Core Flame's Rebellion! One Sentence Made It Behave!

Bai Yuan took a deep breath. The Core Flame was still madly devouring the surrounding Soul Power. Not only had that suction not weakened, it was growing stronger and stronger.

He could sense the cluster of golden-black flame within the Core Flame dancing with almost greedy fervor.

"Getting more excited the more you absorb, huh?"

Bai Yuan muttered to himself, sinking his consciousness into his body as he tried to establish contact with the Core Flame.

All right, calm down.

Stop absorbing.

This isn't our territory. Keep a low profile.

The Core Flame's flickering paused for a moment.

Bai Yuan could feel the suction weaken somewhat, but it did not stop completely.

The Core Flame seemed reluctant to let go, still slowly absorbing the lingering Soul Power around it.

Bai Yuan sighed helplessly, his tone growing sterner.

"I said, calm down.

"Do you want me to get captured and sliced up for research?"

The Core Flame still did as it pleased. It absorbed more slowly, but it did not stop.

Bai Yuan frowned.

This thing's gotten addicted, hasn't it?

A scene suddenly flashed through his mind.

Xiao Bai had maintained an almost obsessive habit throughout countless reincarnations: he loved being clean.

Every time he bathed, he had to wash his entire body evenly, not missing a single inch of skin;

After every sparring session, even if he had only sweated a little, he would immediately rush into the bathroom;

He even bathed twice a day without fail, rain or shine.

It had long become a running joke among the players.

You could always trust Bai Yuan's combat ability, but you should trust his obsession with bathing even more.

The corner of Bai Yuan's lips curled up as his consciousness sank deep into the Core Flame.

In a casual tone, as though talking to himself, he said:

"Fine, keep absorbing.

"Then when I get back, I won't bathe for a month."

The Core Flame's flickering abruptly froze.

That sluggish suction vanished in an instant, as though someone had grabbed it by the throat.

It did not even dare touch the residual Soul Power around it, as if it had been contaminated by something filthy.

The flame shrank back and burned quietly, obedient as a scolded kitten.

Bai Yuan: "..."

That really worked.

Bai Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, opened his eyes, and looked around.

The forest had returned to calm, and the flow of Soul Power was normalizing, as though that frenzied devouring had never happened.

He did not dare lower his guard.

Inside the Spirit Ascension Platform, everything about him could be monitored by those people.

Soul Power fluctuations, changes in spiritual power, even his heartbeat and breathing.

If they discovered the Core Flame's abnormality, then with his current strength and status, he would have no room to resist.

After all, the bond between him and Leng Yaozhu was not yet that solid.

Right now, they were master and disciple, an investment relationship, a community of shared interests.

But that relationship was still far from strong enough for Leng Yaozhu to be willing to turn against the entire Spirit Pagoda for him.

If the Core Flame's secret was exposed and the higher-ups of the Spirit Pagoda wanted to capture him for research, what would Leng Yaozhu do?

Protect him, or abandon him?

Bai Yuan did not want to gamble on the answer.

So, before he had sufficient strength, before he and Leng Yaozhu became revolutionary comrades who could not do without each other.

He had to keep the Core Flame's secret hidden.

He withdrew his consciousness and looked up at Gu Yuena ahead of him.

The silver-haired girl had already walked some distance away and was looking back at him impatiently.

"Are you coming or not?"

Bai Yuan did not answer her. He simply strode forward, his steps as light as though he had Wind Fire Wheels under his feet.

"Hey—"

Gu Yuena froze for a moment behind him, then hurriedly followed.

"Hey, hey, hey! What's wrong with you?

"I waited for you, but you won't wait for me?

"Where are you going?"

Bai Yuan did not even turn his head and kept walking.

"Are you deaf?

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

Gu Yuena's voice caught up from behind, tinged with exasperation.

Her footsteps were hurried, and she nearly had to jog to keep up with Bai Yuan's pace.

Bai Yuan's lips curved upward, but he refused to turn around.

He was still savoring how the Core Flame had instantly become obedient after being threatened with "no bathing," and he almost could not hold back his laughter.

If Gu Yuena saw the expression he was making while suppressing his laughter, she would probably bristle again.

Gu Yuena caught up to his side and glared at him from the corner of her eye, her violet pupils filled with anger.

"You did that on purpose?"

Bai Yuan finally turned to her with an innocent expression.

"What are you talking about, Junior Sister? I'm seriously scouting the way."

"Scouting the way?"

Gu Yuena sneered.

"You were clearly laughing just now."

"I wasn't."

"You were."

"I wasn't."

"You were! I saw it!"

Bai Yuan stopped, turned around, and looked at her solemnly.

"Junior Sister, do you know what you look like right now?"

Gu Yuena asked reflexively, "Like what?"

"Like a kitten with its fur standing on end."

Gu Yuena's face turned red with a whoosh.

I'm a noble dragon!!!

What kitten?!?!

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

But she discovered that her "world-shaking wisdom" had crashed in front of Bai Yuan once again.

Looking at her angry yet embarrassed appearance, Bai Yuan finally could not hold back his laughter. "All right, all right, stop dawdling.

"If we don't get going, I won't help you ascend your spirit."

Gu Yuena stood where she was, took a deep breath, then another deep breath.

Calm down!

You're the smartest!

He's trying to provoke you!

She clenched her fists, recited Bai Yuan's name eighteen times in her heart, then quickly caught up to him.

"Bai Yuan, just you wait."

"Mm, I'm waiting."

"...Hmph!"

Bai Yuan walked a few more steps before suddenly stopping.

The bushes ahead shook violently, and a grayish-black figure sprang out from within.

It was a troop of Baboons, their bodies covered in brownish-yellow fur, their claw-tipped nails sharp, their beastly eyes savage and ferocious!

A pair of blood-red eyes stared directly at the two of them.

Its mouth split open, revealing two rows of sharp fangs. Drool dripped from its chin, corroding small pits into the ground.

Bai Yuan narrowed his eyes, the corner of his lips curling up.

"Oh my, isn't this the God Slayer Wind Baboon?"

"It almost ended Huo Yuhao back then. What a pity."

Before the Baboon could pounce, a rustling sound came from the canopy on the other side.

A massive green snake descended from the branches and leaves, its triangular head held high. Its vertical pupils stared coldly at the two of them while its crimson tongue flicked in and out, giving off a heavy stench.

Bai Yuan's eyes lit up.

"Another old friend? The prize pool is still accumulating!"

He tilted his head at the green snake, his smile deepening.

"Mandala Snake.

"Why didn't you bite God King Tang and Gangzi to death back then?"

Bai Yuan took a step back, patted Gu Yuena on the shoulder, and said with a solemn expression, "Junior Sister, these are both famous Soul Beasts.

"Back in the Star Dou Forest, they were both the kind of existences that strutted around sideways."

Gu Yuena looked expressionlessly at the two Soul Beasts.

A thousand-year Baboon and a hundred-year Mandala Snake.

To her, things of this level were no different from ants.

And she truly had no impression of either of them!

Bai Yuan took another step back, spread his hands, and said with a cheerful smile,

"Good luck, Junior Sister. This Senior Brother won't be making a move."

Gu Yuena turned to look at him, her violet eyes filled with, "Are you messing with me?"

Bai Yuan looked utterly sincere.

"Really. Kill them, and you'll become number one in the world."

Gu Yuena's mouth twitched.

"...Huh?"

She looked at Bai Yuan, then at the two Soul Beasts baring their fangs at them.

A thousand-year Baboon, a hundred-year Mandala Snake.

Killing such weak Soul Beasts would make her number one in the world?

There was a trace of disbelief in Gu Yuena's voice.

"Are you kidding me?"

Bai Yuan shook his head as he spoke.

"Junior Sister, don't underestimate them.

"This Wind Baboon nearly killed Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao back then, and this Mandala Snake nearly made Sea God Tang San...

"It's all written in their biographies!

"In short, they're both important characters.

"Kill them, and you can brag about it for the rest of your life when you get back."

Gu Yuena took a deep breath.

This human was making fun of her again.

"Fine."

Gu Yuena said coldly, turning to face the two Soul Beasts.

"I'll kill them."

Bai Yuan smiled as he retreated beneath a large tree, leaned against the trunk with his arms crossed, and looked ready to enjoy the show.

The Baboon pounced first, its arms swinging and stirring up a gale.

The Mandala Snake followed close behind. Its body shot out like a spring as it opened its bloody maw and went straight for Gu Yuena's throat.

Gu Yuena stood still, unmoving.

Leaning against the tree, Bai Yuan could not suppress the curve of his lips no matter what.

Go, Junior Sister.