"Oh, right!"
The Three-eyed Golden Lion sprang up from Huo Yuhao, turned around, and snatched away the Spirit-Forged metal that the Bear Lord was meticulously observing for a spark of inspiration. Holding it in both hands, she presented it to Huo Yuhao.
"This is the Spirit-Forged metal I spent so, so long forging. Do you like it?"
Her blue-pink eyes blinked, her voice carrying undisguised anticipation.
Huo Yuhao looked at the sentient metal held in her hands, then up at the delicate, soot-smudged face of the girl who had been laboring in the cave. A sharp twinge of affection tugged at his heart.
Reaching out, he took her hands in his and said earnestly, "I like it very much..."
"Really?!"
The girl's voice was light and cheerful. She wanted to say more, but in the next instant, Huo Yuhao pulled her into a firm embrace.
The spatial portal to the Spectral Demiplane manifested. Caught off guard, the girl was dazed and confused by the situation, but her instinctive trust kept her from resisting. She allowed Huo Yuhao to lead her through the gate.
Left behind, the "Old Father" Di Tian was turning red with fury, while the "Tool Bear" Bear Lord was frantic.
Old Father Di Tian: Stealing my "cabbage" right in front of my face?!!
Tool Bear Bear Lord: Wait, can't you two do your lovey-dovey stuff AFTER leaving the Spirit-Forged metal behind?!!!
...
Inside the Spectral Demiplane.
His emotional instinct told him not to wait or hide any longer. He wanted to immediately return the memories that rightfully belonged to Qiu'er.
Slowly releasing the Three-eyed Golden Lion, Huo Yuhao spoke softly: "Jinni, don't resist in a moment. Follow my lead, okay?"
"Ah? Oh... okay, sure."
The currently innocent Three-eyed Golden Lion froze for a second. She seemed to think of something, nodding hurriedly as if afraid Huo Yuhao would change his mind.
She had seen this trope in human novels: the villain takes the heroine to a deserted place to have his way with her, and eventually, the heroine is forced to have many, many babies and can never leave the villain again!
What? You think something is wrong? Heh... actually, the Three-eyed Golden Lion was projecting herself into the villain's role!
Usually, whenever Yuhao visited, the Lord was always there, leaving her no opportunity. She had planned to use the excuse of being "very useful" after completing Spirit-Forging to follow Yuhao to the human world and find a chance to strike!
But now, in a place with just the two of them! Isn't this a god-given opportunity?! Jinni blinked, a small spark of expectation in her heart.
The Eye of Destiny on Huo Yuhao's forehead manifested, and the special connection between them resurfaced. The power of fate revealed the threads of destiny that bound their futures together.
Having just received the gift from the Planar Will, the link between the Three-eyed Golden Lion and Huo Yuhao had deepened once more.
In simple terms... the Planar Will, acting as the "Old Mother," acknowledged that her two "cubs" were together and gave them her blessing.
Looking at the familiar yet strange Three-eyed Golden Lion before him, a hint of tenderness flowed in Huo Yuhao's deep blue eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
After a brief pause, Huo Yuhao closed his eyes and slowly leaned toward her.
Drawn by the Eye of Destiny, the third eye on the Three-eyed Golden Lion's forehead reappeared. The destinies of the Son of Destiny and the Auspicious Beast intertwined. Simultaneously, following those threads of fate, Huo Yuhao returned the memories that belonged to her.
A massive flood of memories from their past life poured into her mind. In exchange, the memories of her current life flowed into his.
Huo Yuhao saw her first awareness of him in this life; he saw their first meeting; and he saw her choosing to transform specifically to master Spirit-Forging just to make him happy.
She had never changed—just like she was before, just like she was in their past life.
A specific memory surfaced in Huo Yuhao's mind—the final moments they shared in the spatial turbulence of their previous life.
"I'm dying..."
"I know."
the illusory girl pulled the equally illusory boy closer into her arms. One had endured divine punishment for the other, one had self-detonated; both had mere moments left.
"I'm sorry..." the boy whispered, trying to say something in his final breath. But the girl silenced his final words. Then, she bit his lip hard.
With her mouth stained by the boy's blood, the girl's blue-pink eyes were filled with stubbornness: "If there is a next life, I will definitely find you before Wang Dong'er does!"
...
The past life memories in his mind came to a halt; the transmission was over. He lowered his head, staring blankly at the girl in his arms, lost in thought.
"Yuhao..."
The girl's eyes were closed. Her murmur, almost like a dream, carried an endless sorrow. Two trails of clear tears slid from the corners of her eyes. Then, she slowly opened them.
Confusion and helplessness surfaced in her gaze, but after meeting those deep blue eyes, the confusion faded, replaced by joy and complexity.
She was joyful, of course. Having regained her memories, she felt as if she had been given a second chance. It was still early; moreover, her Yuhao clearly wasn't following the path of joining Shrek like in the past life. Perhaps nothing had happened yet between him and Wang Dong'er.
She had a chance!
As for the complexity... Who can tell me how that worm turned into a woman! Why is that scorpion acting weird too! And! Why is the Lord herself interested in my Yuhao too!!!
She was no longer just the Three-eyed Golden Lion; she was Qiu'er.
And now, Qiu'er was absolutely stunned!
It was supposed to be a war between her and Wang Dong'er. How did so many extra people suddenly appear?!
What is this?! Double the difficulty for New Game Plus?!
Qiu'er was completely numb. Her blue-pink eyes stared fixedly at Huo Yuhao as she spoke through gritted teeth:
"You scumbag!"
"Ahem... well, Qiu'er... I..."
Unable to refute it, a guilty Huo Yuhao instinctively looked away. However, Qiu'er sat up, grabbed him by the collar with both hands, and said fiercely:
"Talk! Just how many women do you have out there now! And! You and that worm, that scorpion, and... and the Lord... just how far have you guys gone!"
It could only be said that it was a blessing the Eye of Destiny—a Divine Artifact—existed, as it passively shielded Huo Yuhao's memories. Otherwise, if Qiu'er were to see the images of Huo Yuhao "cultivating" day and night with Ice Emperor and Skydream...
"Speak up!"
Qiu'er barked, her gaze looking as if she wanted to slay Huo Yuhao on the spot.
Huo Yuhao's expression was stiff.
Well, the memory shielding had, at best, commuted his death sentence to life without parole!