Beside the thatched hut, the Titan Giant Ape noticed the Sky Azure Bull Python returning with a human.
His expression immediately darkened. "Da Ming, weren't you out searching for herbs?"
"Why did you bring a human kid back?"
"Da Ming" was the Sky Azure Bull Python's nickname.
The Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python had lived together in the core region of the forest for tens of thousands of years, as close as brothers.
After saying this, the Titan Giant Ape turned to warn the human behind the Sky Azure Bull Python.
"You'd better leave immediately. The core region of the Star Dou Forest does not welcome humans."
Ye Tian shrugged helplessly. "It's not like I wanted to come here."
Upon hearing this, the Sky Azure Bull Python flicked its tongue and calmly said:
"Er Ming, don't be rude."
"This human is a healer. With him here, isn't that better than using herbs?"
"…That makes sense."
The Titan Giant Ape scratched his head with a silly grin, agreeing with the Sky Azure Bull Python.
Then, he stepped aside, making way for Ye Tian to enter the thatched hut.
In a rough voice, he ordered, "My Sis Xiao Wu is sick! You have to cure her!"
Xiao Wu?
Hearing this name, an image of a girl with a scorpion braid, delicate features, and a graceful figure surfaced in Ye Tian's mind.
He raised an eyebrow.
Based on the timeline, Xiao Wu should indeed be in the Star Dou Forest at this moment.
But Ye Tian was puzzled.
With Xiao Wu's physique as a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, it was impossible for her to fall ill.
If she were injured, that would be understandable.
But being sick? That was just ridiculous.
Just then, a clear yet tired female voice came from inside the hut.
"Ugh, you guys woke me up."
"Da Ming, who did you bring back? I already told you, I'm not sick."
The voice clearly belonged to someone who had just woken up.
After some rustling sounds inside the hut, the simple wooden door creaked open.
A pink-clad girl with bunny ears and delicate features peeked out.
Her mischievous eyes first glared fiercely at the Sky Azure Bull Python.
Then, with an apologetic smile, she turned to Ye Tian.
"This healer brother, I'm really sorry. Da Ming misunderstood, making you come here for nothing."
"Actually, I'm not sick. It's just a misunderstanding between them."
After speaking, Xiao Wu pouted and pointed at the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape.
Inside, she felt both exasperated and helpless.
These two companions cared too much about her.
To the point that it sometimes became overwhelming.
However, the Sky Azure Bull Python remained unconvinced. Flicking its tongue, it said,
"Sis Xiao Wu, I really don't know what you're hiding."
"This is already the third time Er Ming and I have found you sick, and it's always the same illness."
"Exactly!" The Titan Giant Ape immediately chimed in. "Sis Xiao Wu, if you don't believe us, go look in the lake. Your face is obviously paler than a few days ago."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu's face instantly turned red. She quickly ducked behind the door and slammed it shut in frustration.
Her voice drifted from inside:
"What do you guys know about human girls?"
"Tell that healer brother to leave. I don't need him."
Seeing that Xiao Wu refused to even step out of the hut, the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape exchanged helpless glances.
Ye Tian also found the situation exasperating. Was he just being played with?
Though seeing Xiao Wu in the core region did leave a momentary impression on him, it was nothing more than fleeting admiration.
After the novelty wore off, it would just be another meaningless encounter.
He had already been in the Douluo Continent for nearly four years.
Ye Tian had long stopped hoping for any interactions with the protagonist group.
Nor did he want to get involved with Xiao Wu.
After all, he was already married to Hu Liena.
In the future, they would inevitably stand on opposite sides.
Ye Tian walked up to the Sky Azure Bull Python, spread his hands, and said, "I think you've seen for yourself—your Sis Xiao Wu doesn't seem to want to be treated."
"So, please let me leave."
From Xiao Wu's expressions earlier, Ye Tian could already tell that she wasn't actually sick.
Just as she had said, it was merely a misunderstanding by the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape.
"You can't leave until Sis Xiao Wu is cured."
The Titan Giant Ape's voice was loud and carried a warning.
The Sky Azure Bull Python, however, flicked its tail against the Titan Giant Ape and said expressionlessly,
"Er Ming, he's our guest. Be polite."
"Hmph!"
After getting smacked, the Titan Giant Ape let out a proud snort, turned his head away, and ignored the Sky Azure Bull Python.
The Sky Azure Bull Python wasn't bothered by this. It turned to Ye Tian and spoke seriously.
"Sis Xiao Wu's words can't be fully trusted."
"Just wait here. I'll try to talk some sense into her."
Ye Tian nodded in agreement.
If he refused, the Titan Giant Ape's bad temper might actually endanger his life.
While the Sky Azure Bull Python tried to persuade Xiao Wu outside the hut, Ye Tian didn't just stand idly by.
He wandered over to the Lake of Life, observing the vast body of water that nourished the entire Star Dou Forest.
In his memory, deep beneath this lake, there lay a source of life essence.
It was said to be a gift from the Goddess of Life, one of the chief gods, to the Douluo Continent.
If he could sneak away with some of it and use it for alchemy...
The pills he could refine would be enough to help ordinary soul masters reach the peak of Title Douluo.
Thinking of this, Ye Tian smirked to himself.
The Sky Azure Bull Python had dragged him here like a little chick.
It probably never expected him to be eyeing the life essence hidden beneath the lake.
After all, only Da Ming, Er Ming, and Xiao Wu knew of its existence.
And those three were always tight-lipped, never worrying that anyone would come looking for it.
But coincidentally, Ye Tian knew about it as well.
Staring at the tranquil lake, Ye Tian's lips curved into a sly smile.
Taking a bit of the life essence would serve as compensation for being forcefully brought here.
As Ye Tian pondered, voices arose again from the thatched hut.
The simple wooden door creaked open once more.
Xiao Wu, her bunny ears drooping, stared straight at the Sky Azure Bull Python.
"Ugh, Da Ming, you're impossible."
Blushing, she admitted, "Fine, I'll tell you the truth. This 'illness' happens to human girls once a month. It doesn't need treatment."
After speaking, she quickly shook her head. "No, no, that's not right."
"Da Ming, you're really confusing me. This isn't an illness at all—it's just a normal biological process! Do you understand now?"
"I just need some rest."
With that, Xiao Wu prepared to shut the door again.
But when she pushed, she found that the Sky Azure Bull Python was holding it open with its tail.
"Sis Xiao Wu, you must be lying. How could humans have such a strange biological process?"
"Yeah!" The Titan Giant Ape nodded firmly. "If every human bled automatically, we soul beasts would've defeated them long ago!"
After speaking, the Titan Giant Ape turned to Ye Tian for confirmation.
With an intimidating glare, he demanded,
"Young human, do you bleed every month?"
(End of Chapter)
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