Wang Dong only ever revealed a faint trace of her girlish emotions when she was in front of Neuvillette.
Her hands clasped neatly behind her back, she rose slightly on her toes, watching Neuvillette savor the grilled fish, a faint, dreamy smile unconsciously curving her lips.
"Is that so…"
Neuvillette's gaze swept across the distance.
Not far from the waterfall's summit lay the group's campsite. When night began to fall, soul lamps flickered to life in succession, illuminating the camp as though it were day.
At the center of the crowd stood a charming young girl, her face tinged a rosy red by the glow of the roasting fire, as she worked diligently at the grill.
"Give me another skewer, Junior Sister Huo Yutong! I, Dai Yueheng, have never begged anyone before—just one more fish, and I promise your life in the inner courtyard will be smooth and comfortable under my protection!"
Dai Yueheng wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, grinning broadly as he spoke.
"Senior Dai Yueheng, even you've fallen for Junior Sister Yutong's grilled fish?"
Someone nearby laughed teasingly.
"Hah, this flavor is even better than what the food-type soul masters in my clan can make. From now on, consider me a devoted patron of Junior Sister Yutong's stall."
Dai Yueheng chuckled and waved his hand casually.
Though he was exceptionally powerful—one of only two inner courtyard students present—and backed by a strong family background, his approachable personality quickly endeared him to the younger students, allowing him to mingle naturally with them.
"Don't listen to him, Yutong. Give me two skewers. He can wait."
It was Ma Xiaotao's first bite, and as the flavor spread across her tongue, her eyes sparkled with sudden delight.
Standing close beside Huo Yutong, she eagerly helped out, almost protectively.
"Is it really that delicious?"
Even the supervising teacher, Du Weilun, was intrigued enough to come closer.
After all, if even the "Witch of the Inner Court," Ma Xiaotao, was willing to lower herself just for a faster taste of grilled fish, and Dai Yueheng was shamelessly crowding in, how could he not be tempted?
"Yutong, give me one as well."
With that, he too joined the circle of eager students…
Neuvillette gave a small shake of his head. It seemed that getting a second fish was hopeless now. With so many people crowding around, it was unlikely one would reach him.
He pursed his lips lightly, a trace of reluctant disappointment on his face.
Standing beside him, however, Wang Dong seemed to notice his regret. She smiled faintly and pulled out another grilled fish from behind her back.
"Teacher Neuvillette, this one is mine. I don't like grilled fish, so I'll give it to you!"
Her brows and eyes shone with a proud, tsundere expression, as if she were waiting for his praise.
"You should eat it yourself. Teacher isn't hungry."
Neuvillette chuckled softly, ruffling Wang Dong's hair with a gentle motion, much like stroking a cat.
He would never take food away from a child like her.
"I really don't—"
But as the girl pouted, preparing to insist on "offering" it, Neuvillette's expression suddenly hardened. His brows furrowed as he instantly shielded her behind him, eyes locking onto the area beneath the waterfall—where the vast forest stretched, concealed beneath towering ancient trees.
There… a very peculiar aura was emanating.
If his guess was correct, that aura belonged to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion?
Such a coincidence?
"Teacher Neuvillette…"
The girl peeked her small head out from behind him, gazing into the night toward where his eyes were fixed.
Rather than being nervous, she appeared to enjoy the sense of protection, her delicate nose catching the faint scent from Neuvillette's back. Her small face flushed, a look of intoxication spreading across her features—wishing she could remain like this forever.
"What's this, boy—you sensed it too?"
The next instant, a stooped figure appeared beside Neuvillette.
Elder Xuan lifted another swallow of wine, gripping a grilled fish in his other hand, and bit into it with evident enjoyment, his face radiating pure contentment.
"Is that the Three-Eyed Golden Lion?"
Neuvillette's expression remained calm as he asked lightly.
"Oh? You even recognize it?" Elder Xuan looked at him in mild surprise, but quickly returned to his carefree demeanor. "Well, you are a little monster, so I suppose it's only natural something like this wouldn't stump you."
"That said…" Elder Xuan suddenly grinned mischievously.
"Little Neuvillette, are you interested in seizing a great opportunity? A chance everyone in the world dreams of, yet few can obtain?"
"Heh, why not?"
A faint smile finally broke across Neuvillette's calm features.
Could he acknowledge that he had been looking forward to this day for an incredibly long time?
The bright moon hung high.
Beneath the waterfall…
A soul beast crouched quietly on a massive ancient tree not far away. Its body stretched over three meters in length, shoulders nearly eight feet tall, covered in a dazzling coat of golden fur.
Yet unlike ordinary golden fur, this creature's body glimmered like translucent crystal, radiating an otherworldly luster. Its form resembled that of a lion, yet its four claws were draconic, each one treading upon a flame of golden fire. Beneath its fur lay faint, intricate golden scales.
Most remarkable of all—aside from its two golden eyes—was the third eye set in the middle of its forehead.
Those golden eyes shone with divine brilliance, while the vertical pupil of the third eye glowed a deep, eerie red, exuding an unsettlingly mystical aura.
(End of Chapter)