Golden Crocodile Returns, Tang Hao's Limbs Crippled

Ji Ye's voice was very flat.

"There is blood stasis in at least a dozen of its joints; it won't be able to exert any force for two days."

"What?!"

Xiao Wu was silent for a moment.

"Why did you take me away?"

Ji Ye stopped in his tracks and looked back at her.

His gaze was calm, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips.

"Because you are useful to me."

Xiao Wu opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.

Ji Ye turned back around and continued walking.

"Rest assured, I won't let you become a soul ring. At least, not for now."

Xiao Wu followed behind him, head bowed.

Even if he wanted to kill her, what could she possibly do?

A week later.

Martial Soul City.

Ji Ye and Xiao Wu stepped down from the carriage.

Xiao Wu looked up at the magnificent city, her heart tightening.

Martial Soul City. The center of the human spirit master world, the headquarters of Martial Soul Hall.

Her mother had been killed by Bibi Dong, the Pope of Martial Soul Hall...

Ji Ye did not stop walking, saying without looking back, "Keep up, don't get lost."

Xiao Wu gritted her teeth and followed.

The two passed through the towering gates of Martial Soul City and headed straight along the main street.

Pedestrians on the road saw Ji Ye, and many took the initiative to clear a path; some young girls even blushed when they saw him from afar, whispering to one another.

Xiao Wu noticed those gazes and felt a bit awkward, but she said nothing.

Before long, the gates of the Worship Hall appeared before them.

Ji Ye pushed the door open and pulled Xiao Wu inside.

The Worship Hall was much livelier than usual.

Several elders were sitting together in the hall, smiles on their faces.

The moment Ji Ye and Xiao Wu walked in, everyone's eyes turned toward them.

"Little Ye is back!"

Demon Subduing Douluo was the first to stand up. He walked to Ji Ye in a few strides, reached out with a large hand, and pulled him directly into a hug with such force that Ji Ye nearly lost his breath.

"Good lad! You've been gone for so many days, you've finally returned!"

He released Ji Ye and looked him up and down.

"Are you hurt? You've thinned out a bit, but your spirit seems fine."

Ji Ye broke free from his arms and rolled his shoulders.

"Senior Demon Subduing, if you squeeze me any harder, I'll stop breathing."

Demon Subduing Douluo laughed heartily, only then noticing the person standing behind Ji Ye.

A girl in pink with a long scorpion braid hanging down her back; her eyes were still a bit red, and she looked timid.

Yet, she radiated the aura that a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast should possess.

"Eh?" Demon Subduing Douluo blinked, instantly startled.

"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?!"

The other elders gathered around as well.

Mighty Lion Douluo also walked over, looking at Xiao Wu.

"She is that transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast from in front of Shrek Academy that day. I didn't expect you to actually capture her."

"Logically speaking, after being discovered by this old man, how did this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast not leave Shrek?" Mighty Lion Douluo was somewhat bewildered.

Hearing this, the corners of Ji Ye's mouth curled up slightly.

Love Continent.

What did you expect?

Before he could explain, he heard a steady set of footsteps coming from inside.

Golden Crocodile Douluo walked out from the inner hall, his short hair combed meticulously. He seemed to be in an excellent mood, the curve of his lips wider than usual.

"Little Ye, you're back." Golden Crocodile Douluo walked up to him and reached out to pat his shoulder.

"Just in time, I have some good news to tell you."

Ji Ye watched Golden Crocodile's unconcealable smile, already having a guess in his heart.

He smiled slightly.

"It seems Senior Golden Crocodile had quite a harvest on this trip."

Golden Crocodile Douluo raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a hint of playfulness in his eyes.

"Did you already know what was there, kid?"

Ji Ye did not answer, merely smiling.

Golden Crocodile Douluo did not press the issue. He picked up the teacup nearby, took a sip, and spoke slowly.

"I followed the location you gave me and found the cave behind that waterfall. That place is truly extraordinary; it has a naturally formed Soul Power barrier that ordinary soul masters would never be able to discover."

He set down the teacup, his gaze turning serious.

"After I went inside, I discovered a Ten Thousand Year Blue Silver King."

The few titled elders present nodded slightly.

When they first heard Golden Crocodile recount this, they hadn't truly believed it either.

After all, a Ten Thousand Year Blue Silver King was a rare treasure in the world of soul beasts.

"I captured it," Golden Crocodile Douluo continued.

"To my surprise, the moment I pulled that Blue Silver King out, a powerful surge of Soul Power erupted from the surrounding soil—a Hundred Thousand Year Blue Silver Emperor broke through the earth, attempting to stop me."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over those present, his voice dropping a few notches.

"That Blue Silver Emperor was heavily injured and its aura was unstable, but I can be certain it was the same one from back then."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Everyone knew who Golden Crocodile was talking about.

Years ago, when the former Pope Qian Xunji hunted Tang Hao, Tang Hao's wife sacrificed her life, transforming into a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone to allow Tang Hao to break through to the Titled Douluo realm.

Everyone had assumed that Blue Silver Emperor was completely dead; no one expected it to still be alive, let alone recuperating in that cave.

"I had intended to bring that Blue Silver Emperor back as well."

Golden Crocodile Douluo's tone turned somewhat regretful.

"But just as I was about to make my move, Tang Hao appeared."

At this, a cold sneer curled the corners of Golden Crocodile Douluo's mouth.

"Tang Hao was already injured, and upon sensing the Blue Silver Emperor's aura fading, he rushed out like a madman. Seeing that he didn't know his place, I engaged him in combat."

"He was already suffering from old wounds, and with his emotions out of control, his moves were riddled with openings. It took me only three strikes to sever his left arm and right leg."

A collective gasp echoed through the hall.

"What surprised me even more was..." The curve of Golden Crocodile Douluo's mouth widened further.

"He had a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone on both his left arm and right leg. I took those two soul bones directly. Having lost two soul bones, Tang Hao's strength has plummeted to the Soul Saint level; he is no longer a threat."

Azure Phoenix Douluo nodded slightly.

"It is just a pity we didn't kill Tang Hao."

Golden Crocodile Douluo's smile faded slightly.

"Just as I was about to finish Tang Hao off, that Hundred Thousand Year Blue Silver Emperor threatened to self-destruct, forcibly shielding him. I didn't want to let a Hundred Thousand Year Blue Silver Emperor go to waste in a self-destruction, so I had to take a step back for the moment. Tang Hao seized the opportunity to escape."

Mighty Lion Douluo slapped his thigh.

"Ah, what a pity!"

"I told you, when I fought Tang Hao back then, there was no way that guy could have had it so easy. The injuries he sustained were definitely deeper than mine."

Golden Crocodile Douluo waved his hand.

"It's fine. Tang Hao has lost an arm and a leg, and with the loss of two soul bones and his Soul Power dropping to the Soul Saint level, he can no longer stir up any trouble."

He looked back at Ji Ye, his eyes filled with undisguised appreciation.

"Little Ye, I am curious: how did you know about that place? That cave was hidden extremely well and shrouded in a natural barrier; even I almost failed to find it."