Douluo Continent: The Evil Tiger Subdues the Eight Desolations, and Marries Zhu Zhuqing

"Of course I'm not joking."

Lin Ye pulled her back to her seat, rubbed her forehead, and said domineeringly,

"What's mine is yours. If I tell you to use it, then use it. Why all the nonsense?"

"But...but this is too precious..." Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, feeling both touched and conflicted.

She knew that Lin Ye was doing this for her own good, to make her stronger, and to narrow the gap between them.

However, she also knew that this spirit ring was equally significant to Lin Ye.

This is the best choice for his future ninth spirit ring!

"It's nothing valuable or not," Lin Ye said softly, pinching her cheek.

"Have you forgotten what I told you? You are my woman, my future wife. I don't want my wife to fall behind me and be left behind."

"And," Lin Ye changed the subject, grinning mischievously as he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "...moreover..."

"I have many good things on me, and there will be even better ones in the future. Consider this mere divinely bestowed soul ring as my early betrothal gift to you."

The warm breath on her earlobe instantly made Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks turn bright red.

She lowered her head shyly, but felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

"Who...who asked for your bride price..."

She muttered something under her breath, but didn't refuse again.

She knew she couldn't refuse.

She must become stronger to be worthy of standing by this man's side forever.

"Then...then I'll accept it."

Zhu Zhuqing reached out her slightly trembling hand and accepted the golden bead.

The beads feel warm and smooth to the touch, as if they have a life of their own.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at the divinely bestowed soul ring in her hand, her eyes gradually becoming firm.

"Lin Ye, don't worry, I definitely won't let you down!"

The Spirit Hall's team sped along without stopping at all.

Three days later, the group finally returned safely to the heavily guarded Wuhun City.

As soon as Bibidon returned to the Papal Palace, she immediately issued a series of orders.

First, she announced that the Spirit Hall was on high alert, and that all elders and core personnel were not allowed to leave Spirit City without her orders.

Secondly, she summoned all the people who had accompanied them to the Star Dou Great Forest to the Elder Hall. In her capacity as Pope, she warned them in the sternest terms that they must keep the contents of this operation a secret, especially regarding Lin Ye and the divine inheritance, and not to reveal a single word about it.

Anyone who disobeys this order, regardless of their status or position, will be punished for treason, and their entire family will be exterminated!

After dealing with these matters, Bibi Dong summoned Lin Ye and Zhu Zhuqing to her private chambers.

"Ye'er, Zhuqing, from today onwards, you two will stay in the Papal Palace to cultivate. You are not allowed to go anywhere else," Bibi Dong said, looking at them with an unquestionable tone.

"Zhu Qing, your soul power has reached the bottleneck of level 69, and you may break through at any time. What you need to do now is calm down and focus all your efforts on breaking through to level 70."

"Yes, teacher," Zhu Zhuqing replied respectfully.

Bibi Dong is creating the best cultivation environment for her.

"Lin Ye, you too." Bibi Dong turned to look at Lin Ye.

"Although you have just broken through to level 85, your foundation is still somewhat unstable. In the next few days, you should focus on consolidating your cultivation and, incidentally, protect Zhu Qing."

"No problem, teacher, I guarantee I'll complete the task!" Lin Ye patted his chest and said with a grin.

Bibi Dong looked at his nonchalant attitude and shook her head helplessly, but her eyes were full of doting affection.

"Alright, you two must be tired. Go and rest." Bibi Dong waved her hand.

……

For the next few days, Lin Ye and Zhu Zhuqing lived a secluded life in the Papal Palace.

Besides consolidating his own cultivation and familiarizing himself with the newly acquired soul skills and soul bones, Lin Ye spent his days by Zhu Zhuqing's side, guiding her in her cultivation.

Zhu Zhuqing also demonstrated unprecedented diligence and effort.

The gap between himself and Lin Ye was simply too great.

She wanted to be his partner, someone who could fight alongside him and face the storms together.

Supported by this strong belief, Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.

Finally, on the morning of the fifth day.

Zhu Zhuqing, who was sitting cross-legged in the cultivation room, suddenly trembled!

A powerful surge of soul energy erupted from her center!

The soul power that had been stagnant within her body for so long finally broke through the shackles of level 69 and surged unstoppably toward the level 70 Soul Saint barrier!

"We're about to break through!"

Lin Ye, who had been standing guard nearby, perked up and immediately stood up, staring intently at Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks were flushed red from the intense impact of the soul power, her forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat, and her body was trembling slightly, clearly indicating that she was enduring great pain.

Breaking through from Soul Emperor to Soul Saint is a major leap in realm, a huge hurdle for any Soul Master.

"Zhu Qing, calm your mind! Don't get distracted, guide your soul power, and break through the bottleneck!"

Lin Ye's voice clearly reached Zhu Zhuqing's ears, instantly clearing her somewhat chaotic mind.

Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth and, following Lin Ye's instructions, exerted all her strength, mobilizing all the soul power in her body to launch a final all-out attack on the invisible but real barrier!

"boom!"

It was as if something inside her had shattered!

Zhu Zhuqing felt a lightness spread throughout her body, and an unprecedented feeling of comfort spread throughout her entire being.

她成功了！

She finally broke through to level 70 and became a true Soul Saint!

"call……"

Zhu Zhuqing let out a long sigh of relief and slowly opened her eyes.

"I...I did it! Lin Ye, I've broken through!"

She looked at Lin Ye, her eyes also becoming a little moist.

"I know you succeeded."

Lin Ye walked up to her, reached out, and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, smiling as he spoke.

"I knew it, my big cat is the best."

Zhu Zhuqing felt incredibly sweet upon receiving praise from her beloved.

Just as she was about to say something, Lin Ye suddenly stopped smiling and his expression became serious.

"Zhuqing, now is not the time to be happy," Lin Ye said in a deep voice.

"You've just broken through, this is the perfect time to absorb your seventh spirit ring. Don't waste time, begin now!"

As he spoke, Lin Ye asked Zhu Zhuqing to take out the divinely bestowed soul ring.

"this……"

Zhu Zhuqing looked at the beads in her hand, still somewhat hesitant.

"Stop talking nonsense!" Lin Ye's tone left no room for argument.

"Remember, a divinely bestowed soul ring has no fixed lifespan. Its upper limit is entirely determined by your own ability to withstand it."

"How much energy impact your physical body, your mental strength, and your willpower can withstand will ultimately determine how many years your soul ring will last."

"So, Zhuqing, wait a moment. No matter how much pain you feel, you must grit your teeth and bear it! The longer you endure, the greater the benefits you will reap! Your battle with it has only just begun! Do you understand?"