Not long ago, the young and innocent girl had now completely transformed into a fifteen or sixteen-year-old maiden, almost as tall as Qian Ye. No one would have imagined that beneath her graceful and elongated limbs lay explosive power.
Moreover, her eyes were clear and sharp, far different from the naive gaze of old.
“You’ve grown up.” Qian Ye suddenly felt sentimental. When he found her in the Count’s lair, she was but an egg. Back then, both Qian Ye and Song Zining were just young geniuses, only praised by the bigwigs for their potential.
In the blink of an eye, the little creature hatched and grew, while Qian Ye, Song Zining, and their brothers each met with opportunities, gradually becoming formidable forces in their own right.
The young Zhu Ji smiled, “I just grew fast. I’m actually still quite young.”
Qian Ye was somewhat surprised, “Why did you suddenly get so smart?”
Young Zhu Ji replied, “I don’t know either. One day, I wasn’t as hungry, and then it was like waking up, and I suddenly understood everything.”
“Well, alright…” Qian Ye didn’t know what to say.
From this, it seemed the innate talent of spider demons was truly enviable. The little one basically ate and slept from birth, fought on instinct, and trained on her natural gifts. She had grown faster than Qian Ye, a pace that would shame the prodigies of both camps.
Now, upon closer inspection, the little one had become a breathtaking beauty. But Qian Ye’s impression of her still lingered on the times when she clung to him, making him feel awkward.
“Why did you suddenly come over?”
Instead of answering, the little one subtly gestured, “Aren’t you going to take a look? They’re about to fight over there.”
Qian Ye turned to see Carol holding her lightning whip, glaring at Night Pupil, the tip of the whip crackling with electricity, clearly preparing for battle.
Night Pupil looked somewhat bewildered, but with her temper, she always responded to provocation with equal force, showing no mercy.
Why were they so tense upon meeting?
Qian Ye quickly stepped between them, “What’s going on?”
Carol’s killing intent slightly receded, “She’s Night Pupil, right? You nearly died in your final battle with her, didn’t you?”
Night Pupil coolly replied, “We’re just bickering as a couple. This is none of your business.”
Carol’s face turned ashen, grinding her teeth, “Bickering to the point where he was nearly killed? Word of his death was spreading! If not for the Hall of Heroes, I… I wouldn’t even know he was alive!”
Night Pupil glanced at her, a faint smile curling her lips, “So, are you thinking of avenging him?”
“If he really had died, that’s what I would have done. Whoever harmed him, I would kill them!” Carol admitted frankly.
As the tension rose, Qian Ye hurried to say something to ease the atmosphere.
However, Night Pupil placed a hand on his shoulder, covering his mouth, then said to Carol, “Our matters aren’t something just anyone can interfere with. But if you want to, it might be better if you were a hundred years younger.”
With a loud bang, lightning exploded from Carol’s whip, creating a small crater. Her chest heaved, and electric spiders crawled all over her body. It was clear she was furious. If not for Night Pupil and Qian Ye standing together, the whip would have struck them.
Qian Ye inwardly cursed, but the hand covering his mouth was exerting force. Removing it would require considerable effort, akin to physical confrontation. Qian Ye looked to Howard, hoping he could mediate.
The Dark Evangel, who had been secretly watching, immediately turned away and loudly directed the bloodline civilians to board the ship, moving further away with each flash.
His acting was embarrassingly bad.
Qian Ye silently cursed the old man’s lack of loyalty but had no choice.
Carol, on the other hand, seemed to have come to a realization. Her killing intent faded, and she smiled, “Regarding age, I wonder how it’s calculated for the awakened. There seems to be a common consensus!”
Night Pupil’s smile stiffened momentarily.
The Dark Evangel, who had turned back, stopped shouting and watched the bloodline civilians board the ship, his aura completely withdrawn, like an unremarkable elder.
Night Pupil’s hand on Qian Ye’s mouth spread out, twisting his face, and she nonchalantly said, “While this guy is quite dumb, avenging him would be a bit much for most. To be blunt, if you’re not even a Grand Duke, avenging him would be a death sentence, no?”
Carol retorted, “Even if I can’t, I have my brother. In the Neutral Lands, our Frost Thunder Temple isn’t to be trifled with.”
“The Neutral Lands, huh? I’ve only heard of the Blood Throne. When I have time, I might visit the Neutral Lands and dismantle those temples and shrines.”
“Can you?” Carol sneered.
Night Pupil lightly patted Qian Ye’s face, “See, I have to visit the Neutral Lands.”
At this point, Qian Ye couldn’t remain silent, “We’re all on the same side; there’s no need for this.”
“Same side?” Night Pupil sneered.
Qian Ye pulled her behind him, addressing Carol, “That battle, I deceived her, and she inadvertently injured me. Now, I’m fine, right?”
Carol’s face darkened, “Rumors were true, you were looking for death. Fine, I understand.”
She retracted her whip and walked away, boarding the Hall of Heroes, never to show her face again.
Qian Ye sighed.
“Go after her,” Night Pupil nudged him.
Qian Ye shook his head, “Let it be. I’ll explain another time. She’s not a bad person.”
Night Pupil snorted, “Willing to die for you, of course, not bad.”
Qian Ye knew he had passed a test. Even if he was slow in romantic matters, he knew chasing Carol was out of the question.
Soon, all the bloodline clans’ descendants boarded, and the Hall of Heroes ascended, leaping into the void, heading towards the Dawn Continent.
On the Hall of Heroes, Qian Ye sat by the porthole, gazing at the scenery. Night Pupil sat beside him, while the Dark Evangel Howard and young Zhu Ji sat opposite.
Young Zhu Ji’s bright eyes were fixed on Night Pupil, unwavering.
Finally, unable to ignore the piercing gaze, Qian Ye asked, “What’s wrong?”
Young Zhu Ji rested her cheek on her hand, “I was thinking, they were right.”
“About what?”
“They said stepmothers are usually more beautiful.”
Instantly, the Hall of Heroes felt as cold as winter.
The Dark Evangel, sipping wine, spat it out. Qian Ye’s face paled, his mind blank, unsure what to say.
Night Pupil, composed, turned, looked at Qian Ye, and smirked, “So, there was a biological mother?”
Seeing her raised eyebrows, Qian Ye panicked, “Don’t listen to her! She just grew up and knows nothing!”
“I know plenty. From the moment I hatched, I remembered every word,” young Zhu Ji added.
Night Pupil leaned forward, “Then, who is this biological mother? Was it that woman just now?”
Young Zhu Ji blinked, “Of course not, it’s Zining Mom. She’s not as pretty as you.”
Qian Ye breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a surge of sweat. He glared at young Zhu Ji, unable to tell if she was being intentional or not.
Night Pupil glared at Qian Ye, “It’s not hot, so why are you sweating?”
“Not cool either…” Qian Ye mumbled.
Howard’s face twitched, barely suppressing laughter, remembering his status as an ancestor.
Night Pupil huffed, ignoring Qian Ye.
Qian Ye scowled at young Zhu Ji, “Where did you learn such nonsense? We took you to the Neutral Lands, remember?”
“Yes, but back then, it was Aunt Night Pupil!”
“Isn’t she now?”
“She awakened, so she’s not anymore.”
Qian Ye was speechless. After a moment, he growled, “Who taught you this?”
“Her identity? I just knew it when I woke up.”
Qian Ye couldn’t argue, and the Eternal Night’s way of passing knowledge left him speechless.
According to Eternal Night custom, upon awakening, one gains a new identity. When Night Pupil first awakened as a Monroe, she was seen as part of the main family. After her second awakening, the bloodlines treated her with the respect due to an ancient ruler. So, young Zhu Ji was technically correct.
“Who taught you that first line? Who are ‘they’?” Qian Ye fumed, ready to punish whoever corrupted her.
Young Zhu Ji pointed down, “People on this ship. As long as they’re aboard, I know everything they do.”
Qian Ye was taken aback. He connected with the drake-ship’s will, asking, “You can communicate with the ship’s will?”
Young Zhu Ji nodded, “It’s just very slow. I have to say a lot before it responds.”
Suddenly, the Hall of Heroes vibrated, continuing unceasingly. This was unusual. As a former void beast, traveling through the void should be its instinct.
Qian Ye looked out, seeing a brilliant light like a dream.
Here, in the void between continents, such lights often meant great danger. Even the Hall of Heroes was buffeted, and ordinary airships wouldn’t last long.
Night Pupil’s expression grew serious, “This is the rainbow band isolating the upper continent. Why is it here?”
Howard said, “No mistake. I found the hidden route here because of the abnormal rainbow band, leading to the settlement on the Dawn Continent.”
Qian Ye, connected to the drake-ship’s will, guided the vast vessel through the dazzling light.
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