Chapter 1079: Mu Ling Yin Di

The Wood Spirit youth stood frozen there, still unable to believe it. Instead of immediately running away, he asked with a trembling voice, "Is... is that true? Are you really... going to let me go?"

Yun Che took a deep breath. A royal Wood Spirit, whose Wood Spirit Pearl was a coveted treasure even in the high-ranking Upper Star Realms. He had paid a huge price to get him, bringing him a big step closer to seeing Jasmine... yet he couldn't bring himself to do it.

He didn't even understand what he was thinking, or why he was doing this...

*I* am... a demon who once mercilessly poisoned an entire city to death!

"Go... Before I change my mind, leave immediately!" Yun Che gritted his teeth, his mind in turmoil.

"I... I knew it... you must be a good person." He wiped the tears from his face, slowly and cautiously backing away, his gaze fixed on Yun Che. His eyes showed the joy of rebirth after a disaster, and deep gratitude.

A good person...

When Mu Xuanyin had spoken of the Wood Spirit race, she had mentioned that their pure and unblemished soul power could sense the sin or hostility of other living beings.

Could someone whose hands were stained with countless blood, in his soul's perception, truly be a "good person"?

He gave a self-deprecating smile.

Behind him, the Wood Spirit youth's slow footsteps faded into the distance. But instead of suddenly fleeing at top speed, he stopped after retreating a dozen steps.

"Senior," he timidly called out.

Yun Che turned sideways, his gaze fierce. "If you don't leave now, if I change my mind, you'll never be able to go!"

"I... I dare not." The Wood Spirit youth shook his head. He suddenly bravely raised his head. "Senior, can I... ask you for a favor? Could you please take me back to my home? If I'm alone... I'll just be caught by them again right away."

Yun Che stood there, silent for a long time.

Wood Spirits had overly conspicuous physical characteristics. Indeed, even if he let him go, a Wood Spirit alone in Black Soul City would only end up being captured again, or even hunted down.

"Your home?"

"Yes!" The Wood Spirit youth quickly nodded, then pointed south. "My home is not far outside the city. Senior is so powerful, if you just leave Black Soul City in this direction, we'll get there very quickly... Please, Senior."

Yun Che's eye twitched, and his heart also twitched... Then, he strode forward, pulling the Wood Spirit youth with him. "Let's go!"

Just moments ago he decided to release him... and now, he was so easily deciding to escort him?

What the hell am I doing?

Phew! Forget it! Since I've decided to release him, I might as well finish the good deed. Otherwise, if he falls into the hands of Black Soul City's people again, wouldn't letting him go be pointless?!

He told himself this, speeding up and heading straight south under the cover of night.

"Senior, thank you. I knew my feeling couldn't be wrong, you truly are a wonderful person," the Wood Spirit youth said gratefully.

"What's your name?" Yun Che asked.

"My name is Helin," the Wood Spirit youth replied. Facing Yun Che, who had spared him and was now escorting him home, he no longer felt fear, only boundless gratitude and joy. His emerald gaze, as he looked at Yun Che, also became much brighter. "I don't know yet, Senior... what should I call you?"

"No need for a title, and it's better not to call me Senior. I'm only a little over a decade older than you," Yun Che said, his voice devoid of emotion, while also constantly trying to calm his chaotic and tangled thoughts.

"Huh?" Helin's mouth dropped open, and a look of deep surprise appeared on his face. It was a good while before he exclaimed, "So you're an Older Brother! Ah... Older Brother, you're so amazing, truly amazing! You can even defeat such terrifying people in an instant. I thought you must be very, very old."

From his voice and the light in his eyes, Yun Che saw deep enthusiasm and adoration.

"I heard that Black Soul City has many people who secretly hunt Wood Spirits. Why is your home so close to such a dangerous place?" Yun Che asked.

Yun Che's words made Helin fall silent immediately. Just as Yun Che thought he didn't want to answer, he quietly said, "Compared to the Middle Star Realms and Upper Star Realms, the Lower Star Realms are considered the safest. If we are discovered, there's at least some chance of escape. Furthermore, our current home is protected by the power of nature. My clansmen and I have lived there for two years and have never been discovered."

"Your clansmen... how many are left?"

Helin hesitated slightly before saying, "There are only about a hundred of my clansmen left with me. They must be very anxious about me being captured this time. It would be terrible if they left that place to look for me."

"Helin, how old are you?"

"I'm... eleven years old."

"Do you have an older sister too?" Yun Che asked casually.

"Yes." He nodded gently, his voice dimming. "Three years ago, during that terrible disaster... both Father and Mother... in order to protect my sister and me, they... After that, my sister and I were separated, and I haven't seen her since. But I believe my sister is still alive; I can feel it!"

Yun Che didn't ask further.

His parents were dead, and his last remaining relative was lost. This eleven-year-old boy had experienced cruelty and suffering unimaginable to ordinary people. Not because of any fault or sin of his own, but simply because he was a Wood Spirit—a royal Wood Spirit.

His race, which clearly inherited the purest power of nature, seemed to also be under the cruelest curse.

After leaving Black Soul City, Yun Che flew straight in the direction Helin indicated, without stopping. About half an hour later, he had flown into a boundless dense forest.

"The home you spoke of, is it within this forest?" Yun Che asked.

"Yes!" Helin pointed towards the southeast, growing more excited as they neared his home. "It's in that direction! I can already feel the aura of the place... This is great."

They moved quickly through the dense forest, and after a long while, finally stopped.

Ahead, ancient towering trees stood tall, and countless immensely thick dark green vines spread wildly. They completely blocked the path ahead, extending to unknown lengths.

Under Yun Che's bewildered gaze, Helin excitedly stepped forward and gently waved his small hand. Instantly, the dark green vines suddenly seemed to come alive, rapidly twisting and moving, quickly parting to reveal a narrow, long passage.

"Older Brother, come quickly!"

Helin took Yun Che's hand and skipped into the passage formed by the parted vines. Yun Che hesitated for a moment, then followed him.

The passage was very long; they walked for a while before finally seeing the exit. Just as they stepped out of the passage, a dangerous aura suddenly rushed towards them. A dozen dark green vines, like the claws of demons, violently slammed down from different directions.

Yun Che's profound energy surged instantly, but Helin showed no fear at all; instead, he continued forward. With a gentle push of his small hand, a green light flashed, and instantly, the dark green vines froze in place, then retracted like lightning.

"Granny Qingye! Aunt Kui! Uncle Muhang... I'm back! I'm back!!"

The world before them was shaded by countless trees, with verdant grass growing softly. The leaves and vegetation in sight displayed an incredibly pure emerald green. The air was so fresh it was exhilarating. Further away, exotic flowers and plants bloomed everywhere, and colorful butterflies danced, creating a breathtaking sight. Anyone arriving here would feel an unreal sensation, as if they had suddenly stepped into a wonderland.

Helin's joyful and clear voice echoed far across this wonderland-like small world.

"Lin... Liner! Liner!!"

"Young Master... it's the Young Master!"

"Liner!!"

The quiet world instantly erupted with extremely excited shouts. One emerald figure after another emerged from ancient trees and flower bushes, rushing towards Helin like mad. The oldest, an elderly person whose steps were slightly unsteady, embraced Helin tightly. Before she could speak, old tears streamed down her face.

"Liner... is it really you? Is it really you who's returned... I thought you had been captured by humans... This is wonderful, it's truly wonderful that you're safe and sound..."

Everyone else also gathered around, their eyes shimmering with excited tears.

These people all had emerald green hair, eyes like luminous jade, long pointed ears, and flawless, porcelain-like skin. Without a doubt, these were the Wood Spirits hidden here, Helin's clansmen.

Their number was roughly a hundred, just as Helin had said earlier.

From the extremely agitated reactions of these people, it was clear how important Helin was to them... The sole remaining male bloodline of the royal Wood Spirits, young and immature, yet burdened with the last hope of the Wood Spirit race.

"I'm sorry, Granny Qingye, I'm sorry everyone. I made you all worry," Helin said, tears welling in his eyes. "I... I was indeed captured by humans..."

"Ah!?" Helin's words caused all the Wood Spirits to turn pale with shock.

"But I met a good person, a really kind and incredibly powerful Older Brother. He saved me and escorted me back here."

Helin vigorously wiped away his tears and quickly went to Yun Che's side. "It's this Older Brother. If it weren't for him, I might have... truly..."

Many gazes converged on Yun Che. The oldest person, whom Helin called "Granny Qingye," slowly stepped forward, then suddenly lowered her body and heavily knelt before Yun Che.

Yun Che's eyelids twitched, and he was about to speak, but then he suddenly saw that all the Wood Spirits had knelt down at once.

Yun Che: "..."

"Young human... thank you, thank you for saving our young master," Granny Qingye's aged voice carried gratitude from her very soul, and deep lingering fear. "Although we despise those wicked humans, you saved our young master. From now on, you are the great benefactor of our Wood Spirit race. Please accept our bow."

"For the young master to encounter such a noble person when in danger, it must be the blessing of the clan leader's spirit in heaven," a middle-aged Wood Spirit called out, looking up, then bowed deeply to Yun Che.

"... " Yun Che's mouth was slightly agape. After a long while, he said somewhat awkwardly, "It was just a small effort on my part. You don't need to do this."