"Xiao Maomi! Raise your hand higher, your fist position is wrong, your footwork is incorrect, extend your leg forward another half-step."
"Chen Ge, am I very stupid? I've learned these moves three times already, but I still haven't mastered them."
"Don't rush, take your time, you'll get it with practice."
"I must learn it; I won't let Chen Ge down."
On this day, Ye Liangchen was sitting on a large rock, guiding Zhu Zhuqing in practicing the Tiger Fist and Leopard Fist from the Five Elements Divine Fist. Zhu Zhuqing's Spirit was the Hell Civet, and Ye Liangchen felt that the Tiger Form Fist and Leopard Form Fist were quite suitable for her, allowing her to temper her physical strength.
From the time they met until now, they had been in the valley for five days. The scenery here was beautiful, and Ye Liangchen temporarily had no plans to leave this place.
During a conversation, Zhu Zhuqing learned that Ye Liangchen was only 10 days older than her, so she directly called him Chen Ge.
After five days of constant companionship, their relationship was getting better and better, and they had become good friends who could talk about anything. Zhu Zhuqing also became more and more clingy; wherever Ye Liangchen went, she followed him, as if she were a quiet Xiao Maomi.
Ye Liangchen felt that this was because Zhu Zhuqing had been suppressed by Zhu Zhuyun for a long time in the Star Luo Empire, lacking a sense of security. Suddenly encountering someone who could protect her filled her Life with hope, and now, even if he tried to chase her away, she wouldn't leave.
Of course, Ye Liangchen wouldn't chase her away. It was hard enough to meet such a gentle Xiao Maomi, so he naturally had to keep her by his side.
Next door, Tang San had a rabbit, and that rabbit called Tang San "brother" all day long, which Tang San greatly enjoyed.
Now that Xiao Maomi called him Chen Ge, Ye Liangchen felt like he had also adopted a cat, and it was a gentle and quiet Xiao Maomi, which was simply too wonderful.
"Hoo, hoo, hoo…"
Zhu Zhuqing diligently practiced each movement, a resolute expression on her face. Her innate spirit power was only at Level 7, and her talent wasn't very high, but she was hardworking and enduring. Under Zhu Zhuyun's suppression, she was still able to cultivate to the Spirit Grandmaster realm in these few years, showing how much she had put in.
"Chen Ge, I can finally link these moves together!"
An hour later, Zhu Zhuqing cheered excitedly, an excited expression on her face. Her beautiful large eyes stared at Ye Liangchen, showing an expression that sought praise.
"Hmm! Not bad, take a break first, come and eat some wild fruits."
Ye Liangchen understood what the girl meant and directly praised her.
"Thank you, Chen Ge."
Xiao Maomi immediately ran over joyfully, sitting quietly beside Ye Liangchen, picking up a wild fruit, and munching on it.
"Zhuqing, we are good friends now, no need to be polite."
Ye Liangchen smiled faintly, reaching out to rub Xiao Maomi's silky hair, feeling as if he were petting a cat.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't mind, letting Ye Liangchen rub her hair. Instead, she even felt a sense of enjoyment.
Her personality was much more cheerful now than two days ago, and she often smiled.
"Chen Ge, how wonderful would it be if we could live like this, carefree, every day!"
During this time, Zhu Zhuqing followed Ye Liangchen, running around the forest. Every day was carefree and enjoyable, and she even had the idea of living in seclusion in the mountains, but the prerequisite was to be with someone she liked.
"Zhuqing, you're thinking too much. Nothing can be too absolute. Long-term seclusion in the deep mountains will make you disconnected from the outside world."
"I came to this forest mainly to find some medicinal herbs. In a few days, I still need to go to Nuoding City."
Ye Liangchen knew that Zhu Zhuqing had not had a good time these past few years. Now that she had temporarily escaped the cage of the Star Luo Empire, she felt freedom, so she found this Life away from conflict particularly beautiful.
"Chen Ge, as long as you don't dislike it, no matter where you go, I will go with you."
Zhu Zhuqing stared at Ye Liangchen, a determined expression on her face, deciding to tell him some of her secret matters, and at the same time, making an important decision in her heart.
"Chen Ge, there's something I want to tell you."
Looking at the determined expression in Xiao Maomi's eyes, Ye Liangchen already guessed what she was going to say.
"What do you want to tell me?" Ye Liangchen pretended to be curious.
"I have a fiancé named Dai Mubai, but nothing has ever happened between us. It's just that we were betrothed from a young age."
"Our Zhu Family and the Star Luo Royal Family's Dai Family have always been…"
Zhu Zhuqing babbled on to Ye Liangchen about her engagement with Dai Mubai, and also mentioned how after Dai Mubai ran away, she alone had to endure the suppression from her elder sister and Dai Weisi.
"The matter of the Star Luo Royal Family's marriage alliance with your Zhu Family, I learned about it from Aunt Lan and the others when I was 6 years old."
"At that time, when you came to the Star Dou Forest with your relatives and we rescued you, Aunt Lan and the others guessed your identity as a young lady of the Zhu Family, and that you were forced to participate in the power struggle among the royal family's heirs."
Ye Liangchen was well aware of this girl's engagement. The marriage alliance with the Zhu Family was only for that Martial Soul Fusion Skill, to maintain the royal family's rule. And the Zhu Family also gained power and prosperity through this method of marriage alliance. It was also the Star Luo Empire royal family's ancestors who set down such cruel rules for the heir struggle. The cooperation between the two families could be considered mutually beneficial.
"Ah! Chen Ge, you even guessed this?"
"The messy struggles among the Star Luo Empire's royal family heirs are known to powerful figures of any major force. My Aunt Lan, as the dean of Tianshui Academy, naturally knows about them."
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned when she learned that Ye Liangchen already knew these things, but then she thought, this isn't much of a secret anyway.
"You said your fiancé is named Dai Mubai? I once saw him in Soto City."
Just then, Ye Liangchen revealed information about Dai Mubai, which surprised Zhu Zhuqing again.
"Ah! Chen Ge, you've seen him? How strong is he?" Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously.
"When I was 8 years old, I was out shopping in Soto City with Aunt Lan and the others. At that time, three drunk men, one of whom was blond, saw Aunt Lan and Teacher Su Lin and came over to flirt. But he was directly beaten down by me. Later, he sobered up and introduced himself as Dai Mubai. At that time, he had just joined Shrek Academy and was only at the Spirit Grandmaster realm."
"As for what realm he is in now, I don't know."
Ye Liangchen slowly recounted the events of that year to Zhu Zhuqing. Thinking about it now, he found it quite interesting. However, Ye Liangchen did not mention Dai Mubai's frequent visits to brothels and his dates with twins, as there was no need to.
"A few years ago, he fled to the Heaven Dou Empire, and later I heard he joined something called Shrek Academy. I suppose he couldn't stand Dai Weisi's suppression."
"Listening to you, Chen Ge, I suppose he has already fallen."
"We were betrothed from a young age, and my fate was already arranged from birth…",
"Actually, the Star Luo Empire's heir has long been decided. Before, Dai Mubai's second elder brother was eliminated by Dai Weisi, and my second elder sister was also suppressed by Zhu Zhuyun and became an ordinary person. Now it's our turn, mine and Dai Mubai's. To say it's fair competition is truly laughable. We are just whetstones for Dai Weisi and my elder sister."
"If no miracle appears, my Life will wither at 25 years old."
After Zhu Zhuqing finished telling Ye Liangchen about her future fate, a look of despair appeared on her face, and her eyes were dull.
The next moment, she looked up at the calm Ye Liangchen and suddenly saw hope again.
"Chen Ge, I want to break free from the shackles of this engagement. I want to control my own destiny. Please help me. From now on, no matter what you ask me to do, I am willing."
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly grabbed Ye Liangchen's hand and pleaded pitifully. To break free from the shackles of fate, she went all out. Now, the only person who could help her was this young man in front of her, and she had to firmly grasp this sole opportunity.
"Don't worry, Xiao Maomi, you've already called me brother, so I will definitely help you break free from the royal family's engagement."
"Besides, when you join Tianshui Academy later, you can ask my Aunt Lan for help. With her strength as a Super Titled Douluo, the Star Luo Royal Family would kneel. She can cancel that royal engagement for you anytime."
Ye Liangchen rubbed Zhu Zhuqing's head, telling her not to worry. What was a mere royal engagement in front of a Super Titled Douluo?
"Thank you, Chen Ge."
Seeing that Ye Liangchen was willing to help her break free from the shackles of fate, Zhu Zhuqing was very moved. She immediately threw herself into Ye Liangchen's arms, hugging him tightly.
Oh my goodness! This girl is not playing fair, launching a sneak attack, bumping into me with her chest, that's a foul.
Ye Liangchen felt that this Xiao Maomi was too easy to capture. They had only been together for five days, and she was already throwing herself into his arms. If it were a bit longer, she might even offer herself to him.
"Zhuqing, don't be too excited. There's still time anyway. As long as you become stronger, all difficulties will be resolved."
"It's almost noon, we should make lunch."
Ye Liangchen gently patted Xiao Maomi's back, comforted her a few words, and then gently pushed her away. He couldn't stand being hugged by her all the time.
"Chen Ge! Thank you."
Zhu Zhuqing stared directly at Ye Liangchen, a hint of tenderness in her eyes. At the same time, she made up her mind: she would follow this man. From now on, I, Zhu Zhuqing, will live for myself, to hell with the royal engagement.
"Cough! Xiao Maomi, don't keep staring at me. There's no flower on my face."
Ye Liangchen felt a little embarrassed by Xiao Maomi's direct gaze. Although he was handsome, she shouldn't stare like a female hooligan!
"Pfft…! Chen Ge, let's go cook."
Zhu Zhuqing showed a gentle smile, and her soft hands pulled Ye Liangchen, walking towards the camp.
With a man and a woman working together, the work isn't tiring. The two cooperated fully and quickly prepared a sumptuous lunch.
"Chen Ge, eat more meat."
During the meal, Zhu Zhuqing kept putting meat into Ye Liangchen's bowl, urging him to eat more.
Hiss! This Xiao Maomi is acting strange!
"Xiao Maomi! You eat too, don't just focus on me!"
Ye Liangchen looked at Xiao Maomi's gentle, watery appearance and thought, this girl is starting to fall.
Since Xiao Maomi had decided to follow him, Ye Liangchen also planned to help her. So, he took out a foundation establishment pill from his game backpack to help her improve her aptitude.
"Xiao Maomi! This is another pill I refined, called Mystic Ascension Pill. It can solidify a cultivator's foundation and should be of some help to you."
Ye Liangchen falsely claimed the foundation establishment pill was a Mystic Ascension Pill and had Zhu Zhuqing take it, planning for her to break through to Level 30, and then conveniently go to the Soul Hunting Forest north of Nuoding City to acquire her third spirit ring.
There was indeed a pill called Mystic Ascension Pill in the dan dian (pill classics), and its effect was similar to the foundation establishment pill, but Ye Liangchen hadn't found those medicinal herbs yet and couldn't refine it.
"Thank you, Chen Ge."
Zhu Zhuqing now trusted Ye Liangchen one hundred percent. She picked up the fragrant golden pill and put it into her mouth without hesitation.
"Mmm…"
The pill melted instantly in her mouth, and a pure energy surged into her limbs and bones, making her incredibly comfortable, causing Zhu Zhuqing to let out a moan.
"Xiao Maomi! I'll teach you a new meditation cultivation method. Recite the incantation with me."
Ye Liangchen decided to impart the initial chapter of the Hun Yuan Art to Xiao Maomi. After all, this girl was now considered one of his own.
"Chen Ge, what is a new meditation cultivation method?"
"It's just a bit more advanced than ordinary meditation cultivation methods, but you must not spread it around. Only our own people can cultivate this."
"Chen Ge, don't worry! I swear by my Spirit, I will never spread it. If I violate this, may I die a horrible death."
Upon hearing Ye Liangchen say that only his own people could cultivate it, Zhu Zhuqing was extremely excited. Happiness came too quickly, and she felt fortunate for her decision, so she immediately swore a poisonous oath to Ye Liangchen.
"Don't worry about that for now, just recite with me:
Sit cross-legged, calm your mind, relaxed and natural,
Lips and teeth lightly closed, breathing slow and gentle,
…
Qi returns to the Dantian, Exercises is complete and clear."
Zhu Zhuqing followed along, feeling as if she were listening to an incomprehensible text. With her small brain, she couldn't understand how there could be such a profound meditation cultivation method.
"Chen Ge, it's so hard to understand!" Zhu Zhuqing said pitifully.
"You just need to memorize it, and then when you cultivate, let the spirit power in your body circulate through these meridians, and also the breathing method."
Ye Liangchen touched Xiao Maomi's body in a few places with his hand, explaining to her what was meant by small circulation and large circulation.
Now, Zhu Zhuqing fully trusted Ye Liangchen and was completely unguarded. However, this unusual contact made her feel both nervous and stimulated. At this moment, her pretty face, full of collagen, was like a red apple, very tempting, making one want to take a bite.
"Xiao Maomi! Why are you blushing like a teapot? Concentrate, and listen carefully to my explanation."
Ye Liangchen was speechless. He was seriously explaining the meridian circulation routes to Xiao Maomi, but she was blushing.
"I'm sorry, Chen Ge, I lost my composure."
Looking at Ye Liangchen's perfect face, which also carried a hint of reproach, Zhu Zhuqing at this moment was like a child who had done something wrong, blushing and lowering her head to look at her toes, but unfortunately, they were blocked by something, preventing her from seeing them.
Zhu Zhuqing, oh Zhu Zhuqing! How can you be so disappointing? Chen Ge is explaining the path of cultivation to you, but you're daydreaming.
After calming herself, Zhu Zhuqing dispelled the distracting thoughts in her mind and concentrated on listening to Ye Liangchen. Watching his knowledgeable demeanor, she gradually turned into a fangirl.
"Don't get distracted again. Start circulating your spirit power according to the method I taught you."
"Okay, Chen Ge."
After two hours, Zhu Zhuqing memorized this new spirit power cultivation method, then sat cross-legged and began to cultivate her spirit power according to Ye Liangchen's instructions.
Although Zhu Zhuqing's comprehension was not high, she was diligent and eager to learn, with a stubborn determination, a personality similar to Guo Jing in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes."
However, a profound cultivation technique like the Hun Yuan Art is not easily understood by Spirit Masters in the Douluo World. Even Lan Xiaodie and Su Lin spent a long time before they could fully comprehend it.