[There's no Chapter 201]
In the early morning, Zhao Ming and Zi Ji emerged from their room. After experiencing the thrill of riding the dragon yesterday, Zhao Ming felt rejuvenated, his body filled with a refreshing energy.
As he looked at Zi Ji, she was dressed in a light purple gown, her fair shoulders exposed, exuding an enchanting and seductive aura.
Such a peerless beauty had become his woman.
Zi Ji's eyes met Zhao Ming's, a soft and warm look in them. From now on, she was also her master's woman.
"These past days must have been hard on you," Zhao Ming said with some tenderness. He felt a bit guilty for spending so much time with Zhu Zhuqing and neglecting Zi Ji. He wanted to make up for it.
It wasn't that he was playing favorites; it was just that Zhu Zhuqing had returned to the Zhu family, a place that held painful memories for her, and he wanted to be there for her, making sure she felt happy every day.
"Staying by your side, Master, isn't hard at all." Zi Ji's eyes sparkled as she spoke softly, a hint of warmth in her voice.
"I haven't had much time for you lately. But when things settle down, I'll make it up to you," Zhao Ming said gently. Zi Ji, the Hell Demon Dragon King, was so gentle in front of him, and it made him feel both moved and affectionate.
"It's alright. As long as you have me in your heart, that's enough. We soul beasts have a long lifespan, so you can spend more time with the others," Zi Ji replied with a gentle gaze.
"No matter whether it's you or the others, your lives will be endless. I want all of you to stay with me, to be my women forever," Zhao Ming said with a bright smile.
Humans had short lifespans; even powerful soul masters only lived two to three hundred years. But soul beasts lived much longer. However, as Zhao Ming's women, they would not be ordinary. Their lifespans would be limitless.
As his women, they wouldn't experience the same mortality as ordinary people. He would make sure they all ascended to godhood alongside him.
If Tang San could manipulate the divine realm and give godhood to his friends and loved ones, why couldn't he do the same?
One day, the divine realm would become his domain, occupied only by his wives and children.
He had so many wives that even the divine seats might not be enough for all of them—there was no space for anyone else.
Selfish as it may seem, he didn't care about others. In this world, power was what mattered. If others didn't like it, they would just have to deal with it.
"Young Master Zhao, the master requests your presence," came a voice from the door as a servant announced his arrival.
"Alright, we'll be there soon," Zhao Ming replied with a smile.
He knew today was the day he and Zhu Zhuqing would formalize their engagement.
"You go on ahead. I won't be joining," Zi Ji said with a smile, knowing the significance of Zhao Ming's visit.
"Very well, I'll be back soon. One day, I'll hold a grand wedding for you, inviting all the fierce beasts of the Star Dou Forest," Zhao Ming promised with a grin.
"I'll be waiting for that day," Zi Ji said, her eyes filled with warmth and affection.
In Zhu Zizhao's study, only Zhu Zizhao, Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhu Zhuyun were present.
Zhu Zhuqing was especially beautiful today. When she saw Zhao Ming arrive, she rushed over, holding his arm with a joyful smile.
"Ah, my future son-in-law, you're here." Zhu Zizhao greeted Zhao Ming with a smile that could not hide his joy.
Today, Zhao Ming and Zhu Zhuqing would officially become engaged under his witness.
From this moment, Zhao Ming would truly be a part of their Zhu family, his son-in-law.
"My future son-in-law, I've already drafted the engagement contract for you and Zhuqing. From now on, I entrust her to you," Zhu Zizhao said warmly, handing the document to Zhao Ming.
"Uncle, you can rest assured. Zhuqing is the love of my life, and I'll protect her. As long as I'm around, no one will dare harm her," Zhao Ming said earnestly, accepting the engagement contract from Zhu Zizhao.
The contract detailed the information about Zhao Ming and Zhu Zhuqing, as well as their wedding date. Considering their ages, the wedding was set for six years later. Of course, if he and Zhu Zhuqing happened to have a child earlier, they might move up the date.
After all, who could predict these things? It could happen at any time.
"Good, I feel relieved entrusting Zhuqing to you," Zhu Zizhao said with a smile. In his eyes, no one other than Zhao Ming was qualified to marry his beloved daughter.
"But Zhuqing can't be married off so easily. I've prepared a betrothal gift, though in a rush, it may not be anything too valuable. I hope you won't mind," Zhao Ming said with a bright smile.
"My future son-in-law, you're too polite. It's the thought that counts, the value doesn't matter," Zhu Zizhao replied, satisfied. He didn't expect Zhao Ming to have prepared anything too significant on such short notice. What mattered was that Zhao Ming was showing his sincerity, demonstrating his genuine love for Zhuqing. That alone made Zhu Zizhao pleased.
Many men lost interest in women after taking advantage of them, but Zhao Ming clearly wasn't one of them.
With a gesture, Zhao Ming conjured three black gift boxes tied with red ribbons, placing them on Zhu Zizhao's desk.
"Uncle, I'll take my leave with Zhuqing now," Zhao Ming said, smiling as he glanced at Zhu Zhuqing. With the engagement contract in hand, Zhuqing was now officially his fiancée, and one day she would become his wife and bear his children.
"Alright, you two go ahead," Zhu Zizhao replied with a smile. He assumed that Zhao Ming was in a hurry to leave because the gifts weren't very impressive. But it didn't matter; Zhao Ming's extraordinary talent and impressive background, coupled with his genuine affection for his daughter, made any material gifts trivial.
"Father, let me see what Zhao Ming has prepared as a betrothal gift," Zhu Zhuyun said after Zhao Ming and Zhu Zhuqing left. She opened one of the boxes.
As she opened the box, Zhu Zhuyun was stunned.
She stood there, speechless for a long time.
Finally, she managed to react.
"These are… soul bones?" Zhu Zhuyun exclaimed, feeling the overwhelming aura emanating from the three soul bones. She was in shock.
Zhu Zizhao was equally astonished, his hands trembling as he gazed at the three soul bones on the desk.
Watching Zhao Ming and Zhu Zhuqing walk away, he couldn't help but think how fortunate their Zhu family was to have Zhao Ming as their son-in-law.
Soul bones were rare treasures; their Zhu family only had three. Now, with these three additional soul bones, their family's collection had doubled.
"Having Zhao Ming is truly a blessing for Zhuqing and a fortune for the Zhu family," Zhu Zizhao said with emotion.
"Yes, my sister is so lucky," Zhu Zhuyun said softly, looking into the distance with a hint of envy. Soul bones were treasures she had rarely seen, yet Zhao Ming had gifted them three at once.
Zhao Ming must truly love Zhuqing to go to such lengths for her.
If there was a man who could do the same for her, she would undoubtedly follow him wholeheartedly.
But she knew that was impossible.
Davis, her fiancé—could he ever do the same for her? Zhu Zhuyun's brow furrowed slightly, her thoughts becoming unsettled.