Bei Bei's Regret

Elsewhere.

By the river,

Bei Bei had fainted after being suddenly flooded with overwhelming energy. He still had half his health left, but his mental strength had been drained. He simply could not endure it and lost consciousness.

He was now lying by the riverbank, the current washing over his clothes.

Thud, thud, thud.

Just then, footsteps sounded.

"Huh? Is that a person?"

That was right—it was Huo Yuhao, who had left the White Tiger Duke's Estate to obtain a Soul Ring. Curiosity showed on his face as he approached the unconscious Bei Bei. "Don't tell me it's a corpse?"

"Huh?"

Just then, Bei Bei let out a groan, making Huo Yuhao realize that he was still alive. He hurried over.

"Hey, hey, are you okay? Are you okay?"

Huo Yuhao quickly stepped forward, bent down, grabbed Bei Bei's arm, and forcibly dragged him onto the shore to keep him from being swept away by the river.

"Ah, damn."

He panted heavily. Already malnourished, dragging a person had taken quite a bit out of him. After finally pulling Bei Bei ashore, he collapsed onto the ground and gulped down air.

Gurgle~

Helplessly, he began preparing his lunch and started catching fish.

His Spirit Eyes Martial Soul was quite useful. It enhanced his observation, and before long, he had caught several fish and begun grilling them.

As he sprinkled on his secret sauce, a rich fragrance quickly rose into the air. It truly lived up to the name Huo-style Grilled Fish.

The unconscious Bei Bei's nose twitched at the scent. He slowly opened his eyes and examined his surroundings.

"Hm?"

All he saw was the back of someone grilling fish. He prepared to get up and ask.

"Argh!"

The pain in his body made Bei Bei cry out. He was still suffering from the backlash, and his face instantly turned deathly pale. The little color he had regained vanished completely, and his eyes widened.

The cry startled Huo Yuhao, who was grilling fish ahead of him. Huo Yuhao's body jerked as he quickly turned around.

"You're awake?"

"Hm?"

Huo Yuhao helplessly set down the grilled fish in his hand and ran over to check on him.

After some simple treatment, Bei Bei finally recovered somewhat. Listening to Huo Yuhao's explanation, he realized that what had happened earlier was not a dream. The pain in his body was real as well.

"Thank you for helping me. My name is Bei Bei. What's your name?"

"Huo Yuhao."

"Brother Bei Bei, why were you lying by the river? Did you encounter some Soul Beast?"

Hearing Huo Yuhao's question, an awkward look appeared on Bei Bei's face. He did not know either and could only shake his head helplessly.

"Heh, I don't know why either. Maybe my luck went wrong?"

Huo Yuhao had little experience. Since even Bei Bei did not know, naturally neither did he. He remained rather confused after hearing that.

"Could it be that you're sick, Brother Bei Bei?"

Bei Bei shook his head. "I don't know, but it really is strange. I feel a little better now. Once I return, I'll get myself checked."

As long as the pain did not continue, it was fine for him. He had more or less recovered now and could stand up, rather than having to keep lying there.

Slowly, he sat up from the ground and looked at Huo Yuhao.

"Brother Bei Bei, have some grilled fish."

Huo Yuhao could tell that Bei Bei was somewhat extraordinary. Even without the influence behind him, he possessed strength himself. Becoming friends with him should not be a loss.

He held out the fish, grilled until fragrant and crisp.

The aroma instantly enveloped the area. Bei Bei's nose twitched lightly, and he unconsciously swallowed, unable to voice a refusal.

"Thank you, Yuhao."

The grilled fish entered his stomach, and deliciousness filled his mind. Bei Bei began wolfing it down.

After this simple time together, the two of them had grown much more favorable toward each other.

After taking a few bites himself, Huo Yuhao took the initiative to find a topic. "By the way, Brother Bei Bei, did you come to Star Dou Forest alone for something? To obtain a Soul Ring?"

"Oh, I came with someone."

"To help them obtain a Soul Ring?"

What else could someone come here with another person for? There was no other possibility besides obtaining a Soul Ring. It was not difficult to guess, and Bei Bei did not react much to Huo Yuhao figuring it out. He nodded in agreement.

"Mm."

"Then where is the person you came with, Brother Bei Bei?"

Huo Yuhao looked around but did not see anyone else, making him rather curious.

That was getting to the bottom of things. Bei Bei's expression changed slightly upon hearing it, and displeasure appeared on his face, though he did not hide it.

"We argued. We had different opinions over a small matter and had a bit of a conflict."

Bei Bei recalled his argument with Tang Ya earlier.

All the way here, Bei Bei had supported Tang Ya as they fled, but—

Tang Ya had been restless the entire way.

"How could you take me away? Hurry back, Bei Bei! Even if you wanted to run, you should have taken me back! Jiang Mu saved my life just now. How could we leave him behind?"

Bei Bei was deeply displeased. The moment he thought of Jiang Mu, he felt repulsed. Now that Tang Ya was talking about a debt of gratitude for saving her life, an inexplicable fire rose in his heart.

But he liked Tang Ya, so there was nothing he could do. He had to spoil the person he liked. Suppressing his anger helplessly, he patiently explained.

"Xiao Ya, the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record of the Tang Sect clearly says that we must not let strangers learn exactly how powerful we are. There's no need for us to act for someone we do not even know!"

Moreover, to keep her from accusing him of twisting logic, Bei Bei had even invoked the general principles of the Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.

Yet the result was far from ideal.

Tang Ya's expression changed slightly. After using all her strength to break free, she walked off in the opposite direction.

He had been expelled from the Tang Sect.

Watching her grow farther and farther away, Bei Bei seemed to feel the distance between them growing wider as well. But he had already said what he said. Wouldn't going after her to ask her to stay be humiliating?

He was the great-grandson of an Ultimate Douluo. Remaining in this shabby little Tang Sect with Tang Ya was already his limit.

He had his pride too, so he did not go after her. Instead, he came to the river to clear his mind.

And then this happened.

But now, Bei Bei regretted it somewhat.

Should I go back and check on Xiao Ya? Without me, how could she possibly obtain a Soul Ring?

And what if Jiang Mu captured her to vent his anger?

The thought sent chills through Bei Bei. Whenever he recalled Jiang Mu, he felt that the other man had ill intentions.

Huo Yuhao was not foolish either. He noticed the change in Bei Bei's tone. It seemed the argument was real, and Bei Bei was worried too. Their relationship was probably quite close. It would be better for Huo Yuhao not to offer advice and simply obtain his own Soul Ring.

He had originally thought he could ask Bei Bei to help him obtain a hundred-year Soul Ring, but reality never went as one wished.

"Brother Bei Bei, don't worry. There definitely won't be any accidents."

Bei Bei no longer had the mood to eat. He tossed aside the grilled fish in his hand and stood up.

"Mm. If you get the chance, you can go to Shrek City and mention my name, Bei Bei. I'll look after you. Thank you for saving me!"

After saying that, he left immediately.

Xiao Ya, wait for me.

He muttered inwardly as he quickly ran toward the direction in which he had parted from Tang Ya.

Meanwhile, Tang Ya—the woman he had longed to pursue—was lifting one leg as Jiang Mu touched her, her face full of shy embarrassment.

"Ah~ It's a little cold."

Tang Ya's lips trembled as she watched Jiang Mu touch her foot. Shy as a small animal under observation, she allowed herself to be handled.

Jiang Mu had no improper thoughts. Only after wrapping it and confirming that there was no problem did he finally let out a sigh of relief.

He raised his hand and took the waterskin tied to his side to wash his hands. Even though there was no strange smell, he was still somewhat disgusted. He had not hesitated to help, not because he wanted to take advantage of her, but because he simply did not want to owe her a favor.

If he really wanted to take advantage of her, pinching her waist would be better.

At that thought, Jiang Mu's eyes suddenly lit up.

Looking at Tang Ya's current appearance—her leg extended, her face flushed red and full of embarrassment—he fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"You should probably not wear shoes. I'll support you instead."