family shamelessly tried to arrange marriages for me with other royal families, but I found countless ways to delay them all!
Brother Feng, you can't abandon your little kitten..."
Zhu Zhuyun looked ready to cry, putting on a pitiful appearance.
"Really?"
Dugu Feng asked deliberately.
With the Core Pearl inside Zhu Zhuyun's body, he naturally knew she wasn't lying.
But Dugu Feng simply didn't want Zhu Zhuyun to obtain it so easily.
Moreover, in his plans, Zhu Zhuyun had great usefulness.
He had to control Zhu Zhuyun both physically and mentally.
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "LegendaryTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!