Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 47: Spirit Hall

"Emperor of the Netherworld?" Dai Yao repeated in surprise.

"Yes," Zhu Zhuqing confirmed. "On the surface, it seems similar to the Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul, but in essence, they are worlds apart."

"If the Netherworld Spirit Cat was a wanderer of the Netherworld, then my current martial soul is its ruler."

Zhu Zhuqing explained.

Indeed, from the naked eye, Dai Yao couldn't distinguish much difference between the two martial souls. But when the icy crystal crown appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's head, despite her physical appearance remaining the same, her entire aura changed. It became one of dominance, as though she were a ruler above all.

"So, what was that coldness I felt earlier?" Dai Yao asked, recalling the chilling sensation that had made him shiver.

"This is the breath of the Netherworld. The Netherworld itself doesn't influence the physical world; it affects the soul instead," Zhu Zhuqing explained.

Dai Yao fell silent for a long moment before speaking slowly. "Although I can't see the change in your martial soul from the outside, higher-ranked soul masters, with their experience, will surely notice any subtle changes. They might not catch it immediately, but if they pay attention, they will."

Upon hearing Dai Yao's words, Zhu Zhuqing's expression grew serious.

"Until after my duel with Dai Yaming, do not use your martial soul. After that, we will leave the Star Luo Empire and go somewhere where no one knows us," Dai Yao instructed.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently and then hesitated.

"Is something wrong?" Dai Yao noticed the change in her and frowned.

"If… if I said we should leave immediately and not go through with the duel, would you be angry?" Zhu Zhuqing grasped his hand, unable to look him in the eye. "I'm worried about Dai Yaming. He's too strong. You're no match for him."

Dai Yao cupped her delicate face in his hands, making her look him in the eyes, and said seriously, "Are you asking me to be a coward who runs from a fight? Do you think I'm just like those people who think I'm weak?"

"No, no!" Zhu Zhuqing quickly shook her head in denial, nearly on the verge of tears. "I didn't mean that. It's just... the second prince is too powerful. You're no match for him right now!"

"Running away temporarily doesn't mean you're weak. Your potential is far greater than the second prince's. If you wait a few more years, you will surpass him," Dai Yao said with a smile, though a part of him found it ironic. In the original story, Dai Mubai had run away from the fight for the throne and gone to the Tiandou Empire, which became a painful memory for Zhu Zhuqing. Now, she was the one trying to convince him to avoid the fight with Dai Yaming.

"Do you believe in me?" Dai Yao asked seriously.

"Of course, I believe in you. But there's no need to risk it for pride..." Zhu Zhuqing tried to persuade him anxiously.

Dai Yao interrupted her.

"Then take a look at my second soul ring," he said slowly.

"The second soul ring? Isn't the second soul ring for the White Tiger Clan always the Earth Dragon? What's so special about it?" Zhu Zhuqing wondered.

But when the purple soul ring slowly appeared, her eyes widened in shock, and she was left speechless.

"This... This is...?"

"Now you should believe I can defeat Dai Yaming, right?" Dai Yao said confidently.

The appearance of the purple soul ring shattered all doubts and fears in Zhu Zhuqing's heart, and she felt an immense sense of peace.

The Next Day.

On the streets of Star Luo Imperial City, bustling crowds, carriages, and a variety of buildings filled the scene.

Two children, both around ten years old, walked down the street.

A boy and a girl.

The boy looked dashing, and the girl was delicate, like a porcelain doll.

It was none other than Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing.

At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing's expression was cold and indifferent, as if she had no interest in anything around her. Yet, the way she clutched the corner of Dai Yao's clothing revealed her true feelings.

"Relax, there's no need to be so tense," Dai Yao comforted, reaching out his arm to offer it to her.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, tightly holding his arm, as though afraid of losing him. Despite her cold expression, her eyes couldn't help but glance around at the novel sights. After all, the past three years had been spent in dull training, and she had never had the chance to go out and experience the world.

Dai Yao, too, felt a sense of wonder. In his past life, he had been just an ordinary worker with no opportunity for travel. His life had been confined to home and school, and he'd never had the chance to see the world.

Now, seeing these ancient, living buildings for the first time, he was filled with an excitement he couldn't put into words.

A few idle individuals loitering in an alley glanced greedily at the two well-dressed figures.

"These two little ones have good looks. If we handle this well, we'll make a huge profit," a short man suggested to the leader.

But before the leader could answer, he punched the shorter man on the head.

"Idiot, can't you see what they're wearing? Spirit Cat and White Tiger, these are people from the Star Luo Royal Family!"

"We're in the Star Luo Imperial City. If you want to die, don't drag me into it!" The leader warned fiercely.

Every passerby who noticed Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing's attire showed a surprised look before slightly bowing their heads in respect.

After all, they were in Star Luo Imperial City—the place where the imperial power was at its most formidable.

With everyone's eyes on them, Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing finally reached their destination: the Spirit Hall of Star Luo Imperial City.

"Such an imposing building," Dai Yao murmured in awe.

The Spirit Hall in the imperial city was not only vast in size but also elegant and solemn, having withstood the passage of time for thousands of years and still looked as new as ever.

In Star Luo Imperial City, the fact that the Spirit Hall had such an immense structure spoke volumes about its power.

He patted the still-shocked Zhu Zhuqing on the shoulder and said, "Let's go. It's time to enter."

The Spirit Hall was the most powerful faction in the original story. Among the three gods, the Angel God and the Rakshasa God had both come from here.

During his nine years in the Star Luo Empire, Dai Yao had always felt suffocated in this gray, oppressive world. He had even considered escaping the imperial city, just like Dai Mubai, but the immense power of the Queen had extinguished that thought.

Dai Mubai was the Queen's son, and without her support, he likely wouldn't have had such an easy time leaving the Star Luo Empire.

If Dai Yao were to leave the imperial city without the protection of the Elders' Council, the Queen would not hesitate to take advantage of his vulnerability.

But now, with Zhu Zhuqing's mutated martial soul, she could no longer remain at the academy. Dai Yao had to leave the Star Luo Empire.

The powers of the two imperial princes, the Queen's influence on the Zhu family, the imperial forces led by the Star Luo Emperor, and the Elders' Council all formed a complex web of entanglements. The Queen and the two princes hated him deeply, and leaving was no easy task.

Now, the only force capable of breaking this deadlock was the Spirit Hall.

An old man stopped them, noticing Dai Yao's attire, and was taken aback.

"Are you both from the royal family?" the old man asked, uncertain.

After all, the relationship between the Spirit Hall and the royal family of Star Luo was not good, especially during the time when the Star Luo Empire collaborated with the Haotian Sect. The Spirit Hall had been suppressed heavily in the imperial city.

For the royal family to visit the Spirit Hall was a significant event.

"Yes, I am Dai Yao, the fourth prince." Dai Yao replied.

(End of Chapter)

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