"I'm Xiao Wu's friend," Jiang Siming said calmly, meeting the Sky Azure Bull Python's gaze without hesitation.
At his words, the Sky Azure Bull Python shifted its enormous body, sending waves surging across the lake. Jiang Siming watched as a massive python tail swept toward him with a gust of fierce wind.
It's trying to kill me to keep me quiet! He cursed inwardly. They were really going straight to violence over one disagreement. He immediately summoned the Donghuang Bell. The tail slammed hard into it, and the powerful impact sent Jiang Siming flying hundreds of meters. Blood poured from his mouth. It was the first time he had suffered such severe injuries.
"Wait! I won't hurt Xiao Wu. I came for something else. If you kill me, Xiao Wu will be heartbroken!" Jiang Siming shouted hastily. Blood ran from the corner of his mouth, and his chest heaved.
At that, the Sky Azure Bull Python stopped moving. Silence fell.
For a moment, neither side said a word.
Suddenly, Erming appeared again from the other side of the lake. Xiao Wu sat on his shoulder. Seeing Jiang Siming in the distance, blood at the corner of his mouth, she hurriedly shouted, "Daming, don't hurt Brother Siming!"
When Jiang Siming saw Xiao Wu, the dread lodged in his throat finally eased. His blood churned, and he couldn't help spitting out two more mouthfuls.
Damn, I'm badly hurt. I haven't even brought up the Lake of Life, and I'm already about to die. Jiang Siming smiled wryly.
Xiao Wu hurriedly urged Erming toward Jiang Siming. Erming's huge body soon loomed before him again. He carefully set Xiao Wu down, then shot Jiang Siming a warning glare.
Worry showed on Xiao Wu's face as she carefully helped Jiang Siming up.
"Brother Siming, are you all right?" Xiao Wu looked ashamed, like a child who'd done something wrong. After all, she believed that everything that had happened today was her fault. Teacher Zhao's condition was still unknown, too. Though Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who had taken human form, she was still a kind young girl with little experience of the world. She didn't want anyone else to get hurt because of her.
"Brother Siming, why did you come here?" Xiao Wu didn't know what to say. In this situation, her secret had surely been exposed.
Jiang Siming saw what was on Xiao Wu's mind. He endured the pain and managed a weak smile. "Actually, I've known your identity for a long time. But I could tell that you genuinely considered us your friends and thought of Tang San as family. So I didn't tell anyone." He gently stroked Xiao Wu's head and spoke softly.
Of course Jiang Siming didn't blame Xiao Wu. There was no real deception between them to begin with. More importantly, his life was now in the hands of Xiao Wu's two "protectors" standing beside her.
"Brother Siming, thank you. Let's go back quickly! Otherwise, Tang San and the others will start worrying." Xiao Wu spoke anxiously.
"No rush. Actually, I came here for something else—to discuss something with these two Soul Beast brothers." Jiang Siming spoke with some embarrassment. The girl had thought he'd come to rescue her, but he'd actually come for another reason. Of course, Xiao Wu wouldn't read too much into it. Though she and Jiang Siming got along well, their relationship was mostly thanks to Tang San—and to the Body Strengthening Pill he'd given her.
Xiao Wu looked puzzled and didn't know what to say. She glanced at Jiang Siming, then turned to look at Daming and Erming.
"Human, since you're Xiao Wu's friend, you should know what kind of disaster she'll face if you reveal her identity, shouldn't you?" The Sky Azure Bull Python's imposing voice rang out again.
"Xiao Wu is my friend, and her boyfriend is my brother. By that logic, she's my sister-in-law. Do you really think I'd hurt my own family?" Jiang Siming hurriedly emphasized how close he was to Xiao Wu. He didn't hesitate to throw Tang San under the bus.
"Brother Siming, what are you saying? I'm my brother's little sister." Xiao Wu said shyly, twirling the hem of her clothes with her fingers. She looked just like a bashful girl whose crush had been found out.
Hearing that, Erming let out a snort that boomed like thunder. Jiang Siming scratched his head awkwardly. Talking about someone's love rival right in front of him was practically asking for a beating.
"It's obvious what you're thinking. Tang San's completely clueless. He may be sharp as hell about everything else, but he knows nothing about romance," Jiang Siming continued, steeling himself.
"Xiao Wu, my friend and I have a few things to discuss. Could you wait somewhere else for a bit?" The Sky Azure Bull Python asked ingratiatingly, making an absurdly comical expression. If other Soul Beasts or Soul Masters knew the forest's emperor had such a ridiculous side, they'd never believe it.
"Then don't you dare bully Brother Siming, or I won't let you off!" Xiao Wu said, waving her soft little fist and pouting.
"Understood, Sister Xiao Wu," the Sky Azure Bull Python replied ingratiatingly.
Xiao Wu covered her flushed face and skipped away. Brother Siming called me his sister-in-law. How embarrassing! She'd completely forgotten that Jiang Siming was still seriously injured.
"Human, what exactly are your intentions?" the Sky Azure Bull Python suddenly asked. The moment Jiang Siming summoned the Donghuang Bell Martial Soul, the python had felt an urge to submit. And the aura of an Ancient Emperor emanated from a human.
"I came here today for four words: the Lake of Life." Jiang Siming enunciated each word. Speaking those four words took every last bit of his strength.
In the end, Jiang Siming had overestimated himself. Things had gone very differently from what he'd imagined. But he'd come all this way, and he didn't want to give up easily.
Silence fell over them again.
"Human, I'll give you one more chance. Take back what you just said, and I'll spare your life." A trace of murderous intent flashed in the Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes.
Jiang Siming had thought he could test Daming and Erming's attitude. Instead, he'd learned nothing at all.
"I can solve the problem you're facing," Jiang Siming said, forcing himself to speak.
"Hmph, what a joke. You?" Erming scoffed. "I'll admit you've got guts, but you're far too weak."
"How do you know I can't? I'm weak right now, but my potential is limitless." For the first time, Jiang Siming showed a steely side in front of Daming and Erming. Being timid wouldn't solve anything. This was the moment to show what he could do. He summoned the third form of the Zhuxian Sword and the Donghuang Bell, using the little Soul Power he had left with all his might. His Soul Ring Configuration—two purple and one black—made Daming and Erming look surprised. A monstrous killing intent and a kingly aura split the space around Jiang Siming into two opposing worlds.
"Tell me, how did you learn about the Lake of Life?" After a moment of silence, the Sky Azure Bull Python demanded sternly.
Jiang Siming finally relaxed and recalled his Martial Souls. He'd been seriously injured, and then he'd forcibly activated two Martial Souls. His body swayed. Since Daming had asked, there was a chance they could come to an agreement.
Beast God Di Tian
"The Divine Realm," Jiang Siming answered calmly. It was the only reason that might interest Daming and Erming—or Beast God Di Tian.
"Fine. I'll take you there," Daming said coldly. In his eyes, Jiang Siming was already a dead man. The moment Jiang Siming said those two words, he'd had no choice.
"Erming, stay with Sister Xiao Wu. I'll take him to that place." With that, he coiled his body and lowered his enormous head toward Jiang Siming, opening his jaws to signal for Jiang Siming to climb inside.
Jiang Siming didn't hesitate. He climbed into the giant mouth without a trace of worry. If Daming wanted him dead, there was no need to go to such trouble.
The enormous jaws slowly closed. The sunlight disappeared bit by bit, and Jiang Siming was finally swallowed by darkness.
"Damn, you've lived for hundreds of thousands of years and never brushed your teeth? You stink like hell!" Jiang Siming couldn't help complaining.
When the giant jaws opened again, the world around him had turned green.
"I can only bring you this far. Someone will come for you." Daming looked as if he couldn't wait to leave. He spoke, then immediately went away.
"Is this the Lake of Life? The life energy is so dense. My injuries are actually healing faster." Jiang Siming was a little surprised.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, on successfully signing in. The Zhuxian Sword has entered its second stage. Please unlock the fourth sword to discover more."
"The Zhuxian Sword's second stage? This must be the system's first real test for me." Jiang Siming smiled wryly. If he gave up this time, he might never find out what the Zhuxian Sword's second stage was.