Protecting Xiao Wu

Xiao Yun then asked directly, "Why did those two, who had been living safely in seclusion, go to that remote city? How were they discovered by Spirit Hall's Pope, Qian Xunji? Why had Tang Hao only just reached Rank 90 at the time and not obtained a Spirit Ring? Why didn't he first go to the Star Dou Great Forest, become a Titled Douluo, and then head to that city?"

Faced with Xiao Yun's questions, Xiao Wu was completely unable to answer. If she claimed it had all been coincidence, even she would not believe it.

After thinking for a long time, a desolate expression appeared on Xiao Wu's face as she murmured, "Could it be that there really is no true love left in this world?"

Xiao Yun chuckled. "Do you think there can truly be pure feelings between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts? Do you think you could fall in love with a stalk of Blue Silver Grass?"

Xiao Wu barely managed to gather herself and refute him. "That's different. Soul Beasts have already transformed into human form."

"So what? In the eyes of those Titled Douluo, a human-form Soul Beast is still a Soul Beast. And one that is within easy reach—a peerless treasure worth a fortune. How many people would..." Xiao Yun pressed.

Xiao Wu had no answer at all. Then she suddenly thought of something, looked at Xiao Yun curiously, and asked, "If that's the case, why did you tell me all this, Senior? Why didn't you just capture me?"

Xiao Yun said disdainfully, "My cultivation system differs from that of Soul Masters. I have no need for Spirit Rings or Spirit Bones. Besides, when I was young, I received kindness from a transformed Soft Bone Rabbit, so I wanted to give you a hand. Don't let yourself be schemed against for the sake of love or anything like that."

Xiao Yun was telling the truth. When he had been young, he had indeed received great kindness from a hundred-thousand-year transformed Soft Bone Rabbit. That rabbit was very likely Xiao Wu's mother, and that was one of the reasons he had warned Xiao Wu.

After hearing Xiao Yun's words, Xiao Wu finally relaxed. However, she still did not know what to do. If she left directly, she could not guarantee that Tang San's father, the Clear Sky Douluo, would not capture her. If she continued following Tang San and truly went to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she did not know whether she might encounter a Titled Douluo who would see through her identity. If that happened, she would find it difficult to gain a foothold anywhere in human society.

Seeing the conflict on Xiao Wu's face, Xiao Yun immediately guessed what she was thinking and said, "If you want to leave now, I can lend you a hand and send you back to the Star Dou Great Forest. If you want to remain by Tang San's side, I will not stop you. But I must advise you: do not invest too much emotion, and make sure to maintain your independence."

Xiao Wu fell into deep thought.

Only after a long while did she say, "I still choose to stay by Third Brother's side. Only in human society can we Soul Beasts grow rapidly. This is an inheritance that appears directly in our minds when Soul Beasts transform."

Xiao Yun did not understand this at all. He even suspected it was a scheme by the gods of the God Realm. For a transformed Soul Beast, the growth of a Soul Beast's strength had absolutely nothing to do with humans. What truly needed rapid growth was wisdom in dealing with the world, and that was the only thing that needed to be learned from humans. Otherwise, there was no difference between transforming and not transforming.

Xiao Yun also understood that making Xiao Wu leave Tang San would definitely not be so simple. Tang San was the chosen son of fate on Douluo Continent, while Xiao Wu was his destined female lead, fated to sacrifice herself for him and even implicate Da Ming Er Ming.

After thinking for a moment, he came up with an idea and said, "Since you have chosen to remain by Tang San's side, then I will help you as well." As he spoke, he extended a finger and touched Xiao Wu's brow, sending a strand of Green Lotus Sword Qi into her. This Green Lotus Sword Qi could prevent other Titled Douluo from seeing through Xiao Wu's identity, while also allowing Xiao Yun to sense her condition.

When Xiao Yun's finger touched her brow, Xiao Wu felt as though something had restrained her, leaving her completely unable to move. Only then did she understand why Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had allowed this senior to touch their brows earlier.

When Xiao Yun's Green Lotus Sword Qi entered Xiao Wu's body, she felt an incomparably sharp Sword Qi brimming with healing power pierce into her body. It directly wrapped around her Soft Bone Rabbit soul, and even she herself could no longer sense the powers that had remained within her body from before her transformation.

She immediately understood that, this way, others—including Titled Douluo—would likely be unable to see through her true form. In other words, under the protection of this Sword Qi, she could move freely through human society.

After giving Xiao Wu this safeguard, this meeting was more or less over. At the same time, Xiao Yun sensed that Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were about to wake up.

So he instructed Xiao Wu, "Little rabbit, don't tell anyone what I just told you." He gestured with his eyes toward Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing beside them.

Xiao Wu immediately nodded furiously. Naturally, she understood. If word got out, it would be difficult to protect her identity, and she would fall into an even more dangerous situation. After all, she could not guarantee that the forces behind them would not make a move against her.

Once he saw that Xiao Wu understood, the two did not continue chatting. Instead, they calmly began drinking tea.

A few minutes later, Ning Rongrong woke up. Upon awakening, she felt comfortable all over, indescribably so. She could not help stretching lazily, fully displaying her figure.

Xiao Yun and Xiao Wu both wanted to laugh. They had not expected that Ning Rongrong, who carried herself like a Young Lady, would have such a down-to-earth moment.

Ning Rongrong stretched her body fully and was enjoying the feeling of being completely unconstrained when she noticed Xiao Yun and Xiao Wu staring at her. She instinctively withdrew her movements, then said to Xiao Yun, "Senior Taibai, propriety forbids looking. Shouldn't you have taken the initiative to close your eyes?"

Xiao Yun merely chuckled. "I'm already an old man. What is there to make a fuss about? I've long since grown tired of looking. Besides, with a figure as flat in front as in back as yours, there is nothing to see."

Hearing Xiao Yun's words, Ning Rongrong's willow brows shot up in fury. Crossing her arms over her chest, she blurted out, "Nonsense! They're obviously different on both sides!"

Xiao Wu had not expected Ning Rongrong to say something like that. She immediately covered her mouth with her hand, afraid that she would laugh out loud and earn Ning Rongrong's resentment.

Xiao Yun did not want to continue discussing this matter, since it was not very friendly to a young girl. He changed the subject. "Young Lady Ning, how does your body feel now?"

Regarding this, Ning Rongrong had to marvel at how formidable the senior before her was. She felt that although her Soul Master rank had not improved, the quality of her Soul Power had increased greatly. One portion of her current Soul Power was at least equivalent to two portions from before, directly raising her overall level by a great deal.