"Red King, don't play tricks with me."
Du Busi narrowed his eyes at the Red King, his tone warning.
"I am not one of you humans."
A flash of disdain passed through the Red King's gaze as it let out a low growl.
"..."
Du Busi was left momentarily speechless.
"Fine then. I will take this Auspicious Beast of yours and wait for you at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest. As long as you bring those two soul beasts I asked for, the Auspicious Beast will be unharmed. I am not the kind to go back on my word."
The Red King's expression twisted slightly.
"Why not just wait here? Why must it be at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest?"
"Because the Star Dou Great Forest borders Shrek City. Senior Red King, you wouldn't want such a small matter to escalate into war, would you?"
At this moment, Jiang Jue spoke, smiling faintly as he glanced at Du Bushi.
"And besides, this is also our Sect Master's idea."
"Ah… yes, exactly, that was my idea."
Du Busi blinked at Jiang Jue, then quickly nodded with an air of wisdom.
The truth was, he only wanted to stay away from the core area, to avoid being ambushed by some shameless soul beast. Not that he distrusted the Red King, but he had witnessed the Soul Beast World's "Sixth Old" during the last beast tide—that cunning Ten-Thousand Beast King.
That one was truly sly!
As for Shrek Academy, Du Busi honestly hadn't thought of them, but since Jiang Jue brought it up, he'd take the credit.
Still, his satisfaction with Jiang Jue only deepened. Talent, ability, humility, cunning—this boy seemed born for the Body Sect.
But… how should I explain this to Aotian later?
Ah! I never should have set the Young Sect Master so early. Now it's troublesome…
It wasn't about power—within the sect, Du Busi's word was law. What worried him was that if Jiang Jue were to be named Young Sect Master, Long Aotian's pride might never accept it.
After all, before Jiang Jue came along, Long Aotian had been the strongest of their younger generation. Du Busi didn't want to see him lose heart. Both were dear to him, like the flesh of his palms.
As Du Busi mulled over these mixed feelings, the Red King's three heads pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Very well. But, human, you had better not play tricks. Otherwise, the wrath of us soul beasts is not something you can endure!"
Before leaving, the Red King gave one last warning.
"I am not the Ten-Thousand Beast King."
Du Busi shot it a side glance, his tone equally disdainful.
"..."
The Red King fell silent, then vanished straight into the dense forest to capture the two requested soul beasts.
It did not retort—because Du Busi's words had truth.
Yet it had not expected its warning to be so quickly turned back upon itself.
"Jiang Jue, thank you."
Weina walked lightly up to Jiang Jue, biting her red lips as she spoke her gratitude.
It was clear to her that Jiang Jue had asked for a two-thousand-year-old ice-type healing soul beast for her sake.
"It's nothing. We're… companions."
Jiang Jue waved casually, unconcerned.
"Companions, huh…"
Weina's ice-blue eyes glimmered with thought, a faint brightness surfacing.
"Why thank him? You should be thanking me! It's all thanks to me being traded!"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion gave a little snort toward them both.
"As long as you understand."
Jiang Jue's face remained calm as he slowly approached the Auspicious Beast.
"W-what are you doing, human? You wouldn't dare… kill me off, right? You can't break your word!"
As Jiang Jue came closer, the Golden Lion trembled, speaking with a nervous tone.
"Mm. The texture's nice."
The next moment, Jiang Jue's slender hand pressed onto the beast's head, rubbing firmly.
And truthfully, the warmth, the softness, it was delightful. Its fur was as smooth as silk.
"W-wah…!"
"Take your filthy claws off me! I will not be defiled!"
The Golden Lion froze for a moment, then exploded in fury, roaring repeatedly. Never once in its life had it been touched by a human—its pride was utterly shattered.
But under Du Busi's pressure, it couldn't move a muscle, forced to endure Jiang Jue's hand.
"Enough, Jiang boy. Stop playing. Let's head to the forest's edge—this place is no longer safe."
Du Busi spoke firmly. With a wave of his hand, the three humans and the beast swiftly moved toward the Star Dou Great Forest's border.
Before leaving, Jiang Jue casually collected the roasting lion's head and barbecue into his spatial ring.
"Old Yi, how about it? Is there any trace of 'Tang' inside?"
Soaring through the air, Jiang Jue asked in his spiritual sea, his voice unusually tense.
The Auspicious Beast was crucial to his long-term plans—there could be no mistakes.
Touching the Golden Lion earlier hadn't been mere whim—it was to check whether something resided in its mind.
"Jiang boy, this soul beast is extraordinary. It holds immense fortune power, like a child favored by heaven and earth. And within its mind, there lies… a soul not its own."
"That soul is incomplete—and still asleep."
Electrolux's aged voice sounded, unusually grave for someone usually calm and detached.
"Elder Yi, was there… anything else?"
Jiang Jue asked quickly.
He already knew Tang Wutong's soul resided in the Golden Lion. What concerned him wasn't her, but the Tang God King.
"No, I found nothing else. Not even a trace of that divine sense you encountered at the hotel."
Electrolux's tone was steady.
"Good. I'll have to trouble you later."
Jiang Jue let out a breath of relief, his fists tightening slightly.
So, the Tang God King must be very confident in his arrangements. In that case, breaking fate's shackles begins today!
"Go forward boldly, boy. I'll be right behind you."
Electrolux's voice reassured him.
Jiang Jue's heart steadied further.
Before long, Du Busi brought them to the forest's edge, right by the signboard they had seen when first entering.
Thud!
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion dropped onto the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
"Cursed humans, I curse you to endless misfortune!"
Its golden eyes glared at them resentfully, claws scratching circles into the earth.
Du Busi, Jiang Jue, and Weina descended gently. Watching the beast's tantrum, Du Busi suddenly recalled something.
"Jiang boy, Weina—if memory serves, the Auspicious Beast is the embodiment of destiny itself. A human can connect to its fate, gaining the blessing of auspicious qi. From then on, the path of cultivation will be smooth and unhindered."
"With fortune's protection, your future will be limitless. Which of you will try?"
Jiang Jue and Weina exchanged a glance.
She smiled faintly. Remembering what had just happened, her heart stirred, and she spoke softly:
"Let Jiang Jue do it. His talent surpasses mine. In the future, he'll better protect our sect."
She gave Jiang Jue a gentle, sincere smile, her eyes clear as water.
"Weina, you…"
Du Busi's brows rose. In his heart, he had also leaned toward Jiang Jue, but he hadn't expected Weina to be so understanding.
Jiang Jue himself was slightly surprised, but this was no time for false modesty.
Even if Weina hadn't yielded, he would have found a way to perform the connection. Her voluntary concession just saved him trouble.
"Then thank you. If you ever need help, you can come to me."
"No need to be so formal. Didn't you say earlier? We're companions."
Weina smiled again.
Jiang Jue froze briefly. He had only said that casually before.
"Go on, Jiang boy. That three-headed dog will be here soon."
"Just press your brow against the Auspicious Beast's third eye."
Seeing how harmoniously the two acted, Du Busi laughed heartily, urging Jiang Jue forward.
"What? Have any of you considered my feelings? Don't come near me, human!"
Hearing their plotting, the Golden Lion panicked, roaring in alarm. This touched upon its greatest secret.
"Stay away! Don't come any closer!"
Watching its desperate resistance, Jiang Jue smiled kindly.
"Don't fight it. I'll be gentle."
The next instant, Jiang Jue leaned closer, pressing his brow against the vertical pupil of the Golden Lion's third eye.
At that moment, both their bodies trembled together.
Fate's Guidance—had begun.
At the same time, among the group that had just set out from Shrek Academy—
For no reason, Huo Yuhao felt a wave of sorrow and helplessness surge within. It was as though something that should have been his—but which he had never possessed—was now being taken away.
That unseen bond was fading, weakening with every breath.
Suddenly, he felt as if a brute had violated him, his whole body overwhelmed with anguish.
"Why… why does my heart hurt so much?!"
(End of Chapter)
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