As a soul beast that had lived for two hundred thousand years, the Sky Azure Bull Python was long unfazed by heavenly treasures.
He understood that what was limiting his advancement was no longer external resources but his own talent and perseverance.
Perseverance was something he possessed.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived the hundred-thousand-year tribulation despite his ordinary bloodline.
Back then, there were many soul beasts at the same level as him.
Now, he was the only one who remained.
However, when it came to talent, the Sky Azure Bull Python admitted he lacked it.
He was merely an ordinary bull python, without the bloodline of a top-tier species.
He couldn't even awaken a sub-dragon bloodline once.
He was doomed to fail against the imminent two-hundred-thousand-year tribulation.
This was something only Ye Tian could help him with.
The Sky Azure Bull Python knew that if he missed Ye Tian, finding another expert who understood how to break through the tribulation might take another ten thousand years.
Such a long wait—he couldn't afford it.
"You know the refining method?"
Before the Sky Azure Bull Python could speak, the Titan Giant Ape's breathing had already quickened.
Although he was younger than Da Ming, his talent was even weaker. The tribulation descending upon him would not come much later than the Sky Azure Bull Python's.
He never expected that Ye Tian had been hiding his true abilities all along.
Even the terrifying tribulation had a solution in his hands.
Xiao Wu was equally envious, murmuring with her red lips, "If I had met Ye Tian twenty years earlier, I wouldn't have had to choose the hardest path—transforming into a human."
Ye Tian originally intended to bait only the Sky Azure Bull Python, but unexpectedly, the Titan Giant Ape took the bait as well.
Indeed, in the face of survival, all rationality seemed laughable.
Da Ming and Er Ming didn't even question whether Ye Tian's words were true; they simply believed him.
Of course, Ye Tian wasn't just talking.
He did possess the method to refine the Tribulation Pill.
However, such a valuable item couldn't be handed over to Da Ming and Er Ming so easily.
With a slight smile, he said:
"Such a fate-defying item not only requires rare materials but also brings divine retribution upon the refiner, significantly reducing their lifespan."
Ye Tian didn't outright refuse but instead emphasized the immense cost of refining the pill.
As expected.
Upon hearing this, the hope on the faces of the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape gradually faded, replaced by silence.
Especially the Titan Giant Ape—his brows furrowed with hints of regret.
Earlier, he had given Ye Tian a hard time.
He had even nearly taken Ye Tian's life.
Although Ye Tian had appeared indifferent and unconcerned, who knew if he now harbored resentment?
Under such circumstances, even if Ye Tian could refine the Tribulation Pill, he might not give it to him.
The Titan Giant Ape let out a long sigh, regretting that he hadn't listened to Xiao Wu and acted more prudently.
He had recklessly offended Ye Tian and now missed out on a heaven-sent opportunity.
The Sky Azure Bull Python took a step forward with sincerity, lowering his stance:
"Ye Tian, do you have any way to resolve this predicament? I desperately need a Tribulation Pill to withstand the heavenly tribulation."
"If you can help me, I, the Sky Azure Bull Python, swear to follow you for life and protect you."
Though he said this, he had his own calculations.
Following Ye Tian wouldn't be a bad deal.
Besides, human lifespans were short.
Even the longest-living Ultimate Douluo could only live about four hundred years at best.
Compared to a soul beast's longevity, that was just the blink of an eye.
This was a deal he couldn't lose.
"Me too!"
The Titan Giant Ape pounded his chest, making a bold declaration.
For a soul beast, protecting Ye Tian was like taking a brief tour in the human world.
However, Ye Tian only smiled without responding.
How could he not see through Da Ming and Er Ming's little schemes?
He just didn't bother exposing them.
Wanting an Thunder Tribulation Pill in exchange for being a mere bodyguard?
They were severely underestimating the value of the Tribulation Pill.
Ye Tian himself needed the pill, so he wasn't in a hurry.
Slowly fanning the flames, he began refining the Soul-Cleansing Holy Pill.
Seeing Ye Tian's composed manner, the Titan Giant Ape grew anxious and opened his mouth wide:
"Ye Tian, what do you mean? Are you deliberately mocking us?"
Smack!
The Sky Azure Bull Python's tail lashed onto the Titan Giant Ape's body, glaring at him:
"You've lived for 190,000 years—can't you use your brain a little?"
Xiao Wu also stepped forward, pressing her hands against the Titan Giant Ape's sturdy frame:
"Enough, Er Ming. Go collect some firewood."
She then stole a glance at Ye Tian.
Fortunately, Ye Tian didn't seem to mind.
Xiao Wu let out a silent sigh of relief.
Er Ming was truly reckless. Even though he needed Ye Tian's help, he still acted so aggressively.
Thankfully, he was a soul beast living deep in the Star Dou Forest.
If he were human, he'd have made countless enemies wherever he went.
After sending Er Ming away, Xiao Wu crouched beside Ye Tian, observing his refining process carefully.
She noticed that Ye Tian had entered a "flow" state—completely absorbed in refining, paying no attention to his surroundings.
This made Xiao Wu breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed that Ye Tian truly hadn't heard Er Ming's outburst.
She quietly approached the Sky Azure Bull Python and whispered:
"Ye Tian is focused on refining; we shouldn't disturb him."
"Also, keep an eye on Er Ming—don't let him get too close to Ye Tian."
"That guy only causes trouble."
The Sky Azure Bull Python glanced at the sulking Titan Giant Ape in the distance and chuckled:
"Don't worry, Xiao Wu. I'll keep an eye on him."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu nodded in satisfaction.
She then walked lightly toward the Golden Treehouse.
At that moment, Daiya lay against the treehouse wall with her eyes closed, unmoving.
"Aya."
Xiao Wu softly approached, pulling Daiya into her embrace.
Holding Daiya's cold hand, Xiao Wu felt a mix of pain and sorrow.
Forcing a smile, she said, "Ye Tian is already refining the Pill. I believe your injuries will heal soon."
Daiya gave a gentle smile but was too weak to speak.
"You'll be okay," Xiao Wu reassured her.
As she stroked Daiya's golden hair, a deep melancholy filled her heart.
She had never told Daiya that they had actually met long ago.
Back when Xiao Wu was still a Soft Bone Rabbit, she had been severely wounded while fleeing from Spirit Hall soul masters.
It was a passing Daiya who had saved her life.
Although Xiao Wu survived, her injuries were irreversible.
Because of them, she lacked the strength to withstand the hundred-thousand-year tribulation, leading her to take the path of transforming into a human.
At that time, Daiya had been a princess of the Star Luo Empire, of noble status.
As a princess, there was little Xiao Wu could offer in return.
Moreover, as a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, staying by Daiya's side would only bring her trouble.
Weighing the risks, Xiao Wu ultimately chose to leave without saying goodbye, heading to a small city called Nuoding.
What she hadn't expected was that fate was truly a cycle.
She never thought she would meet Daiya again in the Star Dou Forest.
Though many years had passed, Daiya's faint orchid-like fragrance was something Xiao Wu would never forget.
Because of this bond, Xiao Wu spared no effort in saving Daiya.
She only wanted to repay the life-saving grace of the past.
Looking at the frail girl in her arms, Xiao Wu took out half a glowing azure medicinal herb from her storage space.
Bringing it to Daiya's lips, she said:
"This is the Sky Profound Grass you gave me ten days ago."
"There's still half left—take it, maybe it'll help your injuries a little."
Thinking about it, Xiao Wu regretted her decision.
Ten days ago, she hadn't realized how serious Daiya's injuries were.
Had she known, she never would have accepted the precious herb.
"Silly girl," Daiya weakly opened her eyes and murmured, "I gave it to you—don't refuse me now."
Xiao Wu was touched.
Aya had always been so kind.
But unfortunately, she was born into the imperial family of Star Luo.
And after meeting Dai Mubai years ago, Xiao Wu truly understood how cruel the royal family of Star Luo could be.
For any member outside the line of succession, death was the only fate.
"Is the healer named Ye Tian still outside refining pills?"
Daiya lifted her golden pupils and looked at Xiao Wu as she asked.
"Yes." Xiao Wu nodded vigorously.
Then she chuckled softly and said, "Why? Have you taken a liking to him?"
Patting her chest, she added, "I can help you! I can put in a good word. Ye Tian is a great guy."
Hearing this, a pale smile flashed across Daiya's face.
"Only you, little sister Xiao Wu, can still joke with me at a time like this."
"Bleh!" Xiao Wu playfully stuck out her tongue, trying to cheer Daiya up.
Daiya took a deep breath and said softly, "Help me up, I want to see him."
"You say you don't like him, yet even in this condition, you're still thinking about Ye Tian." Xiao Wu raised her eyebrows mischievously.
"But I won't allow it! Your injuries are too severe. You should stay here and rest properly."
However, Daiya sincerely responded, "Perhaps in two days, I won't be able to see anything anymore." She gazed toward the door.
As soon as those words left her lips, Xiao Wu suddenly fell silent, not knowing what to say.
After a long pause, she finally wrapped her arms around Daiya's and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Ye Tian's medical skills are extraordinary."
But Daiya forced a smile. "I know my own injuries. Little sister Xiao Wu, please, just let me see him. I beg you."
Looking at Daiya's serious expression, Xiao Wu fell into silence.
To be honest, she was also deeply worried about whether Daiya could survive this ordeal.
After all, Daiya's injuries were even more severe than the ones Xiao Wu herself had suffered back then.
And there was a crucial difference—back then, she was a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, her physical endurance far surpassing even that of an Ultimate Douluo.
But Daiya, in front of her, was merely a twenty-ninth-level Soul Master—and a human at that.
The fact that she was still alive was entirely due to her life force and Ye Tian's pills barely keeping her hanging on.
Without those two things sustaining her, she would have long since perished.
With injuries like these, even a healing-type Super Douluo would feel overwhelmed.
Daiya's body was simply too frail—her body wouldn't even be able to endure most potent healing pills.
"You really want to see Ye Tian that badly?" Xiao Wu stared into Daiya's eyes.
She truly didn't want Daiya to move. Every movement was a further depletion of her already dwindling life force.
"Yes." Daiya nodded lightly.
"Why?" Xiao Wu's beautiful eyes were filled with confusion. Why would Daiya still insist on moving, knowing it would cost her the last remnants of her survival chances?
"Because his name is exactly the same as my younger brother's. If my brother were here, he would probably be this tall by now."
Daiya smiled weakly.
"You have a younger brother?"
Xiao Wu looked stunned.
If Daiya had a younger brother, shouldn't he have the surname 'Dai'?
Why would his surname be 'Ye'?
Seeing Xiao Wu's confusion, Daiya explained sorrowfully:
"My brother isn't actually my biological brother."
"His father was once my father's personal guard captain."
"That captain died protecting my parents and me when we were being hunted by the Star Luo Emperor."
At this point, Daiya's eyes turned red.
Even though sixteen years had passed since that day, she could never let it go.
"Unfortunately, my parents couldn't escape either. In the end, only Ye Tian and I survived because we were small children and easier to hide. We fled to the Heaven Dou Empire."
After hearing Daiya's story, Xiao Wu didn't know how to comfort her.
After all, she was good friends with Dai Mubai.
No matter what, she never expected that one of her close friends would turn out to be the enemy of another.
Because of this contradiction, Xiao Wu had never dared to reveal her true identity to Daiya.
To prevent Daiya from sinking further into sorrow, Xiao Wu changed the topic and asked:
"Is your younger brother still alive?"
"Yes."
Daiya nodded gently and lifted her gaze.
"He doesn't have great talent, and as his sister, I had no means to provide him with a good life."
"Right now, he's probably just an ordinary civilian in some countryside of East Sea City in the Heaven Dou Empire."
Saying this, Daiya's frail hand tightly gripped Xiao Wu's arm.
"Little sister Xiao Wu, I know you've already helped me so much, and it's selfish of me to ask for more."
"But I still want to beg you… When I leave this world, please write a letter to my brother, telling him that I've gotten married, so that he will still have something to hold onto in this world."
"Aya, don't worry. Your brother is my brother. I will personally go to East Sea City to check on him."
"And I believe it won't just be me—there will be you too."
"You're not going anywhere." Xiao Wu said firmly.
"Mm." Daiya smiled.
In truth, she had no hope of surviving.
Her smile was simply gratitude—gratitude that, in the final moments of her life, she had encountered a kindhearted friend like Xiao Wu.
"Help me see Ye Tian." Daiya gently asked once again.
This time, Xiao Wu didn't refuse.
Because she knew—this was Daiya's final wish.
(End of Chapter)
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