Oro certainly had no such idea of snuggling up with Tang Lin. It wasn't that she feared Tang Lin advancing from mere closeness to crossing boundaries, but the size difference was glaring; even if Tang Lin had the intention, he lacked the capability.
Oro was worried that if Tang Lin changed positions in his sleep, she might get squashed to death—what an unjust fate that would be.
Tang Lin didn't insist either, giving Oro a piece of paper that was enough for her to use as a bed and blanket. However, she unexpectedly avoided Tang Lin only to be accosted by the persistent fat one—the panda crept into her bed in the middle of the night.
The Winged Tiger looked down on this cutesy and spoiled behavior. It dutifully kept watch by Tang Lin's side throughout the night. Thanks to this Demon Tiger, Tang Lin managed to release those beasts back into the wild.
Only, some were taken down by other wild animals while still confined in bottles. Those that survived were dealt with by the Demon Tiger and had no choice but to scurry off.
That night Tang Lin slept well, contrary to the restless night he had imagined. Instead, he slept unusually sweetly thanks to the Earth Child's skill effect.
But compared to Tang Lin, many people in Wushuang City couldn't sleep. Shi Wuzun returned to Wushuang City dragging a heavily injured body, shocking Dugu Yifang. Shi Wuzun possessed highly advanced martial arts; within Wushuang City, only Dugu Yifang slightly surpassed him. Yet, after a few days of venturing out, he returned severely wounded, and none of his companions survived. What formidable adversary did he face?
Shi Wuzun didn't bother tending to his injuries and recounted everything he encountered in the forest to Dugu Yifang. Dugu Yifang was initially shocked upon hearing about it—where in the world could there be a giant a hundred feet tall? But Shi Wuzun was insistent and also mentioned Blood Bodhi.
"So, according to you, the Blood Bodhi in the hands of King Ling is also given by this giant?" Dugu Yifang cared little for myths; his real concern was Blood Bodhi. This divine object could greatly enhance one's power. Previously, King Ling's martial arts only slightly surpassed his, but upon this meeting, Dugu Yifang vaguely felt he was far inferior to King Ling.
"The Kua Fu Giant wishes us to help him defeat Xiong Ba; if successful, he will give us Blood Bodhi as a reward," Shi Wuzun explained.
"A reward? Then he must have more than one Blood Bodhi. If, as you say, he's a towering giant, then perhaps the Fire Qilin was indeed slain by him, and the Blood Bodhi inside Lingyun Cave were all taken by this giant," Dugu Yifang mused.
"Is the City Lord indicating he agrees to cooperate with the giant?" Shi Wuzun asked.
"Heh, what significance is there in cooperating with a giant? Even if we help him kill Xiong Ba, how many Blood Bodhi could he give us—one or two? But if we kill the giant, all the Blood Bodhi he possesses would be ours." Dugu Yifang coldly retorted.
"City Lord, this giant is not easy to deal with. Compared to this giant's weapon, nine elite warriors of Wushuang City couldn't even get a chance to retaliate—I, too, was gravely injured in one move. Even if Wushuang City pulls out all forces, killing this giant might not be certain. Moreover, collaboration with him benefits both. Xiong Ba is a formidable tyrant; using the giant to kill this opponent also benefits us at Wushuang City." Shi Wuzun advised Dugu Yifang.
Dugu Yifang, however, was somewhat dismissive, not having witnessed Tang Lin's power firsthand. He naturally harbored doubts about Shi Wuzun's tales of sky-picking abilities. If he were that powerful, why would he need others' help to kill Xiong Ba?
Besides, during this period, the World Association was nothing more than an emerging faction and insignificant compared to Wushuang City.
The true rise of Xiong Ba was after he adopted Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun, relying on their fortunes to propel the World Association to become the top gang. Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun helped Xiong Ba overcome numerous challenges and cleared away countless enemies.
But that was a matter of over ten years in the future. At this moment, Xiong Ba hadn't reached that stature, so Dugu Yifang was indifferent to him. It was precisely due to this disdain for Xiong Ba that Dugu Yifang harbored slight contempt for Tang Lin.
However, Shi Wuzun was a reliable subordinate. Since he painted the giant as formidable, there must be some exceptional aspect to it. Mobilizing Wushuang City's forces directly to kill the giant could result in heavy losses.
After pondering for a while, Dugu Yifang said to Shi Wuzun, "You should rest and recuperate first. I will find someone to contact the giant. We can cooperate on killing Xiong Ba."
Hearing Dugu Yifang relent, Shi Wuzun felt a weight lifted off his heart. Knowing Tang Lin's might, he truly hoped Dugu Yifang wouldn't oppose such a divine force—that would be courting death.
After Shi Wuzun left, Dugu Yifang quickly gathered writing tools and wrote two letters at the fastest speed. Then, he instructed his subordinates, "Deliver one letter to Xiong Ba. The other to my elder brother, Dugu Jian, at the Sword House."
After the staff accepted their orders and left, a satisfied smile spread across Dugu Yifang's face. This was a heaven-sent opportunity to make Wushuang City number one.
Time flew by, and Tang Lin survived in the wilderness outside Wushuang City for two days, feeling like the earth's scent clung to him. Camping outdoors was novel at first, but by the second day, the absence of a phone signal quashed any sense of freshness.
With no phone to entertain, facing this primordial jungle, Tang Lin felt his only activities were cuddling the panda and practicing his Earth Control ability.
Just as he was bored, messengers from Wushuang City finally arrived.
However, this time, Shi Wuzun wasn't present; instead, another squad of samurai came. Being once terrified by his awe, Tang Lin didn't show himself this time, keeping a distance and letting Oro deal with Wushuang City's people.
He feared the folks from Wushuang City might panic and attack again,
So, Tang Lin reluctantly spent 2 Wish Points to purchase the translation function, allowing Oro to communicate with Wushuang City's people.
Through Oro, Tang Lin learned that Wushuang City agreed to help him take down Xiong Ba, and Dugu Yifang had already sent a letter to Xiong Ba saying he would visit the World Association to discuss cooperation. When the time came, Dugu Yifang would take Wushuang City's elite to the World Association, while Tang Lin followed with King Ling from behind; this would allow them to seize the opportunity to kill Xiong Ba.
The plan sounded perfect.
Tang Lin didn't mind making a move on Xiong Ba's territory; with a Salt Gun and Anti-wolf spray in hand, he wasn't afraid of the World Association's underlings. His only concern was whether Dugu Yifang, King Ling, and an injured Shi Wuzun could retain Xiong Ba.
If Xiong Ba managed to escape again, Tang Lin would have difficulty finding him in such a vast world.
Yet, with no other better ideas, Tang Lin decided to go along with the plan. By then, the people from Wushuang City were ready to depart. Tang Lin, being much faster, could set off with King Ling a few days later.
Having nothing to do, Tang Lin asked King Ling upon seeing his return, "You mentioned exchanging Xiong Ba's life for the Ao Han Six Techniques. Could you teach me first?"
(Modification completed)