Chapter 104: Zhu Zhuqing

"Hm? I don't think I've seen her before."

Shui Bing'er looked at the figure ahead, surprised.

As the captain of the Skywater Academy battle team, she was more than familiar with the academy's instructors and students.

But this girl—her clothes, her figure—Shui Bing'er was certain she had never seen her.

"Yeah, I don't recognize her either," Shui Yue'er chimed in. She suddenly turned to look at Yu Keke and asked, "Keke, do you know her?"

Yu Keke shook her head in response and slowly walked toward the figure, still holding Fire Meow Meow in her arms.

When she got close, the figure seemed to sense something and turned to meet her gaze.

"…"

Yu Keke took one look at her face and finally understood why she had felt a strange familiarity—this girl was one of them.

Fair-skinned and tall—half a head taller than Keke—with straight jet-black hair falling over her shoulders and two cat-ear-shaped accessories tied on top, she looked vivid and full of spirit.

She wore a tight black outfit that highlighted her curvaceous figure in all its glory.

But what caught Yu Keke's eye the most was the girl's impressive bust—especially because she had once noticed something peculiar. Her normally indifferent brother, who rarely paid attention to anyone, had let his gaze linger on this girl longer than usual whenever she appeared.

She looked like a fierce little wildcat… maybe that's the type her brother liked?

Yu Keke couldn't help but speculate in her heart.

"You're…!"

Unlike Yu Keke's calmness, the girl was visibly stunned the moment she saw her.

"Hello, I'm Yu Keke."

Perhaps spending time with Paimon had taught her to be more proactive when greeting people.

"I… Zhu Zhuqing…"

Zhu Zhuqing responded, visibly awkward and in disbelief.

After all, in her memory, wasn't this girl already forced to her death by those two vile, despicable men?

So how was she standing here, perfectly fine?

"You… didn't you already…"

Both girls were studying each other when Zhu Zhuqing finally asked the question burning in her heart.

"It was my brother and Paimon who saved me."

Yu Keke had learned what had happened after she lost consciousness from Paimon, so she knew exactly what Zhu Zhuqing was referring to.

"No wonder…"

Zhu Zhuqing murmured softly, lips pressed together.

That boy—she'd seen him more than once.

Since arriving in Heaven Dou City, she had heard many rumors about him. But it wasn't until that incident—and now, seeing Yu Keke alive and well—that she truly realized just how terrifying he was.

"Keke, what do you mean someone saved you?" Shui Yue'er, standing protectively by Keke's side, asked in confusion.

Her instincts told her that something deeper was going on between Yu Keke and this Zhu Zhuqing.

"Is this student new?"

Shui Bing'er was also eyeing Zhu Zhuqing closely. She could faintly sense that this stranger, who had suddenly appeared in their academy, might also be a prodigy with great potential.

As for why she knew Keke, there was likely some kind of connection between them.

"You girls go ahead and talk. I'm leaving."

Neither Keke nor Zhu Zhuqing answered the questions. Zhu Zhuqing simply stood, gave a cold farewell, and turned to walk away.

"Hey~…"

Shui Yue'er reached out as if to stop her, but Zhu Zhuqing clearly had no intention of chatting. She disappeared down the hallway without a word.

"Ugh, who even is she? So rude and weird!"

Shui Yue'er huffed, annoyed that Zhu Zhuqing had ignored her completely.

"…Keke, who was that girl, really?" Shui Bing'er asked calmly, turning to Yu Keke.

"She's a student from Shrek Academy, I think…"

Yu Keke thought for a moment before finally recalling her name.

"Shrek Academy… have you heard of it?"

Shui Bing'er looked to her sister, who responded with a blank expression.

"Sounds like some no-name academy," Shui Yue'er said with a shake of her head. "Probably just ran into Keke and His Excellency by chance. That's how they know each other, right Keke?"

"Mhm…"

Yu Keke nodded. That wasn't wrong.

"Anyway, forget her—she looks like a pain to deal with. Come on, Keke, let's take you to the plaza and show you how we train soul power!"

Shui Yue'er grabbed Yu Keke's hand and took off running. Fire Meow Meow jumped from her arms and chased after them on its stubby little legs.

The plaza at Skywater Academy was far livelier.

Many students were either standing or sitting in formation, awaiting instruction from their tutors.

Most of the training here focused on controlling Martial Souls or refining physical constitution.

One notable thing was that every single student here was a girl—and all of them were quite pretty.

From any angle, the plaza looked like a sea of beauty, brimming with youthful energy.

"Keke, look over there."

Shui Bing'er pointed to a squad of five and explained:

"That's our Skywater Academy battle team. Both Yue'er and I are members. We were selected to represent the academy in the Soul Master Tournament."

"Soul Master Tournament? What's that?" Yu Keke asked curiously.

This kind of basic knowledge was exactly what she lacked.

"It's a continent-wide competition hosted by the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, with the Spirit Hall co-hosting."

As the name suggested, the Continental Soul Master Tournament was a proving ground for Soul Masters—a place where they could showcase their strength and find recognition.

The competition progressed through several stages, with academies forming teams to compete. The final champion would receive rare rewards and instant fame across the continent.

It was the dream of Soul Masters everywhere.

"Oh~"

Yu Keke nodded thoughtfully. It did sound impressive.

But she remembered what her brother had told her—learning the fundamentals of Martial Souls was all she needed. Competitions and fame didn't interest her.

"Keke, do you want to join us? With your talent, you'd definitely become famous across the whole continent!"

Shui Yue'er asked, half-seriously.

"Me? No thanks…"

Yu Keke shook her head. Fame meant nothing to her.

Her desire to cultivate soul power had started with something Paimon said—what she truly wanted was to grow stronger and become her brother's guardian.

"What a shame…"

Shui Yue'er sighed, disappointed.

_

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