Douluo : People are writing diaries in Douluo

"Tang San shows no signs of that life-draining aura, which means he hasn't really relied on this method much. Perhaps his Mysterious Heaven Skill mutated, and he didn't need it. This dark technique does seem like something the Tang Sect, an assassin clan, would develop."

"For organizations that train assassins, it's not feasible to invest excessive time and resources into training. Instead, they'd likely use methods that quickly bolster strength, producing expendable warriors known as 'death soldiers.'"

"By sacrificing longevity to rapidly increase power, they can mass-produce puppets for the sect. Dai Mubai's group may not be 'death soldiers,' but at this rate, they won't last long. Especially Oscar—he once had a shot at becoming the Food God. Now? He's wrecked his future, threw it away. Tsk tsk."

"Dai Mubai probably flaunted his newfound strength as a Soul King to Zhuqing, not expecting her to be almost as strong and with a ten-thousand-year fourth ring. Realizing that, his emotions must have exploded."

"He probably suspects Zhuqing's ring was my doing. Seeing how close we are, while Zhuqing's technically his fiancée, he likely felt humiliated. He even insulted her, when I swear, nothing's happened between us yet! I mean… yet!"

That "yet" caught everyone's attention, though they kept their reactions to themselves. Zhu Zhuqing simply smiled, having finally let go of her worries about Star Luo.

After the tournament, she planned to follow Su Ming into Spirit Hall. Once there, with Spirit Hall's protection, the Star Luo royal family would hopefully hold back from harming the Zhu family. While Zhu Zhuqing didn't feel much attachment to most of her family, she still cared for her parents and her sister.

"I didn't expect Davis and the Star Luo team to appear. Well, with both princes here, it's time to stand by Zhuqing. It's just a little prince, nothing to worry about!"

"I might have even eased some of her concerns without realizing it… I'm starting to think she prefers a bit more dominance?"

In another room…

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong both looked directly at Zhu Zhuqing, who blushed and seemed a bit flustered.

"Zhuqing, who would've thought you like a guy with a dominant streak?" Xiao Wu teased.

Zhu Zhuqing fell silent, realizing it might be true. She'd always appreciated Su Ming's calm demeanor, yet something had been missing. Today, however, when he'd confidently protected her, she felt her heart skip a beat, as if captivated by his assertiveness.

Images of leaning into his chest earlier filled her mind, making her cheeks flush again. She never imagined herself doing something like that! Was this the real her?

At six, before her spirit awakened, she and her sister had lived happily without worry. Perhaps back then, she'd been her true self. Letting go of her burdens seemed to be slowly bringing that side of her back.

Reflecting on her earlier assertions to Xiao Wu and Rongrong—that she'd never fall for Su Ming—only made her feel slightly embarrassed. She'd assured them, but now, here she was.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Zhu Zhuqing said, "Xiao Wu, Rongrong… Are you upset with me?"

After a brief pause, she voiced her question hesitantly.

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong exchanged glances and pretended to look displeased.

"Of course we're upset!" they chorused.

"Wait, what?" Zhu Zhuqing tensed, regretting that she might've hurt them. What should she do?

"We're upset that it took you this long to see how amazing Su Ming is! You've known him for nearly two years; only now do you realize?" they teased.

They'd intended to prolong the joke, but seeing her expression shift, they quickly dropped it—there was no need to make her feel worse.

Realizing they'd only been joking, Zhu Zhuqing let out a relieved breath and playfully wrestled them.

"Alright, enough! Let's get back to Su Ming's diary, hahaha! Stop tickling me!" Ning Rongrong laughed, unable to keep up.

Being the smallest, she tapped out first, admitting defeat to Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, who wore triumphant smiles.

After mere seconds, Ning Rongrong was out of breath, her face flushed and a bit sweaty.