"You actually could have left just now, why did you stay?"

"Because of you."

…

Looking at the woman in front of him, veiled in light gauze, her eyes full of deep affection.

Even with Lin Yi's emotional intelligence, he should be able to sense something by now.

Who knows what he might be thinking.

Ling Yuwei's face seemed exceptionally relaxed, without a hint of awkwardness or discomfort.

This was also the first time Ling Yuwei showed her truest feelings in front of a man.

Looking at the astonished Lin Yi, Ling Yuwei behind the gauze smiled gently and said:

"I don't know why."

"You're the first man besides my father who has made me feel fondness."

"I don't even know if this counts as liking."

While speaking, a trace of reluctance and guilt appeared on Ling Yuwei's face:

"If on this journey to the Demon Forest I don't return alive."

"Please tell my father 'I'm sorry' for me."

Just as Lin Yi was about to speak, Ling Yuwei preempted him and said:

"Actually, I'm not only participating for you."

Looking at the various geniuses gathered to discuss who to team up with to head to the Demon Forest, Ling Yuwei felt emotional and said:

"If by chance I am chosen as the Saintess, the crisis at our Linlang Pavilion will be resolved."

"Growing up, I've always been under my father's protection."

"Now I want to do something for my father."

Looking at this beauty beside him who countless men were vying for, Lin Yi suddenly fell silent.

After a while, Lin Yi suddenly spoke:

"Don't worry, you won't die."

Lin Yi turned his head to look at Frederick on the high platform and said leisurely:

"Neither will I."

…

…

At that moment, Charles from the Ao Sheng Empire suddenly walked up to Ling Yuwei, hesitated and said:

"Miss Ling."

"Join me in a while."

"I can protect you completely, and you won't be harmed at all."

Ling Yuwei instinctively glanced at Lin Yi.

But in Charles' eyes, it seemed as if Ling Yuwei was giving him some sort of signal.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and continued:

"If our Jialan King doesn't mind, he can join us as well."

"But by then, everything must be done according to what I say."

Hearing Charles' words, Lin Yi couldn't help but laugh.

Then Ling Yuwei also realized and said to Charles:

"Prince Charles, I appreciate your kindness."

"But when the time comes, I'll listen to Young Master Lin Yi."

Charles looked at Ling Yuwei in disbelief:

"You!"

He said incomprehensibly:

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"The Demon Forest isn't like the Beast Fighting Arena."

"Do you think someone like him can protect you?"

"Don't be foolish, Miss Ling."

"Following him is a dead end, don't you understand?"

At that moment, Gongsun Zhi from the Jialan Empire also walked over and said:

"Charles, you seem to not have figured out the situation yet?"

He looked at Lin Yi, who was being supported by Ling Yuwei, and said mockingly:

"As the Jialan King of our Jialan Empire."

"Naturally, he is with our Jialan Empire's team."

"It's not up to you to decide, is it?"

Charles heard this and angrily said:

"You!"

Next, Sikong Tingzhi also walked over, stood in front of Lin Yi and said:

"Come with me."

"I can guarantee you'll survive until the end of this trial."

He said, implying:

"Of course."

"I won't let anyone have the chance to harm you."

Gongsun Zhi heard and chuckled coldly:

"I'd like to see who dares to harm our Jialan King's interests."

Faced with the invitations from everyone, Lin Yi unexpectedly said:

"Sorry."

"I won't join anyone."

Saying this, Lin Yi walked away, saying:

"Anyone who wants me dead should think twice before making a move."

"I won't let anyone who wants me dead live in this world."

Lin Yi's words sent a chill through everyone.

Seeing Lin Yi sitting alone on the White Jade steps, all the candidates fell into contemplation.

The red-robed Archbishop Holland saw this scene and instinctively wanted to smack Lin Yi for sitting with his back to the Pope.

But before he could make a move, he glanced at Pope Frederick.

Seeing no trace of disapproval on Frederick's face.

This reminded him of how Frederick was waiting for Lin Yi to arrive before proceeding earlier, making him reconsider taking action.

…

…

Actually, when Holland announced they could team up.

Most of the over two hundred talents from the Nine Nether Continent had already chosen the team they wanted to join.

Each team stood distinctly apart.

Among them, the teams led by Charles of the Ao Sheng Empire;

Gongsun Zhi of the Jialan Empire;

Sikong Tingzhi of the Mage Guild;

Regill of the Artifact Refiner Guild were the largest in number.

To everyone's surprise.

Jun Moqian, the Eldest Princess of the Purple Moon Empire, declined all team-up invitations, standing alone with a Great Sword.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Orlando Duchy, Orana.

Was the first, beside Ling Yuwei, to apply to join Lin Yi's team when he rejected everyone else.

Even though Lin Yi's team looked like it had only one and a half members (considering Lin Yi's weak state).

When Orana expressed her wish to join Lin Yi, he looked up in surprise:

"You want to join me?"

Lin Yi thought he heard wrongly.

Given his current state, apart from Ling Yuwei, Lin Yi couldn't imagine anyone wanting to team up with him.

Could she not fear being dragged down by him?

Also, he didn't know this formidable-looking lady.

But Orana, seemingly aware of Lin Yi's doubts, suddenly mentioned a name to him:

"Do you remember a boy named Gerard?"

"Gerard?"

Lin Yi froze upon hearing this.

Honestly.

When Orana mentioned this name, Lin Yi found it familiar.

Yet he couldn't immediately recall where he'd heard it.

But with Orana's reminder, Lin Yi suddenly remembered the little boy he had saved after first arriving here.

Lin Yi was greatly surprised:

"You know Gerard?"

Orana smiled slightly and said:

"He is my brother, do you think I know him?"

This shocked Lin Yi:

"He's your brother? Such a coincidence."

Orana, however, did not mind and chuckled:

"His real name is Olandi."

"This time he asked me to repay your lifesaving grace."

Hearing this, Lin Yi immediately understood the whole story.

Then he laughed and said:

"Saving him was just a minor effort, no need to worry."

Orana, however, responded seriously:

"Are you spurning my weak skills, thinking I'm unworthy to protect you?"