In a dark and damp dense forest, a few figures were cautiously moving through it.

Surrounding them were towering ancient trees with lush foliage.

Even sunlight couldn't penetrate through those tight gaps.

At this moment, apart from the cautious footsteps of the few, the forest was filled with the sporadic chirping of birds and insects.

Other than that, the surroundings were left in a deathly silence.

"Cough cough cough..."

A violent cough suddenly broke the tranquility here.

"Lin Yi, how are you?"

Ling Yuwei looked at Lin Yi, whose face was flushed from coughing violently, with a worried expression and said:

"Should we find a safe place to rest for a while?"

However, as she said this, when Ling Yuwei looked up, the surrounding scenery was almost identical.

Where was there any so-called safe place?

But Lin Yi leaned against a nearby tree trunk, took a breath, and said:

"No need to look, we'll just rest here for a while."

"I'll catch my breath first."

If possible, Lin Yi would never want to experience this state again in his life.

Because it was simply too tormenting.

After walking just a few dozen meters, Lin Yi already felt like he couldn't catch his breath.

Logically, even with 90% reduction in attributes, he shouldn't be so pathetically weak.

At this point, Orana suddenly became alert and said:

"Don't speak."

She listened intently to the surrounding sounds with a serious expression, then said:

"I think I feel something approaching here."

"Everyone, be careful."

Beside Orana was Jun Moqian from the Purple Moon Empire.

When the four of them stepped into the Teleportation Array together, unexpectedly, they all appeared in the same place.

Upon hearing Orana's words, everyone immediately became alert.

Ling Yuwei also had to set Lin Yi aside and took out her magic staff.

Although Ling Yuwei managed to break through to Tier Six with Lin Yi's "help."

As far as strength is concerned.

A Tier Six Dharma Venerable is not considered low on the Nine Nether Continent.

The three women stood back-to-back with Lin Yi, seriously observing the surrounding movements.

Lin Yi leaned against the tree trunk, with a helpless smile on his face.

He never imagined a day would come when he, a man, would need women to protect him.

And not just one, but three.

Even though Lin Yi wasn't worried about any real danger to himself, being protected by three women felt a bit strange.

Looking at their cautious expressions, Lin Yi seemed unbothered by the danger and even had the leisure to say:

"I've already told you, I'm just a burden."

"If you wish to leave now, there's still time."

"I believe with your strength, you'd be welcomed anywhere."

However, Lin Yi's words only earned a scoff from Orana.

While guarding against potential dangers, she spoke:

"To be honest, one reason I choose to stay here is indeed because you saved my brother, Olandi."

"But another important reason is, I've heard about your deeds in the Beast Fighting Arena and Punishment Bureau."

"In this world, there aren't many men who can catch my eye, Orana."

"But you're the first one I genuinely admire."

Orana glanced back at Lin Yi and continued:

"You were willing to stand up for someone you didn't know, even risking your life."

"I'm only protecting you within my capability."

"Don't be overly moved."

With that, Orana looked steadily at the dark dense forest around them:

"If the time comes when I know I'm outmatched, I will still abandon you and escape."

When Orana finished speaking.

Lin Yi finally understood why she wanted to follow him.

At the same time, upon hearing Orana's true reason.

Lin Yi felt no discomfort, rather he felt relieved.

At least Lin Yi realized that in this world, nothing is good without cause, and there's no so-called protagonist halo.

Every cause has its effect.

As for Orana's last words, Lin Yi could understand them.

Faced with life and death, if she claimed she was willing to die for him, Lin Yi wouldn't believe it.

Choosing self-preservation in the face of crisis is human nature, and there's nothing wrong with it.

Just as Orana finished speaking, Jun Moqian also chimed in:

"If we make it back alive this time, would you consider coming to my Purple Moon Empire?"

Jun Moqian suddenly looked at Lin Yi with sincerity and said:

"My father is willing to make you the Purple Moon King, granting you the utmost power."

"Any requests you have, our Purple Moon Empire will do its utmost to fulfill."

This shocking proposal left Ling Yuwei and Orana with astonished expressions.

Lin Yi seemed incredulous as well and said:

"When did I become so sought-after?"

First, he mysteriously became the Jialan King.

Now, they're offering him to be the Purple Moon King.

Will the Ao Sheng Empire come and offer a title of Ao Sheng King someday?

Lin Yi thought to himself, somewhat speechless.

Before Lin Yi could ask Jun Moqian why they wanted him to become the 'Purple Moon King,' a "rustling~" sound emerged from the bushes not far away.

Jun Moqian gripped her great sword tightly, while saying one last thing to Lin Yi behind her:

"I'll do my best to keep you from dying."

"You don't need to worry about me causing you harm."

"Roar~"

No sooner had Jun Moqian spoken, a low beastly growl echoed from the distant bushes.

Following that, a demon resembling a giant wolf, with eyes glowing ominously, walked gracefully out of the bushes.

As soon as this demon appeared, Orana furrowed her brows and said:

"Tier Seven demon, Evil Eye Demon Wolf."

Meanwhile, in Lin Yi's view, the information displayed on this demon was:

[Evil Eye Demon Wolf]

Monster

Life Value: 2100000/2100000

Attributes: Dark

Level: Lv72

...

Jun Moqian tightened her grip on the great sword and said:

"We had better deal with it quickly."

"Otherwise, the fighting noises here will surely attract more demons."

Yet, as the two spoke.

In reality, the Evil Eye Demon Wolf had long since taken action.

Under Lin Yi's watch, the Evil Eye Demon Wolf transformed into a shadow and rushed towards the nearest Orana.

Ling Yuwei instinctively let out a cry:

"Careful!"

Yet, by the time Orana reacted, the Evil Eye Demon Wolf had already approached her closely.

As a Fire Mage, Orana wanted to block, but it was clearly too late.

A fragile mage allowing a Tier Seven demon wolf to close in, the outcome was predictable.

Just as Ling Yuwei was frightened and flustered;

Just as Jun Moqian was the first to lift her sword and prepare to save Orana;

...

"Arcane Impact!"

"Clang!" Block~

"-12101"

A rapier suddenly sliced past Orana's eye corner.

In her incredulous gaze, the sword tip had already arrived first, striking the Evil Eye Demon Wolf's sharp claw.

However, due to Lin Yi's attributes being only one-tenth of his usual, this strike couldn't even breach the demon wolf's defense, merely grazing its hide.

But this brief moment afforded Orana the time to react.

She quickly retreated..

Seeing it lost the chance to attack Orana, the Evil Eye Demon Wolf had no choice but to abandon further attacks. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Instead, it leveraged the recoil to land not far from Orana, then cautiously eyed Lin Yi who appeared beside her.

This scene seemed long.

But it all happened in the blink of an eye.

Then Lin Yi's voice filled with teasing came through:

"With your level of skill and you want to protect me..."

Orana, initially immersed in the gratitude of being saved by Lin Yi.

However, Lin Yi's words turned her cheeks red with embarrassment and anger:

"You!"

But the next moment.

When Orana saw Lin Yi's sword-wielding hand shaken unconsciously, the words she was about to utter instantly turned into:

"Are you alright?"