The carriage, drawn by three five-hundred-year-old Gale Horses, sped along. In less than a month, they reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Grandpa, let's help Zhuqing find a suitable spirit beast first. After that, we can slowly search for one that suits Lingling."
Dugu Bo doted on him with a smile. "Alright, we'll do it your way."
The group pressed forward through the forest's outer region. Dugu Bo swept the area with his spiritual sense, scanning every nearby spirit beast.
"Kid, don't slack off in the back. Help this old man search. While we're hunting for a Shadow Devil Tiger, keep an eye out for signs of any life-attribute beasts."
"Got it."
Ignaz immediately leapt onto a tall tree. His vast spiritual energy spread out rapidly, amplified by the Thunder Dragon Fish Crown on his head, doubling the range of his detection.
A dark purple tiger, about four meters long, lay curled up on a stone less than a mile away, dozing.
"Zhuqing, one mile ahead—there's a Shadow Devil Tiger around seventeen hundred years old. Perfect for your third spirit ring."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling shared Zhu Zhuqing's delight. What luck! They had barely entered the forest before stumbling across such a perfect target.
But the Shadow Devil Tiger was a darkness-attribute beast, with razor-sharp senses. Its head snapped up, eyes locking directly on Ignaz's position.
"Rooaar!"
Its deafening roar shook the stones.
"Boom, boom, boom…"
Heavy footsteps thundered closer. An even larger tiger spirit beast appeared—eight meters long, twice the size of the younger one. White stripes streaked its tail.
"That cub's just a youngster. The real ruler here is that one. Judging from its size, at least fifty thousand years old."
Though such a beast was nothing more than child's play for Dugu Bo—he could crush it with one hand—it possessed a terrifying ability: extreme speed, and a body that could melt into shadow like mist. Catching it was nearly impossible.
Just as Dugu Bo prepared to strike down the younger tiger in the shortest time possible, both Shadow Devil Tigers suddenly backed away. The surrounding beasts also scattered.
A unicorn stepped proudly into view, its body crystal-clear, emerald like living jade.
A pair of green feathered wings, each more than a meter long, slowly spread open. The creature exuded an aura of holiness, accepting the reverence of every beast in the tigers' domain.
Ignaz blurted out, "No way… That's an Emerald Holy Unicorn! Born a healing-type spirit beast. But how could one appear alone in the outskirts?"
Both Dugu Bo and Ignaz were stunned. A healing beast of this caliber was beyond priceless—just like a healing-type Spirit Master among humans, their importance couldn't be overstated. Normally, even in the Star Dou Great Forest, such a creature would be guarded by one or two extremely powerful spirit beasts. Yet here, not even a shadow of a guardian could be seen.
News traveled quickly down to Ye Wuyi, who was so excited he rushed to explain.
"Your Excellency, Ignaz, my clan's records are clear: the only time an Emerald Holy Unicorn is ever without guardians is during mating season."
"What? That's the strangest habit I've ever heard."
Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, Ignaz, and Dugu Bo all exchanged baffled looks. Ye Wuyi continued,
"It's true. And there's something even stranger, though very secret. After mating, the male willingly submits to being trampled to death by the female. Even more bizarre, the male's body dissolves into a unique energy that the female absorbs."
Ignaz froze in disbelief. "That's… just like praying mantises! No wonder it drives off its bodyguards first."
"Then according to your description," Ye Wuyi added, "this unicorn must be waiting for its mate to arrive."
Sure enough, moments later, a larger, stronger Emerald Holy Unicorn strode boldly into the Shadow Devil Tiger's domain. It raised its head, gazing up at the one standing tall on the boulder.
With a ringing cry, the stallion spread its wings and broke into a courtship dance.
Waves of green energy pulsed out with every step, soothing every beast nearby. Flowers and grass sprouted and grew visibly fast, while injured beasts found their wounds healing almost instantly.
As the dance ended, the female unicorn let out a soft neigh. The male immediately fluttered its wings, flying up to her side and rubbing affectionately against her neck. Together, they flew off toward a hidden place.
"Kid, you stay here and protect Aunt Ye and the others. As long as you don't provoke the Shadow Devil Tigers, my poison mist will shield you. I'll follow those unicorns—the female is perfect for Lingling."
"Grandpa, let's go two for two. We'll help Zhuqing and Lingling both at once. Leave those unicorns to me."
Before Dugu Bo could reply, Ignaz leapt skyward, soaring like a bird. His speed shocked everyone.
"Could this be one of the soul bone skills his Sea Spear master gave him? Flight—at a speed rivaling a thousand-year Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent? That's insane!"
"Grandpa, he's already flown so far. Hurry up and follow him, what if something happens—"
But Dugu Bo shook his head calmly.
"No need. Those two unicorns are already his prey. Even if danger arises, with that speed he can retreat without a scratch."
"Best focus on hunting that Shadow Devil Tiger for Zhuqing."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling glanced at each other, then at Ignaz disappearing into the distance. In unison, they muttered,
"Gross."
Ignaz suppressed his aura as he trailed the unicorns. He followed them to the mouth of a cave formed by a cliff wall, where the pair pressed close together and slipped inside the darkness.