The starlight scattered, and the night air was as cool as water.
Su Cheng, disguised as Zhu Hongtao, stood outside the academy quietly waiting.
Before long, a graceful figure appeared at the entrance of the Royal Academy from afar, then swiftly approached with light steps.
Though her face still bore a hint of youth, her figure had matured, exuding a captivating allure.
Her cool demeanor added an unusual charm to her.
It was Zhu Zhuqing.
"Father, I'm here," she whispered as she stood before Su Cheng.
Under the guise of Zhu Hongtao's perfect appearance created by his soul bone, Su Cheng silently nodded at her.
In reality, the frequency of their meetings had decreased from once a month to once every six months. The reason was simple: he had already taught her everything he could. Apart from cultivation techniques and martial soul attributes, Zhu Zhuqing had to rely on her own comprehension.
The more they met, the more vulnerabilities they exposed. He didn't want to risk revealing too much and jeopardizing his future with this important identity.
He had even decided that after this conversation, Zhu Hongtao's facade could temporarily take a back seat.
"Xiaoqing, you've done well over these past two years. Your cultivation and conduct far exceed my expectations. There's nothing more I can teach you," Su Cheng said solemnly as he looked at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Now that you've added a second soul ring to your martial soul, it means you can graduate from the academy at any time. From now on, you can rely on yourself for further improvement. Whether you want to join a higher-level Soul Master Academy or choose another path, it's up to you."
Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily stunned by his words.
Although she knew this day would come sooner or later, she didn't expect it to happen so suddenly.
She bit her lip, unsure of how to respond.
"Don't think too much about it. If you manage to exceed my expectations in the future, I'll hand over control of the family to you," Su Cheng continued, disregarding her hesitation.
"To be honest, you're doing even better than your older sisters. I suggest that when you feel the time is right, you should discuss this with them and me. But this is something between you sisters; don't bring up my involvement. Your talents and personalities are different, so my ways of helping you are not the same."
"When is the right time?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, puzzled about when would be appropriate.
"In this world, strength is what matters."
The next day.
As usual, Zhu Zhuqing and Su Cheng finished their practice and then went to the back mountain of the academy to train in soul skills and martial soul fusion techniques.
During this process, they helped each other find weaknesses and improve.
Although it was said like this, most of the time it was Su Cheng giving advice to Zhu Zhuqing unilaterally.
After all, his experience in applying soul skills far surpassed hers.
"What are your plans for the future? We've already advanced to Grand Soul Master level and can graduate from the academy at any time," Zhu Zhuqing asked softly as they rested after depleting their soul power.
For some reason, she suddenly felt nervous.
"I personally suggest you join the Star Luo Advanced Royal Academy," Su Cheng casually replied.
"It's the first choice for most noble children. Many of the students from this intermediate academy will also go there for further study. You'll have the chance to meet more people there. If you truly have any ambitions, there's no better place than the Star Luo Royal Academy."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently at his words, secretly relieved.
It was also her own inner thought.
But Su Cheng's opinion was also something to consider.
Now she fully understood the power of martial soul fusion techniques and naturally didn't want to give up this assistance, nor did she want Su Cheng to leave her control in the future.
Others were fine; even if they were separated for a short time, it wouldn't be a problem. But with Su Cheng, she always felt that she couldn't see through him.
"However, there's something you need to consider," Su Cheng spoke again at this moment.
"What?"
"Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun are also in that academy. Do you understand what I mean?" Su Cheng said lightly.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression darkened slightly at his words, feeling a sudden weight in her heart.
Then she remembered what her father had said last night.
Turning to Su Cheng, she said, "Then let's wait a few years first. Let's go find them after we reach the Soul Elder level."
"Suit yourself," Su Cheng nodded, looking indifferent.
With their cultivation speed and the additional energy provided by the second soul ring across years, they could reach the Soul Grandmaster level in less than three years.
By then, they could approach Zhu Zhuyun first and possibly resolve the conflict peacefully.
Now Zhu Zhuyun wasn't too old, and her relationship with Davis might not be too deep. There was a good chance to sway her to their side.
But then Su Cheng would have to stay by Zhu Zhuqing's side. Otherwise, if there were any flaws in their communication due to Zhu Hongtao's identity, it would bring a lot of trouble.
"...," Zhu Zhuqing stared at Su Cheng, not continuing to speak.
"What are you looking at me for?" Su Cheng was somewhat puzzled, furrowing his brows.
"Su Cheng, don't you have anything you want to do?" Zhu Zhuqing suddenly asked.
"I do."
"What is it?"
"I'll consider that after I have my freedom. If you achieve your ideals, then I'll be completely free too, right?" Su Cheng stretched lazily, saying casually, "If you fulfill your own dreams, then I'll be free too."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, looking into the distance.
Su Cheng had his own plans for the future arrangements.
They didn't have much time left, but it should be enough.
According to the original timeline, in about a dozen years, Qian Renxue would launch a coup under Bibi Dong's pressure.
But the early launch was partly due to pressure from Tang San and others.
However, in this world, there was no Tang San, the transmigrator.
Without this major disturbance, Qian Renxue could continue her coup in Tian Dou.
Even if she succeeded, it would still take a lot of time and effort to fully control the situation in Tian Dou with the help of the Soul Hall's numerous Soul Masters.
On this basis, the establishment of the Spirit Empire would probably be delayed by five to ten years.
And the initiation of the national war would also require a lot of time and effort.
Likewise, Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong's ascension to godhood would likely be delayed by many years.
Bibi Dong was probably still undergoing the Rakshasa God's examination.
But in the original timeline, she kept delaying without becoming a god.
It wasn't until the appearances of the Angel God Qian Renxue and the Sea God Tang San that she took that last step due to stimulation.
By this calculation, Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing probably still had about twenty years of growth period.
In Su Cheng's plan, they needed to cultivate to the level of Soul Saint at least within this time frame, and the higher the level, the better.
Only when they reached this level could Su Cheng's final plan have a chance to succeed.
"With the active cultivation of the Nirvana Scripture, supplemented by drugs, and the absorption of additional energy from the cross-year soul rings, combined with the continuous improvement of martial soul quality, reaching this level of cultivation shouldn't be difficult," Su Cheng thought silently in his heart, glancing at Zhu Zhuqing who was lost in thought not far away.
...
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