Xiao Ming: Don't Interrupt Me While I'm Looking for My Goddess Xiao Wu

"Of course we weakened him."

Lin Ye spoke with considerable confidence.

With him around, barring any surprises, dealing with a mere Tang San was as easy as reaching out and grabbing him.

Earlier that day, Lin Ye had used a bathroom break as an excuse to use his white paper martial soul to manifest the abilities of Asakusa Kitty from a certain turn-based game with a six-character title.

He had raced through the Star Dou Great Forest at incredible speed and finally found a Man Faced Demon Spider in very little time.

This Man Faced Demon Spider was only fifteen hundred years old, far younger than the two-thousand-year-old one.

Lin Ye had decided to take a gamble: would Tang San gain an external soul bone, as he had in the original story, after absorbing it?

Clearly, Lin Ye had won his bet. After Tang San absorbed his third Soul Ring, his third Soul Skill, Spider Web Restraint, was already weaker than its counterpart in the original novel.

At the same time, the Eight Spider Lances, which were crucial to Tang San, had not appeared either. Without those, he really had been nerfed into Tang the Dog.

"But that's a fifteen-hundred-year Soul Ring. Isn't that still pretty high?" Ning Rongrong asked, a little puzzled.

Lin Ye replied bluntly, "Fifteen hundred years? You call that high?"

"If we hadn't interfered, this Tang San would very likely have broken through his own limits like me and absorbed a more powerful Soul Ring beyond his level. He might even have gained some other good stuff because of it."

"Is it really that extreme?" Ning Rongrong was a little surprised. Even Zhu Zhuqing looked at Lin Ye with confusion.

"Yes, Rongrong, yes. It really is that extreme. After observing him these past few days, I've realized he acts awfully sneaky. He often gets up to cultivate before dawn, and whenever there aren't classes, he keeps running off to the Blacksmith Shop in Suotuo City to train by hammering iron."

"I'm certain his physical condition is already unlike that of an ordinary soul master. With a physique like that, absorbing a Soul Ring beyond his level is by no means impossible."

"Anyway, that's everything. I hereby declare our Tang San Weakening Plan a success."

However, Lin Ye had no intention of letting up just yet. The real main event was still to come.

Although he had stopped Tang San from obtaining the Eight Spider Lances this time, if Tang San encountered that two-thousand-year-old Man Faced Demon Spider later in the story, the logic of the protagonist halo meant it would still drop the Eight Spider Lances.

The next day, everyone headed deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.

With Lin Ye deliberately "picking and choosing with care," two days flew by.

Even when night fell on the second day, they still had not found a ten-thousand-year soul beast.

"Sigh..."

Beneath the moonlight, Lin Ye sat on the ground with a look of "dejection."

Not far away, Zhao Wuji watched him, and his attitude toward Lin Ye softened somewhat.

From the look of things, Lin Ye was merely a slightly willful child. There was no need for him to stoop to the boy's level over what had happened earlier.

Zhao Wuji walked over, patted Lin Ye's shoulder, and comforted him. "Don't rush. It's only been two days. If it really doesn't work out, don't be too stubborn. Pick an eight- or nine-thousand-year Soul Ring. At least it'll be safe."

A trace of amusement flashed in Lin Ye's eyes before he sighed. "Sigh... Teacher Zhao, you don't understand. I'm really troubled. I'm only twelve, yet I already have to look for a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. I'm not like Tang San and the others, who can get the Thousand-Year Soul Rings they want so easily."

Zhao Wuji: "..."

Zhao Wuji wanted to take back his foolish thoughts from moments earlier.

This Lin Ye was far too good at showing off. Even at a time like this, he still couldn't resist squeezing in another boast. His skin was unbelievably thick.

However, just as Zhao Wuji was about to turn away and leave Lin Ye to himself, he suddenly sensed a terrifying presence coming from nearby, and his expression changed drastically.

Without time to think, Zhao Wuji immediately activated Great Strength Vajra Bear Martial Soul Possession and roared, "Everyone, get out of the tents! Now!"

His shout startled everyone, and they immediately scrambled out of their tents.

"Teacher Zhao, what's wrong?" Dai Mubai asked in confusion.

But Zhao Wuji ignored Dai Mubai's question and said gravely, "Everyone, get behind me, quickly. If anything goes wrong, run. Don't worry about me!"

Seeing how serious Zhao Wuji was, everyone understood the urgency of the situation. They hurried behind him, their faces wary.

Lin Ye also joined the group, looking ahead with a flash of excitement in his eyes.

Was he here?

Sure enough, moments later, the ground began to tremble violently. A towering, mountainlike figure parted the trees on either side and emerged.

He was here, he was here! Xiao Ming! Just like in the original story, he really had come out looking for Xiao Wu!

Lin Ye knew this Titan Giant Ape, Xiao Ming—Er Ming—very well. The fellow seemed deeply devoted to Xiao Wu at present. Otherwise, he would not have traveled a thousand miles from the Core Area to find her.

Unfortunately, Xiao Wu favored Little Scumbag. His devotion was destined to be misplaced.

Not only that, but this Xiao Ming was also a genuine fool. Later, he actually sacrificed himself to Tang San as a Soul Ring for Xiao Wu's sake. After Tang San became a god, ten thousand years later, he even willingly raised Tang San's daughter for him on the Douluo Continent, under the grand title of "uncle." That really was hard to keep a straight face over.

With behavior like that, Xiao Ming would have been called a cuck at the very least in Lin Ye's previous life.

"It's actually the King of the Forest, the Titan Giant Ape!"

Everyone's expression changed drastically at the sight of that mountainlike figure. Even the usually composed Tang San was struggling to keep his cool.

Soul hunting on the outskirts of Star Dou, only to encounter a legendary ferocious beast?

The Titan Giant Ape, the King of the Forest, was the undisputed king of kings in the Star Dou Great Forest—not the ham sausage brand.

"Esteemed King of the Forest, we mean no harm. If this is your territory, we are willing to leave immediately." Zhao Wuji spoke with the utmost respect.

He had no choice. Standing before them was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast!

However, the Titan Giant Ape ignored him, his gaze settling on Xiao Wu beside Tang San.

His target was perfectly clear: Xiao Wu.

Yet he had merely reached out to take Xiao Wu in his hand and catch up with her when Zhao Wuji mistook it for an attack on their group. He immediately mobilized all his soul power, four Soul Rings lighting up in succession as he launched a Soul Skill attack straight at him.

Zhao Wuji's attack enraged the Titan Giant Ape.

He could not understand it. He had gone so long without seeing Sister Xiao Wu, whom he yearned for day and night. Why were these damned humans stopping him from catching up with her?

"Roar!" The Titan Giant Ape let out a furious roar, unleashing terrifying power that pressed down on Zhao Wuji until he could barely breathe.

"Run!" Zhao Wuji shouted anxiously to everyone behind him.

"Teacher Zhao..." Tang San looked at Zhao Wuji with worry.

"Come on, Tang San. If we don't leave now, it'll be too late." Dai Mubai tugged at him.

Hearing this, Tang San took the somewhat dazed Xiao Wu by the hand and prepared to leave.

But in the very next instant, the Titan Giant Ape thrust out his fist and sent Zhao Wuji flying with a heavy punch. In a flash, he strode behind the group, reached out, and seized Xiao Wu.

Seeing Xiao Wu snatched away, Tang San's eyes nearly split with rage.

"No! Xiao Wu!"