"What did you feed Xiao Wu?" Da Ming's voice echoed in Lin Yang's ears.
Lin Yang smiled and explained, "These are heavenly immortal herbs—spiritual objects born from heaven and earth. Each one possesses the power to capture the essence of creation."
"You're willing to give away something so precious?"
"I told you—I'm going to raise her," Lin Yang raised an eyebrow. "You didn't think I was just saying that, did you?"
After a long silence, Da Ming finally spoke slowly.
"We won't use you. What do you want?"
Lin Yang's mind was in turmoil. The unique environment of the Star Dou Great Forest was not only a paradise for soul beasts but also home to many rare and precious herbs rarely seen elsewhere. If they could find one or two rare plants, they would become very rich.
When Lin Yang stated his request, Da Ming fell silent again. He hadn't expected Lin Yang to only ask for herbs. He had assumed Lin Yang would want soul beasts, soul bones, or something similar.
"Let Er Ming search for them."
"I'll go alone."
Lin Yang clearly disliked relying on others. The muscular gorilla Er Ming knew nothing about herbs. He couldn't let him ruin any precious ones.
At the same time, as the medicinal effects of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum continued to be refined, intense soul power fluctuations emanated from Xiao Wu's body.
Two yellow spirit rings slowly appeared at her feet. Shortly after, as if some boundary had been broken, a dense purple soul ring condensed around her.
Once the soul power in her body completely stabilized, she opened her eyes. Her figure instantly vanished and reappeared twenty meters away.
Lin Yang's eyes lit up. "Instant teleportation?"
But he quickly widened his eyes as he saw Xiao Wu teleport twice in succession. The last time, she appeared right behind him.
The spirit ring had only flashed once, yet she had teleported three times in a row?
"Xiao Wu, your soul skill is…"
Xiao Wu, who was leaning against his back, wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled.
"My third soul ring is six thousand years old. Its soul skill is called Teleport. It allows free movement within a thirty-meter range and can be used three times in succession."
Lin Yang's eyes sparkled. Just as he had expected.
It was still teleportation, but the difference between one teleport and three consecutive ones was immeasurable. With three instant movement abilities, Xiao Wu had gained unparalleled mobility and survivability. Combined with the Transparent World, she could launch a preemptive strike the moment an enemy moved.
Indeed, the numbers were terrifying, and the mechanics were truly fascinating. Even he couldn't help wanting one of these skills.
"What level are you at now?"
Xiao Wu said, "Level 33."
Lin Yang nodded lightly. She had leveled up five times, which was quite good overall. She was about to catch up to him soon. He was still at level 36.
The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was not primarily a magical herb for increasing soul power; its main effect was to enhance physical abilities. Upon closer inspection, when Xiao Wu activated her soul power, a faint golden light appeared on the surface of her body.
Xiao Wu's physical abilities had already been quite outstanding, but now they were even more astonishing. If Lin Yang faced the Shadow Cat again, he would be in serious trouble if he couldn't defeat it within three moves.
There was no avoiding it. The combined effects of soul power, soul skills, and physical strength were far more complex than a simple 1+1+1=3.
Afterward, Xiao Wu and Lin Yang began "treasure hunting" in the Star Dou Great Forest. In the face of the Titan Giant Ape's imposing presence as the king of the forest, Lin Yang didn't need to hide at all. He walked openly and began browsing for treasures.
Lin Yang collected rare herbs such as the Azure Blood Dragon Beard Vine, Soul-Calming Flower, Starlight Spirit-Gathering Grass, and Hundred Dragon Grass into his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse.
Of course, Lin Yang stored as many seeds as possible and planned to take the rest back with him.
However, the biggest harvest was the ten-thousand-year-old lingzhi that Lin Yang accidentally discovered on a cliff. Although it hadn't reached the level of a divine herb, it was still a rare and valuable treasure.
After a bountiful haul, Lin Yang and Xiao Wu—the so-called "Bonnie and Clyde" thieves—finally left the Star Dou Great Forest and returned to Red Maple Village with Ah Da.
Grandma Susi was very surprised when she saw Xiao Wu, but when she learned that Xiao Wu was with Lin Yang, a big smile spread across her face. If Lin Yang hadn't casually changed the subject, the two of them would probably already be talking about children.
After staying in Red Maple Village for only three days, the two returned to Heaven Dou City.
Lin Yang first arranged for Xiao Wu to stay at the Butterfly House, but at that moment, they ran into Dugu Yan, who had just arrived.
The two exchanged glances for a moment and instantly recognized each other as formidable rivals.
"Is this the stinky snake?"
"Is this the country bumpkin rabbit?"
It was unclear whether it was because their martial souls were inherently incompatible, but Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan disliked each other from the moment they met. After exchanging just a few words, they started arguing.
At first, it was just verbal sparring with indirect insults and criticisms. But after a few exchanges, the little rabbit's "stinky snake" remark immediately broke through Dugu Yan's defenses.
"You damn rabbit! Today I'll teach you why Lord Horse has three eyes!"
"I'm not afraid of you, stinky snake!"
"Aaaaah… you shitty rabbit!"
Enraged, Dugu Yan decided to abandon words and resort to violence.
"Sword Breathing Technique – First Form: Venomous Fang!"
"Want to fight? I'll gladly take you on."
Xiao Wu was eager to try. She rubbed her hands together and stomped her foot. Her figure instantly transformed into a whirlwind.
"Gentle Breathing, Fifth Form: Powerful Wind, Wheel Dance!"
In an instant, the entire courtyard of the Butterfly Garden became a battlefield for the two.
Invisible gusts overturned dried herbs, and a wide-ranging green poisonous gas filled the courtyard with a foul stench.
Catherine huddled in the corner, trembling.
Ye Lingling gave Lin Yang a cold glance. Her eyes conveyed contempt, clearly looking down on him as a "scumbag."
Aren't you going to persuade them?
Advice?
Lin Yang shook his head like a rattle drum. Going out now would only invite trouble. No, he had no intention of persuading them.
Moreover, the two girls had similar temperaments and weren't very cunning. During the fight, they had been very careful. Hadn't he noticed that they hadn't used any soul skills at all?
Perhaps letting them fight would make it easier for them to understand each other.
Ye Lingling watched the scene before her. It was like a raging storm. Was this what you called sensible behavior? Exactly.
Xiao Wu had almost no resistance to poison, but Dugu Yan still refused to let Xiao Wu get close. Their soul powers were nearly equal, so the situation remained in a stalemate for a while.
After fighting enough, the two stopped at the same time.
Then Lin Yang stepped in, administering antidotes to those who needed them and treatment to those who needed treatment. The basic principle was to treat everyone equally without favoritism.
"Lin Yang, I really underestimated you!" Dugu Yan lightly tapped Lin Yang's chest with her slender, delicate fingers. A dangerous light shone in her narrow eyes. "Do you want the blessing of having two wives?"
Lin Yang played dumb. "I'm still nine years old. I don't understand things like love or affection yet. You are all irreplaceable relatives, friends, and siblings to me."
At this response, Dugu Yan gritted her teeth so hard they nearly shattered.
"When carrying water, carry it evenly. Be careful not to capsize the boat and drown—no one will save you then."
With that, Dugu Yan boldly kissed Lin Yang on the cheek, then shot Xiao Wu a provocative look before leaving the Butterfly House.
The little rabbit's eyes instantly turned red.
"Lin Yang—!"
Seeing Xiao Wu's intense anger, Lin Yang felt helpless. He began to worry that peaceful days might never come again.