Chapter 65: Parents of This Life? Meeting Zhu Zhuyun
"Are you telling the truth?"
Zhu Zhuqing, who had received the finest martial soul education in the Star Luo Empire, naturally understood what high-quality soul rings meant.
The higher the soul ring's age, the stronger the resulting soul skill — the difference between ten-year and hundred-year rings, or between hundred-year and thousand-year rings, was worlds apart.
Yet this was the first time she'd ever heard of something like whale rubber strengthening the body — or that a stronger body could absorb higher-year soul rings.
"Of course it's true," Qi Tian said confidently. "Aside from physical strength, there are other factors that determine how high a soul master's soul ring age can go."
Zhu Zhuqing's curiosity was immediately piqued. "Other factors? What kind?"
Qi Tian glanced at her and smirked. "Why should I tell you?"
"You—!" Zhu Zhuqing was caught off guard, unable to find a retort.
Just then, Qi Tian suddenly stopped walking. His gaze sharpened as he stared at a small shop not far ahead.
It was an ordinary general store, selling daily goods — mostly woven items like straw mats, sandals, and hats. Nothing special at first glance.
But the shopkeeper… made Qi Tian freeze on the spot.
The face before him was both familiar and strange.
How… How could she be here?
Qi Tian's heart trembled. The woman behind the counter was none other than his mother from this lifetime.
He remembered clearly — when he was four years old and had just learned to take care of himself, his parents had said they were heading to the border to do business across nations. After that, there had been no word from them.
He had long assumed they'd perished on the dangerous frontiers. Never did he expect they were alive — and living just outside the imperial capital of the Star Luo Empire!
But how could that be possible? His parents weren't soul masters. How could they have crossed thousands of miles to reach Star Luo City?
Just as Qi Tian was about to step forward and call out to them, a middle-aged man entered the shop carrying a small boy of about five or six.
That man was none other than his father, Qi Sheng.
"Dear, Xiaoming's martial soul just awakened! It's the same as yours — the embroidery needle! And he even has an innate soul power, rank one! He can cultivate!"
Qi Sheng's voice trembled with excitement. Neither he nor his wife was soul masters — for their son to have the chance to become one was a dream come true.
"Really? That's wonderful! If Xiaoming becomes a soul master, maybe… maybe our family will finally be able to move into the inner city of the Star Luo Empire!"
Qi Tian stopped in his tracks. The joy in their voices was genuine — the warm, simple happiness of an ordinary family.
He took a deep breath and let the thought of approaching them fade away.
They were living well. They had a new child. They were smiling. There was no need for him — a stranger wearing another's body — to disturb that peace.
Besides, even if he revealed himself, would they recognize him? He wasn't even using his own body right now — this was Zhu Zhuqing's body.
And even if he was standing before them as himself, after all these years, would they still believe it was their son?
'Forget it,' Qi Tian thought quietly. 'Let it be. If fate allows, we'll meet again someday.'
Knowing that his long-lost parents were still alive and living well, the burden in his heart eased.
His memories before the age of four were hazy anyway; their bond was shallow.
If they ever needed his help in the future, he would do what he could. But if not, he wouldn't force destiny's hand.
Turning away, Qi Tian let Zhu Zhuqing guide the way back home.
"Was there a treasure in that shop?" Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously.
Though she couldn't move, her senses were still active, so she saw everything Qi Tian saw.
Qi Tian shook his head lightly. "No. I was mistaken. What kind of treasure could a shop selling straw mats possibly have?"
Zhu Zhuqing narrowed her eyes. She could tell he was hiding something.
'Hmph. Once he leaves my body, I'll come back and find out what's really there,' she thought to herself.
Under her guidance, Qi Tian returned to the Zhu Clan's ancestral estate and found his way to Zhu Zhuqing's personal residence — a small courtyard she'd been granted at age six, after awakening her martial soul and qualifying for the royal competition.
It was her very own place — quiet, clean, and solemn.
"There's someone in your house," Qi Tian murmured, frowning slightly.
He quickly activated Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul, the Hell Spirit Cat, concealing his presence within the shadows.
The Hell Spirit Cat was naturally adept at stealth, and Qi Tian — now familiar with Zhu Zhuqing's abilities — used that power flawlessly.
"How could there be anyone?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice echoed in his mind, confused. "Could it be one of the academy instructors from the Zhu Clan?"
Before she could finish guessing, the door opened — and a tall woman stepped out.
Her features bore a striking resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing's, about seventy percent similar, but she was clearly older — more mature, more alluring, her clothes struggling to hide her voluptuous figure.
"Zhu Zhuyun… why is she here?" Zhu Zhuqing blurted out in surprise.
Ever since awakening her martial soul and being betrothed to Dai Mubai, her relationship with her elder sister had completely collapsed. Whenever they met, Zhu Zhuyun would mock and belittle her, while Zhu Zhuqing would respond with cold silence.
Qi Tian felt Zhu Zhuqing's emotional turmoil ripple through his mind. He exhaled softly.
"So this is her… Zhu Zhuyun?"
Sensing her aura carefully, Qi Tian quickly confirmed his earlier suspicion — the one who had secretly followed Zhu Zhuqing in the White Tiger Forest was indeed her elder sister.
It seemed this sister wasn't as heartless as she appeared. She probably had a sharp tongue but a soft heart — secretly tailing Zhu Zhuqing out of worry for her safety.
Given that both sisters shared the Hell Spirit Cat martial soul, Zhu Zhuqing's failure to notice her made perfect sense.
Zhu Zhuyun looked around, scanning the courtyard as if searching for something.
Though Zhu Zhuqing's soul power wasn't high, Qi Tian's spiritual power far exceeded hers, keeping him perfectly hidden from detection.
After a brief moment, Qi Tian decided not to hide anymore. He stepped out from the shadows, appearing directly before Zhu Zhuyun.
"Elder Sister," he greeted coolly, mimicking Zhu Zhuqing's calm tone.
Zhu Zhuyun froze. "What… Did you just call me?"
It had been a long, long time since she'd heard her little sister call her that.
As the years passed, the distance between them had grown wider and colder — the warmth of sisterhood buried under layers of political rivalry.
Such was the fate of the Zhu family's daughters — born to participate in the royal struggle of the Dai Family. Sisters turned into opponents; family turned into foes.
And yet, despite the bitterness, Zhu Zhuyun had never truly let go of her concern for Zhu Zhuqing. She simply believed she would win in the end — and because of that confidence, she wanted both victory and family affection.
Now, hearing that single word — "Sister" — something inside her softened.
At this point, Zhu Zhuyun hadn't yet become fully entangled with Dai Weisi, nor been poisoned by his cold-blooded "royal philosophy."
Perhaps that was why she still had traces of warmth left in her heart.
{T/N: I feel this statement is incorrect. If Zhu Zhuyun truly wanted to kill Zhu Zhuqing, then Zhu Zhuqing would never have been able to leave the Star Luo Empire alive, let alone meet Dai Mubai. I genuinely have to criticize the author here—why does Zhu Zhuqing even believe her sister wants to kill her in the original work? It really doesn't make sense. Their relationship is more like Itachi and Sasuke's—complex, but not purely murderous.}
"Why are you here, Sister?" Qi Tian asked calmly through Zhu Zhuqing's lips.
No sooner had he spoken than Zhu Zhuqing's cold voice rang in his head, clearly displeased — she obviously hadn't wanted to say that word.
Zhu Zhuyun's smile faded. "Why am I here? Of course, to see whether my useless little sister is still alive."
Her tone was mocking, but Qi Tian could sense the faint tremor of suppressed emotion behind it.
"I didn't expect you to come back alive," she continued, her voice carrying a faint surprise. "And you even managed to break through. I suppose you got lucky."
"But don't get too proud — I'm already at rank thirty-five. Even if you've reached the realm of a Soul Grandmaster, you're still no match for me."
"I'll say this one last time — give up while you still can. When Dai Weisi becomes Crown Prince, I'll make sure you're spared."
"You dare!" Zhu Zhuqing's furious voice roared inside Qi Tian's mind.
But Qi Tian didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled faintly and said, "Then thank you, Sister, for your kind concern."
"Hmph. As long as you understand."
Zhu Zhuyun narrowed her eyes slightly, suppressing the faint smile threatening to rise on her lips.
Then, without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving the courtyard in silence.
—
End of Chapter