God Realm Best Friend

"When you reach my level, you'll understand."

Lin Xiao rose to his feet and walked onto the balcony, clasping his hands behind his back. "I only heard about it—I've never actually seen it. When I have time, I'll go take a look at this Forest Emperor."

"Alright, today's meeting is over. I still have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."

With that, Lin Xiao leaped lightly into the air. After several great bounds, he had already vanished from Flender's office.

Master clenched his fists and turned to look at Flender beside him, unable to understand why Flender had stopped him.

"Flender, what were you doing just now? Why did you stop me?!"

"Alas." Flender sighed. "Xiao Gang, why do you still not understand? Lin Xiao's strength has already surpassed most people. And which Titled Douluo is easy to provoke? Think it through properly."

"If you angered another Titled Douluo, I might not say anything. But you absolutely cannot provoke Lin Xiao. That boy is decisive and ruthless. Once he knows you harbor killing intent, he definitely will not spare you, even if you are a Soul Grandmaster. The Peerless Dragon Snake couple are the perfect example. You should take it as a warning."

Zhao Wuji snorted inwardly, clearly not taking Master seriously. Listening to that man's drivel, he still wanted to contend with Lin Xiao? That was like an egg striking a stone—utterly ridiculous.

And someone like that could still become a renowned sage in the soul master world? In Zhao Wuji's view, he was nothing but a fraud with an undeserved reputation.

If Flender had not protected him, Master probably would have died countless times already.

Even Zhao Wuji could barely suppress the urge to give Master a vicious beating.

Fortunately, he held himself back. When he had the time, he could only beat up Tang San and the others instead.

Flender picked up the teapot from the table and poured Master a cup of tea.

"Xiao Gang, I know you must feel uncomfortable about this. Xiao San is still young. For his next soul ring, we can let him have a thousand-year one, can't we? Lin Xiao is a Titled Douluo, and his knowledge is broader than ours. After all, Sea God Island is not a place ordinary people can visit."

"So stay."

Master clenched his fists and sighed heavily. "Forget it, forget it. I should continue wandering. This place does not suit me. Flender, take good care of Xiao San. He is my only disciple. In three years, I will come back to take him away."

It was not that Master did not wish to stay. Rather, if he remained, his position would never surpass Lin Xiao's. So he might as well live more freely.

He had no objections to leaving Tang San in Flender's care.

Seeing Master remain so stubborn, Flender was helpless. He knew Xiao Gang's temper well—he was as stubborn as a mule, the kind ten oxen could not drag back.

Flender truly had no idea how he had managed to survive until now.

"Alas, Xiao Gang, Xiao Gang... sigh. Fine. Since you wish to leave, I won't force you to stay. If you want to return someday, then return. Shrek's gates will always be open to you."

Master nodded, picked up the book on the table, and turned around with a carefree air before leaving the headmaster's office.

Watching Master gradually draw nearer, Flender took off his glasses and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.

They had known each other for so many years. Yet after being apart for so long, Master did not seem to miss him at all. It was truly tragic and lamentable.

Zhao Wuji said in a deep voice, "Boss, is Master really worth shedding tears over? Look at him. He left so carefree, not even willing to say one extra word. I think it would be better if he were not here."

Flender's expression darkened, and his voice sank slightly. "Zhao Wuji, I hope you will not bring up those words again. Xiao Gang is my close friend. Do not jump to conclusions next time!"

Hearing this, Zhao Wuji abruptly rose to his feet. "Boss, you... sigh. Since you are so devoted to him, I'll take my leave first."

Zhao Wuji truly could not suppress the anger in his heart. He always felt that Master was nothing but trash, useless to keep around.

Flender sighed as he gazed at the sun, moon, and starlight, an indescribable feeling rising within him. Had he truly been wrong?

Elsewhere, Lin Xiao sat at the edge of his bed, reading a book about soul beasts while Wang Zhaojun personally washed his feet beneath him.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, a voice sounded in Lin Xiao's mind.

"Meet in the woods."

Lin Xiao put down the book in his hands and put on his shoes. As the breeze stirred, his body vanished with it.

When he appeared again, he had already arrived in the forest where he had fought Tang Hao last time.

Lin Xiao shouted helplessly at his surroundings, "Is this fun? Why did you call me out here?"

"Hahaha, you brat, your temper's gotten worse again."

At that moment, a man appeared before Lin Xiao without anyone knowing when he had arrived.

The man was around 1.8 meters tall. He held a feather fan in his right hand and wore a blood-red robe embroidered with several blood-red dragons. Each dragon was separate, as though it might come alive the very next second.

"Lin Xiao, long time no see." The man waved the feather fan in his hand and looked at Lin Xiao with a smile.

"Yeah, it's been more than ten years." Lin Xiao recognized the man from his memories.

This man was Zhou Yi, the grandson of one of God Realm's Three Great Law Enforcers. He was of the same generation as Lin Xiao, though three or four years older.

The two had often been together when they were children.

"It's been over ten years. Why are you still wearing a mask? What, afraid I'd recognize you?" Zhou Yi chuckled. With a sweep of his feather fan, the mask on Lin Xiao's face fell off by itself, revealing his handsome features.

"That's more like it. You truly are the most handsome man in the God Realm. Even your big brother here is starting to fall for you just looking at you."

Lin Xiao nearly threw up. "No, no, no. Don't fall for me. I'm not into men."

Zhou Yi rolled his eyes at Lin Xiao. "Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't. By the way, why are you only a Spirit Emperor after more than ten years of cultivation?"

Lin Xiao's talent far surpassed Zhou Yi's. Yet over the past ten-plus years, Zhou Yi had already become a level ninety-two Titled Douluo, with terrifying strength.

"Get lost, get lost. How can the God Realm compare to the Mortal Realm? If I were in the God Realm, I would've become a god long ago."

Zhou Yi froze when he heard that, then thought it over. It made sense.

"Hehe, I snuck out this time. I stole my grandfather's spatial orb. Otherwise, I couldn't have descended to the lower realm."

"Aren't you afraid of getting caught?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

"Why would I be afraid? Take a look at who I am! Come on, come on, let's go have a drink. It's been more than ten years—I've missed you to death."

"Let's go."

Zhou Yi burst into laughter, then leaped down beside Lin Xiao and threw an arm around his shoulders.

"We won't return until we're drunk."

"I'd better put my mask back on."

Zhou Yi grabbed the mask from Lin Xiao's hand. "What are you talking about? What, can a handsome man like us still be shy? Back in the God Realm, I never saw you acting shy. Why are you becoming more timid as you grow older? Are you still even yourself?"