The new day dawned over Spirit Hall, washing the stone ramparts in the soft, hopeful gold of early morning. For Bibi Dong, this was a day etched in the fate she was trying so desperately to shape. She rose, her body already tingling with suppressed power and keen anticipation, moving through the familiar morning routine with her children.
The shared ritual of breakfast—Renxue's bright cheerfulness and Yorrichi's quiet, observant concentration—was her final anchor to the world of normalcy before she would plunged into the wilds of the Star Dou Forest.
After the meal, the morning was dedicated, as usual, to mentoring her children's training. She watched Renxue execute demanding body conditioning drills, pushing her physical endurance until her movements became a blur of youthful stamina across the vast training courtyard.
Renxue was a bundle of restless energy, thriving on the sheer kinetic demand of the exercises. Yorrichi, in contrast, focused on simple sword forms, practicing precise, repetitive strikes that demanded perfect posture and unwavering concentration.
His movements were slow, deliberate, aimed at achieving absolute control over his physical frame, turning raw strength into disciplined action.
As she coached them, her thoughts ran on two parallel tracks: the loving, patient mother observing her children develop physical discipline, and the ruthless schemer noting the ticking clock.
Renxue needs to learn restraint in her speed, Yorrichi needs to introduce fluidity into his rigid defense. She offered corrections that were concise and effective, demanding both power and grace, her mind mapping out their required physical and mental growth against the quickly approaching storm.
Finally, as the sun climbed directly overhead, signifying the approach of noon and the end of the formal training period, Bibi Dong executed her planned deception. She placed her hands on the shoulders of her clone, who had been quietly meditating in the shade.
With a silent burst of spiritual energy, she fed her intent, reminding the duplicate of its programmed behavior: continue the role, observe, protect. The switch was seamless, a ghost slipping into a puppet, leaving the children none the wiser.
The real Bibi Dong then departed, cloaked in a layer of defensive soul power that made her presence utterly unremarkable to any passing guards or servants.
The journey was swift. She moved with the predatory grace of like a top-tier Title Douluo, crossing vast distances in silent blurs, her excitement a cold, internal fire that contrasted sharply with the surrounding landscape.
The power she was about to gain was not merely an upgrade; it was the final, critical component of her personal arsenal, the last 100,000-year soul ring needed to complete her Death God Scythe spirit.
She reached the periphery of the Star Dou Forest, where the ancient trees began to loom, their roots thick and gnarled like the bones of giants.
The air here was heavy, saturated with the rich, wild scents of life, decay, and colossal soul power. She slipped past the outer layers, allowing the primal energy of the ecosystem to cloak her final approach.
Soon, she arrived at the familiar, remote lake hut—a serene spot that belied the terrifying power residing within and around it. She immediately extended her vast soul sense, pushing it gently but thoroughly through the area. Caution was instinctual, a survival mechanism honed by years of living under Qian Xunji's roof. She trusted Ah Rou, but trusting destiny was foolish.
Her sense instantly detected a massive, dormant presence submerged beneath the placid lake waters—Da Ming, the Sky Azure Bull Python. His powerful aura was resting, yet instantly acknowledged her arrival.
She also sensed a second, slightly smaller but equally formidable animal soul beast approaching from the dense trees, a force that vibrated with raw, terrestrial strength—undoubtedly Er Ming, the Titan Giant Ape.
Then, the simple wooden door of the hut opened. Ah Rou, the Soft Boned Rabbit, stepped out, followed by the bounding figure of her daughter, the little rabbit Xiao Wu, who was hopping happily and innocently, wholly unaware of the gravity of the meeting.
Bibi Dong's internal processing momentarily stuttered. The aura… Ah Rou's soul power is much stronger than when we last spoke. It had stabilized, intensified, hinting at accelerated cultivation—a direct consequence of the imminent changes sweeping the forest. Furthermore, the little rabbit, Xiao Wu, now possessed a more stable energy core, showing signs of beginning serious cultivation.
Everything is moving too fast, she mused, a cold sigh echoing in her mind. I thinkthis little rabbit will prepare to leave the forest soon and enter the human world, just as the future foretold. I thought I had years before I had to contend with these variables. The relentless acceleration of events was both exhilarating and profoundly unsettling.
Ah Rou, her demeanor always marked by a strange blend of ancient dignity and gentle femininity, performed a slight, polite bow. "Welcome, Bibi Dong. It is good to see you again."
Xiao Wu, ever the mimic, copied her mother's gesture with an enthusiastic hop and a bright smile. "Welcome!"
Within moments, the two behemoths arrived. Da Ming rose from the lake, water streaming down his colossal, muscled form, his eyes sharp and intelligent. Er Ming crashed through the final line of trees, his heavy footsteps shaking the damp earth. They greeted her with the curt nods and low, resonant sounds typical of their kind.
The polite pleasantries dispensed, Da Ming, ever the most direct of the group, began the core discussion. "Bibi Dong, the purpose of your visit is at hand. You will obtain your soul ring this very day. The time is nearing its final hour. You simply need to wait here for a few hours and have patience."
Bibi Dong offered a genuine, subtle smile. "Waiting is not a problem for me, Da Ming. I have waited years for this moment. This soul ring is more than a stage in my cultivation; it is critical for my destiny. Once again, I thank all of you for this profound assistance and sacrifice."
The powerful soul beasts accepted her gratitude with quiet dignity. They understood the strategic importance of this act to their long-term survival strategy.
Ah Rou, however, clapped her hands together, breaking the solemnity with a return to domestic warmth. "Since you need to wait, Bibi Dong, please come inside the hut. It is not our custom to let a respected guest stand out here in the forest's elements." Her head tilted charmingly. "Come, I will cook something for you. We might be soul beasts, but we understand hospitality."
Bibi Dong was genuinely surprised. The idea of a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, especially one of the forest's great figures, engaging in human domestic arts was inherently amusing. "Oh, you can cook, Ah Rou? I would be honored then. I will gladly accept your food."
Xiao Wu chirped excitedly, puffing out her chest with childlike pride. "Yes! My Mom is the very best cook! Anyone who eats her food always says they love it very much!" she declared with a decisive little huff.
Bibi Dong laughed softly, a rare, musical sound that carried a hint of skepticism. "Oh, sure then. I look forward to sampling the culinary talents of the Soft Boned Rabbit." She then turned her gaze to the two giant apes, a playful glint in her eyes. "Have you guys also had the fortune of trying Ah Rou's food?"
Er Ming let out a mournful, heavy sigh that sounded like a low wind rushing through the trees. His large, expressive eyes were full of dramatic sadness. "Ah, those are too small for us, Bibi Dong," he lamented. "The portions… we can't even fill a single tooth with that little amount. It is a delicacy, yes, but not a meal for us." Da Ming nodded sagely in agreement, his posture conveying deep, shared hunger.
The light-hearted banter served its purpose, allowing Bibi Dong to relax, confirming the solid foundation of their unusual alliance. They were allies, not just partners in a transaction.
After a few minutes of comfortable chatting, Da Ming shifted his posture, the subtle change in his energy immediately signaling a return to serious matters. He turned his massive head towards Bibi Dong.
"Oh, right, Bibi Dong," he rumbled, his voice dropping slightly in tone. "Before you claim the soul ring from the Abyssal Dark Panther, you must do something first."
Bibi Dong listened silently, her expression composed and calm, but her internal focus sharpened to a diamond point. She simply nodded. "Tell me. I am ready to do anything required."
Da Ming paused, gathering his thoughts, the atmosphere turning solemn. "That Abyssal Dark Panther is a female soul beast. She has a request: she wishes to have a conversation with you."
He continued, his gaze showing deep respect. "I cannot overrule her. She is far older than I and the others here—one of the true elders of the forest—and has played an incredibly important, protective role for our species for millennia." Da Ming's voice became slightly emotional as he relayed the circumstances.
"When I informed her about our pact and the details of this transaction, she agreed instantly. She is one who is near death, and she knows her time has come. Most soul beasts harbor immense resentment towards humans, wishing them no benefit after death, but she has not protested. She only requested this one final dialogue. I hope you can grant her this respect and speak with her now."
Hearing the story, Bibi Dong felt a genuine, deep-seated sense of internal emotion. It was not pity, but profound respect. This creature, at the end of its vast life, was choosing its death with dignity and a strange, powerful understanding.
"Of course," Bibi Dong said readily, her voice firm and respectful, devoid of the cold calculation she normally employed. "Then let us go now. I wish to meet her. The creature that will be the reason for changing my destiny deserves the utmost courtesy."
How truly well these soul beasts conduct themselves, she thought internally, a moment of introspection washing over her. They possess a code of honor and wisdom that many of our human rulers and powerful soul masters tragically lack. I truly need to learn more from their quiet resilience.
With the solemn air of an appointed procession, the group began to depart. Da Ming led the way, his colossal form parting the dense undergrowth, followed by Er Ming.
Ah Rou and Xiao Wu brought up the rear, and Bibi Dong walked between them, her soul buzzing with the anticipation of a meeting that would define her ultimate power. They moved towards their final destination: the secluded, ancient nest of the Abyssal Dark Panther.
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Author's Note:
Haah, i know how are are feeling. little angry? ok. I will tell u the truth that I am working on editing the first few chapters of my novel and this takes time also. Ah, there I also forget to write this fanfic chapters also which i apologize.