As moonlight reflected off the restless river and the wind carried the fragrance of the forest, a massive figure gazed at the moon and hissed.
"Finally…"
It slightly turned its head, looking at its tail and the black-and-green scales covering its body.
"…it's time."
'It has been a hundred thousand years since I reincarnated into the Soul Land universe as a soul beast. I have even forgotten my name from my previous life.'
"Are you really going to become a human, little snake?"
A mesmerizing voice echoed deep within the forest. Slowly, a figure walked toward the so-called little snake.
"How many times have I told you not to call me little snake? Call me the Serpent King, you stupid crow!"
The serpent hissed angrily.
"Serpent King? Haha."
With teasing laughter, the figure revealed herself.
She had long, beautiful legs and slender hips. Her flawless face was framed by dark, spotless long hair, with inviting black lips and eyes as deep as the night.
A tight black robe clung to her figure, subtly accentuating her alluring curves, while long, night-colored feathers spread gracefully behind her back.
She was a beautiful woman—at least, that was how others perceived her. In truth, she was a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast.
"When I first met you, you were like a cute little worm. Now?" Her lips curved faintly. "You're not cute at all."
'Worm? Since when are worms considered cute?' The serpent rolled its gem-like eyes.
"Enough nonsense, Ye Fei" the serpent said. "Why are you here?"
"Why can't I be?" she replied lazily, as if the forest itself belonged to her. After a few seconds, she added,
"If you choose human rebirth, you'll have to start from nothing. All that power you accumulated over a hundred thousand years—gone. Why struggle like that?"
The serpent remained silent.
"If you're afraid of the tribulation, I can help you." Her voice filled with concern.
"You misunderstand," the serpent hissed calmly. "I don't want just human form."
His gaze lifted to the moon.
"I want godhood. And this is the only path that leads to it."
"Do you think it's easy to obtain godhood? It's already difficult for humans, let alone for a soul beast like you," she said, her voice carrying a hint of anger.
"Easy?" The serpent let out a soft hiss. "I'm not that delusional. It's simply something I want to try."
"Do you really hate staying with me that much…?"
Ye Fei whispered, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
"Did you say something?" The serpent tilted his head, confused.
"Nothing!"
She turned away abruptly. Night-like wings spread from her back as she shot into the sky, a few black feathers drifting down in her wake.
"Huh? What was that about?" He frowned briefly, then shook his head. "Anyway…"
The serpent gazed at his reflection one last time.
Strange light enveloped his body, and in the next moment, his massive form vanished—replaced by a six-year-old boy.
The boy looked at his reflection in the river. He had black hair, a cute face, and emerald eyes, wearing loose-fitting clothes.
"Is this my human form?" His voice was almost like a bird's chirp.
If one didn't pay attention to his voice, they might mistake him for a girl.
He then stretched his arms and legs and jumped, adjusting to his new body. Not only were there physical changes, but mental ones as well.
"I feel different. Like all the bloodlust and killing intent accumulated over a hundred thousand years have disappeared."
He inhaled the fresh air deeply before adding,
"Of course, they didn't disappear completely. They're just waiting for a chance."
For a second, his eyes turned red.
"My cultivation is sealed, and now I am at Rank Ten in human terms. I am a soul beast, so I don't have to hunt another soul beast for a soul ring."
He then activated his soul ring, and a red ring hovered around him.
"As expected—a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. I have to hide this color to avoid suspicion from others."
He quickly changed the color to yellow before deactivating the ring.
And with that, he became a Soul Master.