Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

However, this peaceful period was short-lived. Heavenly rules are merciless, and the mortal and immortal realms are separated. When the "Heavenly God," played by a painted-face actor representing the majesty of the Heavenly Court, led his heavenly soldiers and generals onto the stage, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

The drumbeats became rapid and heavy, like a death knell.

Faced with immense pressure, Zhu Ling'er's performance instantly unleashed astonishing power. Her eyes shifted from tender affection to astonishment and fear, then transformed into unyielding determination. A fast-paced aria, like a silver bottle suddenly shattering or iron cavalry charging forth, rose abruptly in pitch, not harshly, but rather filled with a tragic grandeur and a powerful sense of resistance.

She was no longer the delicate, submissive bluebird, but a spirit determined to defend love to the death.

Zhu Ling'er shook her arms, and her two long white water sleeves, several meters long, seemed to be infused with life. They were no longer soft silk, but transformed into weapons that could be used for both offense and defense, as well as an extension of the surging emotions in her heart.

At first, the flowing sleeves moved like clouds and water, a plea, a defense. She used perfect coordination of wrist, arm, and waist strength to create various difficult techniques with the sleeves. A flick of the sleeve was like a white lotus blooming, expressing inner turmoil. A toss of the sleeve was like a rainbow traversing the sky, displaying a resolute stance. A thrust of the sleeve was like a sharp sword being drawn, pointing directly at invisible oppression.

Her movements rose and fell with the music, sometimes swaying like a willow in the wind, conveying helplessness and sorrow. At other times, she stood firm like a rock, firmly in the center of the stage, demonstrating her unyielding will.

As the conflict escalated, the water sleeve dance became increasingly intense. Accompanied by the dense, rain-like drumbeats, Zhu Ling'er spun faster and faster, her water sleeves drawing dazzling white arcs in the air, weaving a huge, taut net that separated her from the force symbolizing destiny.

The high-difficulty movements, such as leaping, somersaulting, and lying on the ground, are seamlessly connected, conforming to the stylized beauty of traditional opera while also exuding a realistic sense of combat.

The audience could even hear the "whistling" sound of the flowing sleeves cutting through the air and feel the power bursting from that petite body.

As Qingluan finally resolved to reveal her true form and fight to the death, Zhu Ling'er performed a rapid, continuous spin, her sleeves spiraling upwards as if propelling her body into the air. The lights followed her, creating a halo around her.

At that moment, the light that burst forth in her eyes was as sharp as lightning, carrying an inhuman pressure—an unintentional manifestation of her high-level mixed-race bloodline, which strangely overlapped with the inhuman character she was playing.

A high-pitched voice pierced the sky, pushing the feelings of unwillingness, anger, and heroic sacrifice to their peak.

Finally, Qingluan exhausted its power and gradually dissipated in its lover's arms. Zhu Ling'er's performance also returned to its ultimate tranquility and sorrow. Her movements slowed down, her water sleeves fell limply, and the light in her eyes gradually dimmed.

There were no many lyrics; she conveyed the pain of separation, both life and death, silently and profoundly through her breath, her eyes, and her slightly trembling fingers. She slowly fell, her figure still as beautiful as a painting.

The curtain slowly closed, and the last ray of light went out.

Throughout the performance, the audience was completely silent, utterly immersed in the story filled with ethereal beauty, love, and struggle. The applause erupted like thunder, lasting for a long time.

Lu Mingfei noticed that several young audience members nearby were completely captivated by the performance and couldn't resist secretly taking out their phones to film it, despite the theater's signs prohibiting photography. It's understandable, though; such a performance, with such actors, was truly breathtaking and made it impossible not to want to capture it.

The performance concluded amidst thunderous applause. The actors took multiple curtain calls before the audience, still reluctant to leave, began to depart. Zhu Ling'er, as the lead actress, received the most enthusiastic cheers; she smiled and bowed gracefully to the audience.

Lu Mingfei and Frillie also slowly walked out with the crowd. He was still immersed in the afterglow of the drama and his speculation about Zhu Ling'er's identity.

As they approached the exit of the theater, a handsome young man dressed as a theater troupe member politely stopped them.

"Are you Mr. Lu Mingfei and Miss Frillian?" the man asked respectfully.

Lu Mingfei was taken aback, his guard instantly rising: "I am Lu Mingfei, and who are you?"

The man smiled slightly, took out an elegant letter from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands: "This is a letter from our senior sister Zhu Ling'er to the two of you. She said that you two have extraordinary temperament and would like to invite you backstage for a chat to exchange your thoughts on watching the play."

Lu Mingfei took the letter. The envelope was light blue, and on it, written in neat calligraphy, were the words "To Mr. Lu Mingfei and Miss Frilline," exuding a faint scent of ink. His mind was filled with doubt.

How did Zhu Ling'er know them? And why did she specially invite them backstage? This is definitely not as simple as "exchanging viewing experiences".

Considering her mixed-race heritage, Lu Mingfei was almost certain that there must be a deeper reason behind this invitation.

He glanced at Frilian, who was also looking at him calmly, waiting for him to make a decision.

Lu Mingfei pondered for a moment. What's meant to be will be. Since the other party had come to him in such a relatively polite manner, avoiding them would only appear cowardly and might cause him to miss important information.

“Okay,” Lu Mingfei nodded to the staff member. “Please lead the way.”

The staff member bowed and turned to lead the way, guiding them through the bustling crowd towards the backstage of the theater.

Chapter 232 Investigation and Cooperation

Following the handsome staff member, Lu Mingfei and Frilian walked through a slightly dimly lit corridor on the side of the theater. The noisy sounds of the audience leaving were shut out behind them, and the only smell they could smell was the unique backstage scent, a mixture of perfume, pine resin, and wood.

At the end of the corridor was a half-open door with a sign that read "No Trespassing".

The staff member knocked gently on the door, and a soft female voice came from inside: "Please come in."

Pushing open the door, you'll find a dressing room that isn't spacious but is impeccably organized, filled with the strong smell of paint and hairspray. In one corner hangs a variety of gorgeous costumes, while in another corner stands a large dressing table, a ring of light bulbs illuminating the mirror, resembling a backstage scene from an old-fashioned theater.

At this moment, Zhu Ling'er sat gracefully in front of the mirror. She had removed the elaborate kingfisher feather headdress from the stage, and her cloud-like black hair cascaded down, making her unadorned face appear even more pure and refined. She had lost some of the flamboyant glamour of the stage, but gained a gentle and graceful elegance that came from washing away the artifice. She wore a simple light blue casual dress, which made her figure appear even more slender.

A younger maid, dressed in a light purple dress, stood behind her, carefully removing the last few hairpins securing her headdress. The maid's movements were gentle, her gaze focused, occasionally meeting Zhu Ling'er's eyes in the mirror. A tacit understanding flowed between them, carrying a subtle intimacy and ambiguity.

"Senior sister, Mr. Lu and Miss Frillian have arrived," the staff member who had led the way reported in a low voice before bowing and leaving.

Zhu Ling'er saw Lu Mingfei and Frilian in the mirror, and a slight smile appeared on her lips. She didn't get up immediately, but nodded to them through the mirror, her voice even softer than when she spoke on stage: "Mr. Lu, Ms. Frilian, please forgive my abrupt invitation. Please wait a moment while I remove this makeup."

The sound was like clear spring water dripping onto jade, melodious and pleasing to the ear.

Lu Mingfei quickly said, "Miss Zhu, you're too kind. We've disturbed you."

The maid Xiaoyun moved even more gently, taking off a pearl hairpin and casually brushing her fingertips against Zhu Ling'er's earlobe, whispering, "Miss, this hairpin is a little tight, please bear with it."

Zhu Ling'er tilted her head slightly, her voice full of affection: "It's alright, take your time."

Xiaoyun gave a soft "hmm," a faint blush rising to her cheeks, and her movements became even more meticulous.

This subtle interaction made Lu Mingfei feel a little uncomfortable, so he shifted his gaze elsewhere, examining the opera masks on the wall. Frilian was interested in the makeup removal process itself, her emerald eyes fixed on Xiaoyun as she used cotton pads soaked in special makeup remover to gently wipe away the vibrant makeup from Zhu Ling'er's face, revealing her originally fair and delicate skin.

After a while, her makeup was completely removed. Zhu Ling'er washed her face with water and dried it with a soft towel. Even without makeup, her features were exquisite, her demeanor cool and aloof, possessing a unique charm.

She then stood up, turned to Lu Mingfei and Frilian, gestured "please," and pointed to a rosewood tea table on the other side of the room: "Please sit down, both of you. Xiaoyun, make some tea."

"Yes, Miss," Xiaoyun replied, quickly starting to prepare the tea set.

The tea table was rustic, upon which rested an exquisite set of purple clay teaware. Xiao Yun first took a small red clay stove, lit the charcoal inside, and placed a ceramic teapot filled with spring water on it. Then, she used a tea scoop to scoop some tea leaves from the tea caddy, placed them in a tea holder, and handed it to Zhu Ling'er for inspection. The tea leaves were tightly rolled, dark and lustrous, and carried a faint orchid fragrance.

"This is a family heirloom Wuyi rock tea, 'never seen in the sky,' produced in very limited quantities, but the taste is quite good. Please, both of you, try it," Zhu Ling'er introduced softly.

By this time, the water in the kettle had just begun to boil, emitting a slight hissing sound. Xiaoyun lifted the kettle, first warming the teapot and teacups with hot water, then adding the tea leaves. She lifted the kettle high, pouring the water in a smooth, precise stream. The tea leaves unfurled and tumbled in the water, instantly releasing a rich, aromatic fragrance. She quickly covered the kettle with the lid and then poured the first brew of tea over the surface of the teapot, a gesture called "a gentle spring breeze," which both nourishes the teapot and further enhances the tea's aroma.

After a short while, Xiaoyun took the teapot and poured the golden tea into three tasting cups at a steady pace. The tea was clear and bright, with a fragrant aroma. The whole process was smooth and graceful, full of ritual, which dazzled Lu Mingfei. He usually brewed green tea in a glass cup and had never seen such an elaborate ceremony before.

"Please," Zhu Ling'er said, picking up a cup first.

Following his example, Lu Mingfei carefully picked up the small teacup, first observing its color, then smelling its aroma, and finally slowly sipping it in three sips. The tea initially tasted slightly bitter, but this quickly dissipated, filling his mouth with a strong floral fragrance. The aftertaste was swift and long-lasting, with a lingering sensation in his throat, as if he could feel the essence of the Wuyi Mountain cliffs. Although he didn't understand tea, he could tell this was no ordinary tea.

"Excellent tea!" Lu Mingfei exclaimed sincerely.

Frillie also took a sip, savoring it carefully, and then simply commented, "It's very special, it tastes like mountain rocks."

Zhu Ling'er smiled slightly, put down her teacup, and turned her gaze to Lu Mingfei, her eyes becoming serious: "Mr. Lu, Miss Frilian, I invited you both here today for two reasons. First, to thank you for gracing us with your presence and to do so, and second, because there is something I wish to discuss with you."

She paused, carefully choosing her words, and then slowly said, "I'm sure Mr. Lu can sense that I am no ordinary artist. My surname is Zhu, and my given name is Ling'er. Our Zhu family is a branch of the descendants of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

Lu Mingfei's heart skipped a beat. Sure enough! The rumors in the announcement were not unfounded.

Zhu Ling'er continued, "Our ancestors inherited a rather strong dragon bloodline by chance. For hundreds of years, the family has remained hidden from the world, on the one hand guarding some ancestral secrets, and on the other hand, devoting themselves to researching and controlling their own power to avoid falling into the ghost path."

The words were calm, yet they revealed astonishing information: a reclusive hybrid family with royal lineage and a high concentration of dragon blood!

“Our family mainly operates in the Yunnan area now,” Zhu Ling’er continued. “In recent years, family members have accidentally discovered a site in the mountains near Kunming that appears to be the remains of an ancient dragon clan. After preliminary investigation, the site is protected by a powerful alchemical matrix, has a complex internal structure, and may contain unknown dangers.”

Her gaze was fixed on Lu Mingfei: "We tried to organize a team to enter, but we suffered heavy losses and made slow progress. The ruins' defense mechanism reacts relatively mildly to pure-blooded humans and mixed-bloods with lower bloodlines, but it is more repulsive and aggressive towards beings with higher bloodlines. The elders with the highest bloodlines in the family have found it difficult to get close to the core area."

Upon hearing this, Lu Mingfei vaguely guessed the other party's intention.

Zhu Ling'er's voice was clear and sincere: "Mr. Lu, you are a recognized S-rank at Kassel College, with a bloodline so high that it is rare in the world. But more importantly, you seem to possess a unique ability to deal with all kinds of complex supernatural situations. And Miss Frilian's Word Magic is something we have never heard of before, and it may be able to solve some problems that the Alchemy Matrix cannot solve."

“Therefore, on behalf of the Zhu family, I formally extend an invitation to you and Miss Frilian,” Zhu Ling’er said, leaning slightly forward and emphasizing her words, “I hope we can cooperate to explore this dragon ruins together.”

"Cooperation?" Lu Mingfei asked cautiously. "What will we get in return? Or rather, what do you want us to do?"

Zhu Ling'er was clearly prepared: "We will share whatever we discover, whether it's dragon technology, documents, or other resources. The Zhu family's centuries of accumulation have given us unique expertise in interpreting ancient texts, deciphering dragon script, and some unique alchemy techniques, which can be used in exchange. In addition..."

She looked at Lu Mingfei and said, “I know that the Kassel College and the Principal of Angers have been closely monitoring signs of dragon activity around the world. We can share information about this site with the college without reservation. As for you personally, Mr. Lu.”

Chapter 233 Make a Condition

Zhu Ling'er paused for a moment, then offered a very tempting condition: "Our family possesses an ancient Soul-Suppressing Jade, which is said to have the effect of calming the mind and purifying bloodlines. It is of great benefit to stabilizing the mind of a high-purity hybrid and resisting the erosion of dragon blood. I can decide to give this jade to Mr. Lu as a reward. I believe it will be helpful for you to control your own power."

A Soul-Suppressing Jade to stabilize one's bloodline? Lu Mingfei's heart began to race involuntarily. This was indeed a latent need of his. Although he usually joked around, he was well aware of the uncontrollability of the power within him, and Lu Mingze's existence was a thorn in his side. If there really was something that could help stabilize it...

But he didn't agree immediately. Behind enormous profits often lie equal risks. The danger of a ruin that even the Zhu family, possessing a high concentration of dragon blood, found troublesome and even caused them to lose manpower was self-evident. Moreover, he didn't entirely trust the Zhu family, this suddenly emerging reclusive clan.

“This matter is of great importance,” Lu Mingfei said thoughtfully. “I need time to consider it, and I also need to report to the academy.”

“Of course,” Zhu Ling’er nodded understandingly. “Exploring ruins is not something that can be done in a day, and preparations also take time. You can take your time to consider it. This is my contact information.”

She handed over a simple business card with only a name and an encrypted phone number on it. "Regardless of the outcome, thank you both for coming tonight. This jar of 'Never Seen in the Sky' is a small token of my appreciation; please accept it."

Xiao Yun placed an exquisite tea canister in front of Lu Mingfei at the opportune moment.

Lu Mingfei put away the business card and tea, stood up, and said, "Thank you for the tea and your kindness, Miss Zhu. We will seriously consider it."

Frillie also stood up and nodded slightly to Zhu Ling'er.

Zhu Ling'er escorted them to the entrance of the dressing room, giving them a graceful bow: "Waiting for good news."

Leaving the backstage area and returning to the ancient town streets shrouded in night, Lu Mingfei let out a long sigh of relief. The amount of information he'd gathered tonight was no less than what he'd received from Norma during the day. The mission to Japan was still nowhere in sight, and invitations from Yunnan were already pouring in.

He glanced at the heavy tea canister in his hand, then touched the business card in his pocket, feeling that the road ahead had become even more unpredictable.

Back in her hotel room, the lights of the ancient town outside the window gradually went out, leaving only a few scattered lights flickering in the night. Only a bedside lamp was on, its dim light outlining Frillie's serene profile.

Lu Mingfei was still processing the information he had received from Zhu Ling'er that evening, his fingers tracing the simple business card and the cool tea canister.

"The Zhu family, descendants of Zhu Yuanzhang, with a high concentration of dragon blood," Lu Mingfei muttered to himself. "It sounds impressive, but it feels a bit sudden. The vice principal is knowledgeable; perhaps he knows something?"

He looked at Frilian, as if seeking her opinion, or perhaps talking to himself.

Frillie nodded, her attitude towards this suddenly appearing family with an ancient history and powerful lineage also cautious. She walked to her luggage and took out a seemingly ordinary but encrypted communicator.

This was given to her by Vice Principal Flamel before she left Kassel College, ostensibly to "keep in touch and facilitate discussions on alchemy."

Frillie skillfully activated the communicator. After a slight fluctuation, a slightly lazy yet playful voice came through the encrypted channel, accompanied by the crisp sound of test tubes colliding in the background.

"Oh my? Our little Frillie has contacted me again? That's rare! Did she encounter some interesting magical puzzle, or did she find something delicious?"

“Vice Principal,” Frillie’s voice was as calm as ever, “we encountered someone who claims to be from the Zhu family. Zhu Ling’er. She claims to be a descendant of Zhu Yuanzhang and possesses a high concentration of dragon blood.”

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the communicator, and the sound of test tubes clattering stopped. The name caught his attention.

"The Zhu family? The Zhu of Zhu Yuanzhang?" The vice principal became slightly more serious. "Tsk, these old fogies haven't completely retired to the mountains yet? They're in Yunnan, right?"

“Yes. They invited Lu Mingfei and me to explore a dragon clan ruin near Kunming,” Frilian explained succinctly.

"Dragon Clan Ruins? Ha, the Zhu family has guarded the mountains and rivers of the south for hundreds of years, it's not surprising they have some good stuff." The vice principal seemed to click his tongue. "This family, how should I put it? They're still a force to be reckoned with. Their ancestors were incredibly wealthy! During the Ming Dynasty, leveraging their royal status and powerful bloodline, the resources and connections they secretly controlled were terrifying. Later, with the change of dynasties, they gradually went underground, but their foundation remained."

He paused, recalling something: "Their family's alchemy is rather unorthodox, quite different from the academy's orthodox methods, but it has some unique aspects. Moreover, they have an ancestral method for controlling the death servant tendencies caused by high concentrations of dragon blood, a method that even Angers has expressed interest in. However, they have strong family ties, are xenophobic, and rarely interact with the outside world. This time, they took the initiative to approach you."

The vice principal chuckled: "It seems that the ruins are indeed giving them a headache, and they do value Lu Mingfei's S-rank status and your special status."