As soon as Su Bai spoke, everyone tensed up. Faced with Su Bai's immense strength, they had no choice but to halt. Su Bai could kill them effortlessly, and they knew it. The only option they had to avoid dying was to give in.
Fear gripped their hearts, and they were terrified that Su Bai might decide to eliminate them on a whim. They even regretted coming to rescue Zhu Zhuqing. Not only had they failed to save her, but she didn't even want to leave. It felt like a double loss, and now they might not make it out alive.
Everyone wore a look of deep bitterness.
Liu Erlong, with a fiery temper matching her equally fiery figure, didn't think twice. Seeing Su Bai speak, she said, "What more do you want?"
"What do I want?" Su Bai sneered, "I am the ruler of the Star Dou Forest. Did you think you could come and go as you please on my territory?"
His words made everyone's faces turn pale. They remembered they were in the core of the Star Dou Forest, surrounded by powerful soul beasts that only stayed hidden because of Su Bai's presence. If Su Bai commanded it, they wouldn't stand a chance of leaving the forest alive.
Liu Erlong frowned, "So, what are you saying? Are you planning to kill us all?"
When Flender heard this, he felt bitter and thought, "My dear Erlong, don't provoke him! What if he really decides to kill us?"
Everyone else was equally on edge, fearing Su Bai might actually attack.
"No, not necessarily," Su Bai shook his head, then said calmly, "You can leave, but she stays." He pointed at Liu Erlong.
Her expression changed instantly. Su Bai's meaning was clear—he wanted her to stay and likely bear his children like Zhu Zhuqing.
"Absolutely not!" Liu Erlong refused without hesitation. Her heart belonged to Yu Xiaogang alone. She would rather die than agree.
Yu Xiaogang's face twisted in rage. No man could stand by while another tried to take his woman, especially not his first love. Because Su Bai hadn't met Bibi Dong, making Liu Erlong his first love. Beautiful and with a stunning figure, he hadn't even had a chance with her yet. How could he possibly let her go?
The thought of Liu Erlong bearing Su Bai's children made Yu Xiaogang tremble with rage. "That's impossible. We won't abandon Erlong and leave her behind," he declared, his voice filled with determination and fury.
Dai Mubai and the others were on edge, internally questioning, "She's your lover, not ours. Why should we all risk our lives for her?" However, they refrained from voicing their thoughts, though silently harbored resentment towards Yu Xiaogang for sealing their fate with his words.
Sure enough, Su Bai's response was cold and dismissive, "Just a useless man who can't even reach level 30 dares to talk back?"
Yu Xiaogang's face turned red with embarrassment. His inability to break through to level 30 was a lifelong pain, driving him to focus on theoretical research to prove himself. Su Bai's words were like salt in the wound.
Ignoring Yu Xiaogang's discomfort, Su Bai pressed on, his tone unwavering. "If you refuse, I won't hesitate to eliminate every last of you." His words carried a chilling weight, leaving no room for negotiation or defiance.
Everyone's faces went ashen. With Su Bai's power, they knew they had no chance of escape. Their only hope now lay with Liu Erlong.
"You..." Liu Erlong trembled with rage as she felt everyone's eyes on her. She realized they were willing to abandon her to save themselves. She was furious and disappointed. These people had begged her to come here, yet now, facing danger, they were ready to sacrifice her.
Flender awkwardly interjected, "Erlong, if we make it out alive, we'll return with reinforcements to get you out."
Liu Erlong sneered, "Rescue me? By then, I'll probably have Su Bai's child!"
She looked at Yu Xiaogang. She didn't care about the others, but Yu Xiaogang's attitude mattered to her. She had agreed to help because of him.
Seeing her gaze, Yu Xiaogang averted his eyes uncomfortably, saying, "Erlong, you know I need to stay alive to prove myself and pursue my theories. Please... bear with it for now."
"Ha!"
Liu Erlong sneered again, but her heart was already cold and desolate. Even her own lover had decided to abandon her; what was the point of struggling any longer? She resigned herself to her fate.
With a painful expression, she closed her eyes and said coldly, "Fine, I agree. Now, get out of here!"
Hearing this, the group glanced at Su Bai. Seeing that he didn't object, they took it as tacit approval. Yu Xiaogang and the others quickly fled.
After they left, Su Bai led Liu Erlong to a cave.
"Such an alluring figure..." Su Bai was captivated by the flawless curves accentuated by her snug attire. It was a delightful revelation that they had brought him another stunning woman. If only Yu Xiaogang hadn't been mindful of her value, she would undoubtedly be his.
His gaze grew heated.
Liu Erlong, however, stared blankly ahead. Her spirit had died when Yu Xiaogang uttered those words.
Observing her resigned demeanor, Su Bai remained unfazed. He savored the sight a bit longer before departing. He paid no mind to Liu Erlong's current disposition. After all, he believed that women could easily be swayed by physical intimacy.
He had other matters to attend to for now—he needed to visit his son with Xiao Wu.
"Son, look who's here!" Xiao Wu's voice echoed as she stepped into the wooden house.
Inside, an eleven-year-old boy was busy in the kitchen. Su Bai had always been stricter with him as a boy, so Su Wulin had grown up responsible and more reliable than his sister, Su Wutong.
Hearing the call, he emerged from the kitchen. Seeing Su Bai, he quickly greeted him, "Dad!"
"Good," Su Bai responded, ruffling his son's hair. "It looks like you've been working hard in your training."
Glancing at the kitchen, he continued, "You're very diligent."
"That's my duty," Su Wulin said with a bashful smile, scratching his head.
Su Bai nodded approvingly and advised, "Don't get complacent. Keep training hard. You need to protect your mother in the future."
Patting his chest, Su Wulin promised, "Don't worry, Dad. I'll protect Mom and won't let anyone hurt her!"
"Excellent."
Once Su Wulin left the cave, it was just Su Bai and Xiao Wu. Their eyes met.
"Su Bai," Xiao Wu said, her gaze full of affection.
Su Bai stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Xiao Wu's slender waist. He lowered his head and kissed her, letting his actions speak for him.