The Lightning Leopard seemed to sense danger, its swinging tail abruptly freezing mid-air, the fur at its tip standing on end.
It warily pricked up its pointed ears, its amber pupils contracting sharply, just as it was about to crouch and leap.
Several dark brown branches, like tempered iron chains, instantly wrapped around its hind legs, tightening with a faint creaking sound as they squeezed its bones.
The restraint on its hind legs made the Lightning Leopard instantly bristle, the black spots on its body crackling to life as if studded with tiny electric sparks.
The next moment, pale blue currents surged from the spots, spreading wildly along the branches.
But this meager electric current was nothing more than a drop in the bucket against Su Yu's Wood Release.
Just as the current touched the branches, the originally slender twigs seemed infused with vitality, rapidly thickening and growing at a visible pace.
The bark split open with fresh green, roots burst from the soil, and in the blink of an eye, they grew into a giant tree nearly ten meters tall.
The gnarled roots, like countless thick arms, pinned the Lightning Leopard firmly to the ground.
The spots on its body still flickered, emitting faint crackling currents.
The moment the currents touched the tree trunk, they were silently absorbed, not even leaving a single spark behind.
Pinned down by the giant tree, the Lightning Leopard's chest heaved violently, its throat emitting weak growls.
As its Soul Power was continuously drained by the Wood Release, the Lightning Leopard's struggles grew increasingly feeble.
The once glaring spots gradually dimmed, the ferocity in its eyes replaced by exhaustion and fear.
Seeing the Lightning Leopard lose its ability to resist, Su Yu emerged from behind the bushes with the two little ones.
"Brother is so amazing!"
Xue Na looked up with a face full of admiration, her eyes shining like starlight, her small fists clenched tightly.
"Xue Na wants to be just like Brother when she grows up, able to defeat bad guys in an instant!"
Ning Rongrong quickly stood on her tiptoes to chime in, her soft voice filled with adoration:
"Rongrong wants to be as amazing as Husband Brother too! Rongrong will protect Brother in the future!"
Su Yu couldn't help but laugh at the two little girls, reaching out to gently ruffle their soft hair. Feeling the delicate strands under his palm, his tone was full of tenderness:
"Alright then, Brother will be waiting."
"When our Rongrong and Xiao Xuena grow up, you'll definitely be even more amazing than Brother. Then Brother will rely entirely on your protection."
Xue Na immediately puffed out her small chest like a young eaglet receiving instructions, responding clearly:
"Mm! Definitely!"
Ning Rongrong also nodded, her little face slightly flushed but still tilting her chin up, even her nose wrinkling slightly:
"In the future, I want to be the princess who protects the prince, and Husband Brother will be my prince!"
Hearing this, Xue Na quickly straightened her posture beside her, competing to say:
"Then I'll be the knight who protects Brother! Even more amazing than a princess!"
Su Yu looked at the two little ones putting on such serious expressions, the laughter in his eyes spreading as he pinched their soft cheeks:
"Alright then, I'll be waiting for our little princess and little knight to grow up. When that time comes, I won't be afraid of anything."
"But for now, it's time for our little knight to obtain her first Soul Ring."
Su Yu said with a smile, simultaneously reaching to his waist and pulling a short knife from his Soul Guidance Device.
He gently extended the short knife to Xue Na, his gaze gentle:
"Hold it. Our little knight must complete the next step on her own."
Xue Na looked at the short knife, a trace of nervousness flashing across her small face. She nodded firmly and reached out her small hand to grip the hilt.
The cold touch spread from her palm. She took a deep breath and looked toward the Lightning Leopard pinned down by the tree roots, her eyes growing more resolute.
Ning Rongrong clenched her small fists nearby, softly cheering her on:
"Go Xue Na! Go Xue Na! Go Xue Na!"
On the other side, the Lightning Leopard restrained on the ground watched helplessly as Xue Na approached step by step.
The ferocity in its amber eyes faded, leaving only desperate sorrow.
A low whimper rolled from its throat, like a plea for mercy, or a mournful cry.
Xue Na stopped before it, her small body trembling slightly, her grip on the short knife tightening repeatedly.
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and plunged the blade into the Lightning Leopard's exposed throat.
The sound of the blade piercing flesh was soft. Blood gushed from the wound on the leopard's throat.
Soon, the last glimmer of light in the Lightning Leopard's eyes extinguished completely. Its body went limp and still.
Xue Na stood frozen in place, her small frame trembling uncontrollably. Her hand had long released the short knife—the blade clattered lightly to the ground, but she seemed unaware.
Her face was deathly pale, even her lips pressed together until they lost all color.
Su Yu quickly stepped forward, pulling a handkerchief from his robe. He gently wiped away the blood spatter from her hands and cheeks.
As the cloth brushed her skin, he deliberately softened his touch, comforting her in a gentle voice:
"Don't be afraid, little Xuena. Your brother is here."
Xue Na clutched Su Yu's lapel as if grabbing a lifeline.
She lifted her small face, her eyes red-rimmed, but she stubbornly held back her tears.
Following Su Yu's guidance, she took deep, measured breaths, like a frightened little animal struggling to calm itself.
Ning Rongrong also approached quietly, wrapping her small arms around Xue Na's shoulders:
"Don't be scared, Xue Na. Sister Rongrong is here! Sister Rongrong will stay with you!"
As she spoke, she patted Xue Na's back softly with the back of her hand, as if soothing a startled kitten.
After about five minutes, the trembling in Xue Na's shoulders gradually subsided, and her previously white-knuckled grip relaxed slightly.
She sniffled, raised her head to look at Su Yu and Ning Rongrong, and called out softly:
"Brother! Sister Rongrong!"
Her voice still carried a hint of lingering fear, but it was much steadier than before.
Su Yu immediately crouched down to meet her gaze, his tone full of praise:
"Yes, our little Xuena is so brave. You're your brother's pride."
Ning Rongrong squeezed Xue Na's hand firmly, her eyes shining with encouragement:
"Keep going, little sister! We're not afraid! We're just one step away from obtaining the Soul Ring. We're almost there!"
Xue Na nodded vigorously, clenching her small fists tightly:
"Mm! I'm not afraid!"
As she finished speaking, a purple lightning glow appeared in her palm. Imitating Ning Rongrong's method, she used her Soul Power to guide the yellow Soul Ring emerging from the Lightning Leopard's corpse.
The golden-yellow Soul Ring seemed to respond to her call, spinning leisurely before gently settling around her.
In an instant, a vast and warm power flowed through the Soul Ring, surging into every part of her body.
Xue Na gritted her teeth, her small face slightly flushed from bearing the force, her brow slightly furrowed.
Su Yu and Ning Rongrong watched with bated breath beside her, afraid to disturb her.
Soon half an hour passed, and Xue Na's brow gradually smoothed out, her previously tense body relaxing considerably.
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