At the very instant, the strange fluctuation spread out—
High above the waterfall, gazing far down at Wang Dong'er, golden light flickered in his eyes from time to time. For some reason, a glow radiating with spatial ripples suddenly lit up at the base of the falls.
It was a peculiar feeling, like something precious was being drawn out of one's soul. Yet the sensation was hazy, elusive, hard to grasp…
Beneath the waterfall.
Elder Xuan slowly lifted his head, his grave gaze shifting toward a certain direction deep within the forest.
From there, the aura surged ever faster, and he could clearly sense the near-madness of the approaching presence.
"The Scarlet King, is it…? Hmph, still manageable."
Clicking his tongue, Xuan Zi tore another bite from his roasted fish.
"Damnable humans! If anything happens to the Auspicious Beast, you will bear the wrath of the Star Dou Great Forest!"
The voice carried a deep impatience, echoing from afar.
"Heh… isn't it still alive?"
Amused, Elder Xuan chuckled, gnawing on the roasted fish as he turned his palm.
On the grass beside Neuvillette and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, countless golden patterns rose, spreading into the air and forming a solid cage.
"What have you done to the Auspicious Beast?!"
A thunderous roar resounded as a towering figure burst forth—its entire body crimson, fur like iron, three heads gaping with bloody maws as it bellowed in fury.
"What did I do?"
Elder Xuan turned his head aside a little guiltily, shrugged, and replied carelessly, "Can't you see with your own eyes? Those two have a fated bond—meeting late yet as if old friends. What's wrong with getting… intimate?"
"You—!"
The Scarlet King's eyes widened, his face darkening.
He fixed his gaze on the golden cage not far away. Inside, the Auspicious Beast lay dazed, prostrate on the ground, while the human youth leaned down with a calm expression, their bodies pressed close together.
Waves of light rippled between them.
Even space itself seemed faintly distorted.
The Scarlet King had never seen such a scene, but it was clearly nothing good.
Panic flared in his chest, and he was about to strike—
But Xuan Zi blocked his way.
He stood outside the golden cage, one hand resting casually on its edge, the other lifting his roasted fish for another bite.
"What's the rush? If you barge in now and interrupt their 'exchange,' you'll be the true sinner here. And who will take the blame if something happens to the Auspicious Beast?"
Squinting, Xuan Zi smirked. "Or… are you volunteering?"
"YOU!!!"
The Scarlet King's fury erupted to its peak.
A terrifying dark-red soul power surged skyward, the full aura of a three-hundred-thousand-year soul beast exploding outward.
In the next instant—
Nearly half the Star Dou Great Forest fell into silence.
Countless soul beasts scattered in panic, surging away like a great tide.
It was as if a beast tide had been triggered—utterly terrifying.
At the forest's outer perimeter—
Beneath the lush canopy of ancient trees, several campfires cast flickering light into the dark.
Looking closely, one could see many figures moving about, several tents erected nearby, and a tall, luxurious carriage standing to one side.
By the fire—
Two young women sat upon the ground. Even here in the wild, their noble bearing was unmistakable. Each possessed striking beauty; within Shrek Academy, they would be considered campus beauties without question.
More than ten guards formed a seamless protective circle around them, standing firm in defense of the camp.
"Uncle Mo, where are we now?"
The gentler of the two women spoke softly, her voice crisp as a songbird, enchanting to the ear.
"Roughly…"
The middle-aged man called Uncle Mo glanced about. "We're near the boundary between the outer and core regions, Your Highness. It would be best to find a suitable soul beast here. Venturing any deeper into the core is no laughing matter…"
"Very well."
Mu Xue inclined her head slightly. Her fair, slender neck arched like a swan—elegant, noble, and unsullied.
"Elder Sister Mu Xue, won't you tell me about your experiences after joining the Body Sect? I'm bored to death cooped up in the palace every day…"
The other young woman, lively and spirited, clung to Mu Xue's arm, pouting and acting coquettishly.
"Hehe…"
Mu Xue cast a glance at the girl tugging her shoulder, her beautiful eyes glimmering with fond indulgence.
"Training within the sect is very austere. Even though I am the Body Sect's Saintess, my cultivation is far harsher than that of ordinary disciples. Honestly, I would rather envy your carefree life in the palace."
As the eldest princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire, Mu Xue was of the direct royal bloodline, with only one younger brother still an infant.
Though female, her cultivation talent and spiritual-type martial soul had drawn the Body Sect's attention, raising her status rapidly. Even the current emperor regarded her as his successor in training.
And with the Douluo Continent shrouded in turmoil, most could sense a looming crisis but not pinpoint its source.
As the one destined to shoulder the future of the Heavenly Soul Empire, her delicate shoulders carried a heavy burden.
Even the affections Dai Yueheng had shown her… she had been forced to suppress, for now.
But where lay the future of the Heavenly Soul Empire…?
Mu Xue sighed softly, her gaze drifting to the distant starry sky. The heavens glittered with countless stars, and the tranquil air of the surrounding forest eased her mood somewhat.
"ROAR!!"
Suddenly, a terrifying bellow resounded from afar, rippling outward in waves.
"All hands—on guard!"
Mo Yunfei's command rang out instantly. Figures blurred into motion, the campfire shuddering uneasily as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
"Beitang, pack everything! Prepare to withdraw!"
With a grim face, Mo Yunfei stared into the distance. The towering trees and suffocating darkness of the night made the depths of the forest seem all the more ominous.
"Yes!"
A tall, reed-thin man paled slightly, but as the backbone of the guard, he retained his composure and decisiveness.
Beitang darted into action, rallying the others to swiftly pack up the tents and the soul beast-repelling soul tools placed around the camp.
"Uncle Mo, what… just happened?"
Mu Xue's beautiful face was pale, though she forced herself to ask through the fear.
"I'm not certain. But that aura just now…" Mo Yunfei's expression turned grim.
"It seemed like a hundred-thousand-year soul beast."
As the backbone of the group, he could not afford to show panic before the guards.
But before the princess, there was no need to conceal his thoughts—he spoke his suspicion plainly.
In truth, he was but a Soul Saint. If such a terrifying existence truly appeared, even leaving behind his bones would be unlikely, let alone when he bore responsibility for two princesses.
"We… may be in serious trouble."
Mo Yunfei gritted his teeth, his face dark.
"What!! A hundred thousand—"
Weina gasped aloud, but Mu Xue pressed a jade-white hand firmly over her mouth before she could finish.
"Silence!"
Solemn light shone in Mu Xue's eyes. At a time like this, sowing panic was the greatest taboo.
(End of Chapter)