"Alright, Hudie, let go of me now."
Gu Xun gave the cat one last pat on the head before speaking, and Lan Hudie nodded in response.
After releasing Gu Xun, Lan Hudie spotted Dong Qianqiu hiding behind him and grew curious.
"Brother, who is this?"
"My classmate Dong Qianqiu, she's visiting my home. And this is Lan Hudie."
Gu Xun introduced them to each other. Seeing Lan Hudie's harmless appearance, Dong Qianqiu's fear dissipated.
Dong Qianqiu realized she wasn't as repelled by spirit beasts as she thought. At most, she'd feel a momentary fright upon learning of their terrifying cultivation levels.
"Hello."
"So you're Lord Brother's guest? Hello, hello! My name is Lan Hudie."
They exchanged greetings, and as they grew more familiar, conversation flowed. Lan Hudie was curious about the human world, and Dong Qianqiu shared her experiences there.
"Lord Brother, Hudie wants to visit the human world too."
Lan Hudie looked at Gu Xun expectantly, but he shook his head helplessly.
"If you went to the human world now, you'd just get caught and brought back. Be good. Focus on cultivating until you reach the hundred-thousand-year level. Then I'll take you to play."
"Really? But cultivating to a hundred-thousand years takes so long!"
Lan Hudie looked disheartened at this. Gu Xun nodded, trying to encourage her.
"If you work hard, you'll succeed quickly. Look at your father—he only took ten thousand years to reach the hundred-thousand-year level, and when he hit forty thousand years of cultivation, he ascended directly to godhood."
Di Tian was a pure-blooded descendant of both the Dark Dragon King and the Light Dragon King, a true Dragon King. He reached the quasi-god level in just forty thousand years.
However, his power fluctuated wildly. At his weakest, during the Unrivaled Tang Sect Era, he possessed only quasi-god strength and was defeated by Huo Yuhao.
By the Legend of the Dragon King Era, he reached peak quasi-god level, wielding the Dragon God Claw—a divine-grade weapon comparable to a god-level artifact.
Then came the Ultimate Fighting Era. With 900,000 years of cultivation, Di Tian could match true god-level powerhouses using the Dragon God Claw.
This inconsistency is typical of San Shao's writing—each book establishes its own rules, essentially setting up the next installment.
Nevertheless, Di Tian's appointment as the Dragon God's personal guard commander implies he possessed at least first-tier god-level power at that time.
Finally, upon arriving in the Douluo dimension, his power was suppressed to peak quasi-god level. The bloodline potential of both the Dark Dragon King and the Light Dragon King reached god-king tier.
Thus, Di Tian inheriting the position of the Evil God King is entirely logical. After all, Tang San, that old underachiever, reached this level through divine herbs, the Sea God's Trial, and the unique properties of his twin soul skills—and he became a God King.
Why couldn't Di Tian? Right? Moreover, the Dragon God's recognition of Di Tian and his mastery of the Dragon God Claw are ample proof of Di Tian's innate talent.
"Then Hudie will strive to break through the hundred-thousand-year barrier."
Hearing Gu Xun's encouragement, Lan Hudie nodded, vowing to work hard. But given her sporadic, inconsistent attitude—three days fishing, two days drying nets—it would likely take her quite a while.
"Well, do your best. I'll take Qianqiu to explore around here."
Gu Xun waved his hand dismissively. Lan Hudie resolved to train diligently—until she spotted another butterfly flitting through the flowers.
"A butterfly!"
She exclaimed, immediately lunging toward it. Gu Xun watched her move with utter resignation.
Ah well, the future of the Divine Realm doesn't depend on Lan Hudie anyway—it rests on me. Only I can be truly relied upon. Still, work and rest must be balanced. I'll explore first.
Gu Xun took Dong Qianqiu on a stroll through the Spirit Beast Paradise. Dong Qianqiu encountered numerous spirit beasts, all remarkably ancient.
Among them were Yin-Yang Chaos Birds, Thorn Dragons, and many others. Dong Qianqiu observed each spirit beast, noting how they all gazed at Gu Xun with such clear, pure eyes.
She couldn't help but pause in surprise. Why did every single one of these spirit beasts look at him with such... indescribable expressions?
The spirit beasts collectively thought; How could we not be afraid? Tell me, if you came carrying the aura of the Emperor of Heaven, who wouldn't I be terrified?
Moreover, Di Tian was lurking in the shadows. Any spirit beast foolish enough to harm Gu Xun would be instantly killed by Di Tian.
"Why do the spirit beasts in your place feel like pets? They don't seem dangerous at all."
After finishing their tour, Dong Qianqiu turned to Gu Xun with this question. Gu Xun paused briefly before replying:
"Maybe they're just closer to me. Come on, let's head back."
Gu Xun gestured to Dong Qianqiu. They'd just finished circling the forest surrounding his small cabin, taking about two hours.
Dong Qianqiu had seen enough and followed Gu Xun toward the wooden house. Inside, they found a lavish spread already laid out on the table. Dong Qianqiu froze.
"Huh? Was this food here when we left?"
Gu Xun rolled his eyes at Dong Qianqiu's confusion, then tapped her on the head.
"You're so slow. If it had been here then, it would've gone cold by now."
"Hey, stop hitting my head! You'll knock the smart right out of me!"
Knowing she'd asked another silly question, Dong Qianqiu covered her head where Gu Xun had tapped it and changed the subject.
"You're not smart to begin with. Makes no difference."
"You jerk! You think I won't bite you?"
Hearing Gu Xun call her unintelligent, Dong Qianqiu felt her teeth itch with anger. She desperately wanted to sink her teeth into him.