The forest of towering jade pines parted before them, as Tianyang, Mengqi, and Yao'er stepped through the golden mist swirling at the entrance to the Beast Valley. Light filtered through the canopy, but the air was crisp with wild essence. Mengqi inhaled deeply, eyes wide with anticipation.
"Gege… it's been so long," she murmured, glancing at Tianyang with a fond smile. "Last time we came here, you protected me all the way. I was still in the Nascent Soul Realm."
Tianyang chuckled, adjusting the dark brown and gold robe that clung to his muscular frame. "And now look at you. Peak Spirit Transformation. Nearly at the threshold of Void Tribulation Realm. You're not that little girl hiding behind me anymore."
Yao'er grinned, flicking his azure tail, his Divine Bloodline resonating as he walked beside them in his adult form. "It's the first time Jiejie and I get to hunt beasts together! I'll protect you both!"
