Chapter 4: Keeping Talents Within The Family

"It's your turn," said Zhu Zhuqing, her eyes fixed on Xu Ran after releasing her martial soul. She was keen to know the extent of his cultivation.

While she didn't fully believe that Xu Ran was a Soul Master of the thirty-first level, she suspected he was at least a Soul Grandmaster.

Zhu Zhuqing was filled with anticipation. She hoped that Xu Ran would prove himself to be exceptionally powerful, thereby garnering the attention and respect of their clan. Otherwise, his closeness to her would inevitably make him a target for political manoeuvring within the family.

Many Zhu family disciples were also looking at Xu Ran, eager to gauge his actual power level. If Xu Ran turned out to be weak, his standing in the Zhu family would be seriously compromised. After all, how could one maintain a close relationship with Zhu Zhuqing without substantial abilities?

Xu Ran centered himself and began activating his martial soul.

With his current cultivation as a twelve-year-old Soul Elder, even if he went to the Spirit Hall, the legendary Bibi Dong would have to see him personally once. Within the Zhu family and even the entire Star Luo Empire, no one could surpass his innate abilities. Furthermore, with the support of a unique system, his talents would only continue to grow stronger.

As everyone watched intently, a black longsword materialized in Xu Ran's hand. The sword measured three feet in length and was a pure, enigmatic black that seemed to contain boundless mysteries.

The moment he gripped the longsword, Xu Ran's demeanor underwent a profound transformation.

His eyes sharpened, as if he himself had become an extension of the sword. An air of invincibility emanated from him.

Everyone stared in astonishment at Xu Ran, who now exuded a distinctive aura that sent shivers down their spines.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened dramatically as she continued to stare at him, mesmerized.

There was no longer any doubt about Xu Ran's cultivation level.

Two yellow and one purple soul rings floated around him, revealing his true capabilities.

Xu Ran was indeed a Soul Elder of the thirty-first level!

The gazes of many disciples shifted instantly upon this revelation. Though they couldn't discern his exact age, they could tell that Xu Ran was relatively young—no more than fifteen. Achieving Soul Elder status at such a young age marked him as an extraordinarily gifted soul master.

With such talent, his future was bound to be smooth sailing. The opportunities he could offer to those associated with him were unimaginable.

Many of the younger women couldn't help but look at him with tender emotions. Some even threw him coquettish glances. A talent like him would undoubtedly enjoy a high standing within the family in the future. If they could establish a deep relationship with him, or even become his partner, they might save themselves decades of hard work.

"Is he really a Soul Elder?!" Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but exclaim. The shock Xu Ran gave her was even more profound than it was for others because she had been paying close attention. Xu Ran's age was close to hers, perhaps one or two years older at most.

To break through to the level of Soul Elder at such a young age meant that Xu Ran's talent might even exceed her own. She couldn't help but feel a blush creep over her face for her earlier thoughts.

"I told you, I am a Soul Elder. I might deceive others, but I would never deceive you," Xu Ran said with a smile, looking at the blushing girl who had fallen silent.

"Hmph."

The flush on Zhu Zhuqing's face slowly faded. Without another word, she accelerated directly toward Xu Ran.

As an agility-type soul master, her speed was extreme, resembling a shadow streaking towards Xu Ran. Her fingers were curved, and her elongated nails emitted a chilling light.

With her 25th-level soul power, Zhu Zhuqing was far from weak among the Zhu family's younger generation. To everyone else, she was incredibly fast.

However, to Xu Ran, her speed seemed incredibly slow.

Standing in place, Xu Ran slightly shifted his footing and tilted his body, using the scabbard of his sword to block in front of him. Zhu Zhuqing's sharp claws scraped right across the pitch-black scabbard.

A "screeching" sound echoed as her fingernails left five white marks on the scabbard. Naturally, the scabbard itself remained undamaged; the marks were merely the traces left by Zhu Zhuqing's nails scraping against it.

Caught off guard by her target's sudden evasion, Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed subtly. Wanting to turn around to continue her attack on Xu Ran, she was affected by her body's inertia and nearly toppled forward.

"Careful," Xu Ran said, reaching out to catch Zhu Zhuqing in his arms.

Those who witnessed this scene were speechless with astonishment.

At this moment, they were filled with envy. Xu Ran had actually managed to hold the stunningly beautiful Zhu Zhuqing in his arms. Their minds also inadvertently wandered to another figure—Dai Mubai.

It's said that Dai Mubai has already fled to the Tian Dou Empire. What would he feel if he knew that Zhu Zhuqing is now in the arms of another man? Many were contemplating this, unable to suppress a sense of anticipation.

For a long time, many haven't taken kindly to Dai Mubai. The Dai and Zhu families have been joining through matrimony for generations, a circumstance that has always been a source of resentment among members of the Zhu family.

After all, the best women of the Zhu family have all married into the Dai family, leaving none behind. Who wouldn't be infuriated by such a state of affairs? As the saying goes, "Why let your best resources benefit outsiders?" Over the years, the Zhu family has seen their finest assets consistently going to the Dai's estate. Although it has been bearable for a year or two, over the long term, discontent has undoubtedly festered among the Zhu family members.

However, they are also aware that the relationship between the Dai and Zhu families, anchored by their unique soul fusion technique, makes the marital alliances a strategically sound choice. So they usually don't make a fuss about it.

But Dai Mubai, considered by many to be worthless, has directly fueled their resentment.

He is perceived as weak and ineffectual, lacking any semblance of courage. Fearing that he couldn't compete with Dai Weisi, he quietly ran away, leaving Zhu Zhuqing alone to bear the pressure exerted by both major families in the Star Luo Empire.

In the eyes of everyone, this is an utterly contemptible act.

Whether Dai Mubai is powerful or not doesn't overly concern them. What they can't stand is his inherent cowardice and ineptitude, and the fact that he abandoned his fiancée.

Such actions suggest that he is destined to be nothing more than a waste of space.

There's a growing discontent among the members of the Zhu family. Why should someone as worthless as Dai Mubai be allowed to marry one of their most exceptional women? Simply because he comes from a royal family?

"Dai Mubai is nothing but a joke, especially compared to Xu Ran," someone opines.

"How could a man who abandons his own fiancée and runs away ever be worthy of our Second Miss?" another adds.

"I wonder what Xu Ran thinks. He's never been mentioned in family discussions before; it's unclear if he's genuinely interested in Second Miss. If he is, things could get interesting."

"One is the family's most promising prodigy; the other is a worthless prince from the royal family. I wonder what the family head will decide."

Voices of speculation rise. If Xu Ran were to end up with Zhu Zhuqing, they wouldn't object. After all, Xu Ran is part of the Zhu family, and keeping it in the family poses no issues.

However, if Zhu Zhuqing and Xu Ran were together, wouldn't that make the useless Third Prince, Dai Mubai, a cuckold?