Starting from Douluo to Capture Goddesses

Not long after Xu Ran left, Zhu Zihao, the Zhu Family Patriarch, along with the three Great Elders, rushed to the square in a hurry. Their gazes carried urgency and even some excitement.

They had heard the news that another genius had emerged from the Zhu Clan, whose talent was extraordinarily strong, having already broken through the Soul Elder level.

Naturally, the person they were looking for was Xu Ran. After hearing the reports from their subordinates, they hurried over, but were a step too late.

By this time, Xu Ran had already departed, leaving only the Zhu clan disciples still buzzing with discussion in the square.

Zhu Zihao listened to the countless discussions of the disciples around the square and couldn't help but frown.

Xu Ran was a genius. At his young age, he had already broken through to the Soul Elder level, a talent that was definitely a promising seedling for the Zhu Clan. With just a bit of cultivation, another Soul Douluo level powerhouse might emerge in their Zhu Clan in the future.

However, Xu Ran actually had improper intentions toward his daughter, which displeased him.

No matter how talented, none could disrupt the friendship between the Dai and Zhu Families.

The Dai and Zhu Families had intermarried for generations, and even he, as the Zhu Family Patriarch, could not change that, let alone an ordinary disciple.

To be with Zhu Qing, only a prodigy of taboo-like genius would qualify. To retain such a level of genius, he would find a way to navigate the situation. Other geniuses, however, did not possess such eligibility.

"Xu Ran actually has ties with Zhu Qing. If this reaches the ears of the Dai family, and they pursue the matter, what then? Xu Ran's talent is indeed not bad, but his temperament still needs refining. At least in the future, he must have no further entanglements with the Second Miss," the Second Elder said, listening to the surrounding noises, his gaze growing colder.

The union of the Zhu and Dai families was mutually beneficial, while their separation would harm both. The Dai and Zhu families possessed Soul Fusion Skills; only by uniting could they claim a place on the Continent. Although their marriage methods were exceedingly strict, even leading to fratricidal occurrences, it was not wrong. Only in this way could they cultivate the most outstanding descendants, ensuring the everlasting prosperity of the Dai and Zhu families.

This had been the rule followed by both families for a thousand years, and no one could defy it, not even the Elders.

"Alas, Zhu Qing, that girl," the Third Elder couldn't help but sigh, feeling compassion for Zhu Zhuqing's impending fate. However, no matter how reluctant his heart was, rules were rules. They were unalterable unless an absolute genius or powerhouse could break them.

Such geniuses had not appeared in the Zhu Clan for a very long time. The ancestors of the Zhu Family and the Dai family were both Titled Douluo who founded the Xingluo Empire. But since then, it had been difficult for the Zhu Clan to produce strong warriors.

The Zhu Clan was a militaristic and political family, falling quite short compared to the pure cultivation families of the Tiandou Empire. Being involved in politics, some slack in cultivation was an inevitable matter.

Although Xu Ran was a genius and received their attention, he was still just an ordinary genius, a collateral branch member, and it was possible that even his Martial Soul was inadequate. How could they expect him to be too outstanding?

If the Zhu Clan's main branch had not produced an exceptional genius, how could the collateral branches possibly do so?

"Zihao, I know you have grievances in your heart. It's not pleasant to watch your own flesh and blood fight each other. But this is the way of the Zhu Clan. Even we cannot stand outside the rules," the Second Elder said, patting Zhu Zihao's shoulder. All the Patriarchs of the Zhu Clan had faced this, but in the end, they all understood that the interests of the family were of utmost importance.

"Yes, I know," Zhu Zihao said with a bitter smile. At that moment, his silhouette seemed to have aged a lot. Sitting in this position, no one knew how helpless and pained he was. There were things he did not want to do, but had no choice but to do.

"By the way, Great Elder, how old is Xu Ran exactly?" Zhu Zihao suddenly turned and asked. Only by knowing Xu Ran's age and comparing it to his "cultivation level" and strength could they determine the strength of his talent.

Xu Ran had never returned to the family before, so they were not clear about his situation.

At this moment, the Great Elder was browsing through the family records for Xu Ran's information. Zhu Zihao was slightly puzzled; the Great Elder had been standing there for a long time, as if frozen, with an odd expression on his face, as if encountering something unbelievable.

Hearing Zhu Zihao's voice, the other two Elders also looked at the Great Elder curiously.

The Great Elder exhaled deeply, his aged face flushed with a hint of excitement.

"Starting today, the Hidden Guard will be mobilized to protect Xu Ran's safety. If Xu Ran suffers even the slightest harm, I'm afraid we would not live up to the expectations of our ancestors," said the Great Elder, his voice trembling, his heart filled with intense excitement.

How many years has it been? How many years has the Zhu Clan gone without producing a peerless genius?

The world knows of the Seven Great Sects, and although the Zhu Clan holds a lofty status among Soul Masters, their fame is even less than that of The Lower Four Sects. But from now on, the rise of the Zhu Clan is guaranteed, and they may even surpass the Dai Family.

Because a true dragon has emerged from the Zhu Clan, Xu Ran!

"Hidden Guard?" Zhu Zihao and the two Great Elders exclaimed in unison.

The Zhu Clan's Hidden Guard, over ten strong, each with the power of a Soul Emperor or even a Soul Sage. These Hidden Guards are responsible for carrying out various operations for the Zhu Clan, and then they secretly protect the safety of important members of the Zhu Clan.

The status of the Hidden Guard within the Zhu Clan is very high, with even the Family Head Zhu Zihao only having two Hidden Guard elites for protection.

But what did the Great Elder just say?

Mobilize all the Hidden Guard? Just to protect Xu Ran?

Are you sure this isn't a joke?

"Great Elder, what do you mean by this? Does Xu Ran possess exceptionally high talent?" Zhu Zihao asked respectfully, looking towards the old man beside him. The Great Elder was the strongest in the Zhu Clan, a Soul Douluo of level eighty-nine. Such a powerful figure had seen countless trials and tribulations in his lifetime, but why was he now showing such an abnormal expression?

Could it be that Xu Ran truly is a peerless genius?

"Take a look for yourselves, then make your decision," said the Great Elder with a smile, passing the clan registry to Zhu Zihao. He couldn't hold back his tears, as the Zhu Clan, as secondary only to the Xingluo Empire, did not have a single Titled Douluo. But that would change in the future.

A twelve-year-old Soul Elder, such a genius, was born into their Zhu Clan.

Zhu Zihao and the two Elders looked at the registry and soon showed the same expression as the Great Elder.

"Transfer the Hidden Guards who remain by my side as well, we must ensure Xu Ran's safety," Zhu Zihao took a deep breath and firmly stated, without a hint of hesitation. From the moment he learned of Xu Ran's talent, all the thoughts he had harbored previously were dispelled. All he knew was that this kind of genius needed to be earnestly wooed.

"We must never offend Xu Ran in the future; Xu Ran is just a collateral family member who has always been cultivating outside and therefore does not have deep feelings for the family," the two Elders also said. They looked at each other and simultaneously thought of the relationship between Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Xu Ran being with Zhu Qing wouldn't be unacceptable. If such a talent could belong to our Zhu Clan, it would be better than always being reliant on others," the Great Elder reminded them at the right time.

No matter how good the relationship between the Dai and Zhu Families is, the Soul Fusion Skills are dominated by those with the surname Dai. Talented women from the Zhu Clan who marry into the Dai Family end up belonging to the Dai Family, and the Zhu Clan has always been at a loss.

Only daughters from the Zhu Clan marry over, but no princes from the Dai Family come to join the Zhu Clan. All the talent of the Zhu Clan has gone to the Dai Family, it has always been a losing deal. When he was young, it was the eldest miss of the Zhu Clan whom he loved, and she reciprocated. Yet all he could do was powerlessly watch the woman he loved be cradled in the arms of the Crown Prince and rudely played with.

His own life was already a tragedy; he did not wish to see the same tragedy repeat itself.

Moreover, with Xu Ran's talent, if he were to break through to the Titled Douluo level in the future, the status of the Zhu Clan in the Continent would soar.

The Zhu Clan's situation is different from that of the Ning, Tang, and Yu Families of the Tiandou Empire. The Zhu and Dai Families control the Xingluo Empire. They possess powerful military forces and political resources which other clans lack.

If a Titled Douluo were to emerge from the Zhu Clan, with the formidable military forces and connections with various officials they hold, the Zhu Clan would rise to wield immense power, standing on equal footing with the Dai Family. This is their foremost concern. If Xu Ran can secure more benefits for the Zhu Clan, they will naturally do everything they can to win him over, even if that means foregoing the marriage alliance that has always been highly valued between the Dai and Zhu Families.

Between families, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. When Xu Ran can bring greater benefits, they would not hesitate about the relationship between the Dai and Zhu Families.