Xiao Wu looked speechless, her gaze shifting guiltily to Qi Lin beside her.
To her surprise, Qi Lin was already watching her with a teasing smile.
"Brother Lin, let me explain… no, I mean, let me defend myself…" she mumbled, flustered.
Qi Lin chuckled. "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you. I've known your identity for a while now."
"You're a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, right?"
Xiao Wu froze.
"W-What? You knew I was a soul beast all along?"
Now it was Xiao Wu's turn to be stunned.
Since when did Brother Lin know?
Qi Lin's smile remained. "I'll explain everything later. For now, let's have this big guy take us to your territory."
"Oh! Right!" Xiao Wu nodded, then turned to the Titan Giant Ape.
"Er Ming, take me and Brother Lin back to the Lake of Life."
Though Er Ming wasn't thrilled about escorting a human to such a sacred place, he couldn't go against Xiao Wu's wishes. With a grunt of reluctance, he squatted down and extended a massive hand toward the two.
"Whoa… that's one huge hand," Qi Lin muttered, eyeing Er Ming's palm before taking Xiao Wu's hand and jumping up.
Er Ming's giant pupils narrowed, displeasure flickering in his gaze. He snorted, releasing two thick jets of air from his nostrils.
This detestable human actually dares to hold Xiao Wu's hand!
Xiao Wu didn't notice his reaction and cheerfully called out, "Er Ming, let's go!"
With one last glare at Qi Lin, Er Ming stood up and cupped his other hand protectively around them before charging forward.
The wind howled as they rushed through the forest, the journey bumpy but swift.
In no time, they reached the heart of the Star Dou Great Forest. Before them lay the serene waters of the Lake of Life.
Even before they arrived, Er Ming began calling out, "Da Ming! I've brought Xiao Wu back!"
The surface of the lake rippled violently, and the massive form of the Azure Bull Python slowly emerged from the depths.
Er Ming carefully knelt down, unfolding his hand.
Qi Lin and Xiao Wu leapt to the ground.
Da Ming's enormous eyes immediately locked onto Qi Lin beside Xiao Wu. Confusion flickered in his gaze, and he shot a questioning look at Er Ming.
Why did you bring a human with her?
Er Ming's eyes answered for him: I didn't want to. It was her decision.
"You're back, Xiao Wu," Da Ming rumbled, his voice far clearer and more composed than Er Ming's.
Xiao Wu beamed brightly. "Da Ming, it's been so long! How have you two been?"
"We're doing well," Da Ming replied steadily. "But we've been worried about you. Living among humans… it's dangerous."
Xiao Wu giggled and tugged Qi Lin's hand.
"Don't worry. With Brother Lin by my side, I've been perfectly safe!"
At her words, Er Ming growled lowly in displeasure.
Da Ming, meanwhile, turned his gaze to Qi Lin. Unlike Er Ming, he wasn't openly hostile—but his eyes studied Qi Lin closely, full of scrutiny.
A long silence passed before Da Ming finally said, "Xiao Wu, I know you trust him. But he knows your true identity now. If that ever gets out, the consequences would be catastrophic."
It was a gentle warning, but a serious one.
Any other soul beast might have taken such advice to heart.
But Xiao Wu?
She was anything but a typical soul beast.
She was, quite frankly, a hopeless romantic.
She waved a hand and laughed, "Da Ming, stop worrying. Brother Lin would never betray me. Besides, he already knew about me before I told him!"
Da Ming didn't seem convinced. His stare intensified, looking to Qi Lin for answers.
Qi Lin met his gaze calmly but turned to Xiao Wu instead. "Xiao Wu, do you remember what I said about my first soul ring?"
"Of course! It was from an Iceworm, wasn't it?" Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled. "I'm still so jealous. You got such a powerful soul skill from just a ten-year-old soul beast!"
She knew well how powerful that skill was—without it, her soul power never would've surpassed Tang San's despite her laziness.
Qi Lin chuckled. "You really think a ten-year soul beast could give me a skill like that?"
"Huh? Wait… you mean your first ring didn't come from an ordinary Iceworm?"
"Don't tell me… you condensed it yourself?"
Qi Lin shook his head.
Then, under the stunned gazes of Xiao Wu, Er Ming, and Da Ming, he spoke the name of the being behind his first ring.
"Skydream Iceworm."
"A… A million-year soul beast?!"
Xiao Wu's mouth fell open, her pretty face frozen in shock.
"That's impossible! Soul beasts can only live another thousand years after reaching one hundred thousand years. Past that, it's either transformation or facing the tribulation!"
She knew firsthand how terrifying heavenly tribulation was. It was part of the reason she'd chosen to take human form.
She couldn't even imagine how an Iceworm had survived a million years.
Da Ming's expression grew even darker.
Compared to Er Ming, he had more wisdom. He had once sensed the presence of the ancient being hidden beneath the Lake of Life…
Even that existence hadn't reached the million-year level.
Why would a million-year-old soul beast willingly sacrifice itself to a human?
The thought left him deeply suspicious.
This boy… is he lying?
Before he could question further, a powerful, suffocating aura suddenly descended upon them.
A towering figure appeared behind Qi Lin—so silently, none of them sensed his arrival.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, wrapped in black robes. A cascade of golden hair flowed down his back, nearly touching the ground. Every inch of his being radiated unmatched authority.
Qi Lin turned, sensing something overwhelming behind him.
He had to look up—far up—to meet the newcomer's eyes.
A faint shiver ran down his spine.
He already had a guess.
Then the man spoke, voice deep and regal:
"I am Di Tian."
"You said… Skydream Iceworm became your first soul ring?"