When Lin Jie heard that Zhu Zhuqing had actually come to ask for his help with Lightning Body Tempering, he nearly burst out laughing. As he'd expected, she was deeply fixated on power.
His lightning Martial Soul had long been dubbed a "cheat code for cultivation"—though admittedly, that was a name he gave it himself as a joke.
The ability to accelerate one's cultivation speed was practically irresistible to anyone who craved strength.
Lin Jie had thought she'd come to him at Shrek Academy later down the line—but to his surprise, she had already sought him out now.
"Sure," he replied easily. "But... do you trust me now?"
"I do," Zhu Zhuqing answered softly.
Before seeing Dai Mubai again, she had still held onto a sliver of hope—hope that he hadn't truly abandoned her when he fled to the Balak Kingdom. She'd heard he'd joined a place called Shrek Academy and believed he might be focused on cultivation.
But seeing him today—with twin girls clinging to his arms—had shattered that last thread of hope.
Lin Jie said gently, "This Lightning Tempering process does come with some pain. Will you be able to endure it?"
"It's just a little pain. I can handle it."
Seeing her resolute expression, Lin Jie nodded. "Alright then. But let's do it in your room. It's not very convenient here."
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. "Why not?"
"Well," Lin Jie began, feigning sincerity, "during the tempering, your body will expel impurities. I told you it has a beautifying and detoxifying effect, right? You think I'd lie to you?"
"That's why it's better to do it in your room. Makes cleanup easier, don't you think?"
Zhu Zhuqing still looked skeptical. "It really has a beautifying effect?"
"Of course. You'll know once you try. Come on."
He walked into the hall, watching as Zhu Zhuqing opened the door to her room and stepped inside. Lin Jie followed.
Once inside, he put on a serious face. "Zhuqing, before we begin, let me explain. The tempering comes in two types—partial and full-body. Which one do you want to start with?"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't hesitate. "Full-body."
The moment she said that, Lin Jie's heart skipped a beat. He quickly sat down at the edge of the bed, putting on a facade of solemnity.
"Alright then. Let's begin."
But when Zhu Zhuqing just stood there without moving, he couldn't help but say, "What are you waiting for? Go on, take off your clothes."
Hearing that, Zhu Zhuqing's expression darkened. Her tone turned frosty: "Take off my clothes? What's that supposed to mean?"
Lin Jie could tell from her face that she'd misunderstood and hurriedly explained, "You just said full-body, right? For me to temper your whole body with my lightning soul power, I'll need full skin contact to maintain precise control. If you keep your clothes on, the effect won't be optimal."
"Is it really necessary?" Zhu Zhuqing asked hesitantly.
Lin Jie thought to himself: Of course not absolutely necessary, but how else am I supposed to... ahem.
Sensing her internal struggle, he relented. "We can start with partial tempering if that's more comfortable."
Zhu Zhuqing asked, "Do I still need to undress for that?"
"You'll only need to take off your outer layer. That should be enough."
He added quickly, "But it's your call. Think it over."
After a moment of thought, Zhu Zhuqing nodded. It's just an outer coat, she reasoned. Not like I'll be fully exposed. And I'm still wearing a bandeau underneath. It's not a big deal—and this is for the sake of improving my strength.
She clenched her fists slightly at the thought of Dai Mubai. He can't be relied on. I'll forge my own path.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai, chatting away with his twin companions about the meaning of life, suddenly felt a strange twinge in his eyelid.
Someone thinking about me? Never mind, he shrugged, returning to his "philosophical discussions."
Back in the room, Lin Jie saw Zhu Zhuqing's determined expression and smirked inwardly.
"I want you to close your eyes first," she said.
"Don't worry, I won't peek," Lin Jie replied—although he never promised not to look later.
Besides, he thought, you'll be right in front of me anyway...
Zhu Zhuqing slowly slipped off her coat—something resembling a sleek, black leather jacket—and laid it on the bed. Her decorative cat-tail accessory fell softly to the floor.
Her smooth, pale back was now exposed.
Despite her age, her figure was mature and alluring. Wearing only a bandeau on top, she stepped onto the bed and sat down in front of Lin Jie.
A light floral fragrance, like jasmine, wafted over.
That scent... it's been a long time since I've smelled a natural body fragrance like this, Lin Jie thought.
When he turned, her bare back was right in front of him. He couldn't see her front—but that didn't stop his imagination from running wild.
Focus. Focus, he told himself.
"I'm starting now," Lin Jie said aloud. "It might sting a bit."
"Go ahead," Zhu Zhuqing replied.
If Lin Jie could've seen her face, he'd have noticed it was slightly flushed.
This was, after all, the first time she'd been so undressed in front of a man—even if she was still partially clothed. Naturally, she was tense and nervous.
Lin Jie placed both hands gently on her back.
Smooth. Really smooth, he thought. I wonder if the front is even—no! Focus!
Electric arcs danced between his palms, sinking gradually into her body.
Zhu Zhuqing felt a tingling sensation—numb but strangely pleasant. He said it would hurt... but it actually feels kind of...
Without meaning to, she let out a soft "Mm…"
Realizing what she'd done, her blush deepened.
Lin Jie, of course, caught the sound—and smirked inwardly.
That was just the warm-up. Let's see how you handle the real thing.
"Zhuqing," he said seriously, "I'm going to increase the output. If it hurts, just scream. Let it out."
"I'm fine. Go on."
Like I'd scream in front of you. Hmph, she thought.
Lin Jie increased his soul power output, though he still maintained complete control over the lightning.
The room went quiet, save for the occasional crackle of electricity.
After ten minutes or so, faint traces of black impurities began to seep from Zhu Zhuqing's skin—proof that the tempering was working.
She could clearly feel her body becoming stronger, though the numbing sensation continued to build.
After another ten minutes, Lin Jie said, "That's enough for today."
He retracted the lightning instantly—but the moment he did, his body slumped forward from "exhaustion." His hands slipped around Zhu Zhuqing's waist, and his face came to rest on her shoulder, like they were locked in an intimate embrace.
Zhu Zhuqing's body tensed immediately.
Her skin was already sensitive from the tempering, and now Lin Jie's sudden closeness only heightened the sensation.
Is he doing this on purpose? she wondered. No… no, he probably just overexerted himself… he was doing this for me. Even if he's taking a bit of advantage... I'll let it slide.
Of course, Lin Jie wasn't actually out of strength.
But how else was he supposed to get this close?
Zhu Zhuqing eventually relaxed, her body no longer stiff. Her voice was soft, with a hint of embarrassment: "Can you let go now? I know you're fine."
Caught, Lin Jie scratched his head awkwardly. Maybe I held her a little too tightly…
What had started as a light embrace had escalated—thanks to a growing sense of, well, temptation.
"I just recovered, honest," he whispered near her ear.
From the corner of his eye, he saw her face blush again.
"Then let go already," she muttered, her voice tinged with bashfulness.
Reluctantly, Lin Jie released her and flopped back onto the bed.
Zhu Zhuqing quickly grabbed her coat and, with her back to him, dressed herself at lightning speed—faster than she executed her soul skills.
Lin Jie watched her finish, then said with feigned exhaustion, "The tempering expelled some impurities from your body. Shouldn't you take a bath?"
Her blush was fading, replaced by a hint of her usual coolness. "Then… could you step out first?"
"I mean, look at me—how do you expect me to walk right now?" Lin Jie replied weakly.
Man, I really am a genius, he thought to himself, grinning inwardly.