Threaten Xiao Wu to Obey (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Lin Yi's calm, ripple-free words, "You have lost," struck the hearts of every Shrek member like a final verdict.

Meng Shenji stepped forward at the opportune moment, surveying the scene with the majesty of a Title Douluo, and formally announced: "The match is over. The winner is Lin Yi of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. According to our agreement, this soul beast belongs to our side."

"Furthermore, this student named Xiao Wu shall immediately withdraw from Shrek Academy and join the Imperial Fighting Team of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"No! Third Brother!" Watching Tang San encased in ice, Xiao Wu's tears finally broke like a dam. She tried to rush forward, but was held back firmly by Zhao Wuji.

"Let me go! I want to be with Brother!" Xiao Wu struggled, crying out.

Lin Yi swept a cold gaze over Xiao Wu, then looked at Tang San, who was struggling to regain a sliver of consciousness from the ice, staring at him with eyes full of agonizing pain and fury. He spoke slowly: "A deal is a deal. Xiao Wu, come with us. Of course, you are free to break your word."

Beside him, Meng Shenji did not speak, merely letting out a faint "Hmph."

"Lin Yi! You..." Tang San's voice was hoarse, filled with endless hatred, "Let me go with Xiao Wu! I will join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy too!"

He could not bear to be separated from Xiao Wu, even if it meant joining the rival academy.

However, Lin Yi merely sneered, refusing without a shred of mercy: "The Heaven Dou Royal Academy is not a place for just any stray cat or dog to enter. We do not welcome you."

These words were like cold blades, piercing deeply into the hearts of Tang San and all the Shrek students.

Dai Mubai and the others trembled with rage, yet they were helpless.

Zhao Wuji's eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched until they creaked, and a violent surge of soul power could not help but erupt from him.

But the moment he took a step forward, Meng Shenji's vast, ocean-like Soul Douluo pressure descended like a mountain, pinning him firmly in place, making even the circulation of his soul power sluggish.

"Zhao Wuji, a bet is a bet. Do you intend to resort to force?" Meng Shenji's voice carried not a hint of emotion.

Zhao Wuji's face turned from green to white, and finally, that violent aura leaked away like a punctured balloon.

Strength! Everything came down to strength! In the face of an absolute gap in power, all his anger and unwillingness appeared so pale and feeble.

He could not defeat Meng Shenji, let alone the fact that the other side also possessed the mysterious Soul Emperor Lin Yi and the entire Imperial Fighting Team.

"...We... leave!" Zhao Wuji squeezed these words out through his teeth. He took one deep, hate-filled look at Lin Yi and Meng Shenji, then turned abruptly, scooped up the still-weak Tang San, who was being eroded by the cold, and roared at the other soul-crushed Shrek students: "What are you still standing there for? Move! We will figure out what to do about Xiao Wu later."

"Third Brother!" Xiao Wu let out a heart-wrenching cry, but she was "invited" to the side of the Imperial Fighting Team by Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, one on each side.

The Shrek group, carrying endless humiliation, anger, and sorrow, supported their wounded and stumbled into the depths of the dense forest, leaving only Xiao Wu's desperate cries echoing through the trees.

Watching the Shrek group depart, Lin Yi's expression remained calm, as if he had performed a trivial task.

Meng Shenji flashed forward and appeared before the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, which had been wounded in the previous battle. The terrifying aura of a Soul Douluo erupted fully; though the demon tiger was fierce, it had no power to resist before Meng Shenji, and was struck down by a single palm, left on the verge of death.

"Lingling." Lin Yi looked toward Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling nodded, stepped forward, and with her cold, steady hands, delivered the final blow to the powerful soul beast.

A deep, purple soul ring slowly emerged.

Ye Lingling sat cross-legged and began to absorb this soul ring, which possessed a cultivation age of four thousand years.

Although the process was somewhat difficult, with Lin Yi occasionally using Healing Light to stabilize her physical condition, she ultimately succeeded. Her soul power broke through as a result, reaching level forty-one, and the aura of her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul became even purer and more vibrant with life.

With the matter concluded, Meng Shenji led the group back to Tiandou City.

Throughout the journey, Xiao Wu was terrifyingly silent. She kept her head down, her shoulders heaving slightly, clearly still crying, yet she dared not show the slightest resistance.

She knew she could not defeat Lin Yi, and she certainly could not escape the grasp of a Soul Douluo like Meng Shenji. A massive sense of helplessness and the pain of being separated from Tang San threatened to drown her.

Returning to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Lin Yi, as the team leader, possessed his own independent quarters—a suite with a living room and a bedroom.

He brought Xiao Wu directly into his room.

"From now on, you will live with me." Lin Yi closed the door, his tone brook no argument.

Xiao Wu jerked her head up, her tear-stained face filled with terror and resistance: "You... what do you want to do?!"

Lin Yi did not answer; he simply walked up to her and looked down at her, his gaze seemingly capable of piercing through her very soul.

He spoke slowly, his voice low, yet it exploded in Xiao Wu's ears like a thunderclap: "A hundred-thousand-year soul beast, the Soft Bone Rabbit. Am I right?"

Boom!

Xiao Wu felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her delicate body trembled violently, her face turned paper-white in an instant, and her eyes, still glistening with tears, were filled with extreme fear and disbelief!

Her greatest secret—a secret not even Tang San knew—had been laid bare by this person in a single sentence!

"You... what are you saying! I don't understand." Xiao Wu denied it instinctively, though her voice trembled with fear.

"There is no need to deny it." Lin Yi's eyes were cold. "Your aura might deceive a Soul Douluo, but it cannot deceive me.

If I were to tell this secret to Martial Soul Hall, or... tell anyone in the academy, what do you think would happen?"

Xiao Wu felt cold all over, as if she had fallen into an abyss.

She could already see her tragic end: hunted by countless human soul masters, forced to sacrifice her soul ring and soul bone.

The immense fear left her nearly suffocated, and she felt as if she had no strength left to stand.

Watching Xiao Wu's crumbling, desperate, and helpless state, Lin Yi knew the timing was right.

He shifted his tone, softening it slightly: "Of course, I can keep this secret for you."

Xiao Wu looked up abruptly, a faint glimmer of hope igniting in her eyes, though it was overshadowed by wariness.

A flash of light appeared in Lin Yi's hand as he produced the immortal herb he had taken from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well but had never used—the blood-red, emotion-imbued Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

"This immortal herb is called Lovesick Heartbreak Red. Keep it on your person; it can conceal the aura of your soul beast. Unless a Limit Douluo arrives in person, no one will be able to see through your true form." Lin Yi handed the immortal herb to Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu looked at the herb. She could feel the strange energy contained within it and its affinity toward her; perhaps it truly could protect her. But she understood even better that there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

"What are the conditions?" Xiao Wu's voice was dry.

"Very simple." Lin Yi put away his previous coldness, his tone becoming flat yet carrying a deeper sense of control. "From now on, obey me. Whatever I tell you to do, you will do. Stay with the Imperial Fighting Team and compete well. I can guarantee your safety, and perhaps... in the future, there may even be a chance for you and Tang San to reunite."

Xiao Wu bit her lip hard, blood seeping from the petals without her even realizing it.

She looked at Lin Yi, then at the immortal herb that could save her life, her heart filled with humiliation and struggle. But she had no choice.

To survive, and to see Tang San again in the future, she had to submit.

She reached out with trembling hands and took the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

The moment she touched it, the immortal herb emitted a soft, blood-colored halo that enveloped her. She felt the oppressive fear of being discovered that had always lingered in her heart seem to lighten significantly.

"I... I understand." Xiao Wu lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito's, filled with endless grievance and resignation. "I will... be obedient."

Lin Yi watched Xiao Wu, now completely under his thumb, and nodded with satisfaction.

In this way, he not only weakened the strength of Shrek Academy but also kept a vital future combat asset under his own control.

As for the hatred from Tang San and Shrek?

He did not care.

In this world where strength is paramount, only by controlling power can one go further... and he was currently far ahead of Tang San.

Since returning from the Sunset Forest that day, Lin Yi's life at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy had entered a regular and efficient rhythm.

He spent most of his time in the top-tier Mimicry Training Ground opened by the academy for him in his capacity as "mentor and team leader."

Although the training environment here still could not compare to the extreme environment of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the heaven and earth energy gathered here was far denser and purer, and it simulated various extreme environments for soul masters of different attributes to cultivate.

Lin Yi naturally chose the extreme glacial environment, which had a significant effect on his three major ice-attribute martial souls.

Like an ascetic monk, he polished his soul power day after day, tempered his spiritual power, and familiarized himself with the three powerful spirit-type soul skills of his Ice Phoenix Martial Soul.

The barrier between level sixty-six and level sixty-seven was quietly broken through one day after four months of persistent, grinding effort.

Feeling the increasingly surging soul power and more refined spiritual power within his body, Lin Yi knew that his foundation was becoming more and more solid.

In addition to his own cultivation, he set aside a fixed time each week to guide the training of the Imperial Fighting Team. He never taught flashy routines; instead, he offered the most direct and effective suggestions for improvement based on each person's martial soul characteristics and combat habits.

Relying on the precise observation of Spirit Detection, he could often see through the subtle flaws in the team members' coordination or soul skill releases at a glance.

Under his guidance, Yu Tianheng gained more precise control over the timing of his Thunder Fury; Dugu Yan's use of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison became more treacherous and difficult to guard against; the Shi Brothers' Black Tortoise defense became more unified; and the speed and entry angles of Osler and Yu Feng became increasingly tricky.

Even Ye Lingling, who had originally focused only on healing, began to practice casting spells while moving and paid more attention to her own positioning safety under Lin Yi's requirements.

The strength of the entire Imperial Fighting Team improved steadily and rapidly under Lin Yi's near-"cold-blooded" and efficient guidance.

The team members' initial awe, born from his background and strength, gradually turned into a genuine conviction in his abilities.

As for Xiao Wu, she became a fixed "part of the scenery" by Lin Yi's side.

Ever since her identity was exposed and she was forced to submit that day, Xiao Wu had become like an exquisite doll that had lost its soul; wherever Lin Yi went, she followed silently.

When he cultivated, she cultivated in the corner of the training ground; when Lin Yi guided the team, she stood quietly to the side and watched; even when Lin Yi returned to his residence, she had no choice but to follow him inside and stay in the living room.

At first, she was full of resistance, fear, and endless longing for Tang San, often unable to sleep at night...

But apart from restricting her freedom and requiring her to follow him, Lin Yi did not make any excessive moves toward her, nor did he say any more threatening words.

This seemingly "peaceful" imprisonment actually allowed Xiao Wu's tense nerves to slowly relax.

She began to be forced to accept reality. Cultivation was the only thing she could do, and it was also the spark of hope deep in her heart that she might one day escape control and return to Tang San's side.

Under the protection of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, she did not have to worry about her identity being exposed and could cultivate with peace of mind in the mimicry environment.

In four months, her soul power had also increased from level thirty-eight to level thirty-nine, just one step away from becoming a Soul Ancestor.

She gradually became accustomed to this life as a "little follower." She grew used to Lin Yi's silence, the biting cold air he radiated while cultivating, and even the curious, sympathetic, or indifferent gazes of the Imperial Fighting Team members.

She no longer suffered from insomnia. Although there were still few smiles on her face, that despair and helplessness were gradually replaced by a numb calmness.

Like a vine forced to be transplanted, she carefully sought out gaps for survival in a strange environment.

Occasionally, during training breaks, she would hear some news about Shrek Academy.

She heard they were also training hard, that Dai Mubai had finally obtained his fourth soul ring, and that Tang San seemed to have become more silent and hardworking... Every time she heard this, a ripple would flash in the depths of her eyes, but it would quickly return to silence.

She knew that she was currently in no position to think too much.

Lin Yi saw the changes in Xiao Wu, but he did not care.

He only needed her to be obedient and stay under his control.

An Xiao Wu who was gradually adapting to the status quo and whose strength was still improving was more valuable than one who cried and sought death all day long.

Four months of time passed quietly in this seemingly calm and waveless, yet actually turbulent, atmosphere.

Lin Yi broke through to level sixty-seven, his strength advancing a step further.

Xiao Wu had reached level thirty-nine, just one final step away from a critical breakthrough.

The overall strength of the Imperial Fighting Team had improved significantly, and their coordination was becoming increasingly refined.

The footsteps of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament were drawing ever closer.

And the calm before the storm was about to be shattered.

Lin Yi knew that his next collision with Shrek, with Tang San, would not be far off.

Yet, before the Soul Master Tournament had even arrived, they were already here...