(A/N: Just a head up, if you're interested, you can check the new rewrite of my previous book, Limitless Path: Otsutsuki Tenma's Ascension! It's an anime-focused story started from Demon Slayer World as the first world that I tried to write around a year ago)
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Link: Patreon.com/NineClouds69
--- Chapter 340 ---
As a helpless sigh echoed, a stunning beauty emerged from the shadows of the woods, captivating everyone's attention. She had long jade-green hair cascading behind her, and her eyes were also jade-green.
Her tall, fair, and slender figure was 'perfectly' accentuated by a flowing emerald gown.
Most striking of all were the pair of emerald wings that extended from her back, resembling exquisitely crafted jewels and gems; each fine feather shimmered brilliantly.
The vibrant green hues radiated a strong life energy, making her appear as an enchanting Goddess of Vitality.
"Mistress!" The ferocious spirit beasts greeted her in unison.
Ah Yin, Xiao Rou, and Xiao Wu stood stunned by this sudden revelation, especially the Dark Blue Silver Empress.
'What a powerful life energy! This woman must be one of the beast lords Zi Mei spoke of,' Ah Yin thought.
If Ah Yin were still the same Blue Silver Emperor from her past, she would definitely feel inferior and submit to this kind-looking woman due to their vast difference in life cultivation.
Ah Yin could also sense that this emerald-clad beauty had surpassed the standard 200,000-year-old realm in terms of cultivation.
However, the Blue Silver Emperor was long dead, leaving only the Dark Blue Silver Empress.
This time, Ah Yin was not intimidated in the slightest. In fact, she felt a sense of eagerness. She wanted to see if her quasi-divine life power surpassed that of this remarkable woman.
The emerald-dressed woman sensed Ah Yin's gaze and was stunned by the level of existence she perceived.
"A transformed 100,000-year-old spirit beast? A powerful life species, no less," The emerald-dressed woman murmured with a smile. "It seems the Star Dou Forest has produced another exceptional talent."
"If I may ask, from what lineage do you hail?"
Ah Yin smiled calmly and replied, "Blue Silver Clan, Dark Blue Silver Empress."
"Blue Silver Clan..." The emerald-dressed woman's expression shifted in a somewhat strange way, but that only lasted a moment before she donned a gentle smile again. "I see... Remarkable, even the Blue Silver Clan can produce such a genius."
"I was lucky," Ah Yin replied modestly, a giggle escaping her lips. Yet deep down, she sensed the woman's pity towards her lineage.
Yes, pity. Though the emerald-dressed woman was undoubtedly kind-hearted and perhaps the gentlest of her kind, it didn't prevent her from looking down on others.
It was akin to nobles being amazed when they learned that commoners could afford to study in a noble school.
"Luck is also a form of strength," the emerald-dressed woman continued to praise, still smiling gently.
'How amusing,' Ah Yin thought to herself, though she did not feel much anger toward this woman.
In the spirit beast race, the quality differences between species were stark; without a pure and powerful bloodline, a species rarely produced any exceptional descendants.
If this emerald-dressed woman had come out when Han Yuan was tearing the forest apart with blue silver grass, she would be shocked beyond belief.
Unfortunately, she only came out when Han Yuan explained Spirit Souls and Soul Contract to the ferocious spirit beasts.
"Then, why don't you introduce yourself, Senior?" Ah Yin finally asked back.
The emerald-dressed woman nodded slowly. "Mm, true, that was rather rude of me."
"Please, allow me to introduce myself..."
"I am one of the Great Beasts of the Star Dou Forest, a 550,000-year-old Emerald Swan. You may call me Bi Ji, or Senior Bi."
"550,000 years!" Xiao Rou and Xiao Wu gasped in shock.
Hearing Bi Ji's introduction, Han Yuan couldn't help but reflect on the things he knew about the Star Dou Forest.
If he is not mistaken, Bi Ji would reach the 580,000-year-old realm in the sequel set ten thousand years later, which was a slow pace. Her 'real' age is likely under 100,000 years now.
The additional 30,000 years had come from her refining the essence of a 1,000,000-year-old Sky Dream Iceworm while she slumbered in the Core of the Star Dou Forest.
Suddenly, Han Yuan heard an arrogant remark in his mind. 'Hmph, she's just a small bird with 550,000 years of cultivation. Nothing special.'
'Oh, so you finally woke up,' Han Yuan thought, raising an eyebrow.
Di Yating snorted, 'With the commotion you made, it was hard not to wake up from my beauty sleep. However, this little swan isn't bad.'
'I can sense my brother's aura from her. She's probably one of his close retainers.'
Han Yuan smiled faintly. 'I wouldn't call her your brother's retainers.'
'What do you mean?' Di Yating questioned.
'Nothing.'
'Hmph, your mysterious attitude is so annoying.'
After introducing herself, Bi Ji turned her gaze toward the remarkable young human. He was not only bold, but he was also the inheritor of a Fallen God—a truly talented individual.
'Humans are really fortunate to have such a figure,' Bi Ji thought. 'Yet, this young man seems closely tied to our race and is willing to propose a plan to change our fate.'
Feeling Bi Ji's warm gaze, Han Yuan replied, "Han Yuan, nice to meet you, Senior Bi."
Bi Ji nodded. "Mm."
"I've witnessed both the Spirit Souls and Soul Contracts; each has its merits for changing the fate of the spirit beast race. However, what if something bad happens in the future?"
"Then, that's for future youngsters to solve," Han Yuan shrugged. "I can only swear that the Soul Contract I made could improve the relationship between humans and spirit beasts now."
"As long as my Dao Academy and ideas are alive, the Soul Contract will never change."
"As for whether a future problem could happen or not, that's not up to me to decide."
"You know both sides have their own scums."
"That is true..." Bi Ji nodded with a fair smile. "Humans have their bad people, so do our spirit beasts."
"Very well, I will bring you to meet Di Tian. He's the Beast God, and the person who can represent our spirit beast race as a whole."
"Please..." Han Yuan merely extended his hand, wishing Bi Ji to lead them inside.
Bi Ji giggled, "Follow me."
Han Yuan, Ah Yin, Xiao Rou, Xiao Wu, and thousands of Spirit Souls readily followed Bi Ji's steps. As they stepped deeper and deeper into the forest, the vegetation became lusher, and the power of life seemed saturated, making the newly transformed Spirit Souls groan in joy.
'The activity of Heaven and Earth energy here is off the charts!' Han Yuan noted in surprise. 'The space layers also transitioned naturally as the forest seems to be expanding the more we walk.'
'Impressive...'
'Yating, do you think this was your brother's doing?'
Di Yating pondered briefly before answering, 'It is possible. We, siblings, have a knack for Spatial Manipulation, and unlike me, my brother doesn't get injured in the Divine War. He must have improved a lot after all these years.'
'Even then, I doubt my brother has the authority to manipulate space this extreme.'
'The only logical answer is...'
'Silver Dragon King?' Han Yuan interjected casually.
'Yes, the Silver Dragon King bore the Elemental Authority of Dragon God, including Space.' Di Yating nodded calmly.
'My brother might receive Silver Dragon King's help building this haven for ferocious spirit beasts.'
Han Yuan rubbed his chin and walked beside Bi Ji, asking, "Senior, if I may know, what's the reason behind the sudden revelation of your Star Dou Forest?"
"Let's be frank, you wouldn't let those ferocious beasts who had undergone Lightning Tribulation twice for no reason..."
Bi Ji put on a thoughtful look when Han Yuan asked this question before saying, "I am afraid I can't tell you that..."
"That's the secret of Star Dou Forest."
"..." Han Yuan.
"Really now?"
Bi Ji giggled while covering her mouth, "Hehe, if you asked Di Tian later after gaining his trust, he might tell you."
'This cheeky bird!' Di Yating was annoyed.
Han Yuan's mouth twitched, "You really know how to joke..."
"Whatever, it's fine if you don't want to tell me."
Yet, when Han Yuan sensed a surge of fortune coming up to his face, he couldn't help but freeze on the spot.
'Luck! How can this be?'
'Why is the fortune of Star Dou Forest surging as soon as we reach this area?'
Han Yuan gazed ahead solemnly as if he realized something, 'Don't tell me...'