Paleness and fear replaced her original smile.
"Xiao Qiu. Why would a Titled Douluo want to kill you?"
"Because he is Tang San's father!" Ye Qiu told her truthfully. He was going to take her away today!
"What! Tang San's father!?" Xiao Wu's eyes widened, and she trembled, realizing her identity had been exposed.
Biting her lip, she forced herself to calm down. She nervously grabbed Ye Qiu's arm, instead worrying about him first, "Then, then Xiao Qiu, are you alright?"
"It was a blessing in disguise; my Spirit evolved again, but…" He paused, gazing steadily at Xiao Wu.
"But, but what?" Xiao Wu avoided Ye Qiu's eyes, not daring to look at him.
"But, silly Xiao Wu, shouldn't you be worried about yourself first?"
Buzz! Bang! Hearing Ye Qiu's words, Xiao Wu seemed to lose all sensation, unable to breathe, her head buzzing, and even the carrot in her hand fell to the ground.
"Xiao Qiu. You...what are you saying?"
She was a little panicked, tears already welling up.
"Sigh~" Ye Qiu sighed, looking at her calmly. "Actually...I knew your identity from the very beginning, a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beast transformed into human form!"
"!" Xiao Wu swayed on the stool, utterly terrified. She feared her identity being exposed, and even more, she feared Ye Qiu despising her identity, hating her, and leaving her.
"Xiao Qiu, I...I didn't mean to deceive you, Xiao Qiu~ I, ah, umph!"
Before she could finish speaking, Ye Qiu acted, taking the initiative to end his days of waiting like a hunter by a tree.
He stood up, pulled Xiao Wu up as well, and facing her, he went for it.
He took her hand, intertwining their fingers, and pulled her into his embrace.
Xiao Wu didn't resist. She couldn't remember how many times Ye Qiu had dodged her advances, but she only needed to know that this was the first time Ye Qiu had actively kissed her, and that was enough; that made her happy!
Ye Qiu, a complete novice, had never experienced such prolonged physical contact. He was utterly inexperienced, and even after breaking apart, he was panting.
He didn't let her leave his embrace, their foreheads touching, their noses brushing, as he looked down at her.
"Look into my eyes."
Before she could fully process what happened, Xiao Wu, her eyes hazy, looked up and met his blood-red eyes.
Ye Qiu didn't want to waste any more words explaining the whole story. Using the Sharingan's genjutsu, he conveyed everything he knew: Tang Hao's plan to turn her into Tang San's spirit ring and Spirit Bone, as well as his own experiences over the past few days, all at once.
These images also contained Ye Qiu's inner thoughts.
A moment later, Xiao Wu, who had already processed this information, was not alarmed but rather delighted.
'Xiao Qiu cares about me!'
She narrowed her eyes, looking at him tenderly, smiling foolishly.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing! Just saw something interesting."
Ye Qiu didn't think much of it, assuming she was referring to the Ape King, that poor old unlucky guy.
"Xiao Qiu~"
"Hmm?"
Xiao Wu stood on tiptoe, puckered her lips, and lightly pecked Ye Qiu's lips.
"I've always believed what you said..."
"Of course! I promised I would protect you. I'll only die before you!"
Xiao Wu pursed her lips, her eyes filled with sadness, "Mm, but this time, I can't go with you...!"
"!" Ye Qiu was astonished. He let go of her and questioned loudly, "What do you mean? Why won't you leave Nuoding City with me?"
Ye Qiu didn't understand, "Do you think I'll kill you for your bones too?!"
"No...I didn't!" Hearing this, Xiao Wu also became agitated, quickly waving her hands to show that she had never thought that way.
"How could I think that! If, if Xiao Qiu really needs it, I've said it before, whatever Xiao Qiu wants, I'm willing to help you get it, Xiao Qiu~" Xiao Wu looked at him seriously.
"Hmph~ I don't need your spirit ring, and I certainly don't need your Spirit Bone. I won't let that happen either!" Ye Qiu turned his back, no longer looking at her, feeling a little angry.
"Reason, what is your reason for staying?"
Xiao Wu grabbed his arm, "Where will Xiao Qiu go after leaving Nuoding City?"
Ye Qiu was about to speak, but Xiao Wu cut him off.
"You're going to search for Immortal Herbs, right?"
He nodded. He wasn't surprised that Xiao Wu could guess this.
After all, Xiao Wu wasn't really stupid!
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Where are the Immortal Herbs? Is anyone guarding them?"
Xiao Wu answered again, not giving Ye Qiu a chance to speak.
"I think that place might also have a Titled Douluo!"
Facing Xiao Wu's guess, Ye Qiu nodded. That place was somewhat close to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and Heaven Dou Imperial City. Moreover, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was owned by Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.
But...that wasn't a reason for Xiao Wu to stay here.
"I have the Divine Might Space, you can stay inside." Knowing her personality, Ye Qiu added, "I can accompany you often and let you out when I find time."
"I don't want that, Xiao Wu would be bored to death~ And Tang Hao already knows my identity. You're dead in his eyes, what if he finds out your location?"
Xiao Wu stepped forward, embracing him, slowly explaining her reasons.
"If I stay here, I can help Xiao Qiu attract his attention. My safety is also guaranteed until Tang San grows up. If we encounter other Titled Douluo, Tang Hao will be a free bodyguard."
Listening to Xiao Wu's words, Ye Qiu rubbed his temples. He...was still too weak! He, who had been complacent about activating his dual Divine Might, felt his somewhat arrogant heart settle down once more.
His next stop, in Heaven Dou Imperial City, the Porcupinefish and Snake Lance behind Qian Renxue, as well as the other Bone, Sword, and Poison Titled Douluo, were indeed a tiger's den for a Spirit Beast.
"I need to reconsider." Ye Qiu somewhat avoided looking into her eyes, his resolve likely wavering.
"Mm!" Xiao Wu nodded heavily. Xiao Qiu's choice was irrelevant to her; she had already made up her mind. Staying here was not only to put Xiao Qiu at ease but also to make the Tang Clan father and son pay the price!
What if he was a Titled Douluo? If he couldn't defeat the father, then the son would pay for the father's debt. Moreover, Tang San had long harbored murderous intent towards Ye Qiu!
Since he liked her, she would make good use of him and torment him!
A fierce glint appeared in Xiao Wu's eyes. Those who harmed Xiao Qiu deserved to die!
When Ye Qiu looked over, the fierce aura in Xiao Wu's eyes immediately vanished without a trace. She was just a well-behaved Xiao Wu who belonged to Xiao Qiu.
"Oh right, Xiao Wu, this ring is for you!" Ye Qiu took out an exquisite box and took out the ring from inside.
"For me?" Xiao Wu looked at the pink gem on it, unable to tear her eyes away.
"Mm, this is a spirit tool Grandma Tom gave me. I'm giving it to you now!"
Ye Qiu had already seen it; ten cubic meters, big enough.
He took her small hand and solemnly placed the ring on her ring finger.
"Thank you, Xiao Qiu, I love it!" After giving Ye Qiu a kiss, she flipped her hand over, admiring it continuously.
"There's also an external Spirit Bone inside; you should absorb it!" Ye Qiu had already made up his mind.
Xiao Wu understood that this was Ye Qiu's last request and dared not refuse.
After she finished absorbing the Spirit Bone and learned its function, Ye Qiu's worries lessened.
When they finally parted, Xiao Wu hugged him tightly.
"Xiao Wu has nothing to give Xiao Qiu, only..."
"Hiss~" Ye Qiu gasped, Xiao Wu had actually bitten his shoulder hard.
"Xiao Qiu~ You must remember to come find me..."
"Mm, I will! Wait for me!"
As soon as his words fell, Ye Qiu sent Xiao Wu to a small alley outside Notting College!
"Xiao Qiu, I'm sorry..." Xiao Wu murmured, looking at the sunset in the sky, she touched the ring on her hand, a slight smile on her lips as she walked towards the college.