Xiao Wu's Worries and Choices

Lin Yi was slightly taken aback by Xiao Wu's question.

He had not expected Xiao Wu to suddenly ask such a profound question.

Why is this little rabbit suddenly asking about this?

Could it be because she is a Soul Beast in human form herself, making her particularly sensitive to this topic?

But then again, how could Soul Beasts and humans ever truly coexist in peace?

Lin Yi's thoughts raced, though he feigned a look of deep contemplation on the surface.

He took a bite of a wild fruit and said vaguely, "Well... theoretically, it is possible, but in reality, it is very difficult to achieve."

"Why is it difficult?" Xiao Wu pressed, a glimmer of expectation in her eyes.

Lin Yi shook his head, then said earnestly, "Because Spirit Masters need to hunt Soul Beasts to obtain Spirit Rings; this is an irreconcilable contradiction."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, humans hold inherent prejudices against Soul Beasts, and Soul Beasts are full of wariness toward humans. Breaking down these barriers will take a long time."

Long time? It's practically impossible.

And after Tang San becomes a god, the hunting of Soul Beasts by humans will only intensify. After all, gods don't care about such trivial matters.

Unless someone can pioneer a method to obtain Spirit Rings without hunting Soul Beasts, or create artificial Spirit Rings, this conflict will exist forever.

Lin Yi added these thoughts silently, though he could never voice them aloud.

Hearing Lin Yi's inner voice, Xiao Wu's eyes dimmed.

A method to obtain Spirit Rings without hunting Soul Beasts?

How could that be possible?

Spirit Rings only manifest after a Soul Beast dies; how could one obtain them without hunting?

As for artificial Spirit Rings, if they could be manufactured, why would anyone bother hunting Soul Beasts at all?

"I see," Xiao Wu nodded, then fell into silence.

Seeing her quiet, Lin Yi chewed on his fruit, feeling a sense of helplessness.

This little rabbit is acting strangely; she must be homesick.

But then again, how long does she intend to follow me like this?

Don't let her six-year-old appearance fool you; beneath that exterior is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. If she follows me everywhere and we run into a Titled Douluo, isn't that just asking for death?

After all, this isn't just her problem; it will inevitably implicate me.

I'm still young, I haven't even held a girl's hand yet, I don't want to die.

Thinking of this, Lin Yi felt a headache coming on.

He had originally intended to cultivate in low profile, stay far away from the main cast, and live his life in peace.

But now that Xiao Wu was insisting on following him, things had become complicated.

It seemed he had to come up with a plan...

As Lin Yi calculated, he suddenly remembered something.

Right, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

That old poison-master Dugu Bo not only has all kinds of immortal herbs there, but also the 'Lovesick Heartbreak Red' that can hide Xiao Wu's aura.

And since I've already been targeted by Tang San, even if it weren't for Xiao Wu, why should I let such an opportunity go to him?

But my strength is too low right now; going to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well is just suicide.

Dugu Bo is a Titled Douluo, after all. Even if his strength is impaired by poison, he isn't someone a little Spirit Master who just broke through level eleven like me can handle.

I must improve my strength first. I need to reach at least level thirty before graduation to have a bare minimum of self-preservation.

And I have to find a way to deal with Dugu Bo. That old eccentric has a strange temper; brute force definitely won't work.

Lin Yi planned silently in his heart, completely unaware that the look in Xiao Wu's eyes across from him had shifted from dejection to shock.

She had heard every single word of Lin Yi's inner monologue.

The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?

An immortal herb that can hide a Soul Beast's aura?

Xiao Wu's heart hammered against her chest.

She had been wondering whether to find an excuse to ask something else, never expecting this guy to figure it out on his own first.

And judging by his thoughts, there seemed to be a place that could resolve her greatest hidden danger: concealing her Soul Beast aura.

This information was far too important to her.

At the same time, she felt fortunate that deciding to follow Lin Yi home had been such a correct choice.

After all, as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form, Xiao Wu's greatest fear was having her identity discovered by human powerhouses.

Although many at Notting Academy knew she was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast through Lin Yi's inner voice, this was a small place where strength was generally low, and most people operated on the principle of avoiding unnecessary trouble.

Furthermore, the attitudes displayed by the teachers and students—some disbelieving, others wary of who might be backing her—meant the threat was relatively small.

However, once one steps out of Notting Academy and enters the vast world of Spirit Masters, the situation becomes entirely different.

If she could completely conceal her aura as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, she would no longer have to live in constant fear.

Xiao Wu suppressed the excitement in her heart, feigned indifference, and let out a yawn.

"Lin Yi, I'm sleepy." She rubbed her eyes. "Let's rest; we have to keep moving tomorrow."

Lin Yi snapped back to reality and nodded. "Alright, you sleep first. I'll keep watch for a while."

"Is there really a need to keep watch?" Xiao Wu tilted her head and smiled. "It looks quite safe here."

"It never hurts to be careful." Lin Yi shook his head. "Just sleep soundly."

[Although this isn't the Soul Hunting Forest and there shouldn't be any real danger, there are still wild beasts and such. It's best to stay vigilant.]

Hearing Lin Yi's inner voice, Xiao Wu felt a warmth spread through her heart.

"Well... alright then." She didn't insist, lying down on the bed of dry grass. "Wake me up if you get tired so I can take over the watch."

"Got it." Lin Yi replied, tossing a few more branches into the campfire.

Xiao Wu closed her eyes, but she didn't truly fall asleep.

She listened to the crackling of the campfire, her mind filled with a thousand thoughts.

On one hand, she felt a trace of gratitude toward Lin Yi. This human boy knew she was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, yet unlike others, he wasn't thinking about how to exploit her; instead, he was considering how to protect her.

On the other hand, she felt a deep sense of unease.

Why would Lin Yi want to help her?

Was it truly just out of camaraderie?

Or... did he have ulterior motives?

Xiao Wu recalled Lin Yi's earlier inner voice: Raising a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in captivity would be much less costly.

Her heart sank once more.

Perhaps Lin Yi was just like Tang Hao, simply waiting for her to grow up?

No...

Xiao Wu shook her head to herself.

If Lin Yi truly had such intentions, he wouldn't need to consider helping her hide her aura.

Once her identity was exposed, she would only be in greater danger and easier to control.

So, was Lin Yi genuinely trying to help her?

Xiao Wu wasn't sure.

But Lin Yi...

This boy seemed different from other humans.

Others could hear his inner voice.

The most crucial point was that he seemed unaware that others could hear his thoughts.

Furthermore, ever since she had met him, aside from complaining about Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, he had harbored no ill will toward anyone; he seemed to just want to coast through life.

His attitude toward her didn't feel like he was trying to use her.

Xiao Wu pretended to roll over, secretly turning her head to steal a glance at Lin Yi through narrowed eyes.

She made a silent decision in her heart.

From now on, whether Lin Yi liked it or not, she would stick by his side.

Until she obtained that immortal herb, and until she changed her own destiny.