Chapter 538: Following

He indeed spoke the truth.

Not to mention his own cultivation of the Undying Indestructible Divine King Art and the One Qi Transforms into Three Purities—such supreme inheritances—just the several complete Ten Fierce Beings Imperial Arts he has already mastered, any one of which, when brought forth, its value, potential, and power far surpass the Primordial inheritance of the Heaven Trampling Divine Elephant.

This crystal core is to him like a chicken rib.

But for Dou Tianxiong, it is just right.

Dou Tianxiong, a member of the Sacred War Heaven Ape Clan, has always excelled in strength; the profound power principle of the Heaven Trampling Divine Elephant provides him excellent reference and supplementation, and that pure energy can also help him solidify his realm and strike toward higher levels.

Seeing Ye Wuque's tone flat and his gaze calm, truly dismissing this thing, the last trace of doubt in Dou Tianxiong's heart also dissipated.

He knows Ye Wuque's character—never hypocritical or courteous, his word is his bond.

"Since that is so… Dou Tianxiong thanks big brother!"

Dou Tianxiong no longer pretended, solemnly put away the Origin Core, and a warm current and deeper emotion rose in his heart.

Brother Ye not only led him to the opportunity, but also gave the opportunity to him; this friendship he engraves in his heart.

Perhaps it was this series of kindnesses, perhaps it was the long‑standing admiration and desire to follow that had been building in his heart; at this moment, in this tranquil and ancient Dongfu, watching Ye Wuque's calm yet seemingly able to support the whole star‑filled sky silhouette, Dou Tianxiong suddenly made a significant decision.

The excitement on his face gradually subsided, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and gravity.

He inhaled deeply, as if a certain resolve had been set; a flash of unshakable determination and decision crossed his eyes.

Suddenly, he stepped forward; under Ye Wuque's slightly surprised gaze, he knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and with an unprecedented posture of reverence, looked up at Ye Wuque, his voice resonant and powerful, echoing through the ancient Dongfu:

"Big brother! Your kindness to Dou Tianxiong is as heavy as a mountain! You have saved my life many times in peril, taught me the Supreme Divine Art's profound principles, and now you offer such a precious opportunity! Dou Tianxiong… I have an unseemly request, hoping big brother will agree!"

Ye Wuque's expression remained unchanged, as if he had long anticipated this scene; he simply watched him quietly, his gaze deep, without interrupting.

Dou Tianxiong continued, his tone growing more fervent, full of expectation and yearning: "Dou Tianxiong hopes to follow you by your side! To march with you in war across the Nine Heavens Ten Earths, to set foot in the Zhutian Wanjie! Whether it be mountains of swords and seas of fire, or endless abyss, Dou Tianxiong is willing to be your vanguard, sword in hand!"

His voice echoed in the Dongfu, bearing a childlike sincerity and fervor.

Clearly, Ye Wuque's unfathomable strength, formidable personal charisma, and his loyal camaraderie have already completely won over this proud Holy War Heavenly Ape monster.

Following such a being, witnessing broader realms, participating in grander legends, is for him both an honor and a spiritual home.

Ye Wuque did not answer immediately, but fell silent for a moment.

In the Dongfu only the sound of stalactite water remained, drip— drip— as if measuring the flow of Time, and as if interrogating Dou Tianxiong's resolve.

A moment later, Ye Wuque slowly spoke, his voice calm and tinged with consideration: "Young hero."

He uttered this affectionate address, warming Dou Tianxiong's heart, but the words that followed made Dou Tianxiong's expression even more focused.

"You are astonishingly brilliant, with extraordinary talent, a Heaven's Chosen of the Sacred War Heaven Ape Clan, a once‑in‑eons rarity, the most thorough reversion of bloodline, the future hope and pillar of your clan." Ye Wuque's gaze seemed to pierce the heart, "With your aptitude, temperament, and potential, you naturally qualify to follow me."

Hearing this, Dou Tianxiong's face broke into a delighted smile.

However, Ye Wuque's tone suddenly shifted, his voice deep and solemn: "But, young hero, do you know what it means to follow me?"

Dou Tianxiong shook his head, his gaze steadfast on Ye Wuque, awaiting the continuation.

Ye Wuque's voice flowed slowly through the Dongfu, bearing an indescribable weight:

"My enemies are far from as simple as you imagine."

"They may come from the far end of Time, the far shore of Space, names that are Dark Beings in legends and taboos."

"The Causality I bear entangles the deepest secrets of the Zhutian Wanjie, linking massive shifts of the past, present, and future."

"And everything I will face in the future, the paths I must tread, the waves I must raise… all far exceed anyone's imagination!"

"That may be a Great Terror beyond words, a despair so great it could cause Supreme Jiemie, make Emperor Fiend tremble!"

He stared directly into Dou Tianxiong's eyes, word by word: "Once you choose to follow me, your fate will inevitably become tightly linked with my Causality."

"From then on, your path will no longer be solely your own, but will also reflect my shadow."

"That means your future will become unpredictable, a danger countless times greater than now!"

"You may have to confront foes far beyond your imagination, fall into life‑or‑death extremes, and even… at any moment could meet Death Path Vanish, Soul Annihilation!"

"Then," Ye Wuque's voice rose sharply, a soul‑piercing interrogation, "After hearing all this, Dou Tianxiong, do you still wish to follow me?"

When the words fell, the Dongfu was silent.

Only the skeleton of the Heaven Trampling Divine Elephant silently narrated the ruthlessness of time and the eternity of power.

Dou Tianxiong knelt there, Ye Wuque's words like a heavy hammer, striking his heart again and again.

He heard the seriousness and gravity in Ye Wuque's words; it was not alarmist rhetoric but a genuine warning.

Following Ye Wuque means embracing glory, and also bearing unimaginable peril and Darkness.

Yet in his eyes, not a hint of fear or hesitation appeared; instead, after the initial solemnity, an even more fierce, more resolute flame ignited!

He lifted his head, meeting Ye Wuque's gaze; his face no longer showed his usual exuberance and agitation, only a rock‑like steadiness and determination.

With a resonant, powerful voice as if metal striking stone, he answered clearly and firmly:

"Big brother! Dou Tianxiong's heart, unwavering!"

"Braving fire and water, I will not shy away!"

"Even if Endless Darkness shrouds the road ahead, terror and ill‑omen swirl around, Dou Tianxiong still yearns for it, never retreating a step!"

"To follow big brother, witness legends, partake in epics, even if Death Path Vanish, Soul Annihilation, I will have no regrets!"

His voice echoed in the Dongfu, each word striking the ground, carrying the Sacred War Heaven Ape Clan's innate spirit of battling heaven and earth, never yielding, and also his unreserved trust and worship of Ye Wuque.

Danger? Has Dou Tianxiong ever been afraid?

What he fears is mediocrity, the inability to see higher vistas! And Ye Wuque is the one who can show him that view!

Seeing the pure, scorching steadfast light in Dou Tianxiong's eyes, hearing his decisive, unwavering oath, Ye Wuque's ever‑calm, well‑like eyes finally flickered with genuine satisfaction and warmth.

He reached out, steadied Dou Tianxiong's arm, and helped him rise from the ground.

"Good." Ye Wuque lightly patted Dou Tianxiong's solid shoulder, saying only that word, yet it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

"Since that is so, from now on, you shall follow me." Ye Wuque's voice returned to its usual calm, but with an added tone of approval, "However, remember your choice today, and remember my words. The road ahead is treacherous; only by constantly strengthening yourself can you meet all future changes."

He looked at Dou Tianxiong, his eyes full of expectation: "Cultivate well, improve your strength, to face future crises. In time, you must become a self‑sufficient being! Not merely a shadow trailing behind me."

In Ye Wuque's mind, the figure of his father, Ye Zhengrong, suddenly flashed.

By his father's side are Dou, Zhan, Ba, and Huang, the Four Great War Generals, each a peerless powerhouse capable of sweeping the lands invincibly!

Besides them, there are many loyal and powerful followers, forming a massive and solid core of power.

Many powerful existences deep in the starry void also obey his father, showing great respect.

He, Ye Wuque, naturally also has plans to cultivate his own inner circle and build a team of his own.

The road ahead is destined not to be walked alone by him.

He needs like‑minded companions, comrades he can trust with his back, and allies who can share the burden and hold a region on their own!

Although some beings had followed him before for various reasons, their strength, potential, and temperament were mostly lacking, and they gradually fell behind his rapidly rising power.

And the Dou Tianxiong before him undoubtedly has barely earned this qualification.

He possesses unparalleled talent, a top‑grade bloodline, a steadfast and sincere temperament, an indomitable fighting heart, and, most rare, an unreserved loyalty.

These are precisely the reasons Ye Wuque valued him and ultimately agreed to him.

Hearing Ye Wuque's words of approval and expectation, Dou Tianxiong felt a surge of hot blood rush to his crown, trembling slightly with excitement.

He nodded vigorously, his voice trembling from excitement: "Yes! Big brother! Tianxiong will certainly train diligently and never disappoint your expectations! In the future I will clear the path for you and stand alone!"

Seeing Ye Wuque finally agree, Dou Tianxiong's heart filled with unprecedented joy and Fighting Spirit, as if his life's goal suddenly became clear and lofty.

"Alright, the opportunity here has been seized; we should set off now."

Ye Wuque withdrew his thoughts, his gaze again turning beyond the Dongfu, as if piercing the thick rock layers, seeing the vast, boundless Burial Sea and countless world islands awaiting exploration.

"This Ten Thousand Beasts Archipelago has only just shown us the tip of the iceberg. More opportunities and greater challenges lie ahead."

A faint, expectant curve lifted Ye Wuque's mouth corner.

"Let's go see the other island worlds." He turned first, heading toward the passage they came from.

"Yes! Big brother!" Dou Tianxiong, invigorated, hurried to keep up, his eyes burning with yearning and resolve for the new adventure.

The two silhouettes soon vanished into the ancient Dongfu where the remains of the Heaven Trampling Divine Elephant and the Origin Core had been discovered, leaving only the massive skeleton, silently bearing witness to the passage of time.