Douluo Continent: Beginning with Signing in with Yan Lingji

"Zhuqing, I have a gift for you," Zhao Ming said with a mysterious smile.

"A gift? What kind of gift?"

Zhu Zhuqing, still a young girl at heart, immediately buried her earlier gloom and looked at Zhao Ming curiously upon hearing that he had a gift for her.

"This gift is quite special. We can't open it here. Let's find a quiet place." Zhao Ming smiled. As he spoke, he spread his dark wings, the Undying Wings.

"It's so late. Where are we going?" Zhu Zhuqing blinked her beautiful eyes, staring at the black wings burning with dark flames behind Zhao Ming, fascinated by their powerful and mysterious presence.

"You'll see."

With that, Zhao Ming wrapped his arm around Zhu Zhuqing's slender waist, spread his wings wide, and soared into the sky.

It was Zhu Zhuqing's first time being this high up, and she felt nervous and scared, closing her eyes tightly. However, after a while, as she felt Zhao Ming's strong arm holding her, providing a sense of security, she slowly opened her eyes.

Seeing the world below moving swiftly beneath her, she felt a thrill and a sense of excitement.

"Wow!"

Is this what flying feels like?

Any fear she had melted away, replaced by pure joy. Feeling the warmth of Zhao Ming's embrace, she knew she was safe, and a sense of peace washed over her.

"Do you like it?" Zhao Ming asked with a smile. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's delighted expression, he couldn't help but hold her tighter.

"Mm."

"Zhuqing, do you know? Your future is as vast as the open sky. You shouldn't be confined by a small empire like Star Luo or by the Zhu family. What they couldn't give you before, I can give you now…"

Zhao Ming's words filled Zhu Zhuqing with warmth.

Zhao Ming always seemed to understand her thoughts. The Zhu family had indeed been a weight on her mind. Even now, being with Zhao Ming, the Zhu family felt like an obstacle she couldn't cross.

Being with Zhao Ming, she sometimes felt guilty toward her family.

She bit her lip gently, not saying anything.

"Maybe you're overthinking things. Everything will work itself out. Perhaps, when the time comes, your family won't see it as a mistake. Instead, they might think you've made the best decision the Zhu family has ever had in a thousand years."

There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. The alliance between the Dai and Zhu families was solely for mutual benefit. If Zhao Ming could provide greater benefits, even the martial soul fusion technique wouldn't be enough to hold the alliance.

"Pfft, you're so confident." Hearing Zhao Ming's indirect praise, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but laugh.

"It's the truth. Give me a year or two, and I'll make sure you return to the Zhu family in glory. No one will dare say a word against you, and no one will dare to bully you."

"Okay." Hearing Zhao Ming's promise, Zhu Zhuqing felt a surge of happiness, regardless of whether he could actually fulfill it. As long as he had the intention, that was enough for her.

Holding Zhu Zhuqing as they flew for a while, Zhao Ming found a suitable place.

It was a secluded grove filled with red maple trees. By now, it was late at night, and the woods were quiet and empty.

The moon shone brightly, its light casting a beautiful glow over the scene.

Is Zhao Ming bringing me here to…? Looking at the surroundings, Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts started to wander. She sneaked a glance at Zhao Ming's clear eyes and felt reassured.

Though she liked Zhao Ming,

she didn't want things to move too fast.

At least, she wanted roses, a soft bed…

"What are you thinking?" Zhao Ming teased, pinching her cheek before taking out a black jade box. Inside was the thirty-thousand-year-old Black Devil Tiger right arm bone.

Zhu Zhuqing's main attack method was her cat claws.

With this spirit bone, she would become much stronger.

"What's this? It seems important." Zhu Zhuqing accepted the box, feeling its smooth and cool surface. Realizing that something valuable must be inside, she looked at Zhao Ming curiously.

"Is this… a spirit bone?!"

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened in shock as she looked up at Zhao Ming. Growing up in the Zhu family, she was no stranger to spirit bones. She knew this was a spirit bone. Although she wasn't sure of its age, any spirit bone, no matter how weak, was incredibly rare!

"This is a thirty-thousand-year-old spirit bone from the Black Devil Tiger. I think it would be perfect for you." Zhao Ming smiled.

"Thirty thousand years?" Zhu Zhuqing stared at Zhao Ming, stunned.

Even in the Zhu family, spirit bones of this level were extremely rare! And such spirit bones were only given to the future heads of the family, never to someone like her!

Now, Zhao Ming was directly offering her a spirit bone!

And not just any spirit bone—one of the most precious treasures in all of Douluo Continent!

He was giving it to her without hesitation!

This gesture alone showed just how much he loved her!

Seeing Zhao Ming so casually offering a spirit bone, her heart pounded wildly. She was beginning to realize that it was Zhao Ming's charm and generosity that had completely captivated her.

"You should keep it. It would be wasted on me." Zhu Zhuqing slowly calmed herself and tried to decline. As tempting as the spirit bone was, she resisted its allure.

She didn't want Zhao Ming to think she was materialistic.

"Silly girl, this is meant for you. This spirit bone doesn't suit me, and its quality is too low. Your husband here deserves at least a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone." Zhao Ming playfully ruffled Zhu Zhuqing's long hair.

"But it's so precious. Even if you don't use it, selling it would fetch a huge price."

"My dear Zhuqing, do we need to be so distant with each other? Even you belong to me." Zhao Ming said with a cheeky grin.

"I'm not yours!" Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed, and she rolled her eyes at him.

"All right, go ahead and absorb it. If you refuse, I'll have to enforce family rules."

"Family rules? I'd like to see how you plan to punish me."

"Hmph, not listening to your husband, are you? I'll have to impose a strict punishment to set things right." Zhao Ming's expression turned serious. He raised his right hand, and with a gust of wind, he gave a light slap to Zhu Zhuqing's rear.

"Ah!" Zhu Zhuqing let out a soft cry, quickly covering her bottom with both hands.

Her face was bright red. "How could you hit a girl there?"

"Hmph, that's what you get for not listening. If you don't behave next time, I'll do it again." Zhao Ming said righteously, raising his hand once more.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing's face grew even redder. She quickly accepted the spirit bone from Zhao Ming.

"All right, I'll take it."