Three months later, Su Cheng was defeated in his duel with Zhu Zhuqing.
However, this was entirely within his expectations.
Su Cheng had indeed held back somewhat.
He hadn't used the Qi-restoring technique, nor had he revealed his superior cultivation level compared to Zhu Zhuqing, but in other aspects, he hadn't held back much.
Su Cheng, who secretly met with Zhu Zhuqing every month, was well aware of how quickly Zhu Zhuqing had progressed.
She wasn't stupid, just too naive.
In the past, she had worked hard enough, but her methods were wrong.
In the past year or so, after Su Cheng's two-pronged approach to reshape her values, she finally learned how to tap into her potential.
As for the faction within the academy, they all dissipated with his defeat.
But this didn't matter to him at all.
Those so-called forces had only been recruited to hone Zhu Zhuqing's skills.
Now, their departure was actually a good thing for him.
Su Cheng simply didn't have time to deal with these people.
His research on martial spirits had entered a crucial stage.
Next, he and Zhu Zhuqing would enter a period of rapid development. They needed to further refine the Nirvana Sutra before then, at least to improve its bloodline purification effect.
Moreover, they still had to research a Martial Soul Fusion Technique, and for Su Cheng, time was simply not enough.
As for those noble scions, it wouldn't be a bad thing for them to follow Zhu Zhuqing and attach themselves to her.
In terms of family status, the Zhu family was far superior to the Su family.
Not to mention that Zhu Zhuqing had already proven her potential and strength.
These noble scions represented varying degrees of family power behind them. Although they didn't hold much weight in the Star Luo Imperial Capital yet, once they spread out as outreach, they could still gather considerable influence for her.
"Tell me your thoughts," Su Cheng said.
Not long after the battle ended, Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing went alone to the back mountain of the academy.
They stood facing each other, surrounded by silence.
Only the rustling of the wind through the bamboo forest could be heard.
"I want to cooperate with you to perform a Soul Fusion Technique," Zhu Zhuqing said directly to Su Cheng without beating around the bush.
Su Cheng nodded, showing no surprise.
She had already hinted at this during their conversation outside the restaurant.
"Besides that?" Su Cheng didn't answer immediately, but instead asked, "Even if we could use a Soul Fusion Technique, how effective would it be? The Star Luo Empire has more than just the two of us with the Netherworld Cat and White Tiger Souls."
"I understand," Zhu Zhuqing nodded, "but a Soul Fusion Technique is a necessary skill. Our innate conditions are already weaker; if we can't even perform a Soul Fusion Technique, then there's no hope for the future."
"Get this straight, it's you who has no hope. My situation is different from yours," Su Cheng chuckled.
"That's right." Zhu Zhuqing didn't argue, continuing, "Su Cheng, I won't give you empty promises. To tell you the truth, I have a way to help you improve your strength, making your cultivation speed far surpass that of orthodox royal disciples."
As she spoke, she took out a manuscript and handed it over.
"Take a look and see if you can practice this technique."
In the past few months, Zhu Zhuqing had already begun using this technique to improve her cultivation and purify her bloodline.
During her practice, she discovered that this technique actually had extremely high versatility, not just applicable to the Netherworld Cat Martial Soul, but likely suitable for many beast Martial Souls, and perhaps not as simple as the so-called Zhu family's secret technique.
Su Cheng reached out and took the manuscript, somewhat shocked.
This was the Nirvana Scripture he himself had developed!
Although it was originally something he had researched, he never expected Zhu Zhuqing to have such a broad perspective.
After these days of cultivation, she must have already discovered its value, and was willing to use it as a bargaining chip, which was truly beyond Su Cheng's expectations.
Indeed, this was the best choice for Zhu Zhuqing.
The upper limit of the Netherworld White Tiger Martial Soul Fusion Skill requires the two people performing the fusion skill to improve together, and Su Cheng's strength is a crucial part of this.
But how old is Zhu Zhuqing now, yet she can make such a choice?
Moreover, Su Cheng hasn't made any promises yet.
After briefly flipping through the manuscript, he looked up and stared intently at Zhu Zhuqing, solemnly saying, "Zhu Zhuqing, it seems I really underestimated you before. Do you know what this thing means?"
"Of course I know." Zhu Zhuqing said calmly, "This is my sincerity."
"Fourth Miss is magnanimous." Su Cheng's fingers lightly traced the pages in his hand as he slowly said, "Aren't you afraid that I'll take this thing and then not agree to your request?"
"This is just an appetizer. You're a smart person, you should understand what I mean. I just want you to know that I'm not making empty promises, and I truly consider you a future friend and partner."
"..." Su Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly. He realized that Zhu Zhuqing's growth rate had once again exceeded his expectations.
But... a friend?
"Zhu Zhuqing, you don't need to put on airs with me. I know what you're thinking, and I can agree to your request, but we're just business partners. Your hypocritical tactics won't work on me. It's best to avoid talking about friends."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing silently observed Su Cheng for a moment, her expression gradually turning cold.
She truly had never intended to consider Su Cheng a friend.
How could she not harbor resentment after a year of bullying?
If it weren't for her father's teachings, the burdens of the family, and the feelings her sisters expressed to her father, which gave her something to hold onto
, she doesn't know how much longer she could have endured under that shadow.
"That's more like it." Su Cheng chuckled, watching her changing expression.
"Fourth Miss, it's one thing to fool others with your words, even fooling me wouldn't matter, but please don't fool yourself."
"..." Zhu Zhuqing frowned, saying nothing more.
She rarely felt unnecessary emotions from others' words anymore.
However, unlike the cold indifference of the past, she now possessed a calm, icy composure.
But some words from Su Cheng still made her feel repulsed,
inevitably causing emotional fluctuations.
Compared to her, Su Cheng's thoughts were simple: he simply wanted to awaken her, lest she inadvertently hypnotize herself.
Su Cheng didn't want her to have other thoughts, or even consider him a partner in the future.
If things developed that way, how could he possibly get her to attack him later?
"What do you say about the Martial Soul Fusion Technique?" Zhu Zhuqing looked at Su Cheng.
"Since you're so sincere, let's try it out first."
As he spoke, Su Cheng straightened up.
With a low growl, the White Tiger Martial Soul emerged from Su Cheng's body.
A slight bloodlust stirred within him, but he was already accustomed to the influence of beast Martial Souls on his emotions and didn't pay much attention.
At the same time, white fur mixed with black tiger stripes surged wildly from his body.
Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip lightly, her entire body covered in a faint black light. She also summoned the Netherworld Cat Martial Soul, a soul ring swirling around it.
Then, she rushed towards Su Cheng.
Her body moved erratically, seemingly becoming transparent.
Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing's gazes met in mid-air. He opened his arms to meet Zhu Zhuqing's illusory figure.
Then, the two figures finally merged at the last moment, the auras of the White Tiger and Netherworld Cat Martial Souls instantly merging.
"Bang—"
However, in the next moment, a violent energy fluctuation erupted instantly.
Both figures were simultaneously thrown back heavily.
The Martial Soul Fusion Technique had failed.
Not only that.
The immense energy backlash left both Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing with serious injuries.
Moreover, although their Soul Fusion Technique hadn't succeeded, it had still consumed a significant amount of their Soul Power, leaving them both exhausted and panting.
Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly into the void, her expression somewhat lost and bewildered.
Su Cheng, however, seemed thoughtful.
He considered the failure on the first attempt a normal outcome.
They had neither practiced together nor shared any emotional connection; aside from a high degree of Soul Compatibility, they lacked other necessary conditions.
But that brief moment of fusion had given him considerable insight.
"Indeed, there's no need for any so-called emotional resonance."
In that instant of Soul Fusion, both of their consciousnesses momentarily blurred, followed by instinctive impulses that were not under their conscious control.
With Su Cheng's understanding of Souls, he could clearly sense that this Soul Fusion Technique required not only complementary Soul Essences but also a perfect harmony between Soul Power and Mental Fluctuations during the fusion.
The key lay in that perfect initial point of fusion.
Once you grasp that moment, everything else is up to instinct.
So-called emotional resonance only enhances the tacit understanding between two people, allowing for better control of the rhythm. Often, the deeper the emotion, the higher the level of coordination.
Of course, it's also possible that with repeated use of the Martial Soul Fusion Technique, emotions naturally develop between Soul Masters.
After all, the Martial Soul and the Soul Master's bloodline and soul are deeply bound.
However, using special techniques to cultivate tacit understanding between the Soul Master and the Martial Soul can also fulfill this requirement.
So-called emotions can be icing on the cake, but they are by no means a necessary condition.
Another example is the Martial Soul Fusion Technique of the Golden Iron Triangle: Yu Xiaogang, Flander, and Liu Erlong.
If there's even a slight possibility of perfect emotional fusion between two people, Su Cheng absolutely doesn't believe that three people can achieve this.
Unless there's a much closer, special relationship between them, but that possibility is obviously extremely slim.
"I'll try a few more times to study it. Martial Soul Fusion Techniques are indeed quite wondrous," Su Cheng thought to himself.
His current perception in the Martial Soul realm is astonishing.
That brief moment of fusion had given him profound insights.
He had a premonition that researching martial soul fusion techniques would greatly accelerate his progress in perfecting the Nirvana Scripture cultivation method.
Glancing at Zhu Zhuqing, who was still lost in thought not far away, Su Cheng stood up and said calmly, "Don't look so dejected. It's perfectly normal to fail the first time. Just try a few more times and find the pattern."
....................
You can now download the complete English PDF of the story you're currently reading at my Patreon shop. I also have a wide variety of other books available there for you to explore!
Hi veryone! I've just uploaded several new Adult (18+) Douluo & BTTH fanfics. Feel free to head over and check them out. Most Of uploaded adult fanfictions on my patreon shop Include R@pe and L0li so beware before you check them.
Here are titles of uploaded BTTH & Douluo adult fanfics on Patreon:
" Douluo: The L*wdness and Cru*lty of the Evil God (18+) "
" Douluo: Legend of God Realm (18+) "
" Douluo: The Eclipse of the Thunder Dragon (18+) "
" Douluo: Rogue (18+) "
" Double Douluo: No Comparison, No Harm "
" Douluo: Reborn as Xue Ke, Determined to Protect Qian Renxue (18+) "
" Douluo: Huo Yuhao Reborn as Tang Wulin "
" Douluo: Huo Yuhao, the Nether-Eyed White Tiger "
" Douluo: Martial Soul – The Scalpel (18+) "
" Douluo: Flame Spear Chongli & Fallen Heart Flame — Unrivaled Rise (18+) "
" Douluo: I Became Qian Renxue's Martial Soul "
many more up to 280+ are available.
Your support means a lot—thanks in advance, legends!
Patreon.com/UIGOD
(End of Chapter)