Aromatic Silk Beauty, The Trade

But upon closer reflection, this condition was indeed not difficult. After all, the place where Xiao Yu appeared was the Heaven Dou Empire; by what right would Martial Soul Hall intervene? Even if he were to be killed, it should be the people of the Heaven Dou Empire who do the deed.

"Agreed." Ning Fengzhi nodded. "A very simple condition."

As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi stared intently at Xiao Yu. "But the premise is that you must truly be able to produce something worth exchanging for these conditions."

"That goes without saying." Seeing Ning Fengzhi so forthcoming, Xiao Yu knew that this matter was likely already within Ning Fengzhi's plans. He immediately took the Aromatic Silk Beauty out from his System Backpack.

"This is?" Looking at the exquisite flower wrapped in a fierce gale, Ning Fengzhi felt a slight tremor, as if his own martial soul were vibrating.

"This item is called the Aromatic Silk Beauty." Xiao Yu explained, "Beyond its other effects, its most unique property is that it can help the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, breaking through its own shackles."

With Xiao Yu's voice echoing in his ears, Ning Fengzhi found his breathing becoming heavy, though the rationality in his heart still told him not to believe it outright.

"This is merely your one-sided word; how can I trust you?" Ning Fengzhi reluctantly tore his gaze away to look at Xiao Yu.

"Then that is not my problem. I can only say that I have not spoken a single word of deception. If you do not believe me, then try it yourself, but there is only one chance. You decide."

As he spoke, Xiao Yu sent the Immortal Herb, still wrapped in the gale, toward Ning Fengzhi. The two Douluo at his side watched with extreme vigilance, fearing that Xiao Yu might suddenly launch an attack.

"Do not misunderstand. You do not trust me, and I do not necessarily trust you either. Naturally, I must keep my guard up."

Xiao Yu flapped his wings and slowly rose into the air under the gaze of the three men. "This wind barrier is controlled by my power. After I leave and reach a certain distance, it will dissipate on its own. During this time, you are free to pursue and kill me, or kill me right here."

"However, once you make a move, this opportunity will vanish into thin air. Ning Fengzhi, do you dare to gamble?"

Having said this, Xiao Yu said no more and flew off in one direction.

Gu Rong watched Xiao Yu escape, feeling quite unsettled, but seeing that Ning Fengzhi did not give the order to pursue, he found it difficult to act on his own. He could only say with frustration, "Are we just going to watch this beast leave?"

Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Let it be, Uncle Gu. If this soul beast is lying to us, we can chase him to the Ends of the Earth. But if he is not lying, then let this matter end here."

"But..." Gu Rong wanted to continue, but was held back by Chen Xin. Chen Xin said, "Fengzhi, what do you intend to do? Find someone to test it, or..."

Ning Fengzhi stared at the delicate, dew-kissed Aromatic Silk Beauty, lost in thought.

On the other side, seeing that no one was pursuing him, Xiao Yu understood Ning Fengzhi's intentions.

"This matter can be considered resolved without future worries." Xiao Yu knew that he had taken a great risk today, but he had no other choice. It is not the thief you fear, but the thief who keeps thinking of you.

Rather than having such a tail following him, it was better to turn an enemy into a friend. With them blocking Martial Soul Hall for him for a period of time, once he evolved further, no one on the entire continent would be his enemy.

"Heh, that Gu Rong really strikes hard." Feeling the intense pain in his claws, Xiao Yu muttered to himself. He would remember this.

He, Xiao Yu, was someone who repaid every grievance.

"Next, I will go and regroup with them." Xiao Yu flew in a familiar direction. If he could, he would not want to leave the Heaven Dou Royal Forest, but things had reached this point; staying there was no different from sticking his neck out to be slaughtered.

In any case, his original home had already been destroyed by Bone Douluo, so there was nothing left to miss.

After flying at full speed for about half a day, Xiao Yu arrived above a familiar forest—the Sunset Forest.

On the continent, there were only two soul beast forests not managed by humans: the Star Dou Forest and the Sunset Forest.

The environment of the Star Dou Forest was the best, and it lacked that annoying Poison Miasma, but thinking of the fierce beasts within the Star Dou Forest, Xiao Yu felt it was better to stay away, lest he be treated as an anomaly for study.

It was better to find a small patch of land and be a local king.

Although the Sunset Forest had plenty of Poison Miasma, it was all concentrated in the lower layers. The upper canopy of the forest remained uncorroded, so it was not much of a problem for him.

The same went for Yu Yi and the others.

After Xiao Yu arrived above the Sunset Forest, several howls came from the forest below. Immediately, five massive winged soul beasts flew out, and behind them were many century-level soul beasts, all of which they had brought out from the Royal Soul Beast Forest.

These were his original assets.

"How was it? Did anything happen on the way?" Xiao Yu examined the five beasts, and seeing that none were injured, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"From now on, we will build our nest here. I hope we won't encounter anything like that again." Xiao Yu continued, not expecting them to respond, but having them by his side was enough.

"Woo!!!"

On the other side, inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

"Your Highness, that soul beast produced something unknown, causing those from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to let him go. He has now left the Royal Soul Beast Forest."

Snake Lance bowed and reported to Qian Renxue, who was sitting in the center of the Imperial Study.

Upon hearing this, the look of worry that had previously filled her eyes was instantly swept away, replaced by joy.

The time had come to the end of the morning court session.

Because Great Emperor Xue Ye was exhausted and suffering from the pain of losing his son, he had fallen ill, and the state affairs were temporarily handled entirely by her, the "Crown Prince."

This was the situation she had dreamed of during her years of infiltration; power was within reach. But at this moment, her fingertips were cold, and her mind was in turmoil.

The news that Ning Fengzhi had taken the sword-wielding Bone Douluo to hunt down Xiao Yu was like a boulder thrown into her seemingly calm lake of a heart, the ripples stirring up an indescribable stinging pain and panic.

She forced herself to analyze calmly: with the strength of those two Super Douluo, plus the support of Ning Fengzhi, even if Xiao Yu were strong, he would likely be in grave danger.

This realization made her chest feel tight, and a strange fear, known as "loss," quietly gripped her heart.

"Will he... die?" This thought emerged uncontrollably, carrying a tremor that even she found startling.

She remembered the ignorant little beast she first saw at the Giant Tree Peak, remembered the miraculous nature of his transformation, remembered his arrogance in the face of strong enemies... and the deep, complex, apologetic gaze he cast before he left.

That gaze pierced through her layers of disguise, touching the sliver of truth frozen deep within her heart.