Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

No matter his talent or strength, Wujin's biggest flaw was the lingering resentment of the countless souls within him.

Xia Yi had a good impression of Wujin, even trusting him more than Gu Yue, yet he still shook his head and said calmly, "It's true I come from the Star Dou Forest, but I'm not the subordinate of the Beast God. I have no obligation to clean up her mess."

It wasn't that Xia Yi was heartless, but the overwhelming resentment within Wujin was simply too immense. Any reckless interference could result in being entirely consumed by this negativity.

He could assist, but only under the condition that his own safety was guaranteed.

Back in the Star Dou Forest, perhaps due to his limited knowledge, Xia Yi didn't care much about life and death. The law of the jungle was everything—he survived by eating numerous Soft Bone Rabbits, and he knew that one day, he might become the prey of stronger beasts or end up like that old turtle, captured by humans for spirit soul experiments.

During those days, filling his stomach and setting traps to prolong his life was enough.

But everything changed because of Gu Yue.

With broadened horizons, his inner ambitions now burned brighter. He yearned to become stronger, to uncover his origins, and even to confront the Plane itself and ask why it sought to suppress him and the soul beasts.

To achieve all that, the first step was to survive.

And for that reason, he had to be even more cautious than ever before.

"How about this: if you're willing to try, regardless of the outcome, I'll give you a hundred-thousand-year-old heavenly treasure," Wujin offered, his persistence unwavering. He believed Xia Yi's ability to safely reach this place without being affected might mean that even if Xia Yi absorbed resentment, he could remain unscathed.

This resentment greatly hindered Wujin's cultivation progress. Having finally seen a glimmer of hope, he wasn't about to give up easily.

"Hundred-thousand-year-old heavenly treasure?" Xia Yi frowned slightly. His limited experience in the Star Dou Forest meant he didn't even know what heavenly treasures were.

Because of his poor aptitude, Di Tian had judged that Xia Yi would never achieve great heights in cultivation, so he hadn't even considered giving him any heavenly treasures.

Furthermore, the Star Dou Forest's heavenly treasures had long been plundered by the Spirit Pagoda. Even within the core regions where the ferocious beasts lived, there were only a few remnants left.

During his brief time in the core region, Xia Yi had been preoccupied with learning how to assume human form and master his soul skills. He'd never encountered any heavenly treasures.

"A hundred-thousand-year-old Ice Phoenix Flower," Wujin explained, trying to convince him. "It's a supreme treasure I've cultivated for a hundred thousand years to help pass a ferocious beast's tribulation. It's one of the finest heavenly treasures."

Wujin assumed Xia Yi was a hundred-thousand-year-old transformed soul beast and had no idea that Xia Yi didn't even understand what heavenly treasures were.

Unbeknownst to Wujin, the Star Dou Forest no longer possessed any hundred-thousand-year-old heavenly treasures.

"Hundred-thousand-year-old Ice Phoenix Flower," Xia Yi repeated, frowning. "Show me."

"It's still in the Endless Mountains," Wujin replied awkwardly. "I've hidden the Ice Phoenix Flower deep within a snowy mountain. No one else can find it. That area is currently occupied by the Blood God Legion. Once I join them, I'll retrieve it for you."

"The Blood God Legion?" Xia Yi asked again, frowning. Every time Wujin spoke, he felt increasingly ignorant.

"The Blood God Legion is a human army formed specifically to combat Abyssal Creatures," Wujin explained. Unlike his hostility towards other humans, he held no resentment toward the Blood God Legion.

His ultimate goal was to join the Blood God Legion and use their power to gradually launch an assault on the Abyssal Plane.

"So the Ice Phoenix Flower really lives up to its name?" Xia Yi asked.

"Absolutely. Even without consuming it, just keeping it nearby can enhance your cultivation speed," Wujin assured him, knowing that this feature of the Ice Phoenix Flower would entice Xia Yi.

Indeed, Xia Yi's eyes lit up. His biggest issue right now was his low cultivation base. If he could quickly improve, taking a slight risk might be worth it.

If he could reach the level of Wujin, Gu Yue, or Na'er, even without using his first soul skill in combat, he believed he could hold his own against them.

"Not just that," Wujin added, "consuming the Ice Phoenix Flower will strengthen your body and meridians, improving your cultivation aptitude."

"Alright," Xia Yi nodded. "I'll give it a try. But let me make this clear: if I sense the resentment affecting me, I'll stop immediately. And you still owe me the Ice Phoenix Flower."

"That's fair," Wujin agreed eagerly. If Xia Yi could solve his resentment issue, his strength would grow exponentially.

"What do I need to do?" Xia Yi asked.

"It's simple," Wujin said. "Meditate as you normally would, but instead of absorbing natural energy, focus on drawing in the resentment here."

"Got it," Xia Yi replied, closing his eyes to meditate.

The moment he began, he felt a chilling energy seeping into his body through every pore.

It was a coldness that seemed to freeze not just his body but his very soul.

In an instant, he felt his entire being overwhelmed by the icy power, leaving him paralyzed.

"Wake up!" A voice roared directly into his soul, shattering the ice's grip.

Xia Yi snapped his eyes open, realizing he was back in his dormitory bed.

Trying to move, he discovered that his body had been frozen stiff, every movement a struggle.

"How are you feeling? Are you alright?" Wujin asked anxiously, his gaze filled with hope.