However, in the next moment, as Liu Erlong charged at the golden-glowing giant beast with all her might, the beast simply waved its paw casually.
With just that casual swipe, even Liu Erlong, who was in her Martial Soul True Body form, was effortlessly sent flying. As she was flung through the air, a trail of flames followed her, and she crashed into several large trees before finally coming to a stop.
Now, Liu Erlong's Martial Soul True Body was shattered, her Martial Soul had dissipated, and she was severely injured. She could barely even stand.
Even in such a critical state, Liu Erlong's greatest concern was still Xiao Yu's safety.
Feeling the chaotic state of her body, Liu Erlong smiled bitterly.
"I'm done for... I'm sorry, Xiao Yu. This time, your teacher has to break her promise. I can't fulfill my vow... In our next life, I'll prepare an apology gift for you."
"I'm sorry, Xiaogang. I can't wait for you anymore... In our next life—no, in the life after that—I'll reunite with you. I hope that by then, we won't be... Xiao Yu?! What are you doing here?! Run!!!"
Just as Liu Erlong was reminiscing about her regrets, she saw a small figure standing in front of her.
Beside him was a dragon-lizard, its muscles tensed and ready for battle.
Despite facing a spirit beast that even she couldn't defeat, neither Xiao Yu nor his Martial Soul showed any fear.
Seeing this, Liu Erlong's mind went blank. Didn't she tell him to run? Why did he come back?
Hearing Liu Erlong's desperate cry, Xiao Yu smiled faintly.
"Teacher, without you, running away alone would be meaningless. A year ago, you saved my life, helped me grow, and treated me so well. If I ran away alone today, would I even be human?
Besides, as a man, if I'm going to die today, I should die before you. How could I let my savior, my teacher, die in front of me?"
Hearing Xiao Yu's words, Liu Erlong's expression became dazed.
Her previously chaotic thoughts were now filled with the image of Xiao Yu's small, determined figure standing in front of her.
At the same time, for some reason, the memory of the pitiful figure of Yu Xiaogang fleeing on their wedding night resurfaced in her mind.
Unconsciously, Liu Erlong compared the two silhouettes.
For a moment, after comparing the two, Liu Erlong's mind became even more disoriented.
She felt as though her entire worldview was on the verge of collapsing.
Two silhouettes, yet the difference between them was so vast.
One silhouette was willing to face death with her, standing firm even against an eighty-thousand-year spirit beast, even though he could have run away without her.
The other silhouette couldn't even withstand the judgment of society.
As a woman, she hadn't been afraid, yet he, a man, had been so fearful.
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo, who had initially planned to save himself and leave the master and disciple pair to their fate, was also stunned by what he saw.
He hadn't expected this young boy named Xiao Yu to have such a strong character.
Though a bit stubborn, there was no denying that the boy's integrity was top-notch!
After all, how many people could stand together in the face of life and death?
Not even family members could do that.
"What a brave kid. I like him. For your courage, I'll save you today!"
Dugu Bo muttered thoughtfully.
Then, the seventh spirit ring on Dugu Bo's body began to glow with a mysterious black light, and a faint green light appeared on his forehead.
He was preparing to activate his Martial Soul True Body and Medusa's Gaze to quickly restrain the spirit beast and escape with them at top speed.
Once they reached Heaven Dou City, everything would be fine.
With his speed, covering three kilometers would be a trivial matter!
However, just as Dugu Bo was about to act, he heard a roar that, though not loud, sent a ripple through his mind.
The moment the roar sounded, his Emerald Serpent Emperor, which had been flicking its tongue, immediately closed its mouth and lowered its head, as if bowing to a king.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo was stunned.
Before he could react, he heard the eighty-thousand-year spirit beast let out a low growl in response to the roar.
And in that growl, Dugu Bo sensed caution and fear.
Dugu Bo looked forward in astonishment and saw that the boy he had taken a liking to was now standing in front of a strange-looking dragon-lizard, which was roaring furiously at the eighty-thousand-year spirit beast.
At this moment, there was no trace of fear in the dragon-lizard, despite facing a much stronger spirit beast.
But what shocked Dugu Bo even more was that the spirit beast, which could have easily crushed the dragon-lizard with a single swipe, didn't attack. Instead, it took several cautious steps back and let out a low growl, as if it had encountered a formidable opponent and was wary of its strength.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo was completely baffled.
What was going on? How could a one-ring kid's Martial Soul scare off an eighty-thousand-year spirit beast?!
Was he seeing things? Was that some kind of powerful spirit beast? Not the kid's Martial Soul?!
Wait... Could it be...
Quickly, the experienced Dugu Bo realized that he wasn't mistaken. The boy was indeed a one-ring Spirit Master, but the reason for this phenomenon likely lay in the bloodline pressure of his Martial Soul.
"Seventh Spirit Skill: Emerald Serpent True Body!"
"Eighth Spirit Skill: Time-Space Freeze!"
"Head Spirit Bone Skill: Medusa's Gaze!!"
Without hesitation, Dugu Bo immediately unleashed his skills.
Such a young genius, so loyal and righteous, with such a powerful Martial Soul bloodline—he was worth saving.
Thus, Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, transformed into a massive Emerald Serpent Emperor, thirty meters long and covered in emerald-green scales.
Before the eighty-thousand-year spirit beast could react, Dugu Bo's two control-type spirit skills firmly restrained it.
Caught off guard, the spirit beast was frozen in place.
Its golden-glowing body turned to stone, and green patterns began to spread rapidly across the stone surface.
After immobilizing the spirit beast, Dugu Bo swung his serpent tail, wrapping it around Xiao Yu and the severely injured Liu Erlong.
Then, he sped toward the outskirts of the Sunset Forest.