While the two were still staring at each other, thinking about what they would eat that day, the air around them rippled and Er Ming's figure suddenly appeared.
The instant he appeared, the excitement on his face—a result of his recent rise in power—froze.
Lin Nuo and Xiao Wu watched, speechless, as Er Ming's colossal structure shrank like a punctured balloon.
At the same time, the terrifying aura emanating from him plummeted; in the blink of an eye, the mighty Hundred Thousand-Year-Old Soul Beast fell to a mere Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine-Year-Old Beast.
Er Ming blinked, perplexed, and then roared furiously at Lin Nuo.
After a brief explanation, Lin Nuo cracked his knuckles, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I bet you weren't expecting that, big guy. I guess it's time to return the favor for the bullying you put me through."
"Yes! Let's fight! My sister Xiao Wu loves a good brawl— Er Ming, teach that stinky one a lesson!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, shaking her small fists, eager for chaos.
"Roar!" Already irritated by his sudden loss of strength, Er Ming pounded his chest and challenged Lin Nuo.
Without giving in to his whims, Lin Nuo summoned the secret celestial ruler of a hundred transformations to his right hand; under its control, he transformed into a giant mace covered in spikes.
With a light tap of his foot, Lin Nuo leaped high, raising the massive weapon and channeling every ounce of strength into striking it forcefully, letting out a wild laugh.
"Damn it—no honor!" Er Ming's pupils constricted at the sight of the gleaming spiked mace.
Still, he didn't wait for misfortune; spiritual power overwhelmed him while he was crossing his arms to protect himself.
Boom!
The mace struck the ground with tremendous force; a shockwave erupted, and blood gushed from numerous open wounds in Er Ming's forearms.
"I can't believe it... that strong?" Lin Nuo landed, speechless before the spiked weapon. He hadn't expected a casual strike to pierce Er Ming's spiritual power defense.
Although Er Ming's strength had diminished "a little," he still possessed the power of a five-thousand-year-old Soul Beast—and not just any Soul Beast—and yet he had been wounded so easily? Too weak…
Even Xiao Wu, who had been encouraging him, froze. She stepped back, looking at the mace with pity. "Little brother Lin... don't you dare hit me with that hammer..."
"That depends on how you behave," Lin Nuo replied cheerfully, then turned to Er Ming. "So? Want another round?"
Er Ming looked at the spiked mace, then at his bloodied arms, and shook his head vigorously, growling softly.
"Tch—how annoying. One hit and you're done for. You should have fought with your bare fists." Lin Nuo grumbled, but seeing Er Ming completely intimidated, he let it go.
Only when Lin Nuo dismissed his Spirit and turned to help Mei Ying with lunch did Er Ming relax; that single blow reminded him what it was like to feel pain—something few humans or animals had made him feel in ten thousand years.
After lunch, Da Ming's enormous bull head emerged from the Lake of Life. Noticing Mei Ying and Er Ming's condition, he asked in surprise, "Aunt Mei, Er Ming... what happened?"
Helpless, Lin Nuo explained again.
Da Ming nodded. "Have you decided how you're going to cultivate it?"
A glint flashed in Lin Nuo's eyes. "I need Soul Beasts with supreme elemental power."
"Explain yourself," said Da Ming, frowning; Mei Ying and the others listened curiously.
"My spirit is like a chaotic world yet to be opened. To make it grow, I need to draw upon Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, time, space, and other supreme elemental forces. Only then can this world fully form. And only I can make it evolve—if I die, the pearl of myriad beasts will collapse and disappear."
Lin Nuo solemnly revealed the cultivation method, while Da Ming spoke on behalf of the Silver Dragon King and Di Tian—and hidden eyes watched.
Da Ming pondered and then asked, "What do you think of Spirit Beasts and Spirit Masters?"
"What beasts are you referring to?" Lin Nuo raised an eyebrow, not waiting for an answer. "Beasts of low age and low potential are just animals. But those of high quality and intelligence, who act on reason, not instinct, transcend beasts—I would call them demons."
"As for the ancient hatred between humans and beasts, I will not judge. Humans hunt beasts to become stronger and survive; beasts devour humans—natural law. I cannot change that, at least not until I am strong enough."
He paused. "My place is unique: human by birth, raised by beasts. Without Mother Mei Ying and her care, I would be fertilizer for this land. However, I also cannot hate humans—human society contains darkness and filth, but also light and beauty. People are changeable, but they possess faith and perseverance. I swear: unless necessary, I will never kill a highly intelligent beast."
His words left the two humans and the two beasts in profound silence.
Finally, Da Ming spoke: "Very well. I give you this opportunity—may you one day be able to repair the rift between our species."
"Yes, I will!" Lin Nuo nodded seriously.
With that promise, the intangible mental force that had been oppressing him finally dissipated; his rollercoaster of cold, soft, and furious sensations vanished—exciting while it lasted.
Once the conversation ended, the atmosphere lightened. Mei Ying ruffled his hair. "Who knows what's going on in your head? You've never been in the human world, but you speak like a sage."
Blinking, Lin Nuo said, "Mom, do you remember when I started dreaming every night, when I was one year old?"
"Of course. You even said you were scared and had to hug Xiao Wu to get him to sleep." Mei Ying gave Xiao Wu a teasing look, making him blush.
Lin Nuo scratched his cheek, his face flushing. Back then, he simply found the talking rabbit funny—never imagining that the little rabbit would transform into a small loli years later.
He cleared his throat. "In those dreams, I became another person, in a world without Spiritual Masters or Spiritual Beasts—but it was bright and colorful."
A hint of nostalgia shone in his eyes…