At the edge of a vast, clear, and azure lake in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest...
Watching the frenzied charge of the Titan Giant Ape before him, Lin Ye, after summoning the Devouring Ancestral Dragon martial soul and undergoing soul possession, had his strength instantly amplified to over two million jin through the enhancement of multiple soul skills and soul bone skills.
Facing the massive fist charging Titan Giant Ape, Lin Ye clenched his dragon claw and fearlessly met it head-on.
When the two fists—one enormous and one small—collided...
A terrifying force erupted from Lin Ye's dragon claw, instantly shattering the Titan Giant Ape's hand bones and sending the colossal ape soaring into the sky with a single punch!
*Boom!*
Under Lin Ye's punch, the massive Titan Giant Ape was sent flying dozens of meters into the air before crashing heavily into the lake. Like thunder striking the ground, a deafening explosion echoed as towering waves splashed into the sky.
*Splash!*
As the Titan Giant Ape plunged into the lake, rolling waves surged forth, their endless froth relentlessly battering the shore.
Lin Ye, still in his soul-possessed form, cast a calm glance at the lake before shifting his dark golden vertical pupils toward the Sky Azure Bull Python.
"See? I have the absolute power to kill you both, yet I haven't. As I said, I come with goodwill. Now, can we sit down and talk properly?"
Standing before the Sky Azure Bull Python, Lin Ye spoke indifferently.
"...Mm."
This time, the Sky Azure Bull Python dared not retort. Instead, it glanced at Lin Ye with a hint of reverence and silently nodded its massive bovine head.
Even after soul possession, Lin Ye's height only reached slightly over two meters—utterly inconspicuous compared to the dozens-of-meters-long Sky Azure Bull Python.
Yet, the terrifying draconic aura emanating from Lin Ye after his Devouring Ancestral Dragon soul possession instinctively made the Sky Azure Bull Python tremble with fear, compelling it to submit. This was an impulse rooted deep in its bloodline!
"Good. Since you're willing to listen quietly, I'll repeat myself: I bear no ill will toward Xiao Wu. On the contrary, I'm here to warn you that if she returns, she will likely face grave danger. You may not believe me..."
"But first, Xiao Wu and I have known each other for a long time. Back then, I didn't know her true identity, so I always treated her as a friend. However, due to certain circumstances, we separated. Years ago, I joined a major soul master faction and only recently left."
"A few days ago, when I unexpectedly encountered Xiao Wu again, the powerhouse accompanying me discovered her identity. At the time, he urged me to hunt her down to obtain her soul ring and soul bone."
"But as I told you, I used the excuse that I hadn't yet broken through to delay him, asking him to spare Xiao Wu for now and revisit the matter after my breakthrough. However, such an excuse is unreliable because I *will* eventually break through."
"Once I do, he will undoubtedly insist I hunt Xiao Wu to absorb a 100,000-year soul beast's soul ring and fuse with its soul bone."
"If I refuse, he will either capture Xiao Wu himself or notify others from my faction to hunt her. There's no avoiding this."
"While Xiao Wu is indeed my friend, I am also a member of my faction. Whether you understand or not, I don't wish to act against either side."
"So, if my faction moves to kill Xiao Wu, I will only do my utmost to delay and hinder them—but I won't forcibly stop them, as I, too, am part of this faction."
"My stance leans toward neutrality. For Xiao Wu, the best solution I can offer is for her to remain here with you. As long as you keep her from reappearing near me, those around me won't discover her, and she'll stay safe."
"But Xiao Wu will likely refuse to stay. So, I hope you can keep a close watch on her and prevent her from leaving. Do you understand my meaning?"
Lin Ye stared at the Sky Azure Bull Python with his golden vertical pupils as he spoke slowly.
"I understand. Human, you could have killed us, yet you didn't. You even shared so much with us... It seems you truly have our best interests at heart. You are a good person among humans."
The Sky Azure Bull Python spoke solemnly.
"I was wrong earlier. Here, I apologize to you—and for Er Ming as well. I hope you can forgive him."
As it spoke, the Sky Azure Bull Python lowered its massive head and bowed toward Lin Ye.
"For Xiao Wu-jie to have a human friend like you is her fortune. I promise you now: We will keep her here and ensure she doesn't leave!"
The Sky Azure Bull Python declared firmly.
*"Dà Míng!* What are you saying?! I refuse to stay here! I want to return to Shrek Academy—I must see Sān Gē!"*
Hearing Lin Ye and the Sky Azure Bull Python's conversation, Xiao Wu immediately bristled with anger.
*"Xiǎo Wǔ-jie,* listen to reason! Your human friend has made it clear: If you return, you'll be in danger. I know you wish to go back to the human world, but there's no need to rush!"
"That human you want to see... Not meeting him for a while won't hurt. It's not like he'll die! For your safety, stay here for a few years."
"Once your human friend's faction assumes you've gone into hiding deep in the Star Dou Great Forest, you can leave then. What's the hurry?"
The Sky Azure Bull Python pleaded earnestly.
"No! I won't! Sān Gē was already heartbroken when Èr Míng took me away! If I don't return, he'll be devastated!"
Xiao Wu kept shaking her head, stubbornly refusing.
"Xiao Wu, Tang San won't die without you. He's not alone! If he truly cares for you, I'm sure he'd agree with this decision!"
Faced with Xiao Wu's obsessive determination to see Tang San, Lin Ye couldn't help but frown and speak sternly.
"That's exactly why! I know how much Sān Gē cares for me—so I can't bear to make him sad!"
Xiao Wu retorted as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Lin Ye was left speechless.
*What on earth did that Tang San teach Xiao Wu in the five years I was gone? How has she become so fixated on him that she'd throw her life away?!*
"Besides, Lin Ye, didn't you already protect me once? I believe you can keep doing so!"
Having said that, Xiao Wu turned to Lin Ye, her small face filled with trust.
Lin Ye was flattered by her faith in him...
But the previous time he'd shielded her had already required his utmost effort to stall.
To ensure her safety, he'd even expended a life-saving trump card. Lin Ye believed he'd done all he could.
It was true that Xiao Wu was his friend.
However, after only half a year of interaction—though he admired her personality—their bond hadn't reached the level of closest friends.
At the very least, he didn't think his feelings for Xiao Wu ran as deep as hers did for Tang San.
Compared to his friendship with Xiao Wu, Lin Ye's five-year relationship with Hu Liena undoubtedly held far greater weight in his heart.
If, in the future, the Golden Crocodile Douluo informed Hu Liena about Xiao Wu and tasked her with the hunt, Lin Ye wouldn't intervene.
After all, he'd already done his part for Xiao Wu.
But if she refused to listen... whose fault was that?
Expect *him* to solve everything?
If another major faction sought to hunt Xiao Wu, Lin Ye might step in.
But the problem was... the ones targeting her were from his own faction, the Spirit Hall.
And the ones who stood to gain her soul ring and soul bone were his lover, Hu Liena, and his aunt, Bibi Dong.
What choice did he have?
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