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"All right, we can head back now. Oh, and Oscar, take this right leg bone from the Pink Empress. Absorb it first, and remember to keep your mouth shut when we get back—it's a matter of life and death for you."
As he spoke, Li Luochen handed over the pinkish right leg bone stored in his soul-guided device to Oscar. This spirit bone was a perfect match for him, and combined with his existing right leg spirit bone, it would significantly enhance his combat capabilities.
Before absorbing his fourth spirit ring, Oscar's external spirit bone, the White Jade Arm Blade, had already reached the seven-thousand-year level. The energy from the Crimson-Striped Dark Golden Bear's spirit ring helped elevate his spirit bone to the ten-thousand-year tier. Now, it was considered a fifteen-thousand-year spirit bone, greatly improving its toughness and sharpness.
Oscar was about to absorb another right leg bone, and his soul power could easily increase by another level, reaching level forty-two. After all, ten-thousand-year spirit bones were incredibly potent—some Title Douluos didn't even possess one.
Absorbing a spirit bone was much faster than absorbing a spirit ring. It took Oscar only two hours to complete the process, and his soul power rose to level forty-two, nearing its peak. With about a month of intense cultivation, he could break through to level forty-three. Additionally, the spirit bone further enhanced his physical strength.
The thirty-five-thousand-year Pink Empress right leg bone skill, Excitement Hormone, amplified the user's attributes, reducing pain sensation and increasing all stats by fifty percent, with speed doubling. Not bad at all.
After completing the absorption, Li Luochen led Oscar to the outer regions of the Great Star Dou Forest. However, the outskirts weren't as peaceful as expected—there was movement!
"Hmm? Oscar, it seems there's some commotion. Prepare your Mushroom Sausage and be ready to take off at any moment. If things get messy, I might not be able to protect you."
Li Luochen decided to play it safe. If it were amateurs, it would be simple. But if it were experts, he'd need to tread carefully. Unsure of the opponent's strength, he prepared for the worst-case scenario—if they couldn't win, they could always flee.
Li Luochen moved toward the source of the disturbance, with Oscar following closely behind, his expression tense.
Not long after, Li Luochen saw a woman clad in black leather, with long, flowing black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her skin was pale, and she possessed an extremely voluptuous figure that seemed far beyond her years. She suddenly rushed out and collided directly into Li Luochen's arms.
Her expression was cold—a pure, inner cold. Her pitch-black eyes lacked any trace of vitality, which contrasted sharply with her otherwise beautiful face. Her limbs were slender and well-proportioned, and she exuded an unsettling, icy aura of death.
Most importantly, the girl was covered in wounds—on her legs, body, and arms. It was heartbreaking to see, but Li Luochen, being the stoic man he was, didn't dwell on it. He simply wondered why someone would be chased in the Great Star Dou Forest. Could it be because she had a spirit bone? But Li Luochen could sense that her cultivation was only at the Great Soul Master level. How could she possibly have a spirit bone?
"Sorry for bumping into you. You should run—someone is chasing me. I don't want to drag you into my family's affairs."
The girl in Li Luochen's arms had been momentarily dazed, as if she'd crashed into a wall. Now regaining her senses, she explained herself. Though her voice was cold, it was clear that she was kind-hearted.
"Heh, it's too late for that—they're already here. Do you really think they'll let us go?"
Li Luo Chen gently set the girl aside and turned his gaze toward a specific spot. Moments later, another voluptuous woman appeared. Upon closer inspection, she bore a striking resemblance to the girl—clearly, they were sisters.
But why would sisters fight each other? Li Luochen immediately thought of the Star Luo Empire's "venom-raising" practices. It was the only plausible explanation.
The girl Li Luo Chen had just caught was likely Zhu Zhuqing, the older sister of the pair. She was soft, curvy, and even larger than Dugu Yan. But how did these sisters end up colliding with others like this?
The black-clad woman looked at Zhu Zhuqing and said, "Zhuqing, you sure can run. Are you going to find that cowardly fiancé of yours? According to our intel, he's been indulging in nightly pleasures in Suotuo City of the Barak Kingdom."
"Is such a man worth chasing after? Why not come home obediently with your older sister?"
Zhu Zhuyun teased Zhu Zhuqing. Behind her stood several black-clad figures, all seemingly "experts."
"Hmph! Zhu Zhuyun, stop pretending. Bringing me home? I'd rather die than fall into your clutches. Unlike that coward, I'd rather die than submit!"
Zhu Zhuqing angrily retorted. Her fiancé, who was supposed to share her fate, had buckled under pressure and fled. Rumors had it that he was now living as a playboy in some city. How could she not be furious?
Such a man—irresponsible and spineless—how could he possibly deserve her? At eleven years old, he hadn't even reached level twenty-five. Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing, despite having only seven levels of innate soul power, had already reached level twenty-seven at the same age.
She had her pride. She wanted to find a worthy partner, but as a daughter of the Zhu family, her fate was sealed. Every generation of Zhu daughters was destined to become wives of the royal family—an unchangeable fact.
"In that case, bring the second young mistress back. As for those two who overheard our family secrets… eliminate them."
Zhu Zhuyun casually ordered.
"Zhu Zhu Yun, leave them out of this. I'll go with you, but don't harm innocent bystanders."
Zhu Zhuqing angrily insisted. She didn't want her family's affairs to involve unrelated passersby.
Li Luochen had been listening quietly, forming a new impression of Zhu Zhuqing. In the original timeline, her role in the story was minimal—she was practically invisible among the Shrek Seven Monsters.
Her only notable contribution was forming the Netherworld White Tiger fusion with that lustful tiger. She was essentially a mere accessory. Perhaps her eventual forgiveness of Dai Mubai's promiscuity was merely her resignation to her predetermined future.
In the Star Luo Empire, she had no choice but to endure passively. Even though she despised Dai Mubai, she had no choice but to tolerate him. Due to the effects of their spirit fusion technique, the subordinate would grow increasingly attached to the main controller, which explained why Zhu Zhuqing couldn't bring herself to hate Dai Mubai later on.
Now, meeting her in person, Li Luochen sighed. This girl was truly kind-hearted. From the very beginning, she had urged them to flee, and her dedication to training was remarkable. Her willpower was astonishing.
Zhu Zhuqing would eventually come to Shrek Academy, wouldn't she? Fine. In recognition of her kindness today, I'll protect her. Within Shrek Academy, I'll personally cultivate her.
You want to prove yourself by defeating Dai Mubai? I'll make it happen. A kind-hearted, determined, hardworking girl like you deserves more than to be treated as an accessory.
Since Dai Mubai once dared to flirt with my Yanzi, I'll train your fiancée to crush you and leave you humiliated for life.
"Heh, little girl, don't worry about me. The bunch in your older sister's hands is nothing to worry about."
Li Luochen casually remarked as he released his spirit, the Coiling Dragon Staff, and his spirit rings appeared.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—
Six distinct spirit rings illuminated the area.
"What? It's you, that monster!"
Zhu Zhuyun exclaimed in shock.
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