# Chapter 13: Fate's Collision
After everyone settled in for the night, Chen Sheng found a moment of privacy to examine the five treasure chests he had earned from the recent events. The anticipation of discovering new rewards never diminished, despite knowing the unpredictable nature of his system.
System, open all treasure chests.
『Treasure Chest opened! Congratulations to master for receiving "Portable Compass"』
Chen Sheng looked at the mundane navigational tool with mild disappointment. Still, it could prove useful for wilderness travel.
『Treasure Chest opened! Congratulations to master for receiving "Waterproof Matches (Box of 50)"』
Another practical but unremarkable modern-world item. Chen Sheng stored it away without much thought.
『Treasure Chest opened! Congratulations to master for receiving "Soul Ring Age Enhancement Card (1,000 years)"』
Now this is more like it, Chen Sheng thought with satisfaction.
System, apply this card to my second soul ring.
『Soul Ring Age Enhancement Card applied. Second soul ring age increased from 9,700 years to 10,700 years.』
Immediately, Chen Sheng felt a surge of power course through his body. His soul power, which had been stable at level 34, suddenly climbed upward, breaking through to level 35 as the enhanced soul ring's energy integrated with his cultivation base.
『Treasure Chest opened! Congratulations to master for receiving "Novelty Keychain Collection"』
Chen Sheng's eye twitched slightly. The system's sense of humor continued to perplex him.
『Treasure Chest opened! Congratulations to master for receiving "Body Strengthening Card"』
Excellent! Another major enhancement.
System, use the Body Strengthening Card immediately.
『Body Strengthening Card activated. Commencing physical enhancement...』
Warm energy flooded every cell in Chen Sheng's body, dramatically restructuring his muscles, bones, and connective tissues once again. His already formidable physique underwent another radical upgrade, pushing his physical capabilities to new heights.
When the process completed, Chen Sheng experimentally clenched his fist and felt the raw power coursing through his frame. His body was now strong enough to fight against Soul Ancestor-level opponents without even activating his martial soul or soul skills—relying purely on physical strength alone.
Combined with my soul skills and martial soul, I can now contend with Soul Kings in direct combat, Chen Sheng assessed with satisfaction.
My foundation grows stronger with each enhancement.
---
Meanwhile, inside the tent, Zhu Zhuqing had finished speaking about her circumstances in very concise terms, revealing little beyond the basics.
Xiao Wu sensed that the person in front of her seemed rather aloof and reserved by nature.
However, she couldn't stop dwelling on one particular fact: She's really younger than me!
It made her want to cry.
But Xiao Wu quickly composed herself with forced optimism.
It's okay. I'm still growing. I can't compare myself to this freak of nature.
"Brother Sheng, Tang San, Grandmaster, she's awake and doing much better," Xiao Wu announced as she lifted the tent flap and stepped outside.
After Zhu Zhuqing changed into proper clothes that actually fit her frame, she emerged to join the group. Through subsequent conversation, everyone was surprised to discover they were all heading to the same destination: Shrek Academy.
Xiao Wu's curiosity immediately sparked. "Zhuqing, where are you from? Shrek Academy is so unknown that even most soul masters have never heard of it. What brought you all this way?"
Chen Sheng noticed Xiao Wu's overly direct questioning and gently pulled her arm, giving her a meaningful look. It's their first meeting. You can't expect her to reveal everything so quickly.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed Chen Sheng's subtle protective gesture, and when she looked at the person who had saved her life, her eyes softened slightly. "I'm from the Star Luo Empire. I came to Shrek Academy to find someone."
『DING! DETECTED Zhu Zhuqing's Gratitude emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
Afterward, Zhu Zhuqing thanked Chen Sheng again more formally. The group discussed setting off together for Soto City the following morning, then settled in to rest for the remainder of the night.
During their evening conversations, Zhu Zhuqing learned their current soul power levels from Xiao Wu's enthusiastic explanations and immediately responded with unconcealed surprise. "How do you all cultivate? You're only one year older than me, but your soul power levels are so much higher than mine!"
She paused thoughtfully, then continued with growing certainty. "Could it be that all three of you have innate full soul power? Is that why you're so strong?"
Zhu Zhuqing felt she must have guessed correctly. Her own innate soul power had been only level seven, and coupled with her daily diligent cultivation, she had reached level 27 at this age—breaking her family's historical records for her generation. But she hadn't expected there to be others who cultivated even faster.
That left only one logical possibility: their innate soul power was higher than hers, and their effort matched or exceeded her own dedication.
Xiao Wu smiled mysteriously, clearly enjoying the moment. "Zhuqing, you only guessed half right. Tang San and I both indeed have innate full soul power, but Brother Sheng doesn't. My brother's innate soul power is only level six."
Xiao Wu had already grown familiar enough to drop formalities, calling her simply "Zhuqing." After all, they would be classmates in just a few days.
"What?!" Zhu Zhuqing's composure shattered completely. "Xiao Wu, are you certain what you're saying is true? Innate level six spirit power? In the entire documented history of the Douluo Continent, no one has ever reached the Soul Elder realm at this age with such ordinary talent!"
『DING! DETECTED Zhu Zhuqing's Shock and Admiration emotions toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
Zhu Zhuqing spoke with genuine shock, her tone rising significantly. She could no longer maintain her characteristic cool demeanor—her mouth fell slightly agape, her eyes widened in disbelief.
She had already recognized that Chen Sheng's strength was the greatest among the three, but she hadn't expected his innate talent to actually be the weakest! This contradiction made absolutely no sense according to conventional soul master theory.
If I could learn something from Chen Sheng's methods, would I be able to become stronger as well? Zhu Zhuqing wondered, her mind racing with possibilities.
At this moment, infinite curiosity about Chen Sheng filled her thoughts, and her eyes became incredibly determined. I must become stronger! Whatever path he took, I need to understand it.
Xiao Wu felt quite pleased seeing Zhu Zhuqing's shocked expression. After all, Chen Sheng was her brother, and he could be considered to have pioneered a completely new supplementary cultivation approach, right? Although this method might not be suitable for most people, it was still enough to take pride in!
Afterward, Zhu Zhuqing opened up somewhat, and during her casual chats with Xiao Wu, she kept circling back to questions related to Chen Sheng—his training methods, his philosophy, his background. This immediately raised Xiao Wu's defensive instincts.
Could it be that Zhuqing is interested in my brother?
Xiao Wu remembered how Chen Sheng had immediately appreciated Zhu Zhuqing's figure and appearance when they first met. The memory stung more than she wanted to admit.
She also recalled something Chen Sheng had once said during their training sessions: "When you become interested in a man and start asking questions about him constantly, congratulations—you've already started to fall for him."
For some inexplicable reason, Xiao Wu suddenly felt a sharp pang of sourness in her heart. That's my brother. How could he be taken away so easily by someone else?
However, Xiao Wu knew from their earlier conversation that Zhuqing had traveled all the way from the Star Luo Empire specifically to find a man—someone who might even be her fiancé or boyfriend. Realizing this context, she felt slightly relieved. At least she's already committed to someone else.
---
The Following Day
By noon the next day, Chen Sheng and his group finally arrived at Soto City.
The bustling metropolis was considerably larger and more prosperous than Notting City, with wide streets filled with merchants, soul masters, and civilians going about their business.
"Let's find a hotel to stay in first, and then we can explore the city properly. How does that sound?" Xiao Wu suggested excitedly. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation—she had been traveling for so long and really wanted to see what a major city had to offer.
Everyone nodded their agreement.
Originally, Chen Sheng and Tang San had suggested finding a modest inn since they only needed lodging for one night before reporting to Shrek Academy. However, both Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu insisted there was no need to be frugal.
Zhu Zhuqing was a noble from a wealthy family and didn't lack funds. Xiao Wu, meanwhile, wanted to experience what a grand hotel in a big city was actually like.
So, somewhat coincidentally, both Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing independently chose the same destination: the largest and most prestigious hotel in Soto City.
The Rose Hotel.
Chen Sheng silently mourned for Dai Mubai for exactly one second. It couldn't possibly be that I'm about to walk into the hotel with two beautiful women at exactly the wrong moment, could it?
Chen Sheng couldn't quite remember the exact timing of when Dai Mubai had arrived in the original story. These were minor details that hadn't seemed important at the time.
When they reached the front desk, the receptionist saw Chen Sheng's group of five and maintained a professionally bored expression. "How many rooms do you plan to book?" he asked lazily.
"Two double rooms and one standard single room," Chen Sheng replied calmly.
Perhaps Dai Mubai won't show up at this particular time, Chen Sheng hoped. In the original work, the receptionist had claimed only one room remained and given it to Tang San and Xiao Wu. Then Dai Mubai had walked in with twin beauties, discovered it was actually his reserved room due to the receptionist's error, and the subsequent conflict had unfolded from there.
Chen Sheng paid the deposit, collected the room keys, and handed two to Xiao Wu and Tang San. He was about to head upstairs when a loud, self-satisfied voice suddenly called out from behind.
"Receptionist! Where is my reserved room?"
At the entrance, Dai Mubai walked in with an arm around each of a pair of beautiful twin women. He kissed both on their pretty faces with obvious familiarity and possessiveness.
The receptionist immediately showed a fawning smile upon recognizing the newcomer. "Young Master Dai! Rest assured, your room has been reserved exactly as you requested. We've even prepared many special amenities inside, and the entire suite has been arranged according to your specific requirements."
Chen Sheng felt his fist clench involuntarily. Dai Mubai—my own brother who received everything but remained a coward in the end. You really know how to pick the worst possible moment for your bad luck.
In the original timeline, Zhu Zhuqing had also witnessed Dai Mubai with the twins engaging in exactly this kind of behavior. As the saying went: if it's a blessing, it's not a disaster; if it's a disaster, you cannot avoid it.
Good luck to him, Chen Sheng thought darkly.
"Good, very good! Well done!" Dai Mubai casually tossed a silver coin into the receptionist's outstretched hand. "Keep up the excellent service."
The receptionist's smile grew even more obsequious. His monthly salary was only three silver coins total. Young Master Dai was truly generous—a single tip equaling one-third of his monthly wages! He had to admit, soul masters were incredible; they never lacked money. The envy was overwhelming.
If I were a soul master, I certainly wouldn't be working as a receptionist, he thought wistfully.
Dai Mubai's gaze then shifted to Chen Sheng's group, who had already turned toward the stairs. To be precise, about thirty percent of his attention focused on Xiao Wu's attractive appearance, while seventy percent locked onto Zhu Zhuqing with intense interest.
From the very moment he'd entered the hotel, Dai Mubai had felt an unusual resonance from his martial soul. When he looked directly at Zhu Zhuqing, an inexplicable sense of familiarity washed over him, though he couldn't identify its source. The two had never actually met before—only their engagement had been announced by the Empress after his younger brother's disappearance.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing's face had turned terrifyingly cold, her entire body rigid. Her eyes fixed on the very distinctive pair of heterochromatic eyes on Dai Mubai's face—one blue, one golden.
This was the characteristic feature brought by the Star Luo Dai family's martial soul, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger. Combined with the unusual stirring of her own Hell Civet martial soul, she immediately knew with absolute certainty that the man before her was Dai Mubai—the Third Prince of Star Luo Empire, who had been betrothed to her since childhood after her original fiancé had gone missing.
Ever since learning three years ago that Dai Mubai had fled the Star Luo Empire, abandoning their engagement and leaving her to face the brutal competition alone, Zhu Zhuqing had felt as if her entire world had collapsed.
Dai Mubai is a coward, she had concluded bitterly.
He had left her—a woman—alone in the Star Luo Empire to face his elder brother Dai Weisi and her own murderous older sister.
The empire's succession system demanded that only one pair of engaged nobles could survive to inherit their respective positions. The losers faced death or permanent crippling of their cultivation.
It was precisely because of Dai Mubai's cowardly flight that she had cultivated so desperately for the past three years, pushing herself beyond normal limits just to survive.
Despite everything, she had still held a tiny glimmer of hope in her heart—thinking that perhaps Dai Mubai was merely avoiding the royal family's immediate surveillance while secretly improving his strength somewhere safe. She had wanted to believe he had some plan.
She wanted to defy fate. Or more accurately, she simply didn't want to die! She didn't want her cultivation crippled, her life destroyed!
Although she despised this arranged marriage, to avoid death, she had been willing to try participating in the royal competitive assessment alongside Dai Mubai if he would only return and fight.
She had briefly considered escaping both the Zhu family and the Empire entirely after her strength increased, but realistically understood that evading the Empire's pursuit indefinitely was nearly impossible.
Just her journey from the Star Luo Empire to this location—she had lost count of how many waves of assassins she'd survived along the way. Only her good fortune and determination had allowed her to escape imperial territory at all.
And now, here stood the man who had abandoned her to certain death—casually embracing twin courtesans, laughing without a care in the world, while she had spent three years in constant fear and desperate training.
The betrayal and fury that surged through Zhu Zhuqing's chest was almost overwhelming.