Chapter 145: Lady, You Wouldn’t Want…

Chapter 145: Lady, You Wouldn't Want…

As night deepened, Tang Hao and Ah Yu found a cave within the soul beast forest to settle down, unpacking a few items as if preparing to stay there for a while and train. From their conversation, Ye Wen learned that the Thunderous Hell Vine soul beast's name was Ah Yu.

Ye Wen didn't know what to make of it. After spending so much time in the human world, couldn't she have picked a more human name? The soul beasts' naming conventions were amusing Ah Yin, Ah Rou, Xiao Wu, Xiao Bai, Da Ming, Er Ming, and now… Ah Yu.

Nearby, Ah Yu found a quiet pond to wash. Deep within the soul hunting forest, she didn't have to worry about being spied on. Quietly, Ye Wen and Ah Yin followed her.

As the perfect gentleman, Ye Wen assured himself he wasn't there to spy nor to play any kind of prank. Just as Ah Yu began unfastening her clothing to enter the water, she sensed a sudden fluctuation of spirit energy behind her. She tensed and quickly summoned her martial spirit, leaping back defensively.

In an instant, dark purple, thorn covered vines crackling with lightning emerged from her hands. Ye Wen immediately recognized it as the formidable Thunderous Hell Vine, a rare type of plant spirit beast.

He couldn't help but find the Hell Vine's lore somewhat ironic. How could a bloodline linked to the God of Thunder get itself killed by lightning? Was this a son or a sworn enemy?

Looking at the impressive presence of Ye Wen and the elegant Ah Yin, both of whom were clearly not with Spirit Hall, Ah Yu asked guardedly, "Who are you?"

"You don't need to be so tense," Ye Wen said calmly. "If I had any ill intentions, you wouldn't have even had a chance to sense or resist." As he spoke, he summoned his spirit rings.

Red Red Red Red Red Red Gold Red Gold Red Gold Gold Blue Gold Blue!

The sight of these intense, blood red spirit rings and the overwhelming soul power he radiated left Ah Yu stunned. In despair, she retracted her spirit and fell to her knees. "A…god?"

But in the next moment, Ye Wen withdrew his spirit rings. "Relax. You don't need to be so frightened. I may be a god, but I have no ill will toward soul beasts like yourself. After all, my wife here is also a soul beast in human form. I came here today only to speak with you."

His reassurance seemed to ground Ah Yu somewhat. She shook her head to clear it, still somewhat disoriented by the sheer impact of what she'd just seen.

Ah Yin stepped forward, helping Ah Yu to her feet. "Apologies for startling you, sister. My husband and I truly mean no harm. We merely wanted to take a look at the famous HaoTian Trio that's made headlines lately, but upon arriving, we unexpectedly discovered your true nature."

Ah Yu's gaze lingered on Ah Yin for a moment. This graceful, beautiful woman before her was, according to Ye Wen, also a soul beast in human form. A wave of envy washed over her. As a soul beast herself, she could see how fortunate this sister was, blessed not only with a godly husband but also with a future full of ease and stability none of the hardships she herself was enduring. She also noticed that Ah Yin's spirit energy was likely even stronger than her own.

"Well then, what is it that you two want with me?" Ah Yu asked.

Ye Wen studied her intently. She had a head of soft, pale green hair and an oval face that, while delicate, had a subtle strength to it. Overall, she seemed like a self assured and resolute woman.

"Do you love Tang Hao?" he asked. "If you would like to part ways with him, I could arrange a safe place for you. You wouldn't need to constantly be running from Spirit Hall."

Though unsure why this god wanted to interfere with her relationship with Tang Hao, Ah Yu answered resolutely, "There's no need to trouble yourself, Senior. I'm happy with Ah Hao."

"Is that so?" Ye Wen raised an eyebrow. "Does he know you're a soul beast?"

Ah Yu nodded, a contented smile forming on her face. "Yes. I told him when we married, and he didn't mind."

Ye Wen couldn't help but feel a moment of silence at her reply. How naive. Of course Tang Hao wouldn't mind; not only did he want her as his lover, but he likely also planned to one day take her spirit ring and bones as his own.

Yet something seemed amiss; he noticed that the protector elder who once watched over the HaoTian twins was nowhere in sight. Could they have drawn too much attention and forced him to retreat to the sect? he wondered.

"Well, if you're certain you're happy, I won't meddle any further. But I have something for you think of it as insurance. You might find it useful one day," Ye Wen offered.

"Insurance?"

"Yes," he replied. "One day, should you face a moment of absolute despair, this insurance can save your life but only if you keep your soul within your true form."

Ah Yu was far too shrewd to reject an offer from a god. Yet, being familiar with the notion that no good thing came without a price, she hesitantly asked, "And what exactly must I give in return for such insurance?"

With a knowing smile, Ye Wen stepped closer to her side. As she involuntarily flinched, he leaned in to whisper softly, "Just think of it as me acting on a whim."

Then he continued, "But I trust that, one day, you'll find a use for this insurance. After all, you wouldn't want your life with Tang Hao to end in tragedy, would you?"

Ah Yu silently accepted the ability that Ye Wen imprinted upon her from his Chrono Pearl. As she watched Ye Wen and Ah Yin depart without looking back, her expression turned perplexed. She wondered if she was still dreaming and pinched her arm.

"Ouch! This isn't a dream. I actually met a god, and he even gave me a life saving spirit ability!" she muttered, astonished.

As they returned, Ah Yin looked at Ye Wen with a puzzled expression. She knew he wasn't interested in Ah Yu romantically; it was his mysterious action that intrigued her. Giving a life saving spirit ability to a stranger even if that stranger was a hundred thousand year soul beast seemed unusual.

Ye Wen offered no further explanation. "Just a move in a larger game," he replied cryptically.

But he thought to himself with a smirk, I wonder how the "Buddha of the Tang Clan" will feel when the one blocking his path one day is his own mother?

He knew that even the God of Asura couldn't watch the Thunderous Hell Vine twenty four hours a day. Plus, his resurrection ability wasn't left directly on her; it was stored in his martial spirit. If anyone tried to tamper with it, even a god would have a hard time spotting the ruse.

Who says I can't set a trap too? Let's see who plays the better game of strategy.

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