I started by submitting to the Douluo Continent, and the nation helped me become a god.

Chapter 61 Xiao Wu, how can I live without you!

"Xiao Wu..."

"Xiao Wu, how can I live without you..."

"Xiao Wu..."

Tang San was still giving chase, even though the black steel behemoth had become a tiny dot on the horizon. His soul power was almost exhausted, his breathing was hissing like a broken bellows, and his chest felt like it was stuffed with a burning ember.

"Small……"

"Shhh—Shhh—"

Tang San finally couldn't hold on any longer, his knees buckled, and he collapsed heavily to his knees on the official road outside Notting City. He braced himself with his hands on the rough, muddy ground, panting heavily, his lungs heaving violently as if they were about to explode.

Sweat dripped from his forehead, leaving small water droplets on the ground.

The SUV had completely disappeared from sight, leaving only a wisp of dust that slowly drifted away in the sunlight.

"Thump!"

Tang San raised his fist and slammed it hard into the ground.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Once, twice, three times.

His fists were raw and bleeding from the rough stones, the blood mixing with the dirt to form a dark red puddle. But he seemed oblivious to the pain, mechanically pounding away, venting the pent-up anger and resentment within him.

"Why should I...?"

His voice was deep and hoarse, as if it were squeezed out from the depths of his chest.

"Why him... Why should Xiaowu go with him..."

He looked up, gazing in the direction the SUV had disappeared, his eyes bloodshot and filled with a near-mad hatred. His gaze seemed to burn a hole in the air, as if he wanted to tear the black-haired man to pieces.

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from behind.

"Dada dada—"

The sound grew louder as it approached, accompanied by the clanging of metal armor clashing together.

Tang San didn't turn around; he wasn't in the mood to pay attention to anyone right now.

But the sound of hooves came straight toward him and stopped not far behind him.

"Hey kid."

A deep and authoritative voice came from above.

Tang San raised his head and looked against the light.

A knight clad in silver armor sat high on a powerful white horse, looking down at him. The armor gleamed in the sunlight, and a soaring eagle was embroidered on the chest—the insignia of the White Horse Army of the Heavenly Dou Empire. The knight's helmet obscured most of his face, revealing only a pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes.

"I'm asking you," the knight said impatiently, as if interrogating an insignificant passerby, "Are you a student at Notting City Junior Academy? Where is Lefran?"

Tang San scrambled to his feet, not bothering to brush the dust off his clothes, and pointed in the direction the SUV had disappeared. His finger trembled slightly with anger, but the direction he pointed was unwavering.

"It's just ahead."

His voice carried an indescribable sense of satisfaction, like that of a down-on-his-luck person who had finally gotten his chance for revenge.

"If we go forward less than ten miles, we'll definitely catch up."

The knight nodded without asking any further questions.

He spurred his horse sharply, and the magnificent white steed neighed, its hooves flying as it charged forward, kicking up clouds of dust. In the blink of an eye, the knight's figure became a tiny silver dot, disappearing at the end of the road.

Following closely behind was the sound of even more horses' hooves.

Five riders, ten riders, twenty riders...

A troop of cavalry clad in silver armor swept past Tang San like a silver torrent, the gust of wind they created nearly knocking him to the ground. Each cavalryman wore a grim expression; their sole objective was to catch up with the black-haired man named Li Fulan.

Tang San stood there, watching the cavalry disappear into the distance.

His lips curled up slightly, revealing a sinister and twisted smile.

"Li Fulan...you stole Xiaowu away..."

He murmured to himself, a sound only he could hear.

"Now, someone's coming to get you."

He didn't know who these cavalrymen were, nor why they were looking for Li Fulan. But he did know that the White Horse Army was one of the most elite forces in the Heaven Dou Empire, and anyone who could mobilize this army was no ordinary person.

He didn't know who Li Fulan had offended.

But he hoped the man would suffer.

He wanted that man to be caught, captured, and taught a lesson.

most--

Ideally, Xiaowu should see the man's true colors, and then...

Go back to him.

Tang San stood there, watching the billowing dust, his eyes flickering with uncertain light.

Meanwhile, on the official road several miles away...

The black SUV was speeding along the official road at an astonishing pace, its four massive tires churning over the bumpy surface without any sign of slowing down. The scenery outside the window rushed past, the roadside trees becoming blurry green shadows.

Xiao Wu, sitting in the passenger seat, was so excited that her eyes lit up.

She was practically pressed against the car window, her bright, large eyes wide open, like a little rabbit seeing a new toy for the first time. Her long hair danced in the wind, a few playful strands clinging to her cheeks, but it didn't dampen her good mood at all.

"Master! Master! Faster! Faster!" She turned around, her face beaming with joy. "This iron box is moving so fast! Faster than those soul beasts! The trees outside are all turned to mush!"

As she spoke, she leaned her head closer to the car window, watching the scenery rushing past outside, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow—!"

Li Fulan's lips curled slightly upward as he gripped the steering wheel and stared at the road ahead.

"like?"

"I love it! I love it so much!" Xiao Wu bounced around in her seat like a child, almost breaking free of her seatbelt. "Master, how did you create such an amazing thing? What does it eat? Does it eat grass or meat? Doesn't it get tired?"

She bombarded him with a barrage of questions, her eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.

"It doesn't eat grass or meat," Li Fulan replied casually. "It drinks a special kind of 'water,' and once it's full, it can run very far."

"Special water?" Xiao Wu tilted her head, pondering for a moment. "Is it the kind of water that's very expensive? More expensive than the Spirit Spring?"

"More or less."

"Then my master must be very rich!" Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, as if suddenly realizing something. "Indeed, anyone who can be my master is no ordinary person!"

Li Fulan couldn't help but chuckle.

This girl is quite honest.

"Master, Master, what is this?"

She tapped a leather button on the armrest of the seat.

"Clatter".

Suddenly, the seat back tilted backward, catching Xiao Wu off guard. She let out a cry and fell backward, sprawling out on the reclined seat.

"Wow!" Far from being scared, she became even more excited, kicking and thrashing about on the seat. "This one lets me lie down! Master, look! I can lie down! From now on, I can sleep here when we're traveling! I won't have to sleep in those hard carriages anymore!"

As she spoke, she rolled over in her chair, curling up like a lazy kitten, her toes pointing upwards, revealing muddy marks on the soles of her shoes.

"So soft and comfortable..." Her voice carried a hint of contented languor. "Master, this iron box of yours is simply the best thing in the world!"

Li Fulan looked at the small figure turning over and over in the rearview mirror and shook her head helplessly.

"Sit tight and fasten your seatbelt."

What is a seatbelt?

"It's that strap that's binding you."

"Oh, oh, this!" Xiaowu suddenly remembered that she was still strapped to her. She struggled to sit up and clumsily adjusted the seat back to its original position. "Why are you strapped to me? Are you afraid I'll run away?"

"I'm afraid you'll fly away."

"Fly away?" Xiao Wu's eyes widened, then she giggled. "Master, you're such a joker! I'm not a bird, how could I fly away—waaaaaah!"

Before she could finish speaking, Li Fulan suddenly stepped on the gas, and the SUV accelerated abruptly. The powerful push made Xiao Wu press her entire body against the back of the seat, her hair flying backward like a burst of black fireworks.

"That's why you need to wear a seatbelt." Li Fulan's voice was calm, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

"Waaaaah, Master, you're bullying me..." Xiao Wu clutched her chest, her face full of accusation, but her eyes clearly gleamed with even greater excitement. "One more time! One more time! That felt so exciting!"

"Didn't you say I was bullying you?"

"Um...that's a different matter!" Xiao Wu turned her head away guiltily, muttering softly, "I'll forgive you if you do it again..."

Li Fulan did not respond, but the smile on her lips deepened.

Just like the description in the original story, this girl is an energetic, incredibly curious chatterbox. From the moment she got on the bus until now, her mouth hasn't stopped. She's either asking what this button does, or what that light means, or she's leaning against the window, shouting and yelling.

It's like a little rabbit just released from its cage, full of wonder and curiosity about everything in the world.

"Master."

Xiao Wu suddenly quieted down, and her voice became much softer.

"What's wrong?"

"Are we... really not going back to Nottingham?"

Li Fulan glanced at her sideways, her bright eyes flashing with a complex emotion, like anticipation mixed with reluctance.

"No need." His voice was calm and firm. "Nottingham is too small to contain your future."

"My future?" Xiao Wu tilted her head, looking somewhat lost.

"You will become one of the strongest Soul Masters on this continent." Li Fulan's gaze returned to the road ahead, her tone carrying an undeniable certainty. "I will make you stand at a height that everyone can only look up to."

Xiao Wu paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Master, you talk so strangely, just like those charlatans." She covered her mouth and chuckled. "But—"

Her smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.

"I trust you."

As she spoke, she clenched her two little hands into fists and placed them in front of her chest, making a cheering gesture.

"I will definitely cultivate diligently from now on and not let my master down!"

Xiao Wu bounced around on the seat like a child, asking, "Can we ride this everywhere from now on? We won't have to ride horses anymore?"

"Of course," Li Fulan replied casually. "This is a soul tool, a 'vehicle' I prepared especially for you."

Xiao Wu's eyes shone even brighter, her pupils filled with stars.

Just then, a patch of silver light suddenly appeared in the rearview mirror.

Li Fulan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"We have guests."