Even though she hadn't heard that voice for five years, Qi Ling recognized it immediately. Such a melodious and gentle voice—who else could it be but Xiao Wu?
Following the direction of the sound, Qi Ling looked over and then stood there dumbfounded! Five years had passed, and Xiao Wu had become even more beautiful. The faint naivety of the past had completely disappeared, replaced by a natural and graceful beauty.
Her white dress covered her feet, and her elfin face was flawless. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her back to her waist like a black waterfall.
She emerged slowly from the depths of the forest, seemingly one with it, embodying all the beauty of heaven and earth, making even the moon pale in comparison.
When Xiao Wu saw Qi Ling, she froze, seemingly lost in thought, and slowly walked towards Qi Ling with an expression of disbelief on her face.
"What's wrong, Xiao Wu? It's been five years, don't you even recognize your brother?" Qi Ling said to Xiao Wu with a smile and open arms.
" Brother Qi, it really is you!" Tears welled up in Xiao Wu's eyes instantly, and she disappeared. The next second, she Teleportation into Qi Ling's arms and hugged him tightly.
Feeling Xiao Wu's passionate emotions, Qi Ling placed her hand on her back and said with a smile, "Silly girl, why are you crying? Shouldn't you be happy that I came to find you?"
"I... I'm happy... I just... can't control myself..." Xiao Wu sobbed as she spoke, " Brother Qi, why did it take you so long to come find me? I thought you had forgotten about me."
"How could I forget you? I might forget someone, but I'd never forget you." Qi Ling said, helping Xiao Wu up from her arms and looking her over. "It's been five years, Xiao Wu, you've become even more beautiful, so beautiful I almost didn't recognize you."
"Really? Have I really changed that much?" Xiao Wu asked shyly. "In the forest, I didn't see anyone else, so I don't know if I've gotten prettier or uglier."
"Haha, how could that be? Xiao Wu, of course you're getting prettier and prettier. In my eyes, no matter what you look like, you'll be beautiful!" Qi Ling said earnestly.
The Titan Giant Ape, watching the two, couldn't help but sigh helplessly. In five years, Sister Xiao Wu had never been as happy as she was now, nor had she ever shown such an expression. The most she ever looked at was a sorrowful expression of longing.
Does this man really have that much charm? The Titan Giant Ape didn't think so at first, but now it seems that this guy is indeed a good match for Sister Xiao Wu.
After Qi Ling and Xiao Wu had talked for a while, Xiao Wu suddenly exclaimed in surprise, " Brother Qi, you, how did you get hurt?"
During her fight with the Titan Giant Ape, Qi Ling inevitably sustained some scratches and abrasions. These were nothing to Qi Ling, but Xiao Wu considered them quite significant.
Before Qi Ling could explain, Xiao Wu angrily turned around, put her hands on her hips, and said to the Titan Giant Ape, " Er Ming! You've gone too far! Not only did you prevent me from seeing Brother Qi, you also injured him! That's really too much!"
Er Ming felt a pang of injustice. " Sister Xiao Wu, how come you only saw that guy was injured? Didn't you see that I also got punched a few times? Especially the punch on my nose, it's still stinging."
More importantly, this wasn't my plan. Da Ming was the mastermind, and I was just responsible for carrying out his plan. Testing Qi Ling was all his idea!
"Alright, Xiao Wu, it's not Er Ming's fault. He just wanted to see if I had the strength to protect you now." Qi Ling smiled and pulled Xiao Wu, saying to the Titan Giant Ape, "So, Er Ming, have I passed your test?"
Seeing Xiao Wu's distressed expression, the Titan Giant Ape thought to himself, "How dare I disagree? If I disagree, I'm afraid Sister Xiao Wu will be the first to punish me."
Moreover, despite saying that, Er Ming had to admit that Qi Ling now possessed extraordinary strength, enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting Sister Xiao Wu.
" Qi Ling, you've passed my test and proven yourself," Er Ming said. "You'd better treat Sister Xiao Wu well from now on, or I'll never forgive you."
"Haha, don't worry, I definitely will," Qi Ling laughed. "So, Da Ming, do you think I passed?"
As Qi Ling spoke, an enormous bull's head rose from beneath the lake's surface, and a deep, resonant voice echoed, " Qi Ling, your strength has indeed impressed me; you haven't disappointed us."
Xiao Wu, standing to the side, pouted and said unhappily, "I told you long ago, Brother Qi is very powerful, but you two wouldn't believe me. Now you know!"
The Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python exchanged a helpless glance. How could Sister Xiao Wu, who was always as elegant and composed as a goddess, become like this the moment she saw this man? Was this Xiao Wu's true self only revealed when she was with Qi Ling?
Seeing that the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python remained silent, Xiao Wu immediately shooed them aside and led Qi Ling to the other side of the lake to enjoy their time together.
The Titan Giant Ape sighed helplessly and said, "Hey, boss, didn't we agree that you would hold off Sister Xiao Wu so I could test Qi Ling? How come you let Sister Xiao Wu escape too?"
The Sky Azure Bull Python said irritably, "You're the same! Last time you didn't even last as long as I did! As soon as Sister Xiao Wu sensed this guy's aura, she changed completely. I couldn't use force, so it's already quite an achievement that we were able to hold out this long."
"So, in your opinion, is there anything different about this kid's visit this time?" the Titan Giant Ape asked.
Unlike the Titan Giant Ape, which only knew strength and violence and was completely devoid of wisdom, the Sky Azure Bull Python possessed extremely high intelligence; in fact, to some extent, it could already sense a vague destiny.
"This kid has the aura of an emperor! Although I don't know what has happened to him all these years, he has now embarked on the path of an emperor," said the Sky Azure Bull Python.
"Oh? So, this kid is sure to amount to something in the future? Then Sister Xiao Wu will definitely enjoy a life of luxury with him, right?" the Titan Giant Ape said.
But the Sky Azure Bull Python said with a hint of worry, "Not necessarily! The path to becoming an emperor is never an easy one. Although his destiny is vast, he is not immune to hardships and difficulties."
"And more importantly, there is no turning back on the path to becoming an emperor! From the moment he embarks on this path, he is destined to continue on it, either perishing halfway or reaching the summit directly; there is no third possibility!"
"Whether Sister Xiao Wu's following him is a blessing or a curse is still uncertain!"