"Thud!"
His forehead struck the ground with a muffled sound.
"I'm... sor...ry!"
He forced the three words out one by one through clenched teeth, brimming with humiliation and venom.
He sprang to his feet, not daring to look Ning Xiaochun in the eye again. Then he turned and headed into the dense forest without looking back, his retreating figure desolate and violent.
As for the Soul Beast he had promised to compensate them with, he naturally didn't mention it again.
Xie Yue gave Ning Xiaochun a long, complicated look. There was wariness and scrutiny in his eyes, along with something difficult to put into words.
He said nothing more, turning to follow Yan. Before long, the two of them disappeared into the forest.
Only Ning Xiaochun, Shui Bing'er, Dugu Yan, and... Hu Liena remained.
Ning Xiaochun watched the direction Yan had disappeared in, feeling little joy in his victory. He knew this feud was now set in stone.
Given Yan's personality, he would never let this go. Ning Xiaochun wasn't afraid of him, but he was still a nuisance.
Still, to defend his bottom line and keep himself safe, this fight had been necessary—and he had to win it! Only by putting the other side in their place could he secure a longer stretch of peace.
He shook his head, temporarily casting aside those thoughts. Just as he was about to call out to Shui Bing'er and Dugu Yan to leave, he noticed that the alluring pink-haired girl was still standing there, studying him with a pair of flirtatious, almond-shaped eyes.
"Why haven't you left yet?" Ning Xiaochun asked, eyeing Hu Liena warily.
This woman was Bibi Dong's future personal disciple and the future Saintess of Spirit Hall in the original story. Her cunning and intelligence were nothing to scoff at. He didn't want to get entangled with her.
Hu Liena smiled sweetly, like a hundred flowers in bloom, her charm seeming to come naturally. She took two light steps toward him and said in a honeyed voice:
"I told you I'd make up for the loss of your Soul Beast. We in the Spirit Hall Golden Generation may be a little overbearing sometimes, but we keep our word."
She paused, blinking her expressive eyes.
"Besides, I'm very interested in you... When did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect produce such a little genius with Twin Martial Souls? That Nine-Story Ghost Pagoda, and the Martial Soul Fusion Skill you used just now—they were truly an eye-opener."
Under the gaze of her "interest," Ning Xiaochun felt a little uneasy and instinctively edged closer to Shui Bing'er.
Shui Bing'er frowned slightly and stepped forward, blocking most of Hu Liena's view of him. Her cool voice carried a hint of displeasure.
"No need. We'll hunt Soul Beasts ourselves. Please leave."
"Don't be such a stranger." Hu Liena seemed not to notice Shui Bing'er's hostility, smiling as brightly as before.
"I wasn't lying just now. And Sunset Forest is so vast; wandering around alone is dangerous. I'd be safer with you, wouldn't I? Don't worry, I'll only help you find a suitable Soul Beast. I won't get in your way. Think of it as... an apology on behalf of that hothead Yan."
Her words were impeccable, and she was being very conciliatory. She even gave a slight, graceful bow.
But Ning Xiaochun caught a hint of unmistakable curiosity and determination deep in her eyes. He knew she was set on following them.
Forcibly driving her away might bring even more unnecessary trouble, given her status and backing.
Besides, she wasn't wrong. The depths of Sunset Forest really were dangerous, and having a level-forty Soul Ancestor along could be useful.
"Forget it. Let her come along if she wants." Ning Xiaochun tugged at Shui Bing'er's sleeve and spoke softly.
"There are more of us, so we don't have to worry about her trying anything. And with her here, it'll distract... certain people's attention a little."
As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Dugu Yan, who was glaring at Hu Liena like she was some fox-spirit seductress.
Shui Bing'er thought it over. Though she wasn't happy about it, she knew Ning Xiaochun had a point. She gave a cool "Mm" of reluctant agreement, but still stayed close at his side, keeping a wary eye on Hu Liena's every move.
Dugu Yan snorted at Hu Liena and muttered, "Fox spirit..." But she said nothing more.
And so their original three-person Soul Hunting team somehow became four. They had gained a bewitchingly beautiful member of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation whose thoughts were impossible to read.
Ning Xiaochun walked in the middle of the group, with Shui Bing'er on his left, her icy aura swirling and her guard fully raised, and Dugu Yan on his right, surrounded by poisonous mist and openly hostile toward Hu Liena.
Hu Liena followed behind them with a smile, as if they were all out on a spring excursion. Ning Xiaochun felt a crushing weight on his shoulders. This was more exhausting than fighting Yan.
He turned and looked at Shui Bing'er with concern, asking quietly, "Bing'er, how are you feeling? Did that take a lot out of you? Are you hurt?"
Shui Bing'er paused, seemingly surprised that Ning Xiaochun's first concern had been how she was doing.
Seeing the undisguised concern in his eyes warmed her heart. The frost on her face thawed a little as she gently shook her head, her voice softer than usual.
"I'm fine. Beating him... was no trouble."
She said it as casually as if she had just swatted a fly.
Yan, whose sharp hearing caught every word even though he was nearly out of sight, stumbled so badly he almost fell.
He turned and shot them a furious glare, his face black as the bottom of a pot, then hurried away without looking back.
What did she mean, beating him was no trouble? It was a blatant insult! A blatant desecration of his corpse!
Ning Xiaochun had heard Shui Bing'er say "no trouble," too, and barely managed to keep from bursting out laughing. Fighting back a grin, he gave her a thumbs-up.
"Bing'er, you're amazing!"
Watching him act so silly, Shui Bing'er couldn't help letting the corners of her mouth curve up slightly. But she quickly returned to her usual cool expression.
That fleeting smile, however, didn't escape Hu Liena's keen eyes.
A glint of amusement flashed in her gaze. The look she gave Ning Xiaochun and Shui Bing'er became even more meaningful.
This little boy wasn't just blessed with incredible talent and a shrewd mind. He also seemed to know how to make girls happy.
And that blue-haired girl, with her terrifying strength, seemed to care about him... more than most. How interesting. This was really very interesting.
Hu Liena licked her red lips, her curiosity about Ning Xiaochun growing like wild grass.
Meanwhile, Ning Xiaochun sighed inwardly.
Sigh... I'd only wanted to quietly live off someone else's support and steadily grow stronger.
Why was this meal getting harder and harder to enjoy? There was competition from within, and powerful enemies watching from outside... How was he supposed to live like this?
He lifted his head to look at the vast Sunset Forest ahead, then glanced at the two "bodyguard big sisters" on either side of him, one cold and one fiery, and the smiling "tagalong" behind him, whose depths he couldn't fathom. He let out a long sigh.
"Come on... let's keep looking for a Soul Beast." His voice was filled with a weariness far beyond his years.
Before you continue