Chen Yang reached into Inversion Space, pulled out a large bag of high-grade Special Attack Pokéblocks, and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.
Xiao Wu stood beside them, her eyes glued to the pile of blocks, looking utterly reluctant to part with them.
"These can permanently increase the damage of your Soul Skills. Just eat them, and they'll work," Chen Yang explained.
Holding the Pokéblocks, Zhu Zhuqing looked at Xiao Wu's pleading expression and felt deeply uncomfortable, as though she had been handed a hot potato.
"Master, perhaps I should give them back to..."
"My name is Xiao Wu," Xiao Wu immediately cut in.
Zhu Zhuqing paused, then continued, "Give them back to Xiao Wu. I've only just become your disciple, and my cultivation is low. I really shouldn't be enjoying something this valuable."
Chen Yang rolled his eyes helplessly, pressed a hand against Xiao Wu's head, and pushed her behind him.
"Just accept them and eat them without worrying. We don't produce many of these, true, but I have plenty in stock. No need to stand on ceremony with me.
"Also, stop calling me Master. Just call me Brother Yang. We don't have so many rules here."
"Thank you, Brother Yang."
Zhu Zhuqing carefully accepted them and ate every Pokéblock, one after another.
She was about to offer a few more words of thanks when her gaze happened to sweep behind Chen Yang, and her pupils abruptly contracted.
At some point, an enormous plant-type Soul Beast had lowered its body and begun creeping closer under the cover of the forest's shadows. Its presence was concealed so well that it made almost no sound at all. Clearly, it intended to launch a sneak attack.
Judging by its size, it even seemed to be a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened instantly. Her heart clenched, and every hair on her body stood on end.
"Brother Yang, watch out! There's a Soul Beast behind you!"
Zhu Zhuqing activated Martial Soul Possession and watched the Soul Beast warily.
Chen Yang glanced back and gave Ah Yin's vine an exasperated pat.
"Look how badly you've scared her."
Ah Yin swayed sheepishly.
(Sorry, I only wanted to say hello to our new companion.)
Hearing the voice in her mind, Zhu Zhuqing's lips parted slightly, her eyes full of shock.
"I can understand Soul Beasts now..."
Chen Yang explained with a smile.
"This is our companion, Ah Yin. She's a Blue Silver Emperor, equivalent to a level sixty-five Soul Emperor."
"Companion?"
"Yes. We have several other companions like her. They all live in Master Balls, and we can communicate with each other telepathically."
Ah Yin took the opportunity to inch closer to Zhu Zhuqing, who retreated a step in fear.
(Hello, my name is Ah Yin. It's nice to meet you. Please look after me~)
"H-hello..."
Zhu Zhuqing greeted her somewhat stiffly. She couldn't find Ah Yin's face at all and had no idea where to look.
Chen Yang shook his head and recalled Ah Yin into her Master Ball.
"Zhu Zhuqing, what do you plan to do next?"
After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Zhuqing said softly, "I want to visit Shrek Academy in Suotuo City..."
Then she slowly recounted her past with Dai Mubai.
From the fated bond imposed by the Star Luo Imperial Family, to Dai Mubai abandoning her and fleeing alone when danger struck, to his subsequent indulgence in women and extravagant debauchery, she told them everything.
When she finished, Zhu Zhuqing drew a deep breath. The gloom in her eyes abruptly gave way to unwavering resolve.
"That's why I want to see for myself and completely sever the last thread of hope in my heart. After that, I'll devote myself to cultivation and follow you wholeheartedly, Master."
Chen Yang nodded slightly, quietly considering it.
He had already intended to go to Shrek and lure Ning Rongrong away.
While he was there, it would be best to cripple those three scumbags-no, with Tang San included, there were four scumbags now.
Chen Yang patted Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder, his voice gentle.
"Of course. Xiao Wu and I will go with you. With us there, no one can bully you. We'll back you up."
Beside him, Xiao Wu immediately clenched her little fist and raised it angrily, her face brimming with righteous indignation.
"That's right! Zhu Zhuqing, you're under my protection! If that lecherous tiger dares say one word out of line or cause you trouble, I'll be the first to twist his head off!"
The faint hostility Xiao Wu had felt toward Zhu Zhuqing had long since vanished completely. Now, all she wanted was to stand up for her.
"Thank you, Brother Yang. Thank you, Sister Xiao Wu."
Zhu Zhuqing's nose stung slightly as a warmth she hadn't felt in ages welled up in her heart, moving her deeply.
Ever since her Martial Soul Awakening, her unusual Hell Spirit Cat martial soul had made others keep a respectful distance. Even the elder sister who had once doted on her most had grown increasingly cold toward her because of family struggles and tangled interests.
In all these years, no one had ever protected and understood her as unreservedly as her master and Xiao Wu did.
"Don't mention it. Since you're with me now, you're family. Come on out, Little Y!"
Chen Yang raised a Master Ball toward an empty patch of ground nearby.
Whoosh-
A flash of white light revealed a giant bird, red and black from head to toe, with black, branching markings beneath its skin.
A pair of curved black horns rose from its head. Its wings and tail were broad, their edges bearing five sharp claws each. Fully spread, its entire body formed the shape of the letter Y.
"Yaaah!!!"
Yveltal let out a piercing, shrill cry, and the surrounding trees, flowers, and grass instantly withered and decayed.
Zhu Zhuqing's face turned deathly pale. Her whole body felt awful, and her mind seemed to have suffered a tremendous blow.
Covering his ears, Chen Yang gave Yveltal's wing an irritated pat.
"Little Y! How many times have I told you not to screech when you come out?! Don't you know how awful your voice sounds?!"
(Master~ I can't help it...)
Chen Yang rolled his eyes, put one arm around Xiao Wu and the other around Zhu Zhuqing's waist, then leaped onto Yveltal's broad back.
Feeling the warm hand at her waist, Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks heated slightly. Her entire body went rigid, and she didn't dare move a muscle.
Noticing how tense she was, Chen Yang turned to reassure her. "Relax. I'm holding you because I'm afraid you'll lose your footing and fall during the flight. Don't let your imagination run wild."
"Mm..."
Zhu Zhuqing pressed her lips together and answered in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
The corners of Chen Yang's mouth lifted. Honestly, Zhu Zhuqing has a little meat on her. She feels pretty nice.
Xiao Wu turned and lightly bit Chen Yang's neck, then pulled a face and mocked him in a sing-song voice.
"'I'm afraid you'll lose your footing and fall~' Brother, do you even believe that yourself?"
"Ahem! Leave you unbeaten for three days, and you'll climb onto the roof and tear off the tiles!"
Chen Yang gave her pert bottom an exasperated smack.
"Mmph~"
Xiao Wu's legs went weak, and she slumped into Chen Yang's arms, her cheeks flushed.
Zhu Zhuqing dared neither speak nor ask. She silently picked at her fingers.
Is this really a normal relationship between a brother and sister? Why does it look so wrong?
Chen Yang adjusted his position so Xiao Wu could lean against him more comfortably, then called out.
"Yveltal, use Fly!"
"Yaaah!!"
Yveltal gave a long, piercing cry and flung its enormous wings wide.
Carrying all three of them, Yveltal turned into a streak of red light and flew into the distance.
Fly was incredibly fast, and a special power protected the three of them from the violent air currents.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived above Suotuo City.
Over the past six years, Chen Yang and Xiao Wu had had plenty of time, so they had visited every town and city in the surrounding area, large and small.
That included Suotuo City, so they had saved coordinates here for Fly.
"We're here. Suotuo City is right below us."
"That fast?"
Before you continue