Shadow Soul Power Advancement Technique, Zhu Qing's Arrogant Heart

The night was as dark as ink, and only the moonlight poured down on the Shrek Academy training grounds.

Zhu Zhuqing stood in the shadows, her figure outlined by her black tight-fitting attire appearing even more slender under the moonlight. She bit her lip, the Shadow Soul Power at her fingertips flickering intermittently; she clearly hadn't mastered the advanced technique Su Chen had mentioned.

"Why are you still practicing?" Su Chen's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of a smile. He had just finished comforting Karin and Xiao Wu, who were competing for his guidance, and turned around to see Zhu Zhuqing left here alone.

Zhu Zhuqing's body stiffened, and her ear tips were already flushed when she turned back: "I... I want to master the advanced technique sooner, I don't want to hold you back."

Su Chen walked closer slowly, the moonlight falling on his shoulders, his black-gold eyes incredibly gentle. He raised his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing the stray hairs at her temples, his warm breath fanning over her cheek: "Silly girl, how can cultivation be achieved overnight? Rest a while if you're tired."

"I'm not tired." Zhu Zhuqing turned her head away but couldn't help leaning closer to him, the Shadow Soul Power condensing into a thin thread at her fingertips, "I've tried integrating spirit power into the shadows, but I always lose control—it either dissipates too quickly or is... too conspicuous."

Su Chen gave a light chuckle and took hold of her wrist from behind. His palm was warm, and his God-Defying Power flowed into her meridians like a trickling stream, intertwining and Binding with her Shadow Soul Power. Their bodies were pressed very close; Zhu Zhuqing could even smell the faint, crisp scent on him, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Don't resist." Su Chen's voice was low and husky, brushing past her ear with a captivating power, "Shadow Soul Power requires becoming one with the darkness, not commanding it. You treat it as a weapon, but you've forgotten that you yourself are a part of the shadow."

He guided her fingertips through the air; the Shadow Soul Power was no longer a sharp blade but transformed into a void-like shadow, silently merging into the surrounding night, where even the moonlight could not illuminate it.

"This..." A flash of surprise crossed Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, and she couldn't help looking up at him, her nose accidentally brushing against his chin.

As the warm touch registered, both of them were stunned.

Su Chen looked down at her flushed cheeks and panicked eyes, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening. He intentionally tightened his arm, pulling her closer, his breath brushing against her lips: "Focus, or else... I'll have to punish you."

"Punish me with what?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet she couldn't help but ask.

"Punish you by..." Su Chen's fingertips lightly stroked her wrist, his gaze falling on her full lips, "making you watch the moon with me all night long."

Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks instantly turned deep red, like a ripe cherry. She abruptly turned her head away but didn't dare break free from his embrace, only muttering softly: "Who wants to watch the moon with you..."

Despite her words of refusal, her body honestly shrank into his arms. Under the guidance of the God-Defying Power, her Shadow Soul Power became increasingly proficient, even silently winding around Su Chen's wrist without bringing the slightest sense of pressure, feeling instead like a lover's light caress.

"That's it." Su Chen smiled with satisfaction and released her wrist, but reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, "Now, try to ambush me with Shadow Soul Power."

Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, a flash of craftiness in her eyes. Her body instantly transformed into a black shadow, merging into the night, with even her spirit power fluctuations disappearing without a trace.

The next second, a shadow silently coiled toward the back of Su Chen's neck.

But just as it was about to touch him, Su Chen suddenly turned around and reached out to accurately grab that shadow. The shadow dissipated, and Zhu Zhuqing's figure was revealed as she crashed into his arms.

"Caught you." Su Chen looked down at her, his eyes full of indulgence, "The speed was fast, but still a little short."

Zhu Zhuqing struggled a bit unwillingly but was held even tighter by him. She looked up and glared at him, but there was no anger in her eyes; instead, they held a hint of coquettishness: "You noticed me long ago?"

"Of course." Su Chen pinched her cheek, "My Shadow Knight, every move you make is under my control."

Zhu Zhuqing's heart beat even faster. She looked into his deep eyes as if being sucked in. Driven by some inexplicable impulse, she stood on her tiptoes and gave him a light peck on the cheek.

The moment the kiss landed, both of them froze.

Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks were so red they were about to drip blood. She suddenly pushed Su Chen away and turned to run: "I... I didn't mean to!"

Su Chen, however, reached out and caught her, pulling her back into his arms and lowering his head to seal her lips.

As the warm touch came, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes instantly widened, her body stiff as a stone. But Su Chen's kiss was gentle yet overbearing, carrying a power that made one surrender; she gradually relaxed, closing her eyes, her hands involuntarily wrapping around his neck.

Under the moonlight, their figures embraced tightly. Shadow Soul Power wound around them, forming an invisible barrier that isolated all the noise outside.

After an unknown amount of time, Su Chen slowly released her. He looked at her reddened eyes and slightly swollen lips, his fingertips lightly brushing the corner of her mouth: "Now, does this count as your repayment?"

Zhu Zhuqing leaned in his arms, panting heavily, yet nodded vigorously: "It counts..."

She looked up, her eyes full of determination: "Su Chen, from now on, I, Zhu Zhuqing, am your Shadow Knight. Whether it's climbing mountains of blades or crossing seas of fire, I will not hesitate!"

Su Chen smiled and lowered his head to press a kiss on her forehead: "There's no need to climb mountains of blades or cross seas of fire."

He held her waist and looked up at the bright moon in the sky: "Just stay with me forever."

Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks grew even redder, but she hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. Shadow Soul Power circulated around them, as gentle as spring water.

By the window of the distant wooden house, Karin pouted and said softly, "Hmph, Sister Zhuqing is so cunning, actually having a secret date with Lord Su Chen!"

Xiao Wu blinked and said with a smile, "Sister Zhuqing also likes Brother Su Chen."

Hinata's cheeks were slightly red, and she nodded: "They... are a good match."

Kushina leaned against the doorframe, a smile curling at the corner of her mouth: "This kid certainly knows how to please the girls."

Qing Lin, holding Little Black Snake, tilted her head and said, "Lord Su Chen is so good to Sister Zhuqing, I want that too!"

The moonlight scattered down, and the embracing figures on the training ground became the most beautiful scenery tonight. Meanwhile, a contest regarding talent and dignity was quietly brewing in this gentle night.