Affected by Da Ming's slow field, Xiao Tian's slashing speed gradually slowed as the time limit of his activated secret of the word "Jie" neared its end. The first activation only lasted a few seconds. Though brief, Xiao Tian was pleased.
He had gained much from the fight with Er Ming and, more importantly, a deeper understanding of his own strength. With the secret of "Jie" unlocked, he could now use his third soul skill to deal significant damage to Er Ming. Against a Soul Master without domain skills, with his tenfold strength, the ability to shrink the earth into an inch, and various sword techniques, he might even defeat an ordinary Titled Douluo!
This was terrifying, especially considering he was still just a Soul Master, lacking a fourth soul ring.
Xiao Tian truly was worthy of being one of the Nine Secrets. In that world, even the Heavenly Emperor would be moved by him.
The Douluo power system wasn't much different from that world's—an increase from ninety-eight to ninety-nine soul power was only a single fold, and mental power certainly couldn't increase tenfold! As long as his strength kept growing or he gained more secrets from the system, his chances of activating the "Jie" secret would improve.
There was no doubt that wielding the secret of the word "Jie" meant that once he reached Titled Douluo level, he might even be capable of slaying gods!
Soul power multiplied tenfold!
Mental strength multiplied tenfold!
All physical attributes enhanced tenfold!
This allowed Xiao Tian to wield supreme combat power briefly, though the weakness was the short duration of the effect.
This activation involved an element of gamble, one reason he chose to challenge Er Ming. He expected inspiration from fighting Zhao Wuji, but that pressure wasn't enough.
After triggering the secret of "Jie," Xiao Tian was utterly drained. His sword wings vanished, and he collapsed backward.
Buzz!
Fifteen's sword trembled, slipping from Xiao Tian's right hand, about to fly behind him to haul him up.
But Xiao Wu teleported instantly, catching Xiao Tian.
"Brother! Are you okay?" Her face was filled with worry.
"Sister Xiao Wu, this human just exhausted himself using too much soul power. Shouldn't you be worried about me? I'm covered in sword wounds from his soul skills," Er Ming said resentfully.
"Humph, Er Ming, your thick skin will heal. You're a hundred thousand-year-old spirit beast, and yet you're still grumbling about my brother?"
Suddenly, Xiao Wu's aura shifted, and she transformed back into the mature Sister Xiao Wu, the big sister figure—only behaving herself when with Xiao Tian.
Er Ming:
Woohoo, no love left! Didn't Sister Xiao Wu just return from the human world after six years? Why is this happening now?
Er Ming claimed it felt like a critical blow worth 10,000 points.
"Ahem, Xiao Wu, I'm fine. Just drained. Let me recover." Xiao Tian patted her hand to reassure her.
"Sister Xiao Wu, why did your aura suddenly appear in the Star Dou Great Forest? We should've sensed your soul beast aura the moment you entered."
This explained why Da Ming came along—he was very curious.
Xiao Wu smiled, activating her ring's convergence function to completely conceal her soul beast aura again.
"Hey, her soul beast aura vanished again!" Da Ming and Er Ming exclaimed.
Seeing Xiao Tian nod at her, Xiao Wu stretched out her left hand, showing the ring.
"Look, this ring my brother gave me not only stores living things but also hides my soul beast aura. Once activated, even a Titled Douluo can't detect that I'm a hundred thousand-year-old soul beast."
"Oh? Did Sister Xiao Wu purposely leak her aura to lure us out?" Da Ming asked.
"Yes. I haven't seen you two in six years. I came back to the Star Dou Great Forest to find you—and introduce you to my brother from the human world. Rest assured, this ring was a gift from him."
"Thank you, Xiao Tian." Da Ming addressed Xiao Tian by name, showing improved attitude but no less vigilance. Xiao Tian had too many secrets. Concealing Xiao Wu's soul beast aura might lower their guard, but when Xiao Wu neared promotion to a Titled Douluo, they'd try to absorb her soul ring and bone. They had to be alert!
"Xiao Tian, it seems Sister Xiao Wu trusts you greatly. She even told you her true soul beast identity. You're very mysterious!" Da Ming's huge bull eyes fixed on Xiao Tian, searching for any lies.
"No, I didn't tell my brother about my soul beast identity. He found out on his own," Xiao Wu explained, recounting how Tang Hao discovered her secret.
Daming realized he'd mistakenly blamed Xiao Tian—if Xiao Tian hadn't warned her, she could've been in grave danger. Of course, the threat wasn't fully over yet.
Hearing that Xiao Wu was now targeted by a Titled Douluo, Da Ming and Er Ming grew nervous.
"Sister Xiao Wu, why not stay hidden when you return? Life is most important," they pleaded, caring deeply for her safety.
"Xiao Tian, thank you so much for everything," they sincerely expressed. They recognized Xiao Tian's sincerity toward Sister Xiao Wu. If he coveted her spirit ring and soul bone, he wouldn't have gifted her the ring—her identity was already known!
"Don't worry. I'm not in danger now, and I won't be separated from my brother. You've seen his strength—he can protect me," Xiao Wu declared with determination.
"No! We admit Xiao Tian's strength surprised us, but he's still too weak to protect you. At least wait until he becomes a Soul Saint! With the incredible secret technique he just used, he'll have the power to face Titled Douluo!"
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