Zhu Zhuqing looked at Lin Jie lying on the bed, wanting to say something—but in the end, she said nothing.
Just then, Lin Jie said, "If you don't clean off the impurities that just got expelled from your body, they might leave permanent marks, you know."
Hearing that, Zhu Zhuqing quickly headed into the bathroom.
Watching her disappear inside, Lin Jie smirked. Stains? Yeah right. That was just an excuse—he made it up. Honestly, he just didn't want to move. The room, with its faint scent of a girl, felt especially refreshing and relaxing.
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Zhu Zhuqing lay in the tub, her body immersed in the water, soft foam floating gently on her skin, teasingly revealing glimpses of her silhouette.
If Lin Jie saw her right now… he might just lose control.
A faint layer of dark residue peeled away from her fair skin under the water, revealing an even more delicate, rosy complexion underneath.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at herself in the mirror—her skin was now glowing with a subtle pink hue. She was visibly pleased, a rare smile appearing on her usually cold face.
"So… Lin Jie wasn't lying."
No matter how cold or aloof a girl may be, the desire to be beautiful is still deeply rooted. Even Zhu Zhuqing couldn't resist.
If Lin Jie had seen her smile just now, he might have dropped his jaw in shock. Zhu Zhuqing… smiling? Unbelievable.
Lin Jie had been lying in bed for over an hour now. He glanced again toward the bathroom door.
Damn, girls really do take forever in the bath. Some things are universal.
He'd spent the last hour staring at the ceiling. If it went on any longer, he'd be counting how many screws held up the chandelier.
When Zhu Zhuqing was finally done, she stepped out wearing a long white dress she hadn't worn in ages. Looking at herself in the mirror, she nodded in satisfaction and walked out.
As the door opened, Lin Jie looked over—and froze.
Long black hair flowed over her shoulders, her skin as pale as snow. Despite her youthful age, her figure was astonishingly curvaceous and mature. Her face was as cold as ever—an icy kind of beauty, the kind that seemed to shun all warmth.
Wearing that pristine white dress, her perfect curves were accentuated by the contrast with her cold, indifferent expression.
Lin Jie couldn't deny it—his heart skipped a beat. Goddamn. I could just—ugh, calm down, man. Not the time.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed him staring and felt a bit proud. Hmph, you're lucky to see me looking like this.
Still, her face remained calm as she asked, "Do I look good?"
Snapping back to reality, Lin Jie smiled gently and said, "Zhu Zhuqing… I think I've fallen for you. What should we do about that?"
Zhu Zhuqing hadn't expected him to say something like that. While she did have some affection for him, the thought of her clan made her expression darken.
"There's no way we can be together," she said quietly.
"I figured you'd say that," Lin Jie said calmly. "Is it because of your clan? Or because of Dai Mubai?"
"You saw him today, didn't you? The blonde guy outside the hotel, clinging to those two girls. Doesn't look like he's worried about your situation at all."
"And personally, I think he's not good enough for you."
Zhu Zhuqing was surprised he knew she'd seen Dai Mubai—and in that particular situation. Reflexively, she snapped, "You think he's not good enough. What, and you are?"
"Exactly. Who else but me could match you?" Lin Jie grinned.
For the first time, a hint of a smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's face. "Shameless."
Alright, she had to admit—Lin Jie was a good match. Talented, strong, and with that cultivation "cheat." But she wasn't going to admit it out loud.
Lin Jie sprang up from the bed and stood in front of her, looking at her up and down.
"Why bother pretending? If you like someone, just say it. What's with all the playing hard to get, right?"
Zhu Zhuqing was slightly flustered by how close he'd gotten.
Lin Jie gently took her delicate hand. "That body tempering just now—it was your first time, even if it was only partial. For someone who's never done it before, the effects will be huge. You should try cultivating now and see."
She'd been about to pull her hand away, but hearing him say that, she hesitated and left it there.
"I'll help you do a few more sessions when we get the chance. You'll notice a huge improvement in your speed."
"For now, try cultivating."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded and looked at him again.
From her gaze, Lin Jie understood—she wanted him to leave the room. But being thick-skinned, he pretended not to notice.
"You can let go of my hand now," she said quietly.
"I don't want to. If I could, I'd hold your hand forever."
Zhu Zhuqing was taken aback. The look on his face wasn't a joke—he meant it. She didn't know how to respond.
Lin Jie smiled. "Alright, I'll go. You focus on cultivating."
Just as he turned to leave, he heard her say softly, "Lin Jie… thank you."
"Oh?" he grinned. "How are you going to thank me?"
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, her expression uncertain, but before she could speak, Lin Jie reached out and said, "Hold on, there's a little smudge on your face."
He reached for her cheek.
She froze, letting him touch her without resistance. Her heart thumped slightly.
As his fingers brushed her skin, he noticed her blush deepen. Even more beautiful than usual.
And then—he kissed her.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened. She hadn't even reacted yet when his lips were already gone.
Lin Jie licked his lips. "Not bad. That counts as your thank-you gift."
He walked out the door.
"You—" Zhu Zhuqing tried to call him shameless, but before she could finish, he was already gone.
Left standing in place, flushed and frustrated, she eventually huffed and sat down cross-legged on the bed to cultivate.
Her heart was still fluttering—he'd stolen her first kiss.
But when she started cultivating, she noticed something strange: her speed had increased—by about 10%.
That might not sound like much, but over time, it would stack up to something massive.
For someone already talented like Zhu Zhuqing, this was game-changing.
Not long into her meditation, she could feel a breakthrough coming. She was at the peak of Rank 27, and tonight, she might reach Rank 28.
A warm joy welled up in her heart. With more strength, she'd have the power to fight her cold-blooded clan.
Then she thought of Lin Jie—and her heart stirred again.
That scoundrel... He really stole my first kiss!
Back in his room, Lin Jie touched his lips and murmured, "Not bad at all."
After a quick shower, he resumed his daily body tempering and cultivation. Who needs sleep when you can cultivate to restore vitality?
The night passed uneventfully.
The Next Day
Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing made their way toward Shrek Academy's entrance exam site. Though they didn't talk much on the way, it was clear their relationship had become much warmer.
In just a few days, they'd gone from guarded strangers to companions who could talk and smile together. Lin Jie had clearly worked hard.
Zhu Zhuqing would occasionally smile too—though she'd always turn her head to hide it.
Neither of them brought up the kiss. Zhu Zhuqing didn't seem angry, and Lin Jie didn't push his luck.
When they arrived at the exam site, they were surprised to see a sizable crowd already gathered.
The place looked… like a rundown village. The scenery was nice, but the buildings were dilapidated—even the "Shrek Academy" sign was crooked and weather-beaten.
An elderly man with gray-white hair sat behind a tidy desk. Next to him stood a blond young man—clearly Dai Mubai.
Right then, Dai Mubai was talking to a boy and a girl—the boy wore blue and had short hair, and the girl wore pink with a long scorpion braid.
Tang San and Xiao Wu.
It looked like their conversation had just ended. Dai Mubai turned and led them inside.
At that moment, Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing arrived and lined up.
Zhu Zhuqing stood ahead of Lin Jie.
Just as Lin Jie was about to speak, the crowd suddenly grew noisy.
Parents and students were protesting. Why were Tang San and Xiao Wu allowed straight into the fourth trial while their own children were turned away—and had their registration fees taken?
Then the gray-haired elder released his spirit rings.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black—six in total.
A Spirit Emperor.
The crowd instantly quieted and fled with their children.
The elder called out, "Next."
Just then, Lin Jie felt someone tap him from behind.
He turned—and was greeted by a beautiful girl in a white and blue dress with short, neat hair.
"Hi there! I'm Ning Rongrong. What's your name?" she asked, smiling warmly.
Her smile was like a spring breeze. It caught Lin Jie a little off guard.
"H-Hello," he replied.
She waved a hand in front of him. "Spacing out already?"
Lin Jie smiled. So this is Ning Rongrong, huh. She's beautiful, no doubt—but her figure's no match for Zhu Zhuqing's.
"I'm Lin Jie. Nice to meet you."
She laughed softly, covering her mouth. "Dummy."
Her laughter was indeed lovely.
"I'm not a dummy," Lin Jie retorted. "Just didn't expect someone like you to smile so sweetly."
"Oh? So I look good when I smile?"
"Of course."
A cold snort came from in front of him. "Smooth talker."
Ah, right. Zhu Zhuqing was still here.
Ning Rongrong asked, "Is she your girlfriend?"
Lin Jie was about to say yes—but Zhu Zhuqing snorted again. He quickly corrected, "She's a good friend. A very good friend."
By then, it was Zhu Zhuqing's turn.
Dai Mubai, having just exited, spotted her and thought, So she really did come for me.
Lin Jie stepped forward, paid the fee with a gold coin, and said, "We're together. This is for both of us."
The elder nodded. "Hold out your hand."
Dai Mubai, watching this, clenched his jaw.
Zhu Zhuqing ignored him completely and extended her hand.
"Bone age checks out. Show me your Martial Soul."
"Netherworld Civet," she said, releasing her soul rings—two yellow rings.
"Rank 28 Grandmaster. Excellent."
"Proceed to the fourth trial."
Zhu Zhuqing stepped aside without acknowledging Dai Mubai.
Next was Lin Jie.
"Bone age matches. Martial Soul?"
A bolt of lightning surged from Lin Jie's hand—nearly corporeal.
The elder's eyes narrowed. "A Lightning Martial Soul? Rare."
Before he could ask more, Lin Jie revealed his rings.
Yellow. Yellow. Purple.
A three-ring Soul Elder.
"What?! A Soul Elder?" The elder's eyes widened in shock.
Even Ning Rongrong was stunned.
But Dai Mubai was the most shocked of all. This guy… is a Soul Elder? And all optimal ring configurations?!
The elder nodded. "Not bad. Head to the fourth trial."
Lin Jie walked over to stand beside Zhu Zhuqing.
At the end of the line, Ning Rongrong displayed her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Do your parents know you're here?" the elder asked pointedly.
Rongrong smiled. "Don't you take all students here, regardless of background?"
"…Fine."
With no one left in line, the elder said, "Take them to the fourth trial."
The trio followed Dai Mubai. Zhu Zhuqing ignored him completely. Ning Rongrong chatted away, cheerful as ever.
"You're so young, and already a Soul Elder? How'd you train that fast?"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't show it, but she was listening carefully.
Lin Jie replied, "I just worked harder than most."
"Really?" Rongrong pressed.
"Of course. I think you're amazing too. You look even younger than me, but you're already Rank 26."
Rongrong beamed. "Naturally!"
Up ahead, Dai Mubai looked a little awkward. No one was talking to him.
Meanwhile, Tang San and Xiao Wu were ahead, seemingly having skipped past Oscar's sausage-selling trial. Perhaps they hadn't met him yet.
Tang San, seeing Dai Mubai approach, greeted him warmly.
"Big Brother Dai! These people behind you… Are they new students too?"
Dai Mubai laughed. "Yep, all three of them."
Just then, Lin Jie noticed Xiao Wu staring at him.
What's her deal? Don't tell me she recognizes me after all these years…
He waved. "Hi!"
Xiao Wu narrowed her eyes.
That smile... That voice... Wait a second—
"You're Lin Jie, aren't you?" she suddenly asked.
Lin Jie grinned. "That's me! You know me?"