Actually.
Fengxian's age is not much different from Zhu Zhuqing's, he is also over nine years old, but he is a little taller in height.
Her figure is not as exaggeratedly developed as Zhu Zhuqing's, but it should not be underestimated. It is much better than other girls of the same age.
It's definitely not as normal as Zhu Zhuqing thought.
Zhu Zhuqing put away the envy in his eyes, reluctantly withdrew his eyes from Fengxian's chest, turned to Fengxian's equally young but delicate and gentle face, and apologized in a cold voice:
"Sorry, I killed this saber-toothed tiger. I'm afraid you won't be able to absorb its soul ring."
Fengxian tightened the strap of the small bamboo basket on his shoulder. After hearing this, he turned to look at the saber-tooth tiger lying on the ground.
At this time, the saber-toothed tiger had expired, and a bright yellow soul ring quickly formed above the body, floating in the air.
This saber-toothed tiger spirit ring is about five or six hundred years old, so it is indeed very suitable as her second spirit ring.
If she could absorb this soul ring, she could successfully break through to the twenty-first level and become a more respectable great soul master.
In this way, she can go to the Wuhun Palace to receive more of the soul master's monthly payment, and she and her mother can live a better life without being so strapped.
Unfortunately, she was not the one to kill the saber-toothed tiger.
She couldn't absorb this soul ring.
A trace of regret flashed across Fengxian's eyes, which quickly disappeared. She waved her hand towards Zhu Zhuqing:
"Although it's a pity, it doesn't matter. I didn't come here to hunt for soul rings, so you don't have to apologize."
"Speaking of which, I would also like to thank you for your help. If it weren't for you, I might have exhausted myself and failed."
Hearing Fengxian thanking herself in turn and saying that she might lose due to exhaustion, Zhu Zhuqing was slightly startled and had some doubts in her heart. She thought carefully about the battle just now.
From Fengxian's fierce and demon-like fighting style, it was impossible to tell that she was exhausted.
I always feel that Fengxian still has some remaining strength that he hasn't used yet. Even without his own help, I believe that the saber-toothed tiger can't do anything to her, right?
Zhu Zhuqing thought for a while and said truthfully:
"You're welcome. I just saw this saber-toothed tiger with pretty good defense. I was a little itchy and wanted to try out my newly acquired second soul skill."
"Even if I don't take action, with your ability, that saber-toothed tiger is no match for you."
Fengxian smiled softly and said nothing more.
She could indeed deal with that saber-toothed tiger, but she would have to pay some price.
She is just a soul master with a soul power of level 20. She only has one soul skill and brute strength. Even if she can defeat the saber-toothed tiger, she will only win by a narrow margin in the end and will most likely be injured.
Zhu Zhuqing joined in to help kill the saber-toothed tiger, which was the best thing for her.
This allowed her to avoid injuries.
After all, she had to go home to take care of her mother. It was hard to go out and drag her injured body back.
If her mother saw her, it would only make her more worried.
Although I had already realized this before I decided to come to the Star Dou Forest, it would be best if I could stay intact.
Therefore, Fengxian was still very grateful to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Your name is Fengxian?"
At this time, a warm and gentle voice suddenly reached Fengxian's ears.
Fengxian turned his head and followed the sound.
I saw two handsome men and beautiful women, who were like a couple of gods, suddenly flying down from a large branch nearby and arriving in front of them in the blink of an eye.
The man was dressed in black, with an upright posture, a handsome face, and a calm and peaceful temperament, just like a young man in troubled times.
The woman is wearing a slim leather coat, has an excellent figure, exquisite beauty, heroic charm and elegance, making her look like a peerless beauty.
It was Ye Qifeng and Nihuang.
The one who spoke was Ye Qifeng.
Seeing Ye Qifeng and Nihuang approaching, Fengxian was surprised, with a trace of vigilance in his eyes, and secretly put on a defensive posture.
"Well, it's me."
She nodded first, answered Ye Qifeng's question, and then asked:
"You are?"
"Don't be nervous, we are with Zhuqing."
Noticing the vigilance in Fengxian's eyes, Ye Qifeng explained with a smile and introduced himself:
"My name is Ye Qifeng."
Then, he reached out and pointed at Nihuang next to him:
"This is my sister, her name is Nihuang."
Nihuang had a smile on her face, but without speaking, she nodded gently towards Fengxian.
"It turns out he was with Zhuqing."
Fengxian glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and saw her gently nodding. He breathed a sigh of relief and let down his guard.
"Little sister, why are you here alone? Where is your companion?"
Nihuang's red lips parted slightly and she asked in a lazy tone.
"Well, I don't have a companion."
When Fengxian heard this, he smiled shyly and touched the high ponytail on his head, seeming a little embarrassed.
"you alone?"
Ye Qifeng looked at her slightly surprised.
"You dare to come to the Star Dou Forest alone? You are braver than me!"
Zhu Zhuqing also looked at Fengxian, opened his eyes slightly, and muttered a few words silently in his heart:
"Although I had planned to go through the Star Dou Forest before, I also brought a guard with me."
"Now that I have seen the dangers of the Star Dou Forest, I no longer dare to have such stupid thoughts."
"Um."
Fengxian nodded slightly.
"I see that your soul power has reached the bottleneck of level 20. Are you here alone to hunt soul beasts and absorb soul rings?"
Nihuang frowned slightly, glanced at Fengxian's coarse clothes, then put away his laziness and elegance, and asked seriously.
"Ah, I'm not here to hunt for soul rings, I'm here to collect medicine."
Fengxian shook his head. As he spoke, he turned sideways and showed the small bamboo basket behind him to Ye Qifeng, Nihuang and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Collecting medicine?"
Ye Qifeng, Nihuang and Zhu Zhuqing were all shocked.
"Um."
Fengxian nodded and explained:
"My mother is sick, and very seriously ill, but I don't have enough money to buy medicine, so I have to go out and collect it myself."
"I see."
Ye Qifeng, Nihuang and Zhu Zhuqing immediately understood the reason why Fengxian appeared alone in the Star Dou Forest, and it was actually to treat his mother's illness.
At this moment, the three people's impressions of Fengxian were better than ever.
"Aren't you afraid of danger?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were slightly strange, as if he admired Fengxian's courage.
"I'm afraid, but I have to come for my mother's sake."
Fengxian had a little fear on his face, but his eyes were extremely firm.
"You actually know where to pick herbs? Do you know about herbs?"
Nihuang asked slightly surprised.
"Um."
Fengxian hummed and nodded slightly:
"I have read some medical books, know a little bit about medicinal herbs, and know where some medicinal herbs are collected."
Ye Qifeng was a little surprised that Fengxian actually knew something about medicinal herbs.
He thought for a while and asked warmly:
"Then have you collected herbs that can cure your mother's illness?"
"No."
Fengxian was a little discouraged, but after a while, she became happy again and patted the small bamboo basket behind her:
"Although I didn't pick the herbs I wanted, it's good to have these. At least it can alleviate my mother's illness a little bit."
Fengxian did not want to say more about his mother's illness and asked instead:
"By the way, brothers, sisters, and Zhuqing, why are you here?"
Ye Qifeng smiled slightly and answered her:
"Oh, we originally planned to leave the Star Dou Forest. When we passed by nearby, we heard the sound of fighting and came to check. We happened to see you and the saber-toothed tiger fighting, so we asked Zhuqing to help you."
"So that's it."
Fengxian suddenly understood and thanked him again:
"Thank you brother, thank you sister, and thank you, Zhuqing!"
"It's a small matter, no need to be polite."
Ye Qifeng waved his hand and then asked:
"Are you leaving here? Or are you going to stay?"
Fengxian pondered for a moment and sighed:
"Forget it, let's leave."
"The Great Star Forest is really too dangerous. Going deep here is already my limit. If I go any further, I'm afraid I'll never come back."
"My mother is still waiting for me at home. I have to take the herbs back home first."
"Since you want to leave here, how about you come with us? It's safer this way."
Ye Qifeng suggested in a warm voice.
Fengxian's eyes lit up.
Next to her, Zhuqing, who was about the same age as her, was already very strong.
The handsome elder brother and the beautiful elder sister in front of me are definitely not simple. If you leave with them, your own safety will definitely be well protected.
However, Fengxian was still a little uneasy:
"Really? Can I come with you?"
"of course."
Ye Qifeng nodded affirmatively.
"Let's go."
"good."
…………
then.
Under the leadership of Ye Qifeng and Nihuang.
The group of four walked out of the Star Forest safely and unimpeded. They came to a temporary gathering place at the edge of the forest and rented a carriage.
On the way, as the conversation deepened, Fengxian quickly became familiar with Ye Qifeng, Nihuang and Zhu Zhuqing.
During the questioning by Ye Qifeng and the others, Fengxian told them his life experience.
Fengxian, like Zhu Zhuqing, was a native resident of Xingluo City, the imperial city of the Star Luo Empire, and also came from a noble family.
But in terms of status, there is a huge difference.
In the Tiandou Empire, the hierarchy was relatively loose, and the citizens were roughly divided into two types, namely, nobles and commoners.
The status of aristocrats is usually determined by their title, and competition among aristocrats is not fierce. Regardless of their status, unless necessary, they often stay within their boundaries.
In the Star Luo Empire, the hierarchy is even stricter. Even among the nobles, they are divided into five levels: low-level, mid-level, high-level, top-level, and royal family.
The status of a noble is not only determined by the title, but also closely related to the level of the noble. Coupled with the cruel competitive environment of the Star Luo Empire, the political and power struggle between the nobles has almost become fierce.
Therefore, every year, many low-level noble families fail in political and power struggles, are demoted, decline, or even perish.
Zhu Zhuqing was born in the Zhu family of the Grand Duke of Netherworld and belonged to the top nobles of the Star Luo Empire.
The Zhu family of the Grand Duke of Netherworld has a close relationship with the Dai family of the Xingluo royal family. They are related by marriage. Their status is as stable as Mount Tai and impregnable, so it is naturally impossible for them to decline.
Fengxian, on the other hand, came from a military family in the Star Luo Empire and was considered a relatively low-level noble.
Because the family failed in Xingluo's brutal struggle and declined, the clan members were almost wiped out. Only she and her mother were demoted to civilians, surviving by chance and relying on each other.
Fengxian was extremely talented. He once entered the Soul Master Academy and received a good education. However, due to family changes, his identity was changed to a commoner and he no longer enjoyed the rights of aristocrats, so he was kicked out of the Soul Master Academy.
The competition in the Star Luo Empire is so cruel. Everything depends on identity, power and status.
Star Luo City is not divided into five districts like Tian Dou City, but is divided into three areas, namely, Star Luo Palace, Inner City, and Outer City.
Star Luo Palace is located in the center of Star Luo City and is owned by the Dai family of the Star Luo royal family.
The inner city covers the largest area and is the residence of all nobles. For example, the Zhu family of the Netherworld Grand Duke's Mansion, to which Zhu Zhuqing belongs, is located in this area.
As for the outer city, it is where civilians live.
It is worth mentioning that Xingluo City does not allow poor people and refugees to exist, so there are no dirty and dirty places like slums in Xingluo City.
However, the darkness and chaos in the outer city of Star Luo City are no worse than the slums in Tiandou City.
The reason for this is naturally due to the strict and high-pressure rule implemented from top to bottom with the Star Luo Empire, as well as the cruel competitive environment.
This also makes the residents of Star Luo City more brave, aggressive, and even bloodthirsty than the residents of Tiandou City.
Fengxian's home was originally in a wealthy area of the inner city of Xingluo City, but after the family declined, her mother, who was not a soul master, took her and moved to the poorest area of the inner city.
With the remaining wealth at home, I could have no worries about food and clothing.
However, because of his status, he was still targeted by the nobles in the inner city. People often came to provoke and smash the house.
The mother suffered a series of accidents and was deeply hit. Coupled with overwork, her heart muscle was damaged, leading to her becoming seriously ill and her savings dwindling.
In desperation, the mother and daughter had to move again and live in the outer city where the security was even more chaotic.
Fengxian's situation is somewhat similar to that of Ruiwen back then.
Because he is no longer a nobleman, Fengxian, who lives in the imperial city, does not have a soul master academy to attend. Even though his soul power has reached level 20, he has never obtained a second soul ring.
Without the help of teachers from the Soul Master Academy, and without enough money to hire people to hunt for soul rings, Fengxian has been delaying his second soul ring until now.
If it weren't for the purpose of treating her mother's illness, she would not have left the city alone, trekking through mountains and rivers, walking dozens of kilometers to collect medicine in the dangerous Star Forest.
…………
After learning about Fengxian's life experience, Ye Qifeng, Nihuang and Zhu Zhuqing all felt some emotion and pity.
Especially Zhu Zhuqing.
She originally thought that her life experience was miserable enough, but she didn't expect that Fengxian's life experience was much worse than hers.
Listening to Fengxian narrate the tragic situation of the family's decline, Zhu Zhuqing seemed to realize for the first time the cruelty of competition among the nobles of the Star Luo Empire.
This is much more cruel than the competition between her and her sister Zhu Zhuyun.
It can be said that it is worse than anything worse.
Once the competition between nobles fails, the entire family will be buried with it, and dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people will lose their lives.
And even if the competition between her and her sister failed, it would only cost one person's life at best.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but start thinking.
The noble families of the Star Luo Empire competed cruelly with each other in order to climb up, for power, for wealth, and for resources.
And what is the reason for the competition between himself and his sister Zhu Zhuyun?
For the family’s heir qualification? For the status of the head of the family? For the power, wealth, and resources controlled by the family?
No, not at all, I just want to live well.
None of this is what I want.
The competition between himself and his sister was imposed on him by his family and was not what he wanted.
However, do the so-called family rules have to be followed?
Is this really my destiny?
Is the so-called destiny really immutable and cannot be controlled by oneself?
Perhaps, as Brother Ye said, we should try to break free from the shackles of the family, get rid of the prison of rules, and change our own destiny.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing seemed to have some consciousness again.
However, before that, I have to give it a try. Maybe there is still a glimmer of hope that I can defeat my sister.
Thanks to [Favorite Big Bear Girl] for the 100 starting coins! Thanks to [book friend 488461] for the 100 book coins! Thanks to [Yimeng_aB] for the 100 book coins!
(End of chapter)
