"You're headed to enroll at Shrek Academy, aren't you?" Lin Jie asked.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flashed with surprise, her guard instantly rising. "How do you know that?"
"I really did guess, I swear!" Lin Jie said quickly. "But the moment I saw your Martial Soul was the Hell Spirit Cat, I figured it out."
"So what?" Zhu Zhuqing replied coldly. "There are plenty of Martial Souls in this world that look alike. How do you know I'm not from somewhere else? How can you be so sure I'm going to Shrek Academy?"
Her tone was laced with suspicion—probably the most she'd spoken at once so far. Lin Jie sighed softly at her defensiveness.
Speaking in a low voice, he explained, "Your Martial Soul is the Hell Spirit Cat. And as far as I know, the only people who wield the Hell Spirit Cat to this degree of mastery are members of the Zhu Clan, a noble family from the Star Luo Empire."
"The Zhu Clan is closely tied to the royal Dai Clan—they've been intermarrying for generations."
He paused, then continued:
"The current head of the Zhu Clan has two daughters. The eldest, Zhu Zhuyun, is engaged to Dai Weisi, the Crown Prince of Star Luo Empire. Rumor has it both are extremely powerful—prime candidates for the throne. If Zhu Zhuyun really does become the future Crown Princess, why would she leave the empire to come all the way to the Heaven Dou Empire?"
"No, the only one who'd do that... is the Zhu Clan's second daughter."
"I've heard that she's a rare prodigy—gifted from birth. Became a Soul Grandmaster before even turning ten."
Zhu Zhuqing visibly relaxed a little at the praise, her expression softening ever so slightly. "You don't look that old yourself."
Lin Jie noticed her dropping her guard and mused internally:
Ah, women really are easy to win over with compliments—especially twelve-year-old girls. Although... her figure definitely doesn't look like a girl's...
She'd been all ice a moment ago, but after a few kind words, her defenses started to lower. Lin Jie gave her a playful glance.
"I heard the internal struggle for the throne in the Star Luo Empire is brutal," he said casually. "Even blood brothers fighting to the death."
"And that Third Prince, Dai Mubai, fled to the Balak Kingdom to survive, abandoning his fiancée. Word is, he's at Shrek Academy now."
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing clench her teeth, Lin Jie kept going in a neutral tone. "And the Zhu Clan's second daughter... was betrothed to Dai Mubai since childhood. I don't think I need to say more."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression was visibly filled with resentment.
Lin Jie figured as much. If someone ran off and left their fiancée behind just to save themselves, anyone would be furious.
Sure, Dai Mubai's decision might've made sense in the moment—nobody wants to die—but Lin Jie couldn't respect that. If you abandon your fiancée today, who's to say you won't abandon someone else tomorrow?
As Zhu Zhuqing resumed walking, Lin Jie naturally followed—mostly because, well, she was a feast for the eyes.
Fine. Lin Jie admitted it. He was attracted to Zhu Zhuqing. Or, to put it bluntly, this was probably lust at first sight.
Back in his previous life, he'd already had a thing for Zhu Zhuqing when watching the anime—she was calm, resilient, emotionally complex, and unshakably devoted to growing stronger. And now, seeing her in the flesh, impossibly beautiful... how could his heart not waver?
He raised a fist to his mouth and gave a light cough. "So, now do you believe I was just guessing?"
Zhu Zhuqing replied coolly, "So what if you were? What does that have to do with me?"
Everything, Lin Jie thought, but all he said was, "I heard Shrek Academy's entrance exams are in a few days. I'm planning to enroll too. Looks like we're headed the same way."
Zhu Zhuqing hadn't expected to meet someone else on their way to Shrek Academy. Her pace noticeably slowed.
"Such a beautiful and talented young lady," Lin Jie said teasingly. "You must be strong, right? Have you reached rank 30 yet?"
Of course, Lin Jie knew she hadn't. He'd watched the show in his past life, after all. But he asked anyway—because, well, you know.
Zhu Zhuqing had been about to respond to the earlier compliment, but the mention of rank 30 made her purse her lips. How could anyone be a Soul Elder at such a young age?
Lin Jie caught her subtle reaction and found it... kind of cute, honestly.
She really has an expressive face. This kind of pouting is adorable.
At that moment, Lin Jie wished he had a fan to flick open. This would've been a perfect moment to show off.
Just imagine: a flick of the fan, a calm smile, and the line—"I am Lin Jie, twelve years old, a rank 32 Soul Elder."
Well, he could only think about it.
Because yes—Lin Jie was now rank 32. After absorbing the 4,200-year-old Thunder Spider's spirit ring in the Star Dou Great Forest, he'd shot up two more ranks.
He was dying to see the look on Yu Xiaogang's face when he found out Lin Jie was not only stronger than Tang San, but also cultivating faster.
Yu Xiaogang had dismissed him back then for being "low aptitude," unworthy of being his disciple. Lin Jie had moved on—but he still looked forward to seeing the man eat his words.
Smiling faintly, Lin Jie said clearly, "My name is Lin Jie, twelve years old, rank 32 Soul Elder."
(Still no fan.)
Zhu Zhuqing stared at him, stunned. "No way. You're a Soul Elder?"
"There's no way... how could someone so young be a Soul Elder?!"
Lin Jie chuckled at her disbelief. "Why not? You don't believe me?"
He raised his palm, focusing his soul power. Instantly, three soul rings appeared around him—yellow, yellow-purple, and deep purple. The second ring even carried a slight hue of violet.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened further. "You really are a Soul Elder...!"
Lin Jie grinned. "Of course. You think I'd lie to you?"
Zhu Zhuqing was still struggling to accept it. A twelve-year-old Soul Elder? Was that even possible?
Her voice was no longer cold, just uncertain. "You're really only twelve?"
Lin Jie withdrew his soul rings and rubbed his face. "Look at this young face. Isn't it obvious?"
Their relationship seemed to grow more relaxed after that. Lin Jie chatted with her on and off, teasing out bits of information. He learned she was also twelve, a rank 27 Soul Grandmaster, and a few months younger than him.
Since discovering Lin Jie's strength, Zhu Zhuqing had grown noticeably less guarded. They walked together toward Tuli Town, finally arriving after over half an hour.
As they traveled, Lin Jie couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
This world really does respect power.
If you're strong, people look at you differently. If you're weak? You're invisible.
Just like in his past life—if you had money, you were king. If you were broke, people wouldn't even remember your name.
Of course, Lin Jie knew that was an oversimplification. But hey—in the world of geniuses, genius is the standard.
And while he didn't think of himself as a genius, he didn't mind if others did.
On the road, he continued chatting with Zhu Zhuqing. Well—mostly he talked and she responded. Still, it helped close the gap.
After all, nobody opens up to a stranger right away. Relationships took time.
Once they reached Tuli Town, the two of them found an inn and each booked a room to rest.
(And no, don't get the wrong idea—it was two separate rooms. Even though the rooms were adjacent, sharing one wasn't even on the table. Their current relationship level didn't warrant that.)
Before she returned to her room, Lin Jie leaned in close to Zhu Zhuqing and whispered:
"I know a way to help you speed up your soul power cultivation."
Then he walked off, leaving her standing there—expression frozen in astonishment.