The black-robed old man was caught off guard and his body toppled forward. At the same time, Qianbei Ye launched his attack!
A powerful force crashed into the black-robed old man's body and sent him flying out of the way instantly. This time, Qianbei Ye did not deal with him the same way as he had done with the Regional King. Instead, he had crippled the old man's veins with one blow before surrounding him with a bright red flame.
"I've told you before. If you hurt her, I'll give you a true taste of hell!"
Each time he thought of how this fellow had dared to threaten Gu Ruoyun, Qianbei Ye's heart would churn and alight with a raging flame. He would never spare anyone who has hurt her.
However, Qianbei Ye had only used the flames to imprison the old man and ignored him after that. Instead, he turned his eyes towards the other black-robed man who was standing in front of Gu Ruoyun...
That man's features were still as grim and handsome as ever. The only thing missing was the depth once held in his dark eyes. Instead, only a lifeless air appeared from within.
"Big Brother, what are you doing here? I've obtained the Moon Soul Herb just in time to help rid you of your half-puppet body." Gu Ruoyun's heart leaped with joy as she took two steps forward and reached out to touch Gu Shengxiao.
If this had happened in the past, Gu Shengxiao would be filled with emotion at the sight of her. However, when he saw Gu Ruoyun advancing towards him this time, he unconsciously backed away.
Gu Ruoyun was dismayed and her hand froze on the spot. She stared at Gu Shengxiao doubtfully as she asked, "Big Brother, is something wrong?"
"Be careful, Yun'er."
Qianbei Ye seemed to sense something and quickly held Gu Ruoyun back. He then explained, "Something isn't right with him, it's as if... He is already a full puppet."
As Qianbei Ye spoke, Gu Shengxiao took one last look at Gu Ruoyun. There seemed to be a struggle in his once lifeless eyes but, in the end, he turned around and quickly disappeared from here...
"Xiao Ye, what do you mean? What has happened to my big brother?" Gu Ruoyun stared dazedly at the direction which Gu Shengxiao had disappeared into. Her eyes no longer displayed her usual calm demeanor. Instead, a sense of panic has appeared.
Qianbei Ye fell silent. His arm, however, held onto Gu Ruoyun's waist in a tight grip, silently consoling her.
Just then, a helpless voice chimed in from behind the couple, "You've found out?"
Gu Ruoyun's body stiffened. When she gently turned around, she saw the man's mischievous features and asked, "Evildoer, what's the meaning of this? Why is my big brother..."
Zuo Shangchen laughed bitterly and his phoenix eyes carried a pang of agony.
"Xiao Yun'er, do you know why I had left yesterday? It was because I had sensed Gu Shengxiao presence. However, when I had found him, not only has his power increased greatly, he has also been fully turned into a puppet! Besides, Gu Shengxiao had been searching for someone and that was you. After he had found you, he had been shadowing you all the way. I was afraid that he would hurt you after being turned into a puppet and do something that he would regret for the rest of his life so I had followed him as well!"
Qianbei Ye did not say anything. Actually, he had sensed Gu Shengxiao's existence long ago. Even though he could not figure out why Gu Shengxiao never showed himself, he never thought that he had refused to appear was because he had been turned into a puppet.
"Even though Gu Shengxiao has become a puppet, you're the most important person in the world to him. Even though he could not control his own limbs, he does not wish to hurt you and he had appeared when you were in danger to save you! As for his current departure, perhaps he was worried that he would lose all recognition of his own family one day and end up harming you."
As he spoke, Zuo Shangchen's entire face was filled with grief. "Xiao Yun'er, I could make a guess as to why he had chosen to transform completely into a puppet. He could not stop worrying about you journeying into the Dark Earth Realm all on your own and he could only search for you here once he has grown in power. There was only one way for him to grow even more powerful — that was to transform into a puppet! Only then will he be able to help you!"