Ah Yin glanced at Ling Xiao, then turned back to the Tree of Life.
She said slowly:
"There's no need to trouble the Thunder Spirit. Devour me. I won't resist.
I only ask that you leave me a trace of consciousness so I can see for myself whether this is true."
As Ah Yin spoke, she watched Ling Xiao's expression closely.
But to her disappointment, she saw no trace of satisfaction at a scheme succeeding. Her last sliver of doubt vanished completely.
Ling Xiao had noticed Ah Yin watching him in secret long ago.
She was doing it to see whether he was lying.
All Ling Xiao could say was this:
He had told a small lie, but most of what he had said was true.
That was especially so for the matter of Tang Wutong. He could even confront Tang San about it in person.
So Ling Xiao said to Ah Yin:
"Ah Yin, I can tell you how far Tang San's plan has progressed.
Half of Tang Wutong's consciousness has already fused with the Auspicious Beast's consciousness.
The Auspicious Beast will soon take human form, modeled after your granddaughter.
I'll bring the Auspicious Beast back. Then you can see for yourself whether I'm telling the truth."
After Ling Xiao finished, Ah Yin said nothing more. Rather than die while being tempered by Heavenly Thunder, she would let the Tree of Life devour her.
Once Ah Yin gave up completely, the Tree of Life's problem was resolved.
Ah Yin returned to the Blue Silver Emperor, and the Tree of Life returned to the giant tree.
Before returning, the Tree of Life thanked Ling Xiao.
With that, she went back. To avoid further complications, she intended to refine Ah Yin as soon as possible.
But the Tree of Life had