Chapter 70: Duel Challenge with Zhu Zhuyun
When Zhu Zhuqing saw the delicate golden needles, she couldn't help frowning in slight disbelief.
"These needles are so thin… can they really be of any use?"
Qi Tian didn't bother to explain. Instead, he stepped into the courtyard and activated the Martial Soul Possession state. Soul power surged through his body, forming a layer of defense over his skin.
Then, he lifted his hand and infused soul power into one of the Dragon Beard Needles, aiming it at his own hand.
A faint flash — and the needle pierced through.
The supposedly solid soul power defense was torn apart as easily as paper. The needle slipped straight into Zhu Zhuqing's arm, bringing a sharp sting.
"Ah— it actually pierced through my soul power defense?!" Zhu Zhuqing gasped in shock.
Qi Tian nodded calmly.
"The Dragon Beard Needle is made from a unique material. It can penetrate protective soul power, which some call the 'Body Protection Gang Qi.' However, because it's too light, it can't be used effectively for long-range attacks."
He then withdrew the soul power from the needle. Instantly, the needle seemed to twist and coil upon itself.
Zhu Zhuqing flinched as she felt it tighten around her muscles.
"Mmm—" a soft groan escaped her before Qi Tian swiftly re-infused soul power to extract the needle.
"So," Qi Tian asked with a faint smile, "What do you think of the Dragon Beard Needle now?"
Zhu Zhuqing's tone carried new respect.
"It's incredible!"
What surprised her even more wasn't just the weapon's power but how Qi Tian had manifested it seemingly out of thin air. She knew her own soul tool contained nothing like that.
But she didn't ask. Everyone had their secrets, and Qi Tian clearly wasn't the kind to reveal his secrets easily.
"Good," Qi Tian said. "Now I'll teach you the firing technique for the Dragon Beard Needle. You'll need it for independent practice when I'm not around."
"Alright!" Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
The two spent the afternoon training in the small courtyard. Under Qi Tian's guidance, Zhu Zhuqing practiced infusing and releasing the golden needles. With her current soul power and physical strength, she could fire them up to two meters, enough to strike by surprise in close combat.
Zhu Zhuqing practiced diligently. Thanks to their shared body and synchronized senses, she quickly grasped Qi Tian's firing techniques and improved at an astonishing speed.
---
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Zhu Zhuqing's soul power had advanced to Rank 22.
She trained tirelessly—either cultivating at home or fighting in the Great Soul Arena. However, she only joined one-on-one restricted matches, where external weapons weren't allowed.
Without her Dragon Beard Needles, her advantage was limited. Against opponents close to Rank 30, her win rate was low, and she earned only a modest amount of gold soul coins.
Meanwhile, Qi Tian, who was fighting in Silvis City, was thriving. He not only participated in battles but also placed bets on his own matches, earning a fortune.
Some Soul Masters even invited him to join team battles, and Qi Tian accepted—more fights meant more money.
Because of his one soul, two bodies cultivation, his control over the Blue Silver Spear Formation had reached near perfection. He could now dominate team fights against opponents of the same level with ease.
—
One day, Qi Tian once again possessed Zhu Zhuqing's body.
"So," he teased, "have you saved enough to buy that whale rubber yet?"
Zhu Zhuqing, now far more cheerful than before, let out a helpless sigh.
"Not yet. After going to the Great Soul Arena, I realized just how many powerful people there really are in this world."
Qi Tian chuckled.
"Then I'll lend you a piece first. Once you've earned enough, you can pay me back."
He planned to meet Zhu Zhuyun soon—to help Zhu Zhuqing defeat her sister and finish his mission in the Star Luo Empire.
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated. She wanted to refuse, but in the end, she remained silent.
Over the past few months, she had grown wiser. She now understood that the deeper their connection, the tighter their bond.
The more Qi Tian invested in her, the less likely he was to abandon her.
And deep down, she didn't want him to.
"Alright," she said softly, her eyes firm.
As soon as Zhu Zhuqing finished speaking, Qi Tian turned his palm, and a black card appeared between his fingers.
It was a universal Gold Soul Coin Card, recognized by every major bank across the continent. Zhu Zhuqing instantly recognized it.
By now, she was no longer surprised by Qi Tian's uncanny ability to conjure things from thin air; she simply stayed quiet.
"Come on," Qi Tian said with a grin. "Let's visit the grand auction house—and the apothecary while we're at it!"
He had long wanted to spend money freely in Star Luo City. As the empire's capital, it was overflowing with resources. Many rare items here were far more plentiful—and often cheaper—than those found in the smaller Silvis City.
Among them was whale rubber.
Qi Tian needed the substance himself; both his True Dragon Physique and Body Martial Soul devoured resources like bottomless pits. Strengthening them early and exploring the path of a second awakening would benefit him greatly.
So, with his card in hand, he happily set out to shop.
Half a day later, Qi Tian had purchased four blocks of whale rubber, sending three back to his real body through his special link.
"Sigh… Turns out whale rubber isn't any cheaper here than in Silvis. So much for my cross-empire trade plan," he muttered helplessly.
Still, the Star Luo Empire stores carried plenty of stock—no need to wait for special shipments.
Holding the remaining piece, Qi Tian headed straight to Zhu Zhuyun's residence.
—
That afternoon, Zhu Zhuyun happened to be home—no classes, no training at the academy.
"Sister!" Qi Tian called out cheerfully, his voice utterly natural.
Zhu Zhuyun raised an eyebrow.
Her younger sister looked almost the same as always, yet there was something different in her tone—warm, relaxed, far from the cold indifference of their earlier meetings.
Over the past few weeks, Zhu Zhuqing had been visiting every few days. Even if only for a cup of tea, it had slowly become a habit. Their relationship wasn't close, but the distance had softened.
"What brings you here?" Zhu Zhuyun asked, curious.
"Sis, I'd like to spar with you!" Qi Tian—still controlling Zhu Zhuqing's body—spoke with genuine eagerness.
Zhu Zhuyun's expression darkened.
"So that's it? I suppose I was foolish to think you'd finally given up. My dear little sister still hasn't let go of her ambitions?"
She believed Zhu Zhuqing had accepted reality and abandoned the struggle for the Crown Prince's position.
Qi Tian immediately shook his head.
"Sister, you've misunderstood me! I'm not fighting for that throne. I only wish to spar—nothing more."
His tone grew firm.
"My goal in cultivating isn't power or title. I want our Zhu Family to break free from fate—to stop living forever as vassals of the Dai Family."
The words had barely left his lips when Zhu Zhuyun rushed forward and clapped a hand over his mouth.
"Zhu Zhuqing, are you insane?! How could you say something like that? If Father or anyone from the royal court heard, I couldn't protect you even if I wanted to!"
Within the Zhu Family, the true power didn't rest with the patriarch—it rested with the current empress. Most clan members had long become loyal hounds of the royal family, ready to betray their kin at a whisper.
Zhu Zhuyun's fiery, voluptuous figure pressed close as she tried to hush him, and Qi Tian's heartbeat quickened before he forcibly calmed himself.
Through the shared link of his one soul-two body state, the sensation was all too vivid— as if his true self were embracing her directly.
What a shame, he thought fleetingly. A woman like her ending up with Dai Weisi… What a waste.
Qi Tian gently but firmly took hold of Zhu Zhuyun's shoulders.
"Sister, let's just spar. Once you've seen my strength for yourself, maybe you'll understand what I mean."
Zhu Zhuyun stared at her "sister," momentarily stunned. There was a new confidence, an unfamiliar fire in those eyes. Being held so closely by Zhu Zhuqing made her heart stir with a strange emotion she couldn't name.
After a long pause, she exhaled softly.
"Fine. Let's see how much you've improved lately."
She had already heard reports that Zhu Zhuqing had been training hard at the Great Soul Arena. Now she would finally witness the results herself.
—
End of Chapter.