Under Zhao Wuji's terrifying Gravity Squeeze, Qian Renxue's body flew uncontrollably toward his fist.
She was already out of options. If she was crushed and sent flying like this, she would definitely be injured by that punch.
"Qian Renxue!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Ye stopped resisting the Gravity Squeeze and used the gravity to rush toward Qian Renxue at once.
"Lin Ye, what are you doing? Don't come over! I can withstand this punch!" Qian Renxue panicked.
As a Soul King, she would at most be injured if she took a Violent Fist from a Soul Saint's Martial Soul Avatar head-on. But Lin Ye was only a Soul Ancestor; he could very well be severely injured by a single punch.
"You protected me once just now. This time, it's my turn to protect you!"
Lin Ye stepped in front of Qian Renxue without hesitation and raised his Bright Dragon Wings in defense once more.
"Trying to play the hero and save the beauty!? You've got to have the ability for that, brat! This punch will cripple you!"
Zhao Wuji's expression turned utterly vicious as he blasted forward with a punch.
Bang!
The Bright Dragon Wings were blasted open by the punch again, and the heavy fist was about to slam into Lin Ye's chest.
Lin Ye completely abandoned defense and thrust out his sword at the same instant.
"Mutual destruction? Is this brat insane? Isn't he afraid I'll kill him with one punch!?" Zhao Wuji panicked.
Bang!
Splat!~
Almost simultaneously, Zhao Wuji's fist smashed viciously into Lin Ye.
Lin Ye's sword also pierced through Zhao Wuji's shoulder.
Lin Ye and Qian Renxue were sent flying one after the other, while Zhao Wuji was severely injured on the spot.
Splat~
"Urgh..." Lin Ye spat out a mouthful of blood and nearly lost his footing.
Qian Renxue held Lin Ye from behind, her face filled with distress. "Idiot! Why did you block that for me? I could have taken it myself!"
"I have the Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone. I can recover quickly after taking a beating. Can you?" Lin Ye said, his face pale.
"I..."
"After that sword strike, Zhao Wuji is severely injured too. It's time to finish him!" Lin Ye's weak words carried intense killing intent.
"Brat! You may have severely wounded me with that sword, but you no longer have the strength to fight. Let's see how you two stop this move next!"
Zhao Wuji's killing intent surged as his sixth soul ring rose beneath his feet. "Sixth Soul Skill, Vajra Bear Annihilation!!"
"Go die, all of you!!"
Roar!!
Zhao Wuji completely transformed into a massive golden bear and charged forward wildly.
"Qian Renxue, hold him off! I'll finish him!"
"Alright!" Qian Renxue gritted her teeth and released all of the Holy Sword's power at once.
"Holy Sword!!"
The sword in her hand became incomparably enormous, stretching over ten meters long. Qian Renxue raised the Holy Sword above her head with both hands and slashed down at Zhao Wuji, who had transformed into a giant bear!
Bang! Boom, boom!
The two powers clashed.
"Hahaha! Let's see how long you can hold on!!" Zhao Wuji laughed madly as he gradually suppressed the Holy Sword's power.
"Zhao Wuji! It's time to send you to your death!"
Lin Ye activated his Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone skill. "Wildfires cannot burn it all; spring winds bring it back to life!"
Intense life energy rose from Lin Ye's body. Its terrifying restorative power healed all of his injuries, and Lin Ye instantly became full of vitality again.
"How is this possible!? That brat's injuries have all healed! What level of Spirit Bone skill is this? It actually has such terrifying recovery power!!" Zhao Wuji was horrified.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Angel Descent!"
Angel wings emerged behind him as Lin Ye transformed into a sacred angel and soared into the sky.
"Zhao Wuji! Die!!!"
Angel Lin Ye slashed down viciously with his sword.
"Oh no!! Damn it!!" The sensation of death enveloped his entire body. Zhao Wuji's face was filled with despair; the Holy Sword was holding him down, leaving him unable to dodge.
"No! Wait! Brat!"
"Wait? You don't have the chance! Die!"
"AAAAAHHH!~"
Splat~
Bang! Boom, boom!
With one final scream, Zhao Wuji was instantly cut in half by Lin Ye's Ground Slash!
He was slain on the spot!
[Sin of Judgment, completed.] [Third Angel Trial, Seven Sins of Angel Judgment. Only the final sin remains: Sin of Betrayal.]
"Huff!" Lin Ye panted lightly as he glanced at Zhao Wuji, who was dead beyond doubt.
Although the Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone could heal injuries, it could not restore Soul Power. After using his fourth soul skill, his Soul Power had also been greatly depleted.
"Lin Ye, are you alright?" Qian Renxue stepped forward and asked with concern.
"I'm fine. My Soul Power is just a little depleted. Are you injured?" Lin Ye asked.
"Just a minor injury. It's nothing." Qian Renxue shook her head, somewhat amazed by Lin Ye's Spirit Bone skill. "That hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone skill is truly terrifying. Zhao Wuji's punch must have injured your internal organs just now, right? Yet you recovered in an instant."
"Heh, it is a hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Bone skill, after all. It's only natural for it to have that kind of recovery ability."
Recalling how Lin Ye had rushed over and taken that punch for her, Qian Renxue felt warmth in her heart, along with surprise.
She was surprised that seeing Lin Ye vomit blood and suffer serious injuries had made her feel so worried and heartbroken.
When did I... start caring about him this much?
Qian Renxue asked herself inwardly.
Her gaze settled on the handsome youth once more, and her voice became much gentler. "Thank you for earlier."
"Even with the Blue Silver Emperor's recovery skill, that punch still hurt like hell! You're brushing me off with just a thank-you?" Lin Ye teased.
"Then... then what do you want!~"
Lin Ye grinned and pointed at his cheek. "There. Give me a kiss to show your appreciation."
"Get lost!"
Qian Renxue's little face instantly flushed red. With a hint of bashfulness, she said, "Y-you wish~! I... I'm not doing that!~"
She had kissed Lin Ye once before.
But Lin Ye had only been seven years old then. In Qian Renxue's eyes, he had merely been a child. Now Lin Ye was nearly nine, and he had grown to one meter sixty. In the early-maturing world of Douluo Continent, he was no longer considered a child.
He was about to enter his teenage years.
He had reached the age when propriety between men and women had to be considered.
Qian Renxue was shy too. She could not just kiss him whenever she wanted.
"Your thanks don't seem very sincere either. Forget it, forget it." Lin Ye shrugged indifferently.
He had only been joking anyway. Retracting his power, he prepared to leave. "Let's go. We should find somewhere to rest."
"Hey! Wait!"
Qian Renxue called out from behind him.
"What?" Lin Ye turned around.
At that moment, Qian Renxue's lips pressed against his, planting a shy kiss on the side of his face.
Muah~
Lin Ye froze in astonishment.
He had not expected Qian Renxue to actually kiss him...
Her face red, she said, "J-just this once. Next time... you're not allowed to ask again!"
"L-let's go. We need to find an inn and rest."
Is she embarrassed...? For some reason, Lin Ye's heart began beating faster as well. He came back to his senses. "Oh, alright. Let's go."
The two left the area.
It was already very late.
They checked several inns, but none had any rooms available. They finally came to the fifth inn.
But there was only one room left.
"I'm sorry, sir and miss, but our inn only has one standard room remaining."
Before you continue