Forced Companionship (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Yu Tiancheng's heart tightened.

This question was dangerous.

If he answered it was a soul skill, the other party might ask him to demonstrate it.

If he answered it was a soul tool, the other party might ask to inspect it.

Either way, it could expose his secret.

Just as he was rapidly thinking of how to respond, Hu Liena suddenly spoke.

"Elder Ju, everyone has their own secrets."

She smiled and smoothed things over, her voice gentle, "Since this Lin Xiaodi can hunt for soul rings alone in the mixed zone, it's normal for him to have some life-saving methods."

She paused, her gaze shifting to Yu Tiancheng. "However, Lin Xiaodi, your stealth just now was truly remarkable. Even the two elders almost didn't discover you. This kind of ability... is very practical in the forest."

This sounded like praise, but it was actually a veiled probe.

Your stealth ability is too strong, abnormally strong.

Yu Tiancheng's internal alarm bells rang, but on his face, he showed an embarrassed smile. "This junior was just lucky. I obtained an Heirloom Stealth Soul Tool, and its effect is passable. Forgive me for making seniors laugh."

He attributed the "stealth ability" to a soul tool, which explained the reason and avoided the trouble of demonstrating a soul skill.

As for the soul tool itself—it was an heirloom, inconvenient to display.

This answer was very clever.

Yue Guan's eyes flashed with understanding upon hearing this.

If it was a special soul tool, it made sense.

There were indeed some ancient families on the continent that passed down unique soul tool crafting techniques.

"So that's how it is." Yue Guan nodded and no longer pressed.

But in Hu Liena's eyes, a deeper curiosity flickered.

An heirloom soul tool?

She remembered that although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family was powerful, they were not known for crafting soul tools.

Was this "Lin Fan" really Yu Tiancheng?

She needed more evidence.

"Did you see or sense any Special Soul Beasts appearing nearby just now? Especially any that were skilled in mental or charm attributes."

Hu Liena stepped forward, her voice gentle, carrying a natural affinity. "We are looking for a suitable spirit beast."

Yu Tiancheng shook his head. "This junior was fully focused on absorbing the spirit ring just now and didn't pay attention to my surroundings. After finishing, I sensed the auras of you seniors and dared not act rashly."

His answer was flawless.

Hu Liena looked at him and suddenly smiled charmingly. "So that's how it is. It seems we have disturbed you."

Her tone shifted, and she turned to Yue Guan and Ghostly. "Elders, since this little brother Lin didn't see anything, shall we continue our search? The spirit beast's aura was already vague, and if it's startled, it might be even harder to find."

This statement, while seemingly helping Yu Tiancheng, held a hidden agenda.

Startling the spirit beast—this was the trap Hu Liena had set.

Yue Guan frowned, the golden chrysanthemum light on his fingertips intensifying as he carefully probed the spirit power fluctuations around Yu Tiancheng.

After a moment, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. This young man's spirit power was indeed only around level twenty-one. Although his martial soul's aura was somewhat special, it was certainly not the domineering and fierce type of the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon.

The Soul Power Level matched.

Could it really not be that Yu Tiancheng?

He had not forgotten the mission Bibi Dong had given him.

Just then, Ghostly's hoarse voice sounded. "Yue Guan, Nana is right. Our primary goal this trip is to find a spirit beast suitable for Nana, and we shouldn't get sidetracked."

He paused, his gaze falling on Yu Tiancheng. "However... this young man being here alone is indeed a bit strange."

"If we let him leave, what if he accidentally startles the spirit beast we're looking for, or attracts other trouble..."

Yue Guan's eyes flashed with understanding upon hearing this.

He understood Ghostly's meaning—regardless of whether this young man was Yu Tiancheng or not, he could not be allowed to leave now.

If he was indeed Yu Tiancheng, letting him go would be equivalent to abandoning the mission.

If he wasn't, letting him wander alone in the forest could also startle the spirit beast and affect their search plan.

The best course of action was to temporarily keep him under their control.

"Old Ghost is right."

Yue Guan spoke slowly, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. "Little friend Lin Fan, we are searching for a special Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beast, and this matter is of great importance. You being here alone could indeed lead to accidents."

He looked at Yu Tiancheng, his tone peaceful but carrying the unique pressure of a Titled Douluo.

"How about this—you travel with us temporarily. After we find our target spirit beast and complete the hunt, you may leave. During this period, we will guarantee your safety."

This sounded like a negotiation, but it was in fact a command.

Both Titled Douluo had spoken, leaving him no room to refuse.

To refuse would be to admit he had something to hide, and he might be apprehended immediately.

To agree, though like walking with a tiger, would at least ensure his temporary safety.

More importantly, he noticed a faint, triumphant glint flash in Hu Liena's eyes as Yue Guan and Ghostly spoke.

Although Yue Guan and Ghostly appeared to be in charge, Yu Tiancheng could sense that everything was within Hu Liena's calculations.

The entire process was seamless. The two Titled Douluo might not even realize they were being guided by Hu Liena to make this decision.

Such deep scheming!

Yu Tiancheng's internal alarm bells were ringing, but he feigned hesitation, "My strength is weak, I fear I will only be a burden to the esteemed seniors."

"No matter," Yue Guan waved his hand. "We are merely traveling together for a stretch, offering mutual support. Besides, one more person means one more pair of eyes to help search for soul beasts, doesn't it?"

With things said, further refusal would only seem suspicious.

Yu Tiancheng could only cup his hands, "Then... I shall shamelessly impose. Thank you, esteemed seniors, for your care."

"No need for politeness," Hu Liena's smile deepened. She turned to Yue Guan and Ghostly, "Elders, shall we continue our search?"

Yue Guan gave Yu Tiancheng a deep look, finally nodding, "Let's go. Little friend Lin Fan, keep up, don't fall behind."

The group set off again.

Yu Tiancheng silently followed at the end of the group, his heart churning.

Why did Hu Liena suddenly return? Was it the aura leaked during his absorption of the soul ring? Or...

He had a guess, but dared not confirm it.

He subtly glanced at Hu Liena's retreating figure, her posture swaying, not far ahead.

This Golden Generation of Martial Soul Hall, the future Saintess, was becoming increasingly unfathomable.

The group moved through the forest, their pace steady.

Yu Tiancheng walked at the rear, deliberately maintaining a distance of about three steps.

This position showed reverence for the strong while also providing reaction space in case of sudden developments.

He lowered his eyelids, seemingly focused on the ground, but his spiritual power was highly concentrated, sensing everything around him.

Ahead, the two Titled Douluo walked as if casually, but in reality, every step followed a certain rhythm, enveloping the entire group in an invisible protective circle.

Yue Guan's Golden Chrysanthemum on his fingertip spun slowly, its petals emitting a faint golden light – a continuous soul skill for detection.

Ghostly was like a true phantom, his form shifting between solid and ethereal, as if he could merge with the shadows at any moment.

The Golden Generation trio walked in the middle.

Xie Yue led the way, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his right hand perpetually hovering over the hilt of the moon blade at his waist.

His gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, constantly scanning the dense forest on either side, a testament to his well-honed combat instincts.

Yan walked slightly behind Hu Liena, his tall frame intentionally or unintentionally forming a barrier.

He would occasionally glance at Hu Liena, his eyes filled with undisguised concern, but more often than not, his gaze vigilantly swept the surroundings, especially in Yu Tiancheng's direction.

And Hu Liena...

Yu Tiancheng could feel that although she was part of the group, at least a third of her attention was subtly, yet constantly, on him.

It wasn't a direct scrutiny, but a more veiled perception—as if observing, evaluating, and waiting for something.

"Lin Xiaodi." Hu Liena suddenly spoke, her voice soft, "I saw you emerge from the tree hollow just now, your clothes neat, not like you'd been through a tough fight. What kind of Hundred Year Spirit Beast was that injured one?"

Here it comes, the first probe.

Yu Tiancheng's heart grew alert, but on his face, he showed a perfectly calibrated look of lingering fear. "It was a Wind Baboon, with an old injury on its left forelimb, making it difficult to move. I was just lucky, I managed to trap it for a moment with a snare and found an opportunity."

"Wind Baboon?"

Yue Guan, walking ahead, didn't turn his head, his voice carrying back. "This spirit beast is extremely fast. Even injured, it's not something an ordinary Soul Grand Master can easily hunt. What is your martial soul?"

The second question, more direct.

Yu Tiancheng was prepared. "My martial soul is 'Silver Scale Python,' a mutated snake-type martial soul, adept at stealth and surprise attacks."

As he spoke, he deliberately condensed his soul power in his palm, simulating the unique cold aura of a snake-type martial soul—a small trick he learned from his family's ancient texts, capable of briefly disguising his martial soul's traits.

"Silver Scale Python..." Yue Guan pondered for a moment. "It is quite rare. Release it and let me see?"

Yu Tiancheng's heart tightened.

Simulating an aura was easy, but if he were to truly release his martial soul's phantom, it would inevitably expose the existence of the Time Dragon Emperor.

His Stealth Technique could conceal his soul rings and soul power, but it couldn't conceal his martial soul!