Xiao Wu, Would You Keep a Secret for Me?

Just as Xiao Wu was frantic with worry, Yue Xi, who had been standing quietly beside Lu Ming, moved.

The little girl stretched out her small hand and aimed it at Feng Qie, who was moving at high speed.

A soft white glow, like moonlight, radiated from her palm and landed precisely on Feng Qie.

The instant he was enveloped in the white light, Feng Qie felt a cool, pure life energy flow into every part of his body.

The wounds on his body healed at a visible rate!

His depleted soul power rapidly recovered!

Even the fatigue from fighting at high speed for so long was completely swept away!

"Woohoo!!"

Feng Qie let out a delighted shout.

"Yue Xi! Nicely done! I feel like I can fight another three hundred rounds!"

Rather than weakening, his aura grew stronger. Once again at peak condition, he charged toward the Clawed Terror Demon!

With one side waning and the other growing stronger, the battle instantly turned around!

The more the Clawed Terror Demon fought, the more alarmed it became.

What the hell kind of support is this?!

It can instantly heal injuries and restore soul power too?

How am I supposed to fight that?!

It felt as though it was facing a monster with limitless stamina!

Its mentality collapsed.

The moment it was distracted, a massive wind blade condensed by Feng Qie viciously slashed into its chest!

"Pfft!"

The Clawed Terror Demon spat out a mouthful of black blood. Its massive body flew backward, smashing through several large trees before finally coming to a stop.

It struggled to rise, but Feng Qie had already appeared before it.

A cyan wind blade rested against its throat.

The battle was over.

Xiao Wu, watching from afar, had already gone numb...

Yue Xi... isn't that support ability way too overpowered?

She recalled the legends of the Moonlight Deer.

According to legend, the most powerful Moonlight Deer could even bring the dead back to life.

Yue Xi had become an Arrancar from a Moonlight Deer and had inherited and strengthened this healing ability. It seemed... perfectly reasonable?

Meanwhile, Zhu Mao's battle was also nearing its end.

Under Zhu Mao's storm-like assault, the bone armor covering the Black-Armored Troll had been shattered to pieces. It was drenched in blood and looked utterly miserable.

In the end, Zhu Mao tightly bound it with spider silk, leaving it completely unable to move.

The two soul beast lords that had ruled Blackwood Forest for centuries had been dealt with so cleanly and decisively?

A top-tier assassin, a top-tier scout, and a top-tier support...

As Xiao Wu looked at the three-person squad before her, an absurd thought suddenly arose in her heart.

This lineup... seems kind of invincible, doesn't it?

She suddenly understood why Lu Ming had dared to make that "arrogant" claim about challenging those demon brothers.

So he had absolute confidence in his subordinates all along!

So Lu Ming did not even need to take action in this battle...

Looking at Lu Ming standing beside the two soul beasts with such calm composure, Xiao Wu's shock had become impossible to describe in words.

What... is he going to do next?

Lu Ming's words from the night before surfaced in Xiao Wu's mind.

Subdue them and turn them into our companions!

Could it be...

Was she about to witness the birth of two new Arrancar with her own eyes?

Xiao Wu's heart began pounding uncontrollably.

She instinctively held her breath, wanting to find somewhere closer so she could see more clearly...

Just as Xiao Wu was letting her imagination run wild and preparing to find a better "viewing spot," a gentle voice suddenly sounded behind her.

"Xiao Wu, is it good?"

"It is... huh?!"

Xiao Wu answered instinctively. Then, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she abruptly jumped into the air.

She stiffly turned around and met a pair of smiling eyes.

It was Lu Ming!

At some point, he had silently appeared behind her!

"Y-you... you..."

Xiao Wu's mind went blank, and she began babbling incoherently.

I've been discovered! It's over, it's over!

When did he find out about me?

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant...

"Don't be nervous." Seeing her look like a startled little rabbit, Lu Ming found it rather amusing. "It's not like I'm going to eat you."

He reached out, intending to ruffle her hair as he did Yue Xi's, but halfway through, he thought it might be inappropriate and withdrew his hand.

"I... I wasn't trying to spy on you!" Xiao Wu hurriedly explained. "I just... when I woke up this morning and found you all gone, I got worried, so I..."

As she spoke, she secretly watched Lu Ming's expression. She had already planned out a hundred escape routes in her mind.

"I know."

Lu Ming interrupted her.

His voice was calm, revealing neither pleasure nor anger.

"I know you mean us no harm."

"Huh?" Xiao Wu froze.

"From the first day you came to the valley, I knew you meant us no harm." Lu Ming looked into her eyes and spoke seriously. "Your gaze is very pure, just like... this forest."

Xiao Wu's heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

Could it be... does he know I'm not human?

No, Lu Ming just trusts me!

"Xiao Wu, I'm about to do something very important."

Lu Ming looked toward the two soul beast lords lying nearby, barely alive. His expression became serious.

"This may overturn everything you know about this world."

"I hope you can help me keep this secret."

His tone was sincere and solemn.

Looking at him, Xiao Wu felt stormy waves rise in her heart.

He... he's going to be honest with me? Tell me the secret that he can transform soul beasts?

She had originally thought she would be questioned, driven away, or even attacked.

But she had never expected Lu Ming to choose... to be honest with her!

An indescribably complicated emotion surged within her.

There was the joy of being trusted, the anticipation of finally uncovering the truth, but more than anything, there was a deep sense of guilt.

Lu Ming had been open and honest with her, but what about her?

She had kept deceiving him with lies and disguises, deceiving this small group that treated her as a friend.

Am I... a terrible person?

Xiao Wu's nose stung. She desperately wanted to tell Lu Ming that she was not a lost human girl. She was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, a Soft-Boned Rabbit, and one of the rulers of the Star Dou Great Forest!

But...

She remembered Da Ming and Er Ming's repeated warnings.

You absolutely must not reveal that you're a soul beast!

She had promised them. Xiao Wu fell into an unprecedented struggle.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ming looked at her conflicted expression, somewhat puzzled. "Are you unwilling? If you find it difficult, that's fine too..."

"No! I'm willing!" Xiao Wu abruptly raised her head and shook it hard.

She took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the conflict and guilt in her heart.

When... when I go back and explain everything to Da Ming and Er Ming, I'll come and tell him the truth!

They're so understanding. They'll definitely understand me!

Xiao Wu found herself an excuse in her heart.

"I... I swear that without your permission, I will never tell anyone what I saw today!" She raised three fingers and made her promise earnestly.

"Good. I believe you."

Lu Ming smiled.

"Then please stand a little farther away."

"Next, you will witness the birth of a new era with your own eyes."

Lu Ming turned and walked toward the two soul beast lords that had already passed out.

Zhu Mao and Feng Qie automatically took up positions on either side of him, standing guard for him.

Yue Xi also followed with small steps, her purple eyes filled with admiration and anticipation.

Xiao Wu held her breath and stood far away, her beautiful eyes fixed unblinkingly on Lu Ming's back.

The most crucial moment was about to arrive!