Qin Yu Set a Trap, Ling Yuan Awoke

"Young Master, please help us."

The Sky Azure Bull Python lowered his massive body and bowed his head to Qin Yu. "If you can keep Sister Xiao Wu safe, we brothers will pledge our lives to you forever. We will never betray you!"

"Me... me too."

The Titan Giant Ape spoke awkwardly.

He still wasn't used to human speech and could only stumble through a few words.

But he stood with his elder brother, the Sky Azure Bull Python. Whatever his brother said went, even if it cost him his life.

"Oh?"

Qin Yu raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "You'll pledge your lives to me only if I save Xiao Wu? So being your 'Young Master' isn't enough to earn your loyalty?"

At those words, a powerful aura descended without warning.

It bore down on the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape, pinning the two rulers of the forest in place.

Its icy killing intent seemed ready to take their lives at any moment.

Both Soul Beasts recoiled. Their huge bodies trembled, their faces taut with fear.

"Young... Young Master, I misspoke. Please forgive me. We brothers pledge our lives to you. Our lives have always been yours..."

The Sky Azure Bull Python hurried to admit his mistake.

"Me too." Tongue-tied, the Titan Giant Ape could only echo his elder brother.

The two Soul Beasts were terrified. The pressure grew heavier by the moment, nearly crushing the breath from them.

It felt as though one more wrong word would mean death.

"Heh."

Qin Yu chuckled and quietly watched them.

Yet that calm gaze only made them more nervous. It felt as if an invisible hand had seized their hearts and refused to let go.

By rights, Qin Yu couldn't beat them.

But Qin Yu had power standing behind him.

Silence fell. Even the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape breathed carefully, afraid they might die on the spot.

A long while passed.

"There won't be a next time," Qin Yu said evenly.

As he spoke, the pressure vanished. The two Soul Beasts relaxed, privately grateful to have survived.

"Thank you for your mercy, Young Master!"

The Sky Azure Bull Python hurriedly bowed.

The Titan Giant Ape bowed too, stammering, "Th-thank you, Young..."

"Enough." Qin Yu waved a hand and looked at the Sky Azure Bull Python. "Teach him to speak when you have time. He's a ruler of the forest, after all. Don't let him sound quite so slow."

"Yes, Young Master."

The Sky Azure Bull Python acknowledged the order.

The Titan Giant Ape merely scratched his head, still looking as simple as ever.

"You'll have to save Xiao Wu yourselves."

Qin Yu's expression remained composed, his voice steady. "I'll find a chance to bring Xiao Wu and Tang San to Star Dou Forest. What you do then is up to you."

"Thank you, Young Master!"

The Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes lit up, his voice trembling with excitement.

Qin Yu hadn't promised to save Xiao Wu himself, but he would give them a chance.

To them, that was already an immense favor.

"Mm."

Qin Yu nodded and turned to leave.

He had taken only a few steps when Di Tian's Soul Power descended, wrapped around him, and carried him into the sky. Then they vanished.

Watching them go, the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape grew even more respectful.

Deep in the outer reaches of Star Dou Forest.

After setting Qin Yu and Ling Yuan Douluo down, Di Tian drove away the Soul Beasts within several miles before leaving at ease.

"Time to make up another story." Qin Yu looked at the unconscious Ling Yuan and murmured, "I wonder how much she remembers?"

"Qin Yu, put your hand on her forehead."

Gu Yuena's voice sounded in his mind.

Qin Yu paused, then did as she said. He raised his hand, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and touched Ling Yuan's forehead.

Hum.

The next moment, a strange thread of silver light flowed through his fingers into Ling Yuan's mind.

After several breaths, the silver light faded.

"That's done," Gu Yuena said. "I erased part of her memory and left something behind as well. Remember the method to activate it..."

She then told Qin Yu the incantation for controlling Ling Yuan Douluo.

"..."

Qin Yu was silent for a while before smiling. "Thanks."

Gu Yuena didn't answer. The silver reverse scale merely flickered, seeming to convey a trace of happiness.

That made Qin Yu even more curious.

The first time, he might have imagined it. A second time was harder to dismiss.

Could I be sensing Gu Yuena's emotions through the silver reverse scale? Qin Yu wondered.

"Mmm..."

Ling Yuan let out a soft sound.

Qin Yu pulled his attention back and looked down. Ling Yuan slowly opened her eyes. Confusion gave way to clarity, then fear.

She sprang upright and instinctively cried, "Your Holi— Huh?"

She stopped before she could finish.

The handsome young man before her was Qin Yu himself.

"Your Highness, are you all right?"

Ling Yuan stared at Qin Yu, her voice full of worry. "Are you hurt? Do you feel unwell? Please, let me check!"

The thought that she had suddenly passed out filled her with dread.

This was Star Dou Forest, where danger lurked everywhere and powerful Soul Beasts were common. If anything had happened to Qin Yu, dying ten thousand times would not atone for her failure.

"I'm fine."

Qin Yu shook his head and raised a hand to stop her from searching him for injuries. "What about you? Do you feel unwell?"

"Me? I don't feel anything wrong. My head's just a little fuzzy."

After answering, Ling Yuan suddenly knelt before Qin Yu, her voice heavy with guilt. "Your Highness, I'm sorry. I was useless. This is all my fault..."

She was supposed to protect Qin Yu.

Yet from the look of things, he had been the one protecting her.

The thought left her both moved and ashamed.

"Get up. There's no need to blame yourself. You did well." Qin Yu helped her to her feet and patted her shoulder with a faint smile. "We're both alive. We should be glad."

"But..."

"If you're that eager to atone, should I let you die for it?"

"Please allow me to escort you out of Star Dou Forest before I atone with my life!" Ling Yuan looked at him in complete earnest.

"..." Qin Yu's mouth twitched. He felt helpless, but touched.

First she had charged in recklessly to what seemed certain death. Now she was ready to give her life in atonement. Ling Yuan Douluo truly was loyal to a fault.

"Keep your life. You're more useful alive."

Qin Yu chuckled. "I gave you Immortal Herbs to help you transform, not so you could throw your life away. Try to value it a little."

"Even if you don't value your life, think of what those Immortal Herbs were worth. And think about whether I'd mourn you or the herbs more."

"Then... which would you mourn, Your Highness? Me, or the Immortal Herbs?" Ling Yuan asked before she could stop herself.

The moment she asked, she regretted it.

Though she was no young girl, a rare blush rose to her cheeks. Whether from embarrassment or shyness, she looked thoroughly ill at ease.