After saving Zhu Zhuqing, Lin Yu, confident in his strength, decided to reveal his identity to her.
Thanks to their previous interactions during the live stream, Lin Yu quickly built a rapport with Zhu Zhuqing. However, although he planned to join the Ghostly Duke Mansion, Lin Yu wasn't going to return with her. It would be too difficult for Zhu Zhuqing to explain his presence.
Whether she claimed that someone saved her or that she was rescued by Lin Yu, both explanations would raise issues. The former would make his entry into the Ghostly Duke Mansion more complicated, suggesting a backing beyond his control, while the latter wouldn't align with the identity of Ye Liangchen—the persona Lin Yu intended to maintain.
After all, Ye Liangchen's Martial Soul was the Dual Pupils, and he was only a Grand Spirit Master. No matter how exceptional he was, it wouldn't make sense for him to defeat a Spirit Hunting team led by a Spirit King. He couldn't just confess that Ye Liangchen was Lin Yu, right?
Although Lin Yu had been honest with Zhu Zhuqing, he still intended to use the identity of Ye Liangchen when joining the Ghostly Duke Mansion.
After assisting her in hunting down a Phantom Spirit Cat with 300-year cultivation, Lin Yu parted ways with Zhu Zhuqing, quietly escorting her out of the Star Dou Forest.
Outside the forest, the carriage that had initially brought Zhu Zhuqing and Zack to the Star Dou Forest was still waiting.
"Miss, where's Steward Zack?"
The driver was startled to see Zhu Zhuqing return alone without Zack and immediately asked.
At the mention of Zack, a cold look flickered in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as her hands clenched into fists. Although Zack had played his part well, she was convinced he had already sided with her sister, Zhu Zhuyun. There was no other explanation for how the Spirit Hunting team had been able to find her so precisely in the vast Star Dou Forest.
She'd been careful at every step; there was no way her sister could have tampered with her plans. The only possibility was that Zack, the steward responsible for helping her acquire her spirit ring, had been a spy for Zhu Zhuyun all along.
"We encountered an evil Spirit Hunting team in the forest. Steward Zack sacrificed himself to protect me," Zhu Zhuqing replied calmly.
In reality, on the way out of the forest, Lin Yu had intercepted Zack, who had been pretending to search for Zhu Zhuqing but was there to confirm her death. Without hesitation, Lin Yu retrieved a spear from his storage soul tool and hurled it at Zack, killing him instantly to ensure Zhu Zhuqing's safety. She couldn't afford any more complications on her way back.
"Steward Zack sacrificed himself?"
The driver was shocked. Zack was a Spirit King, after all.
"For a Spirit Hunting team to be so brazen as to attack someone from the Ghostly Duke Mansion… They must have a death wish. When we return, this must be reported so the mansion can investigate thoroughly!"
The driver, unaware of Zack's betrayal, was indignant. Even as a servant, he took great pride in working for the Ghostly Duke Mansion, and the idea that anyone would dare harm someone from the mansion enraged him.
"Let's go. It's time to head back," Zhu Zhuqing said coolly as she climbed into the carriage, indifferent to the driver's rant. The real threat hadn't come from any evil Spirit Hunting team—it had come from her sister.
As the driver continued to fume, he quickly set the spirit horse into motion, and the carriage sped toward the Star Luo Imperial City.
Once the carriage was a safe distance from the Star Dou Forest, Lin Yu emerged from the woods, watching the vehicle disappear into the horizon.
Releasing a burst of Mirage Dragon Qi to shroud himself in disguise, Lin Yu spread the Wind and Thunder Wings attached to his soul's bone and shot into the sky. Concerned that Zhu Zhuyun might attempt another ambush, he followed the carriage from a distance to the Star Luo Imperial City.
In the forest outside the city, Lin Yu dispelled the Mirage Dragon Qi that had cloaked him and retracted his Wind and Thunder Wings. As he walked toward the city gates, his Dual Pupils allowed him to glimpse the grandiose city ahead.
What a majestic city! The towering walls must be several hundred meters tall! The interior seemed equally prosperous, with tall buildings and clock towers dotting the landscape. It was truly fitting for the Star Luo Empire's capital!
Though he had visited Spirit City before, the size of the Star Luo Imperial City dwarfed it. While both cities were equally prosperous, the sheer scale of Star Luo was unmatched.
After arriving at the gates and paying the entry fee, Lin Yu easily entered the bustling Star Luo Imperial City. He wandered around for a while, soaking in the sights before asking a few shopkeepers for directions to the Ghostly Duke Mansion.
Before long, he found himself standing in front of the mansion's grand entrance.
"So, this is the Ghostly Duke Mansion? It looks more like an estate or even a small village!" Lin Yu mused as he gazed at the massive archway guarded by two sentries. Above it hung a plaque inscribed with five golden characters spelling out "Ghostly Duke Mansion." Beyond the gates, he could see an array of imposing, luxurious buildings. It was indeed more of a large manor than a simple mansion.
But Lin Yu wasn't too surprised. After all, the Ghostly Duke Mansion was also the home of the Ghostly Nether Cat Clan, and it housed a large number of people. A mansion of this size was only natural.
"Excuse me, are you still accepting spirit masters? I'm here to join the Ghostly Duke Mansion."
Lin Yu stepped up to the guards at the gate and asked.
There was no dramatic scene. Seeing Lin Yu's noble attire and youthful appearance—indicating he had likely only just awakened his martial soul—the guards didn't ask him to prove his strength. One of them simply led Lin Yu into the mansion.
They walked through the estate until they reached a small square. A group of people of all ages had gathered there.
It turned out that the Ghostly Duke Mansion had recently started recruiting spirit masters, and this square served as the testing area.
"This is where you'll be tested for your spirit power. If you meet the requirements, one of our stewards will register you, and from then on, you'll officially be part of the Ghostly Duke Mansion," the guard explained as they stood at the edge of the square.
"Do I just join the line to be tested?" Lin Yu asked, eyeing the long line of people waiting for their turn.
"Exactly," the guard nodded.
With that, Lin Yu walked over and took his place at the end of the line, ready to be tested.
Note: If you are interested you can read up to chapter 175 at
patreon.com/MythMosaic.