Zhu Zhuqing's beauty was striking, even in her dishevelled state. Her long, jet-black hair framed a face with delicate features and intense, piercing eyes. Despite the dirt and scratches from her recent ordeal, her elegance and grace were evident.
Feng Xuan, catching his breath after the battle, approached her cautiously. His handsome features were accentuated by his calm and confident demeanor. His well-defined jawline, piercing eyes, and athletic build spoke of years of rigorous training. Even in the midst of the forest, there was an aura of composed strength about him.
Zhu Zhuqing, still panting and shaken, looked up at him with a mixture of gratitude and wariness.
Feng Xuan slowly approached her, and when he saw the girl in front of him, he was in a daze.
Beautiful, too beautiful.
Till now he didn't see a beautiful girl like her. Xiao Wu is also a toppling beauty but compared to this girl she is a bit short. He thought he didn't need a girl to journey and always wanted to focus on getting stronger but seeing this girl he changed his mind. He knows her story so he also has sympathy for her.
Zhu Zhuqing also has her beautiful eyes widened, and her heartstrings trembled.
She looked at Feng Xuan in a daze.
She came out from a dazed state and said, "Thank you for saving me. I didn't think anyone would come in this deeper part of the forest."
Feng Xuan also came out from a dazed state hearing that asked "You're welcome. It was quite the fight. I came here for a spirit ring. Are you okay?
Zhu Zhuqing replied "I think so. Just some scratches. My name is Zhu Zhuqing, by the way."
Feng Xuan said "I'm Feng Xuan. What are you doing here in the Star Dou Forest?"
Zhu Zhuqing replied without revealing the whole story "I was heading to Shrek Academy for admission."
She does not reveal the whole truth about her purpose for going to Shrek Academy and Feng Xuan didn't ask. She is a little worried about Feng Xuan due to his overwhelming strength. The 7500-year-old Firestorm wolf can only killed by a soul emperor but killed by this young man effortlessly. To her, he looks like in 12-year-old only one year older than her but his power is this shocking.
Feng Xuan suggested that they help each other out, noting it would be safer to stick together for a bit. Zhu Zhuqing, hesitant but grateful, agreed, saying it sounded like a good idea and that she owed him her life. Feng Xuan assured her there was no need to thank him and proposed they get her patched up and then figure out their next move.
As they began to tend to Zhu Zhuqing's wounds, Feng Xuan asked her for a favor. He explained that he needed to absorb the spirit ring from the Firestorm Wolf they had just defeated. He requested that Zhu Zhuqing protect him while he went through the absorption process, as he would be vulnerable during that time. Zhu Zhuqing, seeing the sincerity and determination in his eyes, agreed without hesitation. She promised to keep watch and guard him, ensuring no harm would come to him while he absorbed the spirit ring.
With Zhu Zhuqing standing guard, Feng Xuan sat down and began the process of absorbing the spirit ring. The purple ring hovered before him, and as he concentrated, it moved closer, eventually wrapping around him. He closed his eyes, focusing on the energy and power flowing into him. Zhu Zhuqing kept a vigilant watch, her senses on high alert for any signs of danger.
As the absorption process continued, Feng Xuan felt the immense power of the 7500-year-old spirit ring merging with his own. The energy surged through him, filling him with strength and enhancing his abilities. After what felt like an eternity, the absorption was complete. Feng Xuan opened his eyes, now filled with a new sense of power and confidence. He thanked Zhu Zhuqing for her protection.
Zhu Zhuqing asked with a sad face "Now that you have absorbed ring so will you go out from Soul Dou Forest?"
She was a little reluctant to be parted with him but suddenly remembered that she was engaged so she said "Sorry about my rude question."
"Only if I engage with this guy who has this much strength at this young age her life would be better." Thought Zhu Zhuqing.
Sometimes she thought if she was commoner not royalty then her life would have been different.
Feng Xuan not knowing Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts said "No problem, I will leave after some time first let's see your wound."
Zhu Zhuqing said, "It's just stretches no worry."
Feng Xuan takes a healing pill that he had made for years and gives it to Zhu Zhuqing and says "Eat this pill it can heal your wound."
Zhu Zhuqing was shocked by the pill she had never heard that pill could heal wounds so she worriedly the pill and ate it.
To her shock, all her wounds healed and didn't even leave a stretch.
"Thank you for giving me this pill but I don't have money to pay you back." Said Zhu Zhuqing with worry written on her face.
"No worry, it's a cheap product that I developed so you don't need to pay." Said Feng Xuan.
"It was nice to meet you I will be also coming to Shrek Academy after graduation but don't know if I will join or not." Added Feng Xuan.
"You are yet to graduate? Are you not spirit king? I thought you would be at the senior academy." Said Zhu Zhuqing with a shocked face.
"No, I have yet to graduate. I am a skilled soul elder right now. So I have yet to go to the senior academy. I am 11 and a half year old right now. I have done physical exercise from a very young age so my build is different." Said Feng Xuan.
Eleven-year-old soul elder who can fight soul king-level beast. Zhu Zhuqing was shocked. She don't know how to describe him. Then knowing her circumstances she asked "Can you train me or give me some advice to become strong? I also want to become strong and independent. I don't want someone to make a decision on my life."
Feng Xuan think and said "You need firm heart to become strong which you already have. I also want to leave for academy soon so I can't guide you but I will teach you some basic exercise to rise your agility and strength."
Feng Xuan then teach her Yoga poses and breathing exercise which was developed by him in order to increase stamina and agility as well as strength.
Zhu Zhuqing happily learn all this and said "Thank you for teaching me this it will help me a lot."
She is still not ready to burden him with her problem so she didn't said more but she convince herself to break engagement with Du Mubai.
Both of them then leave forest and said goodbye to each other reluctantly. Their bond became stronger during this time. Zhu Zhuqing who always has cold face, now she has smile on her face whenever she talked with him.
After that Feng Xuan didn't directly go to academy. He needs to check his spirit ring ability. This episode made him more convince to get stronger. Now he want to protect her. Also Xiao Wu, He still don't know how to feel about her so he put it down for future.