To be honest, Lin Yun didn't have much interest in Xi Xi originally. She was just a minor character in the original story with little screen time, so her value to nurture was not much.
Even if she was a member of the Shrek Seven Monsters and could represent Shrek Academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
But as Lin Yun had said before, the gold content of this tournament was basically nonexistent. There were only a handful of Soul Emperors, let alone a tournament like the next one, where you could get enough Soul Sages to play a game of mahjong.
This tournament was purely for Huo Guang to have his glorious moments, to play with his cheat, and to be his background.
In the era of The Unrivaled Tang Sect, where everyone had a cheat and those who didn't were just passersby, and even a twin martial soul like Xiao Xiao was relegated to a supporting role in the later stages, Xi Xi really didn't stand out.
But, there are always exceptions.
Her hatred for Shrek successfully made Lin Yun take a serious look at this unremarkable female side character from the original story and was willing to reach out to her and give her a chance.
The high and mighty Lin Yun extended his hand like a handout, picking Xi Xi up from the dust and giving her a bright future.
"Be... your... dog?" Xi Xi bit her lower lip hard. When had this proud girl ever been treated this way? An odd feeling of humiliation arose in her heart, and her body trembled slightly.
"Yes, be my dog." Lin Yun's smile didn't change. He looked down at her meaningfully, but the smile had a somewhat terrifying quality to it in many people's eyes.
"What's the difference between you now and a stray dog? A stray dog at least has a complete body, but you now have trouble even walking. I am willing to give you a chance to regain your strength and allow you to take revenge on Shrek."
"In that case... what's so bad about being my dog?"
Looking at the girl's humiliated and angry eyes, Lin Yun leaned in and whispered softly. He also placed his right hand on her head, caressing her hair and stroking the top of her head as if he were petting a puppy.
Each of his whispers was like a heavy hammer, constantly striking Xi Xi's heart.
It completely destroyed her already crumbling psychological defenses.
Yes!
Was there really any difference between her and a stray dog now? If she could really get a chance to have the power to subvert Shrek and completely ignite her anger, then what was so wrong with being a dog?
Xi Xi looked up at Lin Yun's face, which always held a gentle smile. She felt the warmth of his large hand on her head, and cold tears slid down her cheeks.
"Can you really... give me the power to get revenge on Shrek?" Xi Xi's voice was not loud, but it contained an unimaginable determination.
"Of course. Crawling back from hell to vent your anger and resentment, I'm sure you'd be very interested in that, wouldn't you?" Lin Yun grinned, raising the hand that was stroking Xi Xi's head and holding it out in front of her.
The choice had been given to her. Now, it was her decision!
Looking at the fair, large hand in front of her, Xi Xi closed her eyes, completely abandoning her pride and dignity. She reached out her remaining left hand and grasped Lin Yun's palm.
"Ha... ha ha ha..." Xi Xi held Lin Yun's hand, feeling the warmth and strength it provided, and burst into laughter. Her laughter was even a little hysterical.
She looked up, stared into Lin Yun's eyes, and said one word at a time, "Then, there is only one answer. I will... be loyal to you!"
Lin Yun's smile became even more radiant.
He he he he, excellent. Another one has been turned. I can't wait to see Xi Xi wreak havoc at Shrek!
Wait, why does this conversation feel a little strange?
The Shadow Leopard Emperor next to him had a strange look in its eyes. It tilted its head, glanced at the increasingly strange smile on Lin Yun's face, and then looked at the human female on the ground who was missing an arm and a leg but had a face full of submission.
The leopard felt like its CPU had been fried.
"Humans... are really interesting, aren't they?" The Shadow Leopard Emperor thought for a long time but could only come up with this one sentence.
At this moment, Lin Yun had already picked up Xi Xi from the ground. He flipped onto the Shadow Leopard Emperor's back, with Xi Xi sitting in his arms.
"Leopard, we're not playing anymore. Let's go back. Take me back to the Lake of Life!" Lin Yun patted the Shadow Leopard Emperor's head and said.
"Yes, my Lord," the Shadow Leopard Emperor nodded in response. It crouched down slightly, then turned into a purple afterimage, instantly disappearing from the spot with Lin Yun and Xi Xi.
Xi Xi, held in Lin Yun's arms, felt the warmth and heartbeat from his body and finally realized that she hadn't actually died. She had just been found and saved by Lin Yun when she was on the verge of death.
She was alive, and Lin Yun was alive.
But so what?
Did it matter if she was alive or dead? Was there really any difference between her previous state and being dead?
Xi Xi felt like she had died several times: once when she came out of the Hand of Death Bandit Group's cave, once when she saw that she had lost an arm and a leg, once when she was kicked out of Shrek Academy, and once again before Lin Yun saved her.
The repeated psychological blows had caused a huge change in Xi Xi's mindset.
After all, she was just a girl under twenty. Furthermore, she had been a smooth-sailing genius soul master, a favored child of heaven.
The repeated suppression from reality, coupled with Lin Yun's words, which were full of suggestive meaning and yet gave her a ray of hope, made her feel like she couldn't leave Lin Yun, even without the underlying logic of the love-driven continent.
He is my salvation!
Xi Xi, nestled in Lin Yun's arms, kept her head raised, silently watching Lin Yun's profile, her eyes gentle and hazy.
'If you can really give me a new life, then from now on, this life of mine will be yours...'
Emmm...
It could only be said that the love-driven continent was performing as expected!
But to be honest, Xi Xi's "melting" gaze was a little too much for Lin Yun. His toes were almost awkwardly drawing a Along the River During the Qingming Festival on the Shadow Leopard Emperor's belly.
Please save that look for me after I've reattached your arm and leg!
With your current appearance...
It's really impossible to get hard. No arousal whatsoever.
Under Lin Yun's subtle urging, the Shadow Leopard Emperor kept speeding up. It took only one-third of the original time to get back to the Lake of Life.
"Alright, you can go back now. If I need you in the future, I'll call you," Lin Yun said to the Shadow Leopard Emperor as he jumped off its back with Xi Xi in his arms and walked toward the Lake of Life without looking back.
"Yes, my Lord," the Shadow Leopard Emperor bowed slightly, responded respectfully, and then quietly left without making a sound.
Then, Lin Yun lowered his head and met Xi Xi's gaze, which was practically dripping with affection.
"?"
Lin Yun's expression subtly twisted. He admitted that he probably needed to be more cautious in the future when using psychological suggestion and "dog training" methods on the Douluo Continent. He might just be trying it out, but the person he was experimenting on was taking it seriously!
It was like this with Ma Xiaotao before, and now it was like this with Xi Xi.
Is this... the love-driven continent?!
Lin Yun: This is great. I'm starting to understand everything!
"Alright, now let's talk about how to heal your arm and leg," Lin Yun smiled slightly, helping Xi Xi sit on a rock by the Lake of Life.
Regardless, Lin Yun was very satisfied with Xi Xi's attitude. Being "love-struck" wasn't without its benefits. At least once she set her heart on you, she would really dare to go against the whole world for you.
At the very least, she wasn't a disloyal person and wouldn't betray him.
"I'll listen to you, Master~" Xi Xi said with a smile. Her tone was extremely natural, without any hint of reluctance. It even had a flirty, couple-like feeling.
Lin Yun's smile froze, and a question mark slowly appeared above his head.
"Huh?"
"You look very confused, Master~" Xi Xi maintained that soft, high-pitched voice, with a playful expression. "Didn't you say you wanted me to be your dog? I agreed, so from now on, you're my Master~"
"Nice," Lin Yun silently gave her a thumbs-up.
Although he was the co-lord of the soul beasts, the soul beasts all called him "my Lord." Ma Xiaotao had never called him "Master." This strange title was first used by Xi Xi.
It was a bit perplexing.
But... it was also quite flattering and filled him with a sense of accomplishment and conquest.
Oh yes, this is good!
(End of Chapter)
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