Star Dou Forest.
Atop an ancient tree, one human and one beast cautiously parted the dense leaves and peered down. Countless black-robed figures swept past below. From high above, they looked like clusters of black dots moving off into the distance, as if searching for something.
Mists coiled around, living in symbiosis with the ancient tree. The birds and beasts dwelling there seemed to have a fondness for the two uninvited guests—perhaps because of Su Wen's martial soul nature, or perhaps because of the Auspicious Beast's aura of fortune. The moment they pushed aside the leaves overhead, a few larks appeared above Su Wen's head, lying neatly in a row. When Su Wen's head moved, their gaze shifted with it.
The Auspicious Beast spit a couple times and poked out its head; a few larks likewise perched atop it.
"Why do I feel like you're more auspicious than me?" It spat out a leaf, surprised at the equally prone Su Wen beside it. Apparently it hadn't been a misconception—this guy had a natural affinity with soul beasts.
He could even do simple communication with them. Ever since the two climbed up, a flock of birds had chirped and crowded around, but when he said "quiet," even the air seemed to freeze, and they'd been silent ever since.
"Because of my martial soul's traits." Seeing the black-clad men below move away without climbing up to search this ancient tree, Su Wen relaxed and whispered.
Things weren't looking good. He and the Auspicious Beast had carefully avoided the encirclement, yet somehow circled back to their starting point. This place was like a giant maze, exuding strangeness everywhere.
Perhaps some secret technique of the Holy Spirit Cult. But since even that old dog Zhongli Wu had moved, it seemed they were dead set on success.
"…"
Su Wen glanced at the Auspicious Beast's dazed look.
Once we get familiar, if real danger hits I'll stuff her into a Poké Ball first. That place feels like another space, capable of cutting off all external probing—just like in the original when Huo was running guerrilla in the Sun–Moon Empire. The difference is, my Poké Ball can hold me too—mark the origin point, and when we exit we're back where we were.
But first we need to build trust. If she takes me for a Skydream-type trickster trying to abduct her, that'd be awkward.
Miss Auspicious might be a romantic, but she's no fool.
The Ice Emperor hovered near Senior Sister's academy team, sending updates at any time. The Holy Spirit Cult seemed wary of Xuan Zi's presence; when they cast their secret art, they likely skirted around the academy. This space seems to coexist with the original space but doesn't overlap. Zhang Lexuan passed right by where Su Wen had been earlier but didn't see him.
No idea when he stumbled into this space—but it was a stroke of luck.
Su Wen felt a twinge of emotion.
Otherwise, the Auspicious Beast would've been taken away without a sound.
Damn Holy Spirit Cult.
They eat the meat without me, and I take the blame.
"Damn it," Su Wen muttered.
"You really hate those black-clad humans?" the Auspicious Beast asked curiously.
"If you vanish and Di Tian rages, Shrek Academy will suffer. But these guys are impressive—where did they get such a broken secret art? Don't tell me that so-called Holy King is actually capable?" Su Wen grumbled.
Tilting its head at the suddenly mysterious young man, the Auspicious Beast—larks on top moving in sync—found itself intrigued by Su Wen's mysteries, especially concerning humans, that evil race that only existed in Di Tian's warnings.
This was its first time so close.
"Are there many factions in the human world?"
"Don't soul beasts have the same? The Extreme North, the Evil Forest, Star Dou Forest, the sea clans—countless territories and races…" Su Wen glanced at it in surprise.
"So beyond Star Dou Forest, it's that vast." A glimmer of longing flashed in the beast's eyes.
It had lived here since it was small. For ten thousand years, life had been dull and monotonous, day after day.
But it was the Auspicious Beast, bearing the fortune of this forest and of all soul beasts. Di Tian had drilled into it from youth that humans were evil and did every bad deed, so it had a natural fear of the outside world. But today, something seemed to crack.
Su Wen froze, his throat bobbing.
Did I just cause trouble?
He looked at the Auspicious Beast and said solemnly, "What did I just say?"
The beast blinked. "You said outside Star Dou Forest there's—"
"I didn't say that! You misheard!" Su Wen declared righteously.
The beast's golden eyes widened. "You clearly said there's a vast world outside, and even egged me on to go see it, trying to entice me to leave the Star Dou Forest…"
Su Wen: "…"
A sly glint flashed in the beast's eyes.
"But if you can take me out of the Star Dou Forest, then if Di Tian asks, none of this will have anything to do with you."
Su Wen choked and said irritably,
"Take you out of the Star Dou Forest? Let's solve the current mess first. Forget the rest."
"With you here, we'll be fine," the beast said, flicking a leaf in boredom.
"Hmm?" Su Wen was puzzled.
"I'm the Auspicious Beast—the forest's fortune. So unless I actively seek death, even if those people go all out, they won't catch me. I've faced crisis after crisis before and always slipped through… This time, the one destined to save me should be you." The Auspicious Beast spoke evenly.
"…"
Su Wen fell silent.
That… actually tracks.
With massive fate on your back, dying is hard.
"But your earlier fear didn't look fake. You were even ready to die together," Su Wen said doubtfully.
"I even fooled you." The beast's tone turned light, with the delight of a prank accomplished. "I don't hate those people—might even like them a little, since they brought a ripple to my life. Otherwise it's way too boring. I got very into the act to match them…"
"I just don't want a life of monotony anymore. It's suffocating here. Even if I sneak out of the core area sometimes, Di Tian calls me back immediately. They're terrified I'll have an accident, but I don't want that…"
"Even if I leave Star Dou Forest, out of their protection, I won't die."
The beast drooped its head again, confiding in Su Wen.
A white, fluffy lark at its side chirped as if in sympathy and pecked the top of the beast's head.
"I can't take you."
After a long silence, Su Wen spoke slowly.
"But you can leave on your own."
"They won't let me go…" The beast fretted.
"They will," Su Wen said.
The beast looked at him suddenly. He nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry. They will."
"Then I'll try when I get back?" the beast said joyfully.
"Okay. Escape and come share the good news." Su Wen took a red fruit that Gale had somehow handed down while hanging upside-down, wiped it, took a bite, then tossed one to the beast.
"Mm."
The Auspicious Beast's eyes flickered, thoughts unknown.
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