Douluo Dalu: The World Suppressing Douluo

"If it's inconvenient for you, then forget it."

By the campfire, Lin Ye watched as Zhu Zhuqing's face remained silent under the flickering orange glow. Seeing that she didn't respond immediately, he simply smiled and refrained from pressing further.

In truth, from various details, Lin Ye had already pieced together Zhu Zhuqing's background.

She was likely from the Youming Duke's Mansion of the Star Luo Empire—just as that woman from the Black Widow Soul Hunting Group had mentioned before.

After all, she had specifically asked about the Zhu family, and her surname was Zhu.

Moreover, the title "Youming Duke" perfectly aligned with her martial soul—the Netherworld Spirit Cat. It wasn't hard to figure out.

As for why she had fled the Youming Duke's Mansion, been relentlessly pursued, and ultimately ended up in the Heaven Dou Empire, Lin Ye suspected it was due to internal power struggles.

The conflicts within the Youming Duke's Mansion were likely so intense that even her life was at risk, forcing her to escape. This also explained why she had been hunted down by hired assassins.

At first, when Zhu Zhuqing mentioned heading to Soto City, Lin Ye thought it was just an excuse—perhaps she was actually following him to evade pursuit.

But after subtly probing along the way, he realized that wasn't the case. Zhu Zhuqing genuinely intended to go to Soto City.

As for her exact purpose there, Lin Ye wasn't sure.

However, he speculated that she might be planning to enroll in a Soul Master Academy.

After all, she was only twelve—just the right age to enter an intermediate-level academy.

That was why Lin Ye had asked about her destination today.

If possible, he wanted to convince her not to enroll in an academy but to stay with him instead. Next year, he would be heading to Heaven Dou City to participate in the Continental Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Staying by his side would be far more beneficial. He had access to ample cultivation resources from the Spirit Hall, and with the Fallen Heart Flame, he could accelerate her training.

Besides, with Golden Crocodile Douluo's protection, she wouldn't have to worry about the Youming Duke's Mansion sending people after her. Wouldn't that be a better choice than joining some academy?

Along their journey, Lin Ye had gained some understanding of Zhu Zhuqing's personality.

She was cold and reserved, her heart guarded. Even though they had become friends, getting her to open up was still difficult.

But Lin Ye wasn't in a hurry.

There were still a few days before they reached Soto City. He had time. And even if she didn't talk now, he could always find another opportunity once they arrived.

Just as Lin Ye assumed she wouldn't answer, Zhu Zhuqing, after struggling internally, finally spoke.

"…Actually, I'm going to Soto City to find someone."

"Find someone?"

Lin Ye was momentarily taken aback.

He had thought she was going there to enroll in an academy.

"Who are you looking for?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment before responding, "To explain that, I need to tell you about my background."

"I'm sure you've already guessed—I am from the Zhu family of the Youming Duke's Mansion in the Star Luo Empire."

"But unlike the noble inheritance system in your Heaven Dou Empire, our Star Luo Empire—specifically, the Dai royal family and our Zhu family—follows a far more brutal method of succession."

"In the direct bloodlines of both the Dai royal family and the Zhu family, there exists a cruel tradition: every generation's heirs must compete against each other in a life-or-death struggle. In the end, only one can survive, and only that person can inherit the throne or the title."

"My sister and I are the competitors of our generation. But she is nearly ten years older than me. By the time I was born, she had already gained significant support and built her own faction."

"If she lacked talent, I might have had a chance. But her talent is no weaker than mine. As a result, from the moment my martial soul awakened and the competition began, I received no support—not even from my own parents. I could only struggle to survive against my sister's endless schemes."

"Though the family rules forbade her from outright killing me, she found other ways. Poisoning my food, smearing beast-attracting substances on my clothes during soul beast hunts… She did everything she could to ensure my death. But I survived."

"Yet, living under such circumstances was unbearable. If I stayed in the Youming Duke's Mansion, it would only be a matter of time before I met my end. So, I chose to escape—to flee the Star Luo Empire."

"As for why I came to the Heaven Dou Empire, specifically to Soto City in the Balak Kingdom… that has to do with another family—the Dai family."

"Our two families share the same succession system for a reason: we have been bound by marriage for generations."

"The Zhu family's Netherworld Spirit Cat and the Dai family's Evil Eye White Tiger have an exceptionally high martial soul compatibility. With proper training, they can unleash a powerful martial soul fusion technique. Because of this, our families have always been intermarried, with each generation's heirs betrothed to one another."

"The person I'm looking for in Soto City is my fiancé—Dai Mubai, the third prince of the Star Luo royal family. My sister, on the other hand, is engaged to the crown prince, Davis."

"Three years ago, just like me, Dai Mubai couldn't endure the suppression from his older brother. He chose to flee the Star Luo Empire and sought refuge in the Heaven Dou Empire. He ended up in Soto City and enrolled in a Soul Master Academy called Shrek Academy."

After hearing Zhu Zhuqing's explanation, Lin Ye finally understood.

So she had come all this way… to find her fiancé.

No wonder he had felt something was off. Zhu Zhuqing, as someone from the Star Luo Empire, shouldn't have had any connections in the Heaven Dou Empire. That was why he initially assumed she was coming to enroll in an academy.

Technically, he wasn't wrong—she did plan to join an academy. But that wasn't her primary goal.

Her real purpose was to find Dai Mubai.

Now, how was he supposed to "steal" her away?

Lin Ye fell into deep thought.

Although Zhu Zhuqing had already decided on her course of action, Lin Ye wasn't ready to give up on recruiting her.

She was from the Youming Duke's Mansion, an extraordinary background. Her martial soul, the Netherworld Spirit Cat, was clearly a top-tier one. And at just twelve years old, she had already reached Rank 27—an exceptional talent, even by Spirit Hall's standards.

If he could recruit her, he'd have a perfect agility-type soul master for his future team.

There was no way he'd let this opportunity slip away.

As for Dai Mubai? Lin Ye didn't know him. Why should he care?

"Zhuqing, how much do you actually know about this Dai Mubai?" Lin Ye asked with a smile. "If he was forced to flee like you, that means he was also at a disadvantage in the royal competition. Even if you find him, what then?"

Zhu Zhuqing froze.

That's right… He and I are both losers who ran away. Even if I find him, what difference will it make?

"Zhuqing, if you're willing, you can stay with me," Lin Ye said gently. "With me around, even if your family sends people after you, I can protect you. Trust me."

Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists, her clear eyes filled with hesitation.

She wanted to agree.

But she had risked everything to come here for Dai Mubai. If she didn't at least see him, she would always wonder.

After a long silence, she sighed softly and said, "I'm sorry, Lin Ye. I really appreciate it, but I can't give you an answer yet. I still want to see for myself. If Dai Mubai isn't what I expect, then… I'll follow you. Is that okay?"

"Of course."

Lin Ye smiled, unconcerned.

After all, she never said what would happen if Dai Mubai did meet her expectations.

That was enough.

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