The disappointment in Xiao Wu's eyes quickly faded.
Instead, it was replaced by confusion.
She took out a delicate embroidered pouch from her storage space and shook it in front of Ye Tian.
Curiously, she asked, "Ye Tian, in the note on this pouch, you mentioned that the tattoo on my arm is related to the Silver Dragon King."
"What level of soul beast is this Silver Dragon King, and why would she choose me?"
Seeing Xiao Wu take out the pouch, Ye Tian's expression showed rare awkwardness.
The reason he had given her the pouch was to avoid getting involved in this matter.
He was well aware of the Silver Dragon King's violent nature.
Getting involved would bring him no benefit at all.
That was why Ye Tian had told Xiao Wu to open the pouch only after three days.
Yet unexpectedly, three days later, he found himself back by Xiao Wu's side.
Since he couldn't avoid the issue, Ye Tian fell into deep thought.
If not for Xiao Wu, his sister might have already lost her life.
He owed her a favor.
Otherwise, it would become a burden on his conscience.
With that thought in mind, Ye Tian abandoned the idea of hiding the truth and began telling the legend of the Dragon God.
"Legend has it that a million years ago, this land was still ruled by soul beasts…"
Ye Tian explained in detail, recounting the war between the Dragon God and the Divine Realm.
As the group listened, they were both fascinated and deeply shocked.
"I didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable, Ye Tian," Xiao Wu's lively eyes glanced at him twice as she praised him.
"Even these secrets about the gods… you know them?"
Ye Tian simply waved his hand and chuckled. "I just read a few more books. Besides, this is just what's recorded in books. Whether it's true or not remains to be verified."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu extended her right arm, her rabbit ears twitching slightly, and spoke seriously:
"Isn't the tattoo on my arm, which is related to the Dragon God, proof?"
"Besides, the Dragon God is considered the ruler of all soul beasts. It seems like this trip to the secret realm is unavoidable."
Since Xiao Wu had made her decision, the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape also expressed their stance: "We'll go with Sister Xiao Wu."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu smiled in satisfaction and looked at Da Ming and Er Ming:
"As expected, you two are my good brothers."
After speaking, she turned to Ye Tian with a pleading look and asked,
"Ye Tian, will you come?"
Since Ye Tian knew the secrets about the Dragon King, having him guide them would naturally make the journey much safer.
However, Ye Tian's smile stiffened slightly.
It was clear that he was reluctant.
Xiao Wu spread her hands and smiled, saying, "Ye Tian, you don't need to force yourself. Whether you go or not, it doesn't matter."
"After all, the Silver Dragon King is only the ruler of soul beasts. You're human and have no obligation to follow us on this adventure."
Her words warmed Ye Tian's heart.
He turned to look at his sister, Daiya, seeking her opinion.
Perhaps because she had reunited with her brother, Daiya's face was not as pale as before.
Seeing Ye Tian's questioning gaze, Daiya spoke gently:
"Xiao Wu saved my life earlier. If she invites me to enter the secret realm, I wouldn't be able to refuse."
"But you are my brother and have nothing to do with Xiao Wu. You should make your own decision instead of seeking my opinion."
Hearing this, Ye Tian made up his mind.
He looked at Xiao Wu again and smiled,
"Looks like I have to go with you. Consider it a way to repay you for saving my sister."
Xiao Wu glanced at Daiya and waved her hand, saying, "Ye Tian, you don't actually have to do this."
She had saved Daiya purely out of gratitude.
Now, she and Daiya had settled their debts.
However, due to her special identity, she couldn't say this out loud.
So Ye Tian didn't have to go to the secret realm just because of this.
But once Ye Tian made a decision, he rarely changed his mind.
Facing Xiao Wu's reminder, Ye Tian simply patted her shoulder and smiled:
"Let's just call it a favor between friends. Who knows, maybe one day we'll be enemies, and this friendship might save my life."
Xiao Wu raised her hand and laughed, "How could we ever be enemies?"
Then, she bent down and bowed deeply to Ye Tian.
"Thank you, Ye Tian."
"That's too formal," Ye Tian replied with a carefree smile, lifting her up.
Since Ye Tian had already agreed, Sea Witch and Xiao Bai had no objections either.
The two women approached Ye Tian, and Sea Witch reached out to smooth Xiao Bai's hair, smiling:
"In this secret realm, we might encounter the terrifying Silver Dragon King."
"If we can obtain some soul beast cultivation techniques from her, it won't be a wasted trip for you, Xiao Bai."
"Maybe we'll be that lucky," Xiao Bai said uncertainly.
She indeed needed soul beast cultivation techniques.
Without a doubt, such knowledge would increase the combat strength of the Demon Soul Great White Shark clan.
This way, they could better survive under the oppression of the Evil Demon Orca clan.
At least, her clan wouldn't have to suffer so much.
However, Ye Tian, standing beside them, poured cold water on their hopes.
He chuckled lightly and said, "It's best not to have such thoughts."
"The Silver Dragon King isn't exactly friendly."
"You even know the Silver Dragon King's personality?"
Xiao Wu leaned forward curiously, eager to hear more.
She was becoming more and more impressed by Ye Tian—he was practically a walking history book.
Ye Tian laughed awkwardly. "Just a guess."
…
The group rested on the central island of the lake for a night.
The next day.
Xiao Wu took out the secret realm map she had copied onto a skull and found Ye Tian.
She stared at the map and said, "The secret realm marked on this map doesn't seem far from the central area."
"You're holding the map upside down," Ye Tian said.
Xiao Wu raised her eyebrows, her rabbit ears twitching twice: "Ye Tian, are you serious?"
Ye Tian: "…"
Helplessly, Ye Tian took the map from her and pointed at the outline of the Lake of Life.
"The Lake of Life is long and narrow from north to south, but shorter from east to west. Also, the southern shore, due to wind erosion, is noticeably smoother than the northern shore."
"So if you place the smoother shore on top, wouldn't you be heading in the wrong direction?"
Hearing this, Xiao Wu scratched her head sheepishly: "Maps have directions? I thought they were just flat images."
Ye Tian: "…"
After a moment, he chuckled and said, "Well, in a way, it is flat."
"But just the central area alone spans several thousand square kilometers. Even if we know the direction, finding the entrance will be a massive task."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu sighed.
It seemed like they wouldn't be able to find the secret realm's entrance in just a month or two.
However, Ye Tian reXiao Wuned unfazed and pointed at the location of the central island on the map.
"Although the map doesn't show a scale, we can still calculate it."
(End of Chapter)
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