Xiao Wu: My Heart Was Completely Dead

"No, I don't want to die. I want to live, Mom..."

Xiao Wu looked at the countless Soul Masters behind her, their eyes brimming with murderous intent, and painful memories surged through her.

It had been the same when Spirit Hall hunted her mother years ago.

Two streams of tears ran down Xiao Wu's cheeks. Fear gripped her heart.

The moment Xiao Wu realized something was wrong, she had started running.

But she was only a Soul Grandmaster, while several Soul Elders and Soul Kings had already appeared among her pursuers.

And powerful figures from other major factions were still arriving in an endless stream.

Eventually, even Titled Douluo would join the hunt.

She fled Nuoding City into a vast, open wilderness on the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.

A huge purple palace stood not far away. Above its gates were the words "Zi Tian Palace."

Xiao Wu glanced back at her pursuers, then looked into the distance.

Soul Masters had appeared within the Star Luo Empire's borders too, heading her way.

Enemies on both sides, nowhere left to go. Xiao Wu wiped away her tears, gritted her teeth, and charged toward the purple palace.

If there was no way out alive, she would draw those Soul Masters into the palace and blow herself up, trading her life for theirs.

Even if she died, Xiao Wu would never let herself fall into their hands.

The purple palace's gates swung open at a push. Xiao Wu rushed inside, then froze.

Zi Tian Palace had been so quiet that she thought it was empty. Not a single Soul Master had come out to hunt her.

Yet as soon as she entered, she saw an old man standing beside the gates. His aura was unfathomable.

And inside the palace stood a massive Purple-Gold Throne.

An extraordinarily handsome young man sat upon it, looking down at her.

Beside him were two stunning girls around her age, their faces full of curiosity.

"A Titled... Douluo..."

The instant Xiao Wu saw the old man, her face went white with despair.

His aura was so powerful that she could not muster the will to resist.

When her mother had been hunted, Spirit Hall's strongest fighters had radiated the same kind of aura.

This old man was a Titled Douluo too!

The thought flashed through Xiao Wu's mind, and she immediately tried to blow herself up.

But the old man—Bone Douluo—flicked his gaze toward her. The Bone Dragon's spatial talent activated in an instant, pinning her in place.

"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form. Xiao Wu."

Zi Tian looked at the pale little girl frozen in place and could not resist the urge to tease her.

"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Kill you, and I'd get a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone. That's quite a fortune."

A flicker of pity crossed Zhu Zhuqing's eyes at Zi Tian's words.

She had just seen Xiao Wu fleeing on the Sky Screen, and it had reminded her of herself.

She had been just as desperate when her sister's people hunted her.

At Zi Tian's signal, Bone Douluo eased the spatial restraint enough for Xiao Wu to speak.

"I have nothing to give you. You humans are all vicious and cunning. Just kill me."

Zi Tian was not surprised by her answer.

In the original story, Xiao Wu had not feared death. At the crucial moment, she had even sacrificed herself to save Tang San.

But he had no intention of killing her. He had no interest in a mere Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone.

"Why would I kill you? I don't need Soul Rings or Soul Bones."

Leaning back against his throne, Zi Tian studied Xiao Wu.

She really was pretty. No wonder Tang San had fallen for her.

But Zi Tian had no interest in rabbits.

"How about a deal? You, Da Ming, and Er Ming join my faction. In return, I won't kill you, and I'll keep you safe."

An idea had come to Zi Tian the moment he saw Xiao Wu.

After the Dragon God War, the Divine Realm had laid down an iron rule: Soul Beasts were forbidden from becoming gods.

As a result, there were no ordinary Soul Beasts in the Divine Realm at all.

The very few divine beasts that had survived the Dragon God War had become rarities, the shared property of the gods of the Divine Realm.

But in the Douluo Realm, there were no laws protecting Soul Beasts.

He could simply bring back the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape as pets.

Zi Tian did not like forcing others, though.

If Xiao Wu could bring those two acquaintances to him, so much the better.

"Killing me isn't enough for you? You want to hurt Da Ming and Er Ming too? Never!"

Zi Tian knew Xiao Wu had misunderstood him, but he could not be bothered to explain.

The one he most wanted as a pet was the Dragon God.

"You don't have to find them. Join Zi Tian Palace, and I'll protect you."

Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who had taken human form and begun cultivating anew. Naturally, she had good talent.

Zi Tian Palace was short on people. He could bring her in.

Xiao Wu paused, then asked uncertainly:

"You mean you won't kill me if I join you?"

"That's right. But once you join Zi Tian Palace, you'll have to take on the responsibilities of a member.

"When Zi Tian Palace needs you to fight, you can't refuse."

Zi Tian looked calm and sincere, which only made Xiao Wu hesitate.

His demands were not steep. They were far too simple.

All she had to do was join Zi Tian Palace and fight for it, and she could keep her life.

After all, if he captured her and sold the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, he could easily recruit two loyal fighters at the Titled Douluo level.

Was he plotting something else?

Or had he seen her potential and believed she could one day surpass a Titled Douluo?

Remembering the Sky Screen's reward, which meant she would never encounter a cultivation bottleneck, Xiao Wu steadied herself a little.

"Fine, I agree. But everyone on the continent knows I'm a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who took human form and began cultivating anew.

"That means you'll have to stand against the entire continent for me.

"Zi Tian Palace may have one Titled Douluo, but even he can't make that possible."

Zi Tian found Xiao Wu's words rather strange.

Why was this little rabbit so sure of herself? Who said he would fight the continent for her?

Besides, wouldn't it be a good thing if every faction on the continent came to him? It would save him the trouble of visiting them one by one.

"I'm not a member of Zi Tian Palace."

Bone Douluo hurriedly shook his head.

After taking the pill and breaking through to level ninety-six, he had wavered for a moment.

But Ning Fengzhi had shown him immense kindness, and his best friend was still in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

So after hesitating, Bone Douluo had not asked to join Zi Tian Palace.

As for whether Bone Douluo joined, Zi Tian did not care.

Bone Douluo had only reached level ninety-six at his age. His talent was nothing special.

Nor was Bone Douluo particularly strong in battle. Against a high-level opponent, he would be of no help.

If he joined, Zi Tian would have to help him grow stronger. What a bother.

Taking in a few more talented children would be far more promising.

"So there are only three of you in Zi Tian Palace?"

Looking at the young man and girls before her, all about her own age, Xiao Wu felt her heart die completely.