Gu Yuena's hatred for humans wasn't born of simple resentment.
It was the accumulation of millennia of suffering endured by the soul beast race.
Her hostility was the reflection of a truth written into nature itself—
the unbridgeable divide between predator and prey,
between two civilizations locked in a cycle of survival and domination.
Her attitude was extreme, yes—
But her motive was not cruelty.
It was a responsibility.
The duty of a ruler is to fight for her kind's right to exist.
The fact that she had just saved Bibi Dong
and even spared Dugu Yan
was proof enough of that.
But Linfeng knew—he had to bring her into his fold.
After all, the soul beasts' inability to become gods wasn't just because of interference from the Divine Realm.
The greater obstacle was the Dragon God's curse.
Unless a soul beast possessed a bloodline stronger than the Dragon God's,
There was no hope of ever ascending.
Even Gu Yuena herself—
no matter how hard she struggled—
could never change her race's fate on her own.
And she didn't yet know the cruel truth—
that without Su Linfeng's interference,
In another twenty thousand years, she would be tamed by a "Human God,"
become his wife,
and even end up calling that man's mother her "father."
Even that weak little rabbit in the forest would one day become her elder.
Utterly absurd.
That future could not be allowed to happen.
Which was why Linfeng had to bring her in—no matter what.
After a moment of thought, Su Linfeng spoke calmly:
"This is the only chance for the Beast God to return to the Divine Realm."
"But… I'll give you time to think."
"Five years."
"Five years from now, you can give me your answer.
But time is running short."
"Even if you refuse, I'll still remember the favor you've done today.
One day—I'll repay it."
He wasn't in a hurry.
This wasn't a choice that could be made with a few words.
Gu Yuena would need time—perhaps even more than he had.
Saying no more,
Linfeng turned and began walking toward the direction where Dugu Yan had fled.
"Wait."
Gu Yuena's voice stopped him.
"You're not staying in the Star Dou Great Forest?
You intend to return to the human world?"
Linfeng smiled faintly at her,
Then continued walking away without another word.
Gu Yuena stared at his back.
What a strange man…
After a brief hesitation,
she sighed softly and grabbed the trembling Dark Devil Evil God Tiger beside her.
Then—quietly—she followed.
A few miles away—
Linfeng finally caught up with Dugu Yan
and gently took the unconscious Bibi Dong from her arms.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground,
he immediately released his Golden Flame Domain,
pouring waves of Solar True Fire soul power into Bibi Dong's frail body.
Dugu Yan wisely stepped back, keeping her distance.
Her heart, however, was a storm of mixed emotions.
What she had just witnessed was beyond belief—
something no one would ever accept unless they had seen it themselves.
And now…
She knew Su Linfeng's secret.
He wasn't human.
He was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form.
What was she supposed to do now?
"Little soul master, why are you still here?"
Gu Yuena's voice suddenly sounded behind her,
making Dugu Yan jump in fright.
Another soul beast!
Another monster that could take human form!
She didn't know who Gu Yuena really was,
but she could tell this woman was like Linfeng—something far beyond ordinary comprehension.
Dugu Yan turned, her lips trembling.
"Lin Feng… Lin Feng and Her Holiness the Pope haven't left yet.
I… I'm staying to protect them."
Gu Yuena let out a soft, derisive laugh.
"You? Protect them?"
"How amusing."
Her violet eyes swept over Dugu Yan with casual superiority.
"And you already know what he really is, don't you?
Doesn't it make you feel deceived?"
Dugu Yan drew a deep breath, meeting her gaze.
"So what if he's a soul beast?"
"If not for him, I'd already be dead."
"No matter what he is—human or beast—he's still the same Su Linfeng I know."
Gu Yuena blinked, momentarily speechless.
"You mean you don't covet his spirit ring? His soul bones?"
"No," Dugu Yan said firmly.
"The only thing I fear… is losing him."
Gu Yuena snorted softly.
"Madness. You humans are all mad.
And now even he's infected by your insanity."
"Then let us be mad," Dugu Yan whispered.
Her eyes softened as she looked at Linfeng's back
and the figure of Bibi Dong resting in his arms.
"Besides… I'm not the only mad one."
Gu Yuena fell silent.
She couldn't understand this strange, fragile emotion—
Yet somehow, she felt its warmth.
Her gaze lingered on Su Linfeng,
and for the first time, she felt a deep, genuine curiosity.
This being…
What was he?
A soul beast, yes—but what kind?
And why did his presence pull her closer, as though by instinct?
Was it his mystery? His strength?
Or something else she couldn't name?
"Little girl," she finally asked quietly,
"In the eyes of ordinary humans… what kind of person is he?"
Dugu Yan thought for a moment, her voice soft.
"I've met many soul masters.
Most are arrogant, obsessed with power and fame, willing to do anything for them."
"But he's different."
"He has no arrogance, no false dignity.
He walks his own path, free and untamed.
I used to think he was just a carefree soul master without ambition,
approachable and oddly kind."
"And now?" Gu Yuena pressed.
"Now that you know he's a soul beast? That he can be feral when angered?"
Dugu Yan nodded lightly.
"Yes. He has another side.
But he never hides his darkness, nor pretends at false goodness."
"I could feel how much he cared for Her Holiness just now.
He risked everything to save her."
Gu Yuena tilted her head.
"So… you're not afraid?"
"No," Dugu Yan said softly, smiling.
"If anything, I like him more now."
Her voice was gentle, but firm—
Her eyes locked on Linfeng's figure ahead.
"To me, that's what it means to be human."
"Sometimes lazy and free, sometimes cold and fierce,
sometimes reckless for those he cares about."
"Others might see him as a soul beast…
But to me, he's a complete, unrestrained person."
Gu Yuena was silent for a long moment.
She didn't fully understand—
But somehow, those words struck something deep within her.
She turned her eyes back to Su Linfeng—
And for the first time, she truly wanted to know him.
Suddenly—
"Wh–what are you doing?"
A weak, flustered voice broke the silence.
Bibi Dong had finally regained consciousness—
And the first thing she saw was Su Linfeng holding her tightly in his arms.
Her body went stiff, her pupils shrinking.
"L–Lin Feng… why are you holding me?"
Linfeng didn't answer.
He just continued channeling his soul power,
steady, controlled, warm.
Bibi Dong, though still frail, felt her heartbeat quicken.
It was the first time anyone had held her like this—
cradled gently, as if she were something precious.
And it was him.
His eyes—once bright and playful—now held a quiet determination.
His expression, sharper than before,
was so close it almost felt unreal.
Her heart stirred uncontrollably.
This little brat… he's changed.
There's a trace of a man in him now…
BOOM!
A thunderous crash interrupted the moment.
Gu Yuena had dropped the Dark Devil Evil God Tiger right in front of them,
kicking up a wave of dust.
"A Titled Douluo?!"
Bibi Dong's spirit surged in shock.
Her gaze shot upward—
And only then did she notice the silver-haired woman in the air.
Instantly, she stood up,
pulling Su Linfeng protectively behind her.
"Who are you!"