"Hello. Been a while."

  I am not ined to chat.

  In front of her rose a giant wyvern-like snake. Her huhousand-year spirit ring and the in of her spirit bones ciousness were t in front of her. It's eyes opened as it slowly rose in front of her.

  "I think I might need some advice." She told it, and the Wyvern s her dark green scales glitterih the dim light of her soul sea.

  "Unusually awake for someone who is always asleep?" she ented dryly. In fact, they really hardly exged a word.

  Yes. Is it the issue you have been sidering for a while now? It asked her, and she nodded. Maybe parting ways with your brother?

  "I do wonder where you got that from. Yes." she said, and it bobbed its head up and down in a human-like nod.

  I think you should. It then said, and she gazed at it. Go, it would do you and him good. Poseidon Court isn't a bad idea; it might find a perma solution for your spirit power and it would be more iing to watch. You have been walking the shadow of your brother.

  "Damn." She said, and theook a deep breath. "You are not very nice, you know." She sat down and sighed. "As soon as this is finished, we get Wu back...and then yes."

  Go. This is settled. I will be lying down for a nap. The Wyvern curled together. Go back. I do not want pany. Preferably never e again.

  "For all I know, I end up with another tury millenium spirit ring that possesses the sciousness of a ghost i." She giggled and earned a cold snake-like look. "You certainly didn't expect it, Inmate."

  Don't. I do not wish for pany.

  "I make no promises." She raised both her hands a her soul sea, returning to beio Tang San, who was still motionlessly lying against her. She took a deep breath, feeling like she was jumping off a cliff internally with this choibsp;

  "Well damn it." She muttered. "I am going to do it." With a look at her brother, she added silently.

  So, I am strong enough to make sure no one will touch us or scare us ever again. Ning Feng did have a point ialk to Ning R. I do o be stronger than others either way to survive, and that is one mood reason to do so.

  Nightfall approached as the leaves rustled close by. Tang Yin held a throwing knife in her hand, staring at the bush. The others readied for a fight as they remained silent, waiting for whatever had made the noise. A hand was risen, a sed one following. Pale-faced and dirt-smeared, Xiao Wu walked out of the green.

  "Hi," she said, smiling faintly at them as they lowered their ons. She trembled and cast a look at the pale, exhausted, and still blood-spttered Tang San leaning against Tang Yin. She gasped and rushed towards them, going to her knees, not daring to touch them, her eyes fearfully ripped open.

  Tang Yin stared at her. There was something she o crify with Xiao Wu, especially if she was going to leave eventually at some point in the near future. "I will not ask any questions about how you came back, " she said, knowing that Wu had just as mas as she and San did. She had no desire to know of Xiao Wu's secrets. "But I want you to tell me something." Her voice broke almost as Xiao Wu's gaze wandered downwards, a tremble going through her body.

  The others in their group retreated, knowing that the two of them needed privacy. They all suppressed the urge to ask how the heavens Xiao Wu had made it back to them, esg the Titan Giant Ape, which should have been impossible, so unharmed and well put together as she was.

  "I o know." She told Wu. She had always known that Xiao Wu was important to Tang San and that he would do almost everything for her. Still, she o know, from Xiao Wu herself, if her brother's sacrifid devotion to her would be returned or if she would one day see his heart broken because Wu would only ever sider him a brother. "My brother is willing to live and die for you. Because he loves you..." She said, and her gaze bore through Xiao Wu. "I have to know, after this more than ever...what is he to you?"

  Xiao Wu hugged herself. "He is my big brother." She whispered. "My family."

  Tang Yin took a shaking breath. "y brother, as in brother whom you care and adore and wish him all the best if he ever finds a partner irlfriend?"

  Xiao Wu stilled and looked upwards. "No." She then said, her voice clear. "Not like that."

  "Then what is he to you. I o know. Tang San almost died taking on a battle too big for him just because he o get to you." She said, her void tone harsh. "Even now, he is risking his life...for you. I don't want to see my brother's heart ripped into pieces. He is all the family I have."

  Xiao Wu swallowed and looked straight at Tang Yin. "I would never hurt him, " she said. "Never." Tang Yi in her gut that Xiao Wu was telling the truth at that moment. "I would go just as far for him. You never have to worry about that."

  "Alright." She accepted Xiao Wu's answer. "I take that." Then she looked towards her brother. "We have to protect this foolish brother of mine." She said, a smile on her lips. "He is eventually going to ruin himself if we don't watch it just to make sure we are safe and happy."

  "Yes. We really have to." Xiao Wu agreed with her. "He is a little foolish that way, always thinking it's okay if he is hurt as long as we are fine."

  "Idiot," Tang Yin said, and Xiao Wu her, strongly agreeing that he was an Idiot in that way. Xiao Wu mustered her again. "You are really not going to ask me how I made it back?" she asked, and Tang Yin huffed.

  "I don't o, " she crified for Xiao Wu. "I am just happy you are back whole. The how...well, I think several people behind you are burning to know the ao that question. I don't o ask it."

  Xiao Wu turned around.

  "Oh..."