Sky Dream Ice Silkworm: Done! How did I run into this person!

Qian Renxue suppressed the wild joy in her heart.

"Brother Chen Fan, with talent as outstanding as yours, it would be such a waste to remain merely an unaffiliated Soul Master! Spirit Hall is desperate for talent. Would the two of you be interested in joining?"

Chen Fan did not even need to think before decisively shaking his head.

"Thank you for the offer, Miss She, but the two of us are used to freedom. For the time being, we have no plans to join any faction."

He was not some Long Ao who insisted on declaring, "I will never be controlled by anyone in this life."

Nor did he hold any ill will toward Spirit Hall.

It was simply that Na'er's identity was far too special and sensitive. Joining Spirit Hall and coming face-to-face with Titled Douluo—even Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu—might not be a good thing for either him or Na'er.

"This..."

A look of regret appeared on Qian Renxue's face, yet the desire in her heart to recruit him only burned hotter.

Was she regretful? Naturally.

But more than that, she was filled with determination to secure him at all costs.

Mr. Fan...

Because he had a wife at home and was unwilling to move to Heaven Dou City, I missed my chance with him.

This Chen Fan before me... another "Mr. Fan"—I absolutely cannot let him slip away again.

Whether it was his talent, temperament, or composure, all of it made her admire him immensely.

A talent like this had to be... grasped firmly in her hand.

Chen Fan noticed her gaze and felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Seeing that she was no longer in serious condition, he said, "We're still in the Outer Area of the Star Dou Forest."

"If you've mostly recovered, you should leave first. We still need to go deeper and hunt for a soul ring."

Gu Yuena nodded in agreement, her hand wrapped around Chen Fan's arm tightening slightly.

Unexpectedly, Qian Renxue froze for a moment before immediately shaking her head.

"No!"

"There are extremely terrifying Soul Beasts deeper in the forest, not something you can handle. You must leave with me!"

Chen Fan's gaze flickered slightly.

He looked at Qian Renxue and asked in return, "If there really are such terrifying Soul Beasts,"

"then how did you manage to remain completely unscathed?"

Those words left Qian Renxue speechless at once.

She indeed had no external injuries. It was only that her Spiritual Power had been wounded, causing her Soul Power to circulate poorly and temporarily preventing her from sensing beyond her body.

After resting for a while longer, she would recover completely.

But she truly could not put her mind at ease over this man before her, who had stirred her desire for talent.

If something really happened to him, would she not regret it beyond measure?

No, I have to follow them!

Qian Renxue made up her mind. If they truly encountered danger, then even if she had to force herself into action, she would take them away!

She took a deep breath.

"Since you insist on hunting for a soul ring,"

"you saved me earlier, so this time, let me accompany you."

"One more person means one more helping hand."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Why was this woman acting like chewing gum?

He instinctively looked toward Gu Yuena beside him, worried that she might be unhappy.

To his surprise, Gu Yuena merely nodded softly.

Her thinking was simple.

This woman had some strength. If anything happened, she might be able to hold the line.

But more importantly...

The next moment, she quietly shifted positions, her petite body positioning itself perfectly between Qian Renxue and Chen Fan, cutting off that burning gaze.

Chen Fan was slightly speechless, but he did not feel the slightest displeasure.

The feeling of being so openly cherished by someone was actually... rather nice.

Another figure involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Ning Rongrong.

If it were her, she would probably be completely different.

He still remembered how, when those young geniuses of the Clear Sky Sect had tried to befriend him through subtle hints, Ning Rongrong had been unusually warm toward them instead.

In her words, it was "making him pay more attention to her," so that she would seem more popular.

Seriously...

Chen Fan shook off his thoughts, and his smile became a little more genuine.

Watching Gu Yuena act like a kitten guarding its food, Qian Renxue found it rather amusing.

Sister, there's really no need to be so guarded around me.

I only admire your man's talent and strength. I have no designs on him personally!

The three had different thoughts, yet the atmosphere remained fairly harmonious as they headed deeper into the forest together.

Along the way, dappled light and shadows flickered among the trees, accompanied from time to time by the roars of Soul Beasts.

Several foolish century-old Soul Beasts leaped out to attack them, their fangs bared as a stench of blood filled the air.

Chen Fan could not even be bothered to summon his Martial Soul. With a flicker of his body, he used both fists and kicks, ending the battle cleanly in just a few swift moves.

The entire process flowed as smoothly as drifting clouds and running water, without a single unnecessary motion.

Watching his effortless bearing, then recalling that fleeting glimpse of the Candle Dragon Shadow Martial Soul, Qian Renxue's desire to recruit him grew even stronger.

A talent like this must not be allowed to slip away!

Meanwhile, Gu Yuena stood to the side with smiling eyes.

"Chen Fan is amazing!"

Her clear voice echoed through the forest. Like a devoted little fangirl, she cheered him on with all her heart.

But at that moment, Qian Renxue, walking at the front, suddenly changed expression.

An eerie and terrifying aura came from the dense forest ahead without any warning!

"Get back!"

She cried out and spun around, rushing forward to pull Chen Fan and Gu Yuena behind her.

However, it was already too late.

The next second, a plump white figure abruptly appeared before the three of them.

It was a gigantic silkworm larva.

The instant Qian Renxue saw who it was, her face went deathly pale.

It was it!

The mysterious Soul Beast that had attacked her before!

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had clearly not yet noticed the trio's specific circumstances. It swayed its chubby body and struck an overbearing pose.

"Humans actually dare to trespass here again. It seems you're courting death!"

"Feel my wrath!"

Its arrogant voice was still echoing when its Spiritual Power swept over them.

But the moment its perception touched Gu Yuena, its voice cut off abruptly, and its entire body froze.

Holy shit!

Isn't this...

That one?!

It could not afford to offend even an ordinary hundred-thousand-year Fierce Beast, much less the Soul Beast Common Lord before it—the Silver Dragon King!

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's mind buzzed.

I'm screwed!

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's chubby body remained frozen in place, not daring to move in the slightest.

A trace of confusion flashed through Gu Yuena's purple eyes.

This big bug seemed... really afraid of me?

She instinctively glanced over.

With that single look, an invisible pressure originating from the depths of her bloodline poured down like mountains and seas, enveloping Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's Sea of Spirit.

Gu Yuena had lost her memories and all her strength, so this pressure would not have had much tangible suppressive effect on Sky Dream Ice Silkworm at the height of its power.

But how could Sky Dream Ice Silkworm dare to gamble on that?!

That was bloodline suppression from the Soul Beast Common Lord! Terror etched into the deepest depths of its soul!

Thud!

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's body, condensed from Spiritual Power, went limp on the spot and collapsed onto the ground.

"Spare me! Please spare me!"

Its voice trembled, devoid of even a trace of its earlier arrogance.

"You can absorb my power however you want! Use it any way you like! Please don't kill me! Don't kill me!"