Of course, since Jiang Jue was here, none of those things would happen.
In the future, the Body Sect would become one of his great sources of support. How could he possibly allow the Body Sect to be blown to pieces?
Weina quickly adjusted her emotions and began rinsing the chunks of flesh in the water.
"Jiang Jue, we actually have many unique attractions here. When the time comes, I can be your guide and take you around to have some fun."
Weina didn't bring up Jiang Jue's life in the Sun-Moon Empire. Instead, she shifted the topic to the present.
That was because, before coming, she had already reviewed Jiang Jue's information. His parents had both passed away, leaving him all alone. Naturally, she wouldn't go and deliberately reopen that wound.
"It would be my greatest honor."
Jiang Jue gave a slight nod, then picked up the prepared meat. At this moment, Du Bu Si had already lit a fire.
Though starting a fire in the Star Dou Great Forest was extremely dangerous, it depended on the people involved.
With Poison Undying around—and in the Mixed Zone no less—any soul beast that came would only be courting death.
"Heh, boy, to eat a meal cooked by these old hands of mine—consider yourself lucky!"
Poison Undying wore a proud look. Though he was the sect master of the Body Sect, that didn't mean he was incapable in other areas. In fact, his cooking was as authentic as it got.
Flames flared, meat roasted on the rack. Poison Undying sprinkled only some salt and perilla leaves, yet a mouthwatering aroma immediately filled the air.
"The best ingredients require only the simplest methods."
"I'll make the soup."
Weina chuckled softly, pulling a delicate white porcelain pot from her storage ring. She placed chopped meat inside, adding seasonings.
Jiang Jue sat nearby, waiting for the meal.
"Three-Eyed Golden Lion… How can I lure it over? Or will it only appear when Huo Yuhao arrives…?"
Jiang Jue's eyes grew deep as he pondered silently.
There was no way he would allow Huo Yuhao and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion to form their fated bond. If that happened, many of his plans would collapse, and the beast itself would fall into a tragic destiny.
This, in fact, was the main reason he came to the Star Dou Great Forest. The second was obtaining his fifth spirit ring.
"Hopefully, the one leading Huo Yuhao this time is still Xuan Zi. That would make things much easier."
At the thought of Xuan Zi, Jiang Jue's eyes lit up.
If the elder of his future Holy Spirit Cult was the one leading, then what came next would be practically guaranteed.
After all, Xuan Zi had too many past offenses. Those who knew, knew.
"Senior, it might be a little hard to find a soul beast suitable for me…"
Jiang Jue looked toward Poison Undying, sounding somewhat embarrassed.
For the sake of what came next, he decided to bring it up early.
"Ha! That's nothing. We're not in a rush—take your time."
Poison Undying waved a big hand casually, not the least concerned.
On the contrary, he hoped Weina and Jiang Jue could spend more time together. This was just what he wanted.
After all, in the perilous Star Dou Great Forest, emotions tended to deepen quickly.
"Awooo!"
"Stop right there, don't run anymore! If you keep running, I'll eat you!"
Under the moonlight, a snow-white deer, its body surrounded by pale cyan wind and crowned with jade-like antlers, sprinted desperately.
This was a Qingying Yao Deer, a soul beast of dual Light and Wind attributes. Judging by its cultivation, it had reached forty thousand years. Yet now it was fleeing for its life.
"Yo-yo-yo!"
An urgent cry left its mouth.
Clearly it was saying: If I stop, I'm dead for sure!
Behind it, an extraordinary little beast was giving chase, calling after it. That human-like voice from earlier was, in fac,t coming from it, astonishingly fluent in human speech.
The little beast's body was over three meters long, its shoulders nearly three meters tall. It was covered in resplendent golden fur, more dazzling than that of the Radiant Gold Lion.
Its entire body looked like translucent crystal, exuding a strange texture. Its overall form resembled a lion, but its four claws were dragon claws, each stepping on a small golden flame. Beneath the fur lay fine golden scales.
Most strikingly, besides its two normal eyes, it bore a third, much like Jiang Jue's Eye of Life, also a vertical pupil.
The two normal eyes shone gold, while the vertical pupil glowed red—an eerie, bewitching scarlet.
"Stop running already! Do you know? You smell so delicious—come on, let me have a look!"
The little beast raced forward like a streak of golden light, its tone sincere and eager, though faint sounds of saliva could be heard between words.
"Yo-yo-yo!"
The Qingying Yao Deer heard this and ran even faster.
Inside, it was weeping in grief.
It had only come out to forage today, yet had run into the "Little Princess" of the Star Dou Great Forest—the Emperor Auspicious Beast, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
Worse still, it carried the Light attribute—the very type this creature favored the most.
Of course, that "favor" meant eating.
At this moment, it bitterly hated its once-proud Light attribute. As for fighting back? That never crossed its mind.
First, it might not win. Second, it could not.
To soul beasts, the Emperor Auspicious Beast was a supreme existence, a symbol of divine blessing. All it could do was run.
Unconsciously, the winds around the deer grew stronger. If not for its Wind affinity, it would already have fallen into the predator's jaws.
But seeing the auspicious beast drawing nearer and nearer, the deer's heart sank in despair.
"Oh deer, looks like I won't be making it back alive today!"
By now, they had entered the Mixed Zone.
"Hm? What's that? Smells so good…"
Just as the Qingying Yao Deer thought it was finished, the pursuing beast suddenly halted.
Seizing the chance, the deer bolted into the dense forest.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion stopped, its delicate nose twitching, sniffing keenly.
"Wuu…"
"So fragrant… it's coming from that direction."
Muttering softly, its golden eyes lit up, tail swishing rapidly as it dashed toward the source of the aroma.
"Jiang, let me tell you—the key to making roasted lion-head meatballs is fire control. You know why the heat can't be too low?"
Poison Undying instructed as Jiang Jue brushed oil on the skewered meatballs.
"Why?"
Jiang Jue played along, giving the old man face.
"Because if the heat's too low, it won't cook through."
"…"
Jiang Jue fell silent.
"You know why the heat can't be too high?"
"…Why?"
"Because if the heat's too high, it'll burn."
"…"
Jiang Jue grew even more silent, turning back wordlessly to continue brushing oil, ignoring this mischievous old rascal.
"Hahaha!"
Weina couldn't help laughing at their bickering. Her pretty face bloomed with a smile, and with the serene surroundings, even her once-oppressed heart felt relaxed.
"Rustle, rustle!"
Suddenly, sounds came from the nearby forest.
The three exchanged glances—they knew a soul beast had been lured over.
The next moment, a lion-like little beast leapt out of the trees.
"Come! Let me see what smells so good!"
"Wuu… it really does smell wonderful!"
(End of chapter)