Blinding speed, fierce attacks, and unexpected defenses—these qualities made Er Ming increasingly intrigued by Lin Jie.
But Er Ming was no ordinary opponent. Even when holding back, a casual swat still sent Lin Jie flying.
Pain spread through Lin Jie's body, making him grit his teeth.
"Roar! Lin Jie, still want to continue?"
"Again!" Lin Jie shouted, surging forward once more toward Er Ming's towering figure.
"Good! Then again!"
Er Ming rumbled with laughter, lifting his massive palm and sweeping it down with greater force.
Lin Jie's Lightning Escape Armor was already active. Facing that colossal strike, he knew better than to block head-on.
His figure blurred, vanishing like a streak of light. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared at Er Ming's side. The several-meter-long Iron Sand Chain Sword in his hand whipped out toward the titan's body.
But Er Ming was a battle-hardened beast—how could he be caught so easily? His palm snapped back, intercepting the strike. Sparks burst forth as sword met flesh, the blade scraping like steel against stone.
Even so, the sword's sharp cutting force made Er Ming wince in pain.
Just as Er Ming thought Lin Jie had exhausted his tricks, two blazing beams suddenly burst forth from Lin Jie's eyes, streaking toward him at close range.
Too fast. Too close. Even Er Ming couldn't evade.
Boom!
The explosion rang out as Er Ming staggered back several steps, his massive frame forced to retreat.
It was Lin Jie's fourth Spirit Ability—Laser Eyes.
"Enough, enough! Er Ming, let's stop here. I can't beat you."
Lin Jie quickly waved his hands.
From his nostrils, Er Ming snorted twin jets of hot air, clearly displeased at being pushed back.
It had been half a year since Lin Jie absorbed his fifth Spirit Ring. In that time, he and Er Ming had grown truly close. The Titan Giant Ape now treated him with genuine friendliness.
As for Da Ming, Lin Jie often joked about whether staying submerged in the lake all day would make the Sky Blue Bull Python drown. Of course, it was only a joke—over these six months, he had only seen Da Ming five times.
Thanks to Er Ming's constant sparring, Lin Jie's strength advanced rapidly. Xiao Wu, too, was unwilling to fall behind. With Lin Jie by her side, she threw herself into cultivation with renewed determination.
When Lin Jie discovered that Er Ming possessed a Gravity Domain, he suggested Er Ming open it for them while they trained. At first, even Er Ming hadn't realized his domain could be used that way. But once Lin Jie and Xiao Wu tried it, the results were astonishing.
Training under gravity greatly increased their progress.
Half a year later, Lin Jie's Spirit Power had risen from rank 52 to rank 53, despite spending much of his time sparring rather than meditating. Xiao Wu had reached rank 48.
That night, after finishing his cultivation, Lin Jie opened his eyes in his cabin. He stood, walked next door, and knocked lightly before stepping inside Xiao Wu's room.
Xiao Wu turned, her voice soft.
"Lin Jie… what is it?"
These months with Lin Jie had made her feel deeply content. She had also begun to sense that he harbored feelings for her—and perhaps… she felt the same.
"Xiao Wu, I have something to talk to you about."
Without hesitation, Lin Jie sat directly on the edge of her bed.
Their relationship over the past half year had grown extremely close—something more than friendship, though not quite lovers. Even Xiao Wu herself hadn't realized how intimate they had become.
Lin Jie knew all they needed was a spark, a trigger to cross that line. But he also knew it wasn't yet the right time. Xiao Wu's six years of attachment to Tang San ran deep; he would have to move carefully.
Tomorrow, he planned to leave. Tonight, he wanted to speak with her—and leave a lasting impression.
"What is it, Lin Jie?"
"I plan to leave tomorrow."
"You're… leaving?"
Xiao Wu froze. She had grown accustomed to having Lin Jie by her side. Though she had always known he couldn't stay in the Star Dou Great Forest forever, the moment still filled her with reluctance.
"Yes. Tomorrow. Before I go, there are things I want to tell you."
Her eyes flickered nervously, half-expecting flirtatious words again.
"After I leave… I'm going to join the Spirit Hall."
Xiao Wu's expression turned to shock, disbelief flooding her eyes.
"What? You—you're joining Spirit Hall? Don't you know they're my enemy? They attacked us before!"
By now, all of Shrek Academy already knew who had launched that ambush.
Lin Jie's gaze was steady.
"Exactly because they are our enemy, that's why I must join them."
"What do you mean?"
"Xiao Wu, do you still want revenge?"
She nodded faintly.
"Of course I do. But I'm too weak… I don't stand a chance."
"That's why I have to join them. Spirit Hall has vast resources. They can help me grow stronger, faster. Inside, I can also gather information useful to you. Remember—they've been searching for you all this time, aiming to take your Spirit Ring and Spirit Bone. I don't want you harmed.
"More than that… I've heard they're hunting hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. If they ever discover this place, they'll definitely send Titled Douluo to hunt Da Ming and Er Ming. With my talent, I'll rise within their core ranks, and from there… I can get intel, maybe even protect you in my own way."
Xiao Wu knew Spirit Hall's strength. With her current power, she couldn't hope for revenge. But she couldn't bear the thought of Lin Jie risking himself for her.
"Lin Jie, don't join them. Please. I don't want you hurt."
Lin Jie smiled faintly, reaching out to stroke her soft rabbit ears.
"Trust me. As long as I don't reveal hostile intent, they won't harm me. On the contrary, they'll nurture me. And I have my own goals. So Xiao Wu—do you believe me?"
Her heart softened.
"I believe you."
She knew he was doing this for her. That thought alone filled her with warmth.
"And one more thing, Xiao Wu. After I leave, you must train hard. Within four or five years, reach rank 60. When you do, I'll come find you. Until then, don't leave the Star Dou Great Forest. Promise me."
"…Alright. I promise."
Lin Jie leaned closer, his voice tender.
"Xiao Wu, have you realized? You're becoming more beautiful every day."
Hr cheeks flushed. She had grown used to his teasing.
"Hmph. Are you saying I wasn't beautiful before?"
"You were beautiful—and adorable."
His hand slid from her ears down to her soft cheek. Xiao Wu's face reddened further, but she didn't resist.
Lin Jie drew closer, inch by inch. One second more, and their lips would meet.
Xiao Wu's wide eyes blinked, as if testing whether he would truly go further. She thought he would stop as always, teasing her and then laughing it off.
But this time—he didn't stop.
Her pupils widened in shock as his lips pressed against hers.
For once, Lin Jie didn't just tease. Tomorrow he would leave; tonight, he wanted to carve himself into her heart.
To her own surprise, Xiao Wu didn't resist.
Lin Jie's arm wrapped around her slim waist.
Her mind went blank, filled only with Lin Jie's presence. Shame and shyness swirled in her chest, mingling with memories of all their moments together.
Then, unbidden, an image of Lin Jie with Zhu Zhuqing flashed through her mind. And Tang San.
Reality rushed back.
By then, her clothes had already slipped slightly, exposing pale skin in the lamplight.
Her face flushed crimson.
Lin Jie had achieved his purpose. He didn't push further. He knew… the time was not yet right.