Less than a minute after giving chase, Xiao Lin could no longer see the figures of the Titan Giant Ape or Xiao Wu.
The next second, Xiao Lin slammed his fists into the ground using his Vajra Indestructible soul power, creating two large craters—as if leaving behind marks of unwillingness and frustration.
Then, he turned and walked back toward Tang San.
Although the presence of the Titan Giant Ape likely meant no other soul beasts were nearby, Tang San was too important to him, and Xiao Lin dared not gamble with that.
What if fate decided to play a cruel joke?
In less than a minute, Xiao Lin returned to Tang San's side—only to discover that someone else was there, along with what appeared to be a "corpse"?
"Hey! Who are you? Stay away from Xiao San."
Xiao Lin gave no warm welcome to the two strangers, even though one of them—who looked strong—was currently immobilized.
"Hello, I'm Xie Yue, from the Spirit Hall. This here is Elder Chrysanthemum Douluo. We ran into the terrifying hundred-thousand-year soul beast Titan Giant Ape and came here just to rest," said Xie Yue, quickly backing off and cupping his hands in a respectful greeting when he saw Xiao Lin's hostility.
"I saw your companion get taken away and you went off to save them. This young man here was absorbing a spirit ring, so I protected him for a bit," Xie Yue added, noticing Xiao Lin's increasingly complicated expression and quickly explaining.
"Uh… it's nothing."
Xiao Lin waved his hand, unsure whether he should suddenly lash out or not.
After all, Xie Yue had seen Tang San absorbing a thousand-year soul ring. There's no way he would believe Tang San, at his age, was absorbing a third soul ring.
Besides… wasn't Chrysanthemum Douluo one of the culprits involved in the death of Xiao Wu's kind and Tang San's mother?
So it was Chrysanthemum Douluo who had just fought Er Ming…
In less than a second, countless thoughts flashed through Xiao Lin's mind.
But in the end, he decided not to attack.
Nearby, Xie Yue noticed that Xiao Lin no longer looked as hostile and felt slightly relieved.
The boy who was absorbing the soul ring had insanely high talent.
His second soul ring was already a thousand-year one—Xie Yue thought that was utterly outrageous.
Was this the influence of Master Lin Dong's theory paper?
How terrifying!
Fortunately, like Xiao Lin, Tang San had grown quite a bit in stature due to good nutrition. Although not yet seven, he looked more like an eight- or nine-year-old.
But even so, for an eight- or nine-year-old to absorb a thousand-year soul ring as their second ring was enough to shock Xie Yue.
And Xie Yue himself was a talent born with full innate soul power.
At that age, even he wasn't that strong.
If Xie Yue had known that both Tang San and Xiao Lin were under seven, he would've been even more shaken.
"Little friend, where are your elders?" Xie Yue asked politely, glancing at Xiao Lin while Tang San continued absorbing the ring.
"They're not here—they went after my sister," Xiao Lin replied fluently, his mouth full of lies.
Fortunately, Xie Yue didn't think a child like Xiao Lin could lie convincingly. He just smiled and nodded.
In that instant, a scenario flashed through Xie Yue's mind:
This youth absorbing a soul ring must be some genius from a powerful family, and the one standing guard is also a genius. Their elder must be someone immensely strong—possibly even a Title Douluo. Otherwise, how could they have chased the Titan Giant Ape?
Xie Yue suddenly put on a flattering smile.
With a Title Douluo-level powerhouse backing them, safety shouldn't be an issue.
Come to think of it, when this boy standing here exploded with dazzling light earlier, he couldn't even see what color his soul rings were.
Surely they weren't still thousand-year rings, right?
Actually… probably were. Otherwise, how could he be that fast?
He must be a speed-type attack soul master, using the blinding light to cover his movement and attack.
But then what was that staff of his?
It didn't look like the same kind as the Dragon Rods used by Jin Jun Douluo and others. Was this boy actually a power-attack type?
Xie Yue kept speculating but still couldn't figure out what this boy was.
Such insane speed, comparable to even soul lords specialized in agility… and possibly strength too?
When did the continent produce such monstrous talents?
Could they be from a reclusive clan?
Xiao Lin had no idea what bizarre thoughts were running through Xie Yue's head. All he cared about was waiting for Tang San to finish absorbing his ring so they could go rescue Xiao Wu and get out of the Star Dou Forest.
Staying near Xie Yue any longer was just too risky.
Not that Xie Yue himself was dangerous, but the "half-dead corpse" lying next to him—Chrysanthemum Douluo—definitely was.
And word was, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were always together. If Xiao Wu came back suddenly, she might get caught again.
With nothing much to say, and possibly being future enemies, Xiao Lin and Xie Yue didn't engage in further conversation.
Soon, Tang San overcame the ring's resistance, and the speed of his absorption increased dramatically.
From Xiao Lin's perspective, he saw Tang San's Blue Silver Grass absorb the purple soul ring, transforming in the process.
The originally slender and tough Blue Silver Grass became wider and softer, almost cottony.
It even emitted a fresh, pleasant fragrance.
While the color remained the same, it was otherwise almost unrecognizable compared to before.
Xiao Lin knew this was normal—spirit rings could cause major changes to one's martial soul, and even the soul master's body.
For male soul masters, absorbing power-type soul rings often made them bulkier and stronger.
While female soul masters absorbing soul beasts like cats or foxes would often become more seductive or elegant.
Crack!
With a snapping sound, Tang San's body stretched slightly in height—though he was still thinner and quieter-looking compared to Xiao Lin.
"Brother Lin, I did it!"
Seeing Xiao Lin guarding him, Tang San broke into a happy smile.
But then, remembering Xiao Wu being taken, his face immediately darkened.
"Brother Lin!"
"Mhm, I know. Let's go save Xiao Wu."
Xiao Lin saw the look on Tang San's face and instantly knew what he was thinking.
Even though Xiao Wu could be clumsy, lazy, and gluttonous, she was still like a younger sister to both of them.
They were just one step away from becoming sworn siblings.
Xiao Lin cupped his hand in farewell to Xie Yue, then left with Tang San to follow the Titan Giant Ape's trail.
Unlike Tang San, Xiao Lin considered himself quite cunning.
He wasn't worried that Xiao Wu would be hurt, but even so, he didn't care for her as deeply as Tang San did.
When they arrived at the two deep craters Xiao Lin had created earlier, Tang San's heart grew heavier.
It wasn't that Brother Lin didn't want to save Xiao Wu—it's that he had to stay and protect me.
Tang San couldn't help but think: If only Brother Lin had gone after Xiao Wu instead of staying here…
"Brother Lin~"
"Hm?"
Xiao Lin heard Tang San's choked-up voice and frowned. Is he about to say something emotional again?
"Brother Lin, can you stop worrying about me in the future and focus on protecting Xiao Wu?"
"Xiao San, are you crazy?"
Before Tang San could say more, Xiao Lin slapped the back of his head.
"What nonsense are you spouting? I'm not giving up on either of you."
Xiao Lin rolled his eyes. Since he'd decided to share Tang San's immortal herbs, he wouldn't betray them now.
Otherwise, wouldn't that make him worse than Ma Hongjun?
"Yes, Brother Lin."
Tang San's eyes shimmered with emotion. Without another word, he pressed forward.
(End of Chapter)