Ji Ye looked into Ice-Armored Godzilla's ice-blue slit pupils. After a moment of silence, he reached out and patted its nose.
"Godzilla, I have to go."
Ice-Armored Godzilla let out a low whimper and tilted its enormous head, as if it hadn't understood him.
"I'm leaving Star Dou Forest."
Ji Ye's voice was calm.
"There are still many things waiting for me to do out there. I can't take you with me. The outside world is too dangerous for you. A lot of Soul Masters would set their sights on you. You'll be safest if you stay here."
At his words, Ice-Armored Godzilla let out a low, aggrieved whimper from deep in its throat.
It lowered its head and nuzzled Ji Ye's shoulder with its nose, as if trying to keep him from leaving.
"Once I'm stronger, I'll come back to see you." Ji Ye rubbed the ice armor on its nose.
"Then I'll help you defeat the Titan Giant Ape and take back your territory!"
Ice-Armored Godzilla listened quietly, complex emotions swirling in its ice-blue slit pupils.
Suddenly, it raised its head and opened its enormous mouth. A mass of ice-blue light gathered deep in its throat.
Atomic Breath!
It shot toward the sky.
The ice-blue beam pierced the canopy and soared into the heavens, bursting into a cloud of ice crystals.
Ji Ye gazed up at the crystalline cloud and was just about to say something when the ground beneath his feet suddenly shook violently.
What was happening?
Ji Ye nearly lost his balance.
The space before him began to twist and spin, like a lake being stirred. A vortex rapidly formed and continued to expand.
A deep blue light shone from within the vortex. An ancient, profound aura poured out, carrying an indescribable dragon's oppressive force and