Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

With a swift hand strike to the back of Na'er's neck, Bi Ji rendered her unconscious.

She couldn't bear to watch Na'er in such a pitiful state any longer.

"You're directing your kindness to the wrong place," Xia Yi sighed softly. Then, with a slightly sterner tone, he added, "Helping her now won't earn her gratitude. Instead, she'll only resent you more."

"I know," Bi Ji replied, nodding gently. Though aware of this outcome, she still couldn't stand by and do nothing.

Xia Yi shook his head, exasperated. "You should understand by now, both humans and soul beasts demand a fierce resolve. The human race has long since surpassed soul beasts in power. If you truly wish to save the Star Dou Forest, you must be prepared to pay any price. Even a single moment of hesitation or weakness will doom the forest to ruin."

"What do you mean by 'you'? Are you implying that you're not one of us?" Gu Yue interjected, her gaze piercing.

Xia Yi sighed, shaking his head again. "I don't mean it that way. For now, I plan to stay at Eastsea Academy. I need to learn how to cultivate spirit power properly. Besides, I'm curious about mechas and battle armor. Eastsea Academy is the best option for me right now."

"And after that?" Gu Yue pressed.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Xia Yi replied with a shrug. He had no plans for the future because he wasn't sure how to plan.

In truth, Xia Yi felt little attachment to the Star Dou Forest or its fate. His actions earlier weren't out of loyalty, but as repayment to Zi Ji for helping him leave the forest.

If Gu Yue and the other beasts demonstrated unwavering determination to save the forest, Xia Yi would consider lending his strength. But if their resolve faltered, he wouldn't waste his time.

For now, Xia Yi was more focused on uncovering his own mysteries. Why had he, as a fox, possessed such immense strength and intelligence far beyond other ten-year soul beasts? What made him different from them? And most importantly—was he truly a soul beast?

These unanswered questions haunted him, and only by finding the answers himself could he gain clarity.

Gu Yue nodded thoughtfully. She knew someone as sharp as Xia Yi couldn't be swayed by a few words. Unlike Di Tian and the other beasts, who followed her with unquestioning loyalty, earning Xia Yi's allegiance would take real effort.

After a brief silence, Gu Yue glanced at Na'er, now unconscious in Bi Ji's arms. "I have two questions for you. First, how did you know someone was already treating Tang Wulin?"

Xia Yi smirked. "If no one was healing Tang Wulin, Na'er wouldn't have come after me. She would've gone straight to Bi Ji for help." He gestured at Bi Ji. "Think about it—when Gu Yue returned, the first thing she did was seek Bi Ji because there was no one else to treat him. If Na'er didn't approach Bi Ji, it means someone she completely trusted was already treating Tang Wulin."

Gu Yue nodded, piecing together the logic. Then, after a pause, she asked, "And the second question—did you really leave some kind of explosive spirit power in Tang Wulin's body?"

"Do you think a mere rank 10 Spirit Master like me could do something that advanced?" Xia Yi rolled his eyes, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Figures…" Gu Yue muttered, casting a sympathetic glance at Na'er. She couldn't help but imagine how devastated Na'er would be when she realized she'd been tricked.

"Poor Little Mistress…" Zi Ji and Bi Ji sighed inwardly.

Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City's Sea God Pavilion, Holy Spirit Douluo Yali's expression was grim. She gestured lightly, and her healing spirit, Prayer Angel, emerged from Tang Wulin's body.

"Your Eminence, how is Wulin?" Wu Zhangkong asked anxiously. As a graduate of Shrek Academy, he held immense respect for Yali.

"I've fully healed his eye and throat injuries," Yali replied solemnly. "But his lower body… the damage was left unattended for too long. There will be lasting repercussions."

"Repercussions? How can this be?" Wu Zhangkong's face paled. If even Yali couldn't fully heal Tang Wulin, the implications were dire.

Yali's tone grew harsher, her disappointment evident. "Why didn't you contact me immediately after Wulin was injured? Did your pride matter more than his life?"

Through her examination of Tang Wulin, Yali determined that his injuries had been untreated for over an hour by the time Wu Zhangkong reached out to Shrek Academy.

She assumed it was Wu Zhangkong's reluctance to set aside his pride that had caused the delay, unaware of Gu Yue's involvement.

Yali herself also felt some guilt. Had she not taken Na'er along, they might've arrived faster and prevented the permanent damage.

"Explain yourself. What exactly happened?" Yali demanded, her stern gaze fixed on Wu Zhangkong.

"Your Eminence, it's not Wu Zhangkong's fault," Xie Xie quickly interjected. "Our classmate, Gu Yue, claimed she could bring a healing Title Douluo from Spirit Pagoda to help Wulin. We trusted her, but she never returned. That's why we were delayed."

"Spirit Pagoda has a healing Title Douluo?" Yali frowned. As the continent's top healer, she would've known of such a person.

"You're saying Spirit Pagoda doesn't have one?" Wu Zhangkong's eyes widened, suspicion dawning in his mind.

Yali sighed. "It's unlikely. Still, Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy's relationship has grown strained over the years. I can't rule out the possibility of them concealing such a figure."

Wu Zhangkong nodded, though doubt lingered. Gu Yue's close relationship with Tang Wulin made it hard to believe she'd intentionally delay his treatment.

"Your Eminence, how serious are Wulin's aftereffects?" Wu Zhangkong asked, his voice laced with concern.

"He'll retain basic functionality," Yali replied. "But he'll struggle with intense physical activity. His condition is stable for now, but his limitations are permanent."

Yali glanced at the unconscious Tang Wulin and sighed. She had done everything she could.

(End of Chapter)