Star Dou Great Forest, at the location of Yang Yi.
The Mystic Spirit Python that Yang Yi hunted had a cultivation of over 1,600 years; although it was close to the limit for a third soul ring, it had not yet reached it. Nearly two hours had passed, and he had just finished absorbing the soul ring. He was currently preparing to go with Yang Hong to find Yun Ming, but they hadn't walked far when they saw Yun Ming, his clothes stained with blood, carrying someone toward them.
Seeing this, the expressions of Yang Hong and Yang Yi shifted, and they hurried to meet him. Although Yang Hong, as a teacher, had only given Yun Ming one lesson due to his own limitations, he had spent six solid years with him. He had long been won over by Yun Ming's talent, character, and intelligence. He believed that as long as Yun Ming did not die, he would surely lead the Breaking Clan to new heights in the future. As for Yang Yi, he had spent several years competing with Yun Ming and had never won a single match, so he had long since been beaten into submission. Although he wouldn't call Yun Ming "boss" out loud, he had effectively been following his lead for a long time.
Yang Hong, possessing higher cultivation and greater speed, arrived in front of Yun Ming in the blink of an eye and asked anxiously.
"Yun Ming, where are you hurt? Is it serious? Who did this?!!"
As he spoke, he summoned his Soul Breaking Spear. Six soul rings reappeared, and scarlet soul power surged from his body, as if he would go and fight whoever—man or beast—Yun Ming named in the next second. The rapid-fire questions showed just how urgent he felt.
Seeing Yang Hong so agitated, Yun Ming quickly spoke to soothe him.
"Don't worry, Uncle Hong! I'm not hurt; this blood isn't mine."
Hearing this, Yang Hong saw that there were indeed no obvious wounds on Yun Ming. Although his clothes were stained red, they weren't torn anywhere, just a bit wrinkled. Furthermore, Yun Ming's complexion was ruddy, not at all like someone who had been injured. Only then did he set his heart at ease and retract his Soul Breaking Spear. Yang Yi arrived at that moment, and seeing Yang Hong retract his weapon and noting that Yun Ming didn't seem injured, his own worries vanished.
However, the two of them, now relieved, immediately had their attention drawn to Zhu Zhuqing in Yun Ming's arms. There was no helping it; such a little beauty was too eye-catching. They hadn't asked immediately before only because they were worried about Yun Ming.
Yang Hong glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, whose face was pale but whose beauty remained undiminished, then looked at Yun Ming, who had already removed his mask, and asked in confusion.
"Yun Ming, what is this?"
Hearing Yang Hong's question, Yang Yi was also full of curiosity. There were many sisters in the clan who liked Yun Ming, but he had never seen him this close to any woman. Although it might be because she was injured, Yang Yi was still quite curious.
Upon hearing this, Yun Ming told Yang Hong and Yang Yi everything: what he saw after arriving, Zhu Zhuqing's identity, his clash with Zhu Zhuyun, saving Zhu Zhuqing, and finally, the deductions he made based on his assessment of her injuries and the inconsistencies he observed in the series of events. He left out only the part where he treated her.
After hearing such a classic tale of a hero saving a beauty, and seeing that Zhu Zhuqing's beauty was clearly a cut above the sisters in their clan, Yang Yi couldn't help but think that if this news reached the clan, many of those sisters would be heartbroken!
As for Yang Hong, after hearing about Yun Ming's experiences over the past two hours, his expression became strange. How did Yun Ming's parents get together? Wasn't it because his father saved a beauty? Now, their son Yun Ming had performed a hero-saving-a-beauty act at just the right time and place. Was this a hereditary tradition of the Yun family, or was it the cycle of fate?
However, Yang Hong quickly cleared his mind of distractions. He was not only a spear art teacher at the clan school but also held an important position as an elder within the clan, so he possessed some political sensitivity. He immediately began to express his thoughts to Yun Ming.
"Yun Ming, based on the information you gathered, I also think that the Zhu Family Eldest Miss, Zhu Zhuyun, likely came to let her sister go to avoid the Star Luo Royal Family's succession rules and prevent bloodshed between kin, but..."
"Although you wore a mask, are you certain your identity wasn't exposed? This is no laughing matter. The identity of the Zhu Family Third Miss is too sensitive. If the Star Luo Royal Family finds out she was taken by someone from our Breaking Clan, they might even mobilize troops against us to maintain royal dignity!"
As he spoke, Yang Hong's tone became grave.
Regarding the issue of identity exposure that Yang Hong mentioned, Yun Ming had already thought it over carefully on the way back, so he answered Yang Hong earnestly.
"I don't think so!"
"First, I have been practicing quietly in the clan all these years. Only a few people know my martial soul, soul ring configuration, and cultivation level; I don't stand out."
"Second, my Atlas Spear and the Soul Breaking Spear are very different in appearance, ability, and spear technique."
"Third, if Zhu Zhuyun were to guess which faction I come from, the Martial Soul Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be more likely candidates. The Breaking Clan is a suspect, but not as likely as those two."
After listening to Yun Ming's analysis, Yang Hong thought it over carefully and found it to be true. The first two points went without saying. As for the third, although it made Yang Hong somewhat unwilling to admit it, he had to acknowledge that compared to the Breaking Clan, Yun Ming did indeed seem more like a disciple painstakingly cultivated by top figures in the soul master world, such as the Pope Bibi Dong or Sword Douluo Chen Xin—and even that was just a possibility!
Yang Hong didn't know those big shots well; he only knew they were very strong. Yun Ming had high talent, so their disciples should be able to reach Yun Ming's level, right?!! But the reality was that people like Yun Ming were essentially born that way. Guidance was important, but without that aptitude or destiny, you couldn't teach it!
Setting aside the issue of identity exposure, Yang Hong began to ask about Yun Ming's future plans.
"Yun Ming, how do you intend to handle this Zhu Family Third Miss?"
Yun Ming looked at Zhu Zhuqing in his arms, thinking of how she was covered in wounds and had no home to return to, and said to Yang Hong.
"Uncle Hong! She is severely injured and faces the risk of continued pursuit. I cannot abandon her!"
Looking at the determination in Yun Ming's eyes as he spoke, Yang Hong understood his resolve.
That was fine, too. Yun Ming was grown up now; going out to travel and see the soul master world was a good thing. He spoke to Yun Ming and Yang Yi, who was listening on the side.
"I understand!"
"Alright! We've all been busy all day; let's get something to eat first?"
Yun Ming and Yang Yi's eyes lit up at the mention of food, as they were indeed hungry. Subsequently, the three of them, plus Zhu Zhuqing, walked toward the Mystic Spirit Python.
After the three of them enjoyed a good meal of snake meat soup and grilled snake meat by the small river, the afternoon was already drawing to a close! The two of them bid farewell to Yun Ming. Yang Hong exhorted him earnestly.
"I will inform the Clan Leader about today's events and your decision, so don't worry."
"Be careful when you're out there. We don't look for trouble, but we don't fear it either!"
"Also, remember to keep in touch with home!"
Yang Yi also spoke in a flat tone, though his concern was evident.
"Don't die out there!"
Seeing this, Yun Ming responded with a smile.
"Don't worry, Uncle Hong! I will take good care of myself!"
"Yang Yi, I hope that when we meet again, you will be stronger than you are now!"
Yang Yi snorted coldly and tilted his head. Although he was a bit afraid of losing, he had a mouth that refused to admit defeat! He muttered under his breath.
"Hmph~"
"Next time, I will definitely beat you!"
Hearing Yang Yi's significantly lower volume, Yang Hong found it amusing and bid farewell to Yun Ming.
"Alright, we're leaving!"
With that, he took Yang Yi and headed toward the Soul Hunting Town on the outskirts of the Star Luo Empire. Seeing the two of them leave, Yun Ming picked up Zhu Zhuqing and walked in the opposite direction from them. His destination was...
The Heaven Dou Empire!!!
ps: Seeking monthly tickets, seeking recommendations.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader