Chapter Forty-Five: Zhu Zhuqing

“Sigh! The seventh trial from the God of Time requires breaking the seventh seal of the time law, and I haven’t even completed half of it yet,” Ling Xiao sighed, sitting in the courtyard with his chin resting on his hands.

He had returned to this home—once purchased together with Qian Renxue—seven days ago. For these seven days, he had been undergoing the divine trial of the God of Time, yet the task remained unfinished.

Ling Xiao shook his head and delved into his mind. His soul traveled along a long river, enduring wave after wave of temporal shocks.

After walking for a long time, he arrived at a transparent barrier marked with faint cracks.

He punched the barrier once, and a temporal shockwave burst forth, sending him flying back over a hundred meters. The new crack he had just created vanished instantly.

“This trial from the God of Time is truly troublesome; it must be the most difficult of all divine trials!” Ling Xiao lamented.

Time, indeed, was one of the most supreme fundamental laws—far more complicated than the force law of the Giant God, the soul law of the Holy Spirit God, the life law of the God of Life, or the death law of the God of Death he had encountered before.

Shaking his head, Ling Xiao charged at the transparent barrier again, punching it with all his might. The crack expanded, and the temporal shockwave surged once more.

Suddenly, in Ling Xiao’s eyes, the time river appeared.

“Time Stop!”

The temporal shockwave froze upon the barrier.

“Ephemeral Bloom!”

Brandishing the Demon Eye Blood Sword, Ling Xiao slashed at the shockwave, unleashing tens of thousands of strikes in an instant, shattering the temporal assault.

This time, the crack remained on the barrier—it did not disappear.

Looking at the new fissure, Ling Xiao sighed deeply. It was far too difficult.

Not only was his speed limited here, allowing only tens of thousands of slashes in an instant, but his soul’s fatigue accelerated rapidly.

Spending a year here equated to enduring tens of thousands of years outside!

Such an immense acceleration of time flow was even hard for Ling Xiao to withstand.

Exiting the divine trial space, Ling Xiao stood up and rubbed his head, dispelling the weariness from his mind. Opening his eyes, he gazed at the flowerbed before him, where vibrant blossoms brought him a moment of relaxation. These were planted years ago together with Qian Renxue.

Checking the sky, Ling Xiao noted that several hours had passed outside. The simultaneous presence of three different time flows made him feel even more exhausted.

In a flash, he entered the forest and sat down on a large, flat stone in a clearing. Nearby, the void rippled as a black chain shot out.

Seeing several extinguished fire pits, Ling Xiao gathered dry grass and branches to rekindle the flames. He set up a grill on one fire and placed an iron pot on another. Soon, the chain returned, carrying the carcass of a dead tiger-like soul beast.

After cleaning the beast, a sword aura cleaved it in half—one half laid on the grill, the other cut into pieces and placed into the pot filled with water, each sprinkled with seasoning.

While Ling Xiao prepared the meal, several figures swiftly darted through the forest in the distance.

Leading was a young woman clad in purple-black leather, her figure alluring and voluptuous beyond her years. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her skin pale and flawless.

Her expression was cold—a pure, heartfelt chill. Her black eyes lacked any spark of life, contrasting with her otherwise stunning face.

Her limbs were symmetrical and slender, emanating a deathly, unsettling coldness.

She glanced back once, a flicker of loneliness and sorrow passing through her black eyes.

“Second Miss, please come back with us! Don’t resist!” someone shouted from behind.

“Yes! Second Miss, please return! The Eldest Miss promised she wouldn’t harm you.”

A sneer and sadness flashed in the girl’s eyes. “Won’t harm? How laughable. They won’t let me choose.”

Why was she born into such a family? Sisters who should live in harmony instead slaughtered one another—all for the title of Empress.

She desired no such crown. She only wished to survive.

Ling Xiao, waiting for his meal to cook, glanced toward the forest with a hint of interest, using spatial seals to lock in the aroma, preventing the scent from drifting outward.

After a while, the young woman entered the clearing and froze momentarily upon catching Ling Xiao’s gaze. This slight hesitation caused her movement to falter.

“A perfect opportunity!”

The pursuers behind her gleamed with excitement. One unleashed a soul skill that struck her, sending her flying and crashing onto the ground less than ten meters from Ling Xiao.

He had not used full strength—after all, the Eldest Miss had instructed them only to capture the Second Miss alive. Killing her would mean death for them as well upon returning.

The girl coughed up blood, lying prone on the ground, but Ling Xiao merely pinched his chin and watched her with interest, not rushing to aid.

Four men and one woman leapt from the forest. They first paused at the sight of Ling Xiao, then ignored him and approached the fallen girl.

“Second Miss! Come back with us!” the woman entreated.

Two of the men cast hostile glances at Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow, sensing their intent to attack him.

“Young man! You’re unlucky to witness this scene. Unfortunately, you’ll have to die!” one man growled, as the others turned their attention to Ling Xiao.

Zhu Zhuqing looked up at Ling Xiao with sorrow in her eyes, pleading, “Please don’t harm innocent people. I will go back with you!”

She still had a chance to escape on the way back, but the man before her had none.

Ling Xiao’s interest deepened as he looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

At that moment, Lansue’s voice resonated:

“Mission issued: Rescue Zhu Zhuqing, accept her as disciple. Reward: Divine rank among the Celestial Gods, unlock Celestial Divine Trials!”

A new divine rank?

Zhu Zhuqing?

Ling Xiao was surprised by the task—this was the first time he had received such a mission.

Taking on a disciple? That sounded intriguing.

“Sorry, Second Miss! We cannot consent to this!” the man said as he charged at Ling Xiao.

The others followed suit, confident that even if Ling Xiao was a soul master, a single soul sect would suffice to kill him.

Yet in the next moment, they were dumbfounded.

Ling Xiao grasped one man’s throat with a single hand. No matter how he struggled, the man could not break free.

A crackling of bones followed, and the man’s arm fell limply. His pupils dilated.

“What? Dead?”

The others shrank back, eyes wide.

“You dare attack me? Then all of you will die!” Ling Xiao declared, tossing the corpse aside.

“Let’s attack together; otherwise, none of us will live!” one man growled through clenched teeth, and the others steeled themselves before rushing at Ling Xiao.

But as they charged, the man before them disappeared.

Their gaze shifted to Zhu Zhuqing behind them before they all collapsed, their heads tilted back as darkness swallowed their consciousness.

Ling Xiao approached Zhu Zhuqing, greeting, “Hello there!”

Startled, she looked at Ling Xiao, astonished by his power—four soul sect members had fallen in an instant, and she hadn’t even seen how he had fought.

Was this not the strength she sought?

Struggling to her feet, Zhu Zhuqing said, “Thank you, senior, for your help!”

“No problem!” Ling Xiao stood and returned to the fire.

Zhu Zhuqing thought to herself that since this senior was so powerful, why not ask him to teach her? That way, she could defend herself and seek out Dai Mubai.

With renewed resolve, she rose and respectfully said, “Senior, my name is Zhu Zhuqing. May I apprentice under you?”

“To be my student is not so easy. Can you endure the trials I will set?” Ling Xiao asked.

“I am aware, senior. I am ready for any challenge!” she replied firmly. For survival, she feared no hardship.

“Good.”

Ling Xiao nodded. Flames erupted, burning the five corpses to ashes. Holding a bowl of soup, he said, “Recover your strength first.”

“Yes, senior!” Zhu Zhuqing accepted the bowl, inhaling its aroma, her mouth watering.

Since being hunted, she had not eaten cooked food for days—only dry biscuits and rations, often barely able to recover.

Sitting beside Ling Xiao, she took a sip and was amazed. As a member of the Zhu family of the Xingluo Empire, she had tasted countless delicacies, yet this soup's flavor surpassed all others.

A bowl of grilled meat was then offered.

“Don’t just drink the soup—eat some meat too! Stewed or grilled, your choice!” Ling Xiao smiled.

For some reason, taking on a disciple filled him with joy.

“Thank you, senior!” Zhu Zhuqing said, her eyes shining with gratitude and happiness. After so long being hunted, this was the first time she felt cared for.

Half an hour later, Ling Xiao asked, “Has your strength recovered?”

“Senior, I’m mostly restored!” Zhu Zhuqing stood up. After resting and eating, she regained most of her energy.

“Good. Now, follow me!” Ling Xiao said, holding a golden soul coin.

“Yes!” Zhu Zhuqing replied earnestly.

In the next instant, Ling Xiao vanished before her eyes, reappearing fifty meters away.

Zhu Zhuqing hurried after him, unwilling to be careless.

After half an hour, her strength waned, but seeing Ling Xiao disappearing ahead, she gritted her teeth and pushed forward despite exhaustion.

An hour later, they arrived at a wooden cabin. Ling Xiao sat in the courtyard, the golden soul coin still in hand.

“Zhuqing!”

Ignoring her fatigue, she straightened and stood before him.

“I scattered some golden soul coins along the way. Retrieve them all!” Ling Xiao instructed, not specifying the number.

“Yes!”

Though tired, Zhu Zhuqing did not hesitate.

Ling Xiao produced an hourglass. “If you return with the correct number within the allotted time, you become my student. Begin now!”

Zhu Zhuqing immediately headed back along the route. Ling Xiao returned to the cabin.

Inside the spacious room, there was only one bed. Ling Xiao summoned another from his system space and placed it inside. He then brought out a bathtub, filled it with water, and added some Life Water. The once transparent water shimmered with dazzling radiance.

After finishing, Ling Xiao nodded and sat in the courtyard, awaiting Zhu Zhuqing’s return.

As the sun set and dusk settled, Ling Xiao lit a lamp and glanced at the hourglass—only half an hour remained, and it was already late.

Still waiting, about twenty minutes later, footsteps approached. Zhu Zhuqing returned, clutching seventeen golden soul coins.

“Senior, I’ve retrieved all the coins!” she panted, her voice hoarse. Her legs trembled from exhaustion.

Ling Xiao nodded upon inspecting the coins. “Seventeen. Correct.”

Taking the coins, now soaked with her sweat, Ling Xiao said, “Come with me.”

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, legs trembling as she followed Ling Xiao into the cabin, where the bathtub awaited.

“Get in to soak and relieve your fatigue,” Ling Xiao said.

She nodded, about to enter the tub fully clothed.

“Did you bathe with your clothes on before?” Ling Xiao asked curiously.

Seeing the look on Zhu Zhuqing’s face, he understood her hesitation.

“If you want me to leave, just say so. No need to be shy.”

Ling Xiao waved his hand, and a black cloth partition appeared, dividing the room into two.

He lay back on his bed, while his soul returned to the barrier to resume his assault.

Though used to sharing baths and beds with the likes of Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue, and Huliena, Zhu Zhuqing was different.

Seeing the opaque partition, Zhu Zhuqing relaxed and approached it, realizing she could not see through.

Only then did she finally shed her clothes and enter the bathtub.

The radiant water piqued her curiosity, but she was too exhausted to care. The warmth soothed her, and she slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Ling Xiao left another crack on the barrier, his spirit returning to rest.

He estimated that Zhu Zhuqing must have absorbed the Life Water by now.

Sensing her state, he found her breathing steady, already asleep, and the water in the tub clear again.

With a sigh, Ling Xiao used chains to lift Zhu Zhuqing from the water. Flames evaporated the droplets from her hair and skin. He laid her on the bed, covered her with a blanket, and poured the remaining water from the tub onto the flowerbed.

Having completed these tasks, Ling Xiao closed his eyes and fell asleep. His mental fatigue was heavier than any physical exhaustion.

Soon, dawn arrived. Ling Xiao opened his eyes and sensed that Zhu Zhuqing was still resting. He rose to wash and stepped out into town to buy breakfast, returning to the cabin.

Outside the black cloth, Ling Xiao called, “Zhuqing, wake up, wash, eat breakfast, then start training!”