At Xiao Wu's command, it immediately reined in its terrifying aura and slowly crouched down.
"I thought it couldn't speak human language," Tang Yin whispered in Xiao Wu's ear.
The Titan Giant Ape's ears twitched. It let out a series of low growls and fixed Tang Yin with an unfriendly stare.
"Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts can all speak human language. It just depends on whether they want to," Xiao Wu explained softly.
"So that's how it is." Tang Yin finally understood.
Xiao Wu turned to introduce Tang Yin to the Titan Giant Ape. "Er Ming, this is the human I told you and Da Ming about before. His name is Tang Yin. He's my partner now, the one I love."
The Titan Giant Ape's pupils contracted slightly. It stared fixedly at Tang Yin and said in a deep voice, "Sister Xiao Wu, Auntie once said that humans can't be trusted!"
Xiao Wu gently shook her head. "He's different!"
Touched, Tang Yin said softly, "Xiao Wu, I'm leaving."
Xiao Wu's heart jolted. She spun around and threw herself into Tang Yin's arms, her eyes full of reluctance.
"I'll definitely come back for you." Though Tang Yin had no idea whether he could keep that promise, he still had to give himself some confidence.
"I believe you. Don't let me down. You have to come back for me!" Xiao Wu said through tears, her eyes red.
"Don't cry. I'll definitely come back for you." Tang Yin gently wiped the tears from Xiao Wu's cheeks, his own heart aching.
Then he spun around and strode into the forest with the air of a man facing certain death.
After six years of steady development, his first crisis had finally arrived!
"Tang Yin!!!"
Xiao Wu cried out. Her voice echoed through the forest and drifted into Tang Yin's ears.
As he made his way back, Tang Yin released the Blue Silver Domain.
With the Blue Silver Domain's support, he could avoid the Soul Beasts along the way and find the best route.
At the same time,
he shared the Blue Silver Domain's abilities with Xiao Wu.
That way, Xiao Wu could see him, and he could see her.
Though hundreds of meters separated them, it felt as if they were right beside each other.
"Wait for me."
When he reached the very edge of the Blue Silver Domain's range, Tang Yin stopped and looked back, his lips moving silently.
Xiao Wu nodded with all her strength.
Tang Yin stepped forward, and the Blue Silver Domain no longer encompassed Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu's vision blurred. The scene shifted, and Tang Yin was gone. Only the Titan Giant Ape remained beside her.
"Sister Xiao Wu, does this human know your identity?" the Titan Giant Ape asked in a deep voice.
"Yes. But don't worry, he won't hurt me," Xiao Wu replied confidently.
The Titan Giant Ape looked doubtful.
"Let's go find Da Ming. Tang Yin and I bought lots of presents for you and Da Ming."
Xiao Wu took a deep breath and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Then she leaped up, and with a few strides of her long, graceful legs, landed on the Titan Giant Ape's shoulder.
The Titan Giant Ape set off at a run toward the inner reaches of Star Dou Forest.
Tang Yin had barely left Star Dou Forest and gone very far when a gray-robed figure appeared ahead, blocking his path.
Tang Yin narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is that you, senior?"
Beneath the gray robe, Tang Hao wore a mask. With his back to Tang Yin, he said coolly, "You remember me."
"Of course. I couldn't forget you," Tang Yin replied with a smile.
Tang Hao turned slightly and glanced at Tang Yin. "When did you find out that... the little girl was a transformed Soul Beast?"
"Just recently. Xiao Wu told me herself," Tang Yin answered with a smile.
Tang Hao asked in a low voice, "Then why did you send her back to Star Dou Forest?"
Tang Yin replied frankly, "She can't walk the road ahead with me."
Then he changed the subject. "Are you going to kill her, senior?"
Instead of answering, Tang Hao asked, "Don't you want her Soul Ring and Soul Bone? They're a hundred thousand years old!"
Tang Yin shrugged. "Xiao Wu is my partner. How could I take her Soul Ring and Soul Bone? Even if I wanted hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings and Soul Bones, I'd go hunt other Soul Beasts."
"Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts aren't so easy to find," Tang Hao said in a low voice.
Tang Yin didn't answer.
Seeing this, Tang Hao continued, "You just said... you and her have become partners?"
Tang Yin nodded with a smile. "That's right. Xiao Wu and I have pledged ourselves to each other. She gave herself to me, so I have to risk my life to protect her."
Beneath his mask, the corner of Tang Hao's mouth twitched. "Young people these days..."
Tang Yin gave an awkward laugh.
They really were a little young for this. He'd been somewhat impulsive too, unable to hold himself back...
Xiao Wu was simply too beautiful... and her Soul Power was rising so quickly. She had the best of everything, and her body was developing fast...
"What level is your Soul Power now?" Tang Hao asked calmly.
Tang Yin was taken aback, then replied, "Level thirty-nine."
In fact, he was at level forty.
But...
He didn't want to absorb a fourth Soul Ring yet, so he had to lie...
Tang Hao was deeply shocked to hear Tang Yin was already at level thirty-nine.
"Keep working hard."
As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished.
Tang Yin raised an eyebrow, then put the matter out of his mind and continued on his way as if Tang Hao had never been there.
After arriving in Suotuo City,
Tang Yin decided to rest for the night and continue his journey the next day.
Inside Suotuo Grand Hotel,
Tang Yin had barely stepped inside when a group ahead caught his eye.
There were eight of them: six men and two women.
The man at their head looked to be in his thirties. He wore a blue-green robe and had a handsome, gentle face, a calm and scholarly air, and the aura of Soul Power around him.
The other seven also radiated Soul Power. They were all clearly Soul Masters.
One man had black hair, a handsome face, a cold and proud bearing, and wore blue. His eyes were sharp.
One woman had purple hair, a curvaceous figure, fair skin, and a few hints of caprice and arrogance in her eyes.
Another woman had long, deep-blue hair and wore a dark blue dress. Her features were cool and serene, her temperament gentle, like fragile crystal.
There were also a pair of twins. They looked almost identical, with tall, muscular builds, dark skin, honest faces, and imposing bearing.
Of the two remaining men, one had golden hair that swept back, a tall, straight frame, and a careless smile. The other was lean, dressed in black, and had a steady gaze.
Eight Soul Masters had suddenly arrived in Suotuo City, and in such an unusual group.
Tang Yin couldn't help taking note of them.
But in that same moment, all eight of them looked toward Tang Yin.
There was no denying it.
After awakening his Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline, Tang Yin had become a woman-killer, irresistible to young and old alike.
"Ahem!"
Seeing the purple-haired girl staring, the blue-clad young man beside her gave a soft cough to remind her.
But no one paid attention to the cool, serene girl.
"One room."
Tang Yin quickly booked a room, glanced at the eight of them once more, then went upstairs.
That purple-haired girl is probably Dugu Yan. There was a sweet scent about her as she passed by.
The others fit their descriptions too.
Tang Yin's thoughts were in turmoil. He wondered whether he should start with Dugu Yan.
Directly making an enemy of Dugu Bo would be far too dangerous.