There were faint sounds in the jungle.
It was the noise of branches and leaves brushing against each other.
A figure moved swiftly through the trees, her body wrapped tightly in black tights. Her curvy silhouette stood out against the green grass.
Her long black hair flowed behind her, forming a beautiful arc with each movement.
Though her face was expressionless and cold, it matched her perfect figure.
Zhu Zhuqing was being hunted down—not for any other reason than that she had escaped from the Xingluo Empire.
In the Xingluo Empire, the royal Dai family, generation after generation, selects or assigns a woman from the Zhu family as a partner and helper to compete for the throne.
The winning prince of the Dai family becomes the emperor of Xingluo, and the winning woman from the Zhu family becomes the queen.
This is an age-old custom in the Xingluo Empire.
As for the losers—both physically and socially—they are erased from existence.
In this generation, the two Dai princes, Davis and Dai Mubai, have an age gap of over seven years.
But the real competition hasn't started yet; it will begin in a few years.
It's a game almost impossible to win.
However, at this crucial moment, Zhu Zhuqing's fiancé did not focus on training or becoming stronger.
Instead, he fled the Xingluo Empire without informing anyone.
And when Dai Mubai ran away, Zhu Zhuqing became the target of widespread criticism.
It was like the nine sons fighting for the Qing dynasty throne, but the youngest went to Europe before the struggle even began.
Zhu Zhuqing's life in Xingluo City was far from easy.
Though not openly excluded, her situation was definitely difficult.
So Zhu Zhuqing had only one choice: find Dai Mubai and clarify things.
If Dai Mubai was still willing to fight, she would accompany him and maybe die in the competition.
If Dai Mubai had given up or fled the entire Douluo Continent, then Zhu Zhuqing would no longer care for him and would fight alone.
Since Zhu Zhuqing was born and raised in the Zhu family and had no ties except for a certain "little blue hook," she had no worries.
The worst outcome was death.
So Zhu Zhuqing left the Xingluo Empire to find Dai Mubai.
However, the Xingluo Empire immediately sent people to chase Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing's soul power was just above level 20 as a great soul master, while the lowest pursuers were advanced soul masters.
Even with her Nether Spirit Cat's sensitive attack abilities, she couldn't outrun them all.
Moreover, her energy was limited and could run out at any moment, which would be fatal.
"Hu-ha!"
Zhu Zhuqing panted, feeling exhausted. Her eyelids drooped, and she almost collapsed for a short rest.
But her pursuers made it clear she couldn't stop now.
If she did, she wouldn't survive.
So Zhu Zhuqing forced herself to keep running.
Her mind grew fuzzy, and she could barely focus on the path beneath her feet.
Suddenly, her ankle caught on a tree root, and she lost her balance, falling to the ground.
Last night's rain had left the earth wet, and mud stained her body.
"Hey, she fell!"
"That's perfect! Let her run—does she really think she's still the second lady of the Zhu family?"
"That's right. Her fiancé ran away, and she's alone. What is she now?"
"If you ask me, just break up with her. That way, the eldest lady can be officially announced as queen!"
"Well, I agree!"
The soul masters chasing her quickly reached a consensus to pave the way for Zhu Zhuyun, the eldest daughter.
Several pursuers looked at Zhu Zhuqing with ill intent, hoping to report back and rise in rank.
Zhu Zhuqing understood the danger she faced.
She closed her eyes and reflected on her life.
She had grown up sheltered within the Zhu family, never truly exposed to the outside world.
They say people have worries while living in the world.
But who is worth remembering?
Could it be her fiancé, Dai Mubai?
Zhu Zhuqing actually couldn't recall what he looked like.
Yet, she felt a vague blue figure lingering in her heart.
"Ha, I don't know what happened to that puppy," she thought.
If there was any merit in her coming into this world, it was saving that child when she was young.
Though she never really cared for him on ordinary days.
Still, she wanted to see him again.
In truth, Zhu Zhuqing had already given up.
Just then, she seemed to hear a boy's voice calling out in the forest.
"Your heart, I accept it!"
Startled, she opened her eyes.
"Who's there—ah!"
"Damn! The boss is down! Who is it... ah!"
"Everyone, be careful, there's—"
Countless noisy voices rang out.
Plop!
Plop!
Sounds of many objects falling to the ground followed, and the noise abruptly stopped.
Zhu Zhuqing forced her eyes open and saw a blue figure pulling a red spear from the ground, which left a bloody mark on a nearby tree.
The figure then approached her, half-squatted, and extended a hand.
"Hey, it's okay now. I told you I'd tear through all your enemies!"
Zhu Zhuqing could see sharp tiger-like teeth in the figure's smiling mouth.
"Little... Little Gou Gou..."
After saying this, Zhu Zhuqing fainted.
"???"
Cu Chulainn hadn't reacted yet.
"Hey, you fainted! Wake up!"
Cu Chulainn shook her gently but to no avail.
She seemed deeply unconscious and wouldn't wake anytime soon.
With no other option, Cu Chulainn picked Zhu Zhuqing up.
"Well... you're a bit heavy!"
He didn't carry her like a princess in a fairy tale, because in this forest, that might not be practical.
Initially, Cu Chulainn tried to carry her in his arms, but Zhu Zhuqing's body was soft on his shoulders.
So, blushing a little, he decided to hold her feet and let her put her hands on his chest, carrying her on his back.
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