Ning Rongrong's Predicament

The sensation of space jumping is far from pleasant.

Every traversal is accompanied by an intense tearing sensation.

It feels as if the soul is being forcibly ripped from the body, only to be shoved back in just as violently.

Even for Li Hao, after several high-intensity transfers in a row, he feels waves of dizziness.

Medusa and Zhu Zhuqing are faring no better.

Medusa is doing alright; her powerful soul strength allows her to barely withstand the discomfort.

As for Zhu Zhuqing, every time a jump ends, her cold, beautiful face turns a shade paler.

Yet, she keeps her teeth clenched, not uttering a sound, following closely behind Li Hao.

Finally, after another nauseating traversal.

That distress signal coming from the distant beyond becomes incredibly clear!

At that very moment, a thick scent of blood, mixed with the smell of something burnt, drills into the nostrils of the three.

Li Hao's eyes narrow.

"We're here."

He lowers his body, signaling the two to take cover.

They are currently at the edge of a dense forest, and through the gaps in the layers of branches and leaves, they can glimpse the scene ahead.

Before them lies a devastated clearing.

The ground looks as if it has been plowed by a giant beast, with overturned soil and broken trees everywhere.

Several corpses of Soul Master wearing standard-issue armor are scattered in twisted positions.

Blood has stained the earth beneath them red.

Beside the corpses lie the remains of several massive soul beasts, already torn apart beyond recognition.

The battle ended not long ago.

And it was a tragic, one-sided massacre.

Li Hao's gaze quickly locks onto the area behind a massive boulder.

There, a petite figure sits.

She is curled up in the shadow of the rock.

The luxurious pink dress she wears has become tattered, stained with mud and blood.

Her soft brown hair is disheveled, covering most of her face.

Only a pair of stubborn eyes, brimming with tears she refuses to let fall, are visible.

She is trembling.

Not from the cold.

But from the most extreme terror.

Ning Rongrong.

The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

It really is her.

Li Hao's heart sinks.

This is a huge problem.

This is no ordinary Soul Beast Girl.

This is the apple of the eye of one of the top powers on the Douluo Continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

Saving her is equivalent to entangling himself in an unbreakable karmic bond with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and perhaps even more forces behind them.

In the brief moment he spends thinking.

"Roar..."

Several low growls echo from around the forest.

Three agile, jet-black soul beasts slowly emerge from the shadows.

They exude a cold, sinister aura.

They are Shadow Demon Wolf!

A cunning and cruel thousand-year soul beast.

They form a pincer movement, stepping closer and closer toward Ning Rongrong behind the rock.

Saliva drips from their sharp fangs.

Ning Rongrong's body shakes even more violently.

She had only snuck out of the sect, wanting to shake off those two annoying guards to go see Shrek Academy.

She wanted to prove that even without the protection of her family, she could still become a powerful Soul Master!

But she never imagined...

The dangers of the Star Dou Forest far exceeded her imagination!

The guards had all died in battle to protect her.

And she herself...

The dignified little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was actually going to die here, becoming a meal for these beasts?

Regret!

Unwillingness!

And endless despair swallowed her whole.

Just at this moment.

Rustle...

A flurry of hurried footsteps approached from another direction.

More than a dozen Soul Masters dressed in black, tight-fitting attire with fierce auras emerged from the woods.

They were not here to rescue her.

The lead Soul Master glanced at the corpses on the ground, then looked at Ning Rongrong, who was surrounded by demonic wolves, a cruel smirk spreading across his lips.

"Tsk tsk, as expected of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; to protect this little princess, they even lost a Soul Saint here."

He shook his head, feigning pity.

"What a shame, we were still a step too late."

Another person chimed in, "Boss, what do we do? If this girl gets eaten by the soul beasts, it won't be easy for us to report back."

The lead Soul Master sneered.

"What are you afraid of? Just say that by the time we arrived, she had already been torn to shreds by the soul beasts."

"Perfect, it saves us the trouble."

"Just bring back that treasure on her that conceals her aura, and our mission is complete!"

Their conversation reached Ning Rongrong's ears, word for word.

Her last shred of hope was completely extinguished.

So... these people weren't here to save her.

They were here to kill her!

She felt the foul, fishy stench of the soul beasts drawing closer and looked at the cold, heartless faces of those Soul Masters.

The last glimmer of light in her eyes faded away completely.

"What should I do?"

In Li Hao's mind, the system's gloating notification sounded once again.

[Target near death detected, but soul purity is insufficient; Bond Evolution cannot be triggered.]

[In short, she isn't dead enough yet, so there's no reward for saving her.]

[Host, it is time to test your kindness.]

Li Hao: "..."

"This Martial Soul is really getting more and more like a dog."

"Master, do not meddle in other people's business."

Medusa's voice echoed in his heart, carrying a hint of warning.

"That girl has a special Soul Power Mark on her, which is extremely powerful; it should be the work of the Martial Soul Hall."

"These people are here specifically for this mark."

"Once we intervene, we will be entangled by that mark, leading to endless trouble."

Medusa's judgment was calm and correct.

Seeking advantages and avoiding harm is the instinct for survival.

However, Zhu Zhuqing, standing beside Li Hao, had a different reaction.

She looked at the girl in the pink dress trembling in despair...

A trace of extremely complex fluctuation appeared in those golden eyes that were usually frozen in ice.

Once upon a time.

She was the same, fleeing helplessly under the pursuit of her sister and family.

If she hadn't met her master...

She did not speak.

Yet, that subtle shift in emotion did not escape Li Hao's perception.

Li Hao sighed.

"Forget it."

"I came out here to save people, after all."

"I can't just stand by and watch someone die simply because their identity is special."

"Otherwise, what kind of Soul Beast Girl breeder would I be?"

He glanced at the few black-clad Soul Master approaching, then at the Shadow Demon Wolf lurking with predatory intent.

The bit of kindness in his bones and that inexplicable urge to protect his own ultimately gained the upper hand.

"Medusa, Zhu Zhuqing, stay hidden for now."

He instructed softly.

"I'll be back in a flash."

Before the words had even faded.

Without waiting for their response, his figure leaped lightly from their hiding spot.

Silent as a shadow.

He landed steadily between Ning Rongrong and the pack of Shadow Demon Wolf.

His appearance was abrupt in the extreme.

Whether it was the ferocious wolves or the group of black-clad Soul Master preparing to watch the show, everyone froze in that moment.

Ning Rongrong was stunned as well.

She slowly raised her pale, tear-stained face, looking blankly at the man who had suddenly blocked her path.

The man was tall, dressed in simple cloth robes, with an ordinary face.

But those eyes were as deep as if they held the entire starry sky.

And in his hand...

He was holding a Fishing Rod?

Li Hao ignored the bewildered gazes around him.

He turned around, meeting Ning Rongrong's eyes, which were filled with fear, confusion, and despair.

He spoke calmly, his voice not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears with perfect clarity.

"Little girl, are you alright?"