Although Ye Tian had soul power-enhancing pills readily available in his storage space, he had no intention of giving them to Xiao Wu.
After all, he and Xiao Wu were merely strangers who had met once.
They could even be considered enemies.
If Xiao Wu knew that his wife was Hu Liena, she would have already tried to kill him.
As a potential enemy, giving her a precious pill for no reason would be nothing short of aiding the enemy.
Ye Tian silently pondered how to take back what he had just blurted out.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her eyes filled with surprise.
"Ye Tian, you're amazing!"
"Can you sell me some?"
With a hint of expectation, Xiao Wu sincerely added,
"…I know that soul power-enhancing pills must be very expensive."
"But I'll do my best to gather the funds for you."
At this moment, the Sky Blue Bull Python ahead turned its head slightly and said flatly,
"I don't have human Gold Soul Coins, but I do have many valuable materials."
"If Sister Xiao Wu doesn't have enough, I can use these materials to make up the difference."
"Thank you, Da Ming." Xiao Wu felt warmth in her heart and shook her rabbit ears at the Sky Blue Bull Python.
This made Da Ming chuckle.
"You're my Sister Xiao Wu; no need for formalities between us."
However, Ye Tian wore a troubled expression.
Truthfully, he wasn't lacking Gold Soul Coins—he simply didn't want to sell the pills to Xiao Wu.
He politely declined, "It's not that I don't want to sell them to you, it's just…"
"Just what?" The Sky Blue Bull Python's tone carried displeasure.
"Others can buy them, but my Sister Xiao Wu can't, is that it?"
"I'm warning you—today, you must sell them."
As he spoke, a layer of azure light flickered across the Sky Blue Bull Python's body, and the aura of a 200,000-year soul beast radiated outward.
If he hadn't intentionally avoided directing it at Ye Tian, the sheer pressure alone would have been enough to crush an ordinary human to death.
The meaning behind this action was clear—Ye Tian needed to reconsider his situation.
Being polite was merely a courtesy; he shouldn't mistake it for weakness.
"Da Ming, don't scare Ye Tian."
Xiao Wu patted the Sky Blue Bull Python's scales with displeasure, warning him.
Though deep down, she didn't blame him too much.
A little pressure on Ye Tian was necessary.
Otherwise, her chance to obtain the pill would be ruined.
After warning Da Ming, Xiao Wu lightly patted Ye Tian's shoulder with a smile and reassured him,
"Don't worry, with me here, Da Ming won't harm you."
Wasn't that just a roundabout way of saying, If you weren't here, Da Ming would kill me?
Ye Tian let out a cold laugh in his heart.
Sure enough, in Douluo Continent, those without strength were at the mercy of others.
It seemed that if he didn't sell the pills, leaving the core area of the Star Dou Forest would be difficult.
However, the soul power-enhancing pills he carried were all top-grade.
If he sold them too cheaply, it would be a huge loss.
But if he set the price too high, Xiao Wu and the Sky Blue Bull Python might not be able to afford it.
It looked like the only option was to barter for raw materials.
Ye Tian carefully examined Xiao Wu before suddenly having an idea.
He sighed lightly and said,
"It's not that I don't want to sell them to you… it's just that my pills have already been reserved by another buyer."
"This buyer wants to exchange them for a Yearning Heartbroken Red."
After speaking, a faint smile curled on Ye Tian's lips.
He knew that Xiao Wu had a Yearning Heartbroken Red.
This herb was one of the rarest treasures in Douluo Continent.
It was nearly impossible to obtain.
At present, Xiao Wu was likely the only person in the entire Douluo Continent who had one.
Ye Tian understood the principle of supply and demand.
A one-of-a-kind treasure was undeniably the most valuable.
"Hmm… What does that buyer want Yearning Heartbroken Red for?"
Xiao Wu's rabbit ears twitched, her face full of hesitation.
Ye Tian didn't bother fabricating a reason and simply smiled bitterly.
"I don't know—maybe it's very important to him."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu hesitated.
At this moment, she did have a Yearning Heartbroken Red in her possession.
If she offered it, Ye Tian would have no reason to refuse the exchange.
However, this Yearning Heartbroken Red was a gift from Tang San.
It held deep sentimental value.
Additionally, it helped her conceal her soul beast aura.
Without question, the Yearning Heartbroken Red was invaluable to her.
But then another thought crossed Xiao Wu's mind.
If Ye Tian's pill could truly enhance her cultivation,
She could leave the Star Dou Forest half a year earlier.
That meant she could reunite with the friends she had longed for over the past five years.
Furthermore, once she reached the Spirit Saint level, she wouldn't need the Yearning Heartbroken Red to hide her soul beast aura anymore.
In that case, the herb would only hold sentimental value.
Gradually, Xiao Wu made up her mind.
If she could see Tang San and her friends earlier,
She would rather give up this item of mere sentimental value.
With that, Xiao Wu lifted her beautiful eyes and asked,
"Ye Tian, if I have a Yearning Heartbroken Red, can I exchange it for your pill?"
The fish had taken the bait. Ye Tian smiled faintly in his heart.
But on the surface, he reXiao Wuned composed.
"You have a Yearning Heartbroken Red?"
"Yes!"
Xiao Wu nodded firmly and took out a vibrant green-leaved plant with a striking red flower.
"Here, take it," she said.
Seeing the Yearning Heartbroken Red, Ye Tian was secretly amazed.
It was common for rare herbs to resist decay after being picked.
But for one to reXiao Wun this vividly fresh—now that was rare.
No wonder, in the original storyline, Tang San used it to resurrect Xiao Wu.
It truly was a miraculous herb.
Unfortunately, Xiao Wu didn't understand its true value.
Which meant Ye Tian was about to profit.
"Aren't you going to accept it?"
Seeing Ye Tian merely staring and not taking the herb, Xiao Wu grew anxious.
She knew that trading the Yearning Heartbroken Red for the pill was a bit of a gamble.
But this was the only thing she had that Ye Tian might value.
"Ye Tian, let me remind you—whether you want to trade or not, you will trade today."
The Sky Blue Bull Python in front said nonchalantly.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Wu did not refute the words of the Azure Bull Python.
Hearing this, Ye Tian let out a deliberate sigh.
Reluctantly, he took the Yearning Heartbroken Red and placed it into his storage space.
Then, he retrieved a Tianyuan Pill and handed it to Xiao Wu.
As soon as the subtle fragrance of the Tianyuan Pill reached her nose, Xiao Wu's excitement was indescribable.
Just smelling it made the soul power within her body refine itself significantly.
This was undoubtedly one of the most top-tier pills on the entire continent!
Initially, Xiao Wu had been worried that the exchange was not worthwhile.
After all, Ye Tian was just an ordinary person, and she assumed he couldn't refine a supreme-grade pill.
But the moment she saw the Tianyuan Pill, all of her worries vanished into thin air.
This was absolutely worth it!
Xiao Wu had a firm feeling that once she took the pill, her cultivation would increase drastically.
Suppressing the temptation to swallow it immediately, Xiao Wu nodded repeatedly in gratitude.
"Thank you, Ye Tian."
"No need to be polite." Ye Tian waved his hand with an indifferent expression.
But inside, he was overjoyed.
Xiao Wu might gain a little, but he would never suffer a loss.
Not only would he not lose, but he had made an enormous profit.
"Come down, both of you. We've arrived at the Heart Lake Island."
The Azure Bull Python suddenly came to an abrupt stop, halting its massive body over the misty island.
Fortunately, Ye Tian had been prepared and gripped its scales tightly, avoiding being thrown off.
Seeing that his intimidation attempt had failed, the Azure Bull Python came up with another idea.
He suddenly shrank his body, leaving Ye Tian and Xiao Wu suspended two meters in the air.
"Da Ming, can't you be a little more gentle and steady?" Xiao Wu scolded with a stern tone.
Reacting quickly, she secured the pill in her left hand while grabbing Ye Tian's shoulder with her right. With graceful movements, she landed on the ground.
"My actions were indeed a bit abrupt." The Azure Bull Python smiled as he looked at Ye Tian, though there wasn't a trace of apology in his expression.
Clearly, he was taking revenge for Ye Tian's earlier refusal to sell the pill.
Although he did not share the Titan Giant Ape's deep hostility toward humans, he certainly didn't harbor much goodwill either.
Toying with Ye Tian was just his way of making the human realize his own insignificance.
"It's fine."
Ye Tian smiled lightly and waved his hand, appearing indifferent.
However, deep down, he had already made up his mind—he would steal as much of the Life Essence as possible.
"My friend is just ahead."
Xiao Wu took the lead, pointing the way for Ye Tian.
Ye Tian lifted his gaze and saw a golden tree in the direction Xiao Wu had indicated.
His eyes were immediately drawn to it.
A Golden Ancient Tree—one of the longest-living tree species in legend.
Ye Tian was almost certain that beneath this tree lay the greatest concentration of Life Essence.
This was because the Golden Ancient Tree had incredibly harsh survival conditions.
It could only grow in the most fertile area of a given region.
With that thought, Ye Tian secretly rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
From his storage space, he retrieved seven or eight clean jade bottles.
He also summoned his martial spirit, the Taiyi Divine Needle.
The moment he found an opportunity, he would use the Taiyi Divine Needle to inscribe an absorption array, extracting the surrounding Life Essence.
With different thoughts in mind, the group proceeded forward, finally arriving beneath the golden tree.
"Come inside." Xiao Wu said.
Following her, Ye Tian walked around the tree and was surprised to find that its center was hollow.
Inside was a room even larger than Xiao Wu's thatched hut by the Lake.
Upon entering, Ye Tian noticed a person lying in the corner of the room.
To be precise, it was a girl—a very beautiful girl.
She had long, golden, wavy hair, an oval-shaped face, and an expression full of exhaustion.
Seeing Xiao Wu and the others enter, the golden-haired girl weakly opened her eyes.
She forced a small smile and looked at Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, I'm happy you came to see me. In the past two days, I've been getting weaker. I don't think I'll live much longer."
Hearing these words, Xiao Wu immediately knelt down and held the girl's cold hands.
"Aya, don't say such foolish things. I brought a healer for you."
Saying this, Xiao Wu stepped aside and pointed at Ye Tian with a bright smile.
"His name is Ye Tian, and he's an amazing doctor."
Upon hearing this, the golden-haired girl's eyes showed no sign of hope.
Instead, she gently rubbed Xiao Wu's rabbit ears and shook her head with a smile.
"It's useless. My injuries are too severe."
"Even in a place as rich in life energy as Lake of Life Island, I still can't recover. No healer can save me."
At these words, Xiao Wu's eyes fell silent for a moment, then she stood up.
It seemed Aya had deceived her.
Aya had previously told her that she only needed to rest near the Life Essence for a few days to recover.
But now, it turned out her condition was far worse than expected.
Seeing Xiao Wu's reddening eyes, the Azure Bull Python slithered over, flicking its tongue.
He spoke in a calm voice, "Xiao Wu, life and death are natural cycles that we cannot change. Spend time talking with Aya while you still can—these may be her final moments."
"But… just seven days ago, you could still walk…" Xiao Wu murmured in a daze.
Aya smiled warmly. "Being able to meet a friend like you in my final moments is my greatest fortune."
"I don't ask for much. I only hope that after I die, I can be buried beside the Lake of Life."
"I can agree to that." The Azure Bull Python replied emotionlessly.
"You won't die."
Xiao Wu held Aya's hand tightly, her gaze firm. Then, with a trembling voice, she turned to Ye Tian.
"Ye Tian, can you save my dear friend? Her name is Daiya. She's only twenty years old. She's still so young…"
Ye Tian…
Daiya weakly lifted her head.
When Xiao Wu first mentioned Ye Tian's name earlier, she hadn't paid much attention.
But this time, she heard it clearly.
…What an incredible coincidence.
At that thought, Daiya couldn't help but take another look at Ye Tian's gentle and refined face.
Faced with Xiao Wu's plea and Daiya's weak yet kind gaze, Ye Tian's expression flickered.
To be honest, Daiya's injuries were truly severe.
Not only were her internal organs damaged, but her spiritual energy was also wounded.
Soul-related injuries were the hardest to treat.
For Ye Tian, "hardest" simply meant "possible but difficult."
But without a doubt, treating her would expose his full abilities to Xiao Wu and the Azure Bull Python.
And both of them were potential enemies.
Revealing his true power in front of them would be highly disadvantageous to him.
For a moment, Ye Tian hesitated.
To save or not to save?
Saving her would put him at risk.
Not saving her would go against his principle of healing and saving lives.
As he wavered, he caught sight of Daiya's soft, water-like gaze again.
She was looking at him, but there was no trace of a desire to live—only a serene acceptance of fate.
"Why are you staring at me?" Ye Tian asked curiously.
"It's nothing. Seeing you reminds me of someone… someone I deeply miss." Daiya smiled brightly.
Hearing this, Ye Tian's eyes flashed with doubt, but he nodded slightly.
He could relate to Daiya's feelings.
After all, he too had someone he deeply missed—his sister, Ye Xinglan.
(End of Chapter)
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